<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-Q2MC6HHGTH"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-Q2MC6HHGTH'); </script><script id="Cookiebot" src="https://consent.cookiebot.com/uc.js" data-cbid="9a575506-32c3-4ed2-8123-3527a9a1f3a7" type="text/javascript" async></script> ![[Pasted image 20260207023253.png]] # Introduction: My Philosophy of the Digital Canvas In my over 25 years of leading change, I’ve learned that organization isn’t about the number of tools you have, but the friction those tools remove. For almost five years, I’ve been entirely paperless. The decision to go paperless was something I had wanted to do for a long time. Yes, there were technologies that existed to do part of this in the past, but being able to make the analog truly digital in a way that did not seem forced was what was missing, at least for me. It involved an approach that required starting analog (on paper) and then expanding digitally (at that time via OneNote). Only with the rise of modern e-ink tablets was a true digital first analog (yeah, seems weird saying it) workflow possible. In this unusually lengthy blog post, we are going to take a look at my experience with [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) devices and how they operate in this new reality. We will start with a little background on what got us here and then dive into the devices themselves. Finally, we will address some of the challenges still remaining in the platform related workflow and organization. # How I Came to BOOX It is important to talk a little bit about what brought me to the [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) platform. I started my YouTube channel, [Organizing for Change](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdofOksT0V35qf1-zqsIXUQ/), in December 2023 with the idea of talking primarily about my approach to organization and productivity. I did this through a combination of analog and digital tools, as well as talking about my strategies for making meaningful change. I only talked about the tools I actually used on a daily basis and never really entertained the idea of becoming a reviewer. Skip forward over a year later and I began to be asked more and more about my thoughts on other devices in the e-ink space. At this time I also realized that as my audience grew (approaching 4,000 at the time of writing this), I needed to adapt, while also staying true to my focus. That is when I decided to reach out to [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) and see if they were interested in sending me a device to review. As someone who currently works in academics as an administrator and teacher, I immediately gravitated towards the [Note Max](https://shop.boox.com/products/notemax?ref=change1820), especially since I already owned two 10-11 inch devices. However, [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) suggested I start with their [Note Air 4C](https://shop.boox.com/products/noteair4c?ref=change1820) since I did not have a color device. I agreed and since then, they have continued to send devices my way. I appreciate this partnership and the fact that they do not require anything in return. # The BOOX Ecosystem & My Devices As mentioned, [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) has been kind enough to send me several devices to evaluate in almost every size category, and even encouraged me to send those devices to others who could benefit from them. Below are the unboxing videos for each device I currently have: | Device | Unboxing or Related Video | | :--------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------: | | [Note Air 4C](https://shop.boox.com/products/noteair4c?ref=change1820) |  | | [Note Max](https://shop.boox.com/products/notemax?ref=change1820) |  | | [Note Air 5C](https://shop.boox.com/products/noteair5c?ref=change1820) |  | | [Palma 2 Pro](https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2pro?ref=change1820) |  | | [Go 10.3](https://shop.boox.com/products/go103?ref=change1820) |  | | [Tab XC](https://shop.boox.com/products/tabxc?ref=change1820) |  | # What I Like Most About BOOX There is a lot to like about platform as a whole. As my friend [Jeffrey Moss](https://www.youtube.com/@jeffreymoss) is fond of saying, " [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) has the most features per square inch" of any tablet on that market. I would agree with this assessment and even though Jeff is no longer making content actively, his videos are some of the most thorough on most of these devices. I would also say that if you are looking at the closest an e-ink screen can get to a full Android tablet replacement, some of these devices, although not completely there, are very close. Let's talk about the overall features that I really like about the platform. - **Google Play & Android** - I understand that this one might not be for everyone. However, except for some issues we will tackle later, the UI is very familiar for an Android user. If you have worked with Android phones or tablets, you will understand at least some of the basic mechanics. And having full access to Google Play opens up a world of possibilities, especially related to reading. - **Build Quality** - [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) devices have some of the best designs that I have ever encountered for tablets. That being said, they have not tinkered too much from generation to generation, but if it isn't broken, don't fix it. They are aluminum and glass with a uniqueness to each device in significant ways. - **Overall Variety** - For this, I will limit myself to devices that at least have writing input available. Whether you are looking for 13.3 inch table, something in the 10-11 inch category, 7 inches, or even the sub-7 inch device such as the [Palma 2 Pro](https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2pro?ref=change1820), [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) has one. Also, do you want a front light, no front light, color, no color? They have that too. It almost reminds me of the Garfield Christmas episode when John's mom is listing off the pies. The only real gap is between 7-9 inch tablets. - **Notes App** - The Notes app on [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) has a tremendous amount of features. You can create multiple note types (Handwritten, Text, Infinite, or Quick Notes). You can link to other notebooks, merge notes together, create an outline that is exportable to PDF, and add pins in the infinite note to really have an extra large canvas. The ability to use color across all devices is also useful for many since it exports to color once you share it from the device. Also being able to save a running copy of your files as PDFs that are continually updated is genius. - **NeoReader** - I would argue that this is one of the most advanced readers I have ever seen. It allows you to do almost anything you can imagine with a wide variety of document types, well beyond just PDF and EPUB. You can embed comments, add annotations, add tags, use AI features, and highlight (again in color even using the black and white devices). - **Split Screen** - This may be one of the most useful features of the platform for me. As a researcher and teacher, the ability to have a note page up right next to something I am reading is awesome and allows me to mimic the behavior of having a pad of paper right next to a good book. While this really shines on the larger 13.3 inch tablets, you can do it on the smaller 10-11 inch devices as well. This is not an exhaustive list of what the devices can do or even what you may find personally useful. However, in my use case, these are the things I am most impressed with. I do not use a lot of the recording, AI, or other features, although an honorable mention should go to scribble erase (the nemesis of my good friend [Kit Betts-Masters](https://www.youtube.com/@kitbetts-masters)) and smart lasso features, although why they call them AI is beyond me. All of this to say that you may find something in these devices that fits your needs or that did not make my list above, and I would definitely say there is a lot to like. # What I Dislike Most About BOOX Ok, this is the part of the article that is hard for me to write, I took a lot of time to think about this and used these devices, in various combinations, for several months. I wanted to put them into my workflow and give them as much real-world use as I could. There are probably a lot of people that think I took too much time to write this, but I feel you can only get to know a device if you use it for an extended period of time. That being said, there are also things on this list that may be similar to or tangential to the list of likes, but primarily these are what I consider friction points. - **User Interface & User Experience** - Let me acknowledge that some may see this as the same as Android, and let me reassure you that it is not. I think coming from an Android device helps with the learning curve, but it definitely does not eliminate it. I have often said that the software reminds me of Adobe in all of the worst ways with menus upon menus, inconsistent tool placement across devices, and just an overall lack of cohesion. Yes, you can do almost anything, if you can find it. That being said, you really can do almost anything. The latest software makes it look easier, but the menus are just now hidden again between yet another layer for an optimal experience. - **Syncing** - For me, this is a big one. It isn't that [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) devices do not sync, they do. You have your choice of cloud services and even a free hosted service through them on Amazon Web Services. However, the process of setting it up is not easy to learn and even when you think you have it all figured out, you are probably still missing something. Once you get notes set up, they work very well. The Library (your books and documents) are a different story. If you don't push through the source document from the initial device it was opened on, only your bookmarks and reading progress syncs, you cannot open the document on another device. Once you enable it (document by document) it does work well, but it's a huge friction point. - **Sharing** - This one is a little harder and nuanced. Yes, you can share to a lot of locations and make use of the sharing between apps function of Android. However, when I want to share something, I want to be able to export my handwritten notes as text or maybe even rich text or Word. However, in order to even share as text (even after you enable real-time handwriting recognition), you have to go into AI and then jump through several more stages to get a raw text file out. Even though the txt option shows on the main export menu, it is not able to be selected. - **Organization** - I am sure there will be a lot of people shocked by this frustration. For me, it is not that organization is not possible in the platform. On the contrary, you can create folders within folders, links, bookmarks, tags, etc. However, there are forced silos that I just don't understand as a user. For example. If you use split screen from a document, it creates a reading note, which is stored somewhere else in the system from regular notes. Also, your library and documents cannot be combined in a folder with your notebooks. The fact that these two things cannot exist in the same folder makes links a necessity on this platform, not a luxury. - **Device & Option Overload** - This is highly subjective, but consistent with my comments about just the sheer number of device and software options on the [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) platform. I have often said that they may be the most innovative company on the market in trying new things. However, in trying all of the new things, this creates a severe sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and also frustration in trying to keep up, while sometimes either not addressing or lead to the perception of not addressing core issues. It can also lead to mistakes and rush to get things out instead of waiting when prudent. - **Active Capacitive Styli** - While I recognize market pressures, and this dovetails a little with the previous rush to get new products to market, it also deserves it's own callout. The move away from EMR (Electromagnetic Resonance) technology and embracing of powered styli just to get a tablet to market seems to be a mistake in my opinion. I have found that as much as I like the [Tab XC](https://shop.boox.com/products/tabxc?ref=change1820) and the [Palma 2 Pro](https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2pro?ref=change1820), the styli are just not as accurate or enjoyable as an EMR stylus. While it is unclear if [E Ink](https://www.eink.com/) is limiting this tech or it is a decision to move to proprietary styli, it has caused serious concern among many who want to use these tablets for long writing sessions, with a different stylus, or for drawing. Accuracy issues are well-documented. As with the previous section, this is not an exhaustive list of challenges that I personally face with these devices. However, these are the ones I ran up against the most when I was trying to daily drive the tablets. Trying to remember where to find everything based on the context of where I was in the system could be difficult at times, but I also recognize that everyone's experience may be different. What may be a challenge or friction point for me may be welcomed by another user. However, understanding different use cases leads to a better decision when purchasing these devices, which are expensive. # Some Device Comparisons In this last section before some final conclusions, I want to talk about a few other observations and who I think the specific devices may be for. I think it is important to provide this to really understand how I was using the tablets in each of these cases, because the uses did vary. ## The 13.3-inch Giants: The Contrast vs. Refresh Dilemma For professional research and A4 document scaling, the 13.3-inch screen is the ultimate form factor. However, the choice between the [Note Max](https://shop.boox.com/products/notemax?ref=change1820) and [Tab XC](https://shop.boox.com/products/tabxc?ref=change1820) is a choice of trade-offs in a few ways, and they definitely appeal to different audiences (or maybe some individuals within the same audience). * **The Note Max (Carta 1300) -** This device offers one of the most beautifully vibrant black and white displays in the industry. Because it omits the front-light layer, the text is closer to the surface, and the contrast is remarkably sharp. However, as Jeffrey Moss noted in his [final verdict](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW7T2tpeOLE), *"If ghosting really bothers you, absolutely run away; it's everywhere."* My own testing reveals that while BSR ([BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) Super Refresh) is present, navigating away from image-heavy PDFs or EPUBs or the homepage to a note triggers heavy after-images. - *Who it's for: In my opinion, this is best suited for the academic who spends a lot of time grading papers (the NeoReader is fabulous, especially on a device this size) and and reading research papers and articles where color is not a necessity. Since you can export the final paper in color for student feedback, that is somewhat mitigates the need to see the different color highlights.* * **The Tab XC (Kaleido 3) -** This is an exceptionally well-performing device. Its GPU-accelerated BSR handles ghosting beautifully and the colors are probably among the best of Kaleido 3 devices on the market. The trade-off is the active stylus. Having to charge your pen is a major friction point that breaks the "always-ready" feeling of e-ink. There is also the lack of a writing film on the tab series, although this substantially helped with the purchase of the [Healing Shield Screen Protector](https://amzn.to/3ZUOzxT). - *Who it's for: In my opinion, this is best suited for someone who needs to read research or academic articles where color is of high importance. While the notetaking experience is not as good as the Note Max, it is acceptable if long writing sessions are not your primary task, the ability to work with colors and the superior de-ghosting performance will make consuming that type of information easier.* ## The 10.3-inch Battle: Minimalism vs. Multi-Functionality * **The Go 10.3** - This device is one of the most minimal devices in the lineup in that there is not front light (as with the [Note Max](https://shop.boox.com/products/notemax?ref=change1820)) and it is a note-focused device. There are no widgets, no color, and it is light and sleek. However, it still packs the same punch as the rest of the lineup with the notetaking features and the NeoReader. Although a slightly older screen (Carta 1200), the contrast and vibrancy are exceptional. - *Who it's for: In my opinion, this is a perfect format for taking notes on the go. It is just small enough to fit in most bags, briefcases, or backpacks and is very light. The lack of a front light does mean you need to work in a well-lit environment, but while not as large as a 13.3 inch tablet, it can be turned into landscape mode and has all of the same functionality for annotating and reading PDFs, papers, and EPUBs. It is a solid tablet and exceptional for taking handwritten notes.* * **The Note Air 4 &5 C** - These two devices are very similar in most ways, with the exception that the 5C comes the closest to what many would see as enabling a "laptop replacement" workflow (but not really). Running Android 15, it features Pogo-pin support for a magnetic keyboard case. However, it is important to note that any [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) device can be configured to work with a Bluetooth keyboard and provides a good experience. - *Who it's for: This is very similar to the Tab XC in that if you need color, but want something more portable, this is an exceptional device. If you are a professional that takes a lot of notes with that being your primary focus, this can be a powerhouse. Additionally, the enhanced processing power, addition of BS, and a front light allow it work in lower light conditions. While battery life may suffer due to the need for light with the darker color screen, it should out-perform most laptops.* ## **The Palma 2 Pro: The Pocketable Exception** The [Palma 2 Pro](https://shop.boox.com/products/palma2pro?ref=change1820) is among the smallest color e-ink devices with 5G connectivity. While this form-factor is popular in its own right, it gained mainstream visibility when the earlier generation was reviewed by MKBHD, who called the original Palma a device "[that is bad at being a phone, making it better at being a tool](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwTub7_we0w)." The Pro version adds 5G data for mobile connectivity, really making it a capable e-reader and on the go device. The active stylus is more of an afterthought, but can be used in a pinch for quick notes. - *Who it's for: This one is hard because I have seen a lot of people use this as a small notetaker and they are happy with it. For me, it is a reader that just happens to have a somewhat ok pen, which needs charging and is not designed to really go with the device. That being said, it is an excellent pocket reader and could reduce the tendency to doom scroll.* # Conclusions & Final Thoughts This is already a lengthy article so I will be brief in my final thoughts, and will follow-up with some videos in the near future. [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) is a powerhouse of an ecosystem. There is something for almost everyone who may be looking for an e-ink tablet. However, I do believe the word **almost** is very important. Here is a short-list of where one of these devices may not be for you: - You are expecting an e-ink laptop - You are expecting to just pick up and be able to write without learning the device - You are easily frustrated by multiple menus - This is your first Android tablet Conversely, here is a short list of when [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) may be a perfect device for you: - You love tinkering with your technology to make it just right for you - You need color, but either have eye fatigue or just don't want to stare at LCD screens all day - You are an Android user and have experimented with different manufacturers - You take a lot of hand-written notes and feel comfortable going digital The last caveat here is that even if you decide one of these devices are for you over another manufacturer, take the time to really look through and see what most appeals to you. Is it the writing feel and handwritten notes? Are you looking for using multiple apps? Do you want to type a lot? How large of a tablet do you need for your use case? If you go in with eyes wide open, [BOOX](https://shop.boox.com/?ref=change1820) has a device for you. For more information on these devices, please visit my YouTube channel, but also these creators: - [David @ Tablet Tech](https://www.youtube.com/@davidtablettech) - [2530Media](https://www.youtube.com/@Media-vr5xt) - [Kit Betts-Masters](https://www.youtube.com/@kitbetts-masters) - [My Deep Guide](https://www.youtube.com/@MyDeepGuide) - [Chalid Raqami](https://www.youtube.com/@ChalidRaqami) - [Jeffrey Moss](https://www.youtube.com/@jeffreymoss) Until next time, thank you for visiting my site and please feel free to read other [[Blog]] articles. You can also check out my various videos, podcasts, and social media links below. Just remember, keep moving forward. **| [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdofOksT0V35qf1-zqsIXUQ/) | [Patreon](https://patreon.com/OrganizingforChange?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/edward.w.finn/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/changeagent1820/) | [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@changeagent1820) | [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/change1820.bsky.social) | [X](https://x.com/EdFinnIII) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/6Tvle14n3fjG8mn0DGfO1G?si=k4B3ocohTI2EuNoFWos1GA) | [iHeart Radio](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-change-chat-274015995/) | [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-chat/id1812220268) |**