Disclaimer: Please note that this text has been automatically translated from the original post found here.
I needed a tablet that was always ready for me to write on. I know notebooks and pens seem like they solve the problem, too, but I wanted something digital—something that allowed content to be replicated and also offered me privacy.
Before settling on the tablet I chose, I spent a long time using the iPad Pro 11” M1 with Apple Pencil and the Apple Notes app. It worked well; writing wasn’t an issue, even when I recorded videos. But the thing is that sometimes the iPad wasn’t charged when I needed to write, or the screen had too many reflections.
I then started thinking about something more dedicated to writing. My first option was what I understand as a benchmark in the e-ink tablet category: the reMarkable. The first thing that caught my attention positively was its minimalist aspect, but I quickly dismissed it for several reasons:
- The model is outdated and shows visible signs of having been on the market for many years.
- Limitations when transferring documents to and from the tablet, making it a closed ecosystem device.
- Lack of screen illumination. I know I would use most of my time in well-lit environments, but I have used e-ink devices without backlighting before, and the lack of it bothered me greatly.
Continuing my search, I found the Boox Go 10.3 II Lumi. This one also had a minimalist look, seemed more open in terms of platform, and appeared to do exactly what I intended: note-taking using a stylus.
I went straight to buy the device on their website because it included the protective cover. When I received it, I couldn’t stop being positively impressed. I know there’s the possibility of running Android apps on it, allowing you to do many things, but all I wanted was something for writing and then exporting what I had written. For that purpose, it is extremely practical.
I didn’t have to create an account; I just did some slight initial setup, set a PIN to lock the screen, and created a notebook where I started writing. Exporting this notebook as a PDF is quite simple. After that, I can transfer the files to my computer either via USB-C cable or using Boox Drop, an app that allows me to access a webpage on my computer (on the same Wi-Fi network) and transfer data both from and to the tablet’s files. In fact, it’s using this method that I also transfer EPUB/PDF files to read on the tablet.
Perhaps this isn’t the most in-depth review, but if you are looking for a device that can serve as your digital notebook, this is certainly a good choice if you are seeking simplicity.