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When it comes to capturing thoughts, you’re presented with two options: the classic pen and paper approach or the digital route using devices like the iPad with the Apple Pencil. However, each method has its limitations. Traditional pen and paper suffers from the inconvenience of having to manage multiple notebooks, while the iPad, in my experience, lacks a natural feel. But what if there was a device that perfectly combined the strengths of both and offered a distraction-free alternative?
After a month of intensive use, accompanied by its various accessories, I am ready to share my ideas. In this review, I will describe the tablet’s target audience, use cases, and its integration into my daily workflow.
As a tech journalist, I write daily, mostly on my MacBook. But often when I write reviews like this, I find myself wanting to write with pen and paper. Attempts with the iPad Air and Apple Pencil 2 were unsatisfactory, mainly due to a lack of natural feel and inaccurate conversion of handwritten notes to text.
The Remarkable 2, however, provided a transformative experience. Typing on it not only felt natural but also highlighted sensory aspects, from sound to the texture of the screen. The convenience of having effortless handwritten notes on my computer is also an invaluable feature. I found Remarkable 2’s ability to convert my handwritten notes to text surprisingly accurate.
It barely misses, and that’s what makes the experience priceless for me. In fact, this review was handwritten in Remarkable 2 itself and then converted to text using the built-in function. Later, you can easily copy the text from the Remarkable app on your mobile device or desktop. It just works.
Before we delve deeper, let’s understand what distinguishes the two notables
Have you seen the Kindle e-readers with their paper-like e-ink screens? Well, Remarkable 2 features the same technology, but in a very different form factor; The Remarkable 2 Way is not only thinner, but it’s also a bit larger than your Kindle.
Remarkable, the company, is based in Norway and calls the Remarkable 2 a “paper tablet.” The tablet features the company’s second-generation Canvas display, and that’s what enables the paper-like texture and fast typing experience. That said, like the Kindle, the Remarkable 2 can also be used for reading and has the ability to accept PDFs and more, but its true capability lies in being a thinking device: something you can take anywhere and get started. to write down what’s on your computer. mind or that of another person.
Design, construction and the brain
As for the form factor, well, it’s similar to the everyday lined notebook you’d find in a college student’s bag. The overall build is, simply put, excellent. It feels solidly built and made to last. This also applies to accessories. The funny thing is that despite being the “world’s thinnest tablet”, at 4.7mm thick, the device doesn’t compromise on battery life.
In my use, I only had to charge the tablet twice in almost a month: once out of the box and then after a few weeks. Now I’m around 8% and need a charge. That means that on a single charge, the 3,000 mAh battery can last almost two weeks.
As for the specs, well, they shouldn’t really matter for a device like the Remarkable 2, but anyway, it’s powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core ARM-based SoC, comes with 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. The display itself is a 10.3-inch e-ink monochrome panel with 226 PPI.
Now, one would think: will 8 GB of storage be enough in 2024? The simple answer is yes. To store your virtual notebooks and quick sheets, you hardly need any space. Even if you import PDF and EPUB files, it is highly unlikely that you will fill Remarkable 2. I raised this with company management and they expressed the same sentiment.
Notable 2, distractions and you
The downside to using laptops, Android tablets, or iPads for research and note-taking lies in the constant distractions: browsing, gaming, and video streaming. The Remarkable 2 eliminates these distractions and provides a dedicated environment for your thoughts.
During the launch event in India, the company described the Remarkable 2 as a product designed for deep thinkers: knowledge workers and those who think for a living. This resonates with my experience; The tablet allows me to complete tasks more efficiently, thanks to its distraction-free nature. Coupled with digital conveniences, it becomes a sensible product that is positioned on a certain group of users. However, doesn’t that make it a niche product?
I asked the same thing during my conversations with the company at the launch event in New Delhi; Mats Herding, design director at Remarkable, told me that they don’t see the Remarkable 2 as a niche product. This stance, considering the premium price and limited use case, might be difficult to accept.
However, for its intended purpose, the product excels. However, in a price-sensitive market like India, convincing buyers to invest in a device that costs over Rs 40,000 instead of an Apple iPad with a similar form factor and additional functionalities poses a challenge. . So the question remains:
Why buy Notable 2?
Simply put, it’s a device that takes you back to the basics – a “dumb” device, so to speak. But he does it extremely well. Not only can you focus on your thought process, without the luxuries of the internet and social media notifications bothering you. I remember taking it to a coffee shop without my laptop or iPad, and that’s when it really made deep work easier. Activate “Do Not Disturb” mode on your phone and that’s it.
Also, I have been using the Type Folio keyboard accessory, priced at Rs 19,499. It allows typing on a full-size keyboard, providing a pleasant experience with its MacBook-like key travel and easy-to-use layout. Connecting it is very simple and once connected, you can simply forget about it.
The Remarkable 2, as a standalone device, costs Rs 43,999, including the tablet and the Marker Plus. Alternatively, a combo pack, which includes the tablet, Marker Plus and Book Folio in gray polymer fabric finish, is priced at Rs 53,799. While the cost may seem high, few devices efficiently perform the tasks performed by the Remarkable 2, making it a justifiable investment for the target demographic.
How does it work
To use Remarkable 2, you don’t have to do much. Once you turn on the tablet, you have two options to get started: create a notebook or create a quick sheet. There are several templates you can choose from, which mimic real-world notebooks (lined, ruled, blank, checklist, dotted, grid), you name it, and the tablet probably has it. This is essential for people who will be using Remarkable 2 as their primary note-taking tool. The device’s software is also minimalist. However, you have the ability to filter by file types, set favorites, add tags, and more.
There are no web browsers or apps to distract you. Because this is not made for that. All you can do is take high-quality notes that you can simultaneously sync and view on other screens, which opens up a ton of use cases.
As you start typing, the experience, as expected, is seamless and simply brilliant. There is hardly any latency when writing and the strokes are quite precise. I had a lot of fun doodling, doodling, and of course taking notes on various stories I was working on.
What could have been better?
A minor complaint revolves around the wear and tear of the Marker Plus tip. Once the supplied tips are used up (9 extra tips included with the Marker Plus), it becomes expensive to purchase a new set of tips. Currently, on Amazon, where Remarkable officially sells the tablet, I can only see imported (unofficial) tips selling for up to Rs 5,000, and that’s not cheap by any means. So, this is something one should keep in mind while investing in the product.
Another complaint I have with the product is its subscription model. While Remarkable Connect is offered free for one year upon purchase and costs Rs 299 per month thereafter, it seems like an expensive proposition for long-term use. To access syncing and unlimited cloud storage (considered major selling points), a Remarkable Connect subscription becomes essential. The service could potentially be cheaper, especially in a market like India, where even major streaming platforms have adjusted their prices.
Another aspect of the product that may or may not bother some users is the lack of backlighting. However, if you look at the company’s marketing copy, it promotes it as a feature. The reason behind this choice is to make the tablet look more like paper, which lacks a backlight. If paper doesn’t have backlighting, why should a tablet that imitates it have it too, right? Well, for some, this may be a deal breaker because it’s virtually impossible to use without ambient light. So, if you tend to write in low-light environments (which you may not do), this device is not for you.
Verdict: If you can extract value, do it
I won’t say that Remarkable 2 is an absolute necessity in your life. However, if you get satisfaction from handwritten notes, crave the feel of pen and paper without the associated limitations, and value a distraction-free environment, then this device is worth considering. The price could be a point of contention for some, questioning the investment in a device with a singular focus.