The InkPad Colour 2 used to be most effective launched in Might 2023, and now the successor used to be launched in November 2023: The InkPad Colour 3 has a newer E-Ink show, however another way, the 2 readers hardly ever vary.
The housing has additionally remained the similar: A plastic chassis, which has a reasonably wider body on one quick aspect and homes the running buttons right here. The again is ribbed and matt. It’s delightful to touch however presentations a large number of fingerprints after a brief duration of use. The workmanship is just right and the gaps are blank. On the other hand, the steadiness isn’t completely convincing, particularly within the space of the controls, the chassis feels moderately versatile and creaks noticeably when power is implemented.
Then again, the housing is secure in opposition to water in response to IPX8. Which means it’s not an issue if you are taking the instrument out within the rain, and the e-reader will also resist a dip within the tub with none issues.
1 GB of RAM is enough for an e-reader, however disqualifies it for extra difficult duties. With 32 GB, there’s sufficient room for e-books, however the reminiscence can’t be expanded with a microSD card. Customers can attach exterior headphones or audio system by means of Bluetooth 5.0.
PocketBook does now not make any statements concerning the WLAN module used, however given the speeds accomplished, we suppose that WiFi 4 is the quickest conceivable WLAN usual. In our checks with the Asus ROG Rapture AXE11000 reference router, the InkPad Colour 3 achieves round 60 MBit/s, which is considerably slower than lots of its competition. On the other hand, the rate is enough for downloading books and on occasion browsing the online.
The reader can’t hook up with cellular networks, and it’s also now not conceivable to decide its place.
The device of the PocketBook InkPad Colour 3 is in keeping with Linux and is proprietary. The producer does now not say how lengthy updates will probably be to be had, however 2-year-old gadgets are nonetheless receiving occasional new firmware variations.
Pre-installed options come with intensive e-reading device, a participant for audiobooks and track, a word app, a browser, a photograph gallery, an RSS information reader, and the device for OnLeihe. The latter is fascinating as it permits you to log in in your native library and borrow e-books with no need to head throughout the browser. Some video games also are to be had ex-works, corresponding to chess and Sudoku.
On the other hand, with the exception of the prevailing programs, the variability of purposes of the e-reader can hardly ever be expanded: in contrast to some competition, it’s not conceivable to put in Android apps, for instance. This may assist you to get admission to the book libraries of different suppliers and to make use of different reader device if you do not just like the pre-installed one.
The e-reader does now not permit the instrument to be locked the usage of a password, and most effective the settings can also be locked. The touchscreen in most cases responds reliably, despite the fact that we needed to restart the instrument as soon as throughout our take a look at because it used to be now not conceivable to make any entries by means of the display screen. There are 4 {hardware} buttons at the body of the instrument: House, Ahead, and Again in addition to an influence button. The scroll buttons are reasonably raised, making them really easy to really feel even at midnight.
PocketBook installs its retailer, which could also be really well stocked with native titles relying at the nation decided on. As mounted ebook costs practice in Germany, e-books are to be had right here on the identical costs as far and wide else. Ebooks can, after all, even be copied without delay from the cloud or by means of USB cable from a PC. The next codecs are supported: ACSM, CHM, DJVU, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, EPUB(DRM), FB2, FB2.ZIP, HTM, HTML, MOBI, PDF, PDF (DRM), PRC, RTF, TXT, AZW, CBR, AZW3 and CBZ.
The pre-installed reader device permits a finely graduated zoom of the show dimension the usage of two-finger gestures. There’s a extensive choice of fonts, you’ll be able to decide the width of the margin across the textual content and in addition the road spacing. The view can also be circled, notes and highlights can also be made, and particular person phrases can also be appeared up the usage of the dictionary.
Textual content-to-speech permits the textual content to be learn aloud via a synthesized voice, with 26 other languages supported. On the other hand, the intonation isn’t at all times suitable, so this serve as is extra of an emergency answer and helpful for accessibility.
The Kaleido 3 panel from E-Ink can show 4,096 colour ranges and 16 gray ranges. The grayscale solution is 1,872 x 1,404 pixels, whilst it’s halved for the colour show. The display screen of the InkPad Colour 3 measures 7.8 inches in diameter and is matt in order that it can be used smartly in vibrant environments. Due to the E-Ink procedure, by which precise ink debris are situated the usage of electric fees, you do not even want a backlight.
When it will get darkish, you’ll be able to turn on the lighting fixtures and both make a choice the brightness and colour temperature your self or let the sensor decide it mechanically. In our take a look at with the spectrophotometer, we measured a most brightness of 82 cd/m², which is enough for nearly all of scenarios. However, competition such because the Onyx Boox Web page now and again be offering considerably brighter lighting fixtures.
Due to the E-Ink pill, you do not need to fret about PWM flickering and we truly like the colour show of the PocketBook InkPad Colour 3: Colours glance moderately colourful for an E-Ink pill, so fanatics of colourful comics can even get their cash’s price. The show of paperwork is sharp and wealthy by contrast. As well as, as soon as a picture has been constructed up, it does now not need to be continuously refreshed, which is straightforward at the eyes and the battery.
On the other hand, the disadvantages of e-ink presentations additionally exist right here: Because of the quite sluggish web page load and the relatively low selection of colours, movies are hardly ever helpful to observe within the browser. Now and again, remnants of the former symbol stay at the display screen in order that they are able to nonetheless be noticed as shadows.
The efficiency of the PocketBook InkPad Colour 3 isn’t really easy to decide, as we will hardly ever run any benchmarks at the proprietary Linux device. PocketBook additionally does now not supply any information about the processor used. The producer most effective confirms that this can be a quad-core with 4 x 1.8 GHz.
In the end, the efficiency is totally enough for studying books and paperwork: pages are became and opened briefly. On the other hand, even if navigating throughout the device, there are at all times quick ready occasions.
Even within the browser, typing in addresses or clicking on buttons isn’t at all times as responsive as one would want. Impatient other folks, due to this fact, continuously finally end up at the improper web page. Additionally it is hectic that it’s important to wait after opening the browser till it has redirected you to the Google homepage.
The e-ink pill hardly ever heats up below extended load. At a most of 30.3 °C, a slight trade in temperature on the again is noticeable however certainly not problematic.
The mono speaker is positioned on one of the most lengthy aspects of the pill. It cannot get too loud and sounds a bit of treble-heavy, however voices are reproduced obviously. When you additionally wish to listen bass and extra mids, you will have to attach headphones or audio system both by means of the USB-C port or Bluetooth. This works with none issues, and the transmitted sound sign is obvious.
The InkPad Colour 3 comes with a 2,900 mAh battery. That is sufficient for 15:44 hours of constant studying with low display screen lighting fixtures. Not anything will have to stand in the way in which of a complete day of e-books. On the other hand, it takes time for the battery to succeed in 100% once more: a complete price takes just below 3 hours.
With the PocketBook InkPad Colour 3, you’ll be able to experience your favourite e-books for a very long time with no need to fret about battery lifestyles. As well as, books and particularly comics can also be displayed really well at the e-ink colour show with colourful colours.
There are a lot more tough e-ink pills on this value vary, such because the Onyx Boox Web page, however then you definitely in most cases need to do with out the colour display screen. Due to the proprietary device, the interface could be very transparent, and the pre-installed retailer and the OnLoan app be offering many choices for gaining access to e-books. On the other hand, if you wish to have most flexibility, you’re with an e-reader in keeping with Android with corresponding app enhance.
The case of the PocketBook InkPad Colour 3 isn’t too heavy and will simply resist a keep in contemporary water. On the other hand, it can be a little extra solid, particularly across the controls. The Web isn’t too speedy, however is enough for downloading books.
The colourful display screen and the tough battery make the InkPad Colour 3 a just right e-reader. On the other hand, it lacks the versatility of a tool with Android.
The Onyx Boox Word Air 3 is considerably costlier however you get a good greater colour show and significantly extra energy. The Onyx Boox Web page is a bit of inexpensive with out a colour display screen, however sports activities Android and a sooner processor.
The PocketBook InkPad Colour 3 is to be had on the time of trying out without delay from the producer for 319 euros.
At amazon.de you’ll be able to save a couple of euros and get the e-reader for 305.55 euros on the time of trying out.
Allow 48h for review and removal.