Onyx Boox has just quietly refreshed their M96 Universe e-reader with two different models, the N96 and N96ML. The big difference between the devices is that one with dual touch (capacitive + electromagnetic) and the other employs a electromagnetic touchscreen and a front light.
These e-readers should be appealing towards anyone who is looking to own a large screen e-reader. One of the drawbacks of these two models is that they employ fairly paltry resolution and use an outdated version of e-ink.
Regardless of the resolution, there aren’t too many 9.7 e-readers on the market that let you install your own apps. This might be useful for people who have an extensive collection of maps, documents or PDF files.
| Model | N96 | N96ML |
| Hardware | ||
| CPU | Cortex-A9 1G Hz | Cortex-A9 1G Hz |
| RAM | 512M LPDDR2 | 1G LPDDR2 |
| OS | Android 4.0 | Android 4.0 |
| Front-Light | NA | Support |
| Screen | 9.7‘’ inch pearl | 9.7‘’ inch pearl |
| Gray | 16 | 16 |
| Touch | Capacitive + Digitzier Touch | Digitzier Touch with stylus |
| Resolution | 1200×825 | 1200×825 |
| Flash | 16GB | 16GB |
| Memory | Micro SD (up to 32G) | Micro SD (up to 32G) |
| Audio | 3.5mm + MIC | 3.5mm + MIC |
| USB | Micro USB2.0 | Micro USB2.0 |
| WIFI | WIFI, 802.11b/g + Bluetooth 4.0 | WIFI, 802.11b/g + Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 3000mAh LI-ION Polymer Battery, 300 cycles charging | 3000mAh LI-ION Polymer Battery, 300 cycles charging |
| Runtime |
Around 4 weeks |
Around 4 weeks |
| Adoptor | 5.0V，1A | 5.0V，1A |
| Charging | around 3 hours | around 3 hours |
| Size | 258.2×177.3×9.5mm | 258.2×177.3×9.5mm |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Weigth | around 443g | around 461g |
| Operative Temp. | 0°C- 50°C | 0°C- 50°C |
| Software | ||
| Book Format | PDF, TXT, HTML, EPUB, CHM, PDB, MOBIPOCKET(Non-DRM), FB2, DJVU | PDF, TXT, HTML, EPUB, CHM, PDB, MOBIPOCKET(Non-DRM), FB2, DJVU |
| Photo Format | JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP | JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP |
| Audio Format | MP3，WAV | MP3，WAV |
| Broswer | Support | Support |
| Language | Support | Support |
| Contents | EPUB、PDF support | EPUB、PDF support |
| Dict. | Support stardict | Support stardict |
| TTS | Support TTS | Support TTS |
| Notes | Support | Support |
| Annotation | Support | Support |
| Refresh | A2 / Partial / Full fresh for optional | A2 / Partial / Full fresh for optional |
| DRM | DRM | DRM |
| Update | Support | Support |
| Certification | CE, Rohs | CE, Rohs |
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.