The Best E-Ink Device For a PhD Student: Remarkable, Kindle Scribe, Supernote, or Boox?
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- Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
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00:00 Intro
00:47 Comparison Overview
03:18 Categories
04:20 Size
05:40 Price
11:39 Multiple Devices on a Single Platform
12:23 Reader Capabilities
15:40 Storage Capacity
17:16 File Management
18:40 File Transfer
21:38 Cloud Storage Capability
23:05 Note Taking Capabilities
24:34 Note Management
25:08 Searchable Notes
26:10 Note Filtering
27:31 Usable Web Browser
28:37 Counting the Scores!
30:49 Final Results
38:46 Conclusion
#mydeepguide #e-ink #phd
I am not a PhD nor do I hold a doctorate of any kind, yet. However, this is something that I have been thinking about periodically. I have also received a lot of questions of the same type, which basically was a bat-signal that a dedicated video of this type was required. So! To the E-Ink Mobile!!!
BOOX STORE AFFILIATE LINK:
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Kindle Scribe Everything Bundle including Kindle Scribe (16 GB), Basic Pen, Leather Folio Cover with Magnetic Attach - Black, Power Adapter, and Pen Replacement Tips - $306
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Kindle Scribe Everything Bundle including Kindle Scribe (32 GB), Premium Pen, Leather Folio Cover with Magnetic Attach - Black, Power Adapter, and Pen Replacement Tips - $346
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Kindle Scribe Everything Bundle including Kindle Scribe (32 GB), Premium Pen, Leather Folio Cover with Magnetic Attach - Burgundy, Power Adapter, and Pen Replacement Tips - $371
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Thank you for this video. I am in the first year of my PhD and have been deliberating over what E-ink device to get for some time. I had decided to wait for the Supernote A5X2 but after this video I think I will go for the Boox Note Air 3C.
I am studying physics and often figures require colour to be interpreted and a browser to download new papers on the fly are essential features for me. I had previously ruled out Boox over concerns to do with battery life and writing experience.
Thanks again for making this video!
Thank you for your support! I think that once you learn it's quirks that it will serve you well. I am very satisfied with my Note Air 3C after almost 6 months of having it.
Without having watched the video I may already thank you. Now I have something to look forward to watching after my work day is over.
im working through my undergrad now, and I've been in school for a while, set backs here and there, I'm finally on a solid path to get my BA, i just got the Remarkable 2 a week ago and have been using it furiously in all my classes, and of course this in no comparison to a PhD students work load. I love the RM2 its intituitve and very simple, nothing to distract me, and everything to keep me organized, and also have creative bursts if i need to.
I agree with Voja, you cant compare theses OLED screened note taking devices with the the Eink displays.... these e-ink displays are purpsoly moving away from the distaction of the OLED and smart devices, which i love! The RM2 isn't perfect but for pure note taking and school work, its satisfying to use.
I have only had for a week but, its really helped me focus. Thanks Voja for the awesome video, i will be going through my masters and PhD, so i may have to pop in again when I've started those and still using the RM2. Cheers!
Excellent video very well presented with a mass of valuable information for Students. Well done , I have been waiting for some time on something like this and I also hope the Device developers also look at this and take it into account when planning their way forward
Surprisingly the most useful eink device for my grad school journey so far has been a simple 6'' Kobo, which I pocket around. It helps me not scroll my phone so much, which is good for productivity and mental health. It also helps me get a lot of epub reading done; although papers and textbooks are published as PDFs, there are a lot of technical books (e.g. software engineering, programming languages, etc.) published as epubs.
I have not found Book Max Lumi 2 to improve my productivity much, as much as I like the idea of going paperless 😅 I think I will go fully paperless when I can flip through pages, spread out pages, compare multiple pages at the same time, and other flexibility allowed on paper, on a device.
Nice topic. Looking forward to see your video on this.
This video is exactly what I wanted. Thank you !
This is fantastic and a topic that many of us needed someone to address. Thank you for your hard work and making this video.
The best review for me personally - that was exactly what I was seeking for some time. Thank you, Voja!
That review was also last argument for my confidence, so from now I am not only overseer, but happy Note Air 3 b/w user 🙂
Accept me to the note taking e-ink reader users legion, please 🙂
Thanks for the video ! I'm a postdoc researcher, and I'd often asked myself what is the best for research. I have checked your videos to learn about new devices, and really appreciate the depth of your analysis. I actually ended up buying the Fujitsu Quaderno A4, after seeing your previews video review, and I find it the best for my use case.
I bought it mainly to read double-column research articles. First of all, having A4 is a game changer - I feel more focused when I can see a whole page clearly at once. I've tried Boox Note Air 2, and Boox Tab Ultra, Boox Note Air 3C, and used them for about a year. I found the Boox devices annoyingly reflective. The paper-like protectors make the text fuzzy (Note Air2/3C, Boox Tab Ultra with vs without droodroo), and without them the devices feel cold and glassy under the hand. I don't like the extra layer that is necessary to have the device's front light, and don't use the light anyway, since I prefer an external light. Boox Air 3C background is too dark for me and I don't like the grid-like Kaleido look. The funny thing is that the quality of the text/reflections/color grids, as well as the smaller size of the Boox A5 devices made me read less articles than I hoped I would. Boox Tab X might be better, but there I'd be annoyed again by reflectivity/glass feeling/extra layer for unecessary (for me) frontlight.
The clarity of the Quaderno screen text, lack of reflections, the lightness of the device (~60% the weight of Tab X) make it such a pleasure to hold. The paperlike feeling and closeness of text to screen make annotating a very pleasurable experience. I am reading so many more PDF articles just because I feel focused on it, and there are no more of these other nuissances standing in the way of the PDF reading experience. This makes me think of the concept of affordance - what a device suggests that you can do with it - and for me, the Quaderno A4 was the best for reading PDFs. I usually read and annotate the PDF, and at the end make a side-note where I keep a summary. I keep separate notes in which I reference the papers (authors & year) with ideas organized in themes/research objectives. For all my other notes, I ended up getting off e-ink, and I am writing on a smaller (A5) paper notebook - nice to hear the scratch of a fountain pen on smooth silky paper.
As for the price, I bought it brand new on ebay, 540 EUR transport and tax included. I could find a leather cover on etsy much better looking than the original, for 80 EUR. That would make it 630 EUR all included.
I look forward to Supernote releasing an A4 version - if it is light enough I'd go for it. I miss some Boox features from Quaderno, but the fact that I am finally reading a lot more articles makes up for it.
Really appreciate you!!!!!
great useful comparison!
Thank you very much for the informations given in this video. I'm starting my college degree in the autumn. I was looking for something like this and your comparison validated my choice to go with one of the boox devices. I'll check them out at the ifa in Berlin in September and then will make my final decision. But I guess it will be a tab X if they don't have a successor at that point in time.
Thanks for the video
Great video! I'm still waiting for a Max Lumi Air....but I only just realised a Tab X was released so I'll check that out!
What amazing review !!!
Very useful information. I have a boox 7.8 and definitively it’s not for research. Thanks you are the best.
Thanks for your job
Voja: „The QUADERNO is a delusional device!“
Also Voja: *starts using the QUADERNO through the whole video.
Great video as always. 🙈
It is an absurd device, but like the absurdity of French cars, there is usually a level of brilliance to be found as well, somewhat narrowly focused, but there, nevertheless 😁
Great topic! Having done a phd myself in a non eink world, I really used a3 size paper and also sketching diagrams for concepts was key, as well as enabling long math calcs on many sheets of paper… not sure eliminating paper from the creative world is possible yet! Perhaps dual screen eink device might com closer? Or several somehow linked eink devices?
You could certainly install and use Miro or the likes on devices that support that. Technically, Supernote can do that as well, but realistically, out of the listed devices here, only Boox devices offer enough power and flexibility to handle such apps in a usable way.
This is a great video, and I think the conclusions are well informed and stated. I wish I'd had something like these when I was completing my EdD, for both the comprehensive exam and dissertation. The only caveat for me would be that I don't see this as being able to replace a laptop with Word and a web browser open. My paper was always in addition to that workflow. In my academic work now, that is why it serves me so well. It really does come down to the individual like you said. To my workflow, it is The Supernote A5X. Super excited to eventually see an A4X2.
You're absolutely fantastic!
As PhD student in music , your channel helps alot❤ both in music and reading wise , i gonna be bankrupt but i will buy NA3C 🎉😂 much love and respect from Ottawa
I am really looking forward to A5x2 (hopefully in crystal version). I am kind of put off by Boox devices due to continually changing UI functionality ( I use my Remarkable 2 instead).In addition I am looking forward to trying out the drawing application. One thing I also like about the Remarkable 2 still is its svg capability for drawings.
Thanks!
For what it's worth, I've used a Boox Nova Air through for the last 3 yrs (during my PhD) and continue to use it. I find I didn't need anything larger, and it was fine to handle pdfs and pdf markup/note taking which was the main thing I needed it for (PhD in history). Being able to have a couple useful applications for my own personal work flow that are supplementary to my main work is what makes the android tablet so useful, because the device has become a tool for productivity where I can use it in tandem with my PC. I also lecture, and while I would prefer a 10" device for lecturing, I have found the Nova air to be exceptional for my purposes.
Great to hear a personal real-world experience like this :) Truth be told, Nova Air 1 IS an exceptional device, and I deeply regret selling mine, as neither the Nova Air 2, Nova Air C, or especially that Tab Mini C were able to simply deliver that excellent balance that Nova Air 1 was able to deliver. For me at least :)
If I was in school I think I'd want a 13.3 inch device because it's great for journal articles or textbooks, but if you're looking at that price-range then you might be tempted to start looking at the 12.9" ipad pro... but that's also got plenty of drawbacks.
Honestly, as a teacher who only occasionally reads academic papers, I'm happy with what I've got a 10.3" Hanvon N10, it's not too expensive, not too heavy and does what I need without overdoing it.
Great deep comparisons, as always! :) But what about Bigme devices? Would the new one inkNoteX color coming soon be a thing of consideration vs Boox Air Note 3C?
As a researcher I go for the SN A5X. I used to have a boox but wasted so much time in their useless functionalities that the gain of time makes SN the winner for my use case.
Only thing which I could miss (but it depends on the kind of science you're into) is the color for reading papers with multicolor graphs. That's a killer feature for this, as mentioned in the video. I don't need this so I'm fine with the SN
Thanks for the review. Taking into account that I do not intend to use an eink tablet to watch videos, but rather for comics and scientific articles, do you think it is reasonable to wait for the supposed 12-inch Acep screen or do you think it will be a long time before Acep is better than Kaleido 3? Thanks
Thanks for the video, Voja!
Imo, you should really go for a 13'' screen because most papers are much more convenient to read like this. Also, I'd really prefer a colour screen; otherwise you would have to switch to another device for images and coloured graphs, which again isn't convenient
I have been using the reMarkable 1 since 2018 mostly for studying and now my PhD thesis. While I really enjoyed the technology and hardware quality of the device, in the beginning it was very tedious to work with. At least it has gotten better with the software updates. As PDF-files are usually not that big, up until now I didn't have any problems with storage
Agreee on 13.3" but color e-ink is still so... not great.
Anyway, the need for color is really field dependent, most of the papers I read have no color or images... In fact I cannot remember one that did and I've certainly never needed to change devices to see something in color, but I can imagine fields in which color is a common neccesity.
Really great video, very useful comparison and I'll be watching out for the upcoming Supernote A5X2!
I was surprised about giving the scribe 0 for reading though. I suppose for Kindle books, yes, not great. But if you add a PDF, you can highlight and annotate and do all that good stuff and it's much more responsive than the reMarkable2 and has conveniences like a spell check. I quite enjoy sending PDFs to it for reading/annotating. What do the Boox do that makes them so much better for this task?
Not disputing your 0 score for the Scribe though, while I am happy to have mine alongside my reMarkable2, you made good points :)
reMarkable2 has quite the modding community and you can even enable an ssh server, it means you can run a script on your Mac that will periodically rsync files cross automatically, it's really flexible with what you can do there with automated remote file management, or the print to reMarkable chrome plugin, and things like custom wallpapers / templates.
¡Gracias!
Thank you for the support!
This video is going to be hard to beat for the amount of information you get.
Extremely good video, extremely appreciated.
I am a current PhD student (Theology) and I love my Supernote A5X.
I've been thinking about an eink tablet for a while. I've come to the conclusion that I might be better off purchasing an android tablet and using Readera, or similar for reading. I'd be able to load obsidian and make really good notes. What's your opinion on this?
Are you familiar with the boox note x3? Can you do a review by any chance? Thank you
Hi! I'm a musician from Portugal and I use a Kindle Scribe mainly for studying pdf music scores in landscape mode. My main problem with it is that kindle's software only allows pdf page changes and not sequencial views (last music staffs from one page and first music staffs from next page, in same screen). I have hear of sideloading KoReader.
As you are also a musician, whatś your opinion on that?
Does KoReader do that, or do I have to go to Boox Note Air 3?
Thanks in advance.
Great discussion. I nearly committed to buying the Note 3C - Amazon was more expensive than Boox, and minus the tips (which are very expensive); so decided to buy from Boox Euro. Got to payment via PayPal, and the cheeky sods (PayPal) then add another 3.6% onto my bill - I'm assuming their conversion rate. Decided against it - will hold out for the Supernote A5X2, but then again, that is mono and has no backlight.
Very useful comparison! (hopefully not sponsored by Boox 😄)
Heheheh, nope, it's just the categories and numbers doing the talking, and a couple of them really did surprise me :)
Excellent Video as usual. I'm not a PhD student, but as a person who has three engineering degrees and takes volumes of notes, I can't emphasize enough how much the Boox insistence on releasing new "features" and not listening to their users get in the way of learning. One simple example, you can export written notes as PDFs, but you can't export typed notes as PDFs. People have complained about this for about a year with no response. There are many other issues.
My advice to a PhD student, stay away from Boox. Its beautiful. But it will get in the way of what you are really trying to learn.
Thank you :)
Regarding the types notes app. That one is completely pointless to use on a Boox device, because of the exporting and many other limitations. Why not simply install and use Google docs or MS Word and just type away there and export in any format you want? Plus, the typing performance is superior to the text notebooks as well.
How about bigme color lite, please give your recommendation
I'm not sure if anyone has added this in the comments yet, but the Nomad has the ability to sideload apps now, which enables the ability to load apps such as a web browser and other Android apps. Would you consider the points to increase for the Nomad and the A5X2 (if the capability is shared)?
Not really, because side loading is not straightforward and requires the use of unverified apk installation files, as it is not a Google Play certified device. As such any app that relies on Google Play Service will not work, and the risk of installing a malware compromised APK file is substantially higher than on Google Play enabled devices.
@@MyDeepGuide thank you for the reply and great content.
It is a good video but does not consider the environmental aspects.
Supernote A6X2 (and probably the A5X2) has the possibility of replacing the battery and the electronic unit, which I would say is a big plus from an environmental point of view.
Because of this the second hand value is also greater.
The video doesn't consider those aspects because they don't have a direct effect in either direction to the main topic at hand. For example, Kobo Elipsa 2E is made from recycled materials (hence the "E"), but would be an absolutely dreadful device to use while working on a PhD thesis. The same thing goes for resale value, it has zero effect on the topic at hand. What good is it if the device you picked retains strong value after your PhD work, if it was wasted money to begin with, if you weren't able to use it effectively in your workflow.
Generally speaking, those are valuable considerations, no disagreement from me there, but have no primary effect on the topic at hand, only a secondary one, in the context beyond what this video is focusing on.
@@MyDeepGuide Well, I understand that this review is based on the topics you have chosen and, by that, subjective. However, it would be great to see a review where the following criteria are asked:
Function in relation to price, Expected product life span (batteries, updates, etc.), second-hand value, ownership with and without a subscription, environmental considerations, right to repair, etc. It will provide a better decision-making basis for buyers, and it might positively affect the manufacturer to be more eco and consumer-friendly.
Based on your reviews, I considered buying one from a manufacturer (not named) for a long time. However, when they started with subscription or addiction control, as I call it, buying the product was entirely out of the question because it also destroyed the second-hand value. All the details above were crucial to which product I purchased.
Ok, but why are you expecting these things from a video that specifically covers which is the best device for a PhD student? That part doesn't make sense to me, so I'm trying to understand.
Boox full Android functionality... No brainier...
Scientists here. Thank you very much for your efforts, but unfortunately your video doesn't really show what I'm interested in either. You said that note taking is the second most important function. For me, this is the most important function of the device, because just reading texts can be done on a PC screen anyway. I am interested in whether I can do the following with a device (and how much it differs from printed paper): I want to open a scientific article (DIN A4 or Letter format, 2 columns) or a book (then just a different format) as a PDF-file and highlight text in it with a highlighter, write notes in the margin with a ballpoint pen or draw in diagrams. I want to be able to save the PDF back together with my notes in the same file. I want to know whether I can place my hand on the display while writing or whether my hand has to hover over the display while writing so that there are no incorrect entries. I want to know whether I can still read text and formulas (which can have very small numbers and symbols) without magnification (and if not, how bad it is and how smoothly zooming and scrolling works). I want to know whether the device can move the menus to the other side for left-handers.
Do BOOX devices meet these requirements?
File handling using a standard file system (like on a PC) and uncomplicated file exchange with a PC are also very important. You already mentioned this in your video.
Thank you again for your really nice and informative videos.
What device were you using for this video
Quaderno A4 Gen 2
Hello! Thank you for the detailed analysis. You always create interesting and valuable content. However, I disagree with you on priorities. When it comes to a PhD, productivity is the utmost priority. And productivity should be the primary criterion. Regarding price, I believe it's a factor but not decisive. Adding one point just because it's cheaper, then why not add one point to tab ultra because it has a camera? Even if it's not frequently used, for instance, many books aren't online. Sometimes it's more convenient to take a photo with tab ultra, especially if the phone is low on battery or occupied with something else, and it's much quicker on a tablet. Therefore, I think Tab X should be at the top due to its size and natural reasons. And Tab Ultra C Pro also second place or maybe 1 if Tab X is to large. Tab Ultra C Pro is much better than the Note Air series. Firstly, it surpasses Note Air 3, which you oddly placed higher. It has a higher pixel density, it's more powerful, it has more RAM, and RAM is crucial because, for example, with my Tab Ultra having 4GB of RAM, I often feel its insufficiency, leading to potential slowdowns. Hence, having 6 RAM is very important. Additionally, it has a significantly larger battery, a stronger processor, and even camera. Therefore, I believe Tab Ultra C Pro should be second, and third place could be open for discussion. Of course, you can debate about the Note 3C and Tab Ultra C Pro if additional benefits are important to you for this price. But that's more a matter of feasibility than productivity. And it's crucial not to forget that with each document you read, an e-book pays for itself (sure if u are pirating)
Have you actually watched the entire video and the end results before writing all of this? :)
@@MyDeepGuide almost half and then the end (results)
Right. Well, in the interest of fairness, you may consider watching the whole video in such situations, so that you have complete and relevant information at hand, if you are inclined to criticize it. Also, the test result winners are TabX or Note Air 3 if you don't require colour content, and if you do, then Note Air 3C or Tab Ultra C Pro. These 4 devices are all sharing the 1st place and are equally good for different situational needs, as neither is perfect. So people can then pick and choose according to what their own individual priorities are, which will of course differ, as is the nature of the real world.
So, in your case, your priorities were the size of the TabX and camera on the TUC Pro, so you were flip flopping between the two as to which would be the best fit for your needs. And both of those devices came out as winners and best choice, depending on person's individual needs. So, where's the problem?
@@MyDeepGuide Overall, I reviewed the initial segment of the latter half and found no alterations. If all four devices are ranked first, it becomes perplexing since you emphasized productivity for PHDs. Thus, it should prioritize productivity, yet ultimately, you discuss 4 best tailoring to individual needs. Consequently, the top ranking isn't about PHDs but rather the finest books from your curated list. There's no problem, just a bewilderment.
Since productivity and flexibility are the most important factors, the results dictated that the most productive and flexible devices will win out, and those happen to be the Boox devices. Since all 4 of those devices share the same OS and largely the same core functionality, they are all equally great at being productive and flexible tools.
Are there fine differences between them? Of course, that's why they all were included in the list and not just a single device from their lineup, and based on individual's specific priorities and needs, one can choose the device most appropriate for their case.
So I still don't understand what is the source of "bewilderment" here for you? Which part do you disagree with when there are 4 devices to choose from which will be the best option for a PhD student, depending on what their specific priorities and needs are? I mean, surely you understand that what is important and a priority for you does not mean that it must, or indeed will be a priority for another person. It just sounds like you are not taking that crucially important aspect into account and are looking at all of this exclusively from your own perspective.
I would get what you are saying as a valid argument if this was a one-on-one type of a consultation or a conversation, then sure. Camera and DPI matter for you, I'd say go for the TUC Pro. But that's not the case here. This is a test that tries to cover a broad area that is most likely to be in common for the broadest intersection of the target audience.
If you take that into account, does that help you understand my point of view, or do you still disagree with the core concept of the video?
For me any Boox devices will be winners, since they can do most of European languages recognition speaking of handwriting to text conversion (personally I use English, Lithuanian and Russian).
I'd be interested in any e-ink device that has some way to handle math, i.e. not the actual calculations but entering formulae that look good (such as LaTeX enables). Is there anything out there? Maybe a device that understand MathML?
I've heard good things about the Kobo Elipsa 2E. They have some formula functionalities in their advanced notebooks
My big issue with boox is they are only guaranteed 3 years of updates. So in 4 years you will have an obsolete device. I suppose if you are going for a phd and you need it for only 4 years thats a non issue but its something to keep in mind.
Well the reality is that 4 and 5 year old devices are still receiving regular updates, and no, it will not be an obsolete device if it stops receiving updates, as it's functionality that you used it for for those 4-5 or more years will still be there.
@@MyDeepGuide That may have been the way with their older devices, but Boox themselves have said that their newest line of devices are only guaranteed 3 years of updates, unless in the past month they have changed that statement. This means no bug fixes after 3 years, including bugs introduced by updates within that 3 year period. No updates also means many apps will stop being compatible with the device which will make it more and more obsolete in 4-5 years time. Unless I missed a new statement from Boox where they guaranteed more than 3 years, in which case I will happily change my tune on boox devices.
Why isn't Bigme considered for this?
My experience with Bigme devices was nothing positive. The feel and perform like more expensive cheap copies of Boox devices, with an even worse UI and UX and very frequent stability issues. I've tested 3 Bigme devices and it was the same story on all 3 of them.
Now, maybe they patched stuff in the meantime, or maybe they didn't, but overall, for me it was the UI and the UX that was completely off putting and something that made me never want to use such a device again.
I have a hard time with android-based e-readers because they will be stuck in the past on whichever android version they began, so, I'll stick with remarkable which has gained usefulness and functionality with each upgrade.
Sometimes I think you missed the point of eink devices Mr. Deep Guide. Remember, Less is More.
Do elaborate please, but in the context of the theme that the video is addressing.
Well, sometimes if you need to do certain things (and want to do these on an e-ink screen) then more is more. ;-)
Boox. The rest is junk.
No, it's not. There are plenty of areas where Boox devices could be also categorized so crudely, but that's pointless as it serves no purpose whatsoever.
It has to do with individual priorities and needs.
@MyDeepGuide I understand. But boox pretty much cover everything as it's android. Specific devices with unique OS is a waste of time in 2024
I disagree, as some users can find a standard Android experience bewildering, let alone when you add Boox's UX mess on top, it can quickly become overwhelming, and those users will appreciate and enjoy simpler interfaces a lot more.
@ShanyGolan yeah, until you find Boox physical quality is not so good. I have seen countless of complains about their build quality. I had to be extra careful when using and not using it.