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Cybook woes: Suffered a SECOND screen failure? Or same problem with Sony Reader or Kindle?
September 1, 2008 | 9:33 am
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By David Rothman
A TeleBlog reader complains of a “second screen failure on my Cybook. Both times inside the protective case, both times with little or (first time) absolutely no impact/crushing/etc. It’s a joke—I’ve never had anything so fragile.”
Has anyone else suffered not one but two screen failures with the Cybook or other E Ink machines? Details? Same brand in both cases?
This problem is hardly limited to the Cybook. One lesson here is to check out replacement policies and optional protection plans before you buy.
Update: Pam Gadsen, NAEB buying club leader, is the latest person to suffer Cybook screen problems. Sorry, Pam! Best of luck on this and on the NAEB wrap-up!
Related: Polls of Cybook, Sony Reader and Kindle owners to determine how common screen problems are (scroll down). The polls are not scientific. For what it’s worth, however, the Cybook screen actually has a lower failure rate (13 percent) compared to the Sony Reader (22 percent) and the Kindle (16 percent). In fairness to the Sony Reader, it has been out longer than the other two, and that probably raised the percentage.
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Comments:
Mine is still going strong. I don’t treat it roughly, but I don’t exactly handle it with kid gloves, either, and the only sign of wear is the coating starting to wear off the page turning button (which irritates me, but isn’t important).
The 9.7 inch screen version of the Astak Mentor has been delayed a bit and the reason may be related to this issue.
They are waiting for the finalized flexible screen technology. Its not that they want the screen to bend, but that they think the flexibility will allow it to better withstand without breaking.
On a side note, another reason for the delays is that they are waiting for a newer controller from Epson. I understand that response times are much improved with this controller. This certainly interests me. While I enjoy my Cybook, I can report that its not as quick to respond as some of the PDA’s that I used for ereading in the past.
Michael
I’ve had my Sony Reader (first edition) since when they came out. I keep it in my purse, I got one that has a zippered leather pouch for the Reader. I always face the screen inside and it gets constant use when I’m out and about. I’ve never had any screen problems with it (knock on wood) since I owned it. The cover’s corners are bent from usage but otherwise it has survived a long time inside my purse as I walk and ride the bus.
How can a percentage be affected by the longevity of the device? The Sony is clearly the weakest offering.