I’ve got my hands on the biggest E Ink screen I’ve ever tested on this channel: the Boox Note Max. This thing is an absolute beast, but let’s just say some of the hardware choices are questionable. More on that later. In this review, I dive into everything that matters—build quality, tech specs, and of course that massive display. But that’s just the start.
I also tested its reading and writing experiences, explored its features and overall performance, and really put it through its paces. What I really want to know is: is it worth the $650 price tag? What exactly do you get for that money? If you’re considering this as your next E Ink device, you may be in for a surprise.
Stick around until the very end—I’ll break down who this device is actually for and share my honest thoughts on whether it’s worth your money. There’s a lot to go through, so make yourself a tea or coffee and let’s get right into it.
Design & Build Quality:
When I first picked up the Boox Note Max, what struck me was its elegance. Despite measuring just 4.6 mm in thickness, it feels remarkably solid. There’s no flex, no creaks, no signs of fragility even when applying pressure. That’s impressive for a device this large. The back panel is plastic but has a subtle sparkly sheen that feels surprisingly premium.
Even better, it’s resistant to fingerprints. A silver metal strip runs across the back, adding structural rigidity to support the 13.3-inch display. The sides and power button are aluminum, and the front surface is matte plastic designed to mimic paper—it really does feel like paper to the touch.
The device is cleverly laid out: the power button and mic are up top, speakers and the keyboard case dock are on the left, a USB-C port is at the bottom, and the stylus dock with strong magnets sits on the right. I did a shake test, and that stylus did not budge. For such a massive slab of tech, the Note Max is surprisingly light and manageable. The minimalistic look with functional materials makes it feel premium yet practical.
Tech Specs:
The Boox Note Max is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset, which is an octa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz. While this chip may seem outdated compared to modern flagship processors, it has proven itself to be more than capable when handling E Ink-specific tasks such as PDF rendering, handwriting input, and multitasking with note-taking apps. The processor is accompanied by 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which provides a smooth experience when switching between applications or opening large documents.
In terms of internal storage, you get 128GB onboard, of which approximately 108GB is available to the user. Unfortunately, there’s no microSD card slot, so you won’t be able to expand storage locally. However, support for cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive somewhat offsets this limitation.
The device houses a 3700 mAh battery, which is on the smaller side considering its size and display demands, but more on that in the battery section. Additional hardware features include dual speakers, a built-in microphone, and support for USB-C charging and OTG (On-The-Go) peripherals.
Despite lacking a camera, fingerprint sensor, or SIM slot, the Boox Note Max focuses its resources on functionality that truly benefits E Ink tablet users. The build is solid, the performance is stable, and it delivers the essential features for its core audience without unnecessary gimmicks.
Sensors & Connectivity:
Connectivity is another area where the Boox Note Max does reasonably well. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, allowing it to connect to both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks for faster, more reliable internet. Bluetooth 5.0 is available and works well for pairing external keyboards, Bluetooth styluses, and headphones, which is great if you like to listen to audiobooks or transcribe voice notes.
On the sensor front, the device features a gyroscope that supports automatic screen rotation. This is particularly useful when switching between portrait and landscape modes while reading documents or using split-view functionality.
The Note Max includes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and it also supports USB OTG—meaning you can connect external drives, a mouse, or even a wired keyboard. It also has stereo speakers and a microphone for voice memos or audio feedback.
The device does not include a camera or fingerprint reader, but for an E Ink tablet focused on reading and productivity, these omissions are not critical. Most users likely won’t miss these features given the device’s intended use cases.
With these solid connectivity options and a focus on practical utility, the Boox Note Max aligns well with the expectations of business users, academics, and creatives looking for a productivity-focused E Ink tablet.
Display:
Let’s talk about the true centerpiece of this device—the 13.3-inch Carta 1300 E Ink display. Boox has gone all out here with a 2200×1650 resolution that delivers around 207 pixels per inch. While that may not seem like much on paper, in practice, this is one of the sharpest and most readable displays I’ve ever used on an E Ink device. Text appears extremely clear, diagrams and charts are easy to digest, and even complex sheet music or academic PDFs render beautifully without distortion.
What sets this display apart is its use of the latest Carta 1300 technology, which offers significantly improved contrast ratios and faster refresh times compared to older Carta or Mobius panels. Boox has also chosen to forgo a front light, which may sound like a disadvantage but actually helps keep the screen free from artifacts and glare that plague other illuminated E Ink tablets. Without a light layer, the microcapsules sit closer to the surface, creating that extra pop in clarity.
The sheer size of the display also plays a big role in its effectiveness. A4 documents fit nearly perfectly on the screen without needing to zoom in or pan around. This is invaluable for professionals dealing with large-format content or technical papers. You get a near paper-like experience, something that’s much harder to replicate on smaller displays.
Another great aspect is the screen’s matte texture. It reduces fingerprints and diffuses reflections, especially under direct light. Combined with the high resolution and large format, it makes for a comfortable, eye-friendly reading and writing experience.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this screen is monochrome only. If your workflow involves color coding or multimedia, you may find this limiting. Still, for the core audience—readers, writers, academics, and professionals—this display nails it where it counts most: clarity, scale, and usability in various lighting conditions.
Is Lack of Front Light a Problem?
This is one of the most talked-about aspects of the Boox Note Max, and for good reason. Unlike many other E Ink devices—including smaller Boox models—this one doesn’t have a front light. That means if you’re in a dim or dark room, you’ll need an external light source to read comfortably. For night readers who rely on adjustable warm lighting to reduce eye strain before bed, this could be a letdown.
However, there are some surprising upsides to this decision. Without a front light layer, the E Ink screen is clearer and offers higher contrast. The microcapsules sit closer to the surface, resulting in darker blacks and brighter whites. In practical terms, that means more natural, paper-like reading—especially in well-lit environments.
During my testing, I used a basic 140-lumen bedside lamp, and even with my less-than-perfect eyesight, I could read quite comfortably. The display doesn’t suffer from internal reflections or color shifts caused by uneven lighting, which are sometimes seen in devices with embedded LEDs. Bright environments—like offices, classrooms, or outdoor patios—are where the Note Max shines the most. Its glare-free surface and crisp contrast make it ideal for extended use.
Still, the lack of any form of built-in lighting does make it less versatile for all-day or all-scenario use. If you frequently read in bed or work in low-light areas, this might be something to factor into your decision. But if your primary use case is daytime productivity, academic study, or professional review work under ambient lighting, you may not miss the front light at all.
Ultimately, it’s a compromise that improves display quality at the cost of convenience—and whether that’s a dealbreaker depends on your use habits.
Refresh Modes:
One of the most underrated features of the Boox Note Max—and Boox devices in general—is the ability to fine-tune the refresh behavior of the screen. Unlike traditional tablets, E Ink displays operate differently, and Boox gives users four different refresh modes to balance clarity, speed, and ghosting depending on what you’re doing.
The first is Normal Mode, which is the default for most activities. It offers a good balance of image stability and responsiveness. This mode is ideal for general UI navigation, browsing menus, and casual reading. The second option is Regal Mode, which is focused on delivering the best image quality with reduced ghosting. It’s perfect for displaying images, detailed illustrations, or any content where you want the clearest output possible—though page turns in this mode are a bit slower and come with more flicker.
Then we have A2 Mode, which prioritizes speed over clarity. This mode is tailored for fast screen refresh rates and is particularly useful when you’re scrolling through web pages, using third-party apps, or interacting with interfaces that involve a lot of motion. However, you’ll notice some degradation in image quality and ghosting, which is the trade-off for that extra speed.
Finally, there’s X-Mode, designed specifically for video playback or high-motion applications. Yes, you read that right—video on an E Ink screen! While it won’t rival an LCD or OLED in smoothness or clarity, it’s surprisingly watchable for brief clips, presentations, or instructional content. X-Mode also comes in handy when casting your screen during meetings or tutorials.
One of the most useful touches is that Boox allows you to assign different refresh modes to different apps. So, for example, you can set NeoReader to run in Regal mode for sharp reading, while your browser operates in A2 mode for speed. This customization eliminates the need to manually switch back and forth, streamlining your experience significantly.
Overall, the refresh modes add a layer of flexibility that enhances how the device adapts to various use cases—from static reading to dynamic interaction—making the Note Max feel much more capable than a standard E Ink reader.
Reading Experience:
Reading on the Boox Note Max is genuinely satisfying, and it easily ranks among the best experiences I’ve had on an E Ink tablet. Thanks to the massive 13.3-inch display and 207 PPI resolution, text is incredibly sharp, and the screen can accommodate A4-sized documents without any need to pinch-zoom or scroll around. Whether you’re reading academic research papers, technical documentation, legal briefs, or standard EPUB novels, the content feels natural and immersive.
PDF handling is especially strong here. The Note Max uses Boox’s NeoReader, which is specifically optimized for E Ink. It offers smart reflow, adjustable contrast, margin cropping, and even vertical split-screen viewing. You can make annotations directly on the page, highlight passages, and bookmark sections with just a few taps. All of this runs fluidly, even on large file sizes, which is something many other E Ink tablets struggle with.
Another standout aspect is the extensive customization options. You can fine-tune font type, font size, line spacing, margins, and alignment to match your exact preferences. It remembers your settings per book or file type, which means you won’t have to constantly reset your preferences every time you open a new document. Whether you prefer large serif fonts or compact monospace ones, you’ll find the ideal setup for long reading sessions.
Reading in bright daylight is another strength. The screen remains completely readable without any glare, making it great for outdoor use. In contrast, reading under dim light will require an external lamp due to the lack of front lighting, but the excellent contrast ratio means even a modest desk light works well.
Smart features like dictionary lookup, note-taking margins, and seamless integration with cloud services further enhance the experience. And with Android 13, you can install your favorite reading apps like Kindle, Libby, or PocketBook—though native apps tend to perform best in terms of responsiveness.
In short, the Note Max is a reading powerhouse. It supports a wide variety of formats, offers deep customization, and presents everything on a screen large enough to eliminate the compromises usually associated with digital reading. Whether you’re a professional, student, or avid bookworm, it’s built to handle intensive, high-volume reading with ease.
Smart Scribe:
Smart Scribe on the Boox Note Max is a standout feature that dramatically enhances the utility of handwritten notes. It’s not just about scribbling on the screen—it’s about turning analog input into smart, digital functionality. Whether you’re a student annotating textbooks or a professional sketching out a business plan, Smart Scribe offers tools that make handwriting not only more fluid, but far more functional.
First, there’s the handwriting-to-text conversion. With just a double-tap, your handwritten notes can be instantly converted into editable, typed text. The recognition is surprisingly accurate, even for cursive or slightly messy handwriting, and supports multiple languages. This is a major time-saver for anyone who needs to transfer notes into reports or documents.
Next is the eraser function—just scribble over any area you want to remove and it disappears. No need to manually select an eraser tool or fuss with buttons. You can also highlight text by simply underlining it, circle parts to bring them into focus, or use gestures to undo or redo your last actions. These gestures are intuitive and genuinely helpful during fast-paced note-taking sessions.
In annotation mode, you can overlay handwriting directly onto documents—great for reviewing reports, signing contracts, or marking up PDFs. The device also lets you layer notes over books, save your annotations separately, or integrate them into the original file depending on your workflow.
Customization runs deep. You can configure the sensitivity, stroke width, and pressure settings to match your preferred writing style. If you switch between tasks—say, taking class notes and sketching diagrams—you can create presets for different types of work, making your transitions seamless.
One often-overlooked benefit is cloud integration. Your smart scribbles can be backed up to services like Dropbox or Google Drive, and you can even export them as vector graphics, text documents, or PDFs. Whether you’re archiving for yourself or collaborating with a team, this makes your notes far more useful and shareable.
In short, Smart Scribe elevates handwriting from a static input method into a dynamic, interactive tool. It bridges the gap between the analog comfort of pen-on-paper and the digital convenience of editable, searchable, and shareable content. On the Note Max, it’s not just a feature—it’s a cornerstone of the experience.
Split View:
Split View on the Boox Note Max is one of those features you don’t realize you need—until you use it. It unlocks a level of multitasking that’s genuinely useful on an E Ink device, especially given the large 13.3-inch screen. When activated, it divides the screen into two independent panels. On the left, you can have a document, book, or PDF open, while on the right, you can launch a note-taking app, another document, or even a web browser. For students, researchers, or professionals who juggle reference materials and note-taking, this becomes a game-changer.
The execution here is surprisingly smooth. You can resize the split with a drag bar, and Boox includes a shortcut where double-tapping that bar swaps the two apps instantly. This is great when you’re toggling between heavy reading and active annotation. Another impressive detail is the clipboard management—it lets you copy text from one pane and paste it directly into the other. The clipboard also stores multiple entries, so you can go back and retrieve previous copies without losing track of your workflow.
In academic or legal use cases, split-screen is ideal for annotating research papers, court documents, or technical diagrams while referencing another source. When editing large manuscripts or reviewing contract drafts, the ability to keep a markup document on one side and your personal notes on the other keeps the experience focused and streamlined. Even comparing spreadsheets or business reports side by side becomes possible, and you won’t feel cramped like you would on a 10-inch device.
Third-party apps also work fairly well in split view. You can open Microsoft Word on one side and OneNote on the other, or browse Google Sheets while marking corrections in a handwritten notebook. The transitions are not as fluid as on a traditional tablet, but for E Ink, the Note Max handles these tasks with surprising grace. You do need to pick the right refresh mode to minimize ghosting and lag, but once optimized, the experience is intuitive and reliable.
The only drawback worth noting is that split view is best suited for specific workflows. It shines when you’re reading and writing simultaneously or cross-referencing structured information. For casual reading, it’s probably overkill. But if you’re someone who lives in the world of detailed notes, academic comparisons, or project planning, this feature turns the Note Max from a passive reader into a true productivity machine.
Writing Experience And Features:
Where the Boox Note Max truly distinguishes itself is in the breadth and depth of its writing features. This isn’t just a device where you can jot down a few thoughts—it’s an advanced tool designed for serious note-takers, technical professionals, researchers, and creatives who need flexibility and customization. The built-in Notes app is not only powerful but endlessly tweakable, and it comfortably surpasses most competing devices in raw functionality.
Let’s start with layout control. You’re not confined to a handful of templates—there’s a wide variety of paper styles including grid, lined, music sheets, Cornell method, and even storyboard formats. Better still, you can import your own custom templates as PDFs, making it ideal for teachers, architects, or designers who rely on specialized forms. You can also freely adjust page margins, creating extra space without crowding your work area, which is particularly useful when brainstorming or mind-mapping.
Shapes and diagrams are another major strength. You can easily insert geometric shapes—circles, arrows, flowchart boxes—and resize or move them around without disrupting your handwriting. If you frequently sketch technical diagrams or wireframes, this functionality is crucial. There’s also a built-in lasso tool that allows you to select, scale, rotate, or delete any element. You can even convert selected handwritten content into editable typed text, and the accuracy here is remarkably good considering the limitations of E Ink.
One of the most advanced touches is the ability to insert links between notes, documents, and even external URLs. This feature is often overlooked in other E Ink devices but becomes incredibly valuable in a professional workflow. For example, you can reference a meeting note inside a project document or link a research summary to its corresponding source. It essentially transforms your notes into a hyperlinked knowledge base—perfect for writers, project managers, and academics.
Gesture support is another clever addition. With just a swipe or a two-finger tap, you can jump between pages, toggle erasers, or bring up navigation shortcuts. It may take a bit of time to memorize the gestures, but once you do, they dramatically speed up your workflow. You can also add bookmarks, tags, or even audio recordings to specific pages, turning your handwritten notes into dynamic, multimedia resources.
What really ties this all together is Boox’s robust export system. You can export notes as PDFs, PNGs, or even vector files, and send them via email, cloud sync, or third-party apps. Sync options include Dropbox, OneDrive, Evernote, and Google Drive—allowing seamless integration with your existing digital ecosystem. You can even create multi-layer notebooks, where each layer can hold a different kind of annotation or sketch, and toggle them on or off like in a graphics editor.
For collaborative work, there’s an option to share entire notebooks with others or export them for markup. The Note Max doesn’t yet have real-time collaboration tools like a Google Doc, but for an offline-first device, it handles versioning and exports very well. There’s even an option to back up all your notes automatically at regular intervals to a selected cloud folder—great for anyone worried about data loss.
In all, the writing tools on the Note Max feel like they were designed by people who actually use the device for deep work. The experience goes beyond just writing—it becomes a full-on digital notebook system with flexibility that rivals traditional apps on mainstream tablets. It’s not just the size of the canvas that makes this a standout writing device—it’s the sheer control you have over how your ideas are captured, edited, organized, and shared.
Voice Memos & Speaker Test:
The Boox Note Max isn’t just a note-taking powerhouse—it also incorporates audio features that give it added versatility for meetings, lectures, and idea capture. The built-in microphone allows you to record voice memos directly within your notebooks, making it ideal for moments when you want to capture spoken thoughts alongside written notes. Whether you’re attending a class, conducting an interview, or brainstorming aloud, this feature adds a dynamic layer to your workflow.
Recording a memo is straightforward. You simply tap the voice icon in your notebook, hit record, and speak. The interface lets you pause, stop, and replay recordings instantly, and once saved, each memo is timestamped and tied to the specific page you recorded it on. This makes revisiting discussions or spoken annotations incredibly easy. The ability to pin audio to handwritten notes is a real productivity booster—especially for students and professionals working with dense information.
Once recorded, voice memos can be exported alongside your notes or uploaded directly to your preferred cloud service. This sync happens automatically if you’ve configured Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive within the Boox settings. That way, you can start a notebook on your Note Max and access both the writing and audio content from your PC or mobile device later.
As for the speaker quality—while no one expects audiophile-grade sound from an E Ink tablet, the Note Max performs reasonably well. The dual side-mounted speakers deliver clean, audible playback, especially for spoken-word content. Podcasts, audiobooks, or memo replays sound clear with minimal distortion, though you’ll want to use Bluetooth headphones or an external speaker for music or media playback beyond that.
Latency is low enough to make voice memo review snappy, and there’s no lag when switching between audio files. While there’s no advanced noise cancellation or directional mic array here, for quick captures or voice-based reminders, the hardware does a perfectly respectable job. If your workflow involves dictation, meeting summaries, or voice annotations, this is a welcome feature—especially since many competing devices leave audio functionality out entirely.
In the end, voice memos on the Note Max aren’t just a novelty. They add genuine utility, especially when integrated with notebooks. It’s not going to replace your dedicated recorder or smartphone for serious audio capture, but it fills a unique gap in the E Ink productivity ecosystem—and it does so better than expected.
Stylus:
The stylus that comes bundled with the Boox Note Max is a bit of a mixed bag. Functionally, it does everything it needs to, but in terms of feel and build quality, it leaves a little to be desired—especially for a device that sits at the premium end of the e-note market. It’s a passive EMR stylus, meaning it doesn’t require batteries or charging, and it works out of the box with zero configuration. That’s a huge plus if you prefer simplicity or if you’re using multiple Boox devices and want seamless compatibility.
From a usability standpoint, the stylus is accurate and responsive. Latency is very low, especially in A2 or optimized writing modes, and palm rejection works quite well—even during quick jotting or long writing sessions. It has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, which translates into nuanced stroke thickness when drawing or handwriting. Tilt detection is also available, though it’s not as refined as on some dedicated drawing tablets like Wacom or the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. Still, it’s more than adequate for note-taking, sketching, and casual illustrations.
Grip and ergonomics, however, are where things start to dip. The included stylus feels lightweight to the point of being almost hollow, and its rubberized coating doesn’t offer the same satisfying feel as higher-end pens like the Staedtler Noris Digital or LAMY EMR styluses. It lacks the weight and balance that long-session writers typically appreciate. The button placement is decent and responsive, but the pen as a whole feels slightly “budget” in contrast to the otherwise premium build of the Note Max.
Another small downside is the tip durability. While it writes fine out of the box, Boox doesn’t include spare nibs with the Note Max when purchased through Amazon, which is unusual since other Boox devices often do. You’ll want to grab a few extras—or even consider switching to a third-party stylus if you’re particular about pen feel. The good news? Because it uses standard Wacom-compatible EMR tech, you’re free to use alternatives, and there are some excellent third-party pens that vastly improve the writing feel.
Magnets on the side of the Note Max hold the pen firmly in place, and in testing, the stylus held on through several vigorous “shake tests” without detaching. This adds peace of mind when carrying it around in a bag or using it on the go. Still, a dedicated pen loop or case slot might be a safer bet if you’re traveling frequently.
All things considered, the included stylus is functional, accurate, and well-integrated with Boox’s software, but it doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by the device’s $650+ price tag. Fortunately, its EMR compatibility means upgrading is easy, and doing so can significantly improve the overall writing experience for those who use the Note Max extensively. Check out the latest price on Amazon now!
Performance:
Performance on the Boox Note Max is surprisingly competent for an E Ink device, especially considering it runs on the aging Snapdragon 662 processor. While it won’t compete with modern tablets or even mid-range smartphones, it does offer a fluid and responsive experience within the constraints of E Ink technology. App launches are generally quick, and multitasking—even in split view—feels smooth enough for productivity workflows. Switching between reading, note-taking, and system settings is rarely sluggish, and background apps like cloud sync or calendar widgets don’t noticeably slow things down.
Navigating the UI feels snappy when paired with the appropriate refresh mode, and gestures like swiping between screens or dragging items are responsive, though they do sometimes require a second tap—common in E Ink. Typing with an external Bluetooth keyboard introduces a slight delay between keypress and on-screen display, but it’s predictable and easy to adjust to.
The real key here is software optimization. Boox’s Android 13 environment has been tailored to compensate for hardware limits, so native apps like NeoReader and Notes perform almost flawlessly, while third-party apps can sometimes feel a bit clunky or misaligned. For everyday writing, reading, and organizational tasks, the Note Max performs confidently. It’s not blazing fast—but for a 13.3-inch e-note, it feels impressively polished.
Third-party Apps:
While the Boox Note Max supports full Android app installation, third-party drawing apps are where the limitations of E Ink become more apparent. Apps like Infinite Painter, Concepts, or Sketchbook technically install and run, but the user experience is hit or miss. The biggest issue is latency—pen strokes often lag behind your movement, making freehand drawing feel disconnected. Unlike the native Notes app, which is deeply optimized for Boox’s screen and refresh modes, these external apps aren’t built with E Ink responsiveness in mind.
Pressure sensitivity may work inconsistently, and brush rendering tends to stutter unless you’re in the fastest (A2) refresh mode, which sacrifices visual quality. Even with settings tweaks, apps designed for LCD or OLED screens just can’t match the fluidity of the native drawing tools. Layer support, pinch-to-zoom, and color palettes function, but with enough delay to become frustrating for serious artists.
That said, third-party apps are still useful for light sketching, annotation, or importing reference images. They also allow access to cloud-sync platforms or collaboration tools not built into Boox’s system. Just don’t expect the Note Max to serve as a professional digital art tablet. For best results, stick with the native Notes app for anything drawing-heavy.
Battery:
The Boox Note Max’s 3700mAh battery is arguably its most debated hardware decision, especially on a device this size. While E Ink screens consume far less power than traditional displays, the battery is still small compared to competitors like the Boox Tab X or Note Air3C, which house 6000mAh+ units. That makes understanding real-world performance crucial.
Reading Usage: In low-impact conditions—such as reading eBooks or PDFs with Wi-Fi off, Bluetooth off, and using A2 refresh mode—the device averaged about 8% battery drain per hour. With page turns every 10–15 seconds, this translated to roughly 12–14 hours of active screen time, enough for two to three days of moderate reading use. That’s solid, but not revolutionary for E Ink.
Writing Usage: During writing sessions in A2 mode with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, the battery drained faster—around 3.5% every 15 minutes, or 14% per hour. That means you’ll get about 7 hours of continuous note-taking on a full charge. For students or professionals using it daily, this may mean nightly charging is required, similar to a traditional tablet.
Heavy Multitasking & App Use: When using split-screen, AI tools, third-party apps, or screen mirroring, battery life drops more quickly. In stress tests with high brightness external lighting and full background sync, the Note Max depleted in under 6 hours. It’s a reminder that this device, while E Ink-based, can act like a regular Android tablet under the hood.
Charging & Power Management: Charging is done through USB-C and supports Quick Charge 3.0. A full charge from 0 to 100% takes about 2.5 hours with a standard fast charger. Battery stats are visible in settings, and you can enable battery saver mode, disable animations, or turn off background apps to extend endurance. There’s no wireless charging.
Final Thoughts on Battery: Overall, the battery performance is serviceable but not a standout feature. It’s best suited for lighter daily use or users who charge nightly. The trade-off for such a thin chassis seems to be battery size—and for heavy-duty note-takers or multitaskers, it may feel limiting. However, if used with discipline and optimized settings, it’s manageable.
Additional Features:
Beyond its core functions of reading and writing, the Boox Note Max is packed with smart extras that elevate it from a basic E Ink tablet to a full-fledged productivity tool. One standout is screen mirroring, which lets you wirelessly share the Note Max’s display with other devices on the same network. This is particularly handy during meetings or presentations, where you can project notes or diagrams live without needing cables or dongles. There’s also built-in screen casting for Windows 10 machines, allowing remote control and viewing with minimal setup.
Another notable feature is screenshot recording, including scrolling captures and full-screen videos. For educators or remote workers, this means you can demonstrate workflows or annotate documents while recording the session. The Note Max also includes a basic AI assistant powered by OpenAI models. You get up to 30,000 characters of AI usage for tasks like summarizing documents, refining notes, or even generating content—though this is more a bonus than a core function.
Rounding things out are deep integrations with cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Evernote, allowing seamless sync and backup. You can also install third-party productivity tools via the Play Store. While not all of them are optimized for E Ink, many lightweight apps work surprisingly well. These thoughtful additions help make the Note Max feel like more than a reading device—it’s a serious tool for professionals who want flexibility in how they work and share content.
Standard vs Titanium Tips:
One area that surprisingly impacts your writing experience more than expected is the type of stylus tip you use—specifically, the standard plastic nibs versus third-party titanium ones. The Note Max ships with a standard plastic nib pre-installed, which provides a softer, pencil-on-paper feel. These tips are quieter, slightly grippy on the screen’s matte surface, and deliver excellent pressure sensitivity. However, they do wear down over time—especially with heavy note-taking or drawing—requiring periodic replacement.
Titanium tips, on the other hand, offer serious durability. They’re engineered to last much longer, potentially outliving several standard nibs, making them appealing to users who don’t want the hassle of frequent tip replacements. That said, they come with compromises. First, they’re noticeably noisier. Writing with a titanium tip produces a distinct tapping sound, especially in quiet environments. Secondly, they glide more like a ballpoint pen than a pencil, offering less resistance, which some users find slippery.
Pressure sensitivity can also feel less nuanced, with slightly reduced dynamic stroke variation. It’s not enough to hinder general note-taking but could matter to digital artists or calligraphy enthusiasts. Ultimately, if you prioritize pen longevity and don’t mind a more stylized feel, titanium tips are worth a try. But for the most natural and expressive writing experience, many users still prefer the standard plastic nibs.
Pricing:
The Boox Note Max is priced at $650 in the U.S., €700 in Europe, and £650 in the UK, placing it firmly in the premium E Ink tablet category. For a device that doesn’t include a frontlight, camera, or top-tier processor, that price might raise eyebrows—but it’s important to look at what you’re actually getting. The 13.3-inch Carta 1300 screen alone is a costly component, and the extensive software suite Boox provides adds real value. Still, it’s not a budget buy, and potential users need to be sure the large screen and productivity tools match their needs.
If you purchase directly from Boox’s official website, you often receive bonuses like a protective case and extra pen tips. However, their return policy is more restrictive—returns for personal reasons incur a restocking fee, and only partial refunds are given after use. Buying from Amazon, on the other hand, usually offers a more forgiving return window, which might appeal to first-time buyers unsure of the investment.
When compared to devices like the Supernote A5 X2 or reMarkable Paper Pro, the Note Max may seem expensive, but it delivers significantly more in terms of software capability, Android flexibility, and screen size. The main compromise is battery life and a less-than-premium stylus. But if you need a large canvas, advanced note tools, and full Android support, the price becomes much easier to justify. Buy it on Amazon now!
Note Max vs Colorsoft Display:
When comparing the Boox Note Max to devices that use ColorSoft or Kaleido color E Ink displays, the most immediate difference is contrast. Color E Ink tablets introduce an additional layer—a color filter array—on top of the standard E Ink panel, which slightly dulls the image clarity and darkens the whites. In the Note Max, there’s no color layer or front light, which means the black text stands out crisply against a bright background.
Looking at side-by-side comparisons, such as with the Kindle ColorSoft, the difference is clear. The Note Max presents sharper, more vivid blacks and whiter whites. This makes a huge impact when reading fine print or examining technical documents, music scores, and illustrations where clarity is essential.
Another advantage the Note Max holds is speed. The absence of a color layer means faster refresh times and less ghosting, which leads to a smoother experience overall. Whether you’re flipping through pages or making annotations, the lag is minimized and the visuals stay clean.
That said, color E Ink has its place. If your workflow requires charts with colored graphs, children’s books, comics, or any sort of content where color conveys meaning, then a Kaleido 3 or similar device might serve you better. But even then, the trade-off in clarity is hard to ignore. Color displays often feel washed out and muted, especially under certain lighting conditions.
In short, the Note Max is optimized for those who prioritize readability, clarity, and screen speed over color fidelity. It’s a specialist device, designed to excel at monochrome tasks like reading, note-taking, and academic work. For many, that’s exactly what matters most.
Who is Boox Note Max For?
The Boox Note Max is best suited for professionals, educators, and researchers who need a large, paper-like digital workspace with advanced productivity features. Its 13.3-inch screen is ideal for those working with A4-size documents, such as legal briefs, technical schematics, sheet music, or academic papers. Students and knowledge workers who frequently annotate complex PDFs or compare multiple documents will benefit greatly from the split view and multi-format support. This device is also an excellent choice for digital minimalists who want the power of Android apps but prefer a distraction-free, E Ink interface.
Writers and planners who thrive on handwritten notes will find its robust note-taking features, cloud sync, and customization options more than adequate. Its compatibility with EMR styluses means users can tailor the writing feel to their liking, especially for long-form drafting or outlining. However, it may not be the best fit for casual readers or light users. The lack of a frontlight and its relatively high cost make it less ideal for bedtime reading or those who only consume eBooks.
For artists and illustrators, the Note Max is more of a sketchpad than a serious drawing tool, though it does allow light creative work. And for business users, the screen mirroring, file export, and AI tools can genuinely enhance productivity. In short, it’s for people who take their digital workflows seriously—and who need a large-format E Ink device to match that ambition. Buy it on Amazon now!
Conclusion:
After spending considerable time with the Boox Note Max, I can confidently say it’s one of the most capable and feature-rich E Ink tablets currently available. The massive 13.3-inch screen is not just visually impressive—it changes how you work, read, and interact with documents. Paired with Boox’s mature software ecosystem and Android 13 flexibility, the Note Max stands out as a genuine productivity tool rather than just a digital notebook. Its note-taking capabilities, document handling, and split-view multitasking are all top-tier for an E Ink device.
However, it’s not perfect. The battery life is merely average for its category, the bundled stylus feels underwhelming, and the lack of a frontlight limits its appeal in low-light settings. Still, those compromises are understandable in the pursuit of a thinner, lighter, and distraction-free device. What you get in return is an expansive workspace that doesn’t lock you into a closed ecosystem—something that few E Ink tablets can claim.
If you’re a student, professional, or creative who needs serious reading and writing tools in a distraction-minimized package, the Note Max is absolutely worth considering. Just be sure that you’re okay with daily or near-daily charging and don’t mind upgrading the stylus down the line. For power users who want the biggest digital canvas possible, it’s hard to beat what the Boox Note Max offers. Buy it on Amazon now!
