Microsoft OneNote on an E Ink tablet is the productivity solution I didn’t know I needed

I’ve always enjoyed using Microsoft OneNote. It’s a fantastic way to organize my thoughts for articles and videos, and I like that I can easily sync pages between multiple devices.

I also admit that I never get the most out of it. I’ll type out some notes on my phone and pass information back and forth from my desktop PC, but I know there’s a better way.

Thankfully, I bring an E Ink tablet with me wherever I go. The Boox Note Air4 C makes for an excellent productivity companion, and I’ve found it to be significantly more versatile than a tablet with a traditional OLED or LCD screen.

The Boox tablets also ship with a full version of Android, allowing me to use my favorite productivity apps. When I installed OneNote, I became a believer.

It’s easier to write things down

I love using the stylus for notes

I can type a 100-page document and not remember a single word of it. For whatever reason, typing just doesn’t have the same staying power in my brain as the written word.

That’s the limitation I encounter when using OneNote on my phone and PC. Yes, I enjoy typing out outlines and lists, with fancy bullet points and indentation. But if I don’t get anything from it, what’s the point?

Using my E Ink tablet for OneNote allows me to draw with the stylus. It’s the better, more intuitive way for me to take notes, and I remember so much more of what I write down.

I can also add drawings, graphs, and other illustrations. I’m not bound by what I can type in on a keyboard. It removes a limitation, and I find myself using OneNote a lot more as a result.

Pulling out my phone and sorting through the notes on it can feel cumbersome. Moving my OneNote usage to my E Ink tablet is a more rewarding experience.

A centralized location for my musings

I love that everything pops up in several locations

Onyx did a wonderful job with its first-party apps. I think the calendar program is outstanding, and it’s the ideal replacement for your paper planner.

The company also included an easy way to sync your notes to your PC and other Onyx devices, but there can be a few extra steps.

Loading up OneNote instead makes the process streamlined. I simply log in from my PC, smartphone, and E Ink tablet, and everything syncs across all my devices.

I’m also more likely to actually use the notes I’ve written down. It’s hard to describe how many things I’ve written down with pen and paper, but I didn’t have them around when I needed them.

It’s impossible to carry my physical notes around with me everywhere, but with an E Ink tablet, it’s as simple as throwing it into my messenger bag.

E Ink tablets are fantastic to carry around

Low-power consumption and easy on the eyes

Technology is only useful when it’s available, and the nature of E Ink tablets makes them better for carrying around on a daily basis. They are low-power devices with negligible battery drain.

I can leave my Note Air4 C in my messenger bag over the weekend and still have plenty of charge by Monday morning.

Not having to charge a device nightly means I’m more likely to take it with me.

Pulling a tablet in and out of my bag constantly gets annoying, and it’s just one more thing that needs to be plugged in at night, along with my smartphone and smartwatch.

I’m all about ease-of-use, and if I’m more likely to carry something with me, it’s going to have a greater impact on my productivity.

E Ink devices have other benefits. I’m surrounded by bright screens and monitors for my entire day. It’s not healthy for my eyes in the long term, but there’s not much way to avoid it — especially as a tech journalist.

I may not be able to avoid screens completely, but using my E Ink tablet at times helps reduce eye strain.

E Ink displays are easily viewable, especially in natural lighting. It’s an enjoyable experience, and it makes taking notes much better.

Don’t be afraid to try something new

I knew I loved using Microsoft OneNote to organize my thoughts, but I just didn’t know the best way to take full advantage of it.

Discovering E Ink tablets, like the Boox Note Air 4C, allows me to use full Android to download my favorite productivity apps.

The natural advantages of E Ink tablets make them easier to carry around, and I highly recommend one for your next purchase — especially if you use OneNote.