Do you all prefer the Kindle or back lit devices?

[glen]

I searched for ome threads on this, but did not see one that obviously ocvered this topic. I am interested in hearing what folks have to say in regard to the advantages and disadvantages of both formats.

 

[Spoooon]

While I prefer e-ink for reading, I will happily let my wife take over my nook once I can get a Transformer.

 

[glen]

I wish I could read E-Ink in bed at night.
Do they have back lit version?

 

[zerocool84]

I wish I could read E-Ink in bed at night.
Do they have back lit version?

No, it`s intended to be read like a book. E-Ink is awesome for pure reading. Nothing beats it. Sure reading on an LCD is fine but E-Ink is infinitely better. Obviously if you already have a tablet of sme kind then no real reason to buy a dedicated e-reader.

 

[Bateluer]

For reading, I'd say e-ink takes the prize, hands down. Its much easier on the eyes, gets longer battery life, etc.

LCDs, and similar, offer more flexibility though. But you sacrifice battery life for the power hungry display, and usually more powerful hardware to drive it. LCDs work better for tablet type devices, IMO.

Course, the whole thing gets mucked up when you through in the Mirasol, Pixie Qi, and other hybrid display technologies. They aren't on the market in force yet, so they're kinda wild card tech at the moment.

Obviously if you already have a tablet of sme kind then no real reason to buy a dedicated e-reader.

Unless you don't want to charge it every day, or just want something to read books on. Luckily, it seems Amazon and B&N understand that e-readers should be pretty cheap, make them cost low enough so its not a big deal for people to just buy both.

 

[Red Storm]

E-Ink > LCD. It's no question.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I much prefer LCDs for magazines, eInk is better for books.

 

[pm]

I disagree. I don't think E-Ink > LCD. I think it's a matter of personal preference and I prefer LCD's. I like colors, and I like the fact that the screen is backlit and I can see it in the dark.

I bought an iPad last May, and within a month, I won a Kindle 3 for best paper at a conference. I used them both side by side for most of last summer and then put the Kindle on Ebay because I preferred the iPad - both for general usage and more specifically for reading, which is most of what I do with my iPad. E-ink is much better for reading outside, but I've never liked reading real books outside during the day so for me this was a "don't care".

I think it's a matter of personal preference. I spend all day reading and working on LCD's at work, I'm writing this text on an LCD at home. I have perfect vision and have never had to wear glasses. About the only thing is that I am super picky about my LCD screens.

I understand that lots of people like e-ink screens and wouldn't want to read anything on an LCD and I am fine with that... but I wouldn't ever even consider an e-ink personally. I'd go back to reading paper books.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I loved my Kindle 3 and the e-ink was easier to read from than an LCD. It's great outdoors and the battery lasts for weeks.

But I returned it and got a Nook Color instead. I like the LCD because of it's versatility. LCD has a much faster refresh rate, doesn't have the odd refresh flicker, and I can surf the web, watch videos, and play games along side reading my ebooks. Also it's great indoors in areas where the lighting may not be as good. The LCD is a high quality IPS with a 1024x600 resolution, pretty nice. LCD won't be as eye friendly as e-ink, but the Nook Color uses a great LCD and is still enjoyable for hours of reading and doesn't give me any strain.

 

[Zeze]

Is that what all these Ereaders are using? E-Ink?

I was astonished when I peeked at someone using Kindle. It's SO easy on the eyes, has amazing clarity, and readability on full sunlight.

 

[glen]

I am not sure I buy the "easier on the eyes" argument.
Of course, I knwo everyone says and accepts it as though it is true, I simply don't know if it is much more than marketing hype.
Yes, E-Ink is better in Sunlight.
However, it is worse in the dark.
I suppose that since I want to read in bed at night, I should look for a nook or something.
Is there an LED that will run kindle software so I can use Amazon?

 

[pm]

I think pretty much all major tablets support the Kindle app.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000493771

You can definitely get it for Android and iOS. You could even root a Color Nook and install it.

 

[glen]

There is no Dothraki word for E-Reader.

 

[zerocool84]

I am not sure I buy the "easier on the eyes" argument.
Of course, I knwo everyone says and accepts it as though it is true, I simply don't know if it is much more than marketing hype.
Yes, E-Ink is better in Sunlight.
However, it is worse in the dark.
I suppose that since I want to read in bed at night, I should look for a nook or something.
Is there an LED that will run kindle software so I can use Amazon?

Well of course it's worse in dark, it's impossible to read in the dark. You need some light. E-Ink is just like reading a piece of paper so of course it's easier on the eyes.

 

[Dulanic]

I am not sure I buy the "easier on the eyes" argument.
Of course, I knwo everyone says and accepts it as though it is true, I simply don't know if it is much more than marketing hype.
Yes, E-Ink is better in Sunlight.
However, it is worse in the dark.
I suppose that since I want to read in bed at night, I should look for a nook or something.
Is there an LED that will run kindle software so I can use Amazon?

As others have said it does not have a backlight, it's not intended to be used that way. It is intended to be used exactly like a real book. That is what lights are for. If you want to read at night (I do all the time) either a lamp can be used or one of the lighted cases that has a light to shine over it. Again.... just like a book which is how it was intended to be used.

BTW, a nook won't help. A nook COLOR has a backlight (it is LCD) the normal nook does not.

Also as noted above, Amazon offers kindle software for just about everything.

 

[gorcorps]

They really need to offer an e-ink reader with backlight. Something that can be toggled. It doesn't even have to be a backlight... just built in lighting of some kind. The biggest problem I had with the Nook/Kindle is that it requires a separate light source which adds weight and clutter.

I sold my Nook and now have a Nook Color which is still used more for reading than other uses, and I'm happy enough. Having a backlight is worth more to me than e-ink, even for extended reading.

 

[glen]

They really need to offer an e-ink reader with backlight. Something that can be toggled. It doesn't even have to be a backlight... just built in lighting of some kind. The biggest problem I had with the Nook/Kindle is that it requires a separate light source which adds weight and clutter.

I sold my Nook and now have a Nook Color which is still used more for reading than other uses, and I'm happy enough. Having a backlight is worth more to me than e-ink, even for extended reading.

Yes.
Why have they not done this yet?

 

[gorcorps]

Yes.
Why have they not done this yet?

I honestly have no clue. The original nook has a small darker plastic border directly around the screen. It's actually deep enough that with some modifications and small LEDs they could have had a ring of lights around the display. It wouldn't be as even as backlighting, but it beats having nothing IMO. Before I got my Nook Color I was about to mod this in myself.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

So, you folks complaining about lack of back lighting with e-ink have never read actual books in bed before? You'd rather pay more and endure drastically shorter battery life than get a small lamp or other light source? Please send me your unwanted cash and I will email you daily telling you how wise, wonderful and, handsome your are.

 

[Fingolfin269]

So, you folks complaining about lack of back lighting with e-ink have never read actual books in bed before? You'd rather pay more and endure drastically shorter battery life than get a small lamp or other light source? Please send me your unwanted cash and I will email you daily telling you how wise, wonderful and, handsome your are.

I understand the utility they are taking but you're right, I was reading a book in bed last night... and had to turn on a lamp!

Granted one might argue that I could have just used a candle or oil lamp instead...

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I understand the utility they are taking but you're right, I was reading a book in bed last night... and had to turn on a lamp!

Granted one might argue that I could have just used a candle or oil lamp instead...

I have done that as well but, basing utility on 'back lighting?' I guess I'm too old to care more about the format than the story I'm trying to read.

 

[gorcorps]

So, you folks complaining about lack of back lighting with e-ink have never read actual books in bed before? You'd rather pay more and endure drastically shorter battery life than get a small lamp or other light source? Please send me your unwanted cash and I will email you daily telling you how wise, wonderful and, handsome your are.

I don't see how less battery life means we like spending money... That connection came completely out of left field and doesn't make any sense. I'm actually going to ask if you really meant to post that 2nd part in another thread. In case you really are that thick though... I'll respond:

-LEDs don't use much energy, and you wouldn't need many. "Drastically" reducing battery life? Ha!
-The lights wouldn't be always on, it'd be a toggle. If you didn't want to use them you wouldn't have to. You could use your precious lamp and add to your energy bill if you wanted. Waste money? Ha!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I don't see how less battery life means we like spending money... That connection came completely out of left field and doesn't make any sense. I'm actually going to ask if you really meant to post that 2nd part in another thread. In case you really are that thick though... I'll respond:

-LEDs don't use much energy, and you wouldn't need many. "Drastically" reducing battery life? Ha!
-The lights wouldn't be always on, it'd be a toggle. If you didn't want to use them you wouldn't have to. You could use your precious lamp and add to your energy bill if you wanted. Waste money? Ha!

It was in response to the color nook and other similar computing devices not a non existent device. The money reference was in relation to the cost of existing back lit computing devices used primarily for reading. Really, you should try integrating more than one train of thought at a time.

 

[ibex333]

Sometimes you simply don't have a choice. It can be said that e-Ink is only for reading novels or books that have minimal pictures and graphics. If you are looking to read technical books, your only choice is LCD. Period. There cannot be any argument here.

Further, aside from the Kindle DX, there is simply no e-Ink readers with a large enough screen for this specific task, and Kindle DX doesn't always do a good job with technical books.

Yes, e-Ink is better on the eyes, but the way I see it, I stare into the LCD screen most of the day anyway, so I might as well stare at it some more. And I wouldn't even be able to do it with e-Ink in bed in total darkness before going to sleep.

Battery life? Pffft... How much battery life do you people need? Never used an LCD reader, on which battery would run out before I would get tired of reading. That's good enough for me. ; )

I am waiting till the day when they release a color e-Ink screen reader, 10 inches in size, lightweight, which works well, scales well to it's screen size, doesn't tear pages, and does a great job at showing technical PDFs. I'd gladly pay a thousand dollars for that.

 

[gorcorps]

It was in response to the color nook and other similar computing devices not a non existent device. The money reference was in relation to the cost of existing back lit computing devices used primarily for reading. Really, you should try integrating more than one train of thought at a time.

My train of thought derailed years ago