The Viwoods AI Report isn’t an ordinary one.
tablet
Instead of featuring a vibrant AMOLED or LCD screen, this device includes an eye-friendly e-ink touchscreen along with a stylus, transforming it into an
Android-powered digital notebook
It works well with the Google Play Store, allowing you to enjoy your preferred applications (such as
Kindle
) and utilize it for far more purposes. Additionally, it features an integrated AI assistant. This product may not suit everybody, which is intentional; however, should you seek something versatile, then this could be ideal for you.
reading tablet
If you’re looking for an alternative to the Remarkable or Kindle Scribe, this device makes for a fantastic choice.
Viwoods AI Paper – Architecture and Characteristics
Viwoods is a recently established firm that concluded its initial Kickstarter campaign just towards the end of last year. Even though this marks their debut in the realm of consumer electronics, they’ve made quite an impression right out of the gate with their flagship product, the Viwoods AI Paper. This device stands out due to its user-friendly design, cutting-edge technology, and remarkable adaptability as an E Ink tablet. Despite ongoing updates aimed at adding more functionalities, it has quickly become competitive against well-established rivals who had years earlier starts.
The AI Paper is available in two formats: the standard size at 10.65 inches, which I received for evaluation, and the more portable AI Paper Mini, featuring an 8.2-inch display equipped with a backlight not present in the bigger model. In this assessment, my attention will primarily be on the larger variant; however, should you prefer a smaller option, these distinctions would be crucial to consider.
The AI Paper falls into a tablet category that’s better categorized as a Digital Notebook. You’re probably familiar with the Remarkable, which really pushed this category into the mainstream. Digital Notebook tablets don’t claim to be do-everything devices. Instead, they emphasize note-taking, writing, reading, and organization. They’re less prone to cause distraction and, when used properly, can become a pivotal organization and thought-management tool.
Like its key competitors in this space, the AI Paper uses a paper-like e-ink display. In this case, the company has implemented the Carta 1300, which offers improved contrast compared to older e-ink screens and, theoretically, should be one of the best out there. Viwoods has done an excellent job of making the “paper” of the screen look bright, but the same can’t be said for most of the alternatives out there, like the Boox Max, which is noticeably darker grey. The screen has a resolution of 2,560 x 1,920, giving it 300 pixels per inch (PPI) of clarity. It’s a high resolution for an e-ink device and allows text and images to appear crisp and readable.
Similar to how OLED or LCD screens operate using distinct principles, e-ink technology functions somewhat akin to an Etch-a-Sketch toy. In such toys, tiny particles within a compartment move around when shaken up to form images. With e-ink devices, microscopic capsules containing dark pigment sit under the surface; applying electrical charges makes these pigments rearrange themselves to depict texts and pictures. After forming an image, they do not require constant refreshing, allowing pages viewed during reading—like those found in physical books—to remain stable without needing updates. Consequently, this feature greatly extends battery longevity and minimizes visual fatigue. The non-glare finish further enhances the resemblance to traditional print materials. Pioneered commercially through products like Amazon’s initial Kindle model, this innovative approach quickly gained traction among electronic readers everywhere.
This applies to all e-ink tablets, however, the AI Paper extends its abilities by offering access to the Google Play Store. Although not pre-installed, you can download it as an application which grants entry into a vast array of applications such as Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Obsidian, among others. While this feature does detract somewhat from its minimalist design intent, the sluggish refresh speed of its e-ink display makes activities like watching YouTube videos or engaging with social media less appealing, thus maintaining some level of focus.
Artificial intelligence plays a significant role here; however, it can be entirely omitted based on your preference. At the base, there are three tactile buttons, much like those found on standard models.
Android device
However, the right button is designated for invoking your AI agent. By holding this button down, you have the ability to voice a command that gets transmitted to ChatGPT. The same feature is integrated within various modes of its reading and writing tools, featuring shortcut keys to assess content on screen, create a fresh piece of writing inspired by said material, transform handwritten notes into typed text, or simply call forth an artificial intelligence aide. Additionally, it provides the option to establish personalized directives ensuring you won’t have to repeatedly dictate prompts from scratch each session.
Other tablets similarly offer AI support, like those produced by Boox, which run on Android and provide access to the Google Play Store. This accessibility allows for downloading any compatible Android application, including various Android-ready large language models (LLMs). The distinguishing factor here though, is that Viwoods has enabled their device with the capability to visually analyze and understand content displayed on your screen rather than merely responding to textual inputs.
This is especially useful functionality for students. For example, if your professor has assigned you an article to read, you can generate summaries and study aids quickly and easily simply by creating a prompt for it. You can also take handwritten notes in class and then have the AI transcribe these into written text that can then be accessed on a computer. The transcription process isn’t perfect, especially if you have messier handwriting, but it’s seen improvements since the tablet launched and is usually close enough that I can understand what I was attempting to write anyway.
The classic notebook and organizing capabilities stand out. The main page is divided into various segments designed for writing, organization, sketching, and applications. When it comes to writing, you have access to 31 distinct template options ranging from standard lined pages to graphic organizers, musical notations, and detailed body diagrams suitable for fashion designing. These templates function as background layers where you can compose your content, effectively replacing physical copies of these sheets or planners.
Once you’re prepared to start writing, you have the option to pick one out of seven distinct tools, such as a calligraphy pen, pencil, highlighter, and something called a “thinker” that resembles a dry-erase marker. The stylus operates based on the Wacom standard EMR (electromagnetic resonance) technology, making it free of batteries, capable of sensing up to 4096 degrees of pressure, and able to recognize when the stylus is angled. These features prove highly beneficial for sketching since they enable shading using the pencil function.
The tablet comes packed with several useful features as well. You can tag each “note” for simple sorting and future searches. The notepad function lets you build upon layers, much like an image editing tool, enabling you to enhance sketches and notes without altering what’s beneath. When sketching shapes, pressing the stylus steadily at the conclusion of your line will convert it into a precise geometric form with clean edges and roundness for circles.
Moreover, it serves excellently as an e-reader. It inherently supports both PDFs and EPUB formats for eBooks; however, installing the Kindle application from the Play Store grants complete access to all your titles within your Amazon Kindle library too. The experience of reading on e-ink closely mimics traditional paper, with added benefits like clarity provided by its 300 pixels per inch display which makes each letter appear as sharp as those seen on a Kindle Paperwhite.
Uploading documents to and from the device can occur through multiple methods. You may send your documents to the AI Paper management website, after which they will synchronize with the device once it connects online again. Alternatively, you could link the device to your computer using a USB Type-C cable and manage file transfers as you would with any standard storage unit. Another option includes sending documents via email or syncing them with cloud services.
Ultimately, the AI Paper features a 4,100mAh battery capable of lasting about a week under conditions where you write for two hours daily. However, this requires keeping Wi-Fi disabled, which somewhat dampened my enthusiasm. The drawback associated with operating on Android and offering extra functionalities is increased power consumption. While seven days might not be too shabby, frequent use throughout multiple class sessions plus assignment work would likely deplete the battery sooner than expected. According to Viwoods, the device holds up well in standby mode, boasting an estimated lifespan of one month. Therefore, if you’re heading out on holiday or during extended breaks, your device ought to retain sufficient charge upon your return.
Viwoods AI Paper – Efficiency
I’ve evaluated the AI Paper along with three top competing e-ink tablets (which will be featured soon) and noticed they share common goals: providing a pen-on-paper feel, minimizing distractions, enhancing both educational and professional productivity, and boosting organizational skills. This comparative test clearly shows that even though Viwoods is relatively new to the market, their product manages to distinguish itself significantly from others.
To begin with, this represents the finest version of the Carta 1300 display to date. A major drawback when featured in other devices such as the Boox Max has been its excessively dim screen; whites often appear as dark grey, potentially affecting legibility. However, the Al Paper boasts the brightest display I have encountered thus far, providing excellent contrast and sharpness.
The writing experience is excellent as well. While it doesn’t mimic paper precisely, the screen boasts a subtle texture that gives a slight gritty sensation during use. This was quite pleasant for someone who had not previously tried using an E Ink device; although it requires some adjustment, I discovered it far simpler compared to mastering pen input on my Android tablet’s slick, glass surface (which ultimately led me to abandon that approach). Additionally, the display employs a softer material rather than rigid glass, enhancing the overall sense of familiarity.
The AI Paper was my first e-ink tablet, so I had to go through that learning curve transitioning from paper and typing exclusively. I found it fairly easy to adapt to. It does take a minute to learn its different tools, but it’s very smartly designed with intuitive features like lassoing to erase large bits of text or drawing.
Drawing on the tablet turned out to be unexpectedly excellent. Actually, it ranks among the top experiences available today. A significant factor contributing to this quality is the wide range of stylus options provided. My favorite was definitely the pencil option; using it felt incredibly intuitive—far more so than I anticipated from a digital tool. The ability to freely rotate and tip the pencil adds an extra layer of realism when applying shades, thanks to precise pressure detection which allows for nuanced gradient adjustments. Honestly, this feature significantly enhances usability and integrates seamlessly with the customizable pressure settings found within the tablet’s interface. Together, these elements enable highly refined customization, making sophisticated drawings entirely feasible on this device.
I like the stylus, though I do think it could feel a bit more premium. It’s simple, slim, and plastic. At the same time, it feels like a normal pencil and has a flat section to rest your thumb and keep it oriented correctly. There’s a button on this section that can be used for erasing, or you can flip it over and use the backside as an eraser. It’s no Lamy, but it feels good to use. It also made me wish other brands started making spring-loaded nibs. If you push hard enough, the nib provides some resistance that almost feels like you’re digging into the page.
The AI Paper is at its best when you actively make it a daily companion. I’m finding that to be true of all of these tablets, and perhaps it goes without saying. Even so, I’ve made a point to carry it in situations when I wouldn’t normally carry a notebook. Doing so, and using the keyword system, I’ve found that I’m more organized and less forgetful. I work across multiple organizations, and simply using the AI Paper so regularly has inspired me to keep a daily organizer and to-do list. As an adult with ADHD, I’ve come up with a lot of systems to manage, but never stepped into a daily planner with such regularity.
Operating on Android offers advantages if you favor using third-party applications instead of those pre-installed or want to utilize accessories such as a Bluetooth keyboard. This aspect particularly appealed to me since I’ve long been intrigued by the Astrohaus Freewrite, which incorporates an e-ink display in its effort to create a contemporary typewriter experience. Given that much of my writing takes place within Google Docs, I installed the application, paired up with a wireless mechanical keyboard, and got down to business. The setup performed remarkably efficiently.
Even though the Viwoods Al Paper seems comprehensive, it remains under development. The firm continues to roll out regular updates, introducing new functionalities including the recently added long-press automatic shape tool. However, compared to rivals like the Supernote, this device lacks certain capabilities—such as tagging documents with several keywords for enhanced organization of thoughts—which would make it more competitive.
The primary problem I faced was ghosting. Due to how the display technology functions, every e-ink display experiences some level of image persistence whenever the screen changes. This isn’t as lasting an effect as what occurs with OLED gaming monitors; nonetheless, it can still be quite disruptive. Although it’s not particularly severe, it stands out more than anticipated. Fortunately, refreshing the screen is straightforward—simply drag your finger down from the upper-left corner to clear this residue effectively.
You have the option to adjust the screen’s refresh rate, which helps minimize this issue. This adjustment involves a compromise though. The available options include Best Display, Fast Mode, and Ultra Fast Mode. Both of these higher modes tend to soften the picture quality. Therefore, although you could reduce the visibility of the ghosts, it isn’t typically what I preferred since simply swiping them away completely was much easier.
Purchasing Guide
The suggested retail price for the Viwoods AI Paper is $799, though it typically ranges from around $500 to $600. As I write this, it is listed at $589.
Amazon
with a $70 instant coupon. It can also be purchased
directly from the manufacturer
. A smaller version of the tablet is also available, the Viwoods AI Mini and features an 8-inch display as well as a backlight for
around $400
.
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