Eink-Tablet for writing and reading -- Sony Dpt-rp1?

[Henton]

Hi,
for studying's sake I'm looking for a device to write and read on. I stumbled over eInk Tablets and got interested; unfortunately I wasn't able to get a clear overwiev of what specific tablets can and what not.
To specify: I look for a reader/tablet that can
a) be used to write on it with a pen, several pages.
b) be used to read scripts and books (mostly pdf).
c) be used to annotate documents; best would be an option to add to every page of a document a page of notes.
d) transfer written documents without problems to a pc.
e) be used in a split screen setting (one document to read, one to write) or at least can switch effortlessly between two tabs.

A plus would be the possibility of connecting a keyboard.

From what I've read, Sony dpt-Series will most likly fit best, even though Onyx boox max 2 sounds promising too. Nevertheless, I haven't gotten a clou on which of dpt-s1 or dpt-rp1 would fit better.

(side fact: The device should be usable in Germany, but I don't think this is much of a hurdle for the selection)

I'm open to all suggestions and would be happy, if here is someone who could help.

Yours sincerely,
Henton

[Synergi]

Split screen? I Onyx books can be written on, are a large size but I’m not sure beyond that. My husband has one and gripes you need the pen to do anything with it. As for split screen maybe someone else knows. There are plenty of tablets that do everything you want except the e-ink. iPad that just came out or pro versions. Samsung Tab A with s-Pen. Samsung Tab S3, I picked up a Toshiba Encore write 2, with Pen for 75 off EBay but they are harder to find. The old 8’’ Samsung Note 8, or 10.1 and 12’’ just to name a few off the top of my head.

[Henton]

Thank you for your answer Synergi.
Hm, needing the pen for anything on Onyx sounds a little annoying.
For "normal" tablets, I've thougt about them, but the simplicity eink tablets offer (for better focus), as well as the screen being somewhat more like paper than like a typical screen made me focus on them.
Maybe I'll look around normal tablets again.

[gimble]

Originally Posted by Henton

Thank you for your answer Synergi.
Hm, needing the pen for anything on Onyx sounds a little annoying.
For "normal" tablets, I've thougt about them, but the simplicity eink tablets offer (for better focus), as well as the screen being somewhat more like paper than like a typical screen made me focus on them.
Maybe I'll look around normal tablets again.

Onyx's current 13.3" device supports both capacitive touch and stylus input. It is $100 more than the sony, but it is also faster and more responsive, especially with pdf files. The improved hardware specs makes it more capable and versatile as an android device.

If you can wait for a bit onyx also has a 10.3" device that is cheaper, but otherwise has the same functionality - it is currently sold out.

I believe Sony is coming up with a 10.3" device as well, but I don't like the software on their current devices (lacks many features and closed platform).

[Synergi]

The new iPad that came out supports pen but you have to buy it separately. Out readers (kindle paper white, husbands onyx book, Samsung Tab A, and Tab S3, I like iPad 2018 or pro. LiquidText pdf reader (look it up on YouTube it’s amazing) is almost reason enough to buy it alone.

I don’t think you can get more simple than iOS.

[Henton]

Thank you for your replies, Synergi and Gimble.

Originally Posted by gimble

Onyx's current 13.3" device supports both capacitive touch and stylus input. It is $100 more than the sony, but it is also faster and more responsive, especially with pdf files. The improved hardware specs makes it more capable and versatile as an android device.

That sounds good, but there are two things I've read about Onyx that hold me back:
a) Someone said that the Boox Max 2 crashes when you write to long texts with the pen.
b) I've heard that the notes can only be exportet in png format, whereas I need them in pdf.
Do you know if this is true? If this two points are not real, than Onyx will probably be my favourite.

Originally Posted by Synergi

The new iPad that came out supports pen but you have to buy it separately. Out readers (kindle paper white, husbands onyx book, Samsung Tab A, and Tab S3, I like iPad 2018 or pro. LiquidText pdf reader (look it up on YouTube it’s amazing) is almost reason enough to buy it alone.
I don’t think you can get more simple than iOS.

This liquid text application looks great. I'll inform myself about it, even so I'm normally shying away from apple products because they seem to me like a closed environment.
iOS is probably very simple, but I meant the fact that most of the eInk tablets offer nothing more than reading and writing which does not offer any distractions from work.

[Synergi]

What kind of stuff are you writing. I am writing a book, and LiquidText’s allow me to import my manuscript, all reference books I’m using in pdf, (I think I have 8 books imported into the workspace with my manuscript) and so much more. I have a canvas next to the book. If I find someone in book A that useful I drag the passage out of the book onto the unlimited canvas. Now let’s say I want to make notes, I can write on the pdf, and if I run out of room I can write on the canvas. If I have thousands of notes and snippets and I have no idea where in my notes the item pertains to or I don’t remember what reference book something came from, no problem. Click on the snippet and it takes you to the book and where you took it from. It forms a line back to the item sort of like a mindmap type linking system. I just can’t say enough good things about it. LOL.

True Apple is closed but Google was open and a fragmented mess and now they are abandoning tablets all together. They never did get the tablet support Apple has. It’s to bad because I love my Samsung tablets. They were just hampered by lack of true tablet software.

I can try to find out about the Onyx book as far as writing and file it saves in if you want. I’m like a pen and notaking addict but my husband hates he can’t just touch the screen. Loose the pen he can’t do anything with Onyx.

[gimble]

Originally Posted by Henton

Thank you for your replies, Synergi and Gimble.
That sounds good, but there are two things I've read about Onyx that hold me back:
a) Someone said that the Boox Max 2 crashes when you write to long texts with the pen.
b) I've heard that the notes can only be exportet in png format, whereas I need them in pdf.
Do you know if this is true? If this two points are not real, than Onyx will probably be my favourite.

a) Where did you read about the crashes. Onyx has released updated firmware a couple of times since launch in late 2017. I personally don't have an issue with the size of notes.

b) There are two kinds of notes actually.

1. For pdf documents, you can write with pen directly on the page, annotate with keyboard, or pull up a separate view that allows you to add any number additional pages of handwritten notes to each pdf page. When you are done with the document, the whole document can be exported along with all the scribbles, annotations, separate notes into a new pdf file - you can also specify in what color the notes should be exported as.

You can open different documents in separate tabs and switch between them easily - there is no split screen view to simultaneously look at two documents, however.

2. There is also a separate note taking app. In this app, notes are captured as png files. You will need to use a separate application to convert these into pdf. However, since this is android, if you are willing to explore and experiment, there are a number of convenient, free apps that can collate and convert png files into pdf.

[gimble]

Originally Posted by Synergi

True Apple is closed but Google was open and a fragmented mess and now they are abandoning tablets all together. They never did get the tablet support Apple has. It’s to bad because I love my Samsung tablets. They were just hampered by lack of true tablet software.

Google isn't dropping tablet support, just their own tablet lineup. Any manufacturer can still use android for pretty much any device.

It is true that Apple dominates the tablet space, and hence the app ecosystem takes better advantage of ipads as opposed to android tablets. For e-ink devices, android is the only option if you need app variety and customization.

[Henton]

Thank you very much for both of your answers, Gimble and Synergi!

Originally Posted by Synergi

What kind of stuff are you writing. I am writing a book, and LiquidText’s allow me to import my manuscript, all reference books I’m using in pdf, (I think I have 8 books imported into the workspace with my manuscript) and so much more. I have a canvas next to the book. If I find someone in book A that useful I drag the passage out of the book onto the unlimited canvas. Now let’s say I want to make notes, I can write on the pdf, and if I run out of room I can write on the canvas. If I have thousands of notes and snippets and I have no idea where in my notes the item pertains to or I don’t remember what reference book something came from, no problem. Click on the snippet and it takes you to the book and where you took it from. It forms a line back to the item sort of like a mindmap type linking system. I just can’t say enough good things about it. LOL.

True Apple is closed but Google was open and a fragmented mess and now they are abandoning tablets all together. They never did get the tablet support Apple has. It’s to bad because I love my Samsung tablets. They were just hampered by lack of true tablet software.

I can try to find out about the Onyx book as far as writing and file it saves in if you want. I’m like a pen and notaking addict but my husband hates he can’t just touch the screen. Loose the pen he can’t do anything with Onyx.

Okay, that liquidWriting application sounds very convenient.
Mostly I'm writing math formula, mixed with some text. I'm studying physics an look for a device I can use to get away from too much paper use. So a good note taking app is needed, as well as the ability to add notes to scripts and books.
The necessity of the pen for Onyx wouldn't bother me, if the rest works well, so to say if writing feels natural and the exporting of notes isn't a problem.
I believe Gimble answered the question of the exported file type, nevertheless thanks for the offering to look it up.

Originally Posted by gimble

a) Where did you read about the crashes. Onyx has released updated firmware a couple of times since launch in late 2017. I personally don't have an issue with the size of notes.

b) There are two kinds of notes actually.

1. For pdf documents, you can write with pen directly on the page, annotate with keyboard, or pull up a separate view that allows you to add any number additional pages of handwritten notes to each pdf page. When you are done with the document, the whole document can be exported along with all the scribbles, annotations, separate notes into a new pdf file - you can also specify in what color the notes should be exported as.

You can open different documents in separate tabs and switch between them easily - there is no split screen view to simultaneously look at two documents, however.

2. There is also a separate note taking app. In this app, notes are captured as png files. You will need to use a separate application to convert these into pdf. However, since this is android, if you are willing to explore and experiment, there are a number of convenient, free apps that can collate and convert png files into pdf.

to a) It was a comment to a review Video, unfortunately I'm unable to find it. Contentwise it said that the symbols used for note taking are stored in the RAM and therefore the device would crash if the text contains two many different symbols so that all RAM is used.


With none of you having any experiences of the Onyx crashing, it seems to be a good choice; but with all the praise for (Apple)Tablets, im seriously considering looking for "normal" tablets, even though I could probably go for something like a Lenovo Yoga if I'm not taking an eInk device. Still, not looking on a glaring screen is a huge plus of them. I'll have to sleep a nigth over this.

[gimble]

Originally Posted by Henton

The necessity of the pen for Onyx wouldn't bother me, if the rest works well, so to say if writing feels natural and the exporting of notes isn't a problem.
I believe Gimble answered the question of the exported file type, nevertheless thanks for the offering to look it up.

to a) It was a comment to a review Video, unfortunately I'm unable to find it. Contentwise it said that the symbols used for note taking are stored in the RAM and therefore the device would crash if the text contains two many different symbols so that all RAM is used.

The pen isn't necessary to operate Max2 (or the note 10.3 for that matter) as it has a capcitive touch layer in addition to a wacom compatible layer for its stylus. The pen is essential to operate the original Max as it does not have a separate touch layer - Max's stylus is not wacom compatible either. Max2 does not have that issue.

Also, as I stated previously, the note app which exports png is separate from note taking functionality on pdf files.

Regarding the crashing issues - were you looking at the same device (Onyx Max2) since it actually has 2GB of RAM which should be plenty for this purpose. Older devices came with less RAM. And as long as you save often, you shouldn't lose progress.

Btw, if writing is more important to you than reading, then consider the reMarkable eink device as well. It is much more focused on writing/note taking with a writing surface that has better friction and a variety of tips for its sylus. Probably the best handwriting device. As a reader, it is below average as the screen generally has lower contrast than other competing eink devices.

[Synergi]

Originally Posted by gimble

Google isn't dropping tablet support, just their own tablet lineup. Any manufacturer can still use android for pretty much any device.

It is true that Apple dominates the tablet space, and hence the app ecosystem takes better advantage of ipads as opposed to android tablets. For e-ink devices, android is the only option if you need app variety and customization.

Ahhh ok, I heard no tablet support in android n but they ment no nexus/pixel tablet support.

Agreed with everything else you said. I blame Google for not pushing tablet development from their 3rd parties. They allowed them to push phone apps which says a lot about what they think of the users experience. Even Samsung threw a contest and awarded prize money for app development towards software that uses its s-pen. Some nice apps came out of that contest. Google with all its mega billions should have ton something similar.

[Synergi]

Originally Posted by Henton

Thank you very much for both of your answers, Gimble and Synergi!



Okay, that liquidWriting application sounds very convenient.
Mostly I'm writing math formula, mixed with some text. I'm studying physics an look for a device I can use to get away from too much paper use. So a good note taking app is needed, as well as the ability to add notes to scripts and books.
The necessity of the pen for Onyx wouldn't bother me, if the rest works well, so to say if writing feels natural and the exporting of notes isn't a problem.
I believe Gimble answered the question of the exported file type, nevertheless thanks for the offering to look it up.



to a) It was a comment to a review Video, unfortunately I'm unable to find it. Contentwise it said that the symbols used for note taking are stored in the RAM and therefore the device would crash if the text contains two many different symbols so that all RAM is used.


With none of you having any experiences of the Onyx crashing, it seems to be a good choice; but with all the praise for (Apple)Tablets, im seriously considering looking for "normal" tablets, even though I could probably go for something like a Lenovo Yoga if I'm not taking an eInk device. Still, not looking on a glaring screen is a huge plus of them. I'll have to sleep a nigth over this.

I just ordered a kindle Oasis so I’m hardly against e-ink lol. But I personally can’t do a wall of notes in black and white. I like to highlight in different colors, circle mistakes in red, make notes in blue or what ever color because it’s another visual cue to help draw my eye to something I thought important to remember. I use to have entourage edge, and it would allow you to pick like red pen but on screen before export, it was all black and white.

[LordEastwood]

Hi Henton,
Considering your requirements, I would recommend the following:
Sony DPT-RP1 for editing and reading of PDF's and creating notes. There is the split screen option to show a text book and create a note side by side however, while usable, the experience is not as good as using all 13.3 inches for either task independently.
I think if I were in school today and had the resources, I would use the following two devices for study.
1. Sony DPT-RP1 - specific pdf tool and very lightweight
2. Surface Book - general purpose, lightweight laptop
To me this combination would be fantastic as you could easily export notes from the Sony into OneDrive on the Book or vice a versa. I have this combination today and can say that I use the Sony 90% of the time and then the book when I need to research online and want to take notes at the same time or, want to convert a epub into pdf using caliber for export to the Sony.
Regards,
-Michael

[Synergi]

Originally Posted by LordEastwood

Hi Henton,
then the book when I need to research online and want to take notes at the same time or, want to convert a epub into pdf using caliber for export to the Sony.
Regards,
-Michael

I have a Surface Pro 3 from years ago. The only difference my experience is from yours, I do all, start to finish on the iPad Pro now. But like you said, it depends on what everyone's needs is. I wanted a device that did everything (its why I have so many devices) I need with the most useful software.