Best e-reader (with note taking?) for PDFs in 2025

[Moonbase59]

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

I was mainly looking at the 14 Pro for its larger battery and RAM, (slightly) faster CPU, and the NITs (bad experiences with notebooks in sunlight). Definitely absolutely no gaming here. ;-)

At that size, a keyboard stand/cover would be great (if available with German layout). Do you by chance have such or know bout availability? Would be nice to also use that thingy for a little actual writing, without also having to tote the notebook around.

Btw, ever tried the NXTPAPER 11? I could get a used one cheap.

[Quoth]

I have the regular nxtpaper 11 (not pro) as well as the Nxtpaper 14. The 14 is better for PDFs, but the 11 is marginally better for Notes.

I use Google's off-line version of Gboard for real time handwriting (finger tip or dumb stylus on Nxtpaper 40 and finger tip or "pen" on the 11 & 14. Jota or Jota+ text editor. But I also have My Write's Nebo. The Kobo version is crippled/ cutdown and missing real time text preview and PDF annotation.

Both my 11 & 14 came with pen (USI protocol) and cover/stand. All 3 work with USB or BT keyboards. I have one BT that is almost like the Cherry Stream TKL (i.e. no numeric pad).

I've used a DE keyboard in preference to US with UK layout in Switzerland.

I find "fake" UK BT keyboards that are really US ones (missing key) annoying and for a laptop I bought a Finnish keyboard to replace a UK one because the US one is missing a key. I swapped caps.

Oddly I have a Micro USB and a Mini USB cover/keyboard for a tablet which has USA layout but the extra key, so I used black nail varnish and white paint pen to change them to UK legends.

Older Android only had USA layout (not UK), which might explain it.

All 3 of my Nxtpaper devices are fine in sunlight (Nxtpaper 40 4G phone).

The regular TCL Nxtpaper 14 (the one I bought Nov 2024)
8GB RAM (+8GB RAM Expansion), 10,000mAh, 256GB Flash Storage, 14.25″, 3:2 Aspect. USB-C is the only port (no SD-Card or 3.5mm jack)

The +8 (or +4 or +6 depending on model) is simply using Flash as virtual memory. Unless you doing something mad, a 4G RAM is plenty.

My Nxtpaper 11 is 10.9″ screen of about 16:10 and 128G Flash, but has an SD card slot which certainly supports at least 1T (I have a 512G as they are more reliable / better value). No 3.5mm jack.

My Nxtpaper 40 4G phone has dual SIM and micro SD card on one tray and the 3.5mm jack, so better for MP3 music or podcasts or audiobooks than any eink.

[Moonbase59]

Thanks a bundle for that experience feedback! Think 100€ a good price for NXTPAPER 11 (non-Pro), without any accessories?

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Moonbase59

Thanks a bundle for that experience feedback! Think 100€ a good price for NXTPAPER 11 (non-Pro), without any accessories?

Sounds a good price. Usual caveats on used gadgets apply. Hope it has the charger as not all chargers are compatible for "fast". I think it uses a Qualcomm protocol at the USB-A four pin charger end, but I'm not sure as to the protocol. Ordinary USB 2.x USB-A to USB-C cable. Europlug, no doubt because I bought it from Germany.

The chargers that came with the TCL Nxtpaper 40 4G and TCL Nxtpaper 14 are both UK type plugs and USB-C sockets on the charger, but not needing USB 3.0 cables and list two protocols on the body.