After spending time using the Note Air 4C for reading, note-taking, and light productivity, it’s clear that this device isn’t trying to replace an iPad or Galaxy Tab. Instead, it aims to replicate the feel of paper while offering digital convenience, and in many ways, it succeeds.
Design and Build Quality
The BOOX Note Air 4C immediately feels premium. Its slim aluminum chassis gives it a solid, well-balanced feel without being heavy, and the minimalist design looks professional in both office and classroom settings. At just under half an inch thick, it’s easy to carry in a backpack or sleeve alongside a laptop.
One thing I appreciated during daily use is how comfortable it feels during long sessions. Whether reading PDFs or writing notes for an hour straight, the weight distribution makes it easy to hold or rest flat on a desk. The textured back also provides enough grip without feeling rubbery or cheap.
The 10.3-inch display size hits a sweet spot — large enough for textbooks, sheet music, and split-screen notes, but still portable.
Color E-Ink Display: Subtle but Useful
The standout feature of the Note Air 4C is its 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 color E-Ink display. Unlike traditional LCD or OLED screens, color E-Ink is designed to be easy on the eyes, and it shows. Reading for extended periods causes far less strain compared to standard tablets, especially under indoor lighting.
That said, color E-Ink is still a compromise. Colors appear muted and pastel-like rather than vibrant, and this is intentional. In real-world use, I found color most useful for:
Highlighting notes in different colors
Viewing charts, graphs, and diagrams
Annotating PDFs and textbooks
Light magazine or comic reading
For web browsing or image-heavy content, expectations should be tempered. This is not a media consumption tablet, and once you accept that, the display makes much more sense.
BOOX’s adjustable front light — with both warm and cool tones — works extremely well. I often used the device at night with warm lighting, and it closely mimics the comfort of reading paper under a desk lamp.
Writing and Note-Taking Experience
This is where the Note Air 4C truly shines.
Writing on the textured E-Ink surface with the BOOX stylus feels remarkably close to pen on paper. There’s a slight resistance that gives handwriting a natural flow, and latency is low enough that it never breaks concentration.
From personal experience, the note-taking software is one of the strongest parts of BOOX’s ecosystem. You get:
Multiple pen styles and thicknesses
Layered notes
Shape recognition
Lasso selection and resizing
Handwriting-to-text conversion
I found myself naturally replacing paper notebooks during meetings and planning sessions. The ability to organize notebooks by folders, tag pages, and search handwritten notes later is a huge productivity boost.
For students or professionals who rely heavily on handwritten notes, the Note Air 4C feels purpose-built.
Android Flexibility Without the Distractions
The Note Air 4C runs Android, giving users access to the Google Play Store. This opens the door to apps like Kindle, OneNote, Google Drive, Dropbox, and various PDF readers.
In practice, I appreciated this flexibility for syncing files and accessing cloud storage. However, BOOX wisely limits refresh behavior to keep performance optimized for E-Ink. Social media and fast-scrolling apps technically work, but they’re not enjoyable — and that’s a good thing.
This balance makes the Note Air 4C feel focused rather than restricted. It encourages intentional use instead of endless scrolling.
Performance and Battery Life
Powered by a capable processor and ample RAM for its category, the Note Air 4C feels responsive when turning pages, writing notes, or navigating menus. E-Ink naturally refreshes slower than traditional screens, but BOOX offers multiple refresh modes to optimize clarity or speed depending on the task.
Battery life is another strong point. With Wi-Fi on, daily note-taking, and regular reading, I easily went several days on a single charge. In lighter use, it can stretch close to a week or more, which makes it far more convenient than traditional tablets.
USB-C charging is standard, and standby drain is minimal.
Who Is the BOOX Note Air 4C For?
The Note Air 4C is best suited for:
Students who read and annotate large PDFs
Professionals who take extensive handwritten notes
Readers who want color highlighting and diagrams
Creatives who sketch or brainstorm in color
Anyone seeking a paper-like digital workflow
It is not ideal for users who want vivid media playback, gaming, or fast multitasking.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Excellent paper-like writing experience
Large, comfortable color E-Ink display
Premium, lightweight design
Strong note-taking and PDF annotation tools
Android app flexibility
Long battery life and eye-friendly lighting
Cons
Muted colors compared to LCD/OLED tablets
Higher price than standard e-readers
Limited usefulness for video or web-heavy tasks
Learning curve for first-time E-Ink users
Final Thoughts
The BOOX Note Air 4C is not trying to be everything — and that’s exactly why it works so well. It excels at what matters most: reading, writing, thinking, and organizing ideas without unnecessary distractions.
From personal use, it feels like a natural evolution of pen and paper rather than a replacement for a traditional tablet. If your workflow revolves around notes, documents, and focused reading, the Note Air 4C offers a uniquely satisfying experience that few devices can match.
For general consumers who value productivity, comfort, and intentional technology use, the BOOX Note Air 4C is a compelling — and refreshingly different — choice.
