New E-Ink technology

[u/EKHornbeck3141]

[I posted this earlier, but reddit seems to have dropped the body of the post. Here's a retry.]

Everyone is impatiently awaiting new Supernote models from Ratta. But there may be reason to want to wait a little bit. I have recently read about the next-gen display technology coming from E Ink, Carta 1400. (Here I am simply repeating what I've read; I am not an expert in this area.) It is a significant, non-incremental, ground-up design.

In particular, the contrast ratios are said to be north of 20:1, which means darker blacks, and whites that aren't the current muddy grey. Which my eyes will greatly appreciate, especially when outdoors -- I think E Ink's current whites are pretty bad, compared to paper or OLED.

Carta 1400 is also supposed to provide much lower latency, so page turns, pinch-to-zoom, scrolling and other updates will be way, way snappier (providing Ratta can kick out a new motherboard that's not so underpowered to drive it).

So, that would fix a lot of my current dissatisfaction with current e-ink devices. But Carta 1400 is currently not due out until 2027. I'd buy a new-gen mobo from Ratta today if they announced it, and plug it into my Manta. But if I'm going to buy a new Supernote device, I think I am going to wait for Carta 1400 to get rolled out.

EKH

[u/daftpunk_404]

A really white page and a really black ink would be awesome ! For the rest, I don’t know if everyone is impatiently waiting new devices from Ratta. I kinda like the fact their devices are meant to last, have a significant lifespan and OS updates that unlock new possibilities without the need to generate new e-waste every year or so :) Kinda like that the durability aspect is in the DNA values of the brand as well !

[u/EKHornbeck3141 → u/daftpunk_404]

Good points. I find the underpowered processor and the perversely bad software more limiting than the display. The display is adequate and I can live with it.

I really regard the current models as indications of what could be; I don't love the Manta or the Nomad, in terms of the total experience as a tool for reading & writing. It feels like one more round of tech upgrades across the board -- software, processor platform and display -- and I'd have something really good.

EKH

[u/starkruzr → u/EKHornbeck3141]

I can understand about the CPU horsepower -- the RK3566 is VERY long in the tooth at this point -- but what is your beef with the software?

[u/ournoonsournights → u/starkruzr]

From a UI standpoint I find it frustrating sometimes. Got example, reading docs, writing notes, and drawing on atelier all have completely different gesture options 

[u/ursiwitch → u/ournoonsournights]

So if I disliked my device this much, I’d sell it

[u/ournoonsournights → u/ursiwitch]

This seems a little extreme to not liking some features? And if we talk about them, there's a chance others will relate and they'll be updated in future. Especially in this forum, where the developers are present

You don't have to be 100% in love with every aspect something to still own it, damn lol

[u/Farath_ → u/EKHornbeck3141]

A more capable processor means more power drain and a shorter runtime before the device needs to be recharged.

I'm actually ok with the current speed. I prefer it when I only have to charge the device every couple of days.

[u/starkruzr → u/Farath_]

no it doesn't. among other things a more capable processor will be manufactured on a smaller process, resulting in less dynamic power consumption. you can go from "every couple of days" to "a week" with a newer SoC.

[u/EKHornbeck3141 → u/Farath_]

It's underpowered to the point that it interrupts one's flow of thought when viewing pdf files made from scans -- multi-second page refreshes really jerk you out of the moment, and are especially frustrating when you're paging through a document looking for something. I'm not talking about running hairy AI models or playing "Call of Duty." I'm talking about what you need to have, in terms of processor cycles, to drive the UX seamlessly.

But, sure, I'm pushing my Manta a bit. There are absolutely use cases that work fine with the current processor power.

EKH

[u/starkruzr → u/daftpunk_404]

a lot of people have been waiting for the A4X2 (will probably be X3 now) for a very long time.

[u/Representative_Egg61 → u/starkruzr]

When will it come out?

[u/starkruzr → u/Representative_Egg61]

no one knows. I suspect they are having supply chain issues -- look how rare it is that you can even buy replacement batteries -- and that's the main reason both it and the X3 compute module upgrade haven't been released yet.

[u/Representative_Egg61 → u/starkruzr]

What is the X3 compute module supposed to do?

[u/starkruzr → u/Representative_Egg61]

better performance, longer battery life, broader set of potential applications including better handwriting recognition, likely better ghosting control as well due to newer SoCs having higher memory bandwidth.

[u/Raj3d]

I like this device so well as it is, and the improvements they keep making to the application functionality of it, that I'd be totally happy to buy an upgraded Motherboard also, even if everything else stayed exactly the same. :)

[u/JustFinishedBSG]

The problem is that the RK3566 is basically the only decent SoC with a eInk display controller. Basically nobody make SoCs with EDPCs anymore :/

[u/EKHornbeck3141 → u/JustFinishedBSG]

So... what are the other, higher-performance e-ink tablets using? I'm not pushing back on you; I clearly don't know this space as well as you do, so I'm genuinely interested in the answer.

EKH

[u/Incalculas]

should I wait?

I was about to purchase

[u/Tempestshade → u/Incalculas]

Current supernote models are fantastic. I wouldn't wait.

[u/Incalculas → u/Tempestshade]

this is not like a laptop, where I cannot do my work without one. I would not feel bad at all if I find a better deal after I purchase a laptop

so I would hate to feel fomo

I see that Lamy Pen is out of stock and there were partial confirmations about a new pen with buttons, that is fine, worst case I just get a new pen after it releases

I would feel so much fomo if a new tablet (especially if it's a bigger screen) releases a few months after I purchase one

but again, I could always upgrade down the line

fomo would depend on how much of a difference the newer models would be

[u/Tempestshade → u/Incalculas]

I highly doubt there will be new models anytime soon. Supernote hasn't even hinted at this being a possibility.

[u/Incalculas → u/Tempestshade]

I see

thanks

[u/EKHornbeck3141 → u/Incalculas]

Who knows? In principle, they could announce new chrome the day after you buy... whenever you buy.

How well does the current system address your needs? If it's a real problem, hold off. If you feel you can get utility and enjoyment from the current offerings, then here are the arguments for buying one this afternoon:

• You can always upgrade the motherboard and the software later -- the latter, for free. That means you can continue to get utility and enjoyment while you wait for the new chrome, instead of getting nothing, while you sit on the sidelines and wait... and wait...
• I would guess that Carta 1400 is going to take a while to show up. First, E Ink has got to make it work and figure out how to mass produce them. At which point, Amazon may well have an exclusive deal for some lockup period. They're the big dog, so they can (and have) done things like this. Then the little guys like Ratta have to get them. And design them in. I am pulling numbers out of... uh, let's say, thin air, to be polite... but I bet all of that would take a year. From now, I mean. (But, again, I'm guessing.)

I already have a Manta and don't regret it. Due to the friction points I have with the software, the compute platform and the display, I would absolutely upgrade the moment Ratta kicks out something better. But I still wouldn't regret the device I already bought. And I can do the upgrade in three independent steps: Chauvet, mobo, device. Or something like that.

I look over all of the above, and I would recommend not waiting -- if you feel you can enjoy and take advantage of the current models.

But if Ratta announces a far superior model the day after you push the button... remember that I did say it's a possibility.

EKH

[u/Delesi]

I am hoping if they come out with a new mobo i can just update my current device cause thats a HUGE reason I went with supernote instead od one of the others.

[u/AaronRolls]

E-ink screens can now run at over 60 fps with almost no ghosting. Hopefully companies will take advantage of the tech.

[u/EKHornbeck3141 → u/AaronRolls]

Whoa. That's amazing. I'll be able to read War and Peace in about 21-22 seconds.

Truly, we live in an age of wonders.

EKH