Digital notepads like the ReMarkable 2 and Amazon Kindle Scribe are carving out a niche distinct from typical tablets. They feature matte, textured e-ink displays instead of backlit LCD screens, offering a glare-free writing experience that mimics paper. However, despite similar screen technology, these devices target different users.
The ReMarkable 2 centres on note-taking, designed to replace a traditional paper notebook and minimise distractions. Its marker stylus (with an optional 'marker plus' featuring an eraser) glides with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity for natural strokes. The Kindle Scribe, meanwhile, is primarily an ereader with comprehensive note-taking features, ideal for adding annotations to books.
Our tech expert tested both devices extensively, using them for meeting notes, PDF signing, and as primary ereaders. The ReMarkable 2 impressed with its razor-thin, lightweight design and minimalist interface. Users can create notebooks, organise folders, choose templates, and convert handwriting to text. However, it lacks handwritten note search, and handwriting conversion can be inaccurate.
The ReMarkable 2 is priced at £429 with the marker plus or £389 with the standard marker. While it excels as a distraction-free notepad, its ebook reading capabilities are fiddly. The Kindle Scribe, by contrast, integrates seamlessly with Amazon's ecosystem for reading and note-taking. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you prioritise pure note-taking or a combined reading and annotation experience.
