Back-to-school season is here, and two Android-powered ePaper tablets — the TCL Note A1 NXTPAPER and the Boox Go 10.3 Gen II — are competing to replace your notebooks. Both feature styluses that magnetically attach to the side and run Android with full Google Play Store access. The TCL Note A1 boasts a 120Hz NXTPAPER color display that's fluid for typing and video, plus a suite of built-in AI writing tools for summarizing, transcribing lectures, and making notes searchable. However, its display struggles in low light and outdoors, lacks dark mode, uses temporal dithering that may cause headaches, and fails Google Play Integrity tests. The Boox Go 10.3 Gen II uses a classic E Ink display that excels in sunlight and dim rooms, offers a textured paper-like writing feel, and passes all Google Play security checks. Its handwriting-to-text engine is superb, though it lacks direct transcription. The Boox Go is $100 cheaper, lighter, sleeker, and features a vegan leather back. Both are on sale for back-to-school.

Key takeaway: The Boox Go 10.3 Gen II is the better overall note-taking device for most students, while the TCL Note A1 appeals to those who prioritize AI features and a colorful, high-refresh display.