Kindle, iPad, and paper examined microscopically

The above image is a picture of the iPad's screen, multiplied by 24 times over. Keith Peters at Bit-101 used his new USB microscope to examine a few different e-reader displays up really close, and the results are definitely a fun read. The iPad doesn't do too well, actually -- I think the Kindle looks much cleaner, although there's some debate about that in the comments, so each to his own. At any rate, it's cool to see how these displays "work" -- the actual pixels going into the picture that our eyes just collate into full text. The 400x newspaper, book, and magazine closeups are very interesting as well. With all of the digital display talk going around, you tend to forget what those displays are actually trying to recreate, which is really very organic smears on a thin fabric.

Unfortunately, Keith didn't get his hands on the Retina Display, and you'd assume that's a game changer. With four times the pixels seen in the image above, the iPhone 4's display probably gives the Kindle a nice challenge, and might even start competing with the actual paper printing. Still, until that display makes its way to the tablet, this is the best we've got for now.

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Source: http://www.bit-101.com/blog/?p=2722

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The above image is a picture of the iPad's screen, multiplied by 24 times over. Keith Peters at Bit-101 used his new USB microscope to...

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SteamboatWillie

Brilliant. Well played.

August 19 2010 at 2:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

AC88

This is very important news for people who view the world in black and white, through a microscope.

August 18 2010 at 1:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Matt White

I'm going to post something on my blog comparing the accuracy of the color on the Kindle's screen with the color on my iPad's screen... Oh wait! The Kindle doesn't DO color!

Talk about apples and oranges, people. Keith has been whining about his iPad since he got it, and this is just another buyer's remorse post. I have read several books on my iPad since I got it, and I have absolutely no complaints. I can even read in the dark! Whoa! Sunlight is bad, I admit, but you just can't have EVERYTHING.

August 18 2010 at 11:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jeff Harris

@Janichsan

I agree, the iPad's screen glare is pretty bad. Plus it collects fingerprints at an unbelievable rate. I really hate glossy screens and glare and even spent the extra $$$ to get the anti-glare option for my 15" i7 MacBook Pro. For my iPad, I found a solution...

Power Support Anti-Glare Film.
It's excellent. Cuts glare DRAMATICALLY. Fingerprints become a minor issue. AND the screen is much smoother for swiping and such. I even got one for my iPod touch. I can't recommend it enough!

http://www.powersupportusa.com/accessories/ipad/anti-glare-film-set.html

August 18 2010 at 9:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Janichsan

These pictures proof exactly why I cannot take the iPad seriously as an eBook reader â€“Â along with the reflecting glass pane and the lack of readability of the LCD in direct sunlight.

August 18 2010 at 7:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Janichsan's comment

mack

I seriously use my iPad as an ebook reader every day. At home, on public transport, and in the office. I've never found the screen or fingerprints you mention to be any trouble whatsoever. I also prefer the richer contrast of the iPad compared to the Kindle, which displays everything as dark grey on light grey. I frankly can't see the point of buying a separate device to carry around that just does ebooks and nothing else?

August 18 2010 at 12:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mark

You know, it would be nice if I got to spend my time reading books on the beach or in the park. But where I actually find myself reading is on the road in planes, trains, restaurants and hotel rooms where the lighting is often poor and the Kindle (yes, I have one) is often useless. I like the Kindle -software- and book selection just fine, but I run that software on my iPad. I can not only read on my travels, I can pick up a book on a sleepless night at home without waking my wife.

For those rare days when I get to spend some time on the beach, I'm not to worried about reading.

August 18 2010 at 1:26 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

studio

I have an iPad, I love my iPad and I think it is AMAZING. If you have a Kindle and you love it, THAT IS GREAT! Enjoy your Kindle, let me enjoy my iPad and find something else to do with your time. I'm so SICK of everyone trying to be an iPad or iPhone killer! Use the device you love and let us love our devices. Apple doesn't come out saying they are better than....THEY JUST ARE!

August 18 2010 at 5:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

TechNick

I actually CAN see pixels on the iPhone 4's display. If you look at the battery in the top right when at the home screen you can see them. In normal use I really can't see the pixels, although one thing that does bother me is I can see the horizontal "gap" between the rows of pixels. It makes it look as if there are tiny scan lines going down the screen!

August 17 2010 at 7:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Anthony

I love the Kindle's display...

It's only like a 400x540 resolution or something small like that, but it still looks so awesome. Especially in the sunlight.

I's love to see in a few years a color version of the screen... They have some now, but they are not very good. If one was in a Kindle it would be at least decent, or better than the ones before it in terms of contrast and refresh rate.

August 17 2010 at 7:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Anthony's comment

Tagbert

The Kindle 2 screen is 800x600 and 167dpi

August 18 2010 at 1:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply