Reading, writing, annotating: tablets with E-Ink displays are excellent for eye-friendly work and now handle more tasks than ever. In this article, we examine four new devices that each combines a colour E-Ink screen with handwriting functionality—though each addresses this market in very different ways.
Introduction and Overview
Writing like on paper, now in colour: E-Ink tablets with stylus functionality form a relatively new class of device. Their second generation leaves behind the monochrome displays of first-generation models, offering polychrome e-paper based on advanced technology. Our test candidates:
- Onyx Boox Note Air4 C (10.3″ colour E-Ink, open Android)
- PocketBook Colour Note (10.3″ colour E-Ink, open Android)
- reMarkable Paper Pro (11.8″ colour E-Ink, locked-down OS)
- Tolino Vision Colour (7″ colour E-Ink, stylus support mainly for short notes)
While Onyx’s and PocketBook’s models, as well as the reMarkable, are effectively large writing pads that can be used for e-reading if required, the Tolino Vision Colour is primarily an e-book reader with an added stylus feature—less about comprehensive note-taking, more for short annotations. Let’s see how they compare.
Screen Size, Weight, and Portability
- reMarkable Paper Pro: The largest at 11.8 inches, well over half a kilo (with optional keyboard cover pushing it above 1 kg).
- Onyx Boox Note Air4 C & PocketBook Colour Note: 10.3-inch displays, ~400 g unprotected and ~500–700 g with covers, likely to strain your arms over extended reading sessions.
- Tolino Vision Colour: A lighter 7-inch device at ~200 g, about the size and weight of a small paperback—far more hand-friendly for reading on the go.
All four use colour E-Ink panels. Older e-book readers typically offered monochrome E-Ink (in greyscale only). The updated technology is explained below.
1. The Colour E-Ink Tech
Colour e-paper has existed for some years, but the second generation of tablets harnesses new capabilities. Three of the four tested devices (Onyx, PocketBook, Tolino) rely on Kaleido; the reMarkable uses a restricted version of Gallery 3.
Kaleido
- Overlays an RGB filter on top of a monochrome E-Ink (Carta) display, enabling up to 4096 colours.
- Yields somewhat dimmer pages and visible colour dithering, since the top filter modifies resolution.
- Typically offers 300 dpi in monochrome and ~150 dpi in colour.
Gallery 3 (as used in reMarkable’s “Canvas Colour Display”)**
- Potentially supports up to 300 dpi in full colour with 50,000 shades, but slower page refresh (0.5 to 1.5 s).
- reMarkable’s scaled-down version lowers both maximum resolution (229 dpi) and colour count (~20,000) so that page-turn times remain tolerable.
- In practice, the reMarkable Paper Pro’s photos look more vivid than the Kaleido devices.
Despite colour E-Ink, it’s nowhere near as bright or saturated as LCD or OLED. However, E-Ink is much easier on the eyes for extended reading or writing—particularly in bright surroundings where you can disable the backlight. All four tablets add front lighting for dim environments.
2. Handwriting with a Stylus
Each device offers a stylus-based writing or note-taking function, though the quality and software support vary:
- reMarkable Paper Pro
- The stylus writes with extremely low latency in black ink.
- In colour, the device shows a partial or “preview” shade until the stylus lifts, then updates the full hue.
- The surface is nicely rough, creating a “pencil-on-paper” feel.
- The stylus (reMarkable Marker) magnetically attaches and recharges wirelessly. Additional PDF/Epub annotation tools are the best in the test, with advanced snap-to-text highlighting.
- Onyx Boox Note Air4 C
- The large 10.3-inch colour panel, though it’s a standard E-Ink layer with an added film for a matte finish.
- Minimal writing lag in black or colour strokes.
- The stylus is battery-free (Wacom-based) and extremely responsive.
- The device is open Android, so you can install third-party note-taking and art apps, most of which run well with minimal pen delay.
- PocketBook Colour Note
- Another 10.3-inch E-Ink Kaleido display, with a matte front layer that feels decent for writing.
- Lacks built-in handwriting recognition at launch. The maker claims it will come via update.
- The stylus must be toggled from “finger” to “pen” mode for PDF or Epub scribbles—somewhat awkward.
- 3rd-party note apps exhibit severe lag, making them near unusable.
- Tolino Vision Colour
- At 7 inches and only ~200 g, it’s more an e-reader with stylus support than a writing tablet.
- The stylus is sold separately (~70 euros), with a firm nib that glides less smoothly. Fine for short notes, but less comfortable for extensive writing.
- Hands-on detection is subpar—accidental page flips happen easily.
Colour Choice
All four allow only around 8–12 standard pen colours in their default note apps—fine for highlights or annotation, but not for serious digital artwork. Onyx and PocketBook support installing more advanced paint apps (Sketchbook, etc.). In practice, the slower PocketBook has difficulty; Onyx’s more powerful hardware manages better.
3. Software Approach: Open vs. Locked
- Onyx Boox & PocketBook
- Both use an Android-based system, enabling official or alternative app stores (Google, F-Droid).
- Allows solutions for e-book reading, note-taking, email, and more.
- Some quirks remain: the PocketBook’s CPU is too weak for advanced note apps; Onyx’s system is more polished but can still show occasional translation or stability issues.
- reMarkable Paper Pro
- Entirely locked-down: no app installs beyond the official reMarkable software stack.
- Instead, it syncs your PDF, Epub, or notes via reMarkable’s cloud to PCs, iOS, Android, macOS, or Windows devices.
- No direct integration for Kindle or similar.
- This “limited” approach yields a supremely streamlined device—great for reading and writing tasks, less so for general app usage.
- Tolino Vision Colour
- Also locked-down, but it’s basically a standard e-reader OS with a notepad function added.
- Tightly integrated to Tolino shops (like Thalia or Orell Füssli) and Skoobe e-book lending, if you purchased from a supporting retailer.
- The most “reader-centric” device here, lacking robust note-taking tools or expansion.
4. Reading, Marking, and Sync
Each device can open Epub and PDF. The reMarkable can’t handle Kindle books or standard app store apps. The Onyx and PocketBook handle many file formats plus Android apps. The Tolino is limited to e-books from the Tolino ecosystem or general sideloaded Epub/PDF.
In-Text Marking
- reMarkable has the best advanced options: snap-to-text, partial highlight, paragraph skipping.
- Onyx & PocketBook rely on typical phone-like selection for textual highlights.
- Tolino can do full text highlights only in Epub, not PDF.
Cloud
- reMarkable uses proprietary sync to its own servers, no direct Dropbox or iCloud integration unless via reMarkable’s bridging.
- Onyx’s built-in store is underpopulated, but you can add the Google Play store or your favourite sync tool.
- PocketBook has the PocketBook Cloud, though open Android lets you add the cloud solution you prefer.
- Tolino syncs with the user’s bookstore environment, linking all tolino readers, plus Skoobe for an optional subscription-based catalogue.
5. Hardware and Battery
All E-Ink devices are slower than typical tablets, so powerful processors are less critical. Nonetheless:
- Onyx Boox Note Air4 C: The fastest SoC here, an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G with 6 GB of RAM. Seldom do we see performance lags in daily usage.
- PocketBook Colour Note: An older quad-core Allwinner CPU at 1.56 GHz, 4 GB of RAM. It sometimes struggles, especially with large PDFs or resource-hungry apps.
- reMarkable Paper Pro: An unspecified quad-core chip at around 1.8 GHz and 2 GB of RAM, fine for its locked environment.
- Tolino Vision Colour: A dual-core at 2 GHz with 1 GB of RAM, but it only runs a minimal e-reader OS, so normal usage is smooth, albeit not for large advanced tasks.
Battery Life
While monochrome e-readers can last weeks if used purely for reading, these colour E-Ink devices—and especially Android-based ones with Wi-Fi, stylus usage, background tasks—can deplete in days. The reMarkable and Tolino fare better if you disable Wi-Fi, but once you push brightness or stylus usage, you might expect recharges akin to a standard tablet: every couple of days.
Water Resistance
Only Tolino claims IPX8 water resistance for reading in the bath or near water. The others are not sealed.
6. Individual Evaluations
Onyx Boox Note Air4 C
- Open Android 13 with Google Play Store (some minor quirks).
- Best performance among these devices, with enough RAM/CPU power for moderate third-party apps and advanced note-taking software.
- Battery usage: moderate. Fast-charging over USB-C is possible.
- Fewer local-languages refinements, but improved from previous generations.
Pros
- Excellent writing feel and minimal stylus lag
- Flexible open system for reading and note-taking
- Google Play store for alternative e-reader and productivity apps
Cons
- Update policy uncertain
- Expensive
- Must rely on screen protector for writing texture
PocketBook Colour Note
- Android 12 with open store policy, but the CPU is underpowered for many resource-demanding apps.
- Shipped without integrated handwriting recognition (to be added via update, the maker says).
- Larger 10.3-inch colour E-Ink, matte surface yields decent friction when writing.
- Some input delay hamper usage of popular note apps like OneNote or Evernote.
Pros
- Fairly comfortable stylus-based writing feel on default notepad app
- Freed from brand-specific ecosystem: you can, in theory, load multiple reading/store apps
Cons
- No handwriting-to-text at launch
- Low-end hardware struggles with advanced apps
- Not recommended until updates fix the missing features
reMarkable Paper Pro
- Locked OS: No external apps; purely a reading/writing device for PDF, Epub, notes.
- Large 11.8-inch colour E-Ink display (“Canvas Colour Display” from Gallery 3). Crisp in black & white, decent in colour (20k colours at 229 dpi).
- The writing experience is outstanding: minimal stylus latency, superb friction, well-designed local note-taking and annotation.
- Lacks mainstream e-book store integration or universal file support (only PDF/Epub).
- Has a newly added frontlight for reading and writing in dim environments.
Pros
- Unrivalled for notetaking & marking in a distraction-free environment
- Crisp black-and-white text, good colour reproduction
- Comprehensive reMarkable sync & cloud system (with mobile/desktop companion apps)
Cons
- Pricey, locked ecosystem
- Not suitable for general-purpose usage
- Only partial colour range, slow for large complex pages
Tolino Vision Colour
- 7-inch Kaleido 3 with 300 dpi in monochrome, 150 dpi for colour.
- Primarily an e-book reader with a stylus add-on (purchased separately).
- Light, portable, and waterproof (IPX8).
- Some advanced pen features like text recognition, but less refined than dedicated notepads.
Pros
- Very compact & lightweight, ideal for reading on the go
- Waterproof design
- Good e-book store integration (Tolino platform, Skoobe library subscription)
- Automatic or manual notations in e-books (especially Epub)
Cons
- Shallow writing experience (stiff nib, no palm-reject sophistication)
- Extra cost for stylus
- Minimal usage for serious note-taking
Conclusion
Though these devices all have colour E-Ink screens and stylus capabilities, each addresses a different audience:
- Tolino Vision Colour
- Primarily a compact e-book reader with occasional stylus usage.
- Light, comfy, water-resistant. Good for reading in bed or on the move.
- reMarkable Paper Pro
- Big 11.8″ E-Ink panel with a locked OS built solely for advanced notetaking and reading.
- Produces a near paper-like writing experience and excels at PDF/Epub markup.
- Lacks any broader app usage.
- Onyx Boox Note Air4 C
- The best open-Android approach, offering robust hardware, flexible app installations, and fluid stylus note-taking.
- A strong all-round “E-Ink tablet” for those wanting more than just e-books and note scribbles.
- PocketBook Colour Note
- Another open Android system on a big colour E-Ink display, but hamstrung by low CPU power.
- Currently lacks handwriting-to-text. Many third-party apps lag or fail.
- Not recommended until updates fix these issues.
Hence, each device can be a wise buy if it suits your niche needs—be it purely reading with stylus annotation (Tolino), advanced notetaking in a walled garden (reMarkable), or open-ended usage with an E-Ink display (Onyx). PocketBook’s Colour Note aims for the latter category but needs further firmware improvements.
Technical Comparison
| Model | Boox Note Air4 C | Colour Note | Paper Pro | Vision Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maker | Onyx | PocketBook | reMarkable | Tolino |
| OS (3rd-party apps?) | Android 13 (✓) | Android 12 (✓) | Proprietary (–) | Proprietary (–) |
| Dimensions / Weight | 193×226×5.8 mm / 433 g (695 g w. cover, stylus) | 174×246×6.4 mm / 378 g (497 g w. cover, stylus) | 197×274×5.1 mm / 524 g (816 g w. cover, stylus; 1029 g w. keyboard cover) | 145×161×8.3 mm / 199 g (350 g w. cover, stylus) |
| Processor / RAM / Storage | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8 cores) / 6 GB / 64 GB | Allwinner B810 (4×1.56 GHz) / 4 GB / 32 GB | ~1.8 GHz Quad-Core / 2 GB / 64 GB | MediaTek MTK8113T (2 cores at 2 GHz) / 1 GB / 32 GB |
| Display | 10.3″ Kaleido-3 E-Ink (300 dpi mono, 150 dpi colour); 16 greyscales, 4096 colours | 10.3″ Kaleido-3 Mobius E-Ink (227 dpi mono, 76 dpi colour); 16 greyscales, 4096 colours | 11.8″ Canvas Colour E-Ink (229 dpi mono & colour); ~20k colours | 7″ Kaleido-3 E-Ink (300 dpi mono, 150 dpi colour); 16 greyscales, 4096 colours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C |
| File Format Support (Epub / PDF / Audiobooks / Onleihe) | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ / ✓ | ✓ / ✓ / – / – | ✓ / ✓ / ✓ / ✓ |
| Key Points | + Open Android, + Good stylus, – unclear update policy | + Pleasant writing surface, – slow CPU, – no handwriting recognition yet | + Best note-taking, + Great “Canvas Colour,” – locked OS | + Light & waterproof, – stylus sold separately, – short notes only |
(“✓” present, “–” not present)