Spring Design Alex starts shipping tomorrow

We'd gripe about the wait, but given all the e-book readers we saw at CES that've fallen off the radar or been delayed to oblivion, we're actually pretty proud of Spring Design for shipping the Alex at last. Orders will start going out tomorrow for the $399 dual screen reader. Not sure it's worth the price? Well, we're not positive either. Check out our review for a bit of help deciding.

[tad604 Posted Apr 13th 2010 10:41PM]

This (in my mind) is the best e-reader out there. I have 50 bucks in Barnes and Nobles gift certifactes... meaning I can get a nook for 200 (half the price). Grr... but I really think I'd prefer a 7" inch android tablet and or the Notion Ink Adam. Although none of those are actually available yet.

hrmph.

[nbolmer Posted Apr 13th 2010 11:19PM]

Those who comment constantly on e-ink based devices with something to the effect of "reading engadget never hurts, so e-ink is dumb!" are somehow ignorant of what eye strain is, and the slew of studies showing the negative effects of reading for hours a day, every day, on a traditional screen. Before you comment that reading an entire novel on a cellphone is a really swell idea, or that an ipad makes a great ebook reader, do a little research. Just google eye strain. See what pops up. Read it. Think a little. Then, make an intelligent comment.

Those who comment that reading an actual book is a better solution are completely missing the point. Imagine hauling a laptop around for each piece of software. Isn't it better to have ALL of it in one place? My kindle has novels, magazines, and blogs I read all in one place, in a device lighter than any of the aforementioned. I never have to run to the bookstore if I feel like reading something late at night, and I don't have a giant chunk of a tree sitting around that I'll never read again.

E-ink is fantastic for reading novels. I used to read public domain books on the computer (the complete lovecraft works are online), but it's infinitely better on my kindle. Eye strain is a very real problem, and later in life, it does catch up with you later in life. E-ink makes for a far, far better reading experience; especially for novels.

For engadget? I still use my laptop. Color e-ink is just around the corner, though.

[Wesscoast Posted Apr 14th 2010 12:54AM]

@nbolmer

All that research and you still can't figure it out?

A screen 3 feet away from your face (computer) did hurt your eyes the first time you started doing it consistently...then your eyes...(wait for it) adjusted focus, and you were comfortable with it... just one problem, now things look blurry far away... so you got... GLASSES.

You know what else hurts your eyes? Sitting at your desk reading for 5 hours about a foot away from your face. But you get used to it... and your eyesight will get worse... and... you'll get new glasses.

The research you've done that does like PC monitors, doesn't like the iPad, and does like the Kindle (sounds like an Apple Haters wet dream) means nothing to me because you skipped over the proverbial meat. Unless you can explain it yourself instead of telling people to use Google to find it themselves, I call total BS.

My point is not that its a great idea to hit the lights and read "The Stand iPad App" for...say...3 days straight is a good idea, my point is that reading ANYTHING that close to your face for any length of time is a very bad idea. People who say "no, what are you talkin about" either don't read much, or are liars. If you don't believe me, look at Stephen Kings goggles one more time. That man definitely reads more than you.

[nbolmer Posted Apr 14th 2010 1:03AM]

@Wesscoast Are you seriously asking for evidence that a constantly refreshing backlit screen is more stressful than a non-refreshing reflective surface using ambient light? E-book readers wouldn't be a billion dollar industry, with many millions of dollars spent on research if sticking a conventional LCD on a tablet would result in a better reading experience.

[vqro Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:10PM]

@nbolmer When I see you anti-ipad, pro-e-ink folks say things like:

"Eye strain is a very real problem, and later in life, it does catch up with you later in life. E-ink makes for a far, far better reading experience...."

It makes me want to gag. Are you an eye doctor? What do you know about "later in life" if you're not there yet? How is it a "far, far better" reading experience?

Sound like a used car salesman.

[nbolmer Posted Apr 14th 2010 7:15PM]

@vqro Genius post. In other news, typing on a conventional keyboard for hours a day doesn't cause carpal tunnel syndrome, and cigarettes don't cause cancer. Wait, what do I know. I am not a medical doctor, and I don't have cancer, so CLEARLY cigarettes don't cause caner.

I weep for the future.

[LloydChiro Posted Apr 13th 2010 11:42PM]

Does it cost an Alex?

[LMcClure Posted Apr 14th 2010 2:10PM]

@LloydChiro

Just over 0.57 of an Alex.

A reference for those that are going "Huh?":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Lindsay
(see the latter part of the second paragraph)

[kevinxucs Posted Apr 14th 2010 12:16AM]

Why isn't it named as 'Meredith'?
Just like her classic line - 'Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me'

[OC Technophile Posted Apr 14th 2010 12:17AM]

Bet if you buy one of these they'll give u a palm pee for free. Lol

[Johnny Rockets Posted Apr 14th 2010 1:38AM]

@OC Technophile

Oh I'll give you a palm pee...

[Johnny Rockets Posted Apr 14th 2010 1:37AM]

I expect this to sell as well as the JooJoo's preorders.

[kris2lee Posted Apr 14th 2010 4:06AM]

Now what? Soon we are going to use showboard to read books? Can they make it any longer?

[Zhuzhu Posted Apr 14th 2010 8:28AM]

This thing looks as clunky, and as dated, as a Star Trek communicator.

[Archon810 Posted Apr 14th 2010 8:23PM]

Alex is looking pretty sweet, especially with the properly aspect ratio'ed 2nd screen (unlike the Nook), except for its price.

We did a roundup of the features between Alex vs Kindle 2 vs Kindle DX vs Nook: http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/04/09/ereader-mega-roundup-spring-design-alex-vs-barnes-noble-nook-vs-amazon-kindle-2-vs-kindle-dx-detailed-comparison/