EREADER WARS: Boox Unleashes the Palma 2, But Is It Enough to Topple the Kindle Throne?
The world of e-readers just got a whole lot more interesting with the announcement of the Boox Palma 2, the latest iteration of the company’s popular smartphone-sized e-reader. While the original Palma had its flaws, including a laggy interface, the Palma 2 looks to address these shortcomings with a faster processor and a newer version of Android. But will it be enough to dethrone the mighty Kindle?
A slight bump in processing power
The Palma 2 runs on a "faster octa-core CPU" which should give it a performance boost over its predecessor. It’s not exactly blazing fast, but it’s a step in the right direction. Add to that the latest version of Android, and you’ve got a device that’s a few steps ahead of its time. But let’s be real, the Palma 2’s software is still a generation behind the latest and greatest.
The same old display
One thing that hasn’t changed is the Palma 2’s 6.13-inch 300ppi E Ink Carta 1200 screen. It’s the same as the original, which is a generation behind what’s found in the latest Kindle Paperwhite. You’ll still get the same great reading experience, but if you’re looking for the latest and greatest in e-reader technology, this might not be the device for you.
A new fingerprint sensor, but still limited storage
The Palma 2 does have a few new tricks up its sleeve. It now features a fingerprint sensor on the power button, making it easier to secure your device while still being able to quickly unlock it with one hand. It’s a nice touch, but it’s not enough to make up for the Palma 2’s limited storage options. 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is a far cry from what you’ll find on other e-readers, like the Kindle Oasis.
A new Note Air, but is it worth it?
Boox has also announced a new Note Air4 C, a 10.3-inch color E Ink device with an octa-core processor and Android 13. It’s a step up from the original Note Air3 C, but is it worth the $499.99 price tag? The design is sleek and modern, and the color E Ink display is a nice touch. But with limited storage options and a processor that’s only slightly faster than its predecessor, is this device worth the cost?
The Note Max, a black and white device with a twist
But the real star of the show is the new Note Max, a black and white, stylus-capable tablet featuring a 13.3-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display powered by a 2.8GHz octa-core CPU. It’s thin and lightweight, but it won’t be available for preorder for a few more weeks. Will it be worth the wait?
The Verdict: Is the Palma 2 a worthy competitor to the Kindle?
The Palma 2 is a solid e-reader, but it’s not without its flaws. The limited storage options, lack of a color display, and laggy interface hold it back from being a truly great device. But the addition of a fingerprint sensor and a newer version of Android are nice touches. Is it enough to make it a worthy competitor to the Kindle? Only time will tell.
