Max2 as a writing tool

[Randy11]

Originally Posted by mdp

Rich text with standard format compatibility is not trivial. Unless it is HTML+CSS...

Not sure : Vim + LaTeX

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Randy11

Not sure : Vim + LaTeX

With WYSIWYG fine grained paragraph styles, multisize multifont and justification?

I am not writing a kernel, LOL!

[Duolive2]

Originally Posted by mdp

Source?

The achievable speed must, in a way or another, be achievable by all devices mounting the same screen.

The known limit of that EPD screen is 125ms (I gave it 25 more for processing), must be valid for all.

it's the paperlike HD of dasung the 3rd generation, I think with the Floyd mode it will be good to achieve this speed on max 2.

[batdog]

Anything wrong with using a bluetooth keyboard? Seems like a lot less of an embuggerance than usb.

Be cool if someone wise could write some sort of a guide to the best performance settings for writing. I'm waiting on the reviews of the onyx note, and am seriously considering buying one (if it turns out not to have some of the max2's negative quirks).

[schrodinger]

Hi everyone I'm new here, I own a Boox Max 2 since some week and using it heavily as a monitor (due to migraines)
however, I'm quite intrigued in using it as a writing device,
and dropped here looking for answers on the same questions: how to plug an USB keyboard into the device?
I stumbled upon this:
http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-B2B120/
it made me curious because it says it doesn't require charge,
does Samsung Galaxy phones provide USB power from their connectors..?
Or does this device not require USB power... and so could this work with the Boox Max 2?

I can't really think of using the split cable with external power supply,
as it would ruin the portability of the solution (needing a power outlet or a laptop to power the keyboard), so if the solution above does not work,
I was thinking at:
1) battery powered USB keyboard (not found, does it exist?)
2) regular USB keyboard + the famouse split cable with power supply drawn from a USB power bank... has anyone tried, could this work?

Sure a bluetooth keyboard would be the quickest solution, but I'm looking for a wired piece.

Thank you for any suggestion or advice, and for sharing all those infos so far!

[Randy11]

2) regular USB keyboard + the famouse split cable with power supply drawn from a USB power bank... has anyone tried, could this work?

Hello,
This solution seems to me the easiest to use. The Max2 doesn't support the OTG mode, so no power for the keyboard. You could read this forum [GUIDE] OTG devices with Onyx boox where in the first post there is :

What works: Keyboard, Mouse, Pendrive (external storage), etc

I doubt that you can find a wired keyboard with a battery.

[schrodinger]

Thank you Randy, I'm probably heading for the power bank then!
I can always tape it to the keyboard and so make it as it was a battery powered one

[Pajamaman]

I used a BT keyboard with an Android port of Vim. It was fast enough. No big lag. But obviously no rich text. But you do not need a mouse.

[ballballb]

I read many comments on a Chinese website which complain on the second monitor mode. Many say it is too slow, and some even say it is unusable.
Since the comments were old, I don't know if the latest update solved the problem or not.
I am very interested in this machine, and going to use it as a writing tool. Could someone help me answer the following questions?

1 In what mode the machine performs better as a writing tool? Android with keyboard, or connecting it to a PC as a second monitor? I personally prefer the second monitor mode, since it gives me more space to work.

2 Is the second monitor mode acceptable for word processing? Since I don't need grey scales to do my writing work, I think I can use the A2 mode. Is there an obvious delay when you type in the A2 mode?

3 How long the battery can last in the second monitor mode and the android mode respectively?

4 Bluetooth or usb keyboard, which one is better?

Thanks in advance!

[Randy11]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

I used a BT keyboard with an Android port of Vim. It was fast enough. No big lag. But obviously no rich text. But you do not need a mouse.

'Not rich text' ? If you want a WYSIWYG solution it's true, but there is many other solutions to have a superb result : LaTeX, DocBook, HTML, etc.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Randy11

'Not rich text' ? If you want a WYSIWYG solution it's true

While (or not) you edit them, do you read your text in MS' RTF markup? ; )

[mdp]

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

But you do not need a mouse.

You have a touchscreen...

[mdp]

Originally Posted by ballballb

monitor mode. Many say it is too slow, and some even say it is unusable [...] I don't know if the latest update solved the problem or not.

1 In what mode the machine performs better as a writing tool? Android with keyboard, or connecting it to a PC as a second monitor? I personally prefer the second monitor mode, since it gives me more space to work.

2 Is the second monitor mode acceptable for word processing? Since I don't need grey scales to do my writing work, I think I can use the A2 mode. Is there an obvious delay when you type in the A2 mode?

3 How long the battery can last in the second monitor mode and the android mode respectively?

4 Bluetooth or usb keyboard, which one is better?

You will also notice that some say the Monitor speed is usable: it depends on you.
I am not sure that "updates" are the key: E-Ink's EPD has at least a structural lag. Then, there are tricks to be known and it's a troubleshooting matter (if you find yourself in an odd situation).
Performance depends on your metrics. If your idea is "t(render) - t(keypress)", probably A2 on native Android EditText based. But that may not be a good metric. I can already advance: look, solutions are many, it will depend where you want to compromise. Desktop applications are more featureful.
I think desktop-based Office Automation is doable, there's a hint in one of my videos - I have not yet immersed in real-world extensive experience. It was encouraging enough to couple my Max2 with a mini-PC.
A2 vs greyscale is a matter of context.
A2 has a minimum delay of 125ms.
The system, (power-) offline, last hours, and online also the tablet is connected.
My BT keyboard lasts very long, but buy one with the most keys, best layout etc.

I am pretty sure you should skim through the relevant threads in the forum, there are a few.
Do that, then: the device offers you a myriad solutions.

[peter68]

Originally Posted by ballballb

I read many comments on a Chinese website which complain on the second monitor mode. Many say it is too slow, and some even say it is unusable.
[...]Could someone help me answer the following questions?

1 In what mode the machine performs better as a writing tool? Android with keyboard, or connecting it to a PC as a second monitor? I personally prefer the second monitor mode, since it gives me more space to work.

2 Is the second monitor mode acceptable for word processing? Since I don't need grey scales to do my writing work, I think I can use the A2 mode. Is there an obvious delay when you type in the A2 mode?

3 How long the battery can last in the second monitor mode and the android mode respectively?

4 Bluetooth or usb keyboard, which one is better?

It really depends on your typing speed. If you type fast, above the average, the lag can be a problem, because you cannot detect your mistakes immediately, but after that you have typed 4-5 characters (it really depends on your speed). This means that you must go back, and this makes corrections slower than with a regular desktop PC.

Said that, there are many big advantages (outdoor usage, no fan, much easier to focus on a E-INK screen, etc.). I try to slowdown a little bit when I type so that I can correct immediately my mistakes.

I prefer the A2 mode, without A2 there is an annoying shadow effect due to blinking cursors.

If you use it as a second monitor, you must keep the MAX2 powered (they also say that on the manual). Alternatively, buy a very good powerbank. Remember that the MAX2 needs at least 2A to recharge.

Both BT and USB keyboards perform well. For USB you need a special cable (check on the forum, it has been discussed many times). I recommend using External Keyboard Helper Pro.

In conclusion, the E-INK technology is not mature enough to be a complete replacement for conventional displays, but I can say that the MAX2 is a very good solution for writing. As soon as someone comes out with a solution with a much smaller lag, I would buy it immediately.

[ballballb]

Thank you very much to mdp and Peter!

I think I will buy it. But I have one final question.
My last worry is the cursor. I saw video in youtube which shows serious afterimage of the cursor. So I would like to know if this happens in A2 mode?
Since I heavily depend on mouse control, I find the afterimage annoying. If this problem is solved in A2 mode. This machine will be mind!