The Onyx Boox Tab Mini C has officially entered the competitive arena of color e-readers, adding another vibrant option to Chinese manufacturer Onyx’s extensive lineup. Notably, this device doubles as a note-taking tablet and is essentially a scaled-down version of the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra C, albeit without the rear camera for document scanning.
The decision to downsize from a 10.3-inch color E Ink screen to a more compact 7.8-inch display seems judicious. The Tab Mini C retains nearly all the features of its larger counterpart, with the notable omission of the rear camera – a feature I found superfluous on the larger tablet and don’t miss here at all.
Onyx has embraced the latest E Ink Kaleido 3 screen technology for the Tab Mini C, offering a mixed palette of color hues. While some colors appear vivid, others may seem muted. The quest for an E Ink display that delivers ideal color saturation, such as the Gallery 3 screen, remains ongoing, though mainstream availability remains uncertain.
Reading and writing on the Tab Mini C is a pleasant experience, even in color. Despite the color screen’s resolution being 150ppi (half that of its grayscale counterpart), it outshines many other color e-readers, like the PocketBook InkPad Color 2, thanks to superior contrast that ensures readability in various lighting conditions.
Similar to Onyx’s recent tablet releases, the Tab Mini C operates on Android 11, granting access to the Google Play Store, where users can download a variety of apps, including Kindle and Kobo. This is particularly advantageous as Onyx lacks its own content store. Furthermore, with a pre-installed web browser, you can explore and purchase content from other online retailers.
The device comes with several pre-installed apps that should meet most users’ needs, including a reading application. For those who prefer alternatives, it’s easy to obtain the Android version of their preferred apps from the Play Store. The note-taking app, while robust, may be somewhat complex for the average user, but compatibility with popular apps like EverNote is achievable.
However, the Tab Mini C is not without its imperfections. Despite its reduced size, it bears some weight due to its substantial battery and metal chassis, making it slightly challenging to hold comfortably during extended reading sessions. Nevertheless, its sleek metal construction is an attractive feature.
Despite offering four different refresh rates for various applications, occasional ghosting remains an issue, particularly in the default notes app. While this may not trouble many users, it can be distracting without a forced screen refresh.
Like most note-taking e-readers with stylus support, the Tab Mini C includes a magnetic attachment for the pen on one side. While the magnetic connection is robust, it may not be the most secure way to stow the pen. Alternatively, a magnetic flap on the optional sleep cover securely holds the stylus in place. However, the Tab Mini C carries a premium price tag, matching its premium build quality, and the addition of the sleep cover incurs an extra cost.
Priced at $450 / £450 / AU$765 for the tablet and stylus bundle, the Onyx Boox Tab Mini C is undeniably an investment, albeit a costly one. It becomes a more justifiable purchase when all its features are fully utilized, particularly its color screen and note-taking capabilities. Additionally, the ability to run a wide range of Android apps enhances its appeal.
However, for those who seek a color e-reader without a strong emphasis on note-taking, alternatives like the PocketBook InkPad Color 2 (around $329 / £345 / AU$595) may offer cost savings, despite its lower-contrast screen. Conversely, if note-taking is a priority but color is not essential, the 8-inch Kobo Sage (priced at $269 / £259 / AU$459) could be an appealing choice. For those willing to splurge, options like the Amazon Kindle Scribe or Kobo Elipsa 2E ($339 / £339 / AU$549 and $399 / £349 / AU$629 respectively) offer excellent writing capabilities and superior grayscale screens, all at a lower price point than the Tab Mini C, though they lack color displays.
When considering the Tab Mini C, it’s essential to account for the magnetic sleep cover if you wish to safeguard your stylus, incurring an additional cost of $43.99 / AU$79.99 (approximately £36).
