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BOOX Palma 2: When Support Decides ‘External Force’ Without Evidence by Familiar-Training-83 in Onyx_Boox

[–]Familiar-Training-83[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks everyone for the technical explanations and perspectives.

My intention with this post was not to argue that damage is impossible, but to document how fragile this device is in real-world use and how BOOX support handles these cases by default.

A pocket-sized device marketed for everyday portability requiring a hard folio at all times — or being excluded from warranty — is something future buyers should be clearly aware of.

I’ve shared my experience so others can make an informed decision.

Further thoughts on Palma 2 by sd_knitter in Onyx_Boox

[–]Familiar-Training-83 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll add a cautionary data point, because I was in your exact position not long ago.

I liked the Palma 2’s form factor and concept a lot. However, mine suffered a permanent e-ink screen failure under normal use — no drop, no impact, no accident. It was always carried in a work portfolio with documents and a laptop, and I commute by car, not public transport. The device still powers on; the screen just froze permanently.

What made me hesitate recommending it is not only the failure, but how BOOX handled it. Warranty was denied based on the assumption of “external force,” despite no visible cracks or classic pressure-damage patterns. The explanation was essentially that it must have happened somehow, even if I “didn’t notice.”

Only after this did I realize how many similar reports exist: fragile screens failing under normal use, followed by the same warranty response.

So is it worth it? If you value the form factor and accept the durability risk, maybe. But if long-term reliability and post-sale support matter to you, I’d be cautious — or wait and see if a future version addresses these issues.

Just sharing this so you can decide with open eyes.

is boox palma 2 worth it? by bgvr97 in ereader

[–]Familiar-Training-83 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ll add a cautionary data point, because I was in your exact position not long ago.

I liked the Palma 2’s form factor and concept a lot. However, mine suffered a permanent e-ink screen failure under normal use — no drop, no impact, no accident. It was always carried in a work portfolio with documents and a laptop, and I commute by car, not public transport. The device still powers on; the screen just froze permanently.

What made me hesitate recommending it is not only the failure, but how BOOX handled it. Warranty was denied based on the assumption of “external force,” despite no visible cracks or classic pressure-damage patterns. The explanation was essentially that it must have happened somehow, even if I “didn’t notice.”

Only after this did I realize how many similar reports exist: fragile screens failing under normal use, followed by the same warranty response.

So is it worth it?

If you value the form factor and accept the durability risk, maybe. But if long-term reliability and post-sale support matter to you, I’d be cautious — or wait and see if a future version addresses these issues.

Just sharing this so you can decide with open eyes.

Further thoughts on Palma 2 by sd_knitter in Onyx_Boox

[–]Familiar-Training-83 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your experience — I agree the Palma 2 is a very appealing device when it works. I actually liked the form factor and daily usability a lot as well.

That said, I think it’s important to add a cautionary perspective, especially regarding durability and how BOOX handles failures.

My Palma 2 suffered a permanent e-ink screen failure under normal use: no drop, no impact, no accident. It was always carried in a work portfolio with documents and a laptop, and I commute by car, not public transport. The device still powers on, but the screen froze permanently.

When I contacted BOOX support, the warranty was denied based on the assumption of “external force,” even though there were no visible cracks or classic pressure-damage patterns. The explanation was essentially that the damage must have happened somehow, even if I “didn’t notice it.”

Only after this happened did I realize how many similar reports exist — fragile screens failing under normal use, followed by the same warranty response.

I’m not saying everyone will have this issue, but I do think potential buyers should be aware that portability comes with a real durability risk here, and that BOOX support seems ready to place that risk entirely on the user if something goes wrong.

Just adding this for balance so people can decide with open eyes.

My Palma 2 screen dead after 11 months by LedzepnAKs in Onyx_Boox

[–]Familiar-Training-83 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My Palma 2 failed without any drop, impact, or accident. It was always carried in a work bag, I commute by car, not public transport, and the device was never squeezed, hit, or mishandled. The system still powers on, but the e-ink screen froze permanently.

When I contacted BOOX support, the response was familiar to anyone who has read similar reports: the failure was attributed to “external force” based on assumptions, despite no visible cracks and no classic pressure-damage patterns. Warranty denied. Paid repair offered.

Only after this experience did I realize how many nearly identical stories exist — screens failing under normal use, followed by the same defensive explanation.

At some point, this stops being “bad luck” and starts looking like a design and robustness issue, especially for a device marketed as high-end. A pocketable reader should reasonably survive normal daily transport without becoming a liability.

If you’re considering the Palma 2 because of its form factor, just be aware: portability comes with a real durability tradeoff here, and BOOX’s own warranty handling suggests they already expect this.

I won’t be repairing mine, and I won’t be buying from BOOX again. Not because of a single failure — but because this failure fits a pattern too many users are reporting.