Supernote Nomad - It Barely Survived the Fall!
We all have those moments—we set something down, get distracted, and the next thing we know, it’s tumbling onto the pavement. That’s exactly what happened with my Supernote Nomad in this real-world unintentional drop test—except it wasn’t just a short drop. It fell off the roof of a moving car, slid across the road, and possibly got run over before being recovered.
Surprisingly, the Nomad survived—but just how well did it hold up? Let’s break it down.
The Fall: What Happened?
The incident unfolded after my Supernote Nomad was accidentally left on top of my SUV while loading in grandkids. As the car rounded a corner, the device slid off, hit the asphalt, and bounced along the road. By the time I retrieved it, it had suffered visible damage on three corners, including:
✅ Dented edges on three corners
✅ A cracked area near the power button
✅ A missing power button
✅ The screen protector peeling slightly in a couple corners
At first glance, it looked like a disaster—but things weren’t as bad as I thought.
Still Fully Functional?
Despite the damage, the Nomad still works!
Powering On: The power button was damaged, but by using a small object to press the internal power mechanism, the device booted up without issues.
Touch & Pen Input: The screen remained fully responsive—writing with the stylus felt just as smooth as before.
Charging & Battery: The device still charges properly, and the charging indicator light turns on as expected.
While the external cosmetic damage is obvious, none of the core functionality was affected.
How Durable Is the Supernote Nomad?
This real-world accident proves that the Supernote Nomad is built to withstand some serious wear and tear. Even though it fell from a moving vehicle, bounced along the pavement, and may have even been run over, it continues to work without any major issues. I can't say I would've had the same outcome if it was the Supernote Manta.
What Helped It Survive?
1️⃣ Sturdy Build Quality: The Nomad’s design and materials seem to have absorbed the impact well.
2️⃣ Protective Case (Sort Of): While the device was in a case, it popped out on impact—so the case didn’t provide much protection. However, it may have absorbed the first hit, reducing damage.
3️⃣ E-Ink Screen Durability: Unlike glass screens on tablets, I've heard that E-Ink displays are less prone to shattering.
While the Nomad proved to be tough, a few things could help, one a proactive measure and the other postmortem.
🛡️ A Stronger Case: The existing case didn’t keep the device protected on impact. A more rugged, snug-fitting case could prevent it from popping out during falls.
🔄 Replaceable Parts: With Supernote’s DIY accessory site, getting a replacement case or parts might be an option in the future.
Supernote does have DIY Zone with replacement parts but I'm unclear if the case available also includes the power button that I'm missing. I'll have to reach out the support again.
Final Verdict
The Supernote Nomad has proven itself to be shockingly durable. Despite falling from a car, hitting pavement, and possibly being run over, it still functions perfectly—which is impressive for an e-note device.
📌 Key Takeaway:
✔️ Don't leave your devices on the roof of a moving vehicle
👉 Have you ever done this with an e-ink or tablet? How did it hold up? Share your experiences in the comments!