Premium digital notebook evaluation: The reMarkable 2 caters to a focused audience but not for everyone
The reMarkable 2 is a 10.3-inch e-ink device designed for handwriting, sketching, and reading, offering a focused and immersive writing experience. Built around a distraction-free ethos, it is favored by professionals, students, writers, and minimalists.
Key Features
- The reMarkable 2 offers an uncluttered, distraction-free digital writing experience with a highly tactile surface and very low latency.
- It supports PDF and ePub formats for document reading and inline annotations using the Marker stylus.
- The device does not support color content, image files, or audio, keeping the environment entirely focused on reading and writing.
- The reMarkable app, available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, allows users to view and edit their notes in real-time.
- A Chrome extension allows users to send web articles directly to the device for offline reading.
- The device is physically thin (4.7 mm) and lightweight (403.5 g), making it an ideal travel companion.
Accessories and Subscription
- The stylus (Marker 2) with an eraser costs extra, priced roughly INR 15,000 to 24,000 (~$180-$290), depending on the variant and region.
- The Book Folio cover is also sold separately and can add significant cost (up to INR 39,000 or about $480), though third-party folios are cheaper (~INR 2,399).
- The Connect subscription costs about INR 299/month (~$3.50), required for multi-device use and note syncing/editing in apps.
Cloud Ecosystem and Battery Life
- A subscription to "Connect" is available for INR 299/month after a 100-day free trial. It offers unlimited cloud storage and synchronisation across devices.
- The device's cloud ecosystem has grown over years of firmware updates.
- Battery life is practical, advertised up to two weeks, but heavy daily use may drain it in under a week.
Comparison with Other E-Ink Tablets
- Compared to other e-ink devices like the Boox Note Air or the recent 10" Kindle Scribe, the reMarkable 2 is less versatile and lacks multimedia or app support.
- The newer reMarkable Paper Pro offers a larger color display and faster hardware but costs more and aims at a slightly different segment.
Cost Considerations
- Together, a full setup can exceed $600, which is considerable for a grayscale device primarily used for note-taking and reading PDFs.
Conclusion
- For users prioritizing a premium, minimalistic, highly paper-like digital notebook experience that closely mimics physical paper and are willing to pay extra for stylus and accessories, the reMarkable 2 is well worth it.
- For those seeking multifunctional devices, color displays, app ecosystems, or better value for the price, other e-ink tablets or general-purpose tablets might compete better.
- The ongoing subscription adds some cost but unlocks cloud syncing and multi-device use; it is optional but recommended for full functionality.
The reMarkable 2 is best viewed as a specialized digital paper replacement rather than a general-purpose tablet or e-reader, and its worth depends on how much you value that focused writing experience versus price and versatility.
- The reMarkable 2 can be complemented with a variety of gadgets for an enhanced digital writing experience, such as smartphones, tablets, keyboards, and e-ink devices like the Boox Note Air or Kindle Scribe.
- While the reMarkable 2 may not support color content, image files, or audio, its technology, specifically the use of e-ink, provides a paper-like writing experience that smartphones and keyboards might not match, making it a unique addition to one's technology arsenal.
