So, Ive recently gotten back into writing and been thinking about how much more fun it would be to write Outside. Problem is, the sun hates screens. I have an Alphawrite Neo, of course, but I’ve always been insecure about lugging a weird educational device around with me in public. So I started looking into Eink tablets that could be used with a keyboard and

Jesus H. Christ, that price tag!

I just want something to type on something. Apparently thats strange, so maybe there will be something cheaper as just a word processor. It seems that the only reasonable offering here is the Freewrite Traveler, though, so I look it up and

WHY‽ It’s the same price!

Okay, maybe I could just get a Raspberry Pi 400 and attach an eInk monitor to it. Apparently, this is not the usual use-case for E-ink, but there are in fact e-ink monitors out there! Most were around a thousand dollars for some reason, but here is the cheapest one I could find:

That’s around the price point of a Boox Go, for reference, which has a really slow screen refresh rate.

Why is there no affordable e-paper products that arent a pain to use? I am aware of cheaper ones, but the ones ive seen reviews if aren’t able to keep up with typing in a way that seems responsive. And I’m aware that you can find eink displays (as in the component) for as low as $30, so they should be able to be cheaper than this!

  • recklessengagement@lemmy.world
    35·
    3 days ago

    They’re expensive but not really overpriced. Boox tablets are essentially Android tablets with highly specialized screens.

    Eink screens (particularly high refresh rate screens, like what you’re looking for) are still a relatively new tech and don’t have the cost benefits of more matured technology like LED/LCD. The cheap eink screens you see have very slow refresh rates and don’t offer the same pixel density, with harsher gradients.

    I’d reccomend getting one used, or waiting for a seasonal sale. I’ve had one for a while and I love it.

    • DashboTreeFrog@discuss.onlineEnglish
      13·
      3 days ago

      Boox tablets are essentially Android tablets with highly specialized screens.

      Yes, didn’t realize this when I got mine years ago just looking for a Kindle replacement I could also take notes on. Being able to install Android apps opened up a whole lot of possibilities, like reading Manga with Mihon, work stuff with Google Suite, etc. Now I’m even looking to upgrade to a colored screen model. Honestly, worth the price IMO