Do E-Ink Tablets offer the Same (or Beeter) as a Chromebook?

jgbout · 03-12-2021, 09:33 PM

Thanks to a couple regular repliers to my ongoing attempt to figure out if I can move to an e-ink Android Tablet, I believe I've been asking the "wrong" questions. That is, the main point or expectation of my question was not properly expressed.

Let me put things this way.

IF I am happy with what a Chromebook offers in the way of Word Processing, that is, performance and functionality for a writer...

...will a solid E-Ink Android Tablet, like the Likebook Alita or Boox Note 3 (more likely the Alita) offer the SAME or better experience (performace, functionality for word processing) -- just easier on the eyes for extended periods ?

((this takes into account the fact some people feel chromebooks are lacking in this respect, which I don't find, but if the Tablet can't produce this, then it may indeed not be up to my needs))

MarjaE · 03-12-2021, 10:25 PM

I can't compare with a Chromebook but with a Likebook Mars:

1. I have some trouble with the touchscreen. Turning on the dev option to show taps help. Getting an external keyboard also helps. Unfortunately many of these keyboards rely on the fn key for navigation or even punctuation.

2. I have a lot of trouble finding apps which work with the e-ink screen without added flashing. e.g. scrolling can cause flashing.

3. I think this is in common with Chromebooks, but I have trouble finding apps where text insertion cursors don't blink, and went with a note-taking app which had dark mode which at least reduced contrast. Another user suggested another app.

I can use it to take notes, but with my accessibility needs, I wouldn't try to use it to write anything longer. If you have one of the larger devices, and you have a good keyboard stand, and you don't have trouble with flashing, then it might work fairly well.

jgbout · 03-12-2021, 10:33 PM

Thanks.
Sorry yes, the Alita I'm looking at is a 10.3"

Apps causing screen flashing would be annoying if you are using one of these to reduce eye strain and headaches....

jgbout · 03-12-2021, 10:34 PM

((title should be do e-Tablets offer same or BETTER... ugh, and I'm supposed to be a writer...))

ottischwenk · 03-13-2021, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbout

Thanks to a couple regular repliers to my ongoing attempt to figure out if I can move to an e-ink Android Tablet, I believe I've been asking the "wrong" questions. That is, the main point or expectation of my question was not properly expressed.

Let me put things this way.

IF I am happy with what a Chromebook offers in the way of Word Processing, that is, performance and functionality for a writer...

...will a solid E-Ink Android Tablet, like the Likebook Alita or Boox Note 3 (more likely the Alita) offer the SAME or better experience (performace, functionality for word processing) -- just easier on the eyes for extended periods ?

((this takes into account the fact some people feel chromebooks are lacking in this respect, which I don't find, but if the Tablet can't produce this, then it may indeed not be up to my needs))

I get a headache from prolonged color screen work, so I use EInk for input and viewing.

I don't know the Chromebook.
But of course EInk tablets don't do what I can do with my workstation - I don't care about the formatting capabilities of the text entry application either.

I use Boox Note Air for keyboard input of texts (landscape format), which I then format on the workstation - I don't need a lot of storage because the data is transferred to the workstation for format creation and final processing.

I use Likebook Alita almost exclusively for handwritten notes and comments (portrait format) in PDF files - that takes up a lot of space.
Keyboard input works too, of course, but I rarely use it here.

I then display formatted texts on the EInk devices.

murraypaul · 03-13-2021, 05:40 AM

I think if you were doing any prolonged wordprocessing work the slow refresh of an eInk screen would be extremely frustrating. Imagine a 1/10s delay each time you type a character or move the cursor.

fbrzvnrnd · 03-13-2021, 06:20 AM

A problem with Onyx Boox Note3 is the missing "work space" for educational profiles (Classroom, Gmail, et ceterae)

ottischwenk · 03-13-2021, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murraypaul

I think if you were doing any prolonged wordprocessing work the slow refresh of an eInk screen would be extremely frustrating. Imagine a 1/10s delay each time you type a character or move the cursor.

I have the impression that none of my devices take that long.

jgbout · 03-13-2021, 11:56 AM

I thought the e-ink devices that had Google Play also had Gmail?
I saw it on a number of Youtube reviews ?

I'm a 3-4 finger typer. 3-4 words looking at the screen, then 2-3 words at the keyboard. Probably wouldn't mind the bit of lag.

But it would need to perform at least what I can on a Chromebook 8(

JSWolf · 03-13-2021, 12:20 PM

It would be cheaper to get a Windows Laptop and forgo a Chromebook and 10.3" Andro01id eInk Reader.

jgbout · 03-13-2021, 12:29 PM

Hey Jon, well, I waited at least 6 months and paid $600 for my Chromebook, so, fraid that is a set part of the equation now , haha.

But, yeah, I believe I've been talked out of getting an e-ink Tablet and will make use of my Chromebook (it really is a top notch model.)

I think the tablet would work for me as far as starting and finishing a project, but perhaps the moving around within the document to edit it would get bothersome.

Appreciate all the helps.
Looks like I'm out of the e-ink environment for now.
I thought about going Likebook Ares for a "reader" instead of a Kobo Forma (have a Libre) but the price difference here is still too high.

Thanks again

ottischwenk · 03-13-2021, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It would be cheaper to get a Windows Laptop and forgo a Chromebook and 10.3" Andro01id eInk Reader.

With a Windows laptop you don't have an EInk screen.
But EInk tablets are more suitable for viewing files than for creating them.

JSWolf · 03-13-2021, 12:50 PM

$600 for a crippled laptop with a crippled OS? WOW!

jgbout · 03-13-2021, 12:54 PM

Actually, for latest Chromebooks with Chrome, Android, Linux, 128GB storage, Touchscreen, backlit high travel keyboard, etc.... $600 is on the cheaper end ($600can that is, ugh.....)

And for me, what the Chrome can do, I love. I've been living in the browser on my PC for about 5 years.

ottischwenk · 03-13-2021, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbout

I thought about going Likebook Ares for a "reader" instead of a Kobo Forma (have a Libre) but the price difference here is still too high.

Why Ares? As a reader, I would prefer Mars.

03-12-2021, 09:33 PM	#1
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	Do E-Ink Tablets offer the Same (or Beeter) as a Chromebook? Thanks to a couple regular repliers to my ongoing attempt to figure out if I can move to an e-ink Android Tablet, I believe I've been asking the "wrong" questions. That is, the main point or expectation of my question was not properly expressed. Let me put things this way. IF I am happy with what a Chromebook offers in the way of Word Processing, that is, performance and functionality for a writer... ...will a solid E-Ink Android Tablet, like the Likebook Alita or Boox Note 3 (more likely the Alita) offer the SAME or better experience (performace, functionality for word processing) -- just easier on the eyes for extended periods ? ((this takes into account the fact some people feel chromebooks are lacking in this respect, which I don't find, but if the Tablet can't produce this, then it may indeed not be up to my needs))

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03-12-2021, 10:25 PM	#2
MarjaE Guru Posts: 937 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	I can't compare with a Chromebook but with a Likebook Mars: 1. I have some trouble with the touchscreen. Turning on the dev option to show taps help. Getting an external keyboard also helps. Unfortunately many of these keyboards rely on the fn key for navigation or even punctuation. 2. I have a lot of trouble finding apps which work with the e-ink screen without added flashing. e.g. scrolling can cause flashing. 3. I think this is in common with Chromebooks, but I have trouble finding apps where text insertion cursors don't blink, and went with a note-taking app which had dark mode which at least reduced contrast. Another user suggested another app. I can use it to take notes, but with my accessibility needs, I wouldn't try to use it to write anything longer. If you have one of the larger devices, and you have a good keyboard stand, and you don't have trouble with flashing, then it might work fairly well.

03-12-2021, 10:33 PM	#3
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	Thanks. Sorry yes, the Alita I'm looking at is a 10.3" Apps causing screen flashing would be annoying if you are using one of these to reduce eye strain and headaches....

03-12-2021, 10:34 PM	#4
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	((title should be do e-Tablets offer same or BETTER... ugh, and I'm supposed to be a writer...))

03-13-2021, 05:40 AM	#6
murraypaul Interested Bystander Posts: 3,726 Karma: 19728152 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Note 4, Kobo One	I think if you were doing any prolonged wordprocessing work the slow refresh of an eInk screen would be extremely frustrating. Imagine a 1/10s delay each time you type a character or move the cursor.

03-13-2021, 06:20 AM	#7
fbrzvnrnd Fanatic Posts: 557 Karma: 400004 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: ONYX M96	A problem with Onyx Boox Note3 is the missing "work space" for educational profiles (Classroom, Gmail, et ceterae)

03-13-2021, 11:56 AM	#9
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	I thought the e-ink devices that had Google Play also had Gmail? I saw it on a number of Youtube reviews ? I'm a 3-4 finger typer. 3-4 words looking at the screen, then 2-3 words at the keyboard. Probably wouldn't mind the bit of lag. But it would need to perform at least what I can on a Chromebook 8(

03-13-2021, 12:20 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	It would be cheaper to get a Windows Laptop and forgo a Chromebook and 10.3" Andro01id eInk Reader.

03-13-2021, 12:29 PM	#11
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	Hey Jon, well, I waited at least 6 months and paid $600 for my Chromebook, so, fraid that is a set part of the equation now , haha. But, yeah, I believe I've been talked out of getting an e-ink Tablet and will make use of my Chromebook (it really is a top notch model.) I think the tablet would work for me as far as starting and finishing a project, but perhaps the moving around within the document to edit it would get bothersome. Appreciate all the helps. Looks like I'm out of the e-ink environment for now. I thought about going Likebook Ares for a "reader" instead of a Kobo Forma (have a Libre) but the price difference here is still too high. Thanks again

03-13-2021, 12:50 PM	#13
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	$600 for a crippled laptop with a crippled OS? WOW!

03-13-2021, 12:54 PM	#14
jgbout Groupie Posts: 190 Karma: 20210 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: none	Actually, for latest Chromebooks with Chrome, Android, Linux, 128GB storage, Touchscreen, backlit high travel keyboard, etc.... $600 is on the cheaper end ($600can that is, ugh.....) And for me, what the Chrome can do, I love. I've been living in the browser on my PC for about 5 years.

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