Well, the thing that many have been waiting for with bated breath, here’s some good news after long last. Pixel Qi have finally launched the DIY kit that will allow anyone to replace the 10.1 inch LCD screen of their Netbook with the revolutionary new dual mode reflective display screens from Pixel Qi.The company however, is only willing to certify the use of their Qi display with the Samsung N130 and the Lenovo S10-2 though there are many who are just as eager to put on the display on their Acer or ASUS netbooks.
The replacement job will only take around 5 minutes and will require nothing more than a screwdriver, its as simple as that. The kit is now on sale at the MakerShed and will set one back by $275, almost the same price as that of a brand new netbook. But the price notwithstanding, all the kits have literally flown out of retail stores in just a day of the company announcing and making available the DIY kits.
And if you are yet not aware of what Pixel Qi display is all about or why they are so sought after, here it is that should get you started on the latest craze.
The Pixel Qi screen comprises of two modes, transmissive and reflective and the highlight of the Pixel Qi screen is its ability to switch between these two modes. So while Pixel Qi performs much like a regular backlit LCD display, it renders high-contrast and highly readable display which can be viewed even in full sunlight due to its reflective characteristic, something that you can’t think of doing with the regular LCD screen. This feature comes in handy for those who have to venture out a lot and have to read off the LCD screens of their notebooks. The latest Qi display will mean no more straining of their eyes as the Qi display is just as readable in direct sunlight as it is indoors.
The Pixel Qi display is also known for its power sipping qualities as it requires near about 80 percent less power than a regular LCD screen in reflective mode. The Qi display is also a lot more soothing to the eye, which acts to enhance it e-reader qualities. So while reading e-books which requires staring at the screen for extended periods of time, the reflective mode gives more ease to the eye than the backlit LCD screen. The device would also be cooler if the Pixel Qi screen is used as compared to netbooks with LCD screen.
However, everything of what has been shared above is fine though there are a few hiccups. The Pixel Qi kit involves swapping of the existing screen with the new Qi display. However, once this is done, the user runs the risk of having violated the warranty guidelines of the notebook manufacturer. Of course, Pixel Qi won’t be there to help you out in the unlikely scenario of anything in the netbook going out of order. Also, Pixel Qi’s role in the entire thing is limited to just selling the display screen. They won’t get into installing the screens in the notebooks themselves as this is strictly a DIY operation with the installation part being the sole responsibility of the buyer.
However, even then, the first lot of the kits have been sold out and pre-orders for the next lot of kits are currently being accepted. So if you have a netbook that you would like to take out in the sun or have broken the screen, its time you place the orders to catch up with the next lot of shipment.
Keep watching for more developments in this field as well as the latest tablet pc or e-reader news.
Also, its time to pick up the new July issue of the popular Good E-Reader Magazine. Its already out.
Sovan Mandal is the senior tablet and tech corespondent for goodereader.com. He brings a international approach to news that is not just applicable to the North American market, but also Asia, India, Europe and others. Sovy brings his own writing flavor to the website and is interested in Science Fiction, Technology and Writing. Any questions, send an email
