The Boox Go Color 7 is an interesting alternative for people who are looking for a compact e-book reader with a color display that is also an Android tablet. It scores with a good display and great versatility, but the software and operation take some getting used to.
E-book readers are particularly practical on vacation because you can take a lot of reading material with you, but they take up less space in your luggage than a printed book. The devices are also more versatile, especially if they come from an independent manufacturer and can be equipped with content from many different sources. The Boox Go Color 7, which costs just under 280 euros, goes even further. It not only has a 7-inch color E-Ink display, but is also an Android tablet (Android 12). You can therefore install a variety of apps from Google's Play Store on it.
Handy and light
The device is lightweight.
(Photo: kwe)
At first glance, the device is very reminiscent of the Amazon Kindle Oasis. This is due to the asymmetrical design of the front, the right side of which has a wider display edge. This means that you can hold the 195-gram Go Color 7 comfortably with one hand and use your thumb to operate the two buttons, which are used for turning pages and adjusting the volume, among other things. Left-handed people can rotate the display. Otherwise, you maneuver using the touchscreen, which responds relatively quickly.
The back in a rough imitation leather look and a matte frame make the 6.4 millimeter thin tablet pleasant to grip. The workmanship is flawless and the Go Color 7 also makes a robust impression. However, it is not waterproof. The manufacturer Onyx only states that the device is protected against splashes and spilled liquids. You can also protect the device from damage with an optional magnetic cover, which costs around 40 euros.
Well equipped
There is a USB-C port on the top right of the frame, which can be used to charge the device and also transfer data. Because the 64 gigabyte flash memory may not be enough for this, there is also a slot for microSD cards on the same side. Cables and ejectors are included in the delivery. There are also openings in the frame behind which speakers and a microphone are hidden. The Go Color 7 accesses the Internet via WLAN, and devices are connected via Bluetooth.
The 7-inch E-Ink display made a very good impression in practical tests. It can display black and white content in razor-sharp detail with a pixel density of 300 ppi, and for color content it is still sufficient at 150 ppi.
Fine display with (too) many settings
Navigation and buttons can be customized to a large extent.
(Photo: kwe)
Under its anti-reflective cover glass, the content on the Carta 1200 screen is easy to read even in direct sunlight. Brightness and color temperature can be adjusted manually, but unfortunately there is no automatic adjustment to the ambient light.
The display of text is excellent – if you find and select the right settings. However, this is anything but easy with Boox devices. There are sometimes a confusing number of options, which can sometimes even be found in different menus. You can experiment with them, but it is easier to download the complete manual into the library.
In practical tests, for example, ghosting was often seen. This means that previously displayed content “shines through” after turning the page, as if the paper was too thin. Finding the right settings to minimize this phenomenon is not easy. In addition to nested menus, poor translation also contributes to this – several subsections are only displayed in English.
Fine display
The magnetically attached protective cover costs an extra 40 euros.
(Photo: kwe)
Since you can install various Android apps, the complexity increases even further. For example, in the Amazon Kindle app, you have to make changes in the application in addition to the device settings in order to be able to use the buttons for turning pages. It is practical that you can quickly access the app optimization and other functions using a navigation ball that you open on the right edge of the display. This also includes access to Chat-GPT (English/GPT-3).
If the apps are optimized, you'll have fun with the Boox Go Color 7. This applies to comics, among other things, which are of course much more fun in color than in black and white. With 4096 colors, the E-Ink display can't be compared to an LCD or even an OLED screen, but the display in pale pastel tones has its own charm. The device's performance is also sufficient to play videos, including in the ntv app. But don't expect too much here; you wouldn't want to watch films or series like this.
Many supported formats and sources
There are hardly any restrictions on e-books and other content, the Go Color 7 supports all common formats. The device can also play audio files. This is not only important for audio books, you can also install Spotify and other streaming services or transfer and listen to your own music collection. You can use the device's speakers for playback or reading aloud, although they are not a highlight. It is better to connect headphones via Bluetooth or USB-C input.
It is worth mentioning that Onyx offers a child mode when you sign up. This allows parents to restrict access to certain apps or content. Registered users also have 19 gigabytes of free cloud storage at their disposal.
The endurance is good, the 2300 milliampere hour battery keeps the Go Color 7 running for several days or even weeks, depending on usage. If you want to charge it even less often, you can only activate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when needed.
Conclusion
The Boox Go Color 7 is a very handy and high-quality color e-book reader, which is also particularly versatile as an Android tablet. However, the variety also makes it a bit confusing and you have to get used to it before you can enjoy the device. If you are willing to do that, just under 280 euros is a fair price for the range of functions.
