- 10.3 inch E Ink Mobius display with stylus support and adaptive front light
- Runs Linux and supports 21 formats including EPUB, PDF and AZW
- Slim 5.15mm design with up to two months of battery life
- Priced at 360 dollars in the US and around 270 pounds in the UK
PocketBook is taking a confident swing at the big names in the ereader space. Its newly announced InkPad One is a large screen, stylus-ready device that positions itself as a credible alternative to Amazon’s Kindle Scribe and Kobo’s premium models.
With a 10.3 inch display and a Linux based operating system, this is not just another me too tablet. It is clearly aimed at readers and note takers who want flexibility without being tied to a single ecosystem.
At first glance, the InkPad One ticks many of the same boxes as the Kindle Scribe. It features a generous 10.3 inch grayscale E Ink Mobius display with a pixel density of 226 pixels per inch.
That resolution is slightly lower than the Kindle Scribe, but still sharp enough for comfortable reading, annotating and document work. The larger canvas makes it well suited to PDFs, academic texts and handwritten notes.
PocketBook has also included an adaptive front light that adjusts to ambient conditions, helping reduce eye strain whether you are reading in bright daylight or at night. Under the hood, the device packs a 1.8GHz quad core processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
Power comes from a 3,700mAh battery, which the company claims can last up to two months depending on usage. At 5.15mm thick and weighing 400g, it is impressively slim for a device of this size.
Linux-powered freedom
One of the most interesting aspects of the InkPad One is its software. Instead of running Android or a tightly controlled proprietary system, PocketBook has opted for Linux. That decision could appeal to users who value openness and long term flexibility over seamless integration with a single online store.
The benefit here is simple. You are not locked into one marketplace. The InkPad One supports 21 different book formats, including AZW, EPUB, PDF and MOBI.
That broad compatibility means you can build your own digital library without worrying about file restrictions. It is a practical choice for readers who already own books from multiple sources.
There is also built in support for borrowing library books through a Libby powered app. In the UK, PocketBook says users will gain access to an extensive English language digital ebook catalogue, including millions of ebooks and tens of thousands of audiobooks protected by LCP DRM. For readers who rely on public libraries, that could be a major draw.
Built for notes as well as novels
The InkPad One ships with a stylus in the box, making it more than just a reading device. It is designed for handwritten notes, annotations and light productivity. That places it squarely in competition with devices like the Kindle Scribe and the reMarkable Paper Pro, but without the same ecosystem restrictions.
On paper, the hardware compares well. The screen size is similar to the Kindle Scribe and the body is actually thinner and lighter. The slightly lower resolution may not bother most users, especially for text heavy tasks. If your priority is reading, marking up PDFs or sketching ideas, the InkPad One has the essentials covered.
However, there is some reason to approach with measured expectations. PocketBook’s previous large format device, the InkPad Eo, received a lukewarm reception and was criticized for being expensive and awkward to use. That model ran Android 11, so it is not a direct comparison, but it does show that execution matters just as much as specifications.
Availability and pricing
At the moment, the InkPad One is only available in Germany. PocketBook has confirmed that it is heading to the US and the UK, with pricing set at 360 dollars in the US and around 270 pounds in the UK.
That positions it competitively against the Kindle Scribe, particularly for users who want an alternative to Amazon’s ecosystem.
If PocketBook can deliver a smooth software experience and reliable stylus performance, the InkPad One could become one of the most interesting large screen ereaders of the year.
It may not have the brand recognition of Amazon or Kobo, but it offers something increasingly rare in consumer tech: choice.
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