Boox Go 10.3 Review
The Boox Go 10.3 is the answer for people who love the idea of a reMarkable but want open Android and a lower price. It is a slim 10.3 inch mono writing tablet that runs the full Boox software, so you get a proper pen plus the freedom to install Kindle, Kobo and any note app you like. It trades the reMarkable's polish and pen feel for flexibility and value, and for a lot of people that is a trade worth making.
Specifications
| Screen | 10.3" |
|---|---|
| PPI | 300 |
| Colour | No |
| Frontlight | No |
| Waterproof | No |
| Stylus | Yes |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Weight | 375 g |
| Price | $379 |
Verdict
The Boox Go 10.3 is the value pick for an open, large-screen writing tablet. It gives you a big sharp mono screen, a capable pen and the freedom of full Android for less than the colour and premium rivals. You accept the usual Boox trade-offs of shorter battery and occasional Android jank, and you give up the reMarkable's pen polish. For a flexible, affordable read-and-write slate that refuses to lock you in, it is an easy recommendation.
What we like
- Slim, light 10.3 inch mono screen with a bright frontlight
- Open Android: Kindle, Kobo, Libby and any note app
- Capable pen and deep note software
- Cheaper than the colour Note Air 4C and the reMarkable
Worth noting
- Android on e-ink can feel janky and needs tweaking
- Battery measured in days, not weeks
- Pen feel a step behind the reMarkable
- Mono only, no colour
Slim, Mono and Open
The Go is genuinely thin and light for a 10.3 inch tablet, and the mono screen keeps text sharp and the frontlight bright, without the dimming that colour e-ink brings. As a big-screen reader and note-taker it feels quick and pleasant, and the writing latency is low.
Because it runs open Android you are not tied to anyone. Install Kindle, Kobo, Libby, a browser and your favourite note or PDF app, and read from any source. That openness is the core Boox appeal.
Writing and the Android Trade-off
Boox's note app is deep and capable, with layers, templates and handwriting conversion, and the pen feel is good if not quite reMarkable-grade. For most note-takers it is more than enough, with far more features than a Kindle Scribe offered at launch.
The catch is the familiar one: Android on e-ink can be a little janky, some apps need refresh tweaking, and it is fiddlier than a locked-down device. If you want to tinker and customise, that is a feature; if you want plug-and-play, it is friction.
Price and Who It Is For
At around 379 USD it undercuts the colour Note Air 4C and the reMarkable Paper Pro while giving you a big mono screen and full Android. Battery is measured in days rather than weeks, the price of running Android.
Buy it if you want an affordable, open, large mono writing-and-reading device and you are comfortable with a little Android tinkering. Choose the reMarkable for the best pure writing feel, or the Note Air 4C if colour matters.
Frequently asked
Can the Boox Go 10.3 run the Kindle app?
Yes. It runs open Android, so you can install Kindle, Kobo, Libby, a browser and any note app, and read from any source. That freedom is the main reason to choose a Boox.
Go 10.3 or Note Air 4C?
The Go 10.3 is a cheaper, mono device with a sharper, brighter screen. The Note Air 4C adds colour for comics and highlights at a higher price. Choose based on whether colour matters to you.
How is the battery life?
Days rather than weeks, since it runs Android with a frontlight and Wi-Fi. That is the trade-off for the flexibility of a full app ecosystem.
How is the writing feel?
Good, with low latency and a deep note app, though a dedicated reMarkable still has a slightly more paper-like pen feel. For most note-takers the Boox is more than enough.