Asus Eee Note EA-800 - Glass Screen removed for more accurate inking

The Eee Note came with a default matte screen protector applied on top of a glass surface, but no matter how good, the quality will not be as good as the original uncovered, matte surface.

So I removed the glass layer. The glass is around 1mm, the screen protector another 0.3-0.5mm?

If Asus had found a way to use clear plastic, like the intuos tablets, and make it replaceable (when it gets too scratched), or even just use the screen protector without the glass, the Eee Note could have been thinner and more like a notepad.

Without the glass, the Eee Note is almost indistinguishable from an E-ink display, except for the poorer viewing angles and contrast.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Asus
• Eee
• Note
• EA800
• dismantle
• glass
• screen
• surface
• protector
• anti
• glare
• E-ink
• writing
• Wacom
• Pen
• ink
• pencil
• response
• digital
• notepad
• sketching
• drawing
• anime
• comics
• storyboard
• animation
• portable
• device
• long
• battery
• life
• ebook
• reader
• tablet
• cintiq
• display
• slate
• review
• 華碩
• 電子筆記本
• 筆觸

[JesseBAndersen]

Awesome video! When I have recorded a few videos about the Eee Note it's a bit hard to record the screen properly. The reflection of the glass isn't terrible for me, but it's not easy to get the right angle with the camera and lights. It's cool to see the results of your screen without the glass.

[lxxxxl]

@JesseBAndersen

Thanks! After I removed the glass though, I realised that the poor viewing angles of the screen is another big reason why I'm not happy with the device. It severely limits the possibility of notetaking in dimly lit places. And that is not good...

[JesseBAndersen]

@lxxxxl So after a few days worth of experience is removing the glass worth the trouble?

[lxxxxl]

@JesseBAndersen

for me, yup. But then again, I am ok with breaking things apart if I feel I will not damage it permanently, so I wouldn't say it's for everyone...lol...

I've also added an antiglare screen protector to the screen area. In the 2 videos I uploaded regarding the low light angle issue, the screen protector's already applied, but it looks no different from that of the naked screen.

[vinillum]

@lxxxxl I have accidentally cracked the glass on my eee so I was "forced" to remove it - now it looks great, except I fear of touching the screen now... where did you acquire that screen protector, cause I think I need it now more than ever...

[lxxxxl]

@vinillum

hi, I got it from my local computer store...it was a 12.1" matte, self adhesive screen protector, but the breadth fits the length of the screen, so I just needed to trim it on one side....

If you're located in the states, try photodon.

[elduderino075]

the yellow/greenish tone of the screen is annoying too, as you metnioned it lacks contrast and is quite ugly (think of first laptop from late eighties, that's exactly it).

samsung, kindle units have much better screens.

other drawback is the VERY poor software.

ony good thing with the unit is its reactivity which is excellent probably due to lack of antialisaing though.

[elduderino075]

I'd like to add for people interested in buying the eee note as a sketchbook that I absolutely not recommend it. I'm glad I did the glass removal modification to make it a little better but I still think it is a crappy drawing device. the lack of antialisaing is a an obvious issue. but the biggest problem to me is the poor pressure sensitivity. it feels like you have 3/4 levels of pressure at most which is painful when you are used to wacom tablets.

[elduderino075]

@elduderino075

to answer my own questions

1. yes it is. the fact there's no separation from the tip and the drawing is awesome too.

2. not at all. it may be a little better actually, but still it is pretty bad, I which asus would fix that with a decent application!

3. quite the same. maybe the viewing angle issue is a little more apparent without the glass, but I am not sure and don't have the glass to compare anymore

[elduderino075]

@elduderino075 ok I did it couldn't resist the temptation :)

it is awesome! it just changes my opinion on the eee-note which was a huge disappointment. I can see why you compare it to e-ink now, it really has a paper feel to it.

people considering doing it should be aware that it is nearly impossible not to break the glass. one more thing, it now obviously feels like touching an uncovered lcd screen which means that you get a bit of ripple around the tip of the pen

[elduderino075]

hi, I am considering removing the screen of my eee note but I'd like to have your opinion before.

1. is the accuracy benefit really significant? it doesn't show much difference from your video.

2. considering the lack of antialiasing which is a big issue with this tablet, I wonder if removing the screen does actually make it worse?

3. how does it react to light? I'd say looking at your vid it seems exactly the same as the original glass/protector? maybe it is even less reflective?

thanks a lot!