Why buy an e-reader?

Currently, I find myself reading digital books more often because my room is filled with physical books, and there’s no space for any more. Additionally, it’s inconvenient to carry multiple books while traveling. Because of these reasons, I decided to research e-readers, particularly Kindle and Onyx.

Why not read on a phone?

There are several reasons why I prefer not to use my phone for reading:

1. Small screen size.
2. They are not dedicated to reading, leading to distractions (e.g., notifications).
3. Uncomfortable screen for prolonged reading (causing eye strain and fatigue).
4. Heavy to hold for extended periods.

Why choose Onyx?

Initially, I was considering buying a Kindle, thinking it was the best e-reader available. However, Kindle only allows purchasing books from Amazon, and I often buy from Play Books, read on Gramedia Digital, or use Libby. In short, I needed an e-reader that supports the Play Store (Android OS-based).

During a recent visit to my old office to meet my mentor, I had a conversation with the CEO of Radya Labs, Tito. As we discussed books and good reads, he introduced me to Onyx. Tito recommended the Onyx Boox Nova 3, which he uses for reading books on Play Books and note-taking. Trusting his judgment, I decided to explore Onyx further.

After returning from Radya Labs, I researched the Onyx Boox Nova 3. Convinced, I searched for it on e-commerce platforms. Unfortunately, the Onyx Boox Nova 3 was out of stock in Indonesia, and the ones available on e-commerce were priced between 8 to 10 million. I turned to Twitter and found a second-hand unit for 4.5 million IDR.

Specifications

• Display: E Ink Carta Plus, 7.8” touch (inductive Wacom + capacitive), resolution 1872x1404, 300 ppi, 16 shades of grey, with the SNOW Field function
• Frontlight: MOON Light 2
• Processor: 8-core, 1.8 GHz
• RAM: 3 GB
• Internal memory: 32 GB
• Audio: Speaker, microphone
• Wired interface: USB Type-C
• Supported file formats: TXT, HTML, RTF, FB2, FB2.zip, DOC, DOCX, PRC, MOBI, CHM, EPUB, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, PDF, DjVu, MP3, WAV, CBR, CBZ
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth: 5.0
• Battery: Li-Pol, 3150 mAh
• Operating system: Android 10.0
• Size: 197.3 × 137 × 7.7 mm
• Color: Black
• Weight: 265 gr
• Kit: ONYX BOOX NOVA 3 e-reader, User’s manual, Stylus, USB cable, Protective film, Warranty card
• Warranty period: 1 year

Usage Review

• The 7.8-inch size is substantial yet lightweight, allowing easy one-handed use, and making it comfortable for reading.

• It supports the installation of various applications due to being Android-based. I have successfully installed Gramedia Digital, Libby, Manga PLUS, and Spotify.

• Reading on Gramedia Digital is enjoyable, especially for EPUB formats where you can customize the font and text size. However, for PDFs, the text may get cut off, and it’s challenging to read.

• Reading on Play Books is also pleasant, although the refresh rate is not as smooth as a smartphone, causing some stutter when flipping pages.

• Perfect for Manga enthusiasts! The size and display quality makes it perfect for reading Manga, providing an experience similar to reading on paper.

• Excellent for note-taking: The stylus is responsive, comfortable to use, and doesn’t require charging or complicated configurations to connect to the Onyx.

• Long-lasting battery: When used solely for reading, the battery can last up to a week.
• Comfortable for the eyes: The screen closely resembles paper, is anti-glare, and doesn’t strain the eyes even during extended use.
• Decent speakers: In addition to reading and note-taking, the speakers are adequate for listening to music, though not exceptional in quality.

Conclusion

I am extremely satisfied with the Onyx Boox Nova 3. Its wide, lightweight design, suitability for note-taking, integrated speakers, and immersive reading experience without distractions make it an excellent choice, and it doesn’t strain the eyes. In my opinion, the Onyx Boox Nova 3 is a great fit for avid readers.