Boox Tab Mini C Review: 7.8" Color eInk Tablet

[@philologus6577]

I purchased one through Amazon from Boox and wound up sending it back. Not because it doesn't function well, because it does, but because the dark screen for reading ebooks was too much and I never could get it to look right. I always could tell the clarity of text was not as crisp and clean as on my other ereaders. Secondly, the color is a nice feature but images always have a cartoony look. I did like the size of tge device but at that price point I want near perfection. So, consequently I bought a Boox Page instead.

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Hello, and I can totally understand that. That is my biggest gripe with books. Products in general, is that because of all the extra layers. (Light layer color layer capacitive touch layer), think never really seen close enough to the screen to be satisfactory. Trade-offs I guess, LOL. Have you seen the gold color? 7? I suppose that wouldn't solve your problem either because it also has a front light and a color layer just like the tab mini C. Thanks for the comment!

[@westsidepimping]

I also have same conclusions and returning it. If someone reads at day outdoors and is able to leave with greynes of the screen then maybe this good option. Getting this thing to comfort reading at night takes a lot of light. Can you share your expirience with Boox Page after you reacived ? I think we have similar light tolerancy. I'm thinking of buying smal old OLED Samsung tablet, iPad mini, if Page is not enough or going crazy with Fold 5 / S24 Ultra with antiglare or not buying at all.

[@philologus6577]

@@westsidepimping I just got my Page today and am really liking it. It does need some tweaking for each app just like the Tab Mini C and isn't quite as fast as the Mini, but it's just fine for book reading. I installed Kindle and the Nook app and Libby and all work well. The text is much cleaner than the Tab Mini and crisper. The lighting is really good. I can adjust it just the way I like it. The screen size is the same as the Kindle Paperwhite, but I enjoy having the large bezel on one side and the ability to use the page turn buttons. You do have to turn on "use volume control for page turns" within the Kindle settings but once you do it is pretty fast at turning, and quiet. If you order from Boox, it comes with a magnetic case and is on sale for $219, but there isn't free shipping. It made me a little mad because if I pay $20 to ship a device I expect at least three days of service. It took three days before they even mailed the device and another ten days because they sent it at the cheapest and slowest rate possible by UPS. However, it did arrive in perfect condition and now that I have it I think I will be very satisfied. The Libby app works well on it too and so I can borrow books from the three libraries I'm a member of. If you have any other questions about it feel free to reply and Ill get back to you as soon as I can.

[@philologus6577]

@@westsidepimping I gave a pretty long response but it seems the administrator removed my reply about the Boox Page. NOT COOL! 😠

[@westsidepimping]

​@@philologus6577 Sad to hear about it. Could you tell in shorter sentence if you recomend it ? Is it way smaller ? Good replacement for Mini C? Appreciate your effort.

[@Change-1820]

Roderick, great video. I appreciate your take on these devices. Have to say my favorite parts were the gas station coffee straws analogy (excellent rant) and watching you use the Supernote pen on a Boox device. 😁

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Yea, that Supernote pen is just so awesome! Everything else is just gas station trash, lol. Thank you for the comment 🤙🏿

[@ScottBenedict]

I have to say, and perhaps I'm the only one, but I like the orange branding of the NA3C. I don't like the pattern branding of the tab devices

[@rantsabouttechnology]

It's definitely a personal preference thing. I'm just over the top 😭😄 I do dig orange as a color though.

[@ScottBenedict]

@@rantsabouttechnology I don't think it's over the top. I've seen way over the top branding. I love saw a Jeep with the word Jeep written all over the upholstery in a pattern. That was over the top.

[@rantsabouttechnology]

LMAO!!! Indeed!

[@alystair]

Praise the algorithm, here I am. I think if you continue to review e-ink devices you should have a standard set of text, photos and comics (north american / manga) to best showcase the strengths and weaknesses of these displays so they can be easily compared. Cheers!

[@rantsabouttechnology]

That is a great idea!!! I'll definitely be implementing that. Praise the algorithm, indeed 🙂 That's for stopping by!

[@em4me-Dan]

🙋‍♂Weren't we here before on the 7.8 inch thing.... Oops, my mistake, that was another video.😂 All kidding aside, I like this device, just not sure about the color at this point as I already own NA3C. As far as pen/stylus, you should get the Boox Triangle Stylus if that form factor doesn't bother you, though I will admit the eraser needs some work. I wish Boox would make all the UI's similar without the need to look for certain functions on another device. Also, would like to have the Boox Calendar App sync to Outlook or Google Calendar and vice versa, this would be a plus. On a second note, my granddaughter loves the Supernote Nomad I gave her, as it was a device that did not suit me. Thank you for this review... Well done!👍 Kudos from NYC.🗽

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Thx Dan! As you know, I'm getting my daughter the supernote A5X (if the A5X2 doesn't release first), for school this fall. So I'm glad to see your granddaughter is enjoying her Supernote. Yea no need for the Tab Mini C if you have the NA3C. Excellent device, even though it's got orange stripes 🤣🤙🏿

[@MrWh4327782]

This one and supernote a6x2 , I'm struggling for a while, by the end of the day, I keep both of them🤣

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Same here man. Good thing is they can fill two different needs so you don't have to feel like you bought two devices for the same purpose. It's awesome 👍🏿 Thx for stopping by!

[@MrCrismystery]

The orange stripes are for antennae for wifi and bluetooth. You can install a 3rd party launcher and have widgets to your heart's content.

[@rantsabouttechnology]

I was just told about the antennae... silly me, lol. Yea but I hear the 3rd party launchers slow your system down. Experience any of that?

[@RanjakarPatel]

Xcelent four see one another man my village Rajasthan four the tube. I proud! I very proud four see this Xcelent conversashins

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Thanks a ton!

[@westsidepimping]

I reacived this device yesterday and returning it. It is to dark to read without light indors. This would not be an issue if dirty efect from uneven light. This was my first ereader. My main reading is at night. Screen with light looks dirty even after refreshes on highest qualiy on blank page. Leds are on top and create dirt pattern from shadow. Screen was not properly glued and light pases underneath. If build quality was better and black white version avaible with better contrast this would be perfect device for my use. China has name Tab8 for black/white version and Tab8c for color. Sad we have only color. Probably going now for Boox Page or old OLED tablet with this size. If you primarly use at night I think LED can give you better result with les light that Kaleido color for reading at night. I dont write pros becouse it is good device but little to expensive for that quality. No smal 8 inch OLED matte tablet on market. Pretty limited options for me.

[@rantsabouttechnology]

I agree with the screen being on the darker side, and mentioned that in my review. I wish they had come out with a black and white one here. That would have been great. You might like the Go 10.3? Have you looked at that yet?

[@westsidepimping]

GO 10.3 looks to big for me, but I could try it. Thanks. I tried regular tablets with similar size but they are mutch heavier than e-ink tablets and glossy as mirrow so maybe it is worth to try. 8 inch seems to be optimal for a reader when using Mini C. I work professional all day on matte monitors and really wanted to give my eyes some rest with more time on "personal" reading.

[@faithfamilyandfuntech5062]

Can two apps be used at same time and annotate and sign pdf

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Yup! There's a dual screen mode. It's in the shortcut menu

[@GopherCakeStuff]

I wish the larger devices had sinilar home screens. I hate not beinf able to customize

[@rantsabouttechnology]

My point exactly 💯 I'm forced to choose between the device I want and the operating system I want. Just not fair! 😭

[@fairelyte]

Hi Roderick. How did the battery work for you? I need a small device like this because I would add it to my EDC to take the place of paper notebooks and planners. I am concerned by the battery life because of the backlight and power hungry color screen.

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Hello, Fairelyte 👋🏾 The battery life for me is great. Never had a concern about it. It lasts about 5 days with regular use (whatever regular means, lol), and it lasts a lot longer than the Note Air 3C. I don't think the battery will be an issue for you.

[@fairelyte]

@@rantsabouttechnology No kidding!?! Was that with the WiFi and Bluetooth enabled? That sounds too good to be true...

[@rantsabouttechnology]

Just wifi, no bluetooth. but yea that was pretty good, IMO. I would also change the setting where you can have it shut off wifi, when the device is sleep. That helps.