I'm switching to e-ink! - BOOX Tab Ultra

The video opens with a lighthearted unboxing and first impressions of the BOOX Tab Ultra, an Android 11 tablet with an e-ink display. The host surveys the box contents, including the stylus, USB-C cable, quick start guide, and the iPad-like folio cover, noting the premium packaging and build quality. Initial hands-on cues focus on the device’s heft, the brushed metal back, the magnetic stylus holder, and the array of ports and buttons along the sides. The host reflects on the overall design language, comparing it to familiar tablets while highlighting e-ink specific attributes such as the low power consumption and the potential benefits for long-form reading. This segment sets up the central premise: can an e-ink tablet with Android run mainstream apps with acceptable usability, or is it a niche device primarily for reading and note taking? By the end of this opening portion, the host positions the Tab Ultra as a credible, premium alternative for users who want e-ink benefits with app ecosystem access, rather than a pure reader or a standard tablet. The video then dives into the core usability questions around refresh rates, modes, and settings. The host explains the multiple refresh profiles (HD, balanced, fast, ultra fast) and demonstrates how each mode affects scrolling smoothness and image clarity, noting ghosting when the screen refreshes. They explore how to adjust backlight levels, dual-tone warm and cool lighting, and how the control center allows quick switching between modes even mid-swipe. The discussion also covers practical issues like screen refresh timing, which can cause partial or full refreshes after certain user actions, and how app-specific refresh settings can tailor the experience. The on-screen exploration includes a side-by-side look at using the browser, a notes app, and the Boox website to gauge real-world performance for reading, note taking, and light multitasking. The segment concludes with a takeaway that the device can feel surprisingly capable for an e-ink platform, provided you tune the refresh behavior to your use case. A substantial portion is devoted to the stylus, keyboard folio, and note taking capabilities. The host comments on the stylus feel, noting 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and the tactile line work when drawing and handwriting. They test the keyboard folio, remarking on key travel and mushy tactile feedback, and show how keyboard shortcuts can be used with the included Onyx keyboard while also supporting other Bluetooth keyboards. The notes app is explored for handwriting-to-text potential, document scanning with the 16-megapixel camera, text detection, and sending notes to other apps or via Bluetooth. The device’s camera-based scanning feature is humorously demonstrated, including a quick crop and export workflow to a note or PDF, underscoring the device's productivity angle beyond reading. Throughout, the host emphasizes that these features collectively edge the Tab Ultra into a usable Android-on-eink space, especially for note taking and document handling, even if typing feels softer than a tradtional tablet keyboard. In the closing segments, the host assesses media consumption, gaming viability, and overall value. They experiment with a YouTube video and a short Crab Rave track to test speakers and audio behavior, acknowledging that audio quality on e-ink devices is no substitute for a dedicated speaker system yet can be sufficient for casual viewing. Genshin Impact is attempted to gauge gaming feasibility, acknowledging the limitations of e-ink hardware for fast-paced titles while highlighting the possible fit for lightweight games in a pinch. The host offers a balanced verdict: the BOOX Tab Ultra is more than a gimmick, delivering a full Android tablet experience with respectable reading and note-taking capabilities, a premium build, and thoughtful software controls, though the price and some usability caveats keep it as a niche device rather than a mainstream alternative. The video ends with overall enthusiasm for the device’s potential and an invitation to viewers to consider their own use cases before jumping in, followed by a brief sign-off.

Topics · technology · consumer electronics · reviews · unboxing · digital reading · note taking · android tablets · eink technology