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Ask HN: Why are larger e-readers much more expensive than tablets?

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Ask HN: Why are larger e-readers much more expensive than tablets?

#1
Looking at larger e-readers (8-10inch) I am surprised how few options there are and the prices $300+. Yes the regular 6" Kindle is cheap but larger sizes are not.

I would rather read text books on an e-reader not a tablet.

The specs of most e-readers are low. Is the screen that costly? Is this the reason for them being that expensive? Or is it lack of demand?

Re: Ask HN: Why are larger e-readers much more expensive than tablets?

#4
post #3

It's mostly the screen. Manufacturing costs scale non-linearly with area due to defect rate. I think they are really worth it, though. Now some 13 inch models even accept video input, so you can potentially use it as a terminal / PDF screen.

I wish they would make defective units available at a lower price. I don't mind some stuck pixels if it means I can get the reader half off.

Re: Ask HN: Why are larger e-readers much more expensive than tablets?

#5
post #3

It's mostly the screen. Manufacturing costs scale non-linearly with area due to defect rate. I think they are really worth it, though. Now some 13 inch models even accept video input, so you can potentially use it as a terminal / PDF screen.

It's probably also partially an economies of scale thing. Amazon used to sell a 10 inch version of the Kindle but discontinued it due to poor sales.

Re: Ask HN: Why are larger e-readers much more expensive than tablets?

#7
I believe mass manufacturing drives down the prices. Book owners like to read something that is handheld ~6inches. Book readers won't buy large eink devices.

I don't think the eink screens are that costly. It may have something to do with the demand.

This is ridiculously expensive https://remarkable.com And the Sony Digital Paper is expensive too.

I would love to see more phone cases with eink screens.

Re: Ask HN: Why are larger e-readers much more expensive than tablets?

#8
post #3

It's mostly the screen. Manufacturing costs scale non-linearly with area due to defect rate. I think they are really worth it, though. Now some 13 inch models even accept video input, so you can potentially use it as a terminal / PDF screen.

Which models?

Re: Ask HN: Why are larger e-readers much more expensive than tablets?

#9
post #4
post #3

It's mostly the screen. Manufacturing costs scale non-linearly with area due to defect rate. I think they are really worth it, though. Now some 13 inch models even accept video input, so you can potentially use it as a terminal / PDF screen.

I wish they would make defective units available at a lower price. I don't mind some stuck pixels if it means I can get the reader half off.

I think you're being too optimistic about the discount to defect ratio.
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