Introduction:
I do some writing in my spare time and also do some reading. Years ago, when I was traveling internationally for work a family member got me a NOOK. This device was a glorified tablet with low specs, but it did its job and got me into reading. I ended up loving that device, but finally, after about a decade it would not hold a charge anymore, and I went without seriously reading for about 10 months.
I looked forever to find something that would match that NOOK, but had so many fears about the new devices. For me, I have a large library with Barns and Noble and did not want to lose it by picking up an Amazon Kindle and being locked only into that ecosystem. I knew I wanted another digital reader so I can take all of my library with me, but also wanted something that was powerful and feature-packed.
I ended up settling on the BOOX Nova Air 2 and have been extremely happy with it!
Design and Display:
The Boox Nova Air 2 boasts has a slim lightweight design, and I have found it comfortable to hold and carry for long reading sessions. The 7.8-inch E Ink screen is ph-phenomenal. It delivers a crisp and very clean reading experience. In bright light, or direct sunlight it really mimics the appearance of real ink on paper. There is front light that balances what seems to be two sets of LED lights. One set is a warm almost amber light, the other is a cooler artic like light. You can blend and balance these two to give you a very natural and eye-strain-free color light. It is amazingly easy to read comfortably whether it’s in bright sunlight or a dimly lit room. The device also features a capacitive touchscreen for easy navigation page flips, and a stylus device.
Opening and Unboxing
The Nova Air 2 comes very professionally packaged and lets you know right way you are in for a special reading experience,
My setup was just as professional and smooth. Here are a couple of pictures of the setup screens with the back light on:
And some basics on the gesture controls as well:
Plus a little tutorial on the stylus;
Even logging into Google for the Android was simple, and as you can see within the first couple minutes I had figured out how to turn the backlight off
E-Reading Experience:
This is maybe what I liked most about the device is that I did not want to lose all of the other items in my library. After having almost a decade with Barns and Noble, I could not just walk away but also wanted to expand into other eco-systems. With the Boox Nova Air 2, you have access to a vast digital library at your fingertips. The device supports a wide range of e-book formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, and more. This means you can easily import your existing e-book collection or download new titles directly onto the device.
A huge and overlooked feature is that this device runs Android under the hood, and pretty much any app in the play store you can download and use. For my reading experience, this gives me a world of options, without losing what I already have.
Here is a picture from my vacation in the Caribbean. Look at how clear that text is when set down in the full summer sun!
This device also had it made in the shade, and the E-Ink really shows off how clean and crisp it can be.
Even the sleep / inactive timeout screens are beautiful and inspirational:
Note-Taking and Annotations:
The Boox Nova Air 2 goes beyond just being an e-reader. It is a great note-taking device. The included stylus provides a natural writing experience, but you will want to upgrade to the premium BOOX Stylus and tips. In no time you will be writing naturally and jotting down notes, all directly on the screen. The note-taking app can run kind of picture in picture so students and professionals can read, and take notes at the same time.
Versatile Software and Connectivity:
As I mentioned above, the BOOX Nova Air 2 runs Android 10. You can access the Google Play Store to download and install your favorite reading apps, productivity tools, and more. The device supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to synchronize your e-books, notes, and reading progress across multiple devices. It also comes with built-in dictionaries and translation tools, making it easy to look up unfamiliar words or phrases.
Battery Life and Storage:
The Boox Nova Air 2 rocks a long-lasting battery that can endure weeks of reading on a single charge. I have found that reading with the back light on at max levels will drain the batter a little faster than you might expect. The reader has good storage, with 32GB of internal memory, allowing you to store a vast collection of e-books, documents, and other files. Additionally, it supports expandable storage via a microSD card, giving you the option to increase the storage capacity even further.
The little things that really need to be noted:
The Boox Nova Air 2 is a great device and I don’t regret buying it! In so many ways wished I picked it up sooner. A couple of things that you should be aware of. These are not trade-offs, but more of expectations you should be ready for.
The 7.8in screen I find is perfect for an E-reader. It is not so small that your squinting or constantly turning pages, but also not overly large that it won’t fit into airplane seat back pockets into a backpack. This size is not ideal if you are heavy on taking notes or doing other functions. But for reading, I love the size
The backlight is great and the ability to color balance the backlight is a brilliant feature. I do find that in a dark room often I wish I could dim it just a little bit more. This might just be a limitation of LED lights in general. In these situations, I just use the Warm Light Only, and it works just fine.
Finally, the thing to take not of is any concern that is a black and white screen only. I was hesitant about this but ultimately it was the reason that I choose this E-reader. I don’t want to find myself on E-mail, or Tiktok during my reading time. The E-ink display on this unit would allow for it but it is not a great experience. Overall that is perfect last it helps me make sure my time is well spent inside of my imagination not just mindless screen time.
Conclusion:
The Boox Nova Air 2 is my favorite e-reader that truly can support the modern-day bookworm. Its sleek design, high-resolution display, and note-taking capabilities help extend its capabilities. I find its flexible reading experience makes it a standout choice in the e-reader market. Whether you’re an avid reader, a student, or a professional, the Boox Nova Air 2 offers a delightful reading experience and a range of features that enhance your productivity and enjoyment. If you’re in search of a premium e-reader that combines functionality with style the Boox Nova Air 2 should be traveling with you!