E-readers began out as extraordinarily low cost and uninspiring gadgets, not like the attention-grabbing and attention-grabbing books they have been meant to imitate. Through the years, this trade has grown to embody extra than simply studying textual content, and E Ink gadgets at the moment are simply as succesful as common tablets however with the advantage of an eye-friendly display. Some are even Android tablets masquerading as eBook readers, e-notebooks, and extra.
This rise in energy, nevertheless, additionally gave solution to an increase in costs, and E Ink tablets are not the identical economical alternative as they have been earlier than. Even worse, their designs have inherited the identical issues as common tablets with regards to sustainability. Supernote is now difficult the established order with an e-notebook that wraps repairability in a reasonably uncommon design that’s impressed by an equally uncommon creature.
Designer: Supernote
There’s quite a lot of obsession with making gadgets as skinny and as gentle as potential, generally on the expense of performance, which is how headphone jacks disappeared from telephones. Supernote discovered itself in a barely comparable design conundrum however with the already skinny USB-C port this time. However as a substitute of compromising its aim of manufacturing the thinnest and lightest e-notebook potential, it turned to Mom Nature for inspiration as a substitute.
Nicknamed “Manta” after the fish of the identical title, the Supernote A5 X2 boasts a thickness of solely 3.6mm (0.14 inches) on the thinnest edges and solely 6.0mm (0.24 inches) general. However like a manta ray’s cephalic fins, this super-slim pill’s again flares out a bit on the USB-C port and energy button, each situated on the high of the gadget, making it appear to be this sea creature. It’s a reasonably odd visible, admittedly, and perfectionists would possibly really feel uneasy in regards to the unevenness of the floor.
Maybe a extra attention-grabbing characteristic of the Supernote A5 X2, nevertheless, is its repairability. It has a central panel on its again that may be simply eliminated, giving entry to a replaceable battery, expandable microSD storage, and extra importantly, an upgradable motherboard. This undoubtedly goes above and past, one thing not even the most cost effective Android pill can provide. That stated, this potential can solely be realized if Supernote itself makes alternative elements accessible.
Not like most E Ink gadgets at present, the Supernote A5 X2 is geared extra in the direction of writing than studying, with experiences that primarily revolve round its note-taking app. It has even partnered with famed pen model Lamy for its luxurious-looking styluses which use a Ceramic “NeverReplace” Nib that doesn’t put on out, enhancing its sustainable high quality even additional. That stated, the Supernote A5 X2 Manta isn’t an inexpensive package, beginning at $459 and not using a $99 Lamy pen, however it can hopefully final rather a lot longer than your typical E Ink pill.
