I have written extensively about my love for the Boox Go 10.3 E Ink tablet. I use it all the time for taking notes and marking up documents.
It’s light and thin, with outstanding battery life and an awesome screen — precisely what I want in a device I carry with me all the time.
Onyx makes quality tablets, and I enjoy the flexibility I get with a full Android install.
So, naturally, I was excited to try out the Boox Go Max. I figured it would be everything I love about the Go 10.3, just with a more expansive 13.3-inch display.
I wound up enjoying the Boox Go Max, but it was a bit of a journey with plenty of frustrations along the way.
It was a mistake trying to use them the same way
The Boox Go Max is a different animal entirely
When I want to jot down notes or fill in my calendar, I’ll throw my Boox Go 10.3 on my desk and start scribbling. It fits perfectly on my desk and feels like it takes up little space.
I can pop it in and out of my messenger bag, and I carry it everywhere without even really noticing.
It’s fantastic because I don’t have to decide whether I need it; it can just live in my bag, since there is no penalty for bringing it along.
I may have questioned the use case for the Boox Go Max initially, but I could never question its build quality.
That definitely was not the case with the Boox Go Max.
It’s massive, as you’d expect for such a large display, but it’s also heavy. The Go Max weighs over 600g, so I found myself using it more deliberately. It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it tablet.
There’s also the price to consider. The Boox Go 10.3 isn’t cheap, but the Go Max will set you back $600. It’s expensive, and I really wanted to understand the appeal of such a large E Ink tablet, especially given the excellent hardware.
The Boox Go Max looks and feels the part
The Carta 1300 display is gorgeous
I may have questioned the use case for the Boox Go Max initially, but I could never question its build quality.
The device feels solid in the hand, and the Carta 1300 monochrome E Ink display is gorgeous. The contrast is phenomenal, and at 300 ppi, text pops off the screen.
I do wish the thicker Boox Go Max included a front light, but if there’s even a hint of background lighting, the display will pick it up and make the panel legible.
The lack of front lighting is more noticeable on the Go Max than on the Go 10.3 because I have the Max propped up more, but overall, you’ll enjoy the display.
The Go Max features 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Performance is snappy, and the Go Max runs Onyx’s heavily-skinned version of Android 13.
That may sound lackluster, given your smartphone probably runs Android 16, but it’s less of a problem than you’d think on an E Ink tablet.
I can run all my favorite Android apps (at least ones that adapt well to the limitations of an E Ink display), and Onyx does a fantastic job optimizing its own suite of apps, from note-taking programs to the NeoBrowser for scrolling web pages.
The Boox Stylus Plus is also an enjoyable experience, and it really feels like I’m writing on a page.
There’s no getting around the fact that it’s a niche product
The Boox Go Max isn’t for everyone
The high price and form factor make the Boox Go Max a niche product. It’s not a device designed for the masses, but if you find ways to enjoy it, it’s a useful tool.
Onyx sent along the keyboard case for the Boox Go Max, and I didn’t love it. It makes the device so heavy that I might as well bring along a laptop or Chromebook at that point and enjoy much more functionality.
Typing was cramped, and I kept hitting my fingers along the base of the tablet. It was also easy to accidentally touch the trackpad on the case, completely disrupting whatever I was typing.
However, I still love using the Boox Go Max as an E Ink monitor, just with a separate wireless keyboard.
It’s fantastic sitting at my desk. It’s a mostly distraction-free writing tool, much like my Tandy 102 from 1987. However, unlike my Tandy, I can type right into Google Docs on the Boox Go Max.
The battery draws significantly faster when connected to a Bluetooth keyboard, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay.
My eyes also thank me, since the display is so readable. It’s much better to stare at while writing for hours than an LCD or OLED panel.
The Boox Go Max is the size of an A4 sheet of paper, so you can enjoy an entire document without zooming in.
Marking up PDF files is a wonderful experience, and I had a broad canvas to scribble out all the notes I wanted.
If you spend much of your time at work poring over PDFs and emails, the Boox Go Max might be a great way to reduce eyestrain while still getting work done.
The Boox Go Max is interesting for the right buyer
I don’t think the Go Max will be replacing my Go 10.3 tablet anytime soon.
I love having it on my desk for writing, but the Go 10.3’s light weight makes it more portable and a better option for me.
However, for the right buyer, I can absolutely see the appeal of the Go Max, even if it will set you back $600.
