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Boyue Likebook Note Features 10.3″ Screen, Runs Android 4.4

Soon the Remarkable writing tablet and the Onyx Boox Note won’t be the only 10.3″ writing slates on the market.

A reader has tipped me to the Likebook Note, a new 10.3″ ereader from Chinese OEM Boyue. (Thanks, Carlos!)

The Likebook Note is a 10.3″ ereader that runs Android 4.4 on a 1GHz single-core CPU with 1GB RAM and 16GB internal storage.

It’s powered by a 4.7Ah battery and has Wifi, Bluetooth, a headphone jack, a USB type-C port, and speakers, and is only 7.5mm thick.

The 10.3″ Carta E-ink screen has a screen resolution of 1404 x 1872 as well as a capacitive touchscreen and an electromagnetic stylus.

While it is great to see another large-screen ereader, the Likebook Note really has nothing to recommend it. It’s running an old version of Android on an average-power CPU. And what’s worse is that it is ruined by a USB type-C connection.

Adding that port almost makes me think Boyue set out to make the most pointless update they could. They didn’t update the OS, they didn’t improve the CPU, but they did add a type-C port.

If you like this device, you should wait for either the second model or for Boyue to come to their senses and revise the design with better hardware.

Based on what we see right now, the Likebook Note deserves a hard pass.

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Comments


Grg February 16, 2018 um 2:18 pm

Agreed about the meagre hardware and hopelessly outdated OS, but what’s so bad about USB-C in this case? I’m looking forward to being able to use one charger for all my devices – although admittedly micro USB is currently still compatible enough, so I care more about type C charging ports on laptops. Still, I don’t see anything inherently bad about a type C connector.

Nate Hoffelder February 16, 2018 um 5:37 pm

USB-C adds absolutely nothing that the device needs while forcing people to mess with another cable. I have a bunch of perfectly workable devices, and I’m not going to replace them just because one device maker decides to adopt USB-C.

Kevin February 16, 2018 um 11:29 pm

The logic in this answer is puzzling. You object to USB C because you have a pile of different, incompatible power cables, even though one goal of USB C is to remove this incompatibility. So what would you prefer? Another incompatible cable that is not USB C?

Nate Hoffelder February 17, 2018 um 12:09 pm

"you have a pile of different, incompatible power cables"

That’s not what I said.

Thomas February 17, 2018 um 12:56 pm

Wasn’t that one of the goals of Micro-USB also? And Mini-USB before it? It doesn’t remove incompatibility if you change your interface every few years. Right now, I have a lot of Micro-USB devices, so buying USB-C devices would mean adding an additional cable for no benefit.

Nate Hoffelder February 17, 2018 um 1:37 pm

Almost all my mobile devices use mini-USB. I have a couple with micro-USB ports, but I don’t plug them in enough for that to be an issue.

Ronald Pottol June 25, 2018 um 7:17 am

I must disagree, USB-C finally delivers on the promise of USB. First off, the cables last, I’m still using the cable at my bedside that I started with 2.5 years ago, micro usb tends to get loose in a few months, tops. Also, you just plug it in, there are no specific sides or ends (but, I’m old, I remember when it was a port on your computer that you didn’t have drivers for). I do understand the not another one thing, but it’s reasonable to hope that is it!


Chris February 16, 2018 um 5:09 pm

Unless the entire idea is to produce an e-reader that is cheaper than the Boox Onyx Note (which has frustratingly been delayed until at least later this month) and the ReMarkable, I can’t see why they bothered with this device. When I saw the headline I was intrigued up until the point at which I read "Android 4.4." Now I’m completely disinterested.


Xavier Basora February 16, 2018 um 10:00 pm

Yeah 4,4 just screams we’re too lazy to update it to at keast 6 or 7 withbthe option of 8.
Also whete’s the microsd card reader? Storage is cheap content is expensive.

Why can designer just use some common sense;what do users really needs as opposed to what designer want?

xavier


Jmirko February 17, 2018 um 5:22 am

I agree about outdated hardware and old Android, I’ll pass on this one.
As for USB-C though, I actually prefer it. My phone has it, so it would allow me to carry only one cable.


QM February 17, 2018 um 10:26 am

It’s too bad about the antiquated OS. However, I have two tablets with older versions of Android which I still can use. Just not for everything.

It does have a light and a micro sd card slot. Those are both very desirable features which are missing from the Onyx Note and the ReMarkable.

Guess it will really depend on the software experience and the price.


Vicente February 18, 2018 um 4:55 am

Does it have, al least, a flexible screen?

Nate Hoffelder February 18, 2018 um 11:57 am

The original design for the T103 had one, but I don’t know whether that made it into the final design.


Javi February 20, 2018 um 5:56 am

Well for me the USB C is a point in favor. I wish all the manufacturers adopt it.
Bye the way, this Ereader has light. Another point in favor.

I would like a Kindle ereader 10.3″…


Frank February 20, 2018 um 11:59 am

USB-C is great because it can be plugged in either side. It is another cable to drag around though but it is a positive thing in the long run.


Large eReader Roundup (March 2018) | The Digital Reader March 27, 2018 um 11:17 am

[…] company has been teasing a 10.3" ereader for a a bout a year before releasing it as the Likebook Note. Alas, they did not update the OS while they perfected the […]


New Large eReader Roundup (March 2018) – Stephen's Lighthouse April 4, 2018 um 6:17 am

[…] company has been teasing a 10.3″ ereader for a a bout a year before releasing it as the Likebook Note. Alas, they did not update the OS while they perfected the […]


Carlos Mantilla April 6, 2018 um 12:34 am

Look at this link: http://www.boyue.com/category.aspx?nid=58

Nate Hoffelder April 6, 2018 um 7:02 am

I think that was my source, yes


Peák Gergely July 28, 2018 um 10:59 am

you all seem to miss the point. for a READER. to open epub files and READ, and turn pages. who the hell cares about old android or not high spec chipset?
It has nice screen has light. cheaper.
but keep on bitchin


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