e ink tablets / digital notebooks recommedations

sydthebeat

hey all

im in the market for a good digital notebook which i can use in my day to day work.

what im looking for is as follows:

• decent battery life (more than a week)
• andriod based and compatible with windows if necessary
• able to import and edit pdfs on the go
• can save the edited pdf on the go
• upload to cloud by either wifi or bluetooth
• stylus based system
• paper feel if possible, but not bound to it.
• i do site / building surveys so something that i can draw on and write notes etc
• id want this to completely replace my pukka pads, which i go through about one every couple of months.
• colour text / lines would be a nice option but not a must have
  
  

if researched tablets like the remarkable 2, the boox note air and the xiaomi wacom W7

is there anything similar on the market that anyone here uses on a day to day, or any other suggestions that you think might suit.

i realise im look at upwards of €500 for these .. so i dont want to purchase something that turns out not to be able to do what i want.

anyone any experience please?

karlitob

And I’m looking for something really cheap. I scribble a lot during the day in work - just need something simple. No fancy features. Thanks.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

karlitob

karlitob wrote: »

And I’m looking for something really cheap. I scribble a lot during the day in work - just need something simple. No fancy features. Thanks.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wacom-K100876-Digital-Notepad-Ballpoint/dp/B01L1V2518/ref=psdc_949408031_t1_B01KKPC0WA?th=1

sydthebeat

glasso wrote: »

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wacom-K100876-Digital-Notepad-Ballpoint/dp/B01L1V2518/ref=psdc_949408031_t1_B01KKPC0WA?th=1

thanks glasso but that kind of product doesnt come anywhere near what im looking for it to do.

at a minimum i need to to be able to import and edit / augment pds on the go.

the closest ive seen so far is the 'onyx boox note' products.. with the note air a real option so far.
pity it doesnt show colour on the pad, even if it allows exporting with colour.

https://onyxboox.com/boox_noteair

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

thanks glasso but that kind of product doesnt come anywhere near what im looking for it to do.

at a minimum i need to to be able to import and edit / augment pds on the go.

the closest ive seen so far is the 'onyx boox note' products.. with the note air a real option so far.
pity it doesnt show colour on the pad, even if it allows exporting with colour.

https://onyxboox.com/boox_noteair

I replied to the other poster's request

sydthebeat

glasso wrote: »

I replied to the other poster's request

sorry !! my bad...

i never even copped that you quoted him.

tbh you could well be better going for something like the Sasmsung s6 lite tablet (10.4 inch screen) which comes with the S pen

it has a pretty big 7000mah battery and semi-fast 15W charging

pdf annotation / editing

https://youtu.be/bG4X1rU0TaE?t=597

General notetaking / other

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V45WN_y5foM

banie01

glasso wrote: »

tbh you could well be better going for something like the Sasmsung s6 lite tablet (10.4 inch screen) which comes with the S pen

it has a pretty big 7000mah battery and semi-fast 15W charging

pdf annotation / editing

https://youtu.be/bG4X1rU0TaE?t=597

I went with similar in getting a Huawei matepad pro 10.8 with pen and Keyboard cover late last year.

I was previously using a Samsung Tab 8.0 with S-pen.

Mine was used primarily for note taking, annotations on pdf and ebooks aswell as general reading.

The matepad is good but I wouldn't recommend it as an out of box solution.
It needs a bit of massaging to make ideal as it's not got GMS out of the box.

The Samsung tabs are great, s-pen is intuitive and the amoled screens are excellent.

But it's not e-ink and probably won't fit the OP's requirement.

banie01

banie01 wrote: »

I went with similar in getting a Huawei matepad pro 10.8 with pen and Keyboard cover late last year.

I was previously using a Samsung Tab 8.0 with S-pen.

Mine was used primarily for note taking, annotations on pdf and ebooks aswell as general reading.

The matepad is good but I wouldn't recommend it as an out of box solution.
It needs a bit of massaging to make ideal as it's not got GMS out of the box.

The Samsung tabs are great, s-pen is intuitive and the amoled screens are excellent.

But it's not e-ink and probably won't fit the OP's requirement.

true but even with e-ink it's still a screen that you're writing on.

it's not going to feel like writing on paper.

plus the s pen and samsung tablet combo is far more flexible in it's capabilities.

banie01

glasso wrote: »

true but even with e-ink it's still a screen that you're writing on.

it's not going to feel like writing on paper.

plus the s pen and samsung tablet combo is far more flexible in it's capabilities.

Agree and ditto with the matepad/pen it's a fantastic bit of kit and very versatile

karlitob

banie01 wrote: »

I went with similar in getting a Huawei matepad pro 10.8 with pen and Keyboard cover late last year.

I was previously using a Samsung Tab 8.0 with S-pen.

Mine was used primarily for note taking, annotations on pdf and ebooks aswell as general reading.

The matepad is good but I wouldn't recommend it as an out of box solution.
It needs a bit of massaging to make ideal as it's not got GMS out of the box.

The Samsung tabs are great, s-pen is intuitive and the amoled screens are excellent.

But it's not e-ink and probably won't fit the OP's requirement.

Thanks to everyone for reply. Spent an evening researching e ink tablets. I actually can’t believe the price!

I think I know what the Wacoo thing is for. Even if it is what I think it is - it’s still fairly expensive. And not what I need.

I don’t need what the OP needs but I wanted a nice e-ink - rather than tablet (which I have). Basically a kindle that you write on. A relatively cheap gadget.

Pen and paper for now. Thanks all.

karlitob

karlitob wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for reply. Spent an evening researching e ink tablets. I actually can’t believe the price!

I think I know what the Wacoo thing is for. Even if it is what I think it is - it’s still fairly expensive. And not what I need.

I don’t need what the OP needs but I wanted a nice e-ink - rather than tablet (which I have). Basically a kindle that you write on. A relatively cheap gadget.

Pen and paper for now. Thanks all.

don't know how cheap you are expecting

you have this sort of thing

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HUION-Inspiroy-Dual-Purpose-Compatible-Windows%E3%80%81macOS%E3%80%81Android-Quartz-Black/dp/B07X5YVXZG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1K1RO3NC2UZBV&dchild=1&keywords=e-ink+tablet&qid=1614706483&sprefix=e-ink+%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFXNjVJTjRZVUJZSkQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMTcxMzgyQ0xTVDBYNzVLNEsyJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5NjU1MDlDSU5URjVZNVMzSEsmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

karlitob

glasso wrote: »

don't know how cheap you are expecting

you have this sort of thing

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HUION-Inspiroy-Dual-Purpose-Compatible-Windows%E3%80%81macOS%E3%80%81Android-Quartz-Black/dp/B07X5YVXZG/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1K1RO3NC2UZBV&dchild=1&keywords=e-ink+tablet&qid=1614706483&sprefix=e-ink+%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFXNjVJTjRZVUJZSkQmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwMTcxMzgyQ0xTVDBYNzVLNEsyJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5NjU1MDlDSU5URjVZNVMzSEsmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

As I say - I was ‘expecting’ it to be as cheap as a kindle. What I wasn’t ‘expecting’ was something that costs anywhere for €500 for the remarkable, excluding the pen, to €1000 for the Sony dpt. I was a bit surprised. I thought there’d be something very cheap with less features etx. I didn’t think it would be the same and more expensive than a whole load of electronics which do an awful lot more. Seems expensive - not sure I’m the only one who thinks so, to be fair.

Will have a look at the lcd screen - thanks for sending it on. I was looking for something with multiple pages - not one page that I’d have to clean. Thanks though.

karlitob

karlitob wrote: »

As I say - I was ‘expecting’ it to be as cheap as a kindle. What I wasn’t ‘expecting’ was something that costs anywhere for €500 for the remarkable, excluding the pen, to €1000 for the Sony dpt. I was a bit surprised. I thought there’d be something very cheap with less features etx. I didn’t think it would be the same and more expensive than a whole load of electronics which do an awful lot more. Seems expensive - not sure I’m the only one who thinks so, to be fair.

Will have a look at the lcd screen - thanks for sending it on. I was looking for something with multiple pages - not one page that I’d have to clean. Thanks though.

you do know that the kindle is sold at cost if not a loss by Amazon with a view to selling books? that's the business model

you can't really expect something similar with extra functionality (stylus input) and no other revenue source for the same price.

karlitob

glasso wrote: »

you do know that the kindle is sold at cost if not a loss by Amazon with a view to selling books? that's the business model

you can't really expect something similar with extra functionality (stylus input) and no other revenue source for the same price.

I’m not gonna get into the philosophical argument as to whether a person can expect the unexpected. I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make or why you’re trying to pick a fight.

I was expecting something cheaper. I was not expecting it to be so expensive. I didn’t know that the kindle is ‘at cost if not a loss’ - and clearly you don't either or else you’d know if it was at cost or at loss. Clearly if Amazon can sell something ‘at cost or at a loss’ and still make money, then it’s not particularly unreasonable for someone, who came across this thread without realising that he needed specific knowledge as to business model of both Amazon and other e-ink table businesses, to think that they make a similar type product ‘with extra functionality of a stylus’ at a similar price.

When you’re talking to Bezos at your next business meeting you might ask him to think about developing a cheap version.

I'm not picking a fight - just explaining the economics of the situation.

they make money on selling ebooks for the kindles, not the kindles, as explained.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-kindle-idUSBRE89B01K20121012

besides you also derailed the other guy's thread which is bad forum etiquette also as he was looking for something very different.

goodbye

karlitob

glasso wrote: »

they make money on selling ebooks for the kindles, not the kindles, as explained.

Point well made. Congratulations.

sydthebeat

pulled the trigger on the galaxy tab s6 lite this morning.
i decided after much investigation that the e-ink products simply arent yet to a functionality standard that id like and are over priced for what i need them to do. The s6 lite has the organisational capacity to suit me and hopefully will go a long way towards me becoming paper free.

64 wifi version with case and screen protector, express delivery from amazon spain for €362.77

thanks glasso for your help

banie01

Good call on the S6 Syd.

Hope it fills the need you have.

sydthebeat

banie01 wrote: »

Good call on the S6 Syd.

Hope it fills the need you have.

Thanks banie, the mate Pro was a serious contender and the flash on the camera was one of the factors that actually had it ahead in the hardware stakes.

However the Google issue has me worried about software access. side loading and massaging doesn't attract me when there's a ready to go option.

Thanks again

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

pulled the trigger on the galaxy tab s6 lite this morning.
i decided after much investigation that the e-ink products simply arent yet to a functionality standard that id like and are over priced for what i need them to do. The s6 lite has the organisational capacity to suit me and hopefully will go a long way towards me becoming paper free.

64 wifi version with case and screen protector, express delivery from amazon spain for €362.77

thanks glasso for your help

report back on how it works for pdf annotating, note taking etc

Clareman

Just spotted this and I would have recommended the S line of tablets from Samsung, they're brilliant, I've had the 3, 4, 6 and 7+ and I use the 7+ for everything including pdfs. I also use the Note range of phones so I can use Samsung Notes across my devices makes it even handier in my opinion.

banie01

sydthebeat wrote: »

Thanks banie, the mate Pro was a serious contender and the flash on the camera was one of the factors that actually had it ahead in the hardware stakes.

However the Google issue has me worried about software access. side loading and massaging doesn't attract me when there's a ready to go option.

Thanks again

The Google issue in fairness on the mid 2020 on Huawei stuff is quite an impediment.
It can be bypassed and then works fairly perfectly but it is a fiddly and quite involved process that isn't for everyone.

The main triggers for me in getting the Huawei were I like to fiddle, I had a student discount and there was a great offer on at the time I bought of Tablet, case, keyboard case and stylus.

They are great kit but desperately need OEM Google access restored.
If I was buying and in your position, the S6 is definitely where I'd have gone.

Clareman

Clareman wrote: »

Just spotted this and I would have recommended the S line of tablets from Samsung, they're brilliant, I've had the 3, 4, 6 and 7+ and I use the 7+ for everything including pdfs. I also use the Note range of phones so I can use Samsung Notes across my devices makes it even handier in my opinion.

The s6 lite recommended is not as nice as the full s7 or s7+ but will work for the OP and is 1/2 to 1/3 of the price compared to the s7 / s7+ as you get the benefit of the s pen functionality

banie01

banie01 wrote: »

The Google issue in fairness on the mid 2020 on Huawei stuff is quite an impediment.
It can be bypassed and then works fairly perfectly but it is a fiddly and quite involved process that isn't for everyone.

The main triggers for me in getting the Huawei were I like to fiddle, I had a student discount and there was a great offer on at the time I bought of Tablet, case, keyboard case and stylus.

They are great kit but desperately need OEM Google access restored.
If I was buying and in your position, the S6 is definitely where I'd have gone.

some of the more recent tablets (and phones) from Huawei have totally blocked off the play store.

it used to be possible to install it (play store) with some light technical messing about on some of the older models but not now at all more recently

you can still install apps from other sources but if you have apps that require google play services then it's a mess

banie01

glasso wrote: »

some of the more recent tablets (and phones) from Huawei have totally blocked off the play store.

it used to be possible to install it (play store) with some light technical messing about on some of the older models but not now at all more recently

you can still install apps from other sources but if you have apps that require google play services then it's a mess

I have the matepad pro 10.8 which is I think the current model.
Luckily it shipped with EMUI 10 and was fairly easily albeit very convolutedly enabled with GMS.

The very latest shipped models with EMUI 11 can't be easily done.
The tablet has to be downgraded and then have GMS enable via the convoluted method and away you go.

Google services do stay enabled when you move back to EMUI 11.

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

Thanks banie, the mate Pro was a serious contender and the flash on the camera was one of the factors that actually had it ahead in the hardware stakes.

However the Google issue has me worried about software access. side loading and massaging doesn't attract me when there's a ready to go option.

Thanks again

s6 lite now has DeX with update for a more desktop-like experience

https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-tab-s6-lite-finally-gets-samsung-dex-feature-10663162/

sydthebeat

glasso wrote: »

s6 lite now has DeX with update for a more desktop-like experience

https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-tab-s6-lite-finally-gets-samsung-dex-feature-10663162/

happy days !

i meant to do a review of it ( i have it about three days now) but ill wait till next week.

first quick impressions.. it does exactly what i wanted it for in that its a valid replacement for my paper notepad.... and it is perfect for on site pdf form filling.

its heavy, i have it with a dux ducis cover
so between the two it adds to nearly 750 grams which is over 1.5 pounds.
youd know about it if you lounging on the couch holding it in portrait.

the quality is class though

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

happy days !

i meant to do a review of it ( i have it about three days now) but ill wait till next week.

first quick impressions.. it does exactly what i wanted it for in that its a valid replacement for my paper notepad.... and it is perfect for on site pdf form filling.

its heavy, i have it with a dux ducis cover
so between the two it adds to nearly 750 grams which is over 1.5 pounds.
youd know about it if you lounging on the couch holding it in portrait.

the quality is class though

so what's the long-term review?

sydthebeat

glasso wrote: »

so what's the long-term review?

ok so about a month into it....

Its brilliant, simply brilliant. i wanted it as a replacement to my pukka pads that i go through a lot, and i guess i didnt really believe it that it would 100% replacement but its gone above and beyond. just looked at my pad and my last written note there is from the start of march

there was some teething issues with the OneUI that were to be expected. I was finding it frustrating that i couldnt simply save straight from the app to google drive... and what i was doing was saving to "documents" and then moving to google drive. Eventually read somewhere that its simply a case of "sharing" from the app straight to google drive and thats working perfectly.
even moving photos from the camera to google drive is great through this sharing tool... especially as it remembers the last folder accessed.

write to pdf is probably the app i use most, due to work. I used to go around with a clipboard, 2 different colour pens and my phone for the camera taking surveys of buildings ... not anymore. i can draw the plans, measure, annotate in different colours as necessary.. highlight areas... and zoom in to write small notes, take pics etc all on the one device.

i messed around with autocad sketchbook as a drawing pad, good fun and something ill look more at for enhancing design drawings.

The pen is comfortable, no issues at all with it, and the side button as an eraser is a great touch. i actually like the little sound you get when writing / drawing, though im sure loads might turn that off.

all functionality with the suite google too. calendar / gmail / photos / maps etc all work a threat ... and great in helping me organise and keeping me interlinked with my PC and phone.

i didnt bother getting the sim version, and no need to in my opinion as i hotspot off my phone when necessary without issue.

some of my more obscure apps arent optimised for tab, but that is no problem really as all the most used ones are.

the one thing i would have liked is a flash on the camera, but at the price point im happy to forgo it. I think ive had to use my phone twice to take a pic that i couldnt get with the tab. if i was upgrading id look for a flash and possibly a better camera, but again, at that price point its more than good enough.

and i guess i havent even scratched the surface of what can be done on this.

so all in all.... i should have had this years ago !!!