At a cost that’s only slightly higher than the Paperlike, the Mira is a better buy.
And like most front-lit devices, the Mira only needs illumination when there isn’t an ambient light source.
The frontlight isn’t the only customizable feature.
And the two USB key in-C ports make it easy to connect to any computer.
What Is the Onyx Boox Mira?
But that’s not what makes it so special.
Rather than using an LCD panel, the Mira comes with a monochrome E-Ink Mobius screen.
The Mira features 75x75mm VESA mounting holes for connecting to a stationary monitor arm.
It even includes a detachable, foldable cover that doubles as a stand.
As such, it’s suitable for both desktops and laptops.
It’s also small and portable enough that I can take it with me wherever I go.
Enhancing its portability is a pair of USB-C ports.
The only requirement is that it needs at least six watts, otherwise it may not fully function.
Most power sources can output the requisite amount.
The being that E-Ink doesn’t need a backlight.
That means it can be viewed with ambient light.
For those who just prefer reading off pulped wood, E-Ink is slightly closer to paper than LCD screens.
But E-Ink’s visual clarity isn’t equal to paper.
It’s a softer, gentler experience scanning a spreadsheet on E-Ink compared to a computer monitor.
But don’t misunderstand me here: the Mira is not a drop-in medical solution.
That usually means a power brick and a bulky display cable.
That’s because the display requires a paltry six watts at peak consumption.
For context, that’s about equal to a small LED light bulb.
As such, it’s more reliable to power a Mira over a USB-A port or wall wart.
Part of the reason the Mira requires so little power is that it lacks integrated speakers.
Mounting the Mira as a Desktop Monitor
The Mira can function in a mixed mount.
Unfortunately, the required M4 VESA-mounting screws aren’t included.
It mounts securely and without any issues.
What Can You Do With the Onyx Boox Mira E-Ink Display?
The Mira 4:3 aspect ratio and grayscale colors make it useless for streaming video or photo editing.
That means you may have to turn on your operating system’s high-contrast display options in itsaccessibility parameters.
First and foremost, its light weight of 590 grams gives it the heft of a bottle of beer.
Low weight and power draw make it perfect for use as a secondary mobile display.
The soft-touch vinyl folio case is magnetic, so it’s easy to attach and remove on the go.
Just fold and go, or unfold and plug into a computer.
Secondly, the Mira’s softer, on-demand brightness makes it perfect for taking breaks from an LCD screen.
Ideally, you’d be able to use it on an Android or iOS smartphone or tablet.
Unfortunately, I could not test the Mira with a compatible mobile rig.
That’s mainly because DP Alt Mode isn’t common on low-end consumer devices.
However, DP Alt Mode on Apple devices is far more common.
As of 2022, DP Alt Mode compatibility will require using a Lightning to USB-C adapter.
What’s It Like to Use the Onyx Boox Mira?
I found that using the Mira wasn’t that difficult, although there was a learning curve.
For example, the biggest difference from an LCD screen is the Mira’s variable refresh mode.
To display high-resolution images, the Mira must slow its refresh speed.
Conversely, for display video (at less than 30 Hz), the Mira must reduce the resolution.
To toggle between modes, Onyx installed a rotating wheel.
Rotating the wheel to the left or right changes the mode.
Each mode more or less trades image fidelity for fluidity, at varying rates.
For example, if you want to display video, you turn the wheel until you reach video mode.
Keep in mind that no matter what mode you’re in, the screen will remain black and white.
That means some websites or applications won’t display properly.
For mobile use, you will need a laptop with DisplayPort 1.4 or newer to output video over USB-C.
Connecting the Mira to a laptop requires little effort.
For DisplayPort 1.4 or newer, you’re free to connect over USB-C which provides power as well.
This means that the amber light inside the Mira only alleviates eyestrain at best.
A review of the scientific literature found thatblue-blocking lenses had no impact on sleep quality.
In other words, color-temperature systems might not offer the benefit that we think they offer.
Warranty and Return Policy
As with all Onyx devices, Michigan-basediCare Repairhandles warranty repairs.
iCare Repair is an authorized service center in the US for Onyx.
Unfortunately, a one-year warranty for a display isn’t particularly good as most displays have much longer guarantees.
However, the Mira’s lightweight makes it cheaper to ship than most displays.
On the downside, you’ll still have to pay ship-in costs.
To start with, its 207-PPI pixel density is lower than that of E-Ink Carta’s 300 PPI.
This means that it’s not as sharp as other E-Ink devices on the market.
E-Ink also released a new fast refresh E-Ink panel technology.
That’s enough to display video.
Not Available on Amazon
Unfortunately, Onyx isn’t currently selling the Mira on Amazon.
That means you’ve got the option to’t buy it just to try it out.
