LCD writing tablets have become a popular portable technology for taking quick notes, jotting down thoughts, doodling ideas, and more. Their ability to mimic pen and paper while allowing you to erase and reuse the surface endlessly makes them handy and eco-friendly.
But how exactly does the technology behind these nifty devices work? And should you invest in getting an LCD writing tablet? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify what’s going on inside these digital notepads and help you decide if purchasing one would be worthwhile.
What is an LCD Writing Tablet?
LCD stands for liquid crystal display. LCD writing tablets, also called e-writers or digital notepads, utilize this display technology to create reusable writing surfaces.
They look like slim tablets, around 0.25 inches thick, with an LCD screen making up one side. Instead of displaying digital images like a phone or computer screen, they create a pressure-sensitive interface that interacts with a stylus to let you write or draw.
Some key advantages of LCD writing tablets are:
- Write, sketch, take notes without wasting paper
- Endlessly erasable and reusable writing surface
- Lightweight and portable design
- Digital technology with no need to charge or connect to WiFi
- Simple operation – just pick up and use
- Fun alternative to pen and paper for kids
Popular options like the Boogie Board Sync provide a nearly authentic pen and paper-like experience while adding digital versatility. Next, we’ll explore what’s inside these tablets and how they work their magic!
What’s Inside an LCD Writing Tablet?
While they mimic paper notepads on the surface, these digital devices have specialized inner workings. Here are the key components:
LCD Display Screen – The top layer is a transparent plastic screen coated with microscopic liquid crystal pixels. Apply pressure to alter the pixels.
Liquid Crystal Film – This film of liquid crystals reacts when electrical signals are applied to become reflective or transparent.
Spacers – Tiny spacer dots separate the liquid crystal layer from outer plastic sheets.
Polarizing Filters – These filters cause the crystals to become reflective or not based on electrical signals.
Electrodes – Electrodes send charges across the liquid crystal film as the stylus pressure changes.
Circuit Board – The circuit board controls the electrodes and handles the electrical signals.
Battery – A small watch battery powers the electrical current across the LCD components.
Housing – Sturdy plastic encasing protects the inner layers and electronics.
Now that we know what’s inside, let’s explore how all these components work together to create the LCD writing experience.
How Do LCD Writing Tablets Work?
LCD writing tablets operate on a straightforward principle – applying pressure on the screen with a stylus causes electrical signals that make the liquid crystals reflective to recreate the strokes in a contrasting color. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- The stylus pressing on the screen’s surface exerts force on the flexible plastic top layer.
- This pressure pushes down and compresses the microscopic liquid crystal film beneath.
- Spacers keep the liquid crystal layer separated into pixels that get compressed individually.
- Electrodes running through the film detect changes in pressure on each pixel.
- The circuit board sends small electrical pulses to those electrodes.
- The charges alter the order of the rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules in that pixel area.
- Polarizing filters cause the rearranged crystals to reflect light, making them appear darker for contrast against the untouched crystals.
- Your strokes and writing show up on the screen by the pressure areas you altered turning reflective and dark.
- To erase, a button press sends charges across the entire liquid crystal film, realigning the molecules into a blank transparent state.
This cycle repeats endlessly, allowing the screen to be reused. The battery provides consistent power for the electrical current.
Key Components and Functions
Now that we understand the basic operating concept, let’s take a closer look at the most vital components that make LCD writing tablets work:
Liquid Crystal Film
This liquid crystal-filled layer is the heart of the writing tablet. Applying targeted electrical signals reorients the crystals to create dark pixels that mimic pen ink marks.
Electrodes
The tiny electrodes woven through the liquid crystal film detect changes in pressure and transmit charges to realign crystals in those spots only.
Polarizing Filters
These filters play a crucial role in selectively blocking and passing light based on electrical signals to make liquid crystals reflect or remain transparent.
Circuit Board
The circuit board controls the sequencing of electrical pulses based on digitizing the pressure data from electrodes.
Eraser Button
This button triggers a surge of current across the entire liquid crystal film to erase the screen and reset all the crystals.
Battery
A small watch battery efficiently provides consistent power for the low energy requirements of the electrical pulses. It lasts for months or years depending on usage.
While simplified, that covers the key scientific principles that enable LCD writing tablets to endlessly recreate the look and feel of pen on paper digitally. Next, we’ll explore the pros and cons of these devices to help decide if purchasing one would be beneficial for your needs.
Should You Buy an LCD Writing Tablet?
Pros of LCD Writing Tablets
There are many advantages that make LCD writing tablets a handy tech accessory:
- Reusable – No need for endless notebooks. Erase and restart as much as you want. This makes them extremely eco-friendly and cost effective.
- Digital Notes – Some tablets allow you to upload your writing to a computer for storage, organization and sharing.
- Portable – Their slim, lightweight profile makes them easy to stash in a bag or purse for writing on the go.
- Handwriting Practice – Useful for kids learning penmanship or drafting stories without paper waste. Also nice for designing sketches and plans.
- Eye-Friendly – The reflective surface reduces eyestrain versus staring at a bright digital screen.
- Long Battery Life – Very low energy use means watch batteries can last months or even years.
- Durable – Tough plastic housing protects the inner components from real-world use.
- Simple to Use – Intuitive buttons and instant erasing maximize ease of use.
Cons of LCD Writing Tablets
Some downsides to consider are:
- Basic Display – Lacks advanced features of fuller-fledged drawing tablets.
- Limited Software Compatibility – Generally only useful for notes instead of art programs like Photoshop.
- Fixed Pen Settings – Unlike graphics tablets, pressure and stroke settings can’t be adjusted.
- Lower Resolution – Fine details and small handwriting may appear pixelated.
- No Color Display – Most LCD tablets display black ink on white background only.
- No Backlight – Cannot be used in dark conditions unlike illuminated tablets.
- Temporary Storage – Writing is not permanently saved unless transferred to a computer.
Overall, LCD writing tablets serve best for quick, rough notes, sketches, doodles, reminders and brainstorming on the go. For more advanced art, intricate illustrations, long-form writing and robust creative software, a full-featured drawing tablet may be a better investment.
Best Uses for LCD Writing Tablets
Here are some of the top ways to utilize an LCD writing tablet productively:
- Take meeting notes at work, school, or in interviews without using paper
- Jot down spur of the moment thoughts, ideas, and reminders
- Make grocery lists, daily to-do lists and outline short-term plans
- Leave messages for family members instead of post-it notes
- Practice foreign language characters or improving penmanship
- Have children trace letters, numbers and shapes for learning
- Doodle design concepts like website wireframes or product sketches
- Draw maps to explain directions or diagram how something works
- Let kids make their own artistic creations without wasting paper
- Play games like Tic-Tac-Toe, Hangman or Four-in-a-Row
Top Recommended LCD Writing Tablets
Boogie Board Sync 9.7
This versatile LCD eWriter features a 9.7” screen sized like a tablet for generous writing space. It syncs artwork through Bluetooth to the Boogie Board app for saving and sharing. The pressure-sensitive stylus and palm rejection create natural writing dynamics.
reMarkable Tablet 10.3
Designed to mimic paper, the reMarkable LCD tablet has an extra large 10.3” screen and unique Canvas display texture. Use templates for notetaking or drawing. Documents can be organized in digital notebooks and exported.
Boogie Board Scribble ‘N Play
A budget-friendly option perfect for kids, the lightweight 8.5” Scribble ‘N Play has a convenient carry slot for the magnetic stylus. Doodles appear in vibrant color for endless creativity.
Sony DPT-CP1 Digital Paper
Sony’s high-end Digital Paper tablet has a massive 10” screen ideal for reviewing and marking up documents. It’s thin, lightweight profile makes it easy to handle like a clipboard. Stylus strokes appear instantly.
Final Recommendations on Buying an LCD Writing Tablet
LCD writing tablets provide an intuitive digital take on the classic pen and paper notepad or sketchbook. For quickly jotting down thoughts and ideas without waste, they can be a handy portable accessory for work, school, interviews, or everyday organization.
Kids also love the magical, screen-free doodling experience LCD tablets provide through endless erasing and redrawing. Using them to trace and practice writing also develops fine motor skills.
Thanks to the technology getting cheaper, LCD writing tablets are an affordable way to reduce paper waste. With the right expectations on their capabilities, they can be a useful addition to your digital toolkit alongside more robust devices like graphic tablets. Just don’t expect to produce intricate artwork or graphics!
If you think an LCD writing tablet would complement your needs and creativity, there are plenty of excellent options with key features like pressure sensitivity, stylus syncing and companion apps to choose from. Give one a try to bring handwritten notes and sketches digitally anywhere you go!