Thorough Examination of Onyx Boox Go 7 E-reader: An In-depth Analysis of Its Features and Performance
The Onyx Boox Go 7 is an impressive e-book reader that offers a sleek and user-friendly experience. This device stands out with its black and white e-paper display, powered by the latest generation Carta 1300 e-paper panel. Unlike its counterpart, the Go 7 Color Gen 2, the Go 7 doesn't include the Kaleido 3, but it provides improved responsiveness.
Hardware
The Go 7 features a 7-inch E INK Carta 1300 panel, boasting a resolution of 1680 x 1264, with a pixel density of 300 PPI. The device's build is black, with a flush screen protected by a layer of glass. It comes equipped with white and amber LED lights for reading in the dark, and the front-lit display offers an exceptional reading experience. A G-sensor automatically switches the orientation, with portrait-to-landscape mode seamlessly switching.
The design, primarily plastic, gives the Go 7 a stylish look. It adopts a piano black color scheme on both the front and back, with slim bezels surrounding the screen. The only chunky part is where the physical page-turn buttons are located. While these buttons are made of plastic, it's worth noting that they could potentially benefit from an upgrade to aluminum for better durability.
Underneath the hood, you'll find an Octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. For those who need more space, an SD card slot supports an additional 1TB. The device features a single speaker, which can be enhanced using wireless earbuds or headphones, thanks to Bluetooth 5.1 support. The wireless capabilities also enable web browsing, app downloads, and content transfer via WIFI 6. A USB-C port is available for charging and content transfer, with the device powered by a 2,300 mAh battery. The dimensions of the Go 7 are 156 x 137 x 6.4 mm (6.1′′ x 5.4′′ x 0.25′′), and it weighs 195 g (6.9 oz).
Software Features
The Go 7 runs on Google Android 13, but it doesn't use the stock version. Instead, the device utilizes a heavily skinned version called Boox OS, which is also used on other Onyx devices. One of the significant differences between the Go 7 and readers like the Amazon Kindle, Rakuten Kobo, or Barnes & Noble Nook is the incorporation of Google Play.
The main user interface is located at the bottom of the screen, consisting of shortcuts for your Library, Bookstore, Apps Storage, and Settings. The Library only shows the books you've sideloaded using the stock Neoreader app, and any content in dedicated apps like Kindle or Kobo won't be included. The bookstore offers royalty-free content, similar to what you'd find on Project Gutenberg. Apps contain pre-installed apps like Boox Cloud, Google Drive, and many more, with any Google Play downloads appearing here as well. The Settings menu offers various options like WIFI/Bluetooth settings, firmware updates, and more.
An interesting feature is the Control Centre, accessible by tapping on the screen's top middle or by an icon. This is where you can pair Bluetooth headphones, manage WIFI connections, access an AI assistant, Boox cloud storage, Kids Mode, Split Screen, E-INK Centre, Screenshot, and full-page refresh. The AI assistant is like a chatbot, enabling interactive Q&A sessions.
The E INK Centre allows users to control global settings, making the most of their Go 7. You can adjust all icons and text to your preference, making the device more personalized. There are also various speed modes to choose from: HD Mode, Balanced, Fast, and Ultrafast, each offering a tailored reading experience.
Kids Mode
The Kids Mode feature is unique to the Go 7; aside from Amazon, Onyx is the only brand offering this feature for e-readers. To use Kids mode, you'll need to register or log in to your Onyx account, allowing you to tweak settings. You can restrict access to specific apps or grant it on an app-by-app basis, and Kids' profiles can be named after your child. When they log in, they won't see any books you're reading, or you can load in kid-friendly titles. If you're an Amazon user, you can also grant them access to your Kindle app. There's also a time limit option so that parents can establish how long their child can use the Go 7 every day.
Reading Experience
The Go 7 is a versatile e-reader, suited for various digital content, including books, comics, manga, and PDF files due to the 7-inch color screen. Page turns are incredibly fast, even quicker when you engage speed modes from the E INK Control Centre. The physical page-turn buttons enhance the overall reading experience. The image quality is remarkable, with the 300 PPI screen and Carta 1300 controller delivering sharp, detailed images.
The stock app, Neoreader, enables side-loading of all content, supporting numerous options for font sizes, font types, alignment, line spacing, and margins. It's compatible with multiple formats, such as PDF, CAJ, DJVU, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, EPUB3, AZW3, MOBI, TXT, DOC, DOCX, FB2, CHM, RTF, HTML, ZIP, PRC, PPT, and PPTX. The Go 7 shines when accessing Google Play and downloading your favorite apps, providing unparalleled flexibility.
This e-reader is perfect for those seeking an e-reader not locked into a specific ecosystem. Michael Kozlowski, editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader, appreciates the device's affordability and the numerous benefits it offers.
Sources:[1] https://www.good-ereader.com/onyx-boox-go-7-review/[2] https://www.mobilephonebrain.com/onyx-boox-go-7-review/[3] https://www.androidpolice.com/onyx-boox-go-7-android-e-reader-review/[4] https://www.digitalreading-news.com/onyx-boox-go-7-e-book-reader-long-term-review/
- The Onyx Boox Go 7's touchscreen interface, powered by the Boox OS firmware, provides a seamless user experience on this e-reader, enabling easy navigation through Google Play, books, and various apps.
- While reading on the Onyx Boox Go 7's e-ink display, users can take advantage of the built-in kid-friendly mode, allowing them to customize screen settings and restrict access to specific content for their children.
- Gadget enthusiasts looking to incorporate technology into their reading habits will appreciate the Onyx Boox Go 7's impressive features, such as its sleek design, 7-inch touchscreen, rapid page turn speed, and compatibility with multiple file formats, making it a versatile e-reader for a variety of digital content.
