Onyx Boox Tab Ultra | The Android E-Ink Tablet/Laptop!

Unboxing the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra, with a hands-on review of this e-ink Android tablet convertible. It's an eReader style alternative to the iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro etc, but the Boox Tab Ultra is similarly expensive - so is this tablet/laptop worth it?

Well, the e-ink display certainly offers a different and remarkable experience, especially for sketching and annotating with the bundled stylus. Onyx's device is great for creative types, offering a paper-like feedback when pen meets screen. The Boox Tab Ultra also runs Android so you've got full Google Play access, while the e-ink panel means great battery life.

That said, it is old Android 11, which is less than ideal. And of course despite the different screen refresh options, the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra isn't designed to watch video or play games. It's best used as a smart convertible eReader with a keyboard accessory for email, writing, etc.

Onyx Boox Tab Ultra Chapters:
0:00 - The e-paper Android tablet slash PC
0:29 - What's in the box?
1:01 - Design
2:27 - Setup & UI
4:31 - Apps
5:02 - Fingerprint sensor
5:38 - Stylus pen
6:35 - Keyboard
8:07 - Display & audio
9:44 - Performance
10:23 - Battery life
10:50 - Camera
11:13 - Byyyeeeeee

[JulianParker]

These devices always get my inner geek going but the prices are always way beyond my grown up responsibilities to my bank balance and the actual use it would get. Wishful thinking, but I'd love to see these things drop to a $200-300 bracket where impulse could ride carefree over sensibilities.

[bgav]

It isn’t a SIM card tray, it’s a TF (MicroSD) card slot to expand memory (up to 2TB).

[aaronv]

I’m gonna get one. Perfect for late night working/browsing without blue lights to impact my sleep!

[whenhen]

I don’t think Google Play Store versions of Android 12 or 13 is certified for e ink displays, which is why it’s running Android 11. Fortunately, it’s not that important since the vast majority of apps a Boox user wants can run on Android 11. It would be nice to have an update statement from them saying that they will update it when the next version of Android is certified for e ink.

I would love this tablet, since I mainly use mine to read and take notes, but the high cost is a major deterrent . I do not want to pay iPad Air 5 prices for such a limited utility device

[MarcosCodas]

I really appreciate the work you do. Even when it’s a quirky device or something I won’t buy, your humor and production value keeps me coming back.

[fissionchips]

I thought 💭🤔 Microsoft did something similar with the X-boox? 😂 Sorry I'll get my coat

[segaboy]

I want a 13" version of this with Obsidian installed.

[bobgriffin]

It is good for reading books on Kindle, brilliant for notes and good for web browsing. The thing is that it will work for about 20 hours or more web browsing rather than the 8 or so for a PC. I like e ink because I can read my Kindle without worrying about the battery going flat. Also, it is easier on the eyes for reading. I love the idea of a note taker along with the Kindle app but I worry that I might not use that function enough to justify the cost. Maybe I will get one someday.

[thegreenpickel]

This would make a really nice ssh terminal.

[GWCSdances]

I read documents a lot and I am getting old. So, I have always been looking for a e-reader. However, e-readers have limited functions. Until I found Boox products.

The combination of e-ink screen and android OS is powerful, allowing me to read many documents on my google drive, check emails, and take handwriting notes.

I owned Boox Lumi2, but I found the Tab Untra is even more powerful with the keyboard. I love the keyboard because it is has a direct physical connection with the tab (not like the Bluetooth keyboard which is slow and takes lot of battery power).

I also like the case that support the tab.

If anything for improvement, I would suggest to enable a shallow angle for a portray orientation. Initially, I found the unit rejects Google Chrome browser, but later on, the issue went away. It is important to keep the native Android functionalities.

The CPU is power and the screen refresh is fast. This makes the unit a good replacement for all other tablets. I bought this unit to function as a small computer and to protect my eyes.

I will look for even more powerful units in the future and even better refresh speed.

Great product!

[dave_r]

Interesting review to watch, not because I'm interested in the product for myself, but because I hadn't even known about this and I like watching the Tech Spurt reviews. I'm far more impressed by the fact that Chris can provide so many reviews day-in-day-out; I have sort of that 'when does he sleep' reaction.

[Lp-zetg]

WoW that's the price of a midrange fully functional laptop.

[ChaosActual]

I’ve been waiting for something like this for years!

Finally an e-ink reader with halfway decent storage space!

[liamingraham]

Finally. I have wanted an eink with a keyboard forever

[GFourGadget]

It feels weird to use an e-ink display, but hey that's just me. Pretty sure there are tons of people out there who would appreciate it

[jefffuhr]

❓How well does MS OneNote run on the Tab Ultra? That's fundamental to the rest of my ecosystem. Thanks for the review.

[RenaissanceEarCandy]

That screen still actually looks uncomfortably reflective. Though I do actually like the option to watch videos on this. It feels analogue.

[Appleslice]

Watching Corn on it will be like watching Corn in the 1950's

[ElectricCmpany]

I am a musician and I would be interested in something like this for sheet music. Having the page displayed and links at the bottom to jump to different pages would be so much easier than flipping the pages of a book. And you could make digital copies of all of your existing books and have it loaded into this one tablet.

[urhhoney]

Can you plz watch goodereader's review....there was a few incorrect pieces of information in this. It's not sim, it's a card, the Android AOSP had e ink screen support perhaps only upto android 11 (I might be wrong but there was something about that).