The fast-moving digital world of today-from constant messages to talking apps as well as some other mouthwatering products from social media. Focusing is, therefore, a great challenge. This is where the ReMarkable Paper Pro, a digital notebook especially designed to bring distraction-free writing and note-taking, has come to our rescue. But at $579 (without accessories), is this a worthwhile investment?
This review goes deep into analysis to unravel features found in the ReMarkable Paper Pro. It talks about its advantages, as well as possible drawbacks, and whether it truly delivers the promise of distraction-free productivity.
Introduction
The ReMarkable Paper Pro has introduced itself to the market with an offer: to provide distraction-free, extremely focused experience for writers, artists, and note-takers. This digital notebook strives to be as close to the feel of writing on paper as it comes, while at the same time harnessing all the conveniences of a digital platform. The ReMarkable Paper Pro is marketed as an upgrade on the ReMarkable 2, released in 2020. The new model brings exciting features to the table, not least color E Ink, a built-in front light, and an active stylus for better writing precision.
Given the very non-modernist approach that the ReMarkable Paper Pro takes, it avoids the messy distractions of a modern tablet and laptop. It doesn’t have web surfing and running hundreds of apps in its arsenal. Rather, it’s there to do one thing: productivity.
Is the price worth it at $579, or is this just overpriced gadgetry?
What makes the ReMarkable Paper Pro So Unique?
Simple is the word. Unlike any tablet or laptop, full of apps, notifications, and distractions, this device centers around one thing writing. For professionals, students, and creatives who must focus on their work without any kind of interruption, that alone is justification enough for the hefty price.
Its screen length stands at 11.8 inches, making the device almost A4-sized, allowing for writing, sketching, and general note-taking. It’s also slim and lightweight, weighing only a little more than one pound, making it easy to carry on trips to meetings or lounging in the home. This minimalist interface draws out the things to keep your writing uninterrupted.
While much less vibrant than the colors produced by modern smartphones or tablets, this much more subtle color range dramatically alters the face of note-taking. Let’s break it down a bit.
Color E Ink Screen: The New Note-Taking Frontier?
Indeed, at the heart of the ReMarkable Paper Pro is its Color E Ink display, significantly differentiating it from most digital notebooks and tablets. While most previous iterations-only the ReMarkable 2, in our hands thus far, came with monochrome E Ink screens-the Paper Pro brings along Canvas Color technology.
This isn’t some simple color filter applied over a monochrome screen. What’s more, it uses physical color particles dispersed to create the tints of red, blue, yellow, magenta, and cyan. The colors are less bright than those on LCD or OLED screens; instead, they have a range of tones that would be like a pencil. This allows the user to add undertones of color to their notes, sketches, and annotations that could be incredibly useful to plan in color-coded directions or markup documents.
This flexibility of pen design offered by seven available designs is also blessed with a choice of six colors and three neutrals. The colors are so natural and easy to read, users can stay for hours using it.
The limitation would only be that typed words can only come out in black. However for hand-written notes or sketches, the colors add a bit refreshing flair.
Built-in Front Light: Write in Any Light Condition
Built-in front light of ReMarkable Paper Pro is probably the most practical new feature. It shines from the front so that it goes onto the display and reflects back to the eye. Backlit screens of most the tablets and smartphones shine from the back, causing stress on the eyes and making it hard to work in weak or dark lighting conditions.
If you are writing in a well-lit space, then one will never remember that the light is on, but it is indeed indispensable in conditions of poor light-what they call night-flight or dimmest lecture halls. The light is subtle and does not overpower the natural feel of the screen, so users can enjoy the paper-like experience even in the dark.
This can be the game changer for anyone who would want to get rid of his or her old notebooks and start writing digitally at any given time and place.
Marker Plus Stylus: Precision and Power
The active stylus provided with every ReMarkable Paper Pro is a part of the overall experience and, in this regard, unlike the previous models, the Marker Plus is now an active stylus that brings enough tech inside for more accurate and less delayed writing lines.
Also, the Marker Plus equips with a stiffer end that offers subtle writing at different angles. Therefore, so whether you intend to sketch or write, the Marker Plus has very low input latency such that it makes the experience seem to be more like writing with a fine-tipped Sharpie rather than the quintessential digital stylus.
And the best part? Another end of the Marker Plus serves as an eraser-you do not need to have a change of tool on the screen. Flip the stylus and erase your mistakes-like you would with a real pencil.
The major drawback of a stylus is that it requires recharging, although it automatically recharges if attached to the tablet’s edge magnetically. On the other hand, its battery can also run for up to two months on one charge, so it will not need to be recharged too often.
Battery Life: A Break from Constant Charging
It has pretty impressive battery life. Most devices needed to be charged at least every day, while the Paper Pro would last for up to two weeks on charge, even under normal daily use, meaning it is ideal for those who want to use it continuously without having to remember to plug it in every night.
The battery life on the stylus is impressive, too-over two months before needing a recharge. That way, you can use your device without fear that either your stylus or tablet might suddenly die during an important meeting or brainstorming session.
This long battery life, coupled with the light and portable design, makes ReMarkable Paper Pro a perfect travel companion for writers and note-takers who are always on-the-go.
Type Folio: The Necessary Add-on for Typing
The Type Folio is an add-on for the ReMarkable Paper Pro, and it’s a must-have if you are looking to do any serious typing. This $229 keyboard cover converts a tablet into a distraction-free typing machine in which you will be able to type without any pings from social media or email notifications.
While the ReMarkable Paper Pro shines as a digital notebook, the Type Folio makes it versatile for writers who want to scribble a longer document. Still, it is a shame that the Paper Pro can only be used with the official Type Folio, since third-party keyboards aren’t supported. That’s certainly a doozy of an objection, especially when considering the price tag for the accessory.
That aside, the typing is lovely on the Type Folio. Keys are generously spaced, and the whole thing folds neatly over to double as a protective cover for the tablet. For someone who wants to escape distraction from the confines of a typical laptop but still needs to use a keyboard, this add-on might be worthwhile.
How the ReMarkable 2 Compares
So, how does the ReMarkable Paper Pro compare with its previous sibling, the ReMarkable 2?
The most obvious difference here is that it has a color E Ink display. So if you are expecting to frequently use color in your notes, sketches, or markups, you’d be looking at a win here. The second point is that the front light built into the e-ink reader in general makes the Paper Pro so much handier for night or dimly lit environments.
But if you are one of the lucky souls who already owns a ReMarkable 2, you need not necessarily go for the Paper Pro. Writing is fantastic on both devices, and if you don’t need color or the front light, you save yourself a small fortune by sticking with the ReMarkable 2.
For new users, however, the Paper Pro will be a better investment in the long run as it has more to future-proof with other features.
Who should buy the ReMarkable Paper Pro?
The ReMarkable Paper Pro is not for everyone. Here’s who might benefit most from this device:
Writers
If you are a person who requires an environment free from distractions where you can pour your thoughts into a sheet of paper to write and that is all you can do, then the Paper Pro would do the job for you. Its interface is minimal and will keep you focused while writing, whether doing a novel, reports, or even noting down ideas.
Students
For students, especially students in lecture-heavy fields of law or medicine, the Paper Pro can take the place of stacks of notebooks; the colour E Ink makes it easy for students to highlight important notes, and the front light means you can study or take notes in any environment.
Artists
The Marker Plus stylus is extremely responsive, especially with color functionality. It will not replace a computer graphics tablet in most users’ books, but is very good for sketches, brainstorming and basic artwork.
For pros
If you’re doing a lot of work that involves constant meetings or brainstorming sessions, if you’re reading and marking up documents daily, this Paper Pro could be the one for you. The similarity between your device and others will allow you to share notes and docs with ease across platforms, and the no-bulk notebooks will seal the deal.
Is the ReMarkable Paper Pro Worth the Investment?
The ReMarkable Paper Pro has a very high price of $579. With the Type Folio and the Marker Plus stylus, the price reaches more than $800. For many, this would be too costly for a device that is unable to run apps and lacks many of the abilities that are standard on a tablet.
However, as far as anyone who might place premium value on having a distraction-free or focus-oriented productivity tool, the ReMarkable Paper Pro belongs in a class of its own. For as much as this combination of a color E Ink display, front light, and a battery life that could easily get through one or two weeks, it makes for one of the more ideal tools among those people who would want to spend premium money for this to be their digital notebook.
Pros and Cons
Pros
• Distraction-free environment for focused work.
• Color E Ink display elevates the note-taking experience.
• Integrated front light, so that the tool is also functional when lighting is poor
• Minimum input lag with the stylus Marker Plus
• Two weeks for the tablet and two months for the stylus for battery
• Portable and lightweight
Cons
• Highly priced
• The Type Folio and stylus are costly
• Does not support third-party keyboards
• Handwritten notes are only in a few colors, no display as full color screen like ordinary tablets
• No apps or proper usage of traditional tablets
Conclusion
The ReMarkable Paper Pro delivers an elite, distraction-free writing experience that few, if any, other tablets and laptops do. Its color E Ink display, active stylus, and built-in front light all come together to set up a flawless experience in writing, note-taking, and sketching. Still, the steepled price of this tablet alongside with limited functionality features means some buyers will hold back their purchases, especially if cheaper options like the ReMarkable 2 are available.
In short, if you’re serious about having a device that shows the increase in focus, productivity, and even creativity without distractions, then ReMarkable Paper Pro is well worth investing in.
