Do you like staring at flickering bright lights all day that emit detrimental blue light? Not me. Introducing the Dasung Paperlike Pro with the following specs:
- Screen: Max 13.3-inch E Ink screen (Carta)
- Connector: HDMI.
- Power supply: USB (5V-1A)
- Aspect Ratio. 4 : 3.
- Display: Reflects ambient light (no backlight)
- Resolution: 1600×1200.resolution. 800×600 to 1600×1200.
If you’ve ever used an e-ink reader like the nook or kindle, then you know what this monitor is about and why it’s so special: e-ink makes love to your eyes. Unlike LED screens which use bright led lights to render the images, e-ink is using reflective TFT screens that are much easier on the eyes in my estimation. However, the refresh rates are horrendous.
This is the main issue that many reviews don’t really address: is the refresh rate too slow to be useful in daily computing? In my estimation, no. For a coder, developer, system administrator or heavy non-computer gaming person with eye-strain, this e-ink monitor will help.
The refresh rate is fast enough to show youtube videos which comparing to the Onyx Book Max 2, the Paperlike Pro is superior, by far. Although the screen technology is the same, the render modes are not, which makes all the difference. Take a look at me browsing on it:
However, as with all e-ink screens, color is not available. Obviously, graphic designers and video editors won’t be successful with a grayscale monitor.
Is the Paperlike Pro worth $1k? It depends on how much you value your eyesight and how much you actually sit in front of a monitor. For me, yes. That’s not to say this monitor couldn’t be improved. The resolution and screen size are annoyingly low which results in one struggling to read small text or distinguishing buttons and elements on websites. However, you can install high contrast themes which help.
My question to Samsung/Sony/Philips/LG: why is the Paperlike the only e-ink monitor on the market right now? Why aren’t you guys investing in this technology? I get it, they have to recoup their R&D spent on pretty OLED screens, but the niche market for these types of e-paper monitors would be very profitable in my estimation: systems administrators/coders/developers/dev ops people generally can afford and are willing to spend, in this case, three times the amount normal monitors go for ($300).
Imagine a 28″ e-paper monitor using this technology: