Pocketbook continues to bring us new e-readers with the Pocketbook InkPad X Pro, adding a machine dedicated to both reading and work to its range.
The Pocketbook InkPad X Pro e-reader is now available from major Internet retailers.
Pocketbook InkPad X Pro
First of all, as the name "Inkpad" suggests, this e-reader has a large 10.3-inch Mobius e ink screen with a resolution of 1404 x 1878 pixels (227 PPI).
This is an excellent resolution, which should enable you to read books, mangas and various PDF documents without hindrance.
Then, to complete the screen, there's a capacitive touchscreen (with light to read in the dark) that can be used both with a stylus (Wacom technology with 4096 pressure levels) and with your fingers.
In keeping with Pocketbook e-reader's philosophy, there are also physical buttons beneath the screen for scrolling through pages or returning to the e-reader's home screen.
Pocketbook Inkpad X Pro
10.3" e-reader - 1404 x 1872 pixels e ink screen - Ebook formats supported: EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTM, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI), JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF + audio : MP3, M4B, and OGG formats
On paper, all this sounds really interesting, especially as the price is close to that of the competition: around $420.
Pocketbook InkPad X Pro specifications
Before moving on to a more in-depth analysis of the software situation, and the big problem I think it's worth pointing out, here are the technical specifications for this Pocketbook InkPad X Pro e-reader:
- 10.3" black and white Mobius E-ink screen, resolution 1404 x 1878 pixels (227 PPI)
- Touch screen with Wacom stylus
- Light with color temperature adjustment (blue light filter)
- Bluetooth 4.1
- 2 GB RAM memory
- 32 GB storage memory
- 1.8 Ghz quad-core processor
- USB-C
- Wifi
- Dimensions: 249 х 173.4 х 7.7 mm
- Weight: 350 grams
- Android 8.1
- Google Play to install Android applications
- Ebook formats: AZW, AZW3, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, FB2, FB2.ZIP, HTM, HTML, MOBI, PDF, PRC, RTF, TXT, PNG, BMP, JPG and JPEG
Android 8.1 may be a problem for the Pocketbook InkPad X Pro
Pocketbook Inkpad X Pro
10.3" e-reader - 1404 x 1872 pixels e ink screen - Ebook formats supported: EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTM, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI), JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF + audio : MP3, M4B, and OGG formats
For the first time, Pocketbook is offering an Android-based e-reader in place of its excellent Linux-based system.
The problem is that the Pocketbook InkPad X Pro uses a dated system with Android 8.1.
The advantage is that this version of Android is compatible with a large number of applications (including well-known reading apps).
The downside is that this version has long since been superseded by newer, more mature versions of Android.
For example, Google no longer offers security updates for this version of Android 8.1 (see here), which can be a real drawback for business use (for security reasons).
So, to be completely fair, this is also a problem that affects other e-readers. For example the french Bookeen Notéa also uses Android version 8.1 and is therefore subject to the same problems. However, this e-reader has already been available for years (and has undergone software updates)!
So what seems excusable for the Bookeen Notéa seems less so in 2023, with this new Pocketbook InkPad X Pro e-reader, which uses an Android system no longer supported since December 2017 (so almost 6 years ago!).
With the excellent alternatives of the Kindle Scribe and the Kobo Elipsa 2E, this Pocketbook InkPad X Pro will have a hard time convincing, since its price is about the same.
The new Pocketbook InkPad X Pro is available for about $420.
| Pocketbook Inkpad X Pro | |
| Image | |
| Screen size | 10.3" |
| Resolution | 1404 x 1872 pixels |
| Color | No |
| Backlight | Yes |
| Waterproof | No |
| Storage | 32 GB |
| Pen / Stylus | Yes |
| SD card | |
| Ebook formats | EPUB, PDF, FB2, FB2.ZIP, TXT, DJVU, HTM, HTML, DOC, DOCX, RTF, CHM, TCR, PRC (MOBI), JPEG, BMP, PNG, TIFF + audio : MP3, M4B, and OGG formats |
| Blue light filter | Yes |
| Other | Bluetooth for audiobooks |
| Review | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Link (where to buy?) | Amazon.com |
Here are the official videos detailing how this new e-reader works:
Official Website: https://pocketbook.ch/en-ch
