16:9 vs 16:10 screen ratio for 10" tablets

[ozaz]

I'm going to be getting a 10" Windows tablet and one of the decisions I need to make is whether to get a 16:10 or 16:9 screen ratio.

My natural inclination is to get 16:10 as it is closer to the iPad ratio of 4:3, and 16:9 seems to be an often derided screen ratio.

However, my choice is not straightforward because choosing 16:10 will mean I have to give up certain other features.

Hence, I'm wondering if there are any benefits to getting 16:9 over 16:10 on a 10" screen, and also whether the improvement in portrait mode from 16:9 to 16:10 is tangible?

Does anyone actually like 16:9?

 

[tbayrgs]

I couldn't imagine using a tablet with a 16:9 display ratio. I've owned both the Nexus 7 (2013) and LG G Pad 8.3 GPE, both of which have a 16:10 ratio and found them both to be subpar experiences. In portrait orientation, the screen is too narrow and too squashed or flat in landscape (though it was exacerbated by the use of on screen navigation buttons). I also briefly had a Surface Pro 2 and had the same feelings about using it.

One of the most underrated changes on the Surface Pro 3 was Microsoft's switch to a 3:2 display ratio--makes a huge difference in the user experience.

If those are your only choices, I'd go with 16:10.

 

[Rodster]

On a 10" display the 16:10 should look good because the screen size is bigger. I own a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 and use it for reading books. I occasionally use it on the web. The text is sharp and clear even on portrait mode. When you drop down in size like 7-8" is where the text doesn't look nearly as good without zooming in or viewing a webpage in landscape mode.

 

[Zwhaler]

16:10