๐Ÿฉถ research on e-ink devices ๐Ÿฉถ

Friday, 26 January 2024

my first e-ink: Kindle Paperwhite bought in 2017
hewwoo im coming here to compile my thoughts about my mild-to-medium hyperfixation with e-ink devices recently. i have an old kindle paperwhite i bought from 2017 which i used a lot on the first year i had it. i fell inlove with e-ink but the software amazon has for it is really bad. i hated the wallpaper ads.i dropped using my kindle because reading books has always been phases for me. fast forward to this january a lot of different factors inspired me to think about picking up reading again. i also am trying my best to centre learning german in my daily life.
same device, pic from 2022
i thought an e-ink device would be perfect and so i kinda jumped into the rabbit hole. The e-ink technology has gotten really good since i last used my kindle, not only it functions for reading but also evolved for writing and go as far as developing coloured screens. 
note that i actually have a fully functioning 3yr old Samsung Galaxy tab s7 ultra. i can actually do all my studying and reading there. i also use it as my bed setup for productivity (digital drawing) and consuming media (mostly watching videos and playing honkai star rail) but i'm looking for a more focused device and sensory-wise would be nice to write on.
i tried to convince myself maybe i dont need an e-ink device after all. i even bought some new accessories for my tab just to stop my hyperfixating, but i think it's too late..
i am completely enamoured now by the writing experience of e-ink devices, the non glaring screen, the exclusivity of owning such a niche device.. the thought of having a digital notebook to do my self-assessment researches (audhd), annotate my thoughts and opinions while reading, handwritten dream journals.. aaahhh i must have it.. just picturing peeking inside my bag with a little white digital notebook that holds the mystery of the inner workings of my brain. she's so cute and just a babygirl. a coquette girly. i love her already.
to summarise here's what im looking for for an e-ink device:
๐Ÿ’ - needs to be white [non-negotiable]
๐Ÿ’ - 7.8" size ~ perfect for mangas [non-negotiable]
๐Ÿ’ - ideally a colour e-ink 
๐Ÿ’ - wacom enabled screen
๐Ÿ’ - android
I did some reading and browsing online and found some devices that somewhat meet my needs?: 
๐Ÿ’ Bare-minimum: Nook Glowlight 4 by Barnes and Noble 150$
- its just a black n white e-reader but it meets my top 2 

๐Ÿ’ Mid tier: Bigme S6 color lite 370€
- bigme has a lot of budget e-ink devices and most likely where i'll be purchasing from to get most of features for the price. This one is the cheapest that meets all of my wants and needs. My reservation is that reviews for bigmes are usually mediocre with their performance, ease of use, and uninviting UI. And honestly out of all the devices i list here its the least pretty hehe. 

๐Ÿ’ Upper tier: Supernote Nomad a6x2 503€ 
- she's so pretty!! When i visualise owning an e-ink device she's the one in my mind ๐Ÿฅน๐Ÿฅน sadly only in black and white but every reviewer i watched has sung praises about this device ♡ they even have an all white cover and pen to match. would purchase right here and right now if i didnt read mangas/illustrated books or monies wasn't an issue. 
my use-case for an e-ink device:
๐Ÿ’ reading books & mangas
๐Ÿ’ writing and doodling
๐Ÿ’ learning german
๐Ÿ’ housekeeping tool (grocery list, pets needs)
๐Ÿ’ journal
๐Ÿ’ jotting down ideas, projects, blogposts
๐Ÿ’ scanning and compiling documents
๐Ÿ’ easier to bring to travels
๐Ÿ’ archived book collection
๐Ÿ’ planning events 
๐Ÿ’ functional calendar 
๐Ÿ’ studying (like for theoretical driving test)
i could go on really! i do feel that it has a niche purpose for my daily life despite having a tablet already. im also open for 2nd hand or refurbished devices if i get lucky. but yeah for now im keeping an eye out ♡