17 January 2024 , 18:00
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Torn between a Kindle and a Kobo? Why not have both in one device? The Boox Page, by Onyx is a 7" version of the brand's popular range of e-ink tablets. I've tested a few from the range, and I'm always impressed.
E-readers are a handy thing to have on hand if you're the sort that, like me, loves to dip in and out of a book whenever there's a dull moment. But sourcing the books is becoming a complex affair, with different platforms to sign up to and, usually, different devices to choose from depending upon which ecosystem you favour.
But by bundling in the basic functions of a conventional Android tablet with an e-ink e-reader, the Boox Page gets around this system. Because it has an app store.
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This means you can source your books from pretty much anywhere. Even by doing a Google search from its on-board browser.
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There are other benefits from having a tablet lurking within your e-reader. Among the obvious ones I've found have been access to apps such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Dropbox. This makes sharing files you've procured from other devices really easy, and adds to the complete cross-platform diversity you can enjoy with an Android-based e-reader.
It is worth, however, bearing in mind that using its tablet features will have limitations based on the lack of colour and a frame-rate for videos, but it does do a fairly decent job of rendering content.
In terms of reading ebooks, the Boox Page is a fine companion when you want to settle in to a good novel. The display is bright and clear, with plenty of settings to help you get the display's colour and back-lighting just how you like it.
All the usual modern e-reader features are present and correct, and you can alter settings such as how to turn the page, the size of the text, and its beefy processor (a Qualcomm advanced octa-core CPU with 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM if you want to get geeky) makes for a very responsive interface.
There's a built-in speaker for audiobooks, but the speaker is a bit weak. Bluetooth is included though, so you can hook it up to some earbuds. You can also use the audio function to listen to music while you read, if that's what you fancy.
It's fair to say the array of features the Boox Page packs in makes the process of navigating its interface rather complicated. There's a lot to learn with this e-reader, especially if you start making use of the app services and jump from platform to platform.
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But it is easy to just pick up and play with, if all you want to do is read content on the screen. Although, if that's all you're buying it for, you might find the price a bit offputting, as a Kindle of a similar size would be cheaper.
That's if you can find one. There's limited availability on Onyx's website, I can't see any on Amazon, but I did find one on eBay at a shade under £300 - plus shipping.
Battery life is excellent though, and it's able to charge quickly, but I wish it was water-resistant. It's a shame not to see that at this price. It's also available with a leather cover, which is a lovely thing, but adds to the cost.
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But it's fair to say, it has to be one of the most cutting-edge 7" e-readers out there, and its ability to connect to an array of different platforms will be a big enough selling point for some people.
If you happen to be one of those people, this will be the perfect device for you. It might be pricey, and it might have more tech built in than most people strictly need, but it's a great thing to have by your side. Possibly one of the best compact e-readers out there, in fact.