The reMarkable 2 brings the digital and analogue worlds together. It’s pricey, but it lives up to its promise of feeling like paper.
It really does feel like paper.
In a world of iPads and Android tablets, eReaders are one of the most underappreciated gadget categories, yet they are one of the best ways to delve into books, take notes, and even sketch—all without the distractions of continual notifications and blue light exposure.
Design
The reMarkable 2, the company’s second e-ink tablet, blurs the barriers between paper and the digital world, but is it worth $399?
The reMarkable 2 is claimed by Design reMarkable to be “the world’s thinnest tablet,” and on that technicality, they are most likely true; the reMarkable 2 is 4.9mm thick and weighs only 403g. It feels like they cut down an iPad by more than half when you first take it up.
2 floating 1 reMarkable
The gadget has a power button in the top left corner and a USB-C port on the bottom for charging and media transfer. The device’s enclosure is composed of metal, and it feels strong while remaining light. A strip of polished aluminium runs the length of the device’s left side, resembling the spine of a book or a notepad, and it’s a great touch.
A large 10.3-inch monochrome CANVAS display sits on the front; it doesn’t support colour, but it’s highly snappy and sharp. The screen has a DPI of 226 and a resolution of 1872 x 1404. The bezels are noticeable, but in practise, they’re useful for gripping the tablet without unintentionally touching the screen. Uniform bezels would be excellent for the next edition of this gadget; the chin is the most unappealing element of this otherwise lovely tablet.
In possession of reMarkable 2
If you’re a minimalist, this smartphone was unquestionably designed for you. The reMarkable 2 is a sheet of paper with superpowers, if the iPad is a “magical piece of glass.”
Experiment with reading
The reMarkable 2 is fantastic for reading; the one limitation is that it imitates paper a little too perfectly. I had no trouble loading PDFs or ePUB files onto the tablet, and reading on it was a pleasurable experience. The device’s thinness and lightness make it perfect for holding in one hand, and the device’s “spine” on the left side feels natural to grip while reading ebooks.
reMarkable 2 is a text-based reMarkable.
When I remark that the reMarkable 2 looks too much like paper, I mean that it has both the advantages and disadvantages of real books. This CANVAS display has no back or front illumination, which implies two things: it’s great for reading in direct sunlight and hard to read in dim light. Text seems bright and clear in direct sunlight, and there are no readability concerns like you’d find on an iPad or other traditional tablets. If you don’t already have a light source, the reMarkable 2 isn’t ideal for reading at night without the inclusion of a screen light. To put things in perspective, gadgets like Amazon’s Kindle Oasis have a front light with an adjustable warm light that allows for easy nighttime reading.
Media to be loaded
The reMarkable 2 makes it simple to load eBooks and PDFs, and its cloud-synced library is a wonderful feature that makes the device ideal for a paperless workflow.
When you initially turn on the device, you’ll be invited to register your tablet on their website. After that, you must complete the steps to complete the account setup, after which you may download the reMarkable software for Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android.
In two hands, reMarkable 2
The software is a fantastic tool; simply drag and drop files onto it, and they will sync to your reMarkable 2. The only issue I have with this technique of media transfer is that the sync timings are inconsistent. Sometimes it works flawlessly and I can see my files, but other times I have to restart the tablet and wait for it to reconnect to Wi-Fi before I can see my files.
reMarkable also has a Chrome plugin that sends you a PDF version of the website you’re on, which is useful for newsletters and Medium sites. If you send over sites with photos, however, the plugin will automatically remove them.
Connect your reMarkable tablet to your computer and proceed from there if you wish to transfer media via cable. Transferring media from your PC to your tablet through USB is the most secure method.
Overall, I think it’s simple to get into the habit of simply dragging and dropping material into the reMarkable app and have it display on your device. More significantly, you can access these files from any device that is also synchronised with your reMarkable account, and it’s easy to continue reading or viewing your notes or eBooks directly from your app on your phone or PC.
reMarkable 2’s user interface
The only gripe I’d have in this area would be with the device’s internal storage space, not with the media itself. With a price tag of $399, you can expect more than 8GB of storage on this tablet. The Amazon Kindle Oasis for context is available in two storage capacities: 8GB and 32GB.
While 8GB is adequate for most eBooks and PDFs, it is insufficient for hardcore users that wish to go paperless and integrate this device into their workflow. I believe that in the future, reMarkable could include the ability to load media from USB flash drives or perhaps include a microSD card slot.
Experience as a writer
When it comes to writing or sketching on the reMarkable 2, the experience is absolutely wonderful. Because of the absence of friction, I’ve never been a fan of using styluses on displays, but when I started taking notes on the reMarkable 2, it was the most convincing experience I’ve had on a digital device to date.
Although it doesn’t feel exactly like writing on paper, I’d say reMarkable comes close; the audio feedback combined with the responsive screen make it a great device for taking digital notes, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Sketching with reMarkable 2
Templates in reMarkable enable you several sorts of paper to write on, much like paper, and they’re a great way to use the canvas to capture all kinds of notes and doodles on your tablet. I liked the college-ruled and grid layouts because they allowed me to take notes for math and science without having to buy two additional notebooks.
The formatting ability of the reMarkable 2 is by far its strongest feature. It’s a fantastic feeling to be able to copy and paste different bits of writing while still having the writing surface feel like paper. In that regard, I found the lasso tool, as well as the various writing tools on the toolbar, to be incredibly flexible. You may write or draw with a highlighter, pen, pencil, mechanical pencil, or even a calligraphy pen, and it’s a lot of fun to experiment with.
The Marker Standard is $49, while the Marker Plus is $99. The inclusion of an eraser at the other end of the stylus distinguishes the two. While I believe the stylus is essential, I believe the Marker Plus is overpriced for what it provides. Most folks should be able to get away with just the basic Marker and the lasso eraser tool. The Marker Plus, on the other hand, gives it a more natural feel.
reMarkable 2
Overall, I don’t think anyone who uses the reMarkable 2 will be dissatisfied with its writing experience; hands down, this is arguably the best blend of analogue and digital experiences you can get on a device this small and light.
Life of the Batteries
The reMarkable 2 does not disappoint when it comes to battery life. I used the reMarkable 2 for just about two weeks, and that was with everyday use. After a few minutes of inactivity, the screen goes to sleep, and you can wake it up by pressing the power button.
- It charges through USB-C, and the 3,000mAh battery takes 45 minutes to an hour to fully charge.
- 2 USB-C ports reMarkable
Is it Worth Buying the reMarkable 2?
Overall, the reMarkable 2 is a unique piece of hardware, but owing to its high price tag and accompanying accessories, it’s difficult to recommend to everyone.
If you have the funds, I am confident that you will be more than pleased with this amazing-looking and feeling equipment. The base model iPad and Apple Pencil appear to be the best bang-for-your-buck solution for individuals who want to go paperless.
2 floating 2 reMarkable
To summarise, if you want to get less (in a world where you get more of everything, including distractions), the reMarkable 2 is the ideal gadget for bridging the gap between analogue and digital experiences without interruptions; you simply have to pay for the privilege.
As a student, I hope reMarkable produces more cheap options for their CANVAS display because this is my dream notebook. Right now, an iPad is more justifiable than the reMarkable 2 simply because of its versatility, but having this experience with digital paper can open doors for many kids, and I’d love to see it become more accessible down the road.
