This clever E Ink tablet really wants to replace your laptop

E Ink tablets are primarily used for reading and drawing, and serve as a secondary device for most, oftentimes supplementing a traditional tablet or laptop. However, the Boox Tab XC is the first E Ink device I’ve come across that actually wants to straight up replace these devices, offering power and performance that I’ve never truly seen in a tablet like this before, and it truly changed how I think about the possibilities of E Ink devices.

Though I normally read and do lightweight tasks when testing E Ink tablets like these, with the Boox Tab X C in hand, I decided to do something a little different and see how much of my job I could do with just an E Ink tablet. And the answer was more than I thought, as I was able to perform about 80% of job duties as Managing Editor at Pocket-lint. It’s not 100% perfect for my specific use case as you’ll see, but I was shocked by how much I was able to get done on this E Ink tablet, including writing this entire review.

While it’s definitely a pricey gadget, under the right conditions, the Boox Tab X C can absolutely change how you work, and it’s definitely more versatile than any other E Ink tablet I’ve tested. Almost anything you can do with an Android Tablet, you can now do with E Ink, thanks to the Tab X C, and if that sounds appealing to you, read on.

Price, availability, and specs

There’s a lot to love under the hood

Like its monochrome cousin, the Boox Note Max, the Boox Tab X C features a huge 13.3-inch 3200 x 2400 screen, making it the perfect size for drawing, reading textbooks, reading and marking up PDFs, or just performing general tasks. And at 0.2-inches (5.3mm) thick and weighing 22oz (625g), it’s portable enough to throw in a backpack, briefcase, or tote bag.

Though E Ink tablets can sometimes be lacking in power, the Boox Tab X C is refreshingly zippy, powered by an Octa-Core CPU with 6GB of RAM. The tablet is able to easily handle basically anything you throw at it, handling multitasking across apps for reading, productivity, music, drawing, messaging, and note-taking without even one stutter.

The color display is powered by Kaleido 3 E Ink technology, which is the same as most color E Ink tablets, including the Kindle Colorsoft. You won’t see vibrant reds or deep purples with this technology, but the experience of reading and writing in color on tablets that use Kaleido 3 produces images that are similar to old-school color Sunday comics page from a newspaper. The screen itself is a little darker than monochrome E Ink Boox screens like the Note Max, but it has an adjustable front light that brings whatever you’re looking at into sharp clarity, no matter what your environment is.

As for battery, the Boox Tab X C has a 5,500mAh capacity, giving it another subtle boost over the monochrome Note Max. During my day of testing, I was able to use the tablet for a full 8 hours almost continuously without needing to plug in, making this a great workday companion for folks on the move. The device ships with the new InkSpire stylus that includes 4096 pressure levels, tilt sensitivity, a haptic pressure sensor, and charges wirelessly when connected to the Tab X C itself.

The Boox Tab X C is currently available on Amazon and Boox’s website for $819 or in a bundle with a keyboard case for $924.

What I liked about the Boox Tab X C

A perfect companion for people who work with documents

The Boox Tab X C is truly one of the most unique E Ink tablets I’ve ever tested because while my initial inclination is to use it for reading and note-taking, the Tab X C is so powerful that I almost felt like it was a waste to try to use this tablet for these lightweight tasks. When I decided to try and see if I could do a full day’s work on this device, I expected it to be a frustrating experience, but thanks to its fast processor and dynamic refresh rate, I was able to very easily write emails, post content, respond to messages, and even write this review very easily, switching effortlessly between different apps, tabs and notifications as my work day progressed.

I still needed a computer to upload photos and use our in-house CMS, so unfortunately, this still falls under the realm of a supplementary device for me, but I could very easily see this becoming a primary tablet for those who primarily work with documents, or students who would prefer something with color and a front light over the similar Boox Note Max.

And while I primarily tested this with an eye towards the tablet’s work and productivity capabilities, that is not to say that the Boox Tab X C doesn’t work well as a traditional E-Reader or digital note-taking device. The tablet’s big, colorful screen allowed me to read comics I had rented from the library easily before bed, and thanks to the device’s adjustable front-light, I was able to read in even the darkest of conditions. I was also able to work on my to-do list for the next day, which is something that research says can lead to better sleep.

And speaking of writing and taking notes, the Boox Tab X C is unique among other Boox tablets as it is the first to use the company’s new InkSpire stylus, which uses haptic feedback to mimic the sensation of writing on paper. While I didn’t exactly get that feeling from this device (I prefer the scratchy feeling of the Note Max), writing feels easy, and the wireless charging is certainly convenient as I could just attach the pen at the end of the day and know it would be charged and ready for the morning.

What I didn’t like about the Boox Tab X C

It’s not exactly plug and play

Like the majority of Boox devices, the Tab X C takes some getting used to. The tablet runs a heavily modified version of Android 13 that feels mostly familiar (and gives access to the all-important Play Store), but is, of course, optimized for Boox’s E Ink technology. As someone who has used almost half a dozen Boox tablets at this point, I’ve gotten pretty good at navigating the UI, but if this is your first time using a Boox tablet you will definitely need to set aside a day or two to learn how best to use your device. It sounds like an exaggeration, but knowing how to navigate the complex E Ink settings, as well as multitasking and optimizing apps, will be key to getting the most out of this device.

And speaking of drawbacks, unfortunately, we have to talk about the price. While I really enjoyed using the Tab X C for work, I don’t think it will actually replace my laptop, despite costing nearly the same amount as a new MacBook Air. I think if this device was half the cost, it would be an easy sell as a lightweight, productivity-forward device that keeps you focused on your work with all the features you need and nothing you don’t. But at almost a thousand dollars (when bundled with the keyboard case), you really need to prefer an E Ink display (and have a lot of writing/document-based work) to make this worth a purchase.

Should you buy a Boox Tab X C?

It’s all about how you use it

I truly was shocked by how much of my job I could do on the Boox Tab X C, and while it’s not perfect for me, I couldn’t help but feel that this would be an amazing work companion for folks in the legal, real estate, or even sales industries. This device handles PDFs and documents like a pro and is so lightweight that it could be easily put in a tote, purse, or briefcase, making it great for professionals who specifically need access to documents on the go.

If this sounds like you, the Boox Tab X C is an easy recommendation. But at its high price point, if you have any other use case, you really need to think about how much this device costs and how much you’ll realistically use it. I like almost everything about using the Tab X C, but I can’t pretend that it’s not a niche device that does less than an iPad despite costing double what the standard version of Apple’s flagship tablet does.

The Tab X C is easily my favorite E Ink device to use in my everyday life. Its versatility and features make it a perfect supplementary device for me to take notes, respond to messages, and even just read with. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive.

Resolution

B&W 300 PPI + Color 150 PPI

Storage

128GB

Screen Size

13.3-inch 3200 x 2400 pixel resolution Color ePaper

Processor

2.8GHz Octa-core CPU

RAM

6GB

Battery

5500mAh