Origin#
Due to some inexplicable feelings, I wanted to get an e-ink reader, and after some inner turmoil, I finally bought two. I already had one from my high school days, a German brand I found online, which still works to this day. Back then, I didn't know much about the e-ink market; I just thought it was very cheap due to my student budget and happily placed the order. It has been over five years now. However, because it has a foreign system that is not very friendly to local users, I can only read books and have no idea how to export notes, which led me to consider buying other readers.
Tolino#
As previously mentioned, this is my first e-ink screen, and of course, I have some sentimental attachment to it, but I still hope to introduce and recommend this lovely e-ink screen.
Tolino is a brand of e-readers and tablets designed for reading e-books. It is particularly popular in Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Tolino devices offer features optimized for e-book reading, providing users with a good reading experience.
Since this reader is only sold in a few European countries, it cannot be used domestically, which means you cannot access some features that other readers should have, such as internet connectivity and bookstore services. As for the book import function, it becomes limited to transferring books via a connection cable, but this is not a significant issue for most people. This reader also has a language barrier, supporting only German, English, and Dutch, but you have to believe that domestic manufacturers have mastered the skill of localization.
Here are a few reasons why I like this reader:
- Durability: The device has a bit of heft (which doesn't affect holding it), so you can trust its drop resistance. During the years I've used it, I’ve had no issues placing it anywhere.
- Clear screen: The screen of this reader is no different from those of domestic readers priced around 1000 yuan (why do I say this? I've experienced it, but wait, I'll explain below).
- Supported formats: Common mainstream file formats like epub, mobi, azw3, etc., can be imported as pdf, but this is not recommended because no reader will reformat and split pdfs, leading to a poor experience.
- Long battery life: Each Tolino model uses a different system. As far as I know, the Tolino Vision 2 uses a dual system, which is Android and a native system, while the Vision 6 uses Android 8.1 but does not allow the installation of applications.
- Backlight options: I purchased the Tolino Vision 1, which has backlighting, and other models support similar features, with the Tolino Vision 2 even supporting page turning by tapping the back.
- Memory card support: The Tolino Vision 1 can accept its own memory card, which effectively expands the reader's memory, and this is one of the reasons I really like this reader.
The above are my experiences using it domestically due to restrictions. If used in countries that support Tolino, you can experience the best of Tolino, such as the following features:
- A rich selection of e-books: Tolino devices work perfectly with multiple e-book platforms, including Tolino's own e-book store and partner stores. This allows users to access a vast array of e-books, including bestsellers, classics, and new releases.
- Cloud storage and synchronization: Tolino offers cloud storage for e-books, allowing users to securely store their digital library. Users can access their books on multiple devices and synchronize reading progress, bookmarks, and annotations.
- User-friendly interface: Tolino devices feature an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to browse e-books, adjust settings, and use other features. They typically include functions like dictionary lookup, highlighting, and note-taking to enhance the reading experience.
- Open system: Tolino devices are built on an open system that supports various e-book formats, such as EPUB and PDF. This allows users to import and read e-books purchased or obtained from different sources, giving them more freedom and flexibility in choosing reading materials.
- Integration with libraries: Tolino devices are often integrated with local libraries, allowing users to borrow e-books directly from the library's digital collection and read them on their Tolino devices.
- Cross-platform mobile app: Tolino can be accessed on all platforms to manage your book content through the app.
Kindle#
Why I Bought a Kindle#
Finally, I got the legendary instant noodle cover machine. This time, due to budget constraints, I found an almost new kpw5 6.8-inch Kindle at a seafood market. There are already many detailed introductions about Kindle, and I don't want to repeat what others have written. For more information, you can click the website below to check.
Amazon China will stop operating the Kindle e-book store after June 30, 2023, officially withdrawing from the Chinese market. From then on, users will no longer be able to purchase e-books through their Amazon China accounts. A year later, after June 30, 2024, users will no longer be able to use the "Send to Kindle" feature, meaning they will not be able to push e-books to Kindle via email or other means. So why do I still insist on getting a Kindle? Is it really because it's convenient for covering instant noodles? I was also confused about this at first, but the moment I actually got my Kindle, I was no longer puzzled.
- The Kindle's display is uniquely beautiful; without comparison, there is no harm. Compared to the Boox reader I will introduce below, the Kindle reader is more transparent and clearer, and the backlight feels less harsh, making it more comfortable.
- However, the main reason for choosing Kindle is that exporting annotations, notes, etc., is very convenient. While the reader is convenient, reading ultimately needs to yield results. If I can't export my reading experiences and notes, it feels like I haven't gained anything.
- The downside of Kindle is its closed system, but this is also its greatest advantage. A closed system e-ink reader provides an excellent reading experience, with good page-turning speed and refresh speed, especially the page-turning animation of the kpw5, which enhances the reading experience.
Kindle Tips You Might Need#
Everyone needs to understand their own needs. For people like me, Amazon's exit from China doesn't have much impact because I have long been accustomed to finding books online and importing them into my reader. Finding book sources is no longer a challenge for me. Since disconnecting from Kindle, I have explored several convenient methods to transfer books to Kindle, which I will introduce next:
Method 1: Register for a US Amazon account (search online for tutorials), then use email to transfer books to the designated Kindle email, which can be found in the settings. This method is currently the most convenient and the one I use the most.
Method 2: Download a mobile Kindle App, then log in with the US account you registered earlier. Please remember that since you are logging in with a foreign account, the Kindle App may determine your current country based on the language used in the software. If you use the Chinese interface, you won't be able to log in with a foreign account, so you need to set the language to English in your phone settings first, and then you can log in successfully.
Method 3: This method was found on the Bookfere website (the one I provided earlier) using the Calibre software on the computer to transfer books. I need to remind you about this method: please refer to the steps in the first link of my references. In the end, you may find an error indicating that the transfer cannot be completed due to an IP error. For this issue, you need to change to another email for transfer; I used Outlook email for the transfer, and it worked.
A long time ago, I saw someone exporting Kindle notes and making them into a webpage, and I thought it would be great if I could do that too. There are many ways to export Kindle notes; please refer to the third article in my reference list. Currently, I am using the Clippings Fere software, which is free, and the exported notes are in HTML format, allowing me to host them on platforms like Netlify and Vercel, creating a website. My website is this:
About Kindle Paperwhite 5 (KPW5)#
The Kindle Paperwhite 5 is an e-reader in the Kindle series, and here are its main features:
- High-resolution display: The Kindle Paperwhite 5 features a high-resolution 6-inch e-ink display with a density of 300 ppi (pixels per inch). This makes text and images clearer, resembling the feel of paper.
- Anti-glare design: The Kindle Paperwhite 5 uses front lighting technology, making the backlight more even during reading and avoiding glare issues. Whether in bright sunlight or in the dark, users can enjoy a comfortable reading experience.
- Waterproof feature: This Kindle has an IPX8 waterproof design, capable of withstanding immersion in freshwater up to 2 meters deep for 60 minutes. This means you can use it safely in humid environments like bathtubs, swimming pools, or beaches without worrying about water damage.
- Large memory capacity: The Kindle Paperwhite 5 offers 32GB of storage space, allowing you to store more e-books, magazines, and comics. This is very convenient for users who like to have a large digital library.
- Lightweight and portable: The Kindle Paperwhite 5 has a slim design, weighing only 182 grams, making it easy to carry and operate with one hand. Its size and weight make long reading sessions more comfortable and convenient.
- Long-lasting battery life: The Kindle Paperwhite 5 has excellent battery life, lasting for weeks on a single charge instead of days. This means you can read for extended periods without frequent recharging.
- A larger 6.8-inch screen, adjustable warm and cool light features, USB-C data/charging interface, and IPX8 waterproof capability.
- Other features: The Kindle Paperwhite 5 supports Amazon's Whispersync technology, allowing synchronization of reading progress and bookmarks. It also offers dictionary functions, X-Ray features, and adjustable brightness and font settings to meet users' personalized reading needs.
Boox#
Before buying a domestic reader, I was very cautious. Compared to Kindle and Tolino, this is not about nonsense being overly fond of foreign products, but rather due to the uneven quality of domestic readers. Various brands have been reported to have issues, such as Boox's quality control problems, service attitudes, and fragile screens.
Of course, the biggest advantage of Boox is its open system, which uses the Android system, allowing you to install other common reading apps. The PDF reading experience on Boox is even better than the two readers mentioned above. The convenience of the Boox Poke 5 lies in its ability to transfer books via Wi-Fi, which can be done through WeChat, but now that my Kindle can receive books via email, this feature is not as prominent.
The downsides include slow refresh rates; an open system inevitably affects the refresh speed of the reader, and there is a serious ghosting issue. Currently, I use Boox with caution because I'm afraid of breaking the screen; if the screen breaks, replacing it would be a significant expense. The 6-inch size is more suitable for pockets, but I find this size somewhat awkward because it doesn't fit well in smaller summer clothing pockets, making it more suitable for winter pockets. However, this doesn't affect me much as I am used to carrying a backpack, so size is not a major consideration for me.
About Boox Poke 5#
The BOOX Poke5 is an e-reader launched by Onyx, offering an excellent reading experience and various features. Here are the main characteristics of the BOOX Poke5:
- Device and screen: The BOOX Poke5 features a 6-inch high-resolution e-ink screen with a pixel density of 300 ppi, providing clear text and images. The screen uses E Ink Carta Plus technology, offering excellent reading effects without causing eye strain and is visible in sunlight.
- Touch and handwriting: The BOOX Poke5 supports multi-touch and handwriting features, allowing users to operate and write on the screen using their fingers or a compatible stylus. This makes it easy for users to turn pages, select text, take notes, and draw.
- System and software: The BOOX Poke5 runs on the Android operating system, allowing users to expand the device's functionality by installing various applications. It also comes pre-installed with BOOX's own reading and note-taking applications for a better reading and annotation experience.
- Cloud synchronization and storage: The BOOX Poke5 supports cloud synchronization, allowing users to sync their reading progress, bookmarks, annotations, and notes to the cloud, making it easy to read and manage across different devices. Additionally, the BOOX Poke5 offers large storage capacity for users to store a vast number of e-books and other files.
- Multi-format support: The BOOX Poke5 supports various e-book formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, DOCX, TXT, etc. Users can import e-books from various sources and choose freely how to read them.
- Advanced features: The BOOX Poke5 offers several advanced features, such as screen front lighting adjustment, page refresh rate adjustment, and font customization. These features allow users to customize settings according to personal preferences and reading environments for the best reading experience.
