Boyue Likebook Mars review

It's today Likebook Mars review by Boyue a Chinese brand that not many people know in Spain. And we have low quality Chinese associated with it, but I can assure you that the Likebook is at the same level as the Kindle and Kobo. I was delighted to find a device with enormous quality, whose screen and features are at the same level as those already named Amazon and Kobo.

After testing it thoroughly, it is not surprising that many international media have considered it the best or one of the best ereaders of 2018 and it is that the use of Android with the full range of options that this implies along with the fluidity at which it works make it an option to consider if we are thinking of buying a reader (You can buy it from the Boyue store at AliExpress)

Features

SCREEN

7,8 ″ E ink Letter HD.
Resolution: HD / 300 dpi
198 x 144 x 8,9 mm
290 gr

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ANNUAL REPORT

16 GB internal memory
Micro SD up to 64GB

CONNECTIVITY

802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n with WEP, WPA and WPA2 security
Bluetooth

DRUMS

3100 mAh
Autonomy: several weeks

OTHERS

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Audio jack, you can listen to Audiobook
Octa-core processor

Price € 232 (Now on sale for € 202)

Packaging

As I always say, I like to see the packaging because it seems to me a declaration of intentions of what we are going to enter into and the truth is that the Likebook Mars comes very well prepared. With a nice design and rigid box. I love the touch of yellow that brings it to life.

In the image I also leave the official cover that protects well but looks too plastic. The device is better to hold with a case than without it. At least that has been my feeling.

Project Gutenberg: e-books in the public domain

Impressions and appearance

It is a classic cut ereader in terms of appearance. In other words, it is like the ereaders we are used to but big, quite big.

Grip weight, the weak point

It is possibly one of the weak points of this device compared to the competition. And it seems that we are getting used to the fact that the large screens come with a rear grip like the Oasis or with the bezel of the Forma and it is that once we have tried that type of support and misses. That 7,8 ″ is a lot of inches to hold when you read and more with the almost 300 grams that it weighs, which makes it a bit uncomfortable in certain positions.

The back is made of smooth plastic and although it does not slip, a grip is missed rather than a safety one. As I said, it seems that the cover gives you an extra security when it comes to picking it up.

Connectivity

The Likebook has WIFI, bluetooth and reads microSD cards up to 64Gb. It also comes with a tool installed to transfer files via wifi from a pc or device connected to the same network.

In addition, as we can install applications such as Getpocket or even Amazon and Kobo applications and be connected to our accounts, they make it a very powerful tool without the need to have any store or community, or any ecosystem for the sale of books to support it.

Lighting and battery

A2 Refreshing that allows us to improve the loading speed, it is ideal especially for using third-party applications, browsing the Internet, instagram, facebook, etc.

It allows contrast of text and images, it is rare that it differentiates the elements in the files.

It comes with night lighting that turns the screen orange to disturb sleep. It is similar to the Kobo Comfortlight but without the name.

The 3200 mAh battery will give us joy for several weeks. I have only tested the device in reading mode and some Android apps, if we listen to music or intensive use of the screen with an application, I do not know how it will respond.

Android and its possibilities

All the Android ereaders I have tested so far lacked fluency. You couldn't enjoy them from going too slow, hanging, etc. But as I have already said this does not happen with the Likebook Mars. That Octa core processor brings it to life and makes it fly. The touch screen works perfectly.

An ereader with a claim to something more. And it is that if we are used to ereaders hyperspecialized in reading, who have at most some function to share on social networks and then a web browser that does not quite work well. And here we have the entire Android universe and third-party applications in the palm of our hand. You can install light browsers, pdf readers, getpocket, youtube (yes youtube too) and very interesting things like ivoox, etc. Because let's remember that the Likebook Mars comes with an audio jack connection with which we can listen to audiobooks and music.

At the end of the review I also leave a gallery and photos with menus so that you can see a little what it offers.

Valuation

I was really surprised by the Likebook Mars and I am not surprised that it is considered, as I said at the beginning in many media, as one of the best or the best ereader of 2018. The use of Android makes it a multi-tool, and makes make it tremendously useful. Expand the concept of ebook, ceasing to be a hyperspecialized tool to be able to do something else.

And it is that it is an Android device with hardware to match, the man actions are very fluid, the screen is of first quality and the touch of the screen is instantaneous. Things that fail in other ereaders with Android and that make you have a bad experience in its use.

I would like to see this device with a better grip design, just like the Oasis and the Kobo Forma do.

If you are thinking of buying a big screen ereader, I think you should rate it as one of the top of the range.

By the way, right now they have Chinese, English, French, Italian and some other languages and they confirm that Spanish will soon arrive and that like other functionalities it will be installed on all devices as a software functionality.