So, I have been testing the Penstar eNote 2 for a while now. It’s easily one of the best E-ink tablets I’ve used, but it’s also kind of weird.
It’s a 10.3-inch tablet made for work. But the makers made a massive choice with this device. They completely took away the touchscreen. Tapping with your finger does nothing.
That sounds crazy, but it actually makes the device very interesting.
It has some serious wins, but there is one major problem you need to know about before you buy it.
First, let’s talk about the screen.
This thing is sharp. It has 300 PPI resolution. I have used a lot of e-ink screens, and honestly, this one looks the best.
Here’s how it works. Usually, tablets have a touch layer on top of the screen. That layer makes the display look a bit dimmer. By getting rid of it, the background looks way whiter. The contrast is much better than my Boox Note Air 5C. The text really pops. It looks almost like actual white paper.
But here’s the problem. It has no built-in light. You can only use it if you have a lamp or daylight, just like a real book. I found it comfortable to read in normal room light, so I didn’t really miss the frontlight.
The screen has a matte finish. It cuts down on glare and feels pretty good when you run the pen across it.
Speaking of writing, the experience is good.
The pen uses EMR tech, so you never have to charge it. That’s nice. They say it has thousands of pressure levels, but the software doesn’t use them very well. It’s not great for sketching. Also, the pens in the box feel a bit cheap.
Actually, the biggest issue is the pen itself. It uses proprietary tech. That means if you lose the pens, or if the company stops selling them, you are in trouble. No standard pen will work with this. The tablet basically becomes useless.
That said, I love the actual writing feel. The screen texture gives you nice friction. It feels natural.
The lag is about 48 milliseconds. That’s totally fine for notes. It feels instant. Some other tablets are a tiny bit faster, but you probably won’t notice unless you write super fast.
Since the screen doesn’t feel your fingers, palm rejection is perfect. You can rest your hand anywhere.
The note app has plenty of tools like markers and shapes. It also has a split-screen mode so you can write while reading a PDF. Plus, there are four mics to record meetings while you write.
One of the best parts is the handwriting conversion. It turns your scribbles into typed text accurately. It worked even with my messy cursive.
For files, it handles over 35 types. PDFs, Word docs, PowerPoints. You can write directly on them.
Now, look at the software.
It runs on Android 14. But you don’t get the Google Play Store. You have to install apps through APK sites, which is hit and miss. Most apps work, but some just refuse to load.
Using Android without a finger touch is frustrating. Scrolling through settings or typing a Wi-Fi password with just a pen is a pain. To help, they added nine physical buttons on the side. You can set these to do quick actions, which speeds things up a lot once you get used to it.
Performance is solid. It has an Octa-core processor and 4GB of RAM. It handles files and browsing fast. I didn’t see it slow down.
You get 128GB of storage. That holds a ton of notes, but there is no SD card slot.
Battery life is a highlight. It has a big 6500mAh battery. It’s rated to last two weeks. It is much better than most competitors. I love that I can just do my work without looking for a charger constantly.
The build quality is nice too. It feels solid, not plastic-y. It’s super thin and light, so it’s easy to hold.
Price-wise, it sits around $369. That is a good deal because Penstar gives you two pens and a cover in the box. Most companies make you buy that stuff separately.
So, here is the verdict.
Pros:
- Super clear screen
- Great handwriting conversion
- Good value
- Battery lasts forever
Cons:
- Proprietary pen is a risk
- No finger touch makes menus annoying
- No front light
- App selection is messy
This might work for you if you just want to read and write without distractions. If you need the clearest screen possible, this is it.
But you have to accept the risk. If you lose those pens, the device is done.
What do you think? Would you buy a tablet without a touchscreen? Let me know.
You can buy this here: https://amzn.to/3JJzOcU
