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Another 'review' of an eInk device which fails to mention which type of eInk display is used: * Glass substrate = extremely fragile and easy to break screen *

Another 'review' of an eInk device which fails to mention which type of eInk display is used: * Glass substrate = extremely fragile and easy to break screen * Plastic substrate = more flexible and hence more durable screen I'm currently in the market for my fourth eReader. The previous 3 all having suffered broken screens due to the flimsy internal glass substrate cracking, in spite of the devices being visually unmarked externally. So I have been reading a few reviews of eInk devices of late. Amazing how many so-called in-depth reviews will waffle on about button placement, bevel size, number of books in online library, etc. Yet completely fail to mention something as fundamental as whether or not the screen is likely to break if you look at it the wrong way.

robinsoh 4y ago
I agree with you and have experienced similar problems. I wonder what is the tradeoff between glass and plastic and why they choose one or the other.
- Normille 4y ago
  Supposedly it's easier to deposit the eInk layer onto thin glass than thin plastic. So cheaper to manufacture[?] But I've been reading reviews dating back years, heralding the advent of flexible eInk screens using plastic substrate. Yet the vast majority of eReaders out there still seem to use fragile glass. Puzzling, given the speed with which development generally proceeds in the electronics industry.
  - robinsoh 4y ago
    > Supposedly it's easier to deposit the eInk layer onto thin glass than thin plastic. So cheaper to manufacture I'm not aware of any electrophoretic material that is manufactured through a deposition process. Could you point me to where you read about deposition on glass?
    - Normille 4y ago
      I probably misled you there by my use of the word "deposited". I meant it pretty generically, as I don't know the exact process by which the various layers of such a screen are constructed. So "deposited" seemed like a pretty neutral term for <whatever> way it's done.

robinsoh 4y ago

I agree with you and have experienced similar problems. I wonder what is the tradeoff between glass and plastic and why they choose one or the other.

Normille 4y ago
Supposedly it's easier to deposit the eInk layer onto thin glass than thin plastic. So cheaper to manufacture[?] But I've been reading reviews dating back years, heralding the advent of flexible eInk screens using plastic substrate. Yet the vast majority of eReaders out there still seem to use fragile glass. Puzzling, given the speed with which development generally proceeds in the electronics industry.
- robinsoh 4y ago
  > Supposedly it's easier to deposit the eInk layer onto thin glass than thin plastic. So cheaper to manufacture I'm not aware of any electrophoretic material that is manufactured through a deposition process. Could you point me to where you read about deposition on glass?
  - Normille 4y ago
    I probably misled you there by my use of the word "deposited". I meant it pretty generically, as I don't know the exact process by which the various layers of such a screen are constructed. So "deposited" seemed like a pretty neutral term for <whatever> way it's done.