There’s something relaxing about putting pen to paper. In my younger years, I could write pages and pages, whether it was notes, short stories, or books. But, after a bad case of tendinitis, it became clear that typing was easier on the hands, and that was when I kicked my spiral-bound notebook addiction for good.
When friends began showing up to writing workshops with a digital tablet called reMarkable, I was intrigued. Not only can you thicken the marker to make things easier on the hands, but everything you write can be easily converted to text and emailed to yourself. My husband was looking for something to buy me for Christmas, so I directed him to the website, and the rest is history.
Specs
- Price: From $399.
- Dimensions: 7.4 inches wide x 9.69 inches long x 0.1 centimeters thick.
- Screen size: 10.3 inches.
- Weight: 0.4 kilograms.etc.
- Display type: LED.
- RAM: 1 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM
- Storage: 8 GB.
- Battery: 3000 mAh rechargable (lithium-ion).
Pros
- Realistic, paperlike writing feel.
- Sleek, minimalist design.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Excellent battery life.
Cons
- Subscription required for full features.
- Tips need to be changed.
- Limited functionality.
- File organization can be tough.
reMarkable 2
Unboxing and Setup
It’s been a while since I unboxed my reMarkable, but one thing I clearly remember was that the packaging was impressive. It reminded me of the way Apple products are packaged: Everything was simple, streamlined, and well-branded.
My reMarkable is the reMarkable 2, which only allows for black ink on a grayish background. The company has a new tablet called the reMarkable Paper Pro that lets you write in color. This is great for those who are a little more artistic — I’m not, so black ink works fine.
Inside the box, you’ll find:
- The reMarkable tablet.
- 1 pen with a built-in eraser.
- 9 spare marker tips.
- Protective cover.
- USB-A to USB-C cable.
- User guide.
Before you get started, you’ll need to sign up for a reMarkable account. Once you’ve done that, you’ll simply plug in the tablet, connect it to the Wi-Fi, and start writing. Setup really was that easy. Unless you’re paying for a Connect account (more on that later), you’ll also need to input your email address so that you can send your documents to your computer for transcription.
What It Does Well (Like, Really Well)
1. Smooth Operation
I don’t pretend to understand the technology behind this miracle tablet. All I know is that when I’m writing, it legit feels like I’m putting pen to paper. Better, actually. The pen glides over the surface smoothly, reducing hand strain.
You’ll probably notice I chose a pretty thick option for my pen output. This is completely customizable.
The reMarkable 2 has an on-screen keyboard if typing’s your preference. You can also buy a folio with a keyboard. The pen has an eraser on the end, but I rarely use it. If I want to remove something I’ve written, I just hit the undo button or erase using the tip.
2. Lack of Distractions
Task switching is a real issue for me. Some days, I can’t get a thing done with all the distractions. I’ll be focused on the task at hand, making progress, when a notification pops up in the upper-right corner of my screen. As experts have said, this kind of multitasking zaps productivity.
The reMarkable is proudly distraction-free. You won’t be notified of incoming emails, and you can’t access social media on it. If you need to brainstorm a project or make a list of things you need to accomplish, you can take your reMarkable to your favorite comfy chair and get some serious work done.
3. Portability
If, like me, you plan to use your tablet for taking notes at in-person meetings, portability is a must. The reMarkable certainly checks that box. It weighs only 0.4 kilograms and is 0.19 inches thick, so it slides easily into your backpack. You can even choose from a variety of cases if you want an alternative to the folio that comes with it.
What’s Less Than Remarkable
1. Cost
The reMarkable 2 costs $399, and the reMarkable Paper Pro is even more expensive, at $579. Compare that to other tablets that have full internet functionality, and you might find it’s not worth it. However, if your goal is to eliminate pad and paper while taking notes in meetings, writing, or drawing, the price may be well worth it.
Keep in mind that the stylus uses a tip that needs to be replaced regularly. It’s tough to get a handle on just how often: Your reMarkable will come with nine spare tips, and there are plenty of videos that show you how to change them. The way I understand it, when the tip starts to feel less responsive, it’s time to switch it out. Tip replacements cost $14 for a set of nine or $34 for 25.
2. Limited Functionality
Speaking of functionality — yes, the reMarkable line of tablets is limited to note-taking. If you’re looking for a fully functional tablet that will let you draw or write freehand, the Apple iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil might be a better alternative.
3. Subscription Requirements
One thing nobody told me until I had my reMarkable was that to seamlessly connect to other devices, you’ll need to purchase a monthly subscription. You’ll get an initial 100 days free, but after that, it costs $2.99 a month.
Never fear, though: You don’t need a subscription to use the reMarkable. You’ll just need to add your email address so that you can send your files as messages. Once you’re ready to transcribe, you’ll just send it to your email, where you can copy and paste it wherever you need it to go.
reMarkable 2
Final Verdict: Is the reMarkable Worth the Hype?
I’ve had my reMarkable for more than a year, and I don’t use it as much as I thought I would. Yes, I love the relaxation that comes with putting pen to paper (or screen!), but typing on my laptop is so much more efficient.
That said, it definitely comes in handy when I travel to conferences. I can leave the laptop at home and use my reMarkable like a notepad. When the conference is over, I can transcribe my notes and send them to email, where I copy them into a Word document.
If you feel like you’d use the reMarkable, it’s well worth the investment. It reduces clutter, letting you keep your pens and notepads at home. However, the tips need to be regularly replaced, and you’ll need to make sure you can safely store the pen without damaging the tip. One suggestion I’d have for reMarkable: Make a pen with a cap that protects the tip!
