When Boox Palma was first explored, it was touted as the perfect remedy for habitual doomscrolling. This device, compact enough to slip into a pocket like a smartphone, boasts an adaptable Android operating system. It allows users to access various applications while offering an e-ink display that is gentler on the eyes compared to a smartphone’s LED screen. Strangely enough, this device’s smartphone-like appearance—while slightly less user-friendly—was instrumental in achieving a reading goal in less than six months.

Doomscrolling isn’t confined to mobile devices. It’s equally effortless to lose track of time gulping down the latest controversies while browsing on a laptop, despite a to-do list waiting. To shift this pattern, inspiration was drawn from discussions on Reddit about customizing the Palma for productivity, aiming to create a mobile word processor that would keep distractions at bay.

To test this theory, the decision was made to document the findings on the Palma itself—yes, this entire article was crafted on an e-reader.

Transforming the Boox Palma into a Portable Word Processor

Thanks to Palma’s open Android system, switching to a laptop-like setup is straightforward—just connect a Bluetooth keyboard. While Palma is a favored e-reader, similar configurations work with any open Android e-ink device, including offerings from Boox such as the Note Air 4C and Note Max, as well as competitors like Bigme and Hisense. For optimal portability, the iClever BK08 was chosen—a sleek, foldable keyboard that is roughly the same size and thickness as Palma when folded, complete with a trackpad and a compact carrying case.

Credit: Joel Cunningham

Setting up the keyboard was a simple matter of turning on Bluetooth on the Palma, pairing it with the keyboard, and launching Google Docs. A brief search led to disabling the on-screen keyboard when the physical one is connected; this was done through the system Settings, navigating to More Settings, then Language and Input, and selecting ONYX Keyboard as the default input method. Once connected, users can open a Google Doc and manage the settings to disable the virtual keyboard for a seamless experience.

With this setup, the e-reader essentially becomes a miniature laptop.

The Experience of Writing on the Boox Palma

Those familiar with the clunky on-screen keyboard of a Kindle might expect a similarly cumbersome experience when typing on an e-ink display. Initial concerns about the efficacy of the iClever keyboard, especially given previous experience with Boox’s keyboard dock, dissipated quickly. The iClever is well-built, portable enough for short writing sessions, and equipped with a responsive trackpad, although using the touch screen proved more efficient for navigation.

Performance was generally satisfactory, with no noticeable lag between keystrokes and the appearance of text on the screen. This swift responsiveness can largely be attributed to Boox’s impressive refresh modes, making the e-ink screen feel almost as reactive as an LED display. While it may not fully match LED performance during fast-paced content like videos, typing and word processing function smoothly.

This arrangement is perfect for distraction-free writing: absent are annoying notifications and tempting additional tabs that encourage procrastination. Depending on configuration, the smaller screen may limit how much text appears at once, which helps minimize the temptation for excessive editing during writing sessions. This encourages a focus on getting thoughts down initially, reserving edits for later when back at a conventional computer.

However, a significant issue arose unrelated to the keyboard itself—connection troubles with Starbucks’ free wifi hindered access. Though the device connected, the pop-up for agreeing to their terms consistently crashed, preventing cloud backup of written work. This could be seen as a feature rather than a flaw, as it effectively nullified opportunities for online distractions.

Conclusion

While this setup proved enjoyable and practical, it’s important to clarify that it’s not a replacement for a full laptop. Editing and adding images to this article was accomplished using a regular computer, and attempts to integrate it into a CMS were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, for those simply in search of uninterrupted writing time, this e-reader offers an excellent alternative. The preceding thousand words were drafted in one organic flow, free from the typical interruptions from emails and social media notifications—an experience not commonly associated with regular workflows.