E-Ink vs LCD

[racolvin]

There's something I don't quite understand ...

For those of us old enough to remember the original Palm devices with the touch-screen LCD (and no backlighting), how is that different from the E-Ink technology used in the Kindle?

In fact, why couldn't there be a touch-screen version of the Kindle using that same technology from the old Palm days? It sure LOOKS just like a hi-res version of the Palm screen ...

 

[CKent]

Calling it e-ink allows them to charge hundreds of dollars for what costs them a few bucks to produce.

I'm psychic. The poster below me is going to be ... *rubs temples in deep thought* racolvin. And he is a closet furrie.

 

[thegpfury]

The e-ink display requires virtually no power to display anything, it just takes power to change the screen. The screen also has an insanely wide viewing angle. Much more than the old palm devices. The only real downside with the technology is that it takes a half second to change the screen, it's not instant.

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: thegpfury
The e-ink display requires virtually no power to display anything, it just takes power to change the screen. The screen also has an insanely wide viewing angle. Much more than the old palm devices. The only real downside with the technology is that it takes a half second to change the screen, it's not instant.

This is the answer. It uses little (or no?) power while the screen is static.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: sjwaste

Originally posted by: thegpfury
The e-ink display requires virtually no power to display anything, it just takes power to change the screen. The screen also has an insanely wide viewing angle. Much more than the old palm devices. The only real downside with the technology is that it takes a half second to change the screen, it's not instant.

This is the answer. It uses little (or no?) power while the screen is static.

Well, there's more to the answer. E-ink is actual ink particles that are charged to display the image. It's takes little to no power to hold them there. But it's the actual ink that makes it read like an actual piece of paper. Backlit LCD's strain the eyes. E-ink screens do not.

 

[thegpfury]

Agreed. I have the Sony PRS-505, and use it constantly. Highly recommended, and definitely beats reading books on a PDA or phone.

 

[0roo0roo]

particle vs crystal

meh
as for old style palm devices using eink if it were around..perhaps. but i think e ink is too slow for that kind of use. seems like it would suck at refreshing at speed.