The Tablet That'll Soon Replace My Notebook
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The Tab Ultra C—a 10.3 inch tablet from an obscure electronic reader company called Onyx Boox—arrived in my mailbox a few weeks ago, and I still can’t believe it exists. It's a full-fledged E Ink computer that runs on Android software, works with bluetooth keyboards, comes with a stylus, and somehow, the screen is full color.
It. Does. Everything.
But most of all, because it's E Ink, it doesn't hurt your eyes. Finally, I can take off those blue light-blocker glasses.
The Tab Ultra C takes the concept of electronic reading and supercharges it. Since it runs on Android, you’re not limited to just the apps available on the device, as you would be on other eReaders like the Kindle. The Google Play store is sitting right there with thousands of choices. If you want to run, say, Microsoft Office, you can. All of your eBooks books will load right up on your app of choice. You can even listen to music from Spotify or YouTube on the onboard speakers while you read, or type, or scribble!
Tab Ultra C
$599.99
amazon.com
Yes, you can write by hand on this thing. And, to my surprise, taking notes is surprisingly smooth. The E Ink screen is not as fast or responsive as an iPad or your other usual touch screen devices, but you get used to it pretty quickly. Marking up documents, too, is a synch. It's as intuitive as just jotting down your thoughts between the lines, as you normally would on a printed page. And of course, instead of taking up space in your desk drawer, everything can be saved digitally, or to whatever cloud service you prefer. The future, folks.
And typing is just as effortless. I paired it with the Onyx Boox Magnetic Keyboard Cover. While the keys are more cramped than I’d like, after a few hours of practice, my muscle memory kicked in, and now I’m flying—even as I type this. Since I can log a ton of hours on this thing without a single eye twitch, it’s quickly become my device of choice for getting all my thoughts down on (e)paper.
The Tab Ultra C isn’t the only one out there. Ever since I started testing out this tablet, I’ve begun to see a number of these high-end eReaders on my Instagram feed. There’s the ReMarkable, which I haven’t been able to try myself, but I’ve heard it’s a pretty deluxe experience despite not having a backlight. Other note-taking devices include the Freewrite Traveler, the Supernote, and even Amazon is getting in the game with the Kindle Scribe, which comes with a stylus. But the Tab Ultra C takes the cake because it just does it all. In fact it may be too capable for its own good.
That said, there are a couple areas for improvement before I fully replace my notebook or iPad. To start, the speakers are just alright (but comparable for this type of device) and the native apps that come with the device are a bit odd (sometimes the clock on my home screen randomly changes to a different language). The color screen is what makes this tablet amazing, but as far as the future goes, I only see it getting better.
As a video producer, movie podcast host, and gamer who’s hopelessly devoted to Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, I consume a lot of blue light. And with the emergence of new tech like Apple’s crazy-looking VR headset, the chances of my blue light intake going down anytime soon seems pretty slim. So a device like the Tab Ultra C appeals to me not only from a writer’s perspective, but from the wellness side of things too. Sure, the price isn't the cheapest on the market, but giving your eyes a break is priceless.
Shop Now $559 amazon.com
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