As technology has advanced, the need for a simple notepad and pen has been supplanted by apps, audio recordings, and the like. But some still prefer the tactile feel of jotting down a quick thought or plotting out an idea that will eventually blossom into something more. TheBOOX Note Air3from Onyx combines the modern considerations of a tablet, while still delivering a similar sensation to writing on a piece of paper. ItsE Ink displayis crisp and clear for note taking, but it also doubles as a basic tablet. There are some limitations to the BOOX Note Air3, but what it offers is solid for those who prefer tactile note-taking while using their tablet.
BOOX Note Air3 Design and Feel
The design of the BOOX Note Air3 is simple but elegant. It’s thin enough that it doesn’t take up a bunch of space in a backpack or small bag, but hefty enough that it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. There is a film over the glass panel screen that approximates the feel of writing on paper, and it really does feel better than trying to write on a digital screen.
With a 1-inch bezel on the left side, the device offers space for you to hold it while jotting notes, reading eBooks, or navigating apps. It’s a smart choice that makes sure your fingers aren’t in the way of your text or writing. The stylus feels good in the hands and attaches magnetically to the side of the Note Air3 so you don’t lose it, and it even comes with a little rubber sheath to preserve its point.
Not all E Ink displays and note-taking tablets have a backlit screen, so I appreciated that I could use the BOOX Note Air3 late at night and still see what I was writing or reading. The device gets plenty bright and while the one I reviewed is only Black and White, there is a color option for those who might use the Note Air3 for more artistic endeavors.
BOOX Note Air3 Has a Ton of Customization
Any device like the BOOX Note Air3 is only as good as its user interface and, luckily, the Air3 has all the major bases covered. Obviously, jotting down a note is simple and easy, but there are tons of different customization options available that help add some personalization to your note-taking.
Whether you want to write with the texture of a pencil, a pen, a marker, or somewhere in between, the BOOX Note Air3 note-taking software has you covered. You can control the width of your line, the color of your line (for exporting), or even the shapes you want to make, easily and with just the press of a few buttons.
And in those situations where it might be better to have text than handwriting, the BOOX Note Air3 has a few options as well. There is a virtual keyboard that can input text onto a note, intermingled with your handwriting - or there is a speech-to-text tool that I found to work very well.
How useful some of these features are going to be will vary from person to person, but there’s no denying the plethora of options available. There are also a couple ofAI featuresavailable, like the ability for the BOOX Note Air3 to clean up the shapes you draw (circle, triangle, square) or to erase a section of writing if you scribble over it rather than having to erase every line like on pencil and paper.
The BOOX Note Air3 has a lot of the key elements of a good note-taking device covered, but itsAndroid supportis what pushes the device over the edge. Some similar devices stick to note-taking and don’t expand beyond that, but the Note Air3 allows you to load a number of Android apps onto the device and use it like an E Ink tablet.
Arguably one of the biggest advantages that the Note Air3 has over some of the competition is its ability to install eReader apps likeAmazon’s Kindle app, giving you access to your eBook library rather than limiting the device to EPUB files and the like. And with the backlight on the BOOX Note Air3, it can double as a competent eReader for any situation or you could even play some games if you want. The Note Air3 does have speakers for those situations where an app might use them.
I’ve been mostly happy with my testing of the BOOX Note Air3, but there are a few criticisms. The E Ink display, while fine for looking at text and reading, could be a little crisper. There are times when you can tell that the text isn’t as solid as it could be. And while the device is responsive and fairly quick to jump between files or apps, the boot-up process can be a little slow. Outside of that, though, the device works well doing what it’s supposed to.
Final Impressions of the BOOX Note Air3
I’ve become a big fan of note-taking tablets and the BOOX Note Air3 is another solid option. It’s got the tactile feel of writing, all of the features that you would want out of a device like this – from customizing writing style to importing documents – and a very easy-to-navigate interface. I think the Android support helps push it over the edge, but that is going to depend on how you plan to use the device. Even if you just plan on taking notes with the BOOX Note Air3 (or if you choose to go for the Note Air3 C for the color screen), though, this is a solid option.
The BOOX Note Air3 is $399. Game Rant was provided a review unit for this coverage.
