Exploring the Onyx Boox Note Air 2: Pros and Cons of E-Ink
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Chapter 1: My Journey to E-Ink
In recent weeks, I embarked on a mission to enhance my reading habits while streamlining my work processes. This involved significantly cutting back on my use of traditional paper notebooks. Through my online exploration, I stumbled upon a vibrant community of YouTubers and bloggers singing the praises of e-ink technology. They highlighted its eye-friendly qualities, impressive battery longevity, and the overall reading and writing experience it provides. Intrigued, I decided to purchase the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 to serve as a replacement for my Kindle and to facilitate note-taking, steering clear of both an iPad and physical notebooks.
Onyx is a Chinese brand that has been marketing e-readers globally for quite a while. However, their official website struck me as peculiar, featuring an amusingly ambiguous quote attributed to an enigmatic 'IT Expert'. The European version of the site is somewhat better, although it suffers from occasional translation blunders and lacks comprehensive product details. Nonetheless, the enthusiastic endorsements from YouTube influencers compelled me to make the purchase.
Upon receiving the device, I was pleasantly surprised by its aesthetics. The hardware is sleek and well-balanced in the hand. With no physical bumps on the back, it rests flat when used as a notepad. The glass cover aligns perfectly with the device, eliminating any bothersome ridges. Furthermore, the blue hue looks striking in various lighting conditions. As it operates on a heavily modified version of Android, I quickly began downloading my preferred reading applications from the expansive Google Play Store.
Section 1.1: The Screen Experience
While the initial impression of the build quality was favorable, the screen left me with mixed feelings. I must admit, I'm a fan of e-ink technology—it's a remarkable innovation that delivers an excellent reading experience. Reading outdoors was particularly easy on the eyes, offering a stark contrast to the experience on an iPad. However, I did notice that the pixel density caused black text to appear slightly muted compared to the Kindle Paperwhite. This effect is especially noticeable with slimmer fonts.
I also found the screen's reflectiveness to be somewhat surprising. While it doesn't compare to the glare of an iPad, there was still noticeable shine in direct sunlight, likely due to the factory-applied screen protector.
The first video provides an in-depth long-term review of the Boox Note Air 2, showcasing its features and performance over time.
Section 1.2: Lighting and Readability
The Note Air 2 includes two adjustable front lights—one warm and the other cooler—which prove highly beneficial for reading in dim conditions. The brightness level can be quite impressive for such a lightweight device. Unfortunately, much like the screen itself, the backlights fail to replicate a truly paper-like tone. Additionally, when the lights are activated, the text appears even fainter. A side-by-side comparison with the Kindle at equivalent backlight settings reveals that the Note Air 2's color quality does not feel as premium, detracting from the overall reading experience.
Chapter 2: Writing with the Stylus
The included stylus has a pleasant weight to it, but its hard plastic material can become uncomfortable during extended use. The tip mimics that of a marker, invoking nostalgic memories of early school days. However, writing in cursive can be challenging due to noticeable resistance between the stylus tip and the screen protector. Fortunately, users can adapt to these quirks after a brief period.
The second video reviews the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus, highlighting essential features and whether it's a must-have e-ink tablet.
Despite the stylus's good sensitivity and minimal lag, a significant drawback arises: the device smooths out the lines once a stroke is completed. Users can adjust the delay between lifting the stylus and the anti-aliasing effect in the settings, but even at the lowest setting, this can be incredibly frustrating. While the final appearance of the text is aesthetically pleasing, it leads to a delay in the visibility of your writing.
In conclusion, I genuinely wanted to enjoy this device. It boasts an attractive design and is reasonably priced, especially with the added bonuses from Boox. The ability to access a full range of Android applications adds to its appeal. However, there are considerable trade-offs: heavy use drains the battery within two to three days instead of weeks, and the writing experience leaves much to be desired. The return process for the device has been equally disappointing!