I’ve been disappointed by most AI tools. It feels like it takes more work to figure out how to use them (and double-check them) than it’s worth.
The lone exception has been NotebookLM, which has earned its way into my workflow.
It shuts out most of the noise and makes sure the responses I’m getting are grounded in the source material I provide.
I was mostly using NotebookLM on my desktop computer, but I wondered if there was a way to take advantage while on the go.
My Boox Go 10.3 tablet travels with me frequently. I love its versatility, and it’s a fantastic tool for getting work done.
It’s already a repository for my PDFs and other reading materials, so NotebookLM seemed like a natural fit. I decided to test it out, and the results were better than I expected.
My E Ink tablet was already set up for NotebookLM
Everything was in place to take advantage
Whenever I have to read a PDF or technical article, I do it on my E Ink tablet. It ensures me a mostly distraction-free reading experience, and I can use the stylus with the Boox Go 10.3 to highlight and make notes.
I’ve been covering more mobile carriers, and companies like Verizon publish technical white papers that explain upcoming signal challenges and solutions.
Unless you’re an engineer, it’s a heavy read, so it’s welcome to have as many aides as possible to wade through it.
With NotebookLM on my E Ink tablet, it’s a breeze to import the PDFs I already have as sources, letting me have a running conversation as I’m getting through the material.
I’ve used it on multiple occasions, whether cross-referencing two documents or breaking down a solution spread across several pages, and NotebookLM has made me more effective.
Why NotebookLM tops the heap
I love the way it can focus in
I don’t blindly trust any AI tools, but I have more confidence in NotebookLM than others because it primarily pulls from the sources I feed it.
I can ask direct questions about what I’m working on and get relatively informed answers.
I’ll never consider it something that should do the work for me, but as a research assistant, it’s fantastic.
I recently discovered that it not only helps me research a topic but also has tools to help me internalize the material.
I had NotebookLM set up flashcards with the different types of mobile data towers and carrier bands so I could study.
It’s made my work better, and I can easily see how NotebookLM translates beautifully to many different fields, whether in the classroom or workplace.
Pairing with an E Ink tablet makes it more powerful
I love the flexibility
Pairing NotebookLM with my Boox Go 10.3 is powerful for several reasons.
My E Ink tablet goes everywhere with me, so I’m more likely to use it. I never liked traditional tablets. They felt redundant when I was already carrying a smartphone and a laptop, but E Ink tablets completely changed that perception.
I don’t have to worry about charging them nightly like I would with a regular tablet.
I already have too many things to remember to plug in at night, so if I had to charge another tablet just to bring with me daily, it would be left on my desk more often than not.
With my Boox Go 10.3, I know I get multiple days of use, so it can stay in my messenger bag for a couple of nights without worrying.
I can set it up on a desk and work for hours in NotebookLM without worrying about battery life.
It also takes seconds to pull in the PDF files I have on the device, and I love getting to work through problems and ping NotebookLM back and forth without constant notifications and distractions.
My E Ink tablet was already an excellent work resource because it’s not ideal for social media or video, and that environment makes NotebookLM a fantastic experience.
Give productivity tools a try on your E Ink device
NotebookLM isn’t perfect, and there’s still a chance you’ll get back faulty information. However, overall, I enjoy using it much more than ChatGPT for research.
I can trust the output more because it is based on the sources I provide, and double-checking is easier because I can request sources from specific documents.
If you’ve never thought of giving this combo a try, it’s time to give it a shot.
