Boox Note Air 4C Review for Designers
TL;DR:
- 10.3-inch colour ePaper display with 4,000 muted colours – perfect for distraction-free work
- Runs Android 13 with full Google Play access for app flexibility
- Snapdragon processor with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage optimised for ePaper performance
- Wacom stylus technology with 4,096 pressure levels for natural drawing
- Extended battery life handles long creative sessions
- Works best as a secondary device for sketching, planning, and focused work
The Boox Note Air 4C sits somewhere between a traditional tablet and a dedicated writing device like the reMarkable. If you're looking for a device that cuts through digital distractions while keeping your creative workflow intact, this might be worth considering.
What makes it different
The 10.3-inch display uses Kaleido 3 technology, which gives you roughly 4,000 colours at 150ppi in colour mode, or sharper 300ppi in black and white. This works well for marking up PDFs or light colour work, but don't expect the vibrant, high-resolution colours you'd get from an iPad.
The real advantage here is the Android 13 operating system. Unlike most ePaper devices that lock you into their ecosystem, you get full Google Play access. This means you can run OneNote, Concepts, Evernote, or whatever apps fit your workflow.
Performance where it counts
The Snapdragon processor paired with 6GB RAM handles multitasking and PDF management well. Boox claims it's about 50% faster than the previous Note Air 3C for these tasks, and in practice, it feels responsive enough for typical creative work.
The stylus uses Wacom technology with 4,096 pressure levels. It attaches magnetically to the side and feels natural to write with – closer to pen on paper than most tablet styluses.
Where it works best
This device shines as a secondary tool for the early stages of creative work. The ePaper screen reduces eye strain during long sessions and eliminates the glossy reflections that make outdoor work difficult on regular tablets.
It's particularly good for:
- Sketching initial concepts
- Annotating PDFs and documents
- Taking notes during client meetings
- Reading and research without distractions
However, if your work demands rich colour accuracy or intensive design software, stick with a traditional tablet. The Note Air 4C works best when you need to focus on ideas rather than final execution.
Tip: Use this for your planning and ideation phases, then switch to your main device for detailed work. This approach maximises the benefits while working around the limitations.
FAQs
What apps can I actually run on this?
Pretty much anything from Google Play that doesn't rely heavily on video or rich graphics. Most productivity apps, note-taking tools, and creative sketching apps work fine.
How does it handle videos or high-res images?
Not well. The ePaper display refreshes slowly and the colour range is limited. It's built for text, sketches, and simple graphics rather than multimedia.
Can I use it outdoors?
Yes, this is one of its strongest points. The ePaper display works brilliantly in bright sunlight without glare issues.
Jargon Buster
Kaleido 3: The screen technology that enables colour on ePaper displays. It's more limited than LCD or OLED screens but uses much less power.
Wacom Technology: The industry standard for digital pen input, known for accurate pressure sensitivity and natural feel.
Snapdragon Processor: Qualcomm's mobile processor family, designed for good performance with efficient battery use.
Wrap-up
The Boox Note Air 4C fills a specific gap in the market. It won't replace a high-end tablet if you need vibrant colours and media capabilities, but it excels as a focused work device for sketching, note-taking, and reading.
The key is understanding what it's for – this is about cutting distractions and focusing on the thinking parts of creative work. If that matches how you work, the Note Air 4C could become an essential part of your toolkit.
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