For those looking for a larger ePaper screen for optimized reading and productivity, the Boox Tab X excels. While its price point may discourage some, those that are willing to take advantage of E-ink's strengths and the many streamlined features will find it a versatile tablet.

Key Features
  • 6300mAh battery
  • 6GB RAM
  • 13.3" ePaper Screen [207dpi]
Specifications
  • Brand: Onyx
  • Storage: 128GB internal (UFS2.1) - no TF card slot
  • CPU: Qualcomm Octa-core CPU
  • Memory: 6GB
  • Operating System: Android 11
  • Battery: 6,300mAh
  • Ports: USB-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): N/A
  • Display type: 13.3" Carta 1250 (2200 x 1650 Carta [207 dpi])
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz & 5GHz)
  • Measurements: 12.2 x 9.0 x 0.27 inches (310 x 228 x 6.8 mm)
  • Headphone jack: N/A
  • Colors: Black
Pros
  • Large screen for reading, drawing, and notetaking
  • Multiple refresh modes for flexible content types
  • Excellent battery life
  • Cloud storage access
  • Google Play Store app access
Cons
  • Stylus doesn't attach magnetically
  • No physical volume buttons
  • Some Android app compatibility is hit-or-miss
Buy This Product
BOOX Tab X

The Onyx Boox Tab X continues the line of ePaper tablet PC releases, focusing on size and power. While pricier, the Tab X delivers on a clear visual space that can boost both reading and productive workflow. But for all its strengths, the question remains whether it will integrate well into everyday use and compete with more typical tablets.

Deciding On Your Initial Boox Tab X Experience

Tab X initial set-up

Compared to the Boox Tab Ultra's 10.3" screen, the Tab X offers a good-sized upgrade with its 13.3" display and minimal bezel. The Tab X also boosts a 1.1 mm thinner body (6.8 mm) than the Max Lumi2, so its sleekness does feel nice with a bit of weight to make it feel natural in hand.

For those looking to take the Tab X with them, the case for the Boox Tab X offers a splash of color while also providing a way to store the stylus. Once again, the Tab X utilizes the magnetic Pen2 Pro; but it can't be directly attached to the tablet. While you can still use any appropriately ferrous surface nearby or a carrying case, those wanting to keep the stylus with the tablet will suffer without its supporting case.

With this in mind, the accessory case provides a holder that keeps the Pen2 Pro snuggly secured. This is especially useful for scenarios where the Pen2 Pro could previously have been haphazardly knocked off when utilizing just its magnetic connection. But you can also avoid this if you prefer to use the Tab X's touch controls or connect it to a wireless Bluetooth keyboard for quicker navigation.

The Tab X also fits quite neatly on many traditional drawing tablet stands, so if you'd prefer to use the device as more of an all-in-one E-ink monitor, it can serve its purpose well there.

Tab X Drawing and Notetaking

Tab X drawing in progress

While drawing may not come to mind as its first intended purpose, the Pen2 Pro combined with its low latency and the adjustable refresh modes of the Tab X allows for easy drawing as needed. The eraser end of the Pen2 Pro works quite effortlessly as well, so you can tailor what's erased without massive effort. Overall, it's surprisingly effective if you're looking for a larger canvas to sketch out any ideas quickly.

Comparatively, when you opt to take notes, the large-format screen truly shines. Thanks to a good variety of handwriting and text-specific templates, it's easy to drop in and quickly jot down anything plus organize any essentials. Sub-categories further break this down, so if you're tailoring between general use, work, and study---it's all there.

As before, those concerned about their handwriting can take advantage of AI recognition to convert it to typed text. With further improvements to linking in your handwritten notes, you can connect to other notes, files, or websites as needed. This is particularly easy when combining the Pen2Pro with the lasso tool to make a selection and get your specific note linked as desired.

Overall, those that liked the feature updates by Onyx on the Tab Ultra will find the note-taking process just as fluid. Plus, with the option to download documents from many cloud storage options, there are even better ways to keep all of your essential information at hand.

Utilizing the Tab X's E-Ink Screen for Fluid Reading

Tab X color comic reading

Alongside the larger screen, the Tab X still allows for comprehensive adjustment of its lighting, white, and black levels to take advantage of the A4-sized screen. So if you want to alter your specific visual parameters when swapping between note-taking or popular reading apps like Kindle, it's completely customizable. The E-ink Center still pops up at an effortless swipe of the finger to allow for quick access to the dark color enhancement and the light color filter; you can also tweak both the warm and cold front light LEDs and lock to your preference as desired.

As a non-colored E-ink reader, you do want to keep in mind that when accessing color content, your results will vary. High-contrast inked works show up better; you might otherwise have to contend with more muddied or less discernable results. Similarly, some comics, especially when accessed via online readers or apps, can have some ghosting elements to them.

But rather than play against the strengths of the Tab X, utilizing its large screen on monochromatic friendly content offers an authentic paper-like experience for the equivalent of a full-sized comic issue. But if you're so inclined and want to avoid more grayscale-friendly content, utilizing the device's full-screen refresh and sliding adjustment values will allow for a more accessible reading environment.

Entertainment and Gaming on the Tab X

Tab X Pokemon Masters gameplay

As with the Tab Ultra, the Boox Tab X's octa-core CPU and dedicated GPU open up the potential for higher-intensity content. But as expected with different art styles and visual elements, it's common to run into poor contrast issues where readability suffers. You may also run into games not working or apps that run into unexpected errors.

While the Tab X does have access to the Play Store, it's not officially supported. But if you're willing to deal with this for a more robust offering of different app types, it's a welcome trade-off when capitalizing on the large screen.

Like with app accessibility and reliability, if you choose to watch any video content on the Tab X, you'll see mixed results. With the appropriate refresh mode selected, it will do its best to keep up and even do so impressively. However, you'll usually want to keep a full-screen refresh option at the ready.

When gaming or streaming, the Tab X only features one USB-C port. If you want to use any wired headphones, the USB-C port can be used with an adapter. Otherwise, you'll be relying on Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity.

Beyond that hurdle, if you're also concerned about tweaking volume frequently, the Tab X doesn't feature any volume buttons on the tablet's body. If you've paired it with a wireless keyboard or have become comfortable with your touch controls, it's not a huge adjustment.

For those looking to extensively stream or game on the Tab X alongside its other uses, you'll want to keep in mind the battery life will suffer. While the Tab X remains fine to continue its lighter duties even at a lower charge, the charging process only takes around two hours. So depending on how you want to utilize the 6300mAh battery, there's plenty of room to explore.

Boox Tab X Different Refresh Modes

Tab X different refresh modes

To get the best experience, the Tab X offers five different refresh modes to choose between: HD, Balanced, Fast, Ultrafast and Regal refresh. To further streamline this, Onyx provides a brief description of each mode while also allowing you to set a preset mode for each app you've installed on the Tab X.

Typically, during casual reading, HD mode provides a better display effect. Comparatively, Balanced introduces more potential ghosting but works fine when thumbing through documents.

On the other end, Fast mode is suggested for websites, whereas Ultrafast typically works best with videos or gaming. Regal mode reduces ghosting; you may experience some flickering on dark backgrounds compared to light-colored ones.

Regardless of the refresh mode picked, you'll find they work best when tailored around your customizations. Some apps, for instance, will still require manual refreshes depending on how sensitive you are to different visual elements like ghosting. But you can minimize those visual disturbances with a little experimenting.

Productivity Improvement With the Tab X

Tab X freewriting via Bluetooth keyboard

While there's excellent pen-based optimization and note-taking on the Tab X, there's also quite a lot of value in the large screen when optimizing the device to reduce eye strain. If you want to create a portable workstation with the Tab X, its Bluetooth 5.0 opens up the way for many wireless keyboards and your respective switch preferences to get the proper typing feel. While It's not as compact as the Tab Ultra for on-the-go work, it offers a larger workspace as a trade-off.

With the Tab X, Onyx has instead focused on a traditional three-fold case for protection. While it's an effective way to keep the tablet upright without any other stand, it does come at a more minor trade-off, thanks to the lack of an in-case keyboard. So for those looking to capitalize on Onyx's previous keyboard shortcuts, you can anticipate some differences.

Specifically, the F1-F9 shortcuts only apply to the official keyboard, so you’ll see some differentiation when using any other Bluetooth keyboard. So while it’s a good guide for where to start, you’ll need to see precisely what works and doesn’t work in this particular case.

Boox Tab X color screenshot

Note, the screenshot above shows icons in color, but the device displays in grayscale. Only the latest version of Android actually has a grayscale mode.

Should You Buy the Onyx Boox Tab X?

Tab X powered down

When considering the Boox Tab X as an E-Ink device, the heftier price tag must be weighed against the versatility of its strengths. As a large-screened tablet with a long battery life that offers a slew of ways to be productive and entertained, there's a variety of ways to capitalize on its niche. While a few extra inches of screen may not seem like much, the difference can prove substantial when weighed against your time and workflow.

Overall, the flexible refresh modes combined with Boox's optimization make it easy to stay connected and explore a suite of Android apps. So if you want less eye strain and don't mind a specialized device to help you, the Tab X can offer many benefits.