One week with my Xteink X4

The moment I saw someone post a picture of this little technological marvel slotted into a pocket Travellers Notebook (TN) on Reddit, I knew I wanted one. 

And a month or so ago I caved and bought one, because 

1. I want to stop doomscrolling, and stop getting distracted by apps or using my phone as a distraction from my thoughts
2. I wanted to have something to read with me at all times. I did have apps on my phone to read but… see 1.
3. It’s so freaking cute. 

I included a cover (I knew I didn’t want to use it stuck to my phone like a lot of users do, given that it’s magnetic) and a magnetic reading light.

I received it a week ago, immediately added some books to the micro SD card using the included card slot thingie, started reading, and installed the Crosspoint firmware. 

All that took me about half an hour. 

It’s perfect for my needs. 

I keep it in my handbag or slotted into my TN, and I’ve used it more than I expected. 

moments I’ve used it

• in the dentist waiting room
• while waiting for my husband to do some shopping 
• outside, in bright sunlight
• in bed at daytime and night when my regular books and my Pocketbook verse were getting to heavy, and even with the reading light it was just the perfect weight. 
• while taking a break from chores

what I love about it

• it’s tiny and cute and…. squee
• it makes me want to read on it 
• when I read in landscape the screen is almost as wide as my Pocketbook
• it fits perfectly in the side pocket of my handbag
• the battery life is insane
• no backlight. I definitely notice the (positive) difference between reading with a reading light on the screen or reading on my Pocketbook with backlight 
• it clasps perfectly to the cover

what I don’t love about it

• read this week that installing the custom firmware won’t be possible in the future, which is wild. The custom firmware is soooo much better. The included firmware is just inadequate. 
• no backlight. Yes. This is also a positive. I know. It’s just annoying that I have to remember taking the reading light with me when I want to read at night or when I’m going on a trip (and yes, I intend to only bring this with me on short trips. On longer ones I still want to bring my Pocketbook or an actual book, I still read those as well. Voracious reader 🙂).
• the reading light is perfect without the cover. With the cover it barely clasps. It’s doable, because I can hold the light along with the reader, but it’s not ideal. 
• similarly it doesn’t connect to the included ring stickers when attached to my TN. I’ve resolved that by slotting the cover on the smaller elastic. 

The negatives aren’t that bad though. All in all I’m really happy with my tiny reading thingamajig and it still makes me giddy to use it. 

Also, most importantly, I grab it faster than my phone now when I’m bored, and screen time proves that. 

The cute factor really makes me want to use it over my phone and that’s the biggest win!