Hannspree introduced a 23.8-inch Hybri monitor, which combines an electronic ink mode pleasant for the eye (an effect similar to printed paper) and a regular LCD monitor mode with 16.7 million bright colors. Such a display provides flexibility in choosing the most comfortable operating mode depending on the time of day, external lighting and tasks for which it is currently used. However, the cost of the device will be higher than that of ordinary displays.
Image source: Hannspree
The secret of the declared versatility is that the Hybri screen is transreflective. Similar displays were used 20–25 years ago in the first PDAs and in various devices. The picture on the screen is formed either due to the downhole and reflected from the posterior mirror wall of the screen of the surrounding light, or due to the inclusion of LED lighting. Otherwise, this is an ordinary LCD screen with a TN matrix, not the most progressive, it should be noted.
The company plans to sell Hybri in the USA for $ 899. The resolution of the 23.8-inch screen is 1920 × 1080 pixels. The average response time is 5 ms. The supported update frequency is 60 and 75 Hz. In electronic ink mode, the device consumes 80 % less energy. The monitor is equipped with the HDMI, DisplayPort and VGA ports, as well as an audit for the use of built -in speakers (there is a headphone connector).
By the quality of the image in electronic ink mode, this will not be E Ink. However, when playing video and dynamic scenes, Hybri will provide much more pleasant viewing than similar devices with electrophoretic screens.
Two monitors on one Vesa suspension
By the way, it was precisely transreflective displays that was planned to be installed in the “100-dollar” children’s laptops OLPC (One Laptop Per Child-“Laptop to each child”) about 15 years ago. However, this idea did not receive sufficient support and was soon forgotten, although the project left a noticeable mark in the history of technology.