reMarkable 2 Review - 6 Months Later

reMarkable 2 e-Ink Tablet Review (6 Months Usage)

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Main Features

• Writing Experience: Exceptional and natural-feeling, closely mimics pen on paper thanks to the Marker’s felt tip and glass with etched texture that creates friction and sound.

• Display: Uses E-Ink technology that is flicker-free and easy on the eyes, displaying black text on white paper. The gap between the display and surface is smaller than competitors like Kindle Scribe.

• Marker Plus: Comfortable and grippy stylus with an eraser, featuring better build quality than typical plastic styluses.

• Software: Distraction-free interface with no notifications, designed to be simple and easy to use.

• Layers: Supports layers for drawings and highlights, a feature not available on Kindle Scribe.

• Scrolling Canvas: Allows infinite scrolling and two-finger margin reveal, enhancing continuous note-taking.

• Gestures: Includes two-finger panning, undo/redo taps, and quick access to recent documents.

• File Support: Supports proprietary notebook format, PDFs, non-DRM EPUB, Word, and PowerPoint (converted to PDF).

• Document Management: Notebooks can be organized into folders; Quick Sheet feature allows for quick notes.

• Syncing & Cloud: Remarkable Connect subscription ($30/year) offers unlimited cloud syncing, backup, templates, and extended warranty.

• Document Upload: Easy uploading via mobile/desktop apps and web with fast syncing (~3 seconds).

• Reading: Good for PDFs and articles (via Chrome extension), though images may not always transfer well.

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Pros

• Superior writing feel compared to iPads, Kindle Scribe, and screen protectors.
• Distraction-free, focused environment ideal for note-taking, sketching, and ideation.
• Frequent software updates that improve functionality.
• Scrolling canvas and layers enhance usability.
• Fast and reliable syncing with Remarkable Connect.
• Compact and portable with cloud backup, eliminating paper clutter.
• Good for reading and marking up PDFs.
• Marker Plus is comfortable and functional.
• Reasonable storage usage (6 GB total, 0.5 GB used in 6 months).

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Cons

• No backlight (unlike Kindle Scribe and Remarkable Paper Pro).
• Slower refresh rate and responsiveness compared to newer devices.
• Battery life about two weeks, shorter than Kindle Scribe (which lasts months).
• Display resolution shows jagged handwriting edges.
• Authentication is tedious (four-digit passcode, no fingerprint sensor).
• No auto-on when opening case (fixed in Paper Pro).
• Occasional gesture unresponsiveness.
• Marker lacks a quick highlight button.
• Case materials feel cheap and less premium.
• Software and typing experience limited for heavy scriptwriting or complex editing.
• Syncing without Connect subscription limited to 50 days of active syncing.
• Limited integration with external cloud drives (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive); no direct syncing of native notebook files.
• Exporting notebooks to PDF loses native format features.

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User Experience & Workflow

• Initially used extensively for note-taking, script writing, and editing.
• Usage declined over time due to slower speed and preference for typing on a computer.
• Typing on the Type Folio keyboard is decent but ergonomically lacking compared to laptop keyboards.
• AI handwriting conversion is useful but imperfect and does not overwrite original notes.
• Desktop app is simplistic and less suited for complex writing workflows.
• Connect subscription is highly recommended for seamless syncing and backup.
• Reading articles and PDFs is a positive use case, though the mobile app lacks an article sending feature.

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Comparisons

• vs. iPad/Surface/Android tablets: reMarkable 2 offers a distraction-free, focused writing experience without notifications.

• vs. Kindle Scribe: Better writing feel and layers; Kindle has better display resolution, backlight, and battery life.

• vs. Remarkable Paper Pro (2024 model):

  • Paper Pro features a larger, higher PPI color E-Ink display, backlight, faster refresh, better case and accessories, full-size keyboard with improved typing experience, and magnetic marker clasp.
  • Paper Pro’s writing experience is smoother but feels more like pencil on glass; reMarkable 2’s writing feel is preferred but not enough to outweigh Paper Pro’s other advantages.
  • Paper Pro is more expensive (~$800 vs. ~$600 for reMarkable 2 bundles).
  • Paper Pro fixes many of the reMarkable 2’s downsides but lacks the felt-tip writing feel.

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Verdict / Recommendation

• Who should buy reMarkable 2? Anyone seeking a distraction-free digital writing tablet primarily for note-taking, ideation, PDF markup, contract review, and signing. Ideal for users who value a natural writing feel and cloud backup over multi-functionality.

• Is it better than paper? Yes, due to cloud backup, document organization, and the convenience of carrying many notebooks in one thin device.

• Is it better than other tablets? For focused writing tasks, yes, but not for general tablet use.

• Should you buy reMarkable 2 or Paper Pro?

  • If you plan to use it daily and want the best hardware and features, Paper Pro is worth the extra cost.
  • If you’re new to writing tablets or want a more affordable option, reMarkable 2 remains a solid choice despite being somewhat dated.

• Future outlook: A reMarkable 3 is expected eventually but no confirmed launch date or features.

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Different Perspectives

• Main reviewer (Josh Teder) provides detailed personal experience, workflow integration, and long-term insights.
• Remarks on software limitations and typing ergonomics reflect personal workflow needs.
• Comparison with Paper Pro is based on hands-on experience with both devices.
• Notes on subscription and syncing highlight practical considerations for users.

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Summary: The reMarkable 2 remains a top-tier digital writing tablet with an unmatched pen-on-paper feel and distraction-free software, excellent for focused note-taking and ideation. Its main drawbacks are dated hardware features like lack of backlight, slower refresh, and limited typing ergonomics. The Paper Pro improves on most hardware aspects but at a higher price. For newcomers or budget-conscious buyers, reMarkable 2 is still recommended; for power users, the Paper Pro is the better investment.