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Hrafn · 07-04-2020, 02:16 AM

My Boox Monte Cristo 4 has become increasingly flaky, so I'm looking for a replacement. I could simply buy the MC5, but given that the MC4 only lasted about 18 months (and my prior Kepler Pro, from the same Kepler/MC series, didn't last very long either), and required manual install of an App Store, I'm looking for something different.

I'm after a light/slim 6" 300ppi reader, with a flush bezel and android. I would consider a(n especially light & svelte) 6.8/7", but those seem to be thin on the ground these days. I suffer from Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, so the lighter the better.

The only apps I'm going to be installing are Alreader & SyncMe (WiFi syncing app).

I'll mainly be using it for reading at home (where I'll use it without a case), but will occasionally want to put it into a coat pocket or backpack, so a removable case will be needed.

I'd prefer page-turn buttons, but I know that they're becoming increasingly rare (plus I've never come across buttons on my previous reader that I've been completely satisfied with).

I'm in NZ, but am quite happy to source purchases from anywhere in the world (e.g. Europe, US or Asia).

My main contenders currently seem to be the Boox Poke 2 & the InkBOOK Prime HD.

Poke 2
Pros

Apparent build quality
Comes with App store
Newer Android version

Cons

No page turn buttons
No micro-SD card slot (minor: I do prefer to keep my books in a separate volume from my OS)
Small battery size (minor)
Stock, stick-on case would be useless for me (so I'll have to buy a third-party case)
More expensive

Prime HD
Pros

Page-turn buttons (but I have heard that they're somewhat flimsy)
Micro-SD card slot
Larger battery
Better case
Cheaper

Cons

Build quality questions (I have heard that the screen lacks a backplane, and so is more vulnerable to torsion damage)
No App store (at least in the reviews I've seen, this may have changed)
Older Android version (minor: I'm only going to be installing 2 apps anyway)

Any help clarifying these issues, or any suggestions of comparable readers that I haven't evaluated, would be helpful. I'd be especially interested in anybody who has first-hand experience with both of them (so can do a direct comparison).

07-04-2020, 02:16 AM	#1
Hrafn Fanatic Posts: 520 Karma: 846170 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Zealand Device: Onyx Boox Poke 5, Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e 10.5	Boox Poke 2 vs InkBOOK Prime HD My Boox Monte Cristo 4 has become increasingly flaky, so I'm looking for a replacement. I could simply buy the MC5, but given that the MC4 only lasted about 18 months (and my prior Kepler Pro, from the same Kepler/MC series, didn't last very long either), and required manual install of an App Store, I'm looking for something different. I'm after a light/slim 6" 300ppi reader, with a flush bezel and android. I would consider a(n especially light & svelte) 6.8/7", but those seem to be thin on the ground these days. I suffer from Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, so the lighter the better. The only apps I'm going to be installing are Alreader & SyncMe (WiFi syncing app). I'll mainly be using it for reading at home (where I'll use it without a case), but will occasionally want to put it into a coat pocket or backpack, so a removable case will be needed. I'd prefer page-turn buttons, but I know that they're becoming increasingly rare (plus I've never come across buttons on my previous reader that I've been completely satisfied with). I'm in NZ, but am quite happy to source purchases from anywhere in the world (e.g. Europe, US or Asia). My main contenders currently seem to be the Boox Poke 2 & the InkBOOK Prime HD. Poke 2 Pros Apparent build quality Comes with App store Newer Android version Cons No page turn buttons No micro-SD card slot (minor: I do prefer to keep my books in a separate volume from my OS) Small battery size (minor) Stock, stick-on case would be useless for me (so I'll have to buy a third-party case) More expensive Prime HD Pros Page-turn buttons (but I have heard that they're somewhat flimsy) Micro-SD card slot Larger battery Better case Cheaper Cons Build quality questions (I have heard that the screen lacks a backplane, and so is more vulnerable to torsion damage) No App store (at least in the reviews I've seen, this may have changed) Older Android version (minor: I'm only going to be installing 2 apps anyway) Any help clarifying these issues, or any suggestions of comparable readers that I haven't evaluated, would be helpful. I'd be especially interested in anybody who has first-hand experience with both of them (so can do a direct comparison).