Dasung launches Paperlike 253 U, a 25.3-inch curved E Ink display

Aside from the odd appearance in various gadgets, E Ink displays have long been relegated to electronic readers and signage. A new product from Dasung pushes the display technology into a new market segment: computer monitors.

The Paperlike 253 U, as its name implies, is a 25.3-inch curved monitor that uses an E Ink panel instead of the typical LCD or OLED screen. Dasung released a similar product, the Paperlike 253, a few years ago, but the 253 U changes the design slightly by curving the display.

On paper, the Paperlike 253 U is a solid display. The 25.3-inch panel has a resolution of 3200x1800, resulting in a pixel density of 145 PPI. This is less pixel-dense than modern e-readers like Barnes and Noble's Nook 4E or the latest Kindle from Amazon. However, from a standard viewing distance, it should appear a bit sharper than most standard monitors. 

The monitor has HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C support for input, as well as built-in speakers, an audio jack, and an unspecified number of USB ports. 

The whole package is unique in the monitor world, but it's not cheap. The Paperlike 253 U starts at US$1798.00. Adding a front light to illuminate the screen will run an extra $100 (remember, E Ink does not have a backlight and reflects light for visibility). There is also a wireless version that supports Miracast and AirPlay, but that will add $150 to the total cost. 

Dasung states that the Paperlike 253 U uses a "Super Refresh Tech" for a faster refresh rate. Due to its design, E Ink has a notoriously poor refresh rate, making smooth motion almost impossible without staining or smearing across the screen. Based on video reviews of the Paperlike 253, which uses the same refresh technology, the Paperlike 253 U can scroll through text or playback video at roughly 15 fps, but the resultant experience looks smeared and blurry. 

Obviously, the Paperlike 253 U is not meant for media consumption or gaming. Rather, its use cases would include reading text and possibly typing or coding.

Buy an Amazon Kindle (2022 version) e-reader at Amazon.