E-paper, such as that used in "Kindle" and "Kobo" devices, is a reflective display device that offers a viewing experience similar to printed paper and can be used even in bright, direct sunlight. While most e-paper displays do not support color and have slow refresh rates, limiting their applications, they are suitable for e-readers because they are easy on the eyes and comfortable to read.
Now, "Paperlike," an e-paper display for PCs, has appeared on the crowdfunding service "Indiegogo." Although it's monochrome, its 13.3-inch size and fast display speed make it suitable for programming, writing, and web browsing.
E-paper display for PC (Source: Indiegogo)
The Paperlike is a 13.3-inch, 16-grayscale monochrome e-paper display with 1200x1600 pixel resolution. When connected to a PC via micro USB, it functions as an extended or mirrored display.
E-paper-like display (Source: Indiegogo)
Because it is reflective and does not have a backlight, there is no eye strain from screen glare. Unlike traditional displays, it claims to prevent eye pain, fatigue, and headaches, allowing for extended use.
Reflective with no backlight, making it less tiring (Source: Indiegogo)
Easy to see even in direct sunlight (Source: Indiegogo)
While the slow refresh rate is typically a drawback of e-paper, the development team describes this as the fastest e-paper display with an extremely high refresh rate and minimal delay. Judging by the demo video, the display keeps up with text input, suggesting it could be practical in environments where color display is not essential.
Being e-paper, it consumes little power, and with no backlight, it draws all necessary power from the micro USB, eliminating the need for a separate power supply.
The funding goal on Indiegogo was $10,000. As of the time of writing (11:00 AM JST on May 26), with one month remaining in the campaign, it has already surpassed its goal, raising approximately $24,000.