2 Years with Several E-ink Tablets

I often ponder about what kind of things are worth getting with the limited amount of money i earn each month. And when i buy something, I make sure it is something i would use. I don't earn alot, but sufficient to be able to save up for select indulgences of which futuristic tech is one of. And with tech purchases, each purchase is always a personal one because it represents an ideal, a belief of how things could be better.

This same ideal held true when i decided to purchase the Boox Nova Air C. And it started with wanting to improve my memory. I read an article somewhere that writing by hand improved memory recall. Now you might be asking whether 2 years later after getting an E-ink tablet whether my memory actually improved. And to that i'll say that's hard to quantify.

But what i can say is that getting it gave me a certain clarity about what i wanted. Which was to be able to grow personally. To do something for myself beyond work, beyond the office hours. It was a purchase that symbolized an endeavour that i could be better or do something different. And that so happens to be Boox's mantra which is 'be different'.

Being different not for the sake of being different, but because you can possibly do things in a different way for the sake of growth. Somehow holding in my hand a Boox device was at first unnerving, because it drew curious stares from my colleagues. And initially it was a little intimidating having to explain what this device was and draw unnecessary attention to this new little gadget. On hindsight i was more embarrassed to explain that I actually bought this device because i had trouble remembering things.

As with new tech, we want it to make a meaningful impact in our lives. To use it faithfully, integrate it into our daily routines. But i also knew too well how quickly the new tech becomes a new fad. Now i'd like to say the Boox E-ink tablet was different, but the real answer is yes and no. No its not any different from the other tech because at times i completely forget about the existence of my Boox tablets and just whip out my phone for daily use. Yes its different because the E-ink tablet sits now in front of me daily on my desk setup. And by now i've Bought 4 Boox Devices in the span of 2 years. Which is literally unprecedented. For the first time i could understand why people would buy an Apple product. But for me the Boox was far more revolutionary than an Ipad because it was old school yet futuristic. You would be hardpressed to find a tech that inspired nostalgia yet was far more forward looking.

What is literally more amazing is that i am still using each of these devices on a daily basis.

I have the Boox Palma, which i carry around with me as my secondary entertainment device when my kids highjack my handphone to watch their shows. It doubles as my trusty calculater which i get a kick out of just using because its so handy.

I have the Boox Tab Ultra which is where i do my daily planning and journalling. I must admit that journalling is still not something that comes naturally because i'm working, and have 2 wonderful children. Life is busy. But one thing that i can attest to is that when i write things down on this device, it gets done.

I also got a Boox Tab Ultra C which i use as my Coloured E-ink monitor using the Spacedesk App. I have to admit that i have some gripes with Boox because i actually bought these devices within a few months of spending a thousand dollars (sgd). So when the Boox Tab Ultra C Pro and the Note Air 3C came out, i lost interest and wondered when the next Boox device would come out that would outshadow the purchase i made just a few months back. But that aside, Boox still undoubtedly has captured my imagination by pushing the refresh technology for E-ink tablets such that you could use it just as you would an android phone without being too bordered by the laggy screen.

I'm not sure whether my memory has improved since i got these gadgets, but, when i see what i want to do written down on the Boox Tablet, it gets done. Things such as writing a blog like this. Or simple things like doing the laundry, ironing. Or spending time with my family. Or really just getting boring things that i don't enjoy but need to done.

If its simple, it gets done. Make things simple to do and it will be done. From arranging your work desk so you can reach every thing in your desk by stretching your hand.

But my takeaway after 2 years with multiple Boox device was really that it allowed me the option to exercise a most mundane skill, which is to write with a pen on paper and have no worries about the book running out of pages to write. To be able to think clearly and imagine by looking at the words you write on the e-ink tablet and then generate new thought. After 2 years i still love the screen. The beauty of a mono chrome e-ink tablet is timeless.

Its an additional tool amongst my devices which have served me well to accomplish my work tasks. Some would ask why get an E-ink Tablet when an Android phone works so much better. Some would even say its regressing because it is so slow compared to your phone. But that would be missing the whole point of the E-ink Device. Because you don't get an E-ink device to replace your Android phone. But you get it to reactivate your brain with the act of writing and in so doing become very intentional with whatever you do. Its an inspirational device because it helps you grow. You don't get it to have fun. You get it because you got serious about your life.