Plastic Logic returns with giant 100 e-reader for schools
updated 09:15 am EDT, Mon September 12, 2011
Plastic Logic 100 resurrects Que for school crowd
More than a year after it dropped the Que, Plastic Logic on Monday showed the results of its Russian cash flow by planning a new e-reader destined for schools. The Plastic Logic 100 has one of the largest e-paper screens yet with a 10.7-inch display that can show textbooks at high quality. Its creator's uniqueness comes into play through the use of a plastic base; by using the more flexible material instead of glass, the screen is resistant to shattering.
The design is almost entirely touch driven and supports gestures like page swipes. Consequently, it's light and thin for its size. At 1.05 pounds, it's significantly lighter than a 1.3-pound iPad, and itsts 0.3-inch depth makes it thinner than Apple's tablet or many dedicated e-readers with smaller screens.
Battery life isn't necessarily as long as for smaller readers. Plastic Logic still estimates that students would only need to recharge once a week.
In keeping with its owner, the very first devices are going to Russia's Electronic Textbook Program, starting with 50 teachers that will primarily focus on grades six and seven. Other schools are coming, and it's implied a version for regular buyers is coming later. Currently, the 100 is selling for 12,000 rubles, or the equivalent of $397.
Plastic Logic in 2010 had planned to tackle the high end of the e-reader field with the Que. Its unveiling followed just weeks before the iPad, however, and was quickly brushed aside after plans for e-readers as expensive as $800 faded when Apple could provide a real tablet for better prices.
