Why Can't I Use My Laptop Outside?

TL;DR

E-readers use reflective liquid crystal displays (rLCDs) to combat glare and make screens visible in bright sunlight, but struggle to display colors accurately.

Transcript

Thanks to Brilliant for supporting this video! Because you watch SciShow, Brilliant is offering you a 30 day free trial and 20% off an annual premium subscription at Brilliant.org/SciShow. Many of us who use a laptop have had the same thought on a beautiful day: I’m going outside to get some work done! And we’ve all had the same result: Disaster! N... Read More

Key Insights

• 💻 Most screens, including laptop screens, have a layer of glass that reflects light, causing glare in bright sunlight.
• 🙂 E-readers use reflective liquid crystal displays (rLCDs) that reflect light off surfaces, improving visibility in sunlight.
• 💄 However, rLCDs struggle with displaying colors accurately, making them unsuitable for laptops.
• 🙂 E-readers can use internal lights for better visibility in darker environments.
• 🙂 Manufacturers are making progress in improving e-reader technology for laptops, such as shrinking color filters and adding more internal lights.
• 💻 Engineers are experimenting with etched glass to reduce reflections on traditional laptop screens.
• 💻 The path to a better laptop screen may involve using rLCDs or developing another technology altogether.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are laptop screens difficult to view in bright sunlight?

Laptop screens have a layer of glass that reflects light, causing glare and making it difficult to see the screen in bright sunlight.

Q: How do e-readers use sunlight to their advantage?

E-readers use reflective liquid crystal displays (rLCDs) that reflect light off surfaces, allowing for better visibility in bright sunlight.

Q: Why don't laptops use e-reader screen technology?

E-reader screen technology struggles to display colors accurately, making it unsuitable for laptops where color accuracy is crucial.

Q: Are there any advancements in laptop screen technology to combat glare?

Engineers are testing methods to carve tiny grooves into the surface of the glass, which can eliminate reflections and improve visibility in sunlight.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Laptop screens have a layer of glass that reflects light, making them difficult to view in bright sunlight.

• E-readers use rLCDs that reflect light off surfaces, allowing for better visibility in sunlight.

• However, rLCDs struggle to display colors accurately, which is why they are not yet used in laptops.