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DIY Pixel Qi Screens Available
16384 was one of a surprising number of DIY types to note that the Pixel Qi screen is out. It can be installed in many netbooks. Can't wait to see what people build with them. An excerpt from the press release says
"MAKE and Pixel Qi announced today the availability of a revolutionary LCD display technology from Pixel Qi — the 3Qi display. This one-of-a-kind, plug-and-play 10.1-inch display offers two modes: an easy-to-read, real color, multi-media mode or a crisp, low-power e-reader mode. Indeed, the sunlight-ready e-reader mode makes it easy to use outdoors. The 3Qi display is on sale now at makershed.com."
10.1 inches, replaces screens on two netbook models (Samsung N130 & Lenovo S10-2), maybe more models (they're testing), nice full-sunlight low-power "e-reader" mode that would be *great* for outdoor work (check out the comparison shots), costs $275 USD, etc. But nowhere do they say what resolution the display is, which is a bit silly. I'm guessing 1280x800? Anyone know?
If it's like the OLPC screen, that's a semi-difficult question. It depends on the colors in the image you are displaying, and the lighting you are viewing it under.
The OLPC's screen, in pure black-and-white mode while front-lit, has basically four times the resolution it does when in back-lit full-color mode.
'Sensible' is a curse word.
I thought one of the advantages of the Pixel Qi screens were its low price, as it was initially targeted to the OLPC
They have a pretty picture which explains the difference. Basically, the concept is the same, but the Pixel Qi displays have much better performance in trasflective and reflective modes (in terms of response times, anyway). The OLPC display is not really meant to be used for much beyond static text in reflective mode. The Pixel Qi displays are for more general use.
The advantage is not the price so much as the fact that you can use it while sitting outside in the sun, without having to squint.
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I have an asus 1005PE. How do I know whether the connector is compatible without taking my screen out?
If I were you, I would probably:
1. Find out what type of motherboard is in my laptop (from asus' website). It will either be in a parts or service pdf. Or maybe find it from a retailer selling replacement parts.
2. If possible, who manufactures it
3. Find out the type of video connector on your motherboard
4. Do the same with the compatible models listed on the website.
It would probably take about 15-30 minutes to dig through the respective websites and to find the information you are looking for. A pdf or two will give you most of the info you need.
It is not that difficult to answer for the OLPC. The resolution of the OLPC display is 1200x900. However the difference is that unlike a normal LCD it doesn't have a RGB triplet for each pixels, but only one of R, G or B per pixel. So to display a color you need multiple pixels, instead of one. However this doesn't mean that the resolution will be lower in color mode, it will simply look more blurry, the framebuffer stays 1200x900 the whole time.
What the OLPC does is pretty similar to what you see with subpixel rendering with fonts, it just does it the other way around. So instead of gaining resolution in displaying black&white, it loses resolution when doing color rendering. But it is just blurriness, its not like you switch from 1200x900 to a crystal clear 600x450 or something like that.
This screen (in different versions) should be available in a year or so (2nd half 2011):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6tzaIgZKs0
Link to working prototype demo - long video with lots of info:
- b&w & color options
- video
- dynamic refresh rate (power consumtion)
- high transmissive (up to 45 per cent more than LCD)
- transmissive, transflective and reflective options
- can be build using adapted LCD manufacturing equipment
- competitive in price with LCD technology (well, that's subjective, isn't it)
I wonder how they would compare.