The New King of Digital Note-Taking? Boox Go 10.3 REVIEW

[@ChalidRaqami]

Just a quick note: I didn't forget about the questions in the community post. I did film a short Q&A section for questions that weren't answered in the rest of the video already, but decided to cut it because the video was already long. I'll either publish that part separately or answer the questions in the community post itself. Thanks for your support!

[@bassyey]

Wow this is the best review I've seen on this. I appreciate the real side-by-side comparisons and close ups. It proves what you're saying.

[@firehydranttm5259]

Super helpful video. Important things you included such as battery life, pen latency, weak pen attachment, and the warm spot on the back. The microscopic view of the remarkable, scribe, and go 10.3 was extremely helpful for someone like me who's never had an e-ink device.

[@yannpoco]

I just received this device right before the publication of your video. It is super thin, so thin that I worry about it being broke in half in my bag. So I'll probably buy a case just for carrying in my bag. I bought it on Amazon, the shipping is faster but there is no free case and tips included. Due to the removal of the light diffuser layer, the text is even sharper than Kindle Scribe. To this day, it is the thinnest tablet in the world, and the sharpest 10.3 inch e-ink screen. I do wish the pen latency could be shorter, but it is hardly noticeable. The lacking of front light is surprisingly not an issue to me. I find it easy to read in the day time. In the night time, with the help of a desk lamp, it is very readable. The back material is very comfortable to touch, so much better than holding a Kindle Scribe.

[@robertmaxey5406]

This is a valid concern. I wonder about ultra thin devices and their longevity. I use my Boox every day in a work environment and when I pack my bag, I keep things away that might break something. For example, chargers that can be bumped and crack something. A case is essential in my view.

[@KunleOladehin]

Unfortunately those fears are valid. Two months in and my Boox screen got damaged. I didn’t drop it and kept in the case within my bag. After reaching out to support they did say it shouldn’t be placed by anything that could put pressure on it. And they don’t cover any physical damage. In the same use cases and storage, I have used my Remarkable for 3 years and it looks the same as the first day I got it.

[@Mahenounet]

Ouch ! Did you manage to get it repaired eventually ?

[@crasheba1533]

@@Mahenounet >Boox customer's service: "hahahah it's your faurt siry white man"

[@dono42]

The Boox Go 10.3 is almost perfect for me. The lack of a backlight is a big plus as a backlight add another layer making everything farther away hurting both reading and writing, as well as reducing the contrast. Same with a lack of color: another layer and a significant decrease in contrast. However, the major problem is the size: nearly all of my content is A4 PDFs and anything smaller than 13.3 is difficult to read long term. This would be an instant buy if a 13.3 inch version was available.

[@skc909887u]

every one is waiting for a 13.3 color 300 ppi version

[@arpitadas5354]

Plz upload a video of comparing Note air 3 with Go 10.3

[@AnkitGarg]

3:32 The iconic "glass is glass and glass breaks" line 😂

[@nazmdoksandort9174]

What an excellent, to the point, objective, informative, analytic, neat, non-gibberish and substantial review! It really convinced me NOT to buy one (even if its intention is clearly not this or other way). For me, "the grid" problem is obviously a red flag. I can compromise from increased sharpness and choose to buy a Scribe for its flat-white background instead. Comparison with paper under low/no light conditions convinced me also. The money I spent for internet today is really worth it.

[@ahmedtawfiq1863]

Please translate this video to arbic please

[@sirhcmi3]

Love my Go 10.3 but I think you hit the key issues: The pen magnets are really weak. The cover doesn’t match the device color (grey vs tan). It’s more convoluted to use than the reMarkable but also more capable. I’d have preferred more memory, a nicer pen and a replaceable screen cover. Overall I’m happy with it.

[@rush48192]

Look up nedrlo sleeves they don't make a boox version but the apple iPad 11 one fits perfect

[@donspecter]

Incredible review. Finally someone who's not afraid to be critical.

[@KitBetts-Masters]

Excellent review as always Chalid!

[@weezintrumpeteer]

Really fantastic review, and very thorough. Thank you!

[@markrome9702]

I would agree with your excellent review. I have the Kindle Scribe and got the Go 10.3 a couple days ago. The contrast is a bit better on the Go, but it does have that slight pen latency you mentioned. If I didn't have the Scribe, I probably wouldn't even notice it. Because of that, the Scribe feels more natural to write on, even with the light layer. However, the Scribe doesn't have anti-aliasing which I actually like on the Go. I really don't miss the front light but I don't read a lot of ebooks.

[@harrym8556]

I agree, and the scribe also feels more like writing on paper. The Go 10.3 is too glassy/slippery.

[@owen9899]

Really love how you visualize the points you were calling out like comparison between real paper and the boox for dim lighting. Often not done in other videos

[@shaunwilliams846]

I have had the Boox 10.3 for a week now, I love it. It's all about your own personal use case, I would have probably traded a bit of battery for a backlight but it's no big deal. I can see myself using this for a year then upgrading to a colour e-ink with backlight. Now I have deeped my toes in the e-ink world I am sold. It's great for note taking and reviewing pdf's. Fantastic device and real value for money. Just be sure your use case would not benefit from backlight or colour.

[@drm4047]

Also, the pen should have an eraser. The notes app can erase with scribbling, but other apps cannot.

[@chiquita683]

Have to buy a different pen like the Wacom One that has a button

[@harrym8556]

Ironically, it works better with the Remarkable 2 Marker Plus. Writing is still better on the Remarkable. But reading books is much clearer on the Boox.

[@didiksulisbdg]

Agree. It is more effective to have an eraser on the pen.

[@bryonywalton1750]

Is it simply a matter of opening apps to add thigns likte to-do lists and calendar entries on the Boox go 10.3? I was impressed by the quick interface of the Supernote for adding selected text to a calendar etc - Reminders and organisation are deciding factors for me, along with being able to read my notes on multiple devices - I'd love to know which e-ink tablet you think works best. Thanks.

[@treos7]

For what it’s worth, haven’t used my kindle in years and just bought the boox go. Will be my first writable eink device. It’s just such a cool product at a great price; will be helpful in my day to day life as well

[@stephanszarafinski9001]

Thank your for this review. Specially comparing it to real paper and change the lighting. Still, I’m glad that it has no frontlight, because It strains my eyes.

[@stanislaschesnais]

Hi @ChalidRaqami, One thing you didn't cover is the networking / drive access from the device. I'm looking for a device that doesn't send my data elsewhere than directly to my Google Drive. Any thoughts or insights on this? Thanks, Stan

[@bernardoazevedo4676]

Thanks for the review, Chalid! I am considering buying the boox 10.3 or the Supernote A5X2 for work (the RMPP is too large for me). I don’t love the way the manta looks (plastic construction makes it look cheap in a work setting imo), but I have to ensure everything stays local. Does the Boox have to connect online or can I keep all my info local? And if I do keep it local, can I still import Kindle books through USB? Thanks again!

[@binderrobert4909]

Hello! What device would you recommend for heavy note taking and reading some books and academic pdf's? Thank you!

[@martinranger2433]

Awesome review. Thank you. I have the Go 10.3, and would agree with pretty much everything you mentioned. The lack of front light is no problem for me, but it could be a deal breaker for people who work/read in a dimmer environment.

[@Mahenounet]

Seems like the perfect device for me ! Suffering from massive eyestrain, I need the device to be as crisp as possible, with the best contrast, and cannot use the built in frontlight. I used to own a Note 3 and it was pretty good but kinda blurry and the light hurt my eyes. So it did induce some eyestrain. I have a question : using a magnetic cover kinda magnetize and distorts the drawings, ie straight lines. (Less than the rM !). Is it temporary ? I'd rather use a non magnetized folio... Thx !

[@AtipriyaSingh-h6i]

Please suggest less discomfort and eye fatigue paper book e reader tablet

[@yannpoco]

FYI You can hide the text labels on the side bar in the notes app. ps: on the Home Screen as well. If you don't want it to be cut out.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Yes, I know and rearranging the icons also helps with usability a bit. But still, I think out of the box the texts definitely should fit the screen tbh. I think Boox is actually working on such issues in general now, because they also changed the cramped ebook text styling options that are now much better with this software version.

[@Redukteur]

Very much anticipated your Go 10.3 review! I just bookmarked it and can't wait to watch it after the EM-Achtelfinale (viel Erfolg wünscht ein Schweizer Nachbar! :)

[@kc0lze]

That back grey strip is there for the wifi antenna

[@hindimusiclove316]

Please help me decide between Tab mini C or Go 10'3. Which one do you recommend?

[@persim100]

The plastic strip running down the back is supposed to look like a paper notebook with an elastic band that keeps it closed!

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks for pointing that out, I actually didn't notice that part on the product page. Makes sense now - but I'm still not a fan of the haptics of it :D

[@trebormills]

An excellent device, although I hope a revision adds a card slot for expandable storage, allowing for pdfs and stress free storage of notes/drawings/ebooks. For security a fingerprint reader to lock/unlock it would also be a nice update. The pen and case could also do with a second go. My use case is for scribbling down ideas, making digital b/w art, plus ebook and pdf reading. The addition of Google drive (when on wifi), sheets and docs is a nice option. Very tempting offer as is though. Thanks for the video

[@santidiaz4397]

I have been using the Air Note 3 during almost six months. It is good for taking notes, drawing and reading (although darker than a black and white e- reader).You can also watch videos like this one. The problem is that browsing works badly in many pages, like e. g. do not expect to be able to book a flight (RyanAir) or use learning platforms like Teachable. Moreover there is a lot of ghosting in videos and movies, so it is not suitable for multimedia.

[@aunglin2888]

I need a front light led when I read some books at night or in indoor. I hope that next generation of Boox Go will be fix it with front light Led.

[@Unclog_my_gamecat_backlog]

Is it the best choice to edit pdfs, read epubs and mangas? I'm worried about the lag and compatibility when writing on PDFs

[@ChalidRaqami]

If you don't need a frontlight, the Boox Go 10.3 is a very solid choice for all of your mentioned use cases. If you want to have a frontlight, I'd suggest to wait a few more weeks, as I suspect Boox will launch a successor to the Boox Note Air 3 with a higher-resolution display sometime in October (but that's speculation on my part).

[@Unclog_my_gamecat_backlog]

@@ChalidRaqami I'm wondering if the upcoming Supernote A5 X2 is gonna be a bit faster (less lag) and better for pdf editing and scrolling... The reMarkable Paper Pro seems quite too pricy instead

[@edwardbryan5154]

My eyes have become painfully sensitive to tablet front lights making it too uncomfortable for prolonged reading and it was that experience that led me to move to eink. My current favourite device is the no-front light Book Max 3 13.3", just make sure that an external light source is available and all is good. If Boox were to produce a Max Go 3 then I would be seriously checking my credit card balance.

[@JoelObFr]

Hello, as a black and white photographer, could this device properly showcase my work ? I mean, proper grayscale gradients, no banding.

[@ChalidRaqami]

No, unfortunately it only has 16 level grayscale, which is fine for most applications, but for showcasing photography I'd say it's not enough and you'll most likely notice issues with gradients.

[@JoelObFr]

@@ChalidRaqami Thanks for your answer and great reviewing work Chalid, I was thrilled to see the beautiful pictures on the screensaver of your kindle scribe, and as a BW photographer that appeals to me quite a bit. I guess I'll do as with my Hisense A5, select pictures with contrast and no gradients :) That said, for those kind of devices, testing BW gradients and banding with misty black and white pictures may be a nice idea, helping differenciate devices with 256 grayscales from the rest of the bunch :)

[@ajwalker4416]

This is a really good review and I was intrigued with this device as soon as it was announced. Perhaps I'll put this on my list for purchase soon. I do wish it had a light but, perhaps for this particular device, it's not that big a deal. I do like not having to worry about the light level when using my Scribe. EDIT: I'm also looking forward to this getting into the hands of digital artists to see how it fairs as a sketchbook, especially with access to drawing apps from the Play Store.

[@gabriele6106]

Hi. Many users complain that the screen is not opaque and reflects external lights. What do you think about this?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I suspect it's not an issue for most people. The glare on the Boox Go 10.3 might be a tiny bit more pronounced than on the Remarkable 2 for example, but that's such a small difference that it's hard to notice even when having them side by side imho.

[@gabriele6106]

@@ChalidRaqami thanks!

[@nonlocalitykat]

What did the user agreement entail and how was the setup experience?

[@mtozsu]

I work alot with PDF documents all of which reside in Dropbox. So, the Dropbox integration is important for me. Given that this is running Android, it should (theoretically) be able to achieve better integration. Have you checked that, by any chance? I don't want to copy PDF documents to a special folder which then syncs to the device (like I have to do in Supernote) -- accessing the document where it is on Dropbox is what I am after.

[@yorgohoebeke]

Could you please make a comparison between the Super Note A6x2 nomad vs. the boox go 10.3 ?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Already working on it :)

[@yorgohoebeke]

@@ChalidRaqami Awesome :)

[@martinkay67]

Wann hat Onyx eigentlich angefangen, einige Geräte mit einer Screen Protector Folie auszustatten? Ich hab das Note Air 2 Plus und das Tab Ultra C, beide kommen prima ohne Folie aus. Erinnert mich an das Supernote, das auch mit Folie am Display daherkommt.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Auch das Note Air 2 Plus hat schon eine papierähnliche Schutzfolie (ich gehe davon aus, auch die älteren Note Air Modelle, aber die habe ich nicht getestet) - kann man abziehen wenn man sie an den Ecken anhebt. So sieht das aus, wenn man sie abzieht: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXObfJJuZt-afZY Würde ich aber nicht empfehlen, weil die After-Market-Folien nicht den gleichen papierähnlichen Effekt zustande bringen wie die Original-Folie.

[@martinkay67]

@@ChalidRaqami TATSÄCHLICH!!! Jetzt wo du es sagst. Ich hab die Folie bisher nie bemerkt und bin jetzt kannst bewusst mit den Fingernägeln am Rand entlang gegangen.

[@talaes3603]

Nice video. What tablet would you advise this one or the remarkable 2? I mainly would use it for note-taking (school work) and maybe at work down the line as well

[@generalSarbina]

Whats your experience like using e-ink devices for reading scientific literature (specifically, color vs. B&W)? Does using a B&W device make it harder to understand figures? Is the color saturation good enough to allow colored figures to easily identify different groups?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I'd say yes on both. Graphs and figures can definitely be challenging on B&W screens and are easier to read with a color display. Personally I still prefer the B&W E-Ink screens for papers, because those aren't grainy and readability for small text (when not zooming in all the way) is a bit better. But if there are generally a lot of figures, color might still be the better choice.

[@dame744]

For just note taking, should i get this or remarkable 2?

[@harrym8556]

The writing feeling is much better on Remarkable 2, simply because of the friction. Kindle scribe also has good friction. The Onyx is still too slippery, so note taking is not great. If you want to read books, Onyx is much clearer and has better contrast.

[@chifaitommyluk9921]

Thanks for the great and objective review, Chalid. Comparing to supernate A6X2, which one has.a better writing feel? Have you try Microsoft onenote app with the Go? Does it run smoothly? Looking forward to your Q&A video?

[@ChalidRaqami]

That's a tough one. The writing feel itself (pen on display): Boox Go 10.3 for me, because pressing harder on the Supernote's screen results in a bit of an uneven writing feel. But the Supernote A6X2 has a noticeable lower pen latency, so in the end it still feels better imho. OneNote works reasonably well in terms of latency and ghosting. I believe this is the only third-party app that Boox has optimized for low pen latency. Edit: It's actually three apps right now: OneNote, Evernote, WPS

[@kradops]

Would love to see your comparison of the BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro VS BOOX Go 10.3

[@780326]

Hello Chalid, Thanks for this amazing review. I was just one click away from buying the tablet, until I heard the it didnt have a front light. Still I want to ask you, how is the reading experience in terms of reflection when using a normal external reading lamp. What about reflection under sunlight ? Thanks again

[@seshakiran]

What about the battery? How long does it last generally?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Check out the video starting from 21:49 :)

[@ZivaEnergy]

Where did you get the Star Trek wall light.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Check out mewho.com (not made by me) - there are a couple of interactive LCARS displays. I typically show the Titan-app on my TV.

[@jimmyzhao2673]

Does it require a subscription ?

[@ChalidRaqami]

No, you can use the device without logging into anything. But when doing so, you can't back up your notes (or anything) through the cloud.

[@nat4465]

@@ChalidRaqamiis it possible to send me note pages or notebooks to OneNote?

[@99Leo]

Great video. Is it true that the only way to turn the device off is by pressing the physical off button?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Completely turn off? Yes, long-press power button and then select the option to power off from the pop up. How else would you do it?

[@99Leo]

@@ChalidRaqami The navigation ball. It has a shut down option. Well, at least, the boox devices that I own have that option. I don't think the boox Go 10.3 does.

[@ChalidRaqami]

@@99Leo Ahh - of course, didn't think of that. The option is not available by default but you can also remap one of the existing functions to power-off on the Go 10.3 in the naviball.

[@99Leo]

@@ChalidRaqami Okay, I'll check that out when I receive mine.

[@madhattressnightcore2754]

I just got the Boox ulta C and was kinda disappointed by the dark and not so sharp screen, which as I now know(thanks to your reviews!) is because of the colour layer ontop. Still it was such a big issue for me, that I bought the Boox Go 10.3 to compare if it would better suit my needs. Only after ordering it I found out about the supernotes next product hopefully coming out within the next 3 months and now I am conflicted xD Because the linking in the notes and other functions, aswell as the consistent updates on the supernote are really appealing to me. You have a supernote nomad, right? Would you share your thoughts on comparing that to the boox go 10.3 by any chance? As of right now I just feel like with the phoning home feature aswell as boox coming out with a new device every 6months or so it feels kinda... better to go with supernote on moral level somehow. Which is why I am asking about another opinion on a more technical compared to an emotional level LOL :P Anyways great videos and greetings from Germany!!

[@ChalidRaqami]

Yes, I have the Supernote Nomad and I'm actually in the process of finishing up my long term review after having used it for a couple of months as my daily driver now. I hopefully can publish the review next week. I'd say it depends on what exactly you want to do. The Nomad is a bit more refined when it comes to the UI and has more comprehensive note taking features, but there are also some things I personally don't like about it (e.g. no dedicated homescreen). But generally Supernote offers the better devices when it's just for note taking imho. It's nice that you have the Kindle app on here as well, but that's about it. The Boox Go 10.3 just can do a lot more. I especially like the audio recording feature in notebooks which I would have loved to have when I was still in university. But also open Android can be really useful ... but that all only matters if you intend to do more with it. So it's hard to give a recommendation, because it really depends on the use case. Both can be great devices, depending on what you want to do. And neither is really a bad choice. Hope that helps :D

[@vincenzomary]

Grazie per il video. Sei l'unico che dice riguardo al palmo della mano, ho visto tanti video ma nessuno lo evidenzia . Puoi dirmi dì più su questo eventuale problema? Grazie

[@ChalidRaqami]

I'd say palm rejection is a possible issue when making annotations in PDF files, but not so much in the dedicated notes taking app. You can work around it by disabling touch input, for the screen to not react to specific gestures etc. So all in all it's not perfect, but definitely manageable.

[@Battlem0nk]

China exclusive version of the 10.3 Go called the "Note X3 Pro" has a front light. Wonder what the odds of a 10.3 Go Pro version later this year?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I'd say the odds are pretty good either for Go 10.3 Pro or a Note Air 3 Plus.

[@Jim-vb1qx]

Chalid please where did you get the USS Titan on the wall? 😂

[@ChalidRaqami]

Check out mewho.com (not made by me). There are a couple of different LCARS options available to just run in your browser. I love all of them :D

[@saccam]

Hi Chalid, thanks for the in-depth review. Does audio transcription work without the Internet?

[@ChalidRaqami]

There's no audio transcription available natively, only handwriting recognition. You can record the audio and play it back, but that's it. So you'd need an app for that functionality. Handwriting recognition needs to be enabled with WiFi on, but once that's done, it also works if you're offline.

[@saccam]

@@ChalidRaqami Thanks Chalid, keep up the great work at offering useful information in a review. Exactly what many of us needed.👍🏻

[@BV35]

Hi Good Video You have a New Subscriber! - I saw this and your other 3 “comparison” - I had purchased the Remarkable 2X 😂 and LOVED IT but ended it up returning because I like to send my Notes to a PKM (Personal Knowledge Management System) similar to Notion for long term archiving. So I found the Remarkable limited. I was hoping I could use my IPAD but I just don’t like the pen feel on the IPAD (even with a PaperLike Screen Protector) do you think the Boox is a good compromise or should I hold out for the Remarkable 3 and just keep taking notes on Paper and screen Shot for archiving?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Boox really nailed it with the Go 10.3 and I still like using it a lot. It's hard to say if it makes sense to wait for the Remarkable 3, since there have been absolutely no news on that front. So hard to tell if it's around the corner or still a year away ... :-/ But besides that, I doubt the Remarkable 3 will bring major changes in terms of its software capabilities tbh. So Boox with Android might generally be more suited with its greater flexibility for your use case.

[@Xingqiwu387]

Excellent review again from Chalid Raqami! Thank you. Does anyone know if you can connect an external SD card to back up your work on? That would be great.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks - yes it does support OTG, so you can use a usb-drive with USB-C.

[@Xingqiwu387]

@@ChalidRaqami It didn't work for us. Even thought the Boox GO recognized the external SD card we installed via USB-C, there was no way to get the NOTES (.txt) files onto the card. Neither SAVE nor EXPORT showed the SD card as an option. We're returning the Boox because of that because external backup on a portable storage device is essential. THANKS so much for your great work!

[@mariociardulli4619]

What is the experience in using apps like miro?

[@FrenchAmericaLibrary]

How does this compare to the note air 3 black and white. I was about to purchase it and it is now sold out on the Boox website. Will it be discontinued? Would you say the Go 10.3 is better?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I doubt the Note Air 3 will be discontinued at this point. Maybe when a Boox Note Air 3 Plus (with 300 ppi?) launches, but I would be surprised if that's happening before Q4/2024. But I noticed Boox sometimes doesn't have devices in stock for some reason. The Boox Page was also out of stock for a while and is now available again. Comparing the Go 10.3 and Note Air 3 they are very similar in almost all things. The Note Air 3 got a software update a few days ago which makes the UI look identical to what I've shown here. The main difference is the screen: The Boox Go 10.3 has better contrast levels and a better resolution. Both are noticeable in direct comparison.

[@eiceys4612]

This review is great, great job, thanks

[@SailorDoc]

Where do you get that star trek wall panel on the wall?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Check out mewho.com (not made by me) - there are a couple of awesome interactive LCARS-apps.

[@TheMarkRich]

Nice review focusing on reading which would be my primary use. If only Kobo had made this. Now torn between it and the Elipsa. It's shelf life is intentionally small like most Onyx machines and while nice to be thin, the future here in Europe remains with removable batteries. No way to get that into this device. It remains very desirable though.

[@A.B-t5c]

@ChalidRaqami I am enjoying watching this review right now. I was wondering if you are planning to review the Pocketbook Inkpad Eo at some point?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks! Yes, that's on the agenda for the next couple of weeks, most likely in July. I have the InkPad Eo here and have been using it on and off for the past few weeks.

[@A.B-t5c]

@@ChalidRaqami Thank you - I am looking forward to it. Mine is on order after I bought a Pocketbook Inkpad Color 3 based on your prior review so I appreciate your video reviews.

[@steverolfeca]

Anyone found a suitable replacement for the magnetic flap that's supposed to hold the stylus? I'm looking at adhesive pen loops from Ringke, felt envelope covers, etc. Loving the Go 10.3, but the pen storage situation is bugging me (exacerbated by the fact that I'm left-handed).

[@JaredPanther]

Is the pen latency something than can be improved with a future software or firmware update?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I suspect it's possible in theory, because Bigme also managed to improve the E-Ink screen's speed and refresh behavior with updates. But honestly, I can't say if Boox would go for the same thing, because they have Boox Super Refresh technology on other devices and the focus seems to lie with that. To be fair, the pen latency on the Go 10.3 isn't that bad. I never felt it was too slow. It's mostly only noticeable when having multiple devices side by side to compare.

[@santanu-io]

The thick bottom bezel is a big NO NO for me, the reason why I never thought about Remarkable devices.

[@chuanpham1335]

If the only function I need is just write down the note in the meeting (I dont like to use paper) should I buy this Boox 10.3 or there are other better solutions ? thank you.

[@ChalidRaqami]

It's totally fine for that, but I'd suggest also taking a look at the Supernote A6X2 or Remarkable 2 if you just need note taking and nothing else. The Boox Go 10.3 is definitely more capable in general but I'd say not as refined in terms of the UI because of that. The others aren't as versatile but have a better note taking focus with more consistent long term support. I'm currently using the Supernote A6X2 as my daily driver and I'm just finishing up my long term review. If you can wait a couple of days, that should give you a good idea of what to expect with one of those devices.

[@chuanpham1335]

@@ChalidRaqami Appreciate your advise !

[@eugen-m]

there are chances that we will see a reply from Remarkable ?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I'm certain Remarkable is working on the next generation of their tablet, but at this point there's nothing pointing to an imminent release. If it's not released for back-to-school season this year, I suspect won't see it in 2024.

[@wrongturnVfor]

yeah, I maingly wanted an e ink device for taking notes and reading books. For me the BW screen is a problem. I love highlighting in different colors and I make notes with different colors. Not having that just makes it annoying.Plus the price point is so high that I just use a regular tablet instead which gives me all the functionality I want. E ink has a long way to go before I would consider actually buying one

[@danielwolf958]

Nice device! Good video! What happens, when the Go is sleeping? Can it show the notes, so i don't have to touch it to read my latest notes after 30 minutes?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks! :) You have two options: You can set the standby-image to "transparent" in the "screensaver"-app and that way the note you're currently viewing is also shown as the lockscreen even when you put the device to sleep. Or you can just set the screen timeout to 30 minutes, 1 hour or "never" and just keep the device running with the note on the screen.

[@JMaxwell1000]

Thank you for this great review! Thanks as well for NOT having us watch the "unboxing" part. I simply cannot fathom WHY many youtube content creators insist on forcing people to watch them taking a product out of the box. The only thing more boring than unboxing would be a weekend alone with Kamala Harris. Thanks again for this very informative review.

[@oraz.]

I wonder if they'll make another 8 inch e note

[@mohammedelsayed3062]

Is there any need for a screen protector for this device?

[@ChalidRaqami]

The screen is not scratch resistant but there's usually no need for a screen protector if you use the case. The only E-Ink tablet I managed to scratch accidentally was the Viwoods AiPaper I just tested, because of the stylus design. Besides that I never had issues with that, so imho it's not worth the trade-off (worse readability/contrast/writing-feel).

[@mohammedelsayed3062]

@@ChalidRaqami Thank you

[@IMASHY-mw3us]

This is off topic but how did you get the Star Trek theme behind you and what is it

[@ChalidRaqami]

Star Trek is never off-topic :D The screen is actually the website mewho.com (not made by me). Check out the Titan app. Absolutely incredible work. The badges on the right I got from etsy.

[@IMASHY-mw3us]

Thanks

[@rayhanmuktader1064]

Bruh... I clicked bcz I wanted to learn about E-ink reader. But, I love your Star Trek decor. Please share where we can get the background image and swags.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Check out mewho.com (not made by me) - there are a couple of different LCARS-websites to choose from - all of them awesome! :)

[@milan9083]

U helped me a lot, thanks!

[@karlwolfe614]

I just saw these on Tuesday and then your review pops up today on my feed. Algorithms are sometimes wonderful things. Great review, I am looking at the whole range and this is a strong contender. The lack of light is no problem for me, so not an issue. Your review is so comprehensive that I don't have any real questions about it though 😀. On another subject, couldn't help but notice your background, is that a screensaver on a monitor or what? I love it. Where can I get this? Thanks.

[@MahdiHamrangPoursangari]

I just got my Go 10.3 but can't make the google play work on my device! I'm getting ( No results found ) error when I'm opening the app. does anyone had this same problem? thanks

[@ChalidRaqami]

Maybe try to clear the app-cache in the settings (long-press on the app-icon, than "manage" and "storage & cache") and if that doesn't work try to remove the Google account from the device and then re-add it.

[@peaelle42]

what about the ireader x3 pro?

[@drm4047]

I want a version with BSR. Ghosting and lag are too annoying. I have the Tab X and its BSR is awesome, compared to other tablets without it. I will not downgrade to anything that lacks BSR.

[@JoeBrigAI]

Unfortunately, Boox developers are unable to create a highlighter pen. Major fail, might have to return the device just for this reason.

[@fr_og]

i like using the kobo libra color to annotate books and stuff. my boox is for all the andriod goodness

[@assommnor2309]

‏Hello the best review I see the device is an important question. Unfortunately, the screen accuracy is less .. With this I still love GO10.3 .. Any advice?

[@assommnor2309]

..

[@ChalidRaqami]

I didn't have any issues with accuracy of the touchscreen (you mean?)

[@assommnor2309]

@@ChalidRaqami Sorry I mean worried about the inner lighting theme and I started to think of the Nair 3 but I love GO10.3 more because of lightness, sweet and high accuracy what to advise me?

[@ChalidRaqami]

@@assommnor2309 Yeah, the frontlight on the Note Air 3 is a bit uneven. Personally I find it a bit annoying, but that's not an issue for everybody. The Go 10.3 has the higher resolution and the better contrast levels, so reading is definitely great. In the end it depends on when you want to use your device most. At night? Then the Note Air 3 is probably the better choice. Typically only during the day? Then the Boox Go 10.3 should be fine.

[@assommnor2309]

@@ChalidRaqami Thank you reply to you a lot of questions I have finally decided to buy GO10.3 but if I read it at night sometimes or get out is enough for small lighting to be easier?

[@marcelijankowski9593]

Will you check out Huion kamvas ink?

[@ChalidRaqami]

No plans for that right now

[@gabriele6106]

Somebody else has uneven / bulging back of Boox Go 10.3? On reddit others have had this problem.

[@marguerit8]

Thank you for the review 🎉 Can you please compare it with Supernote for overall writing, reading and using experience 😊

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks - yes, already preparing something :)

[@ryanbartlett672]

Thanks! Very thorough.

[@TheFFsage]

Would you rather buy this or wait for a future Note Air that would have both 300dpi and frontlight? I'm on the verge of if to buy this or not. Would use it mainly for night time use so lack of frontlight sounds like a bother. Note Air 3 lacks 300dpi, and this lacks frontlight But not knowing when we are going to get a 10 inch 300dpi android device with frontlight sucks

[@ChalidRaqami]

E-Ink Carta 1200 is pretty nice and even works well enough in dimmer environments. But tbh if that was my main use case, I'd definitely would pick a device with a frontlight, because "well enough" might still be a bit bothersome at one point or another. I suspect Boox will release a 300 ppi Note Air at the end of the year... But just guessing.

[@annvoy7698]

As much as I love the design factor of the Go, I do prefer having a front light. I own the Supernote A5X and the Note Air 1. Even though I prefer some note taking aspects of the A5X I turn much more to my NA especially for reading pdfs. One major reason being the front light. So I will also wait for a 300 ppi Note Air and see if that will make me leave my NA1.

[@yannpoco]

Buy Note X3 Pro

[@chiquita683]

Buying a non-Carta 1300 device in 2024 is a non starter. Definitely wait

[@deadiemeyers1661]

Nice little nod to Zach of Jerryrig Everything. “Glass is glass” is our universal language. 😄

[@mikazped9948]

How is the pen latency compared with the remarakble? I

[@ChalidRaqami]

The Remarkable 2 has a slightly quicker pen latency. I measured around 23 ms with the Remarkable compared to the 30 ms with the Boox Go 10. When looking closely for it, you can see it, but it's not especially obvious and also not very noticeable when just using the tablets. But still, lower is definitely preferable.

[@mikazped9948]

​@@ChalidRaqami Recibido! Muchísimas gracias!

[@yannpoco]

@@ChalidRaqami Could you turn off the line smoothing feature on the Boox and see if the latency is quicker? I disable this feature and the lag is very minimum to naked eyes.

[@ChalidRaqami]

@@yannpoco I mean 30 ms isn't really slow, it's just not as fast as some others. So to the naked eye it's still not like it super obviously dragging behind the pen. The line smoothing typically happens after the stroke is finished, so it shouldn't have any impact on the latency. Also - where do you turn that off in the default notes app?

[@rush48192]

I think the remarkable screen is better to write on but 300 dpi is a huge difference

[@aussiegruber86]

$749 in Australia, that’s a hard pass

[@MustangsbyMatt]

Getting stuff into the prison costs more.

[@crasheba1533]

Same in Argentine... The Scribe (basic) is like 450$ tho so it's not any better.

[@KerenWang]

Would you still buy the Note Air 3 today or do you think a 300dpi with LEDs is basically announced with the release of Boox GO?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I'm pretty sure we'll see an upgrade for the Note Air 3 soon. The Boox Note X3 Pro in China is basically a slightly thicker Go 10.3 with a frontlight, so that'll most likely make its way to western markets as well imho. So personally I'd wait at this point - even though the Note Air 3 is still a very good device.

[@marekkedzierski8237]

Looks cool but lack of backlight and eraser on a pen is a big turnoff.

[@Music_Loves_Art]

If the iPad Pro thickness is 5.1 mm with more hardware, why can’t Boox being 4.4!? It also has less hardware! lol Only 6 mm difference between the two right chalid?

[@markifi]

why are you turning the page every 15 seconds in the battery test? wouldn't 60-90 seconds lead to a more accurate consumption measurement?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I settled on 15 seconds for a couple of reasons. 1. It's easier to maintain consistency in testing for actual battery drain of actively using the device across different brands and screen sizes. 2. Making the test 60+ seconds or longer (4x to 6x) makes repeatability much harder. Additionally, longer intervals would prevent me from using the device for other testing within that timeframe. 3. Testing with a 15 seconds interval also provides insights into broader usage patterns outside of reading, such as using apps that trigger more frequent E-Ink refreshes. So, while it's obviously not a perfect approach for every situation, I found it to be the most accurate method to predict battery life in general.

[@Eligios]

How fragile do you think it is, like let's say compared to a kindle? it looks very cool but being super thin + onyx boox reputation it make me scared haha My kindle last years with "bad treatment" in my bag Loved your review btw!

[@ChalidRaqami]

I'd say the Go 10.3 is a bit more fragile than your typical Kindle, but not because of Onyx Boox, but because the larger screen size is more prone to break. I suspect that's also the reason why it seems to happen more often to Boox than other E-Ink device: Because Boox is probably seeling the most 10 inch E-Ink screens. The Go 10.3 itself feels very sturdy imho. When trying to flex it for my test just a bit, I didn't notice any bend or movement. I just put it in my bag full of other stuff this morning, threw that bag into a completely packed car and was a bit nervous tbh, but it survived the trip without any issues. But it's really hard to give a general estimate on how sensitive it is - sometimes it's just bad luck when an E-Ink screen breaks. It can happen with smaller devices as well.

[@StockyDT]

The comparison to paper in readability needs to be redone. Its noticeable that there is more lighting on the left side of the table

[@ChalidRaqami]

Yeah, I only turned off the right light at 10:50, but from 10:45 to 10:50 there were two lights on, one on each side. That timeframe hopefully pretty clearly demonstrates the lower reflectance of E-Ink.

[@chrishamilton1189]

How does it compare with SN writing feel?

[@ChalidRaqami]

The writing feel itself (pen on display): Boox Go 10.3 is better for me, because pressing harder on the Supernote's screen results in a bit of an uneven writing feel (especially with a ceramic pen tip). But the Supernote A6X2 has a noticeable lower pen latency, so in the end it still feels better imho.