After a 12 months with the superb Onyx Boox Palma, I used to be wanting ahead to seeing an enormous Black Friday sale so I may suggest it because the go-to e-reader this vacation season. Sadly, Amazon solely slashed the worth by 12%, that means it is not less expensive than the Boox Palma 2 that simply got here out.
Whereas I usually would suggest selecting up a year-old machine for a fantastic low cost, the Palma 2 is the higher purchase though it is presently $279. How does this make any sense? Merely put, newer could be notably higher on the planet of low cost e-readers for just a few hidden causes, most of all is software program assist.
The Boox Palma 2 runs Android 13 whereas the unique Palma remains to be on Android 11 and certain will not get up to date to something newer. Except for some good new options, meaning the Palma 2 can run apps for at the least two years longer than the unique Palma as a result of there’s going to be some extent the place apps not assist Android 11. Contemplating apps are THE purpose to choose a Boox over different e-readers, that is sufficient for me to suggest the newer unit.
✅Really useful if: You are seeking to give your eyes a relaxation out of your telephone’s harsh show, otherwise you simply desire a extra pocketable e-reader that is able to working full Android apps.
❌Skip this deal if: You solely learn books via Amazon’s Kindle service. There are cheaper Kindles which are lower than half the worth of this.
I known as the unique Onyx Boox Palma “the proper bedtime machine” in my evaluate, and the second iteration improves the expertise in just a few small methods. Onyx did not attempt to reinvent the wheel or radically alter the expertise for the Palma 2, however it did embody a quicker processor, higher audio system, and a fingerprint reader nestled within the energy button.
The processor enchancment makes on a regular basis computing somewhat faster and simply typically improves the general expertise. Onyx additionally added just a few further new options to the machine together with an AI assistant that may reply questions, protecting your telephone in your pocket (or in a cupboard) when you keep as distraction-free as attainable.
The Palma 2 options the identical superb tremendous quick refresh e-ink show as the unique, which implies it is excellent for scrolling via internet pages, books, and loads of different apps with out having that traditional e-reader refresh jank. Plus, it is tremendous pleasant on the eyes with no nasty PWM dimming or flickering backlight.
And whereas the Palma 2 is actually able to taking part in video games, you are in all probability going to need to persist with crossword puzzles or Wordle-type video games as a result of it is powerful to play most trendy video games on the black-and-white show. There is a purpose the unique GameBoy had simplistic video games, so persist with these when you really need that from this machine.
