Just a few months again, each tech reviewer appeared to collectively lose their minds over the Boox Palma and Palma 2 units. Now that I’ve gotten an opportunity to check out the Palma 2, I’m undecided I get the hype.
Don’t get me improper, the Palma 2 isn’t a nasty gadget. It’s simply not for me. And that was a little bit of a shock, on condition that I discovered Boox’s preliminary pitch with the Palma 2 so intriguing.
The Palma 2 is, at a really primary degree, a smartphone-sized e-reader. And that’s what drew me into the product within the first place. I’ve lengthy desired to check out a ‘minimal’ smartphone that cuts down on distractions, such because the Mild Telephone, and the Palma 2 appeared to me like a tool that splits the distinction, providing one thing fairly near a typical Android smartphone expertise with an e-ink show.
Nonetheless, my greatest preliminary stumbling block with the Palma 2 is that it couldn’t truly exchange my smartphone. There are a number of causes for this. First, there’s no SIM slot on the Palma 2, and whereas I knew that getting into, I do assume it’s price declaring, because it means you’ll must one way or the other bridge the Palma 2 to a different mobile gadget so you are able to do primary smartphone duties like calling or texting. And that brings me to the second subject, which is that there isn’t actually a simple resolution to do this.
That’s to not say it’s inconceivable to do — I’ve seen some social media posts from individuals who tried to make it occur, so it may be achieved with a little bit of effort. But it surely’s an imperfect resolution, with the Palma lacking some staple items like vibration or a strategy to obtain notifications when the gadget is asleep. I’d like to see Boox launch some type of app resolution to attach a cellphone and Palma, and even launch a Palma cellphone with mobile help down the road. However for now, in case you’re in search of a minimal cellphone expertise, the Palma 2 ain’t it.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply the Palma 2 doesn’t produce other makes use of. It’s a fantastic small e-reader gadget total, and if that’s what you’re in search of, the Palma 2 is a good possibility. As a result of it’s based mostly on Android (Android 13, to be particular), the Palma 2 is extremely versatile. You possibly can entry e-books from Amazon, Kobo, and your native library. You possibly can browse the net and skim it in superb, eye-friendly e-ink. You need to use it for podcasts or music, or actually the rest you are able to do on an Android cellphone with only a Wi-Fi connection.
And customarily, the Palma 2 works nice for many issues, so long as you retain your expectations in line. It isn’t probably the most highly effective Android gadget, and e-ink shows — so far as they’ve come — aren’t nice for every type of actions. Put one other method, the Palma 2 isn’t nice for scrolling TikTok, however may work wonderful for extra text-based apps like BlueSky. Or one other method, you gained’t be doing any severe gaming on the Palma 2, although some puzzle video games would possibly work nice.
However for me, the primary use for the Palma 2 was studying. I appreciated that the Palma 2 was small and simple to hold round, because it made my present learn simply accessible, however I discovered I truly most popular the studying expertise of bigger shows just like the one discovered on the Boox Go 7. The Go 7 show felt extra book-like, which I appreciated for studying, regardless that the bigger e-reader wasn’t pocketable just like the Palma 2.
Past that, the {hardware} of the Palma 2 is fairly stable. It has a glass display screen, and whereas I’m undecided what materials Boox makes use of for the edges and rear, it does really feel like plastic. Nonetheless, the Palma 2 doesn’t really feel low-cost, and the textured again panel truly feels fairly good and grippy. You may also select to get a case with the Palma 2, however not like Boox’s different folio circumstances, it doesn’t connect by way of magnets and provides appreciable bulk to the Palma 2. In the end, I most popular utilizing the e-reader and not using a case.
The Palma 2 additionally sports activities a fingerprint scanner constructed into the ability button, a quantity rocker, and a customizable facet button. You possibly can assign brief, lengthy, and double presses to completely different apps and features, making it surprisingly versatile. One in all my favorite makes use of was toggling the again mild on and off because the Palma 2 doesn’t have a devoted button for that. The fingerprint scanner additionally works properly and was speedy for unlocking the Palma 2.
Different {hardware} options of word embrace expandable storage and a 16-megapixel digicam. Whereas I’m positive it may come in useful in a pinch, I wasn’t solely impressed by the digicam, and located utilizing the e-ink display screen for a viewfinder wasn’t the perfect. It’s satisfactory in case you want it, however it’s not a purpose I’d purchase the Palma 2.
Total, the Palma 2 is a extremely stable gadget so long as you set your expectations appropriately. Like I mentioned up high, I don’t assume it’s a superb match for me — my fundamental use for the Palma 2 was studying, and I want a bigger display screen for that. However I’d completely advocate the Palma 2 for anybody who needs an extremely versatile, pocket-sized e-reader for books or different text-based content material. Plus, due to its measurement, the Palma 2 is tremendous simple to hold round, making it a fantastic possibility for individuals on the go.
The Boox Palma 2 is out there in black and white, and is available in configurations with a case or no case. Moreover, the Boox web site offers prospects the choice to choose between the U.S. or Hong Kong warehouse, with a slight worth distinction between them (Hong Kong is barely cheaper, however might have a tariff utilized). The costs are as follows:
- Palma 2 (U.S. warehouse): US$299.99 (about C$411.99)
- Palma 2 with flip case (U.S. warehouse): US$305.98 (about C$420.22)
- Palma 2 (Hong Kong warehouse): US$279.99 (about C$384.52)
- Palma 2 with flip case (Hong Kong warehouse): US$285.95 (about C$392.71)
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