As a child, I often kept myself occupied with doodles and writing, something my grandmother took notice of. So every year, when paying her a visit, I’d receive unused notebooks and empty diaries as gifts.
However, there’s a problem with paper pads — they run out too quickly. It was only decades later, when I came across the reMarkable 2, that I realised there could be a solution to this annoying issue.
reMarkable 2 is essentially an e-ink notepad or simply, a paper tablet. To me, it beats the iPad because it is distraction-free — it’s exclusively for taking notes. You can import PDF files for annotations, turn your handwritten notes into typed text and choose from a rich count of notebook templates — from dayplanners and dot sheets to calligraphy guides and music sheets! With the range of templates available here, I can make the best use of the reMarkable 2 no matter where I go.
The device comes with a wireless Marker that doesn’t run on batteries, a huge contrast to the battery-powered Apple Pencil. The stylus also magnetically attaches itself to the edge of the tablet on the right. While naturally handy, it’s easy to lose the stylus that way. Cough up an extra $50, and you could get the Marker Plus — an eraser at the other end of the stylus. This will save you from switching between edit modes. The irony is that I preferred to switch modes, so my Marker Plus purchase was regrettable.
Speaking of modes, the editing features are stripped right out of PhotoShop. You can type text, cut-paste to rearrange whatever and, of course, undo or redo steps entirely. The Layer system lets you sketch on the same page without letting the e-ink overlap each other. What stood out the most was how you can share your written notes via an email, sent straight through the device itself!
Everything I mentioned so far sums up the moment-to-moment interaction with the reMarkable 2. And all of it was a stellar experience, further enhanced by the satisfying and pitch-perfect tactility — the “paper feel” — that it promises to deliver. This is on top of its impressive battery life, which lasted close to a week and a half for me.
All that said, its extended features are paywalled behind a recurring subscription service. With it, your cloud notes never auto-delete, you get a year-year warranty of sorts and you enjoy cloud service integrations. And this is on top of an already premium price tag that makes alternatives like the Ratta Supernote a more favourable option.
Nevertheless, I can’t imagine my life without it now. It has essentially replaced notebooks in my house, whether for design work, writing or leisurely use — like writing reviews!
VERDICT: The reMarkable 2’s sleek note-taking experience can charm the casual user, but power users may find better alternatives. I rate it an 8 out of 10.
