Onyx Boox as monitor

[whopper]

Originally Posted by tracey1

Thanks for responding. What I meant by that is simply whether it does a good and sufficient job at things like browsing, researching and writing while used as a monitor. Reading your posts, I get the feeling that it certainly does those things well enough ? For example, I have an E ink phone and I find its performance more than sufficient for any task while others may find it unsatisfying.

Regarding the battery, is it possible to simply use the Max 2 with the battery being charged, just like you would use a laptop ?

The only big problem when using it as a monitor, is that the native app doesn't use the full screen resolution, so you are forced to use better alternatives like spacedesk, but those ones have a worse refresh rate, so you suffer if you try to scroll fast or use the mouse like a normal computer.

If you want to use a browser on the max, read and not move much between things with fast scrolling, and you use page up page down to do it, will work fine, If you are going to use it to edit text or similar things, also fine, otherwise, it's a hit and miss.

[tracey1]

Originally Posted by whopper

The only big problem when using it as a monitor, is that the native app doesn't use the full screen resolution, so you are forced to use better alternatives like spacedesk, but those ones have a worse refresh rate, so you suffer if you try to scroll fast or use the mouse like a normal computer.

If you want to use a browser on the max, read and not move much between things with fast scrolling, and you use page up page down to do it, will work fine, If you are going to use it to edit text or similar things, also fine, otherwise, it's a hit and miss.

Interesting. Can you define 'otherwise'?
I certainly would use it to do some research on the web and for writing essays for instance so being able to use a program like Word would be of great help.

[whopper]

Originally Posted by tracey1

Interesting. Can you define 'otherwise'?
I certainly would use it to do some research on the web and for writing essays for instance so being able to use a program like Word would be of great help.

using it as a normal desktop monitor. Moving windows, fast content like scrolling, multiple color palettes, switching constantly between apps, trying to use the mouse a lot, etc.

[Waiting4somethin]

Originally Posted by mdp

I don't know what you would do with it, but the most important thing in the past history was to overcome the SoloLite, with something fast /and normally featureful/ (do not forget that plenty of software does not work on the "Lite" CPU, e.g. in the context of "Monitor", standard proprietary Desktop Remote software) - which was done - and, achieved that, where would be the advantage of an Intel Core i9-9900K on an EPD based tablet?

If what you suggest is true, I am wrong to expect a performance increase. I suppose we'll find out (by seeing with our own eyes when watching videos of it) in the next few weeks.

It was said of "eewrite epad" that it has more responsive touch input than other devices. So I thought that there may be room for improvement there. Perhaps it's inconsequential.

I agree with your other points. I'm not a promoter I was just lazy in copying and pasting without comment.

[Waiting4somethin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrrrun6L68s

Video of Max3 monitor mode.

[newnu]

Originally Posted by Waiting4somethin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrrrun6L68s
Video of Max3 monitor mode.

Look like the default contrast in text mode is a bit too extreme, insofar as it ruins the icons. But in a full-screen Terminal screen or MS Word screen that contrast level that could be fine.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by newnu

Look like the default contrast in text mode is a bit too extreme, insofar as it ruins the icons. But in a full-screen Terminal screen or MS Word screen that contrast level that could be fine.

That is called A2. B/W - no 16 shades - to the advantage of speed.

With that mode you cannot get (e.g. font) smoothing.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by tracey1

Regarding the battery, is it possible to simply use the Max 2 with the battery being charged, just like you would use a laptop ?

Cable-wise, yes - but you would have to be near a power outlet. In mobility, you do not normally have those around. If you powered the tablet through the laptop, you would of course drain the laptop and wear its battery.

The lack of battery consumption optimization means that one would overdo device recharging, wearing it.

[mdp]

Originally Posted by whopper

The only big problem when using it as a monitor, is that the native app doesn't use the full [EPD display] screen resolution

That is the one problem that does not impact text editing and web browsing (or, only very minimally in comparison).

Originally Posted by whopper

better alternatives like spacedesk, but those ones have a worse refresh rate

Dramatically worse, also as people may be using Wi-Fi. Desktop remote should be done through cable. Which brings us to other lackings (tethering option, "do-not-charge-battery-while-USB-connected option" etc.)

[M4H35H]

Originally Posted by mdp

"do-not-charge-battery-while-USB-connected option"

Why not use a "data only" USB cable?

[mdp]

Originally Posted by M4H35H

Why not use a "data only" USB cable?

Preliminarly: finding them on the market. Could you please post some information about where to buy them data-only USB cables?

And in speculation: USB cables in which the "VCC", power (+5 volt) cable is disconnected (the rightmost when the four pins of the "flat" USB-A plug are facing upwards: in sequence they are "Ground, Data+, Data-, Power"), do not necessarily work - according to specifications, they easily may not.

But Android does have a flag which would disable battery charging (I think, along the lines of `echo 0 > /sys/class/power_supply/usb/device/charge` - not to be confused with other flags that only simulate power disconnection). But that is unavailable.

I think that, while there was discussion here about such cables in the past, nobody has tried them and posted results.

[diabl0w]

Originally Posted by mdp

Preliminarly: finding them on the market. Could you please post some information about where to buy them data-only USB cables?

And in speculation: USB cables in which the "VCC", power (+5 volt) cable is disconnected (the rightmost when the four pins of the "flat" USB-A plug are facing upwards: in sequence they are "Ground, Data+, Data-, Power"), do not necessarily work - according to specifications, they easily may not.

But Android does have a flag which would disable battery charging (I think, along the lines of `echo 0 > /sys/class/power_supply/usb/device/charge` - not to be confused with other flags that only simulate power disconnection). But that is unavailable.

I think that, while there was discussion here about such cables in the past, nobody has tried them and posted results.

I am a little confused, but it seems like you may know the answer to this question:

Is it possible to use USB peripherals via OTG while simultaneously charging the Max 3? I asked Onyx and they said yes, but I purchased this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07J9...b_b_asin_title and OTG mode worked but doesn't charge the Max3 at the same time

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by diabl0w

I am a little confused, but it seems like you may know the answer to this question:

Is it possible to use USB peripherals via OTG while simultaneously charging the Max 3? I asked Onyx and they said yes, but I purchased this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07J9...b_b_asin_title and OTG mode worked but doesn't charge the Max3 at the same time

This charges the connected devices, not the Max.

[diabl0w]

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

This charges the connected devices, not the Max.

Isn't that what I indicated in my post? ... Anyway, the pass-through charging of it works when I use my my Galaxy Note 8 as the host, so I know its not an issue with the adapter. Still looking for something that does the same for the Max 3

[diabl0w]

Sorry for the OT, but I did figure out a little trick. If you plug in the hub and power supply into Max3 without anything else attached and then reboot, it will be charging upon boot. Then if you insert the keyboard and mouse, it still wont work, only still charging... but if you are rooted you can "echo '1' > /sys/class/power_supply/usb/usb_otg" anddddd... viola! You have charging + OTG!