Chinese hardware manufacturer Dasung has announced the Paperlike 253, a 25-inch grayscale E-ink display with a high resolution and framerate.
Unlike similar tablets and standalone display components, the Paperlike 253 comes in a monitor form factor, making it perfect for writers and coders looking for a way to reduce eye strain from traditional monitors.
A Relief From Eye Strain
Dasung markets its products as high-end tools to prevent eye-strain and fatigue caused by traditional LCD monitors. The Paperlike 253 looks likely to take the top spot in their roster of fast-framerate grayscale displays, and the first designed explicitly as a computer monitor replacement.
The new display was introduced in a 5-minute video on the company's official Weibo account. The video (Chinese only) covers all of the new features the display exhibits and how it compares to previous Dasung products.
At this stage, there is no information about a release date or price. Launching products via crowdfunding websites has become so common that it's refreshing to see a seemingly finished product revealed ahead of general sale.
On release, the Paperlike 253 will be available from Dasung's online store.
Dasung Paperlike 253: What We Know
While the full specifications of the Paperlike 253 remain unknown, there are a few things already confirmed:
- Size: 25.3 inches
- Resolution: 3200 x 1800 pixels
- Display Driver: Dasung Turbo
- Materials: Aluminium
It's not much to go on, but it's already pretty exciting for lovers of E-ink displays.
The Next Generation of E-Ink
While there is no price information, you can expect to spend a lot on the Paperlike 253. The 13-inch Paperlike already available starts from $999, with an optional touchscreen and backlight. While the price may seem eye-watering to some, there is a good reason behind it.
The way traditional E-ink ebooks work is based on a process called electrophoresis. In essence, millions of tiny colored capsules with different charges are moved via an electrode layer below to create images and text.
The problem with older E-ink displays is that this process is incredibly slow. While they are well suited to reading, everyday computer tasks like typing and web browsing are impossible. This is where Dasung's Turbo technology sets it aside. Given that the cheapest traditional 10 inch E-ink displays can cost over $100 just for the part itself, it's no surprise that cutting edge E-ink technology will cost more.
As the above video shows, the update speed isn't quite up to spec for watching movies or gaming, but a massive improvement on previous generation displays. Currently, the Paperlike 253 looks to be the largest fast-updating E-ink display for the premium consumer market.
