But I want buttons. Without buttons I always do the wrong gesture.
this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2026
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I read on a kindle on my bed before going to sleep, and everytime I stretch or turn over the font size changes or it advances a couple of pages. It's slowly driving me insane.
Why is "buttonless" being said like a good thing?
It’s a fact? It has no buttons. God or bad
Yes, but my point was that it was stated in a way like a feature being touted as opposed just a statement of fact, Maybe my impression was wrong, but "buttonless" immediately put me off from the device.
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Because buttons take space, reducing space available for the screen that has, well, the book.
The good sensor is the answer, IMO. I only wonder how should it turn on and off, then.
Having a space with no display where I can actually hold the reader makes it so much better, for me
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Yeah I've got a buttonless reader that I got as a gift and I'm thankful to have it but it sucks. Give me buttons.
Especially as it gets older and slower now I'll give it swipe or tap and wonder, did it register and it's just taking a while...? should I try again? five more times?? oh you've really got to let your finger linger I guess? no? huh that worked last t--oh! It's going! Oh shoot this is way too far.. so now I just have to swipe.. back.., -_-
brushes against the screen "What the hell did I just hit? Where is my screen?"
taps against the spot 50 times "Respond!!"
Buttonless ? Fuck that 😅 I want at least a home button and page turning buttons...
That screen is absolutely tiny.
I actually just got one of these things (https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4) that has a 4" screen (WITH BUTTONS) for $55 on Amazon and I kinda love it. I think my perfect phone would be something this size with GrapheneOS support and a headphone jack.
I have seen so many videos about this exact reader! I think Switch and Click has one, too. Yep, found it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKyuLl8A4CY
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Yeah that seems like a really uncomfortably small screen to read on.
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In the great debate of buttons be no buttons, please keep in mind that it was likely a decision about components. Just a screen makes it far cheaper and easier to manufacture.
I do agree, buttons or GTFO, but understand why there might not be any.
so.... a used kobo??
Lots of people complaining about buttons, but most people are fine without them.
This thing will fail because of the tiny screen, not because of the lack of buttons.
Sad choice.
I doubt the screen size is an issue for most. The Xteink X4 is about 4 inch and is flying off the shelves right now
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Why would you pay $150 for a 4.26" ESP32- based eReader when you could get a 4.26" ESP32-based eReader for $70 or less? The XTEink X4 is already available.
I recently picked up an Xteink X4 for $55. Flashed the Crosspoint firmware on it. Crosspoint just works and has no bloat. I love being able to set the device and send books via the self-hosted web interface. Sending books via wifi from Calibre works too.
Buttons on the reader are nice. I actually prefer not having a touchscreen for something so small. I do wish it had a front light though. This turned out to be the less-expensive-non-Android-just-an-ereader alternative to Boox that I was searching for. Loving it so far.
I did this as well, got it for the same price. The 4" screen wasn't the issue I had feared it to be.
Front light
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What's wrong with Kobo?
One never knows. Better to have alternatives today than to hope nothing goes downhill in the future.
Nothing. I love my Kobo, I take it everywhere and it has a literal zero amount of enshittification. You can set it to sideloaded mode by connecting it to your PC which totally hides the store and Kobo's online features. I manage my books in Calibre.
There is this as well which is cheaper and uses RISC-V instead
https://www.xteink.com/products/xteink-x4
Both look like great options though.
I flashed my Kobo and have a pretty similar experience now. Except with a decent size screen.
I've had a Kobo Clara BW for about 2 years. I use it almost every day and I love it. I think it was about $140 when I bought it. They go for $160 now, but I think the bigger screen makes it a better buy than this e-reader. I love crowd-funded projects, but Kobo is a better option, imho.
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I've heard good things about the xtink stuff, and they have buttons.
I have the xteink X4, and I adore it. Open source firmware you flash onto it yourself (crosspoint), based on esp32, much cheaper than this thing. Tiny device fitting easily into your pocket and so it goes with me everywhere and I use it all the time. Big recommend.
If they are targeting the tiny ebook reader niche, they're going to have to do better on features and pricing than the upcoming refresh of the XTEINK devices.
But XTEINK is actively working to combat the flashing of open source software. It seems they had a spike in sales and interest due to their affordable hardware, but if they continue to lock aftermaket software out tech savvy people will be looking for different options.
Update: I just saw that CrossPoint has has an affiliate link, and that if you buy the reader direct from the manufacture you can still get unlocked USB devices. It's only on the international stores like AliExpress that you may get a crippled version. https://github.com/crosspoint-reader/crosspoint-reader
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Okay, but... Isn't pocketbook good enough?
Pocketbook is great, and runs Linux out of the box. But it's not available globally
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Damn, at 10mm thickness that's a chubby little SOB, nearly twice as fat as my leaf 2. And with a tiny 4.26" screen on top of that, yikes...I love my 7" screen, I'd hate to read on a screen smaller than that.
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Why did I read that as 150 buttholes?
I am somehow keeping faith that the PineNote will emerge from early adoption to a fully usable e-reader and e-note device before I pass to the shadow realm. I'm sure my grandchildren will see the day.
I'm looking for an open source ReMarkable alternative. A4 sized preferably. Any options out there?
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Very similar to https://diptyx.dev/
But its been around longer. Software looks really good for an esp32. Im hoping we see more of these open source ebook readers pop up.
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If anyone wants to see the old project: https://hackaday.io/project/192688-the-open-book
Its been around for a bit. The newest iteration looks like its trying to be more like kindle.
GH page: https://github.com/joeycastillo/The-Open-Book
I forget where but the developer goes over the cost of the physical hardware a couple of years ago somewhere. Its kinda expensive to make your own open source ebook reader from mostly scratch.
I like this version: https://www.oddlyspecificobjects.com/projects/openbook/
Will it handle DRM?
It's DRM-free by design. Any book you want to use in it will need to have it stripped off.
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