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I got an X4 (slightly larger model) less than 2 months ago and I already finished 9 books on it. It is always in my pocket and I started reaching for it instead
by jacek 27d ago
I got an X4 (slightly larger model) less than 2 months ago and I already finished 9 books on it. It is always in my pocket and I started reaching for it instead of my phone during tiny moments of boredom. Sometimes it's just a few paragraphs when I'm waiting for a train, but it is also surprisingly good for longer reading sessions.
- yoavm 27d agoSame experience with the X4 Pro. Can wholeheartedly recommend. It feels like reading became much more accessible to me all of a sudden.
- trymas 27d agoIt's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C. They have added backlight, but still left charging/connecting to proprietary magnetic adapter.
- embedding-shape 27d ago> It's so sad that X4 Pro does not have USB-C. Yeah, the connector they've made is absolutely bananas, wonder what they were thinking? Was there a 3rd-party docking ecosystem they were expecting to be spawned by this, or something? The magnetic connector by itself makes no sense, unless I severely misunderstand how it's supposed to be used in practice.
- 3eb7988a1663 27d agoI saw a claim that the connector was to reduce the thickness of the device. Terrible trade-off. I do not want a marginally smaller book if it means I have to worry about losing a proprietary cable.
- bonsai_spool 27d ago> proprietary magnetic adapter They're supposedly not proprietary but a standard size that's easily replaced.
- trymas 27d agoOk, though still obscure. I don’t want to looking where to order it when it’s lost or broken.
- criddell 27d agoAny guesses why they went with that connector rather than USB C?
- bonsai_spool 27d agoJust for improved thinnness; they're able to reduce about 2 mm from the thickness with the pins (and you can still technically use them for data transfer depending on how it's wired to the SoC).
- yoavm 27d agoIt is, though to be honest it bothers me less than I thought it will. The battery lasts so long that I rarely charge it.
- hn_submit 27d agoI bought a 6 inch model for $60 (it's now double the price) from another brand a couple months ago and I love it. A 4 inch screen is just too small IMHO.
- yoavm 27d agoWhich model/brand?
- onemoresoop 27d agoI got a kobo clara bw and a xteink x4 that I gave to my kid. Im quite happy with the kobo, it’s a much better experience for reading imo despite not having buttons. The touch screen is usable after all. I started dumping things into epub format, for example lyrics/chords, things that I want to read, etc. chatgpt is quite helpful with formatting epub files.
- lostlogin 27d agoWhat apps are you using? I’m on Calibre Web and Shelfmark.
- jcul 27d agoI have an old kobo Clara hd. I considered buying an X4 for the portability (and to be honest installing and tinkering with crosspoint sounds fun). But the kobo can fit in my jeans pocket and is about the size of a normal paperback page. I feel like the X4 would be too small and might be frustrating.
- yoavm 27d agoIf you're looking to tinker with a Kobo Clara HD, you can install PostmarketOS on it ;) I created https://github.com/bjesus/air https://github.com/bjesus/air for this device.
- hn_submit 26d agoSilvergear.
- darreninthenet 27d agoI was thinking of getting one for exactly the use case you've described here but then I thought, "why don't I just get my phone out and read the ebooks directly on that?" Can you explain to me why one of these is better for this please?
- tough 27d agoA phone is a gateway to much more than just reading books, so your brain might prefer it. Also notifications etc
- embedding-shape 27d agoPersonally I much prefer e-ink when I read for more than 10 minutes or so. The LED light from my phone just makes my eyes tired, while e-ink + "backlight" (guess it's really "kind of from the front light" in reality) just feels like reading normal paper. The font rendering in the official firmware isn't that great though, especially compared to even a old phone screen. I had much better text rendering with 3rd party firmware.
- OliveMate 27d agoIt's hard to explain to someone who hasn't used an e-reader, but e-paper screens just look more natural, they also don't require a backlight so they can be easier on the eyes. Combined with a matt display, you can comfortably use them in direct sunlight without having to faff about with brightness or finding shade. Also e-readers have way less distractions than a phone.
- rpdillon 27d agoIt's a mental thing. The phone is the doorway to all the things, and the reader is the doorway to reading. When I'm being intentional about my phone usage (not always, but most of the time), I defer to devices that are focused.
- chrisjj 27d ago> The phone is the doorway to all the things, and the reader is the doorway to reading And the phone's reader app?
- TwoFerMaggie 27d agoThe portability is such a game changer compared to the usual kindle-like devices. Compared to my kindle which I have to put in my backpack or only when I have big coat pockets in the winter, this can be put in my pocket and taken everywhere. I wish they have a magsafe case with 1-2 card holder slots, then it would just be a perfect wallet replacement.
- ndsipa_pomu 27d agoThe problem with using it as a wallet replacement is if you want to read whilst in public queues etc. and that would be fairly easy for a thief to swipe. If you're just holding the Xteink then you're less of a target.
- TwoFerMaggie 26d agoThat's a fair point. Although I would argue that I already see many people using phone cases with card slots or magsafe card holders. This is a safer option because the xteink costs less and it makes your phone less likely to be swiped. My setup now is simply my transport card duct taped on the outside of the xteink case. For payments and music and such I'd still use my phone, which is in the other pocket.
- fg137 27d agoI have an X4 as well, but shamefully I have to admit I find myself browsing HN much more than reading on X4, despite being a reader of physical books and kindle
- amunozo 27d agoI am planning updating my Kindle Paperwhite from 2016. I love the idea of having a smaller e-reader I can have always in my pocket, but I worry about it being too small. Do you have another e-reader or have used any before? How would you compare them?
- jacek 27d agoYes. I had Kindle DX (2010) and Kindle Paperwhite (~2016?). I still have and use Onyx Boox Air (2?). As X4 has no touchscreen layer and no backlight, the contrast is best. Resolution not as good as Boox, but no complaints there. The only downside is no backlight, but not a problem for me. Buying a new eink reader I would for sure avoid color screens. Their contrast is worst by far.
- theshrike79 26d agoGo with a Kobo. I switched to the Libra Colour and not going back. Physical buttons, sideloading without any trickery, first party support for alternative firmwares and frontends. Also not owned by a man who can RENT VENICE for his wedding. I also have an Xteink X3 and it's always with me. With a screen protector and/or case, I can just shove it into any pocket or put it on the back of my phone with the Qi2 magnets.
- amunozo 24d agoThanks. I was considering Kobo actually, but my old Kindle still resists.
- jilles 27d agoI did the exact same. Installed CrossPoint on it and when I want to grab my phone, I read a page in my X4 Pro. It's quite nice.
- rpdillon 27d agoSame, got it about 6 months ago, flashed crosspoint, and have since sold my entire family on the X4. The innovation of getting respectable book formatting running on ESP32 is remarkable. Impressive work.
- crossroadsguy 27d agoThat's what I was wondering - how does one even read a book on that tiny X3. X4 looks like the perfect size though, proper pocketbook size.