the best tablet for productivity (not an iPad)

lemme know if u got any questions below
tablets mentioned:
boox note x
boox tab ultra c pro
supernote
remarkable 2
kindle scribe
Intro
If you’re like me, you’ve tested pretty much every form of note taking out there-in both analog and digital. Of course digital has its benefits promising to improve your productivity with each update. Analog, on the other hand, offers the classic, nostalgic feel that most of us grew up with.
There are studies that show digital note taking improves certain cognitive functions, while analog improves others. For me the best note taking is somewhere in the middle, a good blend of physical writing and modern comforts.
In this vain, I’ve tried most everything in the market, several iPads, Windows tablets, smart notebooks, etc. They’ve always felt compromised in a way that is a deal breaker for me. iPads offer a lot of functionality, but also have horrible pen feel and are rather locked down. Windows are too powerful which often leads to low battery life, and their ergonomics are usually clunky. Smart notebooks don’t allow enough functionality and can’t replace textbooks. I just want a tablet that allows me to replace my paper, has a good writing feel, and allows me to enter flow without dealing with a non clunky ui.
Then enter e-ink tablets. Their screens mimic real paper. They use soft nibs that give resistance and a familiar feeling. They replace my textbooks, scripts, service manuals, planners, and notebooks. I’m able to take notes in low light environments, take my entire library with me, sync all my notes to my computer, share ideas in a way that make sense to others, take notes on things that aren’t easy on a computer, scan those notes in a searchable way, organize those notes in any way I like, read for as long as I like as the battery life is measured in days vs hours and the screen is comfortable on my eyes. These tablets aren’t for everyone, but I’ll explain why they’re for me.
The technology E-ink has been around for a long time. Only recently however, has there been significant innovation within the space. These tablets have been gaining a lot of traction in China, and now they’re becoming more widespread.
Hardware
I’ll be focusing on two devices, my tried and true Boox Note X which I used throughout college. Unfortunately it was only sold in China, the international variant being the Note Air series. The other device is the newly released Tab Ultra Pro C which includes a new color screen, advanced gpu that reduces ghosting.
Both devices have great industrial design, they both invoke
It’s unfortunate how the Tab Ultra has a camera bump, this means that it doesn’t sit flat and wiggles when you write on it. I have to leave it on a paper notebook to reduce this-I’ll probably buy the cover when it comes out to completely eliminate this.
Historically Boox haven’t made great accessories for their devices. I’m not a fan of their pens, so I pretty much always opt for my Tab S8 Lite S-Pen or Amazon Scribe Premium pen. Their cases used to be attached via double sided tape which was janky. Things have seen to have been improving, but I usually use third party accessories.
Software
Cons
All e-ink tablets are rather fragile, Boox devices in particular seem especially fragile
The company Boox doesn’t have the best customer service around
Their software builds violate the GPL license as they don’t release their code to the public. This has privacy and ethical concerns
Rather pricey, these items are still niche and therefore expensive
Boox devices can do a lot, but are complicated. Their UI has improved over the years but is still rather confusing
They release way too many devices, and their lineup is convoluted. Rather than focusing on existing products, they usually choose to release a new one. This can be frustrating when your device is already legacy after 6 months.
Endnotes
If you’re interested in exploring this space of devices, I’d highly recommend checking out Supernote devices. They have industry leading writing feel, customer service, product transparency, and note taking capabilities. I don’t use a Supernote since they’re too locked down for me and don’t offer a backlight. Pixel Leaves makes the best videos about them. I would also highly recommend buying from a third party store such as Amazon in case you decide to return it.
I use Boox devices since they have the highest level of flexibility. I’m an Android power user and am tech savvy. I don’t want my devices telling me what I can and can’t do.
Anyways, I’d highly also check out this video by Brandon Boswell if you’re deciding between different devices. I am also a big fan of Voja and what he does over at My Deep Guide. I’ve made a video about how these devices work in my overall workflow, so if you’re interested in that it’s on my channel.

[@sebastianalvarez-kf4ql]

Hey James, started watching you mid 2020. You’ve inspired me so much and changed my life. I have an interview for a PhD position on Tuesday. Thank you for everything

[@much_tunsia]

How you did

[@Nounou790]

How Did he inspire you !.

[@strangehominid]

james is a very dedicated person in his studies, and that is inspiring!@@Nounou790

[@SimranKaur-mh1vq]

how was ur interview , wish u the best !!

[@sebastianalvarez-kf4ql]

@@SimranKaur-mh1vq I got it!

[@joseguilherme0001]

(sorry for my bad english) hi, james, im from brazil, here we have a exam called ENEM, like a SAT in US, i studied over 6 months watching your videos and having you as my biggest inspiration, now ive got a result that i liked, and maybe i have a great chance of entering in a university to study computer science, thank u so much

[@bocadesapo9973]

Passou meu nobre?

[@joseguilherme0001]

@@bocadesapo9973passei na unesp pra bcc, puc, ufscar e pra fisica computacional na usp, vou pra usp kkkkkkk

[@guilhermedinizl]

Boa, sangue bom

[@jaum571]

Aí sim!

[@ellyssomeone]

Tbm sou do Brasil e fiz o ENEM, this guy's videos inspired me a lot. I got into the university that i wanted and im now in the first semester😊

[@goodguymario]

After hearing so many good things for e ink from James I got myself a kobo sage for reading books and manga a while ago. I was socked by how far the tech has progressed and how natural the display feels to the humn eye. Saving up big time for a proper e ink tablet in the future :) Thank you so much as usual James 👑

[@sirmarvolo]

I seriously looked for videos on e-ink tablets yesterday, and your video is like perfect timing. Thanks, James!

[@carolinecrowley3385]

Ahhh it’s always a good day when James comes out with a new video :) I’ve been using an old iPad mini as my everything tablet for years now but I’ve been wanting to try out a e ink tablet so ty for the perfect timing!

[@ivanfaigenbom5300]

The little "f*ck" at the end gave it a special spice to the video. At the beginning of this year I bought an e-reader mostly because of you. The value you put on reading and the growth and joy surround that and also the incredible tech that e ink is really helped me to make that buying decision. I never read as much as this year (a lot of books and Berserk so really a lot). As always, thanks! Good to see you James.

[@lynn-michellewatts1706]

James👋 it's so good to hear from you. Hope everything is well on your side.

[@amira_2007]

so far James , you will forever be my inspiration and favorite youtuber

[@drben3752]

It's a good day when James upload a new video ❤

[@Atrick335]

Yay!!!! Glad to see you uploaded! Move this content James!

[@Voldijin]

Hi James, I hope you're doing well in life, I'm so glad you are, you've changed my life a lot. (on the good side) Good luck with your life.

[@elkaiju3277]

Very thankful you're making more productivity devices. Love your content keep up the good work!👍

[@aarchival]

Was missing your content for the longest time, I’m glad to see you back!

[@4minyte888]

i really gotta check these boox e ink out. ive seen your productivity workflow as well. i wish i wouldve seen it before starting the semester, just to learn the tablet and how to organize with it. Reading with e ink will hopefully save me from eye strain and headache. I hope to see more videos from you, James, thanks see you next time

[@brendyn5148]

I have a BOOX Note Air 2 which I use for practically all my reading and writing. One of the best parts of the BOOX tablets is allowing it to be registered for Google Play store apps. I utilize a couple apps for storage of ebooks and files for ready access or exchange. And to attest for the durability of it, it once slipped out of a messenger bag and conveniently fell, corner first, directly on the back of a MacBook I ran a little Linux machine on. It dented though the back lcd housing and the tablet was unscathed. So 🤷‍♂️

[@evanalexander9157]

picked up the kindle scribe a few months ago for school and I definitely agree on the software lacking bigtime. Sorta feels like youre using the 'lite' edition of a product or something.

[@anotherone5137]

This man changed my life.

[@bearodyssey]

you earn another sub for your simple and right on the point video. nicely done ma guy

[@FilipeBranth]

Bro you're back I didn't know you were posting new content! I'm really happy about that, we missed you here on the platform

[@achievementseeker1730]

James you're my inspiration, please come back with the live streams, it will be an honor to study with you live bro.

[@sIacker]

glad you're talking about eink, it needs as much visibility as it can get. hoping it really picks up steam and more companies see the value in it.

[@enjoy9229]

Yo finally been waiting for you ❤

[@davepitrowski3943]

We need a video on the lighting/room setup, looks amazing

[@buttialfalasi2717]

i god i didnt know u had this channel aswell. im so glad ur ok. im new to ur channel but i saw that u did not upload study with me vids in a WHILE, so i thought something happened. anyways glad ur ok

[@thephysicstutor]

Glad i found this channel again

[@fashionwatermelon]

yayy good to hear from you man!

[@bengisuv]

Hey James, we miss you and your streams, but I'm glad to see you're doing well. By the way, your new haircut looks great! 🤍

[@cosmophilia4271]

Another good day again! James posted! 🔊🔊🔊

[@mehakverma7043]

I honestly like how these minimalist devices are a little bit slower, because you are more decisive about where you click or tap. I have a really old android tablet, and it does everything it needs to do, I can read manga, read, access my university site etc. It keeps me productive because its slow. I feel like if I had an ipad instead I would just treat it like my phone and macbook, where get distracted more often. That's also why I have an old ass dell alongside my macbook, when I get really can't focus I can just open the dell. Only microsoft word and outlook work on it, so its super minimal (apart from the chunkiness).

[@LIGHTISBURNING]

Explain to me what is wrong with the Kindle Scrible? Did u compare the WRITING LATENCY on both devices? Also 300 ppi on scrible (boox only if u choose less battery and +$100 for the C) I can read 99% of formats on Kindle Scrible, also better built quality.

[@rajiv6031]

*Thank God, you're alive.* 😮

[@danielbollinger5426]

thanks man, think ill grab the boox note x. love your pomodoro's been super helpful!

[@M.Alshatti]

love the alpinestars shirt and your style in general

[@momentum6780]

you are inspiring me so much , thx.

[@YopYoo0505]

Really needed this video (thinking about getting an e-ink tablet), thanks man!

[@bobsama_]

yoo james i've been looking into these android eink tablets for a while now, might get a boox note air2 plus (cuz it has a larger battery) in early 2024 after im done w high school. btw you do be looking big. bros an absolute unit😳 take good care and i'll be looking forward to more tech videos like this one

[@EnnieLak]

James you are My favourite youtuber . Love from India Arunachal Pradesh ❤

[@SnobbyLion]

Hope you're doing good bro! You're very inspiring to me :)

[@anabel3355]

What is that monitor?? Love the aesthetics always James!!

[@krishnendupurohit]

Brilliant review, I’m curious as to how you’d rank the air 3 C in the midst of this since I think it’s pretty much got everything that makes the tab ultra C pro good, let me know and have a great day ahead of you

[@Usoppdash]

Literally just finished the study with me playlist on the jay skullz channel 😱😱

[@TobiasVosk]

Hey James. Can you show your mac productivity setup? What apps you use and what you recommend?

[@mekaijohnson]

Thank you for uploading, dude!

[@exosupesu]

Hey mom! Cancel the appointment, James uploaded!

[@supalive3335]

james being sad, and try to find himself, and now he is. but most people trying to find themselves too. thanks for inspiration

[@Robert-tz4zj]

I love your content, especially how you stray away from mainstream brand products like apple. Definitely opened my mind to what else is out there :)

[@vymotik]

I have been studying a lot and waiting for new videos in this channel. Thanks you James, there's no way I can pay you back, but the plan is to show that I understand, you are appreciated . Nice haircut

[@tinklish8423]

at this point james could talk about anything at all and i'd watch

[@naham_.]

Omg james you're still posting oh my god u thought that you stopped posting because i used to watch you in the old channel im so happy to find you again

[@rajgopalsahu]

I've been curious about these e-ink tablets since you mentioned them in your previous setup tour videos.

[@elizabeth4689]

Damn James you’re gonna influence me to cop one of these soon

[@nas.k03]

The Boox Note Air2 is great! I easily sync my notes across devices, and the note-taking experience is amazing. Also, I would be remiss to not mention the ability to pirate any book😳!

[@assassin7250]

U can actually? U think I should buy one on EBay?

[@tanishq-kun]

Man always comes back sexier than before 😔🔥

[@adamellohimself]

Hey, James! Been a fan since 2020 :) I was just wondering if you still study 12 hours a day or if you've reduced the workload. 😳

[@KoasPinterbanget]

Hey james, nice to see you again :)

[@Irene-wl8mh]

Awesome video dude! What app do you use for the handwritten notes?

[@jayheikt]

Nice! I liked the sticker on ur macbook might look into doing smth similar

[@Bored_and_Brilliant]

Hi, you have uploaded an interesting video. Thanks for the tip. I'm also looking for a suitable tablet and will have a look at your suggestion. You have a cool desktop setup - can you tell me what brand your monitor is and the table lamp. Thanks and greetings from Germany

[@jasminedillard21jd]

I’m not the least bit interested in any of this stuff (well, maybe a little lol ). Still, I love watching his channel. I think it’s just interesting to watch someone discuss something that they’re really passionate about.

[@Hamza-qs7ez]

youre my favourite minimalist consumer

[@nyxablaze]

damn that camera work is so good, thanks for the vid james. im saving for a boox device before uni starts next year to replace my samsung tablet as the battery in it is giving up. good stuff 👌 my question is, how much does paper still play a role after getting an eink tabket? i imagine personally at least doing maths or someyhing else quick and complicated it would be slower on eink? and also, to keep your mind used to paper for exams, would you keep your working out on paper? thanks 😳

[@aryanram02]

no offence i loved the video, but whats the "camera work" that u are talking abt 💀it was a stationary camera and the video was shot in multiple takes, i initially saw this comment and went "damn maybe james did some videography" meanwhile the whole video was just a stationary perfectly normal video 😅 like it was a great video i liked it but i didnt udnerstand what camera work was there hence im just a little curious lol :)

[@nyxablaze]

nah understandable, i more mean the colors and the focusing and shot angle. imo its pretty sick, not any cinematography style stuff but thats not the point of his vids anyway. i see what you mean tho - not very clear what i was trying to say @@aryanram02

[@klloh5012]

personally, i dont use eink to do maths. eink is really for reading and maybe making notes along side. ipad is still superior interms of doing maths..

[@nyxablaze]

@@klloh5012 good to know, i havent commited to anything yet so im glad to have other persoectives. i have been using paper this year, so lots of different ways to go

[@marcozuniga8008]

nice video, nice pixel watch! By the way do you find your self distracted bye using the web browser on your tablet?

[@vitaliydidyk8220]

What is the name of the app-launcher that you are using on your e-ink devices?

[@presidentduckling4688]

Hey James, could you please do a video where you show us how you setup your mac to be a distraction free device? Thank you so much your videos!

[@LetsStudy-tn7yv]

Hey ! can you please give us a quick review about the " light " that you are using, it turns on before 30 min of your alarm. And can you make a specific video about your electric skateboard and how you make like just give a quick tutorial on how you make it! please

[@unemployed_dude]

I watched this video's when i was unemployed but seeing your 10hr study plan i was motivated to do also. Now I'm government officer and you have helped me lot to pass the examination

[@kingbob6109]

Which job?

[@anjneyrai]

Hey James, hope you're doing well. I am not preparing for the jee exam for getting iit intrance. I am doing really well and maybe we could work together as engineers in future you know. You have inspired me a alot. Let's go. Yoooooooo And happy diwali 🎇

[@CooldownCentral]

do u usually take it wherever u go or do u have a more travel-friendly one u use? not really vibin with my ipad anymore

[@hunterwright2987]

What wallpaper are you using on your monitor in the video?

[@yorgohoebeke]

Hey! Which launcher are you using on your boox tab c? :) (did you have the boox tab C before using the boox tab C pro?)

[@AdrianFrunza21]

So the question is , when is next setup tour ?

[@n0ttinghell]

i love eink and all thar but can we please talk about how beautiful your hair looks now??? that shorter, cleaner style suits you so well man

[@mosu8779]

Hey scholz I read the description and saw at the end you mentioning you don’t like your devices telling you what you can or can’t do. What are some things you feel you aren’t able to do with some devices that you can with others?

[@sikhyabaruah7229]

color grading is really good chief also nice haircut

[@spaleng]

thank you so much for posting the script as well, i don't have good ears and the auto-subtitles tend to mess names up like voja

[@salihkoca7299]

What desklamp is that? Looks really nice

[@konuda263]

Hey James, can u make a guide for your e-ink, what's your lanucher etc.

[@music_heals_souls]

hey james, how are u doing? you have helped me through all the times, hope everything goes well for you! have a great time

[@waqarbaig97]

I recently used my friends ipad pro while doing a group project, and I thought "How the hell can he focus on this thing". Glad this was recommended to me.

[@agentfoxmulder]

What is the wallpaper on your desktop?

[@mariok64]

The supernote AX is an android operating system. The AX2 series can be either android or linux

[@kirsim1kasa]

Hi. u`re motivating me so much, the last time i spend time with games and can`t do nothing more, now i`m trying to leave all games and study and earn money, want to ask do you play the computer games or how do u spend your free time ? please answer me

[@realmotivation...]

hey man i was wondering how do you sync your books and manga through out all your devices?

[@fewocious6774]

ok im obsessed

[@kd1330]

cute setup bro 😳

[@szczypawa]

are your wristbands soemthing related to productivity or habit tracting? I was thinking of doing something like that

[@PrueCranage]

Question, how do you study/practice your Japanese on his tablet. You talk about Anki, but how do you utilize both or your process.

[@n305]

Since you can sideload apps on Supernote now, do you consider switching?

[@randylin1871]

Would love a link to the screensaver u have cause it looks sick!

[@LvUhcX]

I agree I hear BOOX has a whole bunch of problems 😅 im waiting for SuperNote A4X to take notes so I still use pen + paper and android tablet

[@klloh5012]

hi, i remb you owning a small kindle (squarish shape) which is really convenient to bring out. can u let us knows what is the brand and model ?

[@Spl4tt]

I got a MOFT stand for my tab ultra c pro, that way it won't wobble because of the camera bump and the stand is really usefull anyway

[@scaferz9644]

Hi james! may i know what launcher you used on the boox? thanks!

[@wasbeatz]

Broski where's your shirt from? I like the desing

[@nifeoyawa]

the tablet seems very big, prolly because of your height it seems holdable but that thing is basically a laptop to me, that's the only downside other than battery life as well as other things, great review.

[@BraxtonMeyer]

Can you explain the isuses with ReMarkable or link to somewhere that does.

[@Nightravee]

off topic question what microphone and camera are you using ??

[@ayushpareek4757]

Great video ❤

[@henryhill8672]

Do you have any more info about your launcher, I'm trying to set up my AIO to look and function similar to yours, but I'm not sure how. Thanks!

[@platonymous]

Did figure out how im try to do the same thing?

[@sebs751]

A bit of a different question here: what are the dimensions of your desk?