► Buy the Boox Tab Ultra C • Tab Ultra C: shop.boox.com/products/tabultrac?ref=S89bxEsIU6XNEo • Tab Ultra C PRO: shop.boox.com/products/tabultracpro?ref=S89bxEsIU6XNEo $5 coupon code: BOOXFB5 UPDATES: New video of the 6 BEST features of the Tab Ultra C: ua-cam.com/video/ECgJQJMyQFo/v-deo.html And it's biggest FLAWS here: ua-cam.com/video/BBxAuZgxmyo/v-deo.html CORRECTIONS: 11:51 - The Tab Ultra C was NOT the first tablet with a Kaleido 3 screen; I knew this at the time of filming but forgot to slice it out. 36:45 - I found a settings pane within the Notes app screens that allows for you to choose autosaving frequency. Info: 23:58 - Onyx has a beta firmware that addresses the first-stroke bug.
Hard to believe that this is your first UA-cam post! Amazing review and fully justifies the effort that you have obviously put in to produce this content. I purchased an Ultra C a few days back after going through a ton of reviews and even then some the concerns you raised are new to me. This is what I call an unbiased review. Good going and hope your channel grows with more content like this.
Wow! This review went places! Massive kudos for putting together such a thorough, exhaustive and unabashed review of not just the device itself but also the matters of security aspects of connected devices. Top job, I'm really impressed. Thank you.
Watched 0:00 to 49:08 I like that you don't try to sound lively (like others). Sounding neutral feels more realistic. Keep it up. Was thinking of buying the tab ultra c, also i have the scribe as well. But after watching this video, I changed my mind. Will keep my scribe for now.
Thank you for taking the time to watch! I really appreciate the feedback - a real concern I had was whether I was being too unenergetic. Never hurts to wait for the next gen if you already have a device that suits your needs!
This review is incredibly well done! Your analysis of the device was deep and thought through, from the specs to the user experience in almost every possible scenario. Thank you so much for such great work.
This is really a deep review, especially you provided the cons which were not mentioned by others. This is very useful, after checked your vedio, i bought a Ultra C. To be honest, this device is far more than what i expected it to be.
I think this is the first video I have seen with the tablet put alongside another traditional style screen. Wow, I hadn't realised just how different the colours were. I think these could be good for developers that spend most of their time playing with code and use colour for syntax etc. Great video. Thank you.
Finished watching the rest of the video and oddly I think a lot of the things this suffers with, my old Note Air doesn't, even things like the marker fading the text doesn't happen on mine. Mine is a mono only device so maybe this is related to the colour screen rather than the software? I use it all the time for notes and think I would find the Ultra C very frustrating.
@@thebaldconvict - Yea, as far as I'm aware those pen issues don't exist even on the B&W Tab Ultra (mind you, I don't have one of those.. so I'm only going off of what I've seen from others). All of the forum posts I've seen have been in regard to the color version. The screen issues I pointed out also don't exist there - as the darkness/subpixel graininess are caused by the color layer. It definitely gets frustrating. They kind of fade into the background once you get into a flow state/get used to using it for multiple hour sessions, but then you come back and just notice them all - I've even gotten angry at the thing which is not a good sign, haha.
This was brilliant. I was considering the device and wanted some sensible information that did not feel like an ad or clickbait, and this was perfect. Is this seriously your first video up here, or do you have a previous channel? If it really is the first, I am blown away. It seems the tech is not quite ready, but boy I hope it succeeds, so that more can be invested and we get to see more change in e-ink tech. Just imagine if they ever get e-ink to reasonable refresh rates, so that it can open the world of office work and gaming to e-ink devices. From hiding in the shadows of our nerdcaves, to being able to work and play videogames outdoors. Complete world-changer. Think of the fortune handheld consoles would make in that world.
I truly appreciate that!! That is quite literally my main objective with this channel, so it's reassuring to know it's received well. It's my first channel! I did spend 2-3 years learning about filming/audio/etc. (aka, procrastinating) and trying to convince myself to take the leap. =) And agreed there - it definitely doesn't feel quite "there", but I'm running into that problem with a lot of tech these days. I've since tested a handful of other e-ink devices, and can confidently say the Tab Ultra C seems to be one of the top contenders at the moment (if not the top) even with all its flaws. It doesn't feel like there's an offering above it, so to me it is the current ceiling. And LOL. Your vision of the potential future sounds lovely (except the going outside part!!). I'm wondering if e-ink will die out completely in lieu of another reflective technology. I can't imagine us refining what e-ink is to the degree it needs to be. It feels like there is a hard limit of what can be achieved based on the current pacing of the tech. I hope I'm wrong about that!
Haha, thank you! It's my first video and I expected to get maybe 20 views, so I'm ecstatic with how many people this has reached and helped. We will grow in good time as I get more practice!
Thanks for reviewing this and for helping me decide. I also enjoyed every minute of this video. And I just realized, I watched it on 1.0x speed which almost never happens.
I appreciate you spending your time watching! It means a lot, and comments like this help me keep pushing on. I have a new review of the new Tab Ultra C Pro the way! My initial thoughts video should drop tomorrow, and the full review will hopefully be up within 3 weeks
Good job on your first Vid. Best of luck in future. I bought the Tab Ultra C but now returning it. So glitchy and frustrating to use. Too many frustrations to mention. Buying a Remarkable 2, I am mostly note taking and planning, that should do the job. Also half the price if I get alternative pen and cover on Amazon.
Thank you!! I really appreciate that. Sorry to hear that the Tab Ultra C didn't work out for you, but agreed that sounds like the best decision on your part. I made a video about its flaws here as well. I've heard remarkable (lol) things about the Remarkable 2! I haven't tried it yet, but it's on the list. I'm currently testing other e-ink tablets like the Amazon Scribe and MobiScribe WAVE to see if they can function as cheaper alternatives to the TUC. Definitely let me know how you get along with the Remarkable 2 and whether your experience was any better!
Wow congrats for this being your first video on UA-cam. You did great, you definitely had convinced me to at least try it, until you pointed out it’s flaws. Who would have known this is your first video on UA-cam very professional and thought out. I’m subscribed and your name is very cool. Well done.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Really appreciate it. I'm still finding use for it nearly daily here - so I've been able to live with the flaws. I will post a 3-month and 6-month update, for sure! I'm planning to release a new video this weekend on the features that I really like.
Wow, what a great, first, in-depth video lol! Who is this guy lol? This first vid is better than others who have been doing this for a while. You came out swinging sir!
Im here aswell out of curiosity! Well done man, also nice starting studio! Also big ups to also putting up chapters! Not my cup of tea, but a deserved like!!!
Thank you for this super detailed review! I was interested on a device for reading (including comics/graphic novels) and sketching, so color E-ink sounded good. I'm now convinced that this tablet (and maybe E-ink in general) is not for me (or not yet, at least), even if it sounds like a nice way to read outside in the sun.
I would suggest that this is more of a workhorse solution and probably overkill for your use cases/scenario. If your main use case is reading/writing, I would check out the 7.8 versions like the Tab Mini C, or the Bigme Goyue v6. They have all the same features and functionalities outside the keyboard case at like half the price. The smaller versions are not only cheaper, but also easier to hold for reading. The larger 10.3 are not fun for holding and reading for long periods.
Amazing review! You shed a light on this device from many perspectives and you did it thoroughly. Congratulations on such a great first video! Concerning the device: It looks promising. First impression of build quality is fine, though the rest leaves something to be desired. Especially looking at the premium price tag. Some of the hardware related things like the connectors or the issues with the screen might become unnerving to some in the long run while others can live with it. Some software related issues could be resolved through updates. However, I doubt it will all happen, speaking from experience with other companies. The adaptions to make better use of the color e-ink are nice and for me, the screen + pen input are the biggest selling points. But in the end, it all looks a bit unpolished and needs further development to make it really shine. Like you put it: It has its advantages and if you are in the market for such a device, it really depends on your use case. However for me, I will stay away from it. Too many compromises to be made. Still, I hope that devices like this pave the ground so other manufacturers also join in and develop new productivity focused devices. Once again, thanks for the review and saving me from buying a device I would not have been satisfied with 😅
I truly appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave such a thoughtful comment. I think you summarized it quite well! I did my best to point out everything I could find so viewers could make an informed decision based on their personalities, so I'm happy to see the video was of value to you in that way. =) Onyx has released a beta firmware that fixes some of the issues (like the pen stroke bug, and reportedly the security patches). I haven't tried them out yet but am debating giving it a shot to update the community. I too, hope that these companies are inspired, by comments like yours, to push e-ink and other technologies forward. It seems obvious there is a new wave of interest surging for e-ink and productivity tech.. so fingers crossed!
Рік тому+2
Really really eye-opening and honest review.. Thanks a lot!
I have an eye disease and E ink has been a godsend. I got the Tab X. I am very happy with it in general, But I am very frustrated with the lack of keyboard cover and bad Usb port, No camera as well as lack of appS optimized for the tech. for someone who suffers with MGD stage 3, I simply cannot use normal LCD screens so this is the best I can get at the moment for academic purposes. I hope one day there will be an E ink fully functional Laptop.
Glad the Tab X is working for you! And definitely understand the limitations you have listed there - outside of color, lack of the keyboard cover was a big factor for me in the Tab Ultra C (even though the larger screen was super appetizing). Are you up-to-date on the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist? I'm not sure if the price will be justified for you if you don't need/can't use the OLED screen, but here is a preview: ua-cam.com/video/toRHQhR4UPI/v-deo.html . It was projected to be launching sometime in 2023. Regardless of whether or not you get this, it proves that companies are investing and e-ink laptops are right around the corner. Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 2's are still around if you buy used, I think!
The best review of this product! I want to buy e-ink tablet, I need full functionality - to be able sync files via cloud, have colors for blueprints and 700Eur price tag is very harsh for product which can turn out to be flop in first day of use.
Really appreciate that! Thank you for watching. And yes, these devices are pricey. I can say I am still using this one often to save my eyes from a traditional screen, but if you don't need it I would go for iPad/Galaxy Tab for sure!
Appreciate that! It's definitely good at that - it may take you a minute to get used to working from Android if you aren't familiar with using a tablet, but stick with it. There are tradeoffs for that eye relief, but it makes for a great companion in that regard. I still use my Pro daily. And apologies that I didn't get my Tab Ultra C Pro video out on time - ran into a bit of snag with my dad's health that set me back many months. It's all filmed, I just need to edit it together, so aiming for early August!
Thanks for such a complete review. I was thinking about purchasing this one, but the price is really high. With your review, I will hold on that purchase.
Thank you for taking the time to watch! There's never any harm in waiting for the next generation unless you absolutely need it now. Also, as a FYI, buying used is a good option for a discount!
You are a real YT pro! Please do more videos! I suggest you to review the Book Tab Mini C, a smaller version of this. It would be a real game changer, since it's smaller
I really appreciate that, thank you! The Mini C could be a game changer for many! It's effectively the same device just shrunk down to be more compact/comfortable for holding; I presume the performance will be similar outside smaller changes like a different pen/larger bezels/etc. I am hoping for a larger screen version, like the Tab Ultra C X - as I don't have a large use case for a smaller, more portable version than the 10.3". I am debating on whether it's worth the purchase just to review it to keep this audience informed, and maybe give it away!
It's definitely one of those features that feels "unnecessary" on this device. I imagine anyone needing to take a photo of a document would have an easier time pulling out their phone to snap quickly and ship it to their Boox device.
Well done Sir! Be proud of yourself! Go find a mirror, tell yourself that you earned it! And be thankful for every single detail of what you see in that mirror! Especially your eyes.. Cause though they often feel dry and sore and sometimes even grants you nothing but pain and troubles.. You must always remind yourself, that you and them, are one.. You share a common goal and without your vision, they would be blind, and without your sight, you would have no vision. Thank you
I should have the new model (PRO) soon, just waiting for delivery, which comes with Android 12 - so will retest. I've also reached out to BOOX regarding security policies. Waiting to hear back.
As a tech guy, i immediately subscribed after such an in-depth review. You're on par with the big guys. Since it's your first video i Imagine you'll quickly have alot of subscribers and viewers if you keep it up like this! Good luck on your progress! Ps: what's up with the socks ? Kinda gives off a barefoot vibe.. Thanks for your review!
Man, I really appreciate that! Are you big into tech outside of e-ink, tablets, & smartphones, as well (thinking desk gadgets, peripherals, etc.)? ^ That is the direction I am honing in on as I love desk gadgets/setups, peripherals, and productivity. I will continue other reviews, too - and already have 3 e-ink devices in the queue - but they are very niche products and are a significant purchase for most users. I'm trying to confirm whether that's a direction viewers like yourself are interested in! And lololol. I don't like thick socks or socks that touch my ankles - this type is thin, low, and super comfortable. Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave such a wonderful comment.
I have an ONYX Poke 3 reader. As a teacher I wanted to be able to use library apps and google classroom. I really need a larger screen and color for reading and correcting. What are your thoughts?
It sounds like the TUC might be a great fit for you - especially if you intend to use the pen for reviewing/correcting in the Boox apps! You will need perform that task in PDF or OneNote format for usability as the pen does not work super well in most other apps. If you're planning to review student uploads as like Word docs, or something else, or edit with a keyboard, then maybe not the best application unless you absolutely need e-ink.. unless you intend to convert to PDF/image/reader format so you can write on it. I can confirm that annotating (whether it be through handwriting or selecting and highlighting/categorizing text) PDFs in color is an amazing value add, and one that I use pretty much daily now. I just tested the Google Classroom app for you and it seems to work just fine. I don't see any drawing capability in the app so you won't have to worry about third-party app pen input delay. You can upload files you exported on the device directly into Classroom. Note: I didn't go too deep into the full app's functionality or try any addons, just did some basic setup to confirm the app didn't have any glaring issues with this device and visibility/input delay. If you want to invite me to some test classroom and see something specific, I'm happy to try it out and send you a video recording of how it works. If you are teaching students, by that I mean you are not hosting your own e-learning course where you control your privacy policy, I would make sure you get this device screened by your school / IT department to ensure they are good with the security level before using it to access sensitive student information.
I think it would be fairer to compare the screen to a printed page rather than tablet screens which are intended for media/video consumption, e-ink screens are meant to be a digital alternative to print. Otherwsie an outstanding review 👍
That's actually a legitimate point! I didn't think to make that comparison for the review. I will say most inkjet color printers produce much more vibrant colors than this screen (and standard printer paper much whiter in similar lighting conditions). I do now wonder how the Gallery 3 color e-ink screens would compare to an inkjet printer, since they are both 'mixing' colored inks. And thank you for the kind words! I will keep this comment in mind for my next e-ink review.
Thanks for your honest review!! Your video is really useful cuz I finally bought it after thinking about pro and cons. After playing it for an hour i'm really content. I agree it's pricy and lacking of security (so i won't login with the onyx things) since i mostly use its for reading anyway -- yk if i've to wait for the stable collection, I wouldn't get a chance to use lol. You did a great Job! Keep doing this
Thank you for taking the time to watch! And haha, truuuee - you could be waiting a while. =) I decided to get the beta build from Onyx to test out for everyone here on UA-cam; I hope to release an update video in the next week or so, once I've finished testing everything. I've also pinged Onyx to see if they have a production release schedule or ETA. Love to hear that you're enjoying the Tab Ultra C! I'm still using mine regularly even 2 months later, so it definitely serves a purpose and has found a place in my daily routine. Keep me updated on how you get along with it as more time passes. I managed to get another company to send me their Kaleido 3 tablet - so I am waiting on that and plan to do some more e-ink tablet reviews in the near future. I have some smaller reviews coming out in the meantime and I am working on an Amazon Kindle Scribe review. I really appreciate the kind words!
wow! that was an incredibly thorough and honest review. As a physician with entrepreneurial aspirations outside of traditional medicine, I'm looking for a productivity tool that doubles as a notebook. I was all in after watching Kitt's videos and now I am going to wait due to the security issues you mentioned. I may consider Remarkable 2 until boox figures it out. Thank you again!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a review! Onyx has made a statement claiming they plan to at least update the OS security patches; however, that is coming ~3 years late, and at the end of life for Android 11 security support (which means even if they do get it updated, they may let them lapse for another ~3 years). I would suggest checking around for Remarkable2 security posts! I don't have one, but I presume if you plan to do patient work on it you will need a device that is HIPAA complaint and I don't know that the Remarkable2 cloud is. However, likely above the security of paper. =)
Screenshots: yes, you can import these directly and even draw on top of them. PDFs: not directly, you have to use a workaround. You can insert "attachments" which lets you attach anything, like a PDF or audio file, but it doesn't let you tap on it to open like it should (seems like they didn't finish it or it's broken, because the file name and size appears, but you can't tap on it to actually open the file - it's just read only name of the file). Instead, you can to link to another Notes file (which does let you tap on it) or link to an external URL where the PDF is hosted.
Just found your first YT video, 🎉congratulations! I was just opening the box of my new Tab Ultra C, while at work 😮, needed some extra info on setting it up, when I saw your video and watched it in full. Excellent review, you don’t seem to hold back 👍. I bought the device based on the glowing recommendation from Kit Betts-Masters channel and the excellent My Deep Guide. After having researching a fair bit. While waiting for the delivery I have had lots of buyers remorse, watching yours, I am still on the edge. I am writing this from an iPad Pro, an otherwise excellent device! Is it perfect? Will The Tab Ultra C be perfect? The short answer is no. None of them will be perfect for everyone or you or I. The next contenders for me was Supernote A5X, Note Air 2+, I couldn’t see myself be happy with the remarkable 2, but it is beautiful to write on. I am hoping that this device will encourage me to read more, I have a large collection of PDF’s and EPUB, which I for some reason don’t enjoy reading on the iPad, it’s too big and heavy, battery doesn’t last long. I found myself at work with too many paper note pads, and worse, not with the right note pad! So I want to write my notes on this device. Also I didn’t like the writing experience on the iPad. I feel like I am slipping and falling off the screen. Will the Tab Ultra C be better? Time will tell. so if it is not meeting the expectations I will be in trouble. Will a better pen, nip or surface screen cover make it better? I don’t know yet! The Tab Ultra C is colour, although limited colours, Ohh and I tried a Kobo Libra 2, I was reading a book with lots of graphs and it referred to the colours, to illustrate differences. The obviously didn’t work. So colours will be a nice addition. You and Voja both mentioned the battery issue. I haven’t tested this yet, as I am 2 hours into holding this device and spend nearly an hour watching your video. But I noticed when I went to settings\Power, it was at 98% and I had my 100w charger connected that it said rapid charging? The manual states the Product specifications 2.GHz Octa-core, something I hadn’t been able to find previously. The security is an issue! The keyboard case, not as nice as the reMarkable. I have ordered a 3rd party case mainly to bring down the weight of this (keyboard/pen and device is 901g) my iPad Pro with a cover and pen is 1176g This might be the dealbreaker for me in the end. Sorry I didn’t mean to hi-jack this, but wanted to share my initial thoughts
I appreciate the kind words! And thanks for taking the time to watch + comment. =) I also purchased with insight and recommendations from those two channels! From the sound of your use case, you may very well be happy with the Tab Ultra C. It feels like a great device for the the use case of reading and writing. We have different uses cases and I am also satisfied with the device overall (if we ignore the very large factor of not being able to use it for sensitive work tasks). I will say the screen is still more "glass-like" and slippery than paper-like - which surprised me based on other reviews. It's not as slick as an iPad but it's not far off. Maybe its' another QA issue? Let me know what your end thoughts are there! I've not yet used a protective screen cover, but I've read that the "Doodroo" brand of protectors provide a paper-like feel and are quality. And, if you end up not liking the device, the resell value is fairly stable with folks hoping to get one at ~$100 discount. This was a path I considered as I debating if I wanted to swap to a Tab Ultra X for the brighter screen and larger display. I noted that you're writing this from an iPad Pro which got me thinking. While you can also write UA-cam comments from the Boox Tab Ultra C just fine, it's not a "smooth" experience like it is on an iPad, or other tablet, from either a web browser or an app. The input delay here is just far too noticeable to write a comment of this length happily and in such a small area. It works and is fine, but I can't imagine it being my go-to for writing a long comment.. I'd rather pull out my phone. I believe charging on the TUC is 15w (and also believe there isn't a 100% efficiency there). The scale of what classify as "fast charging" changes over time as battery tech improves, but fast charging is now considered 18-100w - leaving the Tab Ultra C now out of the "fast charging" category and just "normal". I believe the 3rd gen+ iPad Pros charge at 20w; the Android Galaxy Tab devices charge at 45w. And no worries at all - thank you for writing your thoughts! I love to hear other's opinions and experiences with the device and learn new things.
I would hesitate using a 100 W charger on a Boox as you'd need a more sophisticated battery management system to avoid overcharging than I would give Boox credit for?
@@annvoy7698 - I believe the way charging works is that the device (Tab Ultra C) would only draw as much power as it needs. For instance, with a 100w charger, the TUC would still only pull its ~15w. In other words, the charger doesn't PUSH power into the device, rather the device PULLS what it needs from the charger. So a 100w charger can't "overcharge" at 15w device. The pulling limiters are fairly trivial and standard these days in all batteries by all manufacturers, so I would presume there's no issue to worry about here. Boox is not producing batteries or their limiters, rather sourcing them.
I've only tried coding when using it as a virtual display (Visual Studio Code); I haven't tried coding directly on it through any Android app. It works and is a decent-enough alternative if your eyes are really hurting and need a break. However, I wouldn't like developing there as my daily driver. I type fairly quickly when coding and use autocomplete functions a lot; the latency of the virtual display + e-ink rendering isn't the best.. especially for resolving typos or working at a "regular" pace with a framework you are familiar with.. it requires that you slow down a bit. It's excellent for allowing you to keep working with painful eyes, or even for relaxed session or maybe concept/thinking through a problem! For daily workflow it just isn't quick enough; you might be able to get used to it, but I did not in the short time I tried it. Ghosting is pretty bad in dark mode so you will have to use light mode. It's hard to read consoles/terminals if a lot of data is moving due to the ghosting.
Boox has released OS security patch updates (and the new TUC Pro goes up an Android version which should lock you into security updates for the year) - which is good but doesn't resolve a ton. We still don't have any inkling to how they're updating security for the kernel or their custom software as they don't have any security plans/road map/promises. I'd still sway against putting anything you need to keep private or that could impact your life if compromised. Google Play store is not Play Protect certified, even though other reviewers keep saying it is. This means you couldn't use it in most corporate settings - but I doubt they'd let you use it even if that had passed. That said, I still use the device nearly daily. You just have to treat it as insecure to a degree. I don't think there's a such thing as a tablet without security flaws, it's just a matter of whether the company is staying up to date and I posit that Boox is not. For example, I use a separate Google account for Android here and transfer only the files I need to it. I connect to the internet only through my guest network. I've stopped doing my 9-5 job work on it to protect my company and its clients.. so it's a 100% personal device for writing these videos and managing my small businesses (not the important stuff).
Why does it have 128 GB of Read Only Memory? What takes up so much space as permanent data? That would also mean that the OS is non-upgradable. I’m confused by this.
It's simply a difference/strictness of terms! While "ROM" does technically stand for "Read Only Memory", it's used so little that the term "ROM" has relaxed to envelope any storage that is internal, native, or non-upgradeable to the device. In this instance, I am using it as the latter! The storage here is simply internal and native, but for clarification it is NOT read-only. Common parlance has simply changed in how the term ROM is used over the years.
Top notch review... appreciated the nod to our boy floss :) What a beautiful but flawed tablet. I loved the pastel colours, the ink bleed effect... But man they're limiting themselves with those cheap components. I'd happily pay double the price tag, if they could speed it up. I'm completely sold on the idea, the beauty and "potential" usability of that screen... But they need to do what Apple did, and say..."here's the product...it's premium, with a tag to match." 🤷♂️
I really appreciate that! And I couldn't agree with you more - it's so close but yet so far. The software and and UI/UX issues, especially, are just not "refined" enough.. everything about the device feels extremely juvenile. In stark comparison to Apple/Samsung where you hop on and everything has been iterated on and tested so many times it "just works". I still use it daily, because the eye relief are too important for me to pass on.. but definitely hope the refinement catches up more quickly. I'd also pay double for a refined version.
Excellent treview! With sunlight entering your room, do you still need to turn on the frontlight? I couldn't quite figure that out. (I have a Boox Max 3 that has really saved my poor eyes, so I'm used to watching videos during the daytime. If the Tab Ultra C can allow me to do that during the daytime/in the sunlight, I'll buy it.)
Thank you!! I truly believe that if your home is sufficiently lit by the sun, you have lots of windows, you work by windows often, or you have overhead lamps then you will be in perfect shape. For my scenario, I live in a 2o2 condo at the top floor, with other buildings around that can block direct sunlight at times of day. My back is typically facing the window when I'm sitting (which blocks light from behind me to the screen).. and I'm 8+ feet away from a window in a 40x20 ft. open floor room. My home's light sources are warm LED ceiling lights. ^ Context because my directl sunlight situation indoors isn't the best even though the room feels bright. Also, for reference, 0-50% front light of the device doesn't really make a difference in any scenario except at night/in darkness - only after you pass 50% can you see a worthy difference in screen brightness. After that 50% threshold, there is a drastic curve of light intensity from 50-100% front light. With my light-filtering shades down and full daylight outside, with my home lights on, I still need to have the front-light at 100% to work comfortably. I can get away with 75% if the sunlight is hitting windows directly. Below that, the screen is too grey (and kind of yellow). I often have my shades down for privacy. If it's full daylight outside and I open all the shades + my balcony door to fully saturate my home with sunlight, then I can get away with 0% front light during those hours of day. It's a very comfortable experience. As of typing this comment, 6PM in USA east coast, I have every window open and I was working fine at 0% on my couch. However, when I brought it to my desk to reply to your comment, which is only ~8 feet further way from the windows behind me than the couch, I have to crank up the front-light. I can comfortable use in the 75-80% range right now, but 100% is preferred. In my bedroom which has 4 windows, 2 of which I'm right up against, I can get away with 0% front light during the day. If I go outside in daylight, then I can also get away with 0% front light. It's amazing how bright the screen can get when in direct sunlight or a well-lit area (even with a lamp aimed down at the screen in a way to avoid glare).. it blows the front light away by comparison. I realize that is a long reply for figuring out brightness of the screen, but I hope it's helpful in some way lol.
Amazing vid! It's possible to use some CAD app in that device? what about termux (for backend development) or it's very slow? thank you, liked and subscribed.
Thank you! RE: Termux - you can install f-droid and termux without issues, both work perfectly fine! The only issue you will experience here is keyboard input lag when typing into termux, but it's really not an issue - you get used to typing quickly. I wouldn't use it as my sole device for any kind of development, but it's a good option to have when mobile or when your eyes hurt. RE: CAD: do you have an app name that I can test here for you? I don't know much about CAD software, but as far as I understand it's very similar to 3D software where you're mostly laying lines and shapes/dragging and dropping rather than trying to draw in real time - which I think this device will be manageable for. It will definitely be laggier than an iPad or Galaxy Tab, but it will be workable. If you are needing to draw things in real time, like sketches, in your CAD software, then it probably won't work well for you because the pen lag in third-party software is too significant for real-time use. It will work for dragging things around if you are patient to wait for it, but if you're trying to draw in real time I think it will frustrate you.
The tablet supports 25 languages natively, but I am not seeing any form of Greek on there. This means the native OS and UI elements would not be translated. However, the eReader should support any unicode characters if your publications are in Greek. For typing, you can use the Google/Android keyboard to get modern variations of Greek. You will have to download a third-party keyboard called "Hoplite Polytonic" to support ancient Greek. This should work well with Android and the on-screen keyboard. Note: the physical kyboard case only comes in an english qwerty layout
I haven't. As far as I know, you would need a protective screen cover (which will likely impede on touch controls) as they are too hard for the screens and would cause damage.
Notes on the device, I believe, are saved in a SQL database format on the device and can't be accessed directly without rooting the device (in other words, you can't get the raw notes files that Boox uses). However, you can export them to ".note" extension, PDF, and TXT (the latter only for text input type with the keyboard). You can also export individual notes pages as PNG image files. ^ when you export to one of these formats, you can export them directly into other apps.
The security problem is a real issue. For the first time ever my Google account was hacked. Including Gmail. Makes me stop using the device. This is very sad.
I'm so sorry to hear that 😔 Were you able to trace it back to the Boox device directly? I have disconnected my Google account after realizing the security flaws.. I set up a dummy one just for this device.
Yes traced directly back to Boox Ultra Tab C. The first hint should have been that trying to install the Gmail app was a nightmare. Would install it but it would never appear. After about a week or two succeeded with some bizarre intermediate steps and behaviour on device i had never seen before. Immediately Google sent an email that the account had been hacked. Boox seems to have some default setting that lets them access full info across the Google account - I had not even chosen it as a trusted device. Then once happened a 2nd time after I had removed its trusted status I'm doubly wary. A real issue. Now have removed trusted device from all my devices. Have 2 factor authetication everywhere, but still not confident. Something is very very wrong. Is this a careless 3rd party hack, or a deliberate clumsy backdoor by design? Awful.
It is still behaving very oddly: 1. Default times and date went back to China 2. Asked for login details for Notes app again. 3. Entering correct verification code from my phone sum didn't let me access Notes 4. Finally had code sent to Gmail. Then it let me enter my Notes. 5. Would not let me use VPN. So uninstalled and reinstalled which made it work. Too much nuisance value. Very sad.
Seems to me the technology to get this where it really needs to be is years away still. Maybe even a decade away. I can't see the market ever accepting abismal refresh rates, poor battery life, and low specs for premium pricing. I'll pass
Yea, I presume once companies nail the brightness and contrast of "reflective LCD" technology and start getting it into more tablets, e-ink may even become a relic.. but who knows. Both are niche products with only a couple of companies in the game. It's really only worth it if your eyes need relief.
Thank you! A VPN can definitely help keep your external traffic from prying eyes - I would always suggest using one when you can. IMO, there typically never a good reason NOT to use one on ANY device. The only limiting factor would be speeds or gaming latency if you have a 1gbps+ internet line but the Onyx Boox has neither of those use cases. However, I do believe the potential for this device's security flaws are deeper than that. I think you would want to look into a deeper lockdown than a VPN by only enabling SOME of your apps to access the internet (when necessary) via a firewall. You can do this with firewall apps such as NetGuard - check UA-cam there are tutorials for that - and if you want you can block entire DNS pathways to all of Boox's servers with something like DNS66 (just note, your notes won't be sync'd to their cloud then for backup) to stop them "phoning home" with your data. Still, the above only minimizes the numbers of outgoing servers your data can be sent to or potentially incoming connections that can be made, it won't resolve all of the devices security issues and potential ways in.
I believe the device can be rooted. Haven't personally done it myself because I don't have one yet. However, you should be able to use a firewall to block traffic easily. I do wonder what would happen if all of the traffic to China were to be blocked....
It definitely works well with Obsidian! It also works in Notion/Evernote/etc. I've had the most luck with Obsidian ; the notion mobile app makes things weird vs. the web version. Comics/manga are a top use case of people purchasing this device as far as I'm aware. I'm not in that world but this device would be good for it.
I've been looking at this for a long time and just can't make up my mind. I'm in IT, working with screens all day and would love to remove the eyestrain, but I am worried that it won't be possible to use at work because of the security issues. A black and white screen is just not as practical because of the drawing of diagrams and so on. All other flaws I could probably live with.
It's definitely a great device for hand-drawing diagrams - I've used it a lot for sketching UI/UX flows for website components and clarifications to my team. However, one limitation there is the canvas size that I chat to in the Screen chapter of this video - if you are needing a lot of space to draw then you're going to run out of room here or will need to split into multiple pages because the canvas is not "infinite" but rather limited to 2x2 your current screen orientation size. If you're using a specific diagram or flow chart app (Lucidchart, Figma, Miro, or whatever), I'd be happy to test some for you to let you know how laggy the input feels of moving nodes around and how the colors work. If you are in the support side of IT, you probably can't use this device to handle support requests or sensitive user information - otherwise, would check with your team/superior for their buy-in. I would assume that Boox, or competitors, are working on a color e-ink external monitor display - Boox currently has the Mira in b&w. I am hoping, at least!
@@aline.tech.reviewsHmmm... Can you Zoom in to say 300% or more? If so one trick I tried on my handphone was to zoom into about 400% to write/draw my diagram/illustrations when taking notes or sharing ideas. Not sure if this trick can work for this case? HTH.
Welcome aboard, and I appreciate that! Overall, I've had an enjoyable experience with the device and it has definitely provided the eye relief I needed from back-lit screens. Definitely understand on the length; there are chapters so you can skip around to the bits you care most about! I'm also releasing 2x shorter videos this week: one of which is a quick review of the top 6 productivity features I love about the device, and the other the 6 biggest flaws I've found with the device. Neither will be as in-depth or comprehensive as this review but will be more easily digestible for those who don't want the whole review. I'm hoping to get the first one out today/tomorrow at latest.
If you use the tablet for more than 4 hours a day and mostly to take notes and read then this is the better option, if not then an iPad Air is so much better
Yea, that or if you need eye relief! For instance, after working 6 hours at a computer, your eyes can get tired/strained and switching to work on an iPad would worsen the strain. The Tab Ultra C allows you to keep working without that eye strain, allowing me to get an eye rest and head back to a computer later!
Thank you so much for saving me my hard earned money. I have decided not to buy it. I have no confidence that bugs and glaring security holes will be fixed.
I agree with you on the bugs + security issues. I opted in for the beta firmware which supposedly "fixes" a lot of the issues, but I find them to be hacky workarounds and not true fixes. I am going to make a video detailing them so other people are aware. In digging, I found their Linux distro is also about to hit end of life, but who knows if they have even been keeping it updated with security patches.
Could you clarify your question for me please? It does make a scratching sound when writing (the nib on the screen) that is satisfying; however, the tactile feedback doesn't match that sound. If you mean does the screen scratch easily, I haven't yet had it scratch. The nib definitely leaves marks on the screen but you can wipe them away. I have not had permanent scratching damaging. It does not seem as durable as gorilla glass for a phone screen, so I would be careful / make sure you use a cover when packing.
Yea, hard speculation on whether it was feedback like this that triggered it or if they had it planned all along.. if the latter, then they never should have released the base model. I have the Pro now as well and am almost finished with my review (holidays and family health issues have me behind schedule). I aim to release it early next week.
@@aline.tech.reviews It was probably intentional, but not necessarily in bad faith. Not all companies can afford to support and continue producing products that are too different in design and specifications. Anyway, I returned the Ultra C model, literally purchased on the first of August and returned on the 2nd of January, due to continuous crashes of Edge, which I use for work. To this, I added not even 200 euros and got the Ultra C Pro with the keyboard. Let's hope that this time it lasts longer, otherwise, I'll find myself making another return to get the new one.
This was a phenomenal breakdown. I enjoyed that you provided pros and/or cons for many of the specs especially when they were lacking. It's refreshing to see reviewers that take time to understand the device through actual use and can explain each feature. While I love LTT reviews, your review is much deeper than what I get in some of yheir videos. Please make more of these videos.
I truly appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave such a wonderful comment. And woah - being mentioned in the same comment as LTT is mind-blowing lol. I definitely plan to continue forward! I have a lot of reviews in the works from bluetooth audio receivers, headphones, Govee RGB lights, microphones, portable charges, to desk accessories, peripherals, and much more. Immediately, I am releasing 2x shorter videos of the Tab Ultra C (1x to highlight its productivity features that I love, 1x to highlight all the things that hinder my productivity) to try to ride this wave of success. I appreciate you sticking around while I figure UA-cam out.
Are you saying here that Linus Tech Tips has given a review on these ereader Note takers? If so, I will go look for them, but maybe you are referring to another reviewer and I would like to be able to find whoever that is that you are mentioning.
@@janinawalker4200 - I believe the user was speaking in general terms, not suggesting that LTT specifically had a TUC review (though they did just post one on the Dasung e-ink monitor about a week ago!). However, an LTT offshoot channel called "ShortCircuit" does have some e-ink tablet reviews. In addition to that, I highly recommend checking out "MyDeepGuide" and "KitBetts-Masters". Both provide excellent e-ink insights and have a lot more experience with e-ink devices than myself.
49 minutes? I can't believe I sat through this entire video without realizing how long it was. This is a comprehensive, realistic and practical review.
Your video script is tight, clear, and well organized. Smooth presentation. I’m in awe. // I would like to spend less time staring at lit screens. I’ll be following you for your thoughts on tech that can support this.
Really appreciate the lovely words! All this support on my first video has me over the moon.. thank you for watching and commenting. I will strive to save all the eyeballs.
Thank you for this honest and concise review, that is really one of the best here (though I'm a big fan of Voja's My Deep Guide channel). Exactly those issues that you have mentioned, battery life, the grey screen and poor security together with the high price have stopped me from getting the Tab C Ultra. I've had a Note Air 1 for studying for the past three years and I'm really still very happy with it, using it as a note-taking and pdf reading device solely.Yes, colour would be great but I work around it with different 'textures' of highlighting annotating and emphasizing. Last week I was able to see a few Chinese versions of Boox devices next to each other, even the Palma, and a Tab C without the camera, but I didn't see a major advantage to my Note Air to justify an upgrade. I would love an e-ink phone or at least a handheld but as long as there are these security issues with these niche products, I can only dream about it;-)
I truly appreciate that - being mentioned with one of the top e-ink review channels feels amazing. I watched a handful of his reviews on various devices before making my purchase decision and very much enjoyed them. I don't envision ALINE tech being 100% e-ink, though there's an obviously interested audience, but I will keep exploring the space, testing everything new that I can get my hands on, and helping folks find the best fit for their day-to-day lives; I am still hunting for that "perfect" e-ink device for myself. It never hurts to wait for the next-gen to upgrade, especially on early adopter (first edition) products such as this. I believe you have made a wise decision as that upgrade path doesn't seem 'worth' it enough unless you absolutely NEED color. I agree on the security flaws and do hope that Onyx takes the time to better refine their software and UI/UX experience before pushing a new wave of devices. I, too, would enjoy an e-ink phone; I was recently browsing around at all the different options that currently exist. Slim pickings!! Thank you for taking the time to watch + comment!
I saw couple of boox devices' usage review videos and this one is first that is really not just marketing but shows all the good the bad and the ugly. This one radiates the real experience and time spent with the device. Thank you for a great review.
I truly appreciate that! My mission is to provide "fair" reviews (to the best of my ability), as I feel there aren't enough on UA-cam.. so it's reassuring to know I hit the mark. Thank you for taking the time to watch!
Thank you so much for this in-depth analysis. I was days away from pulling the trigger on a Tab Ultra C as an e-ink replacement for my iPad for calendar, note taking, annotating pdfs, and reading. However, your notes about the instability and pen input lag in third party applications was a deal breaker for me. I had really hoped we had something there, but this sounds like it’s just not ready yet. Massive security issues are also very concerning.
Thank you for taking the time to watch! Yea, I don't feel it can effectively "replace" an iPad for a majority of uses (though it's awesome for those cases you mentioned - note taking, annotating PDFs, and reading!!). The Tab Ultra C rather provides a supplemental way to continue working with your apps while you let your eyes rest from backlit screens.. AKA as substitute when your eyes are getting tired or you need to preserve your eye stamina for future work. There isn't a magic way that I've found to handwrite on a calendar and have it sync/share to other apps - the only viable way is to use OneNote with a calendar template OR a PDF calendar template that you annotate on and sync between your devices. Both of these options are clunky. It is, IMO, an "early adopter" product in that it feels not yet refined. Great concept, good build execution, and I think Onyx will end up making great strides if they focus more time into their software experience and testing. However, there's currently lots of UI/UX and software issues that need to be resolved to get it to a place where it can be seamlessly integrated without frustration. Compared to something like an iPad or Samsung Tab, the integration here feels "young" and "inexperienced".
I truly appreciate that, thank you! I took a peek at your channel; both your production quality and delivery are excellent. I will study your confidence and relaxed nature on camera. I hope your subsequent ventures and Phinspire are fruitful.
It has been great for me so far. I have used to for 1 hour by taking random notes and solving integrals for fun (cause MY LIFE SUCKS). It is very great at that, and I found a way to get my notes online. The space that I'm gonna save in my place is gonna be significant.
Yes!! The quality of life improvement of not having to deal with analog notetaking (and the tedious process of organizing, reviewing, and trying to digitize those) is significant. I've also found myself using it almost daily for taking notes or jotting down my thoughts. Good luck with calculus!!!
@@aline.tech.reviews thanks. The worst are the physic classes though, but I know I will finally be able to draw beautiful graphs to help me. You cannot understand physics without them. Hopefully, I won't have to bring my heavy laptop in my hours of public transport adventure (main reason to get the tablet). One last thing, do you know any case that I can use to transport the Ultra C?
@@Cless - Haha.. agreed the colors for drawing graphs is super handy! It also adds a bit of fun when your mind wanders and you start doodling. I don't know of any cases unfortunately, I only have the magnetic case that came with it and the keyboard cover case. Neither of those seem like they will provide long-term protection for you. I would check out the Onyx Boox Reddit community and see if anyone there has recommendations. I will also search around and maybe find a couple to try out/review for us!
The effort you put into making this much content this well optimized is absolutely stunning and not lost on those who appreciate excellent quality information in such an elegant delivery. Bravo.
I truly appreciate that; it means a lot coming from someone with your on-camera presence and experience. That was my first, I hope to improve with each video!
I couldn’t believe that was your first UA-cam post! You are impressively articulate, yet easy to listen to. The amount of information that you brought across was well organized with understandable rationale for each point. It seems to that the level of information you gave was equivalent to that which a company would get from a consultant, that they paid good money for. Onyx should hire you on retainer as a product consultant! I can’t imagine how much time you must have invested to produce this video with this level of content. I wish you much success in business and possible UA-cam activities. And I wish you long term relief for your weary eyes! Thanks for giving us, giving me such valuable information!
I truly appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave such a wonderful comment. =) I just missed my UPS drop of the Tab Ultra C Pro - so I plan to go pick that up tomorrow and will do 1 short video and then in a couple weeks have a longer update video!
FYI! They just released a PRO version - which supposedly resolves a lot of the limitations I found in this review. I updated a link to it in the video description so you can check it out. Mine doesn't get here until the weekend, so I can't compare its performance yet. Just wanted to give you a heads up!!
Thanks for taking the time to watch, comment, and subscribe - that's a lot, and I truly appreciate it! I plan to keep it up!! I am going to try some shorter videos around the TUC and get in some other tech reviews that I had planned - so appreciate you sticking around while I test and try things - and please don't hesitate to sound off in the comments if I'm heading down the wrong path.
Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave the kind words!!! What type of reading are you doing? If it is mostly books, then I would vote the Tab Ultra C (or even Mini C if you dont want a large device). If it's mostly PDFs, journals, research papers, etc. then you might want the larger screen to avoid having to zoom and pan around a lot. Color would be your secondary decisive factor there.
Really appreciate that!! I have an Amazon Scribe and Mobiscribe WAVE color en route for e-ink reviews. Am throwing out some smaller non e-ink videos while I play with them both.
An excellent review. I have one of their older devices and, colour aside, your review could have been about my device, which sadly is 3(ish) years old now. It seems Boox haven’t addressed their weaknesses in that time.
Thank you, I really appreciate that! ..and that is extremely unfortunate to hear (but also not surprising). I truly hope they put more focus into refining their products this iteration. Which device do you have?
► Buy the Boox Tab Ultra C
• Tab Ultra C: shop.boox.com/products/tabultrac?ref=S89bxEsIU6XNEo
• Tab Ultra C PRO: shop.boox.com/products/tabultracpro?ref=S89bxEsIU6XNEo
$5 coupon code: BOOXFB5
UPDATES:
New video of the 6 BEST features of the Tab Ultra C: ua-cam.com/video/ECgJQJMyQFo/v-deo.html
And it's biggest FLAWS here: ua-cam.com/video/BBxAuZgxmyo/v-deo.html
CORRECTIONS:
11:51 - The Tab Ultra C was NOT the first tablet with a Kaleido 3 screen; I knew this at the time of filming but forgot to slice it out.
36:45 - I found a settings pane within the Notes app screens that allows for you to choose autosaving frequency.
Info:
23:58 - Onyx has a beta firmware that addresses the first-stroke bug.
I believe they also fixed the security patches. It says december 2023 for me.
Hard to believe that this is your first UA-cam post! Amazing review and fully justifies the effort that you have obviously put in to produce this content. I purchased an Ultra C a few days back after going through a ton of reviews and even then some the concerns you raised are new to me. This is what I call an unbiased review. Good going and hope your channel grows with more content like this.
Thank you for the amazing comment and for taking the time to watch. I really appreciate you!
I hope you and your Tab Ultra C get along well!
Yes, very very well done for a first production.
You deserve 👍👍👍👍👍
🍷🍾 Cheers!
I didn’t even notice!! I just assumed this guy was a big time UA-camr!😅
This guy is a natural!!🔥
Wow! This review went places! Massive kudos for putting together such a thorough, exhaustive and unabashed review of not just the device itself but also the matters of security aspects of connected devices. Top job, I'm really impressed. Thank you.
I really appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave the kind words. =)
First youtube video... with such quality? Freaking amazing! Instantly subscribed.
Welcome aboard! And thanks for taking the time to watch =)
Watched 0:00 to 49:08
I like that you don't try to sound lively (like others). Sounding neutral feels more realistic. Keep it up.
Was thinking of buying the tab ultra c, also i have the scribe as well. But after watching this video, I changed my mind. Will keep my scribe for now.
Thank you for taking the time to watch!
I really appreciate the feedback - a real concern I had was whether I was being too unenergetic.
Never hurts to wait for the next gen if you already have a device that suits your needs!
This was an absolutely brilliant "warts and all" review. Honest and well considered.
Thank you so much!
Exceptional review! It's hard to believe this is your first video. Thorough, unbiased, crisp, and polished. Keep it up!!
Truly appreciate that!! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment.
This review is incredibly well done! Your analysis of the device was deep and thought through, from the specs to the user experience in almost every possible scenario. Thank you so much for such great work.
Really appreciate that!!!! Thanks for taking the time to watch =)
This is really a deep review, especially you provided the cons which were not mentioned by others. This is very useful, after checked your vedio, i bought a Ultra C. To be honest, this device is far more than what i expected it to be.
Love to hear it! Please come back and let me know how you get along with it in time. I am still using mine (almost) daily!
I think this is the first video I have seen with the tablet put alongside another traditional style screen. Wow, I hadn't realised just how different the colours were. I think these could be good for developers that spend most of their time playing with code and use colour for syntax etc.
Great video. Thank you.
Finished watching the rest of the video and oddly I think a lot of the things this suffers with, my old Note Air doesn't, even things like the marker fading the text doesn't happen on mine.
Mine is a mono only device so maybe this is related to the colour screen rather than the software? I use it all the time for notes and think I would find the Ultra C very frustrating.
@@thebaldconvict - Yea, as far as I'm aware those pen issues don't exist even on the B&W Tab Ultra (mind you, I don't have one of those.. so I'm only going off of what I've seen from others). All of the forum posts I've seen have been in regard to the color version.
The screen issues I pointed out also don't exist there - as the darkness/subpixel graininess are caused by the color layer.
It definitely gets frustrating. They kind of fade into the background once you get into a flow state/get used to using it for multiple hour sessions, but then you come back and just notice them all - I've even gotten angry at the thing which is not a good sign, haha.
This was brilliant. I was considering the device and wanted some sensible information that did not feel like an ad or clickbait, and this was perfect.
Is this seriously your first video up here, or do you have a previous channel? If it really is the first, I am blown away.
It seems the tech is not quite ready, but boy I hope it succeeds, so that more can be invested and we get to see more change in e-ink tech. Just imagine if they ever get e-ink to reasonable refresh rates, so that it can open the world of office work and gaming to e-ink devices. From hiding in the shadows of our nerdcaves, to being able to work and play videogames outdoors. Complete world-changer. Think of the fortune handheld consoles would make in that world.
I truly appreciate that!! That is quite literally my main objective with this channel, so it's reassuring to know it's received well.
It's my first channel! I did spend 2-3 years learning about filming/audio/etc. (aka, procrastinating) and trying to convince myself to take the leap. =)
And agreed there - it definitely doesn't feel quite "there", but I'm running into that problem with a lot of tech these days. I've since tested a handful of other e-ink devices, and can confidently say the Tab Ultra C seems to be one of the top contenders at the moment (if not the top) even with all its flaws. It doesn't feel like there's an offering above it, so to me it is the current ceiling.
And LOL. Your vision of the potential future sounds lovely (except the going outside part!!). I'm wondering if e-ink will die out completely in lieu of another reflective technology. I can't imagine us refining what e-ink is to the degree it needs to be. It feels like there is a hard limit of what can be achieved based on the current pacing of the tech. I hope I'm wrong about that!
This channel deserves a million subscribers, how is such a good review have soo less views
Haha, thank you!
It's my first video and I expected to get maybe 20 views, so I'm ecstatic with how many people this has reached and helped. We will grow in good time as I get more practice!
Your first whaaat? D:
Very impressive first video, wow!
Very useful with details that nobody out there has mentioned before. Congrats!
Really appreciate that, Santiago! Thank you for the kind words =)
Thanks for reviewing this and for helping me decide. I also enjoyed every minute of this video. And I just realized, I watched it on 1.0x speed which almost never happens.
I appreciate you spending your time watching! It means a lot, and comments like this help me keep pushing on.
I have a new review of the new Tab Ultra C Pro the way! My initial thoughts video should drop tomorrow, and the full review will hopefully be up within 3 weeks
Wow. That’s what I call a thorough review. Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave feedback!!
this was your first video? wow impressive. Excellent review and it was very genuine.
It was - and I truly appreciate that; thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!
What an awesome-deep review! This Creator definitely deserves an UA-cam Oscar award!
Wow! Thank you!
Good job on your first Vid. Best of luck in future. I bought the Tab Ultra C but now returning it. So glitchy and frustrating to use. Too many frustrations to mention. Buying a Remarkable 2, I am mostly note taking and planning, that should do the job. Also half the price if I get alternative pen and cover on Amazon.
Thank you!! I really appreciate that.
Sorry to hear that the Tab Ultra C didn't work out for you, but agreed that sounds like the best decision on your part. I made a video about its flaws here as well. I've heard remarkable (lol) things about the Remarkable 2! I haven't tried it yet, but it's on the list. I'm currently testing other e-ink tablets like the Amazon Scribe and MobiScribe WAVE to see if they can function as cheaper alternatives to the TUC.
Definitely let me know how you get along with the Remarkable 2 and whether your experience was any better!
This review rivals and even extends the My Deep Guide review. Well done.. I have the non C version and was wondering about upgrading.
That's awesome to hear! Thank you for taking the time to watch.
Where did you end up? Worth the upgrade for you?
Excellent review and delivery. I subscribed to your channel halfway through the video. Well done!
I really appreciate that! Thank you for watching and your vote of confidence.
Great review. You added a lot of interesting info that nobody else has done yet in the other reviews out there.
I truly appreciate that! Thank yoh for watching.
Wow congrats for this being your first video on UA-cam. You did great, you definitely had convinced me to at least try it, until you pointed out it’s flaws. Who would have known this is your first video on UA-cam very professional and thought out. I’m subscribed and your name is very cool. Well done.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Really appreciate it.
I'm still finding use for it nearly daily here - so I've been able to live with the flaws. I will post a 3-month and 6-month update, for sure! I'm planning to release a new video this weekend on the features that I really like.
Wow, what a great, first, in-depth video lol! Who is this guy lol? This first vid is better than others who have been doing this for a while. You came out swinging sir!
Sheeeeesh! Really appreciate the kind words, thank you for watching!!!
Im here aswell out of curiosity! Well done man, also nice starting studio! Also big ups to also putting up chapters! Not my cup of tea, but a deserved like!!!
Thank you for this super detailed review! I was interested on a device for reading (including comics/graphic novels) and sketching, so color E-ink sounded good. I'm now convinced that this tablet (and maybe E-ink in general) is not for me (or not yet, at least), even if it sounds like a nice way to read outside in the sun.
I would suggest that this is more of a workhorse solution and probably overkill for your use cases/scenario.
If your main use case is reading/writing, I would check out the 7.8 versions like the Tab Mini C, or the Bigme Goyue v6. They have all the same features and functionalities outside the keyboard case at like half the price.
The smaller versions are not only cheaper, but also easier to hold for reading. The larger 10.3 are not fun for holding and reading for long periods.
Amazing review! You shed a light on this device from many perspectives and you did it thoroughly. Congratulations on such a great first video!
Concerning the device: It looks promising. First impression of build quality is fine, though the rest leaves something to be desired. Especially looking at the premium price tag. Some of the hardware related things like the connectors or the issues with the screen might become unnerving to some in the long run while others can live with it. Some software related issues could be resolved through updates. However, I doubt it will all happen, speaking from experience with other companies. The adaptions to make better use of the color e-ink are nice and for me, the screen + pen input are the biggest selling points. But in the end, it all looks a bit unpolished and needs further development to make it really shine.
Like you put it: It has its advantages and if you are in the market for such a device, it really depends on your use case. However for me, I will stay away from it. Too many compromises to be made. Still, I hope that devices like this pave the ground so other manufacturers also join in and develop new productivity focused devices.
Once again, thanks for the review and saving me from buying a device I would not have been satisfied with 😅
I truly appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave such a thoughtful comment.
I think you summarized it quite well! I did my best to point out everything I could find so viewers could make an informed decision based on their personalities, so I'm happy to see the video was of value to you in that way. =)
Onyx has released a beta firmware that fixes some of the issues (like the pen stroke bug, and reportedly the security patches). I haven't tried them out yet but am debating giving it a shot to update the community.
I too, hope that these companies are inspired, by comments like yours, to push e-ink and other technologies forward. It seems obvious there is a new wave of interest surging for e-ink and productivity tech.. so fingers crossed!
Really really eye-opening and honest review.. Thanks a lot!
Glad to hear it! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a comment - truly appreciate it!
very good video in production, content, and analysis! You started at a very high level! Good job!
I really appreciate that; thank you for taking the time to watch!
I have an eye disease and E ink has been a godsend. I got the Tab X. I am very happy with it in general, But I am very frustrated with the lack of keyboard cover and bad Usb port, No camera as well as lack of appS optimized for the tech. for someone who suffers with MGD stage 3, I simply cannot use normal LCD screens so this is the best I can get at the moment for academic purposes. I hope one day there will be an E ink fully functional Laptop.
Glad the Tab X is working for you! And definitely understand the limitations you have listed there - outside of color, lack of the keyboard cover was a big factor for me in the Tab Ultra C (even though the larger screen was super appetizing).
Are you up-to-date on the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Twist? I'm not sure if the price will be justified for you if you don't need/can't use the OLED screen, but here is a preview: ua-cam.com/video/toRHQhR4UPI/v-deo.html . It was projected to be launching sometime in 2023. Regardless of whether or not you get this, it proves that companies are investing and e-ink laptops are right around the corner.
Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 2's are still around if you buy used, I think!
The best review of this product! I want to buy e-ink tablet, I need full functionality - to be able sync files via cloud, have colors for blueprints and 700Eur price tag is very harsh for product which can turn out to be flop in first day of use.
Really appreciate that! Thank you for watching.
And yes, these devices are pricey. I can say I am still using this one often to save my eyes from a traditional screen, but if you don't need it I would go for iPad/Galaxy Tab for sure!
Awesome review mate. Ive just ordered the tab ultra c pro. A bit of an impulse purchase, but hoping it will provide my eyes with some respite.
Appreciate that! It's definitely good at that - it may take you a minute to get used to working from Android if you aren't familiar with using a tablet, but stick with it. There are tradeoffs for that eye relief, but it makes for a great companion in that regard. I still use my Pro daily.
And apologies that I didn't get my Tab Ultra C Pro video out on time - ran into a bit of snag with my dad's health that set me back many months. It's all filmed, I just need to edit it together, so aiming for early August!
Thanks for such a complete review. I was thinking about purchasing this one, but the price is really high. With your review, I will hold on that purchase.
Thank you for taking the time to watch!
There's never any harm in waiting for the next generation unless you absolutely need it now. Also, as a FYI, buying used is a good option for a discount!
You are a real YT pro! Please do more videos! I suggest you to review the Book Tab Mini C, a smaller version of this. It would be a real game changer, since it's smaller
I really appreciate that, thank you!
The Mini C could be a game changer for many! It's effectively the same device just shrunk down to be more compact/comfortable for holding; I presume the performance will be similar outside smaller changes like a different pen/larger bezels/etc. I am hoping for a larger screen version, like the Tab Ultra C X - as I don't have a large use case for a smaller, more portable version than the 10.3".
I am debating on whether it's worth the purchase just to review it to keep this audience informed, and maybe give it away!
I wish there wasn't the camera, because that would've decreased the price
It's definitely one of those features that feels "unnecessary" on this device. I imagine anyone needing to take a photo of a document would have an easier time pulling out their phone to snap quickly and ship it to their Boox device.
Camera is probably more useful for scanning qr codes
I suspect it didn't add much to the cost of the thing.
Well done Sir!
Be proud of yourself!
Go find a mirror, tell yourself that you earned it! And be thankful for every single detail of what you see in that mirror!
Especially your eyes..
Cause though they often feel dry and sore and sometimes even grants you nothing but pain and troubles..
You must always remind yourself, that you and them, are one.. You share a common goal and without your vision, they would be blind, and without your sight, you would have no vision.
Thank you
Haha, thank you, and well said!!
Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. =)
First video? Deserves a sub. You can be the next Gerald Undone if you keep this up.
Truly appreciate that! Fingers crossed; #goals.
Thanks for the security issue warning. It is a no go for me !
I should have the new model (PRO) soon, just waiting for delivery, which comes with Android 12 - so will retest.
I've also reached out to BOOX regarding security policies. Waiting to hear back.
As a tech guy, i immediately subscribed after such an in-depth review. You're on par with the big guys. Since it's your first video i Imagine you'll quickly have alot of subscribers and viewers if you keep it up like this!
Good luck on your progress! Ps: what's up with the socks ? Kinda gives off a barefoot vibe..
Thanks for your review!
Man, I really appreciate that! Are you big into tech outside of e-ink, tablets, & smartphones, as well (thinking desk gadgets, peripherals, etc.)?
^ That is the direction I am honing in on as I love desk gadgets/setups, peripherals, and productivity. I will continue other reviews, too - and already have 3 e-ink devices in the queue - but they are very niche products and are a significant purchase for most users. I'm trying to confirm whether that's a direction viewers like yourself are interested in!
And lololol. I don't like thick socks or socks that touch my ankles - this type is thin, low, and super comfortable.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave such a wonderful comment.
I have an ONYX Poke 3 reader. As a teacher I wanted to be able to use library apps and google classroom. I really need a larger screen and color for reading and correcting. What are your thoughts?
It sounds like the TUC might be a great fit for you - especially if you intend to use the pen for reviewing/correcting in the Boox apps! You will need perform that task in PDF or OneNote format for usability as the pen does not work super well in most other apps. If you're planning to review student uploads as like Word docs, or something else, or edit with a keyboard, then maybe not the best application unless you absolutely need e-ink.. unless you intend to convert to PDF/image/reader format so you can write on it.
I can confirm that annotating (whether it be through handwriting or selecting and highlighting/categorizing text) PDFs in color is an amazing value add, and one that I use pretty much daily now.
I just tested the Google Classroom app for you and it seems to work just fine. I don't see any drawing capability in the app so you won't have to worry about third-party app pen input delay. You can upload files you exported on the device directly into Classroom. Note: I didn't go too deep into the full app's functionality or try any addons, just did some basic setup to confirm the app didn't have any glaring issues with this device and visibility/input delay. If you want to invite me to some test classroom and see something specific, I'm happy to try it out and send you a video recording of how it works.
If you are teaching students, by that I mean you are not hosting your own e-learning course where you control your privacy policy, I would make sure you get this device screened by your school / IT department to ensure they are good with the security level before using it to access sensitive student information.
Excellent, professional-quality review. You deserve far more subs. Well, you at least got one more in me. :)
I really appreciate that! Thanks for taking the time to watch, comment, and subscribe
great vid. thanks for the spec break down at the start, for us noobs.i have done e ink for years. but get no comparison of cpu and gpu kudos
Glad it was helpful! And thank you for taking the time to watch.
I think it would be fairer to compare the screen to a printed page rather than tablet screens which are intended for media/video consumption, e-ink screens are meant to be a digital alternative to print. Otherwsie an outstanding review 👍
That's actually a legitimate point! I didn't think to make that comparison for the review.
I will say most inkjet color printers produce much more vibrant colors than this screen (and standard printer paper much whiter in similar lighting conditions). I do now wonder how the Gallery 3 color e-ink screens would compare to an inkjet printer, since they are both 'mixing' colored inks.
And thank you for the kind words! I will keep this comment in mind for my next e-ink review.
Excellent first video
Really appreciate that, thank you!!
Thanks for your honest review!! Your video is really useful cuz I finally bought it after thinking about pro and cons. After playing it for an hour i'm really content. I agree it's pricy and lacking of security (so i won't login with the onyx things) since i mostly use its for reading anyway -- yk if i've to wait for the stable collection, I wouldn't get a chance to use lol. You did a great Job! Keep doing this
Thank you for taking the time to watch!
And haha, truuuee - you could be waiting a while. =) I decided to get the beta build from Onyx to test out for everyone here on UA-cam; I hope to release an update video in the next week or so, once I've finished testing everything. I've also pinged Onyx to see if they have a production release schedule or ETA.
Love to hear that you're enjoying the Tab Ultra C! I'm still using mine regularly even 2 months later, so it definitely serves a purpose and has found a place in my daily routine. Keep me updated on how you get along with it as more time passes.
I managed to get another company to send me their Kaleido 3 tablet - so I am waiting on that and plan to do some more e-ink tablet reviews in the near future. I have some smaller reviews coming out in the meantime and I am working on an Amazon Kindle Scribe review.
I really appreciate the kind words!
Thanks for all the information. I think I'll wait until there are more color 10.5" eink options.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!
And definitely never any harm in waiting for the next gen unless you absolutely need it.
It was the Flossy Carter reference that made my day.😂
I'm subscriber number 7.66k Remember meeeee
😆 . I got you!
wow! that was an incredibly thorough and honest review. As a physician with entrepreneurial aspirations outside of traditional medicine, I'm looking for a productivity tool that doubles as a notebook. I was all in after watching Kitt's videos and now I am going to wait due to the security issues you mentioned. I may consider Remarkable 2 until boox figures it out. Thank you again!
Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a review!
Onyx has made a statement claiming they plan to at least update the OS security patches; however, that is coming ~3 years late, and at the end of life for Android 11 security support (which means even if they do get it updated, they may let them lapse for another ~3 years).
I would suggest checking around for Remarkable2 security posts! I don't have one, but I presume if you plan to do patient work on it you will need a device that is HIPAA complaint and I don't know that the Remarkable2 cloud is. However, likely above the security of paper. =)
Can you import PDF s and screenshotsinto your notes?
Sorry if I missed it in the great Video.
Screenshots: yes, you can import these directly and even draw on top of them.
PDFs: not directly, you have to use a workaround. You can insert "attachments" which lets you attach anything, like a PDF or audio file, but it doesn't let you tap on it to open like it should (seems like they didn't finish it or it's broken, because the file name and size appears, but you can't tap on it to actually open the file - it's just read only name of the file). Instead, you can to link to another Notes file (which does let you tap on it) or link to an external URL where the PDF is hosted.
Subscriber #256 I believe. Well done and looking forward to your future work.
That's a good number - you are the Byte : 256stuff.com/256.html .
Appreciate that and thank you for taking the time to watch and subscriber =)
Keep 'em comin' I'll keep watchin'.
Just found your first YT video, 🎉congratulations!
I was just opening the box of my new Tab Ultra C, while at work 😮, needed some extra info on setting it up, when I saw your video and watched it in full. Excellent review, you don’t seem to hold back 👍.
I bought the device based on the glowing recommendation from Kit Betts-Masters channel and the excellent My Deep Guide. After having researching a fair bit.
While waiting for the delivery I have had lots of buyers remorse, watching yours, I am still on the edge.
I am writing this from an iPad Pro, an otherwise excellent device! Is it perfect? Will The Tab Ultra C be perfect? The short answer is no. None of them will be perfect for everyone or you or I.
The next contenders for me was Supernote A5X, Note Air 2+, I couldn’t see myself be happy with the remarkable 2, but it is beautiful to write on.
I am hoping that this device will encourage me to read more, I have a large collection of PDF’s and EPUB, which I for some reason don’t enjoy reading on the iPad, it’s too big and heavy, battery doesn’t last long.
I found myself at work with too many paper note pads, and worse, not with the right note pad! So I want to write my notes on this device. Also I didn’t like the writing experience on the iPad. I feel like I am slipping and falling off the screen. Will the Tab Ultra C be better? Time will tell. so if it is not meeting the expectations I will be in trouble.
Will a better pen, nip or surface screen cover make it better? I don’t know yet!
The Tab Ultra C is colour, although limited colours,
Ohh and I tried a Kobo Libra 2, I was reading a book with lots of graphs and it referred to the colours, to illustrate differences. The obviously didn’t work. So colours will be a nice addition.
You and Voja both mentioned the battery issue. I haven’t tested this yet, as I am 2 hours into holding this device and spend nearly an hour watching your video. But I noticed when I went to settings\Power, it was at 98% and I had my 100w charger connected that it said rapid charging?
The manual states the Product specifications 2.GHz Octa-core, something I hadn’t been able to find previously.
The security is an issue!
The keyboard case, not as nice as the reMarkable. I have ordered a 3rd party case mainly to bring down the weight of this (keyboard/pen and device is 901g) my iPad Pro with a cover and pen is 1176g
This might be the dealbreaker for me in the end.
Sorry I didn’t mean to hi-jack this, but wanted to share my initial thoughts
I appreciate the kind words! And thanks for taking the time to watch + comment. =)
I also purchased with insight and recommendations from those two channels! From the sound of your use case, you may very well be happy with the Tab Ultra C. It feels like a great device for the the use case of reading and writing. We have different uses cases and I am also satisfied with the device overall (if we ignore the very large factor of not being able to use it for sensitive work tasks).
I will say the screen is still more "glass-like" and slippery than paper-like - which surprised me based on other reviews. It's not as slick as an iPad but it's not far off. Maybe its' another QA issue? Let me know what your end thoughts are there! I've not yet used a protective screen cover, but I've read that the "Doodroo" brand of protectors provide a paper-like feel and are quality.
And, if you end up not liking the device, the resell value is fairly stable with folks hoping to get one at ~$100 discount. This was a path I considered as I debating if I wanted to swap to a Tab Ultra X for the brighter screen and larger display.
I noted that you're writing this from an iPad Pro which got me thinking. While you can also write UA-cam comments from the Boox Tab Ultra C just fine, it's not a "smooth" experience like it is on an iPad, or other tablet, from either a web browser or an app. The input delay here is just far too noticeable to write a comment of this length happily and in such a small area. It works and is fine, but I can't imagine it being my go-to for writing a long comment.. I'd rather pull out my phone.
I believe charging on the TUC is 15w (and also believe there isn't a 100% efficiency there). The scale of what classify as "fast charging" changes over time as battery tech improves, but fast charging is now considered 18-100w - leaving the Tab Ultra C now out of the "fast charging" category and just "normal". I believe the 3rd gen+ iPad Pros charge at 20w; the Android Galaxy Tab devices charge at 45w.
And no worries at all - thank you for writing your thoughts! I love to hear other's opinions and experiences with the device and learn new things.
I would hesitate using a 100 W charger on a Boox as you'd need a more sophisticated battery management system to avoid overcharging than I would give Boox credit for?
@@annvoy7698 - I believe the way charging works is that the device (Tab Ultra C) would only draw as much power as it needs.
For instance, with a 100w charger, the TUC would still only pull its ~15w.
In other words, the charger doesn't PUSH power into the device, rather the device PULLS what it needs from the charger. So a 100w charger can't "overcharge" at 15w device.
The pulling limiters are fairly trivial and standard these days in all batteries by all manufacturers, so I would presume there's no issue to worry about here. Boox is not producing batteries or their limiters, rather sourcing them.
Have you tried coding on it? Is it any better or do you feel limited?
I've only tried coding when using it as a virtual display (Visual Studio Code); I haven't tried coding directly on it through any Android app. It works and is a decent-enough alternative if your eyes are really hurting and need a break.
However, I wouldn't like developing there as my daily driver. I type fairly quickly when coding and use autocomplete functions a lot; the latency of the virtual display + e-ink rendering isn't the best.. especially for resolving typos or working at a "regular" pace with a framework you are familiar with.. it requires that you slow down a bit.
It's excellent for allowing you to keep working with painful eyes, or even for relaxed session or maybe concept/thinking through a problem! For daily workflow it just isn't quick enough; you might be able to get used to it, but I did not in the short time I tried it.
Ghosting is pretty bad in dark mode so you will have to use light mode. It's hard to read consoles/terminals if a lot of data is moving due to the ghosting.
Outrageous price! They're targeting the rich techies! These should be less than $200 for all the tech that is in them!
Has the security problem been fixed yet? if not are there any other products that you would recommend?
Boox has released OS security patch updates (and the new TUC Pro goes up an Android version which should lock you into security updates for the year) - which is good but doesn't resolve a ton. We still don't have any inkling to how they're updating security for the kernel or their custom software as they don't have any security plans/road map/promises. I'd still sway against putting anything you need to keep private or that could impact your life if compromised.
Google Play store is not Play Protect certified, even though other reviewers keep saying it is. This means you couldn't use it in most corporate settings - but I doubt they'd let you use it even if that had passed.
That said, I still use the device nearly daily. You just have to treat it as insecure to a degree. I don't think there's a such thing as a tablet without security flaws, it's just a matter of whether the company is staying up to date and I posit that Boox is not.
For example, I use a separate Google account for Android here and transfer only the files I need to it. I connect to the internet only through my guest network. I've stopped doing my 9-5 job work on it to protect my company and its clients.. so it's a 100% personal device for writing these videos and managing my small businesses (not the important stuff).
We have the same laptop lap wedge. It's nice.
I do like it! The Tab Ultra C Pro (new version) keyboard doesn't fit on it though 😔
Why does it have 128 GB of Read Only Memory? What takes up so much space as permanent data? That would also mean that the OS is non-upgradable. I’m confused by this.
It's simply a difference/strictness of terms! While "ROM" does technically stand for "Read Only Memory", it's used so little that the term "ROM" has relaxed to envelope any storage that is internal, native, or non-upgradeable to the device.
In this instance, I am using it as the latter! The storage here is simply internal and native, but for clarification it is NOT read-only.
Common parlance has simply changed in how the term ROM is used over the years.
Top notch review... appreciated the nod to our boy floss :)
What a beautiful but flawed tablet.
I loved the pastel colours, the ink bleed effect... But man they're limiting themselves with those cheap components.
I'd happily pay double the price tag, if they could speed it up. I'm completely sold on the idea, the beauty and "potential" usability of that screen... But they need to do what Apple did, and say..."here's the product...it's premium, with a tag to match." 🤷♂️
I really appreciate that!
And I couldn't agree with you more - it's so close but yet so far. The software and and UI/UX issues, especially, are just not "refined" enough.. everything about the device feels extremely juvenile. In stark comparison to Apple/Samsung where you hop on and everything has been iterated on and tested so many times it "just works".
I still use it daily, because the eye relief are too important for me to pass on.. but definitely hope the refinement catches up more quickly.
I'd also pay double for a refined version.
his voice is so relaxing lol
Haha, thank you!
The audio in this video turned out poorly, but I have managed to fix it in my latest video!
Very interesting video. It feels like there will be iterations of this device in the near future that will frustrate early adopters.
Excellent treview! With sunlight entering your room, do you still need to turn on the frontlight? I couldn't quite figure that out. (I have a Boox Max 3 that has really saved my poor eyes, so I'm used to watching videos during the daytime. If the Tab Ultra C can allow me to do that during the daytime/in the sunlight, I'll buy it.)
Thank you!!
I truly believe that if your home is sufficiently lit by the sun, you have lots of windows, you work by windows often, or you have overhead lamps then you will be in perfect shape.
For my scenario, I live in a 2o2 condo at the top floor, with other buildings around that can block direct sunlight at times of day. My back is typically facing the window when I'm sitting (which blocks light from behind me to the screen).. and I'm 8+ feet away from a window in a 40x20 ft. open floor room. My home's light sources are warm LED ceiling lights.
^ Context because my directl sunlight situation indoors isn't the best even though the room feels bright.
Also, for reference, 0-50% front light of the device doesn't really make a difference in any scenario except at night/in darkness - only after you pass 50% can you see a worthy difference in screen brightness. After that 50% threshold, there is a drastic curve of light intensity from 50-100% front light.
With my light-filtering shades down and full daylight outside, with my home lights on, I still need to have the front-light at 100% to work comfortably. I can get away with 75% if the sunlight is hitting windows directly. Below that, the screen is too grey (and kind of yellow). I often have my shades down for privacy.
If it's full daylight outside and I open all the shades + my balcony door to fully saturate my home with sunlight, then I can get away with 0% front light during those hours of day. It's a very comfortable experience.
As of typing this comment, 6PM in USA east coast, I have every window open and I was working fine at 0% on my couch. However, when I brought it to my desk to reply to your comment, which is only ~8 feet further way from the windows behind me than the couch, I have to crank up the front-light. I can comfortable use in the 75-80% range right now, but 100% is preferred.
In my bedroom which has 4 windows, 2 of which I'm right up against, I can get away with 0% front light during the day.
If I go outside in daylight, then I can also get away with 0% front light.
It's amazing how bright the screen can get when in direct sunlight or a well-lit area (even with a lamp aimed down at the screen in a way to avoid glare).. it blows the front light away by comparison.
I realize that is a long reply for figuring out brightness of the screen, but I hope it's helpful in some way lol.
Amazing vid! It's possible to use some CAD app in that device? what about termux (for backend development) or it's very slow? thank you, liked and subscribed.
Thank you!
RE: Termux - you can install f-droid and termux without issues, both work perfectly fine! The only issue you will experience here is keyboard input lag when typing into termux, but it's really not an issue - you get used to typing quickly. I wouldn't use it as my sole device for any kind of development, but it's a good option to have when mobile or when your eyes hurt.
RE: CAD: do you have an app name that I can test here for you? I don't know much about CAD software, but as far as I understand it's very similar to 3D software where you're mostly laying lines and shapes/dragging and dropping rather than trying to draw in real time - which I think this device will be manageable for. It will definitely be laggier than an iPad or Galaxy Tab, but it will be workable. If you are needing to draw things in real time, like sketches, in your CAD software, then it probably won't work well for you because the pen lag in third-party software is too significant for real-time use. It will work for dragging things around if you are patient to wait for it, but if you're trying to draw in real time I think it will frustrate you.
Can we use Greek Polytonic to type in? How many languages can the tablet support?
The tablet supports 25 languages natively, but I am not seeing any form of Greek on there.
This means the native OS and UI elements would not be translated. However, the eReader should support any unicode characters if your publications are in Greek.
For typing, you can use the Google/Android keyboard to get modern variations of Greek. You will have to download a third-party keyboard called "Hoplite Polytonic" to support ancient Greek. This should work well with Android and the on-screen keyboard. Note: the physical kyboard case only comes in an english qwerty layout
have you tried to use a metal nib or ceramic style nib like the heart of metal?
I haven't. As far as I know, you would need a protective screen cover (which will likely impede on touch controls) as they are too hard for the screens and would cause damage.
What format are notes saved in? Is it an open one that i can take to another platform in the future?
Notes on the device, I believe, are saved in a SQL database format on the device and can't be accessed directly without rooting the device (in other words, you can't get the raw notes files that Boox uses).
However, you can export them to ".note" extension, PDF, and TXT (the latter only for text input type with the keyboard). You can also export individual notes pages as PNG image files.
^ when you export to one of these formats, you can export them directly into other apps.
I will also add that you can use the AI OCR to convert your handwritten notes to text - which you can then copy and paste into any other program
The security problem is a real issue. For the first time ever my Google account was hacked. Including Gmail. Makes me stop using the device. This is very sad.
I'm so sorry to hear that 😔 Were you able to trace it back to the Boox device directly?
I have disconnected my Google account after realizing the security flaws.. I set up a dummy one just for this device.
Yes traced directly back to Boox Ultra Tab C. The first hint should have been that trying to install the Gmail app was a nightmare. Would install it but it would never appear. After about a week or two succeeded with some bizarre intermediate steps and behaviour on device i had never seen before. Immediately Google sent an email that the account had been hacked. Boox seems to have some default setting that lets them access full info across the Google account - I had not even chosen it as a trusted device. Then once happened a 2nd time after I had removed its trusted status I'm doubly wary. A real issue. Now have removed trusted device from all my devices. Have 2 factor authetication everywhere, but still not confident. Something is very very wrong. Is this a careless 3rd party hack, or a deliberate clumsy backdoor by design? Awful.
It is still behaving very oddly:
1. Default times and date went back to China
2. Asked for login details for Notes app again.
3. Entering correct verification code from my phone sum didn't let me access Notes
4. Finally had code sent to Gmail. Then it let me enter my Notes.
5. Would not let me use VPN. So uninstalled and reinstalled which made it work.
Too much nuisance value. Very sad.
Seems to me the technology to get this where it really needs to be is years away still. Maybe even a decade away. I can't see the market ever accepting abismal refresh rates, poor battery life, and low specs for premium pricing. I'll pass
Yea, I presume once companies nail the brightness and contrast of "reflective LCD" technology and start getting it into more tablets, e-ink may even become a relic.. but who knows. Both are niche products with only a couple of companies in the game.
It's really only worth it if your eyes need relief.
What a professional review, good job man! I have a question… do you think that a VPN can minimize the risk of privacy? Thank you.
Thank you!
A VPN can definitely help keep your external traffic from prying eyes - I would always suggest using one when you can. IMO, there typically never a good reason NOT to use one on ANY device. The only limiting factor would be speeds or gaming latency if you have a 1gbps+ internet line but the Onyx Boox has neither of those use cases.
However, I do believe the potential for this device's security flaws are deeper than that.
I think you would want to look into a deeper lockdown than a VPN by only enabling SOME of your apps to access the internet (when necessary) via a firewall. You can do this with firewall apps such as NetGuard - check UA-cam there are tutorials for that - and if you want you can block entire DNS pathways to all of Boox's servers with something like DNS66 (just note, your notes won't be sync'd to their cloud then for backup) to stop them "phoning home" with your data.
Still, the above only minimizes the numbers of outgoing servers your data can be sent to or potentially incoming connections that can be made, it won't resolve all of the devices security issues and potential ways in.
I believe the device can be rooted. Haven't personally done it myself because I don't have one yet. However, you should be able to use a firewall to block traffic easily. I do wonder what would happen if all of the traffic to China were to be blocked....
His voice sounds like it great for Audible.
Haha, appreciate that! Maybe someone will sign me
This would be an amazing obsidian machine. Just the basics.
Would also be an amazing comic machine.
It definitely works well with Obsidian!
It also works in Notion/Evernote/etc. I've had the most luck with Obsidian ; the notion mobile app makes things weird vs. the web version.
Comics/manga are a top use case of people purchasing this device as far as I'm aware. I'm not in that world but this device would be good for it.
sensational good review and video... subscribed
I truly appreciate that, and welcome aboard!!
I've been looking at this for a long time and just can't make up my mind. I'm in IT, working with screens all day and would love to remove the eyestrain, but I am worried that it won't be possible to use at work because of the security issues. A black and white screen is just not as practical because of the drawing of diagrams and so on. All other flaws I could probably live with.
It's definitely a great device for hand-drawing diagrams - I've used it a lot for sketching UI/UX flows for website components and clarifications to my team. However, one limitation there is the canvas size that I chat to in the Screen chapter of this video - if you are needing a lot of space to draw then you're going to run out of room here or will need to split into multiple pages because the canvas is not "infinite" but rather limited to 2x2 your current screen orientation size. If you're using a specific diagram or flow chart app (Lucidchart, Figma, Miro, or whatever), I'd be happy to test some for you to let you know how laggy the input feels of moving nodes around and how the colors work.
If you are in the support side of IT, you probably can't use this device to handle support requests or sensitive user information - otherwise, would check with your team/superior for their buy-in.
I would assume that Boox, or competitors, are working on a color e-ink external monitor display - Boox currently has the Mira in b&w. I am hoping, at least!
@@aline.tech.reviewsHmmm... Can you Zoom in to say 300% or more? If so one trick I tried on my handphone was to zoom into about 400% to write/draw my diagram/illustrations when taking notes or sharing ideas.
Not sure if this trick can work for this case?
HTH.
New Sub #231 checking in. This device looks awesome, your presentation is great. I'm a bit daunted by the fact it's 55 minutes long.
Welcome aboard, and I appreciate that! Overall, I've had an enjoyable experience with the device and it has definitely provided the eye relief I needed from back-lit screens.
Definitely understand on the length; there are chapters so you can skip around to the bits you care most about! I'm also releasing 2x shorter videos this week: one of which is a quick review of the top 6 productivity features I love about the device, and the other the 6 biggest flaws I've found with the device. Neither will be as in-depth or comprehensive as this review but will be more easily digestible for those who don't want the whole review. I'm hoping to get the first one out today/tomorrow at latest.
timestamps please, great video!
You can't see the timestamps/chapters?
Wow! Great review!
Really appreciate that, thank you!!
i wish it had a micro SD card slot and came in 6.1 inches
Two things!
- It does have a microSD card slot!
- They dont have a 6.1" version, but theh do have a 7.8" version called the Tab C Mini
If you use the tablet for more than 4 hours a day and mostly to take notes and read then this is the better option, if not then an iPad Air is so much better
Yea, that or if you need eye relief! For instance, after working 6 hours at a computer, your eyes can get tired/strained and switching to work on an iPad would worsen the strain. The Tab Ultra C allows you to keep working without that eye strain, allowing me to get an eye rest and head back to a computer later!
Thank you so much for saving me my hard earned money. I have decided not to buy it. I have no confidence that bugs and glaring security holes will be fixed.
I agree with you on the bugs + security issues. I opted in for the beta firmware which supposedly "fixes" a lot of the issues, but I find them to be hacky workarounds and not true fixes. I am going to make a video detailing them so other people are aware.
In digging, I found their Linux distro is also about to hit end of life, but who knows if they have even been keeping it updated with security patches.
Too many people have difficulty with returning these or warranty issues.
What issues did you run into there?
does it scratch?
Could you clarify your question for me please?
It does make a scratching sound when writing (the nib on the screen) that is satisfying; however, the tactile feedback doesn't match that sound.
If you mean does the screen scratch easily, I haven't yet had it scratch. The nib definitely leaves marks on the screen but you can wipe them away. I have not had permanent scratching damaging. It does not seem as durable as gorilla glass for a phone screen, so I would be careful / make sure you use a cover when packing.
Your video is really quiet mate. Thanks for the review though
Appreciate that! I believe I have normalized the loudness in my latest two videos - let me know if those are better.
The funny thing is that it's already out of production, replaced by the next version with an improved CPU and a downgraded battery.
Yea, hard speculation on whether it was feedback like this that triggered it or if they had it planned all along.. if the latter, then they never should have released the base model.
I have the Pro now as well and am almost finished with my review (holidays and family health issues have me behind schedule). I aim to release it early next week.
@@aline.tech.reviews It was probably intentional, but not necessarily in bad faith. Not all companies can afford to support and continue producing products that are too different in design and specifications. Anyway, I returned the Ultra C model, literally purchased on the first of August and returned on the 2nd of January, due to continuous crashes of Edge, which I use for work. To this, I added not even 200 euros and got the Ultra C Pro with the keyboard. Let's hope that this time it lasts longer, otherwise, I'll find myself making another return to get the new one.
Great review. Thanks. Liked and subscribed
Truly appreciate that, and thanks for taking the time to watch!
This was a phenomenal breakdown. I enjoyed that you provided pros and/or cons for many of the specs especially when they were lacking. It's refreshing to see reviewers that take time to understand the device through actual use and can explain each feature. While I love LTT reviews, your review is much deeper than what I get in some of yheir videos. Please make more of these videos.
I truly appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave such a wonderful comment.
And woah - being mentioned in the same comment as LTT is mind-blowing lol. I definitely plan to continue forward! I have a lot of reviews in the works from bluetooth audio receivers, headphones, Govee RGB lights, microphones, portable charges, to desk accessories, peripherals, and much more.
Immediately, I am releasing 2x shorter videos of the Tab Ultra C (1x to highlight its productivity features that I love, 1x to highlight all the things that hinder my productivity) to try to ride this wave of success.
I appreciate you sticking around while I figure UA-cam out.
Are you saying here that Linus Tech Tips has given a review on these ereader Note takers? If so, I will go look for them, but maybe you are referring to another reviewer and I would like to be able to find whoever that is that you are mentioning.
@@janinawalker4200 - I believe the user was speaking in general terms, not suggesting that LTT specifically had a TUC review (though they did just post one on the Dasung e-ink monitor about a week ago!).
However, an LTT offshoot channel called "ShortCircuit" does have some e-ink tablet reviews.
In addition to that, I highly recommend checking out "MyDeepGuide" and "KitBetts-Masters". Both provide excellent e-ink insights and have a lot more experience with e-ink devices than myself.
49 minutes? I can't believe I sat through this entire video without realizing how long it was. This is a comprehensive, realistic and practical review.
lolol, I really appreciate that!
I understand that time is likely our most valuable resource, so your viewing means a lot. Thank you!
Your video script is tight, clear, and well organized. Smooth presentation. I’m in awe. // I would like to spend less time staring at lit screens. I’ll be following you for your thoughts on tech that can support this.
Really appreciate the lovely words! All this support on my first video has me over the moon.. thank you for watching and commenting.
I will strive to save all the eyeballs.
Thank you for this honest and concise review, that is really one of the best here (though I'm a big fan of Voja's My Deep Guide channel).
Exactly those issues that you have mentioned, battery life, the grey screen and poor security together with the high price have stopped me from getting the Tab C Ultra. I've had a Note Air 1 for studying for the past three years and I'm really still very happy with it, using it as a note-taking and pdf reading device solely.Yes, colour would be great but I work around it with different 'textures' of highlighting annotating and emphasizing.
Last week I was able to see a few Chinese versions of Boox devices next to each other, even the Palma, and a Tab C without the camera, but I didn't see a major advantage to my Note Air to justify an upgrade. I would love an e-ink phone or at least a handheld but as long as there are these security issues with these niche products, I can only dream about it;-)
I truly appreciate that - being mentioned with one of the top e-ink review channels feels amazing. I watched a handful of his reviews on various devices before making my purchase decision and very much enjoyed them. I don't envision ALINE tech being 100% e-ink, though there's an obviously interested audience, but I will keep exploring the space, testing everything new that I can get my hands on, and helping folks find the best fit for their day-to-day lives; I am still hunting for that "perfect" e-ink device for myself.
It never hurts to wait for the next-gen to upgrade, especially on early adopter (first edition) products such as this. I believe you have made a wise decision as that upgrade path doesn't seem 'worth' it enough unless you absolutely NEED color. I agree on the security flaws and do hope that Onyx takes the time to better refine their software and UI/UX experience before pushing a new wave of devices.
I, too, would enjoy an e-ink phone; I was recently browsing around at all the different options that currently exist. Slim pickings!!
Thank you for taking the time to watch + comment!
Good overview. Like how you didn't hold back with the criticism
I truly appreciate that; thank you for the kind words!
I saw couple of boox devices' usage review videos and this one is first that is really not just marketing but shows all the good the bad and the ugly. This one radiates the real experience and time spent with the device. Thank you for a great review.
I truly appreciate that! My mission is to provide "fair" reviews (to the best of my ability), as I feel there aren't enough on UA-cam.. so it's reassuring to know I hit the mark.
Thank you for taking the time to watch!
Thank you so much for this in-depth analysis. I was days away from pulling the trigger on a Tab Ultra C as an e-ink replacement for my iPad for calendar, note taking, annotating pdfs, and reading. However, your notes about the instability and pen input lag in third party applications was a deal breaker for me. I had really hoped we had something there, but this sounds like it’s just not ready yet. Massive security issues are also very concerning.
Thank you for taking the time to watch!
Yea, I don't feel it can effectively "replace" an iPad for a majority of uses (though it's awesome for those cases you mentioned - note taking, annotating PDFs, and reading!!). The Tab Ultra C rather provides a supplemental way to continue working with your apps while you let your eyes rest from backlit screens.. AKA as substitute when your eyes are getting tired or you need to preserve your eye stamina for future work.
There isn't a magic way that I've found to handwrite on a calendar and have it sync/share to other apps - the only viable way is to use OneNote with a calendar template OR a PDF calendar template that you annotate on and sync between your devices. Both of these options are clunky.
It is, IMO, an "early adopter" product in that it feels not yet refined. Great concept, good build execution, and I think Onyx will end up making great strides if they focus more time into their software experience and testing. However, there's currently lots of UI/UX and software issues that need to be resolved to get it to a place where it can be seamlessly integrated without frustration. Compared to something like an iPad or Samsung Tab, the integration here feels "young" and "inexperienced".
For a first youtube video, this in one is PURE CLASS. Amazing analysis of the entire device and your honest experience of it. Good job!
I truly appreciate that, thank you!
I took a peek at your channel; both your production quality and delivery are excellent. I will study your confidence and relaxed nature on camera. I hope your subsequent ventures and Phinspire are fruitful.
It has been great for me so far. I have used to for 1 hour by taking random notes and solving integrals for fun (cause MY LIFE SUCKS). It is very great at that, and I found a way to get my notes online. The space that I'm gonna save in my place is gonna be significant.
Yes!! The quality of life improvement of not having to deal with analog notetaking (and the tedious process of organizing, reviewing, and trying to digitize those) is significant.
I've also found myself using it almost daily for taking notes or jotting down my thoughts.
Good luck with calculus!!!
@@aline.tech.reviews thanks. The worst are the physic classes though, but I know I will finally be able to draw beautiful graphs to help me. You cannot understand physics without them. Hopefully, I won't have to bring my heavy laptop in my hours of public transport adventure (main reason to get the tablet). One last thing, do you know any case that I can use to transport the Ultra C?
@@Cless - Haha.. agreed the colors for drawing graphs is super handy! It also adds a bit of fun when your mind wanders and you start doodling.
I don't know of any cases unfortunately, I only have the magnetic case that came with it and the keyboard cover case. Neither of those seem like they will provide long-term protection for you.
I would check out the Onyx Boox Reddit community and see if anyone there has recommendations. I will also search around and maybe find a couple to try out/review for us!
@@aline.tech.reviews Thanks! I
The effort you put into making this much content this well optimized is absolutely stunning and not lost on those who appreciate excellent quality information in such an elegant delivery. Bravo.
I really appreciate that!! I will continue to strive to master this quality of review. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!
@@aline.tech.reviewsyou have definitely set the bar high 😉👍
What an amazing review. You are good at this.
I truly appreciate that; it means a lot coming from someone with your on-camera presence and experience. That was my first, I hope to improve with each video!
I couldn’t believe that was your first UA-cam post! You are impressively articulate, yet easy to listen to. The amount of information that you brought across was well organized with understandable rationale for each point. It seems to that the level of information you gave was equivalent to that which a company would get from a consultant, that they paid good money for. Onyx should hire you on retainer as a product consultant! I can’t imagine how much time you must have invested to produce this video with this level of content. I wish you much success in business and possible UA-cam activities. And I wish you long term relief for your weary eyes! Thanks for giving us, giving me such valuable information!
I truly appreciate that! Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave such a wonderful comment. =)
I just missed my UPS drop of the Tab Ultra C Pro - so I plan to go pick that up tomorrow and will do 1 short video and then in a couple weeks have a longer update video!
After this video and months of searching, I will buy definitely Boox! Thank you, for so many details I'm shocked:)
FYI! They just released a PRO version - which supposedly resolves a lot of the limitations I found in this review. I updated a link to it in the video description so you can check it out.
Mine doesn't get here until the weekend, so I can't compare its performance yet. Just wanted to give you a heads up!!
I would love a follow up video with tips to minimize the security flaws!
Wow. I can't believe I'm here as your 65th Sub.
You'll have a million subscribers one day if you keep this up.
Thanks for taking the time to watch, comment, and subscribe - that's a lot, and I truly appreciate it!
I plan to keep it up!! I am going to try some shorter videos around the TUC and get in some other tech reviews that I had planned - so appreciate you sticking around while I test and try things - and please don't hesitate to sound off in the comments if I'm heading down the wrong path.
What a legend! Thank you for this amazing review!
What would your recommend for mainly reading Tab Ultra C vx Tab X?
Thank you for taking the time to watch and leave the kind words!!!
What type of reading are you doing? If it is mostly books, then I would vote the Tab Ultra C (or even Mini C if you dont want a large device). If it's mostly PDFs, journals, research papers, etc. then you might want the larger screen to avoid having to zoom and pan around a lot.
Color would be your secondary decisive factor there.
This review is so good I watched it twice on an OLED screen burning holes in my eyes ...
🤣. Appreciate that! Thanks for watching.
I'm aiming to drop my Tab Ultra C Pro video here in the first week of March.
I normally don’t comment or like a video but you earned buddy keep it up can’t wait to see what else you review!
Really appreciate that!! I have an Amazon Scribe and Mobiscribe WAVE color en route for e-ink reviews. Am throwing out some smaller non e-ink videos while I play with them both.
An excellent review. I have one of their older devices and, colour aside, your review could have been about my device, which sadly is 3(ish) years old now. It seems Boox haven’t addressed their weaknesses in that time.
Thank you, I really appreciate that!
..and that is extremely unfortunate to hear (but also not surprising). I truly hope they put more focus into refining their products this iteration.
Which device do you have?