My desk is littered with post-it notes and scraps of paper that are scribbled with to-do lists, reminders and important dates. The original 8.5-inch Boogie Board LCD tablet, a digital replacement for note pads, appealed to my desire to quit wasting so much paper. If I could cut back on my tree consumption for only $30, I’d be pretty happy.

The only problem I could see with the Boogie Board is that it didn’t have permanent storage. The only thing it would function as for me would be for a daily to-do list. I couldn’t set up reminders for weeks in advance, or save an important note. Once the Boogie Board got too cluttered to squeeze in any more notes, I’d have to erase it and all those notes would be gone. Also, the 3V watch battery was not replaceable. But the good thing is the device could retain the scribbles without needing to power the display, which ensured that the Boogie Board could last for 50,000 refreshes.

Improv Electronics has now announced some new additions to the Boogie Board, which aim to appease critics of the non-replaceable battery. The new 10.5 LCD Writing Tablet has a bigger-screen, binder-friendly casing and runs on two AAAA-sized user-replaceable batteries. It costs $59.95 US. Yay for the low-energy, replaceable batteries, but does that and the bigger screen really warrant an extra $30?

For those not wanting to upgrade, there’s a new accessory for the old 8.5 inch Boogie Board that allows the board to be attached to a fridge door, wall or almost any other flat surface. The Boogie Board Message Center includes a reversible cork/metal insert underneath the main tablet area for push pin or magnetic paper notes. It costs $19.95. Improv Electronics is also going to release a new version of the 8.5-inch model, housed in a special casing that includes holes for clipping into two, three and four ring binders and a holder for the included stylus. It’s priced at US $44.95. Does new casing really warrant an additional $15?

I don’t know if I can justify spending close to $50 or more on something that doesn’t have permanent storage, though it would be an excellent addition to the kitchen or hallway for kids to write reminders or amuse themselves the way they used to with an Etch A Sketch. The new additions will start shipping in July.

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Boogie Board LCD tablet on top of Apple's iPad

We have come a long way in technology since then, and the latest generation of Etch A Sketch-like technology is now in the form of the Boogie Board. An inevitable evolution stemming from LCD technology, and thanks to it becoming so cheap; Improv Electronics was able to make the Boogie Board and sell it for a mere $30.

The Boogie Board objective is to cut back on the amount of paper we use. By aiming to replace memo pads, sketchbooks, sticky notes, dry erase boards, and whatever else we scribble on to save more ancient forests across the planet.

Features and Design
The Boogie Board is plain Jane, aside from the screen itself, there is literally one button on it, erase. The screen is a good size, although I was expecting it to be a bit larger. The stylus that comes with it is high quality. It telescopes in length; it’s balanced nicely and slides smoothly across the screen surface. I was a bit disappointed in the brightness of the impression left on the display, the website and press photos show a bright neon green image, but in actuality it is much darker.

It is solid, very thin at only 1/8”, and light enough to be stuck to your fridge with some heavy-duty magnets. The screen itself is an LCD made of liquid crystals, just like the screen you are probably looking at now. Popular Science ran a feature on the Boogie Board’s insides, explaining the different layers and particles involved in the making of your image, and the erasing of it. Basically you are pushing the crystals around with some type of pen, finger or anything to create pressure. When the board senses pressure, tiny molecules arrange themselves into spirals, joining together to form the image that reflects light. To do this does not require any power, and this is why it can go for so long on a single 3V battery. The only time the juice is used is when you erase. At that time the spirals are broken apart and reset into darkness.

Boogie Board LCD tablet: How it works

Overall Performance
There is no backlight, so reading in the dark is not possible. Battery life is expected to last for 50,000 refreshes. That’s impressive, but being a green product I would expect the battery to be able to be changed. Perhaps the screen suffers from decay at 50,000 cycles, so Improv Electronics did not bother with making the 3V watch battery replaceable. Being one who likes to take things apart, I wanted to see if it could be replaced in some way. I managed to pry the top side open; it’s just locked in with small fragile plastic clips. The 3V battery is in the absolute center and is soldered to one of the terminals. If you are a bit crafty and completely opened it up, cut the solder link to the 3V and soldered a new one on, or just stuck it down with some good glue, I could see it being done. And if you are at the point where your battery is already dead, you really have nothing to lose.

Bottom Line
Priced at only $30, the Boogie Board is quite the deal for quick notes and other doodles you may not need for longer than a day. The erase button is setup in such a way that you wouldn’t have to worry about accidentally pressing it, and erasing your directions for example. It’s very well designed, lightweight, and a good way to save some trees. I think Improv Electronics could perhaps get a bit more green on their production methods. The LCD is made in the USA, then shipped to China to be completed with the China made PCB, case and stylus, then shipped back to USA to be sold. I’m sure it could all be made in the USA, but then it wouldn’t be $30 now would it. Only a small price to pay for saving the forest.

Company Website: MyBoogieBoard

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