Traditional tablets can be distracting, with notifications and bright screens pulling you away from your work. That’s why the reMarkable paper tablet has been a breath of fresh air. Its minimalist design and paper-like display let me focus on what matters most without the usual distractions.
1
The Joy of Natural Writing
There’s something inherently satisfying about putting pen to paper. The tactile feedback, the subtle friction, the way ink flows—it’s a sensory experience that ignites creativity and enhances memory retention.
reMarkable 2 captures this magic with its textured paper-like display. Unlike the slippery glass of a conventional tablet, reMarkable’s E Ink display provides just the right amount of resistance, mimicking the feel of writing on real paper. The electronic paper display technology isn’t new and is ubiquitous with Amazon Kindle readers, as well as other e-book readers and similar tablets.
The low latency further makes writing on it feel almost as fast as using a regular pen and paper, making the digital ink appear almost instantaneously beneath the pen’s tip. Of course, you’re not just limited to writing but can draw, paint, or annotate with the pressure- and tilt-sensitive stylus. There are several brush types to choose from, from pencil to ballpoint pen to marker to paintbrush.
This natural writing experience has profound implications for my productivity. Ideas flow more freely when I’m not battling with a clunky interface or struggling to keep my palm from registering unwanted marks on a glass slab. Whether I’m brainstorming, taking notes, or drawing mind maps or wireframes, the reMarkable 2 allows me to focus on the content, not the technology.
Plus, I’ve started writing more since I got one—I’m jotting down important points while discussing things in the family, scribbling notes while in an online meeting, and solving beginner crossword puzzles with my seven-year-old!
Not just for writing, reMarkable 2 can also be used for typing documents. You can buy a Type Folio cover that packs in a slim keyboard allowing you to handwrite and type on the same page.
2
Laser Focus, Zero Distractions
One of the biggest productivity killers in the digital age is distraction. Regular tablets with ubiquitous connectivity throw constant notifications and app temptations. These are notorious for derailing focus and fighting for our attention. The lack of focus dents our productivity, and sometimes, even the quality of our work.
reMarkable 2, on the other hand, is a haven of tranquillity. It’s designed with a singular purpose: to provide a distraction-free environment for reading, writing, and thinking. The absence of social media and web browser—and even email—is liberating to a degree I hadn’t even imagined. It allows me to enter a state of flow, where I can fully immerse myself in my work without interruptions. This laser focus translates to increased productivity, as I can accomplish more in less time.
Moreover, reMarkable 2’s minimalist design further contributes to its distraction-free nature. The sleek, lightweight device is devoid of unnecessary buttons or any shenanigans, creating a calm and focused workspace.
3
A Superior Reading Experience
Beyond writing, reMarkable 2 excels as an e-reader. I enjoy reading articles saved from the web, some reports and whitepapers for research, an eBook, and the newspaper every day (every morning, I transfer PDFs of a couple of e-papers I subscribe to).
Like a Kindle, the E-Ink display is easier on the eyes than the bright screens of traditional tablets, reducing eye strain and fatigue. The device also boasts a range of features tailored for an optimal reading experience. You can adjust font size, line spacing, and margins to personalize your view. The ability to annotate documents directly on the screen with handwritten notes or highlights adds another layer of engagement.
The lack of a backlight though is a big miss. Before reMarkable, I used a Kindle PaperWhite and had no trouble reading in dark environments, like on a flight after the lights are dimmed. But with reMarkable, I need an external light—my nightstand lamp stays on till late at night, much to the annoyance of my wife, if I’m reading till late.
Additionally, unlike the Kindle, there’s no easy way to procure eBooks. While some publishers do offer eBooks, Amazon still has the widest catalogue of eBooks which is seamlessly available on a Kindle.
reMarkable 2 supports Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, PDF documents, and EPUB eBooks. You can also directly annotate them—it’s a great way to review and edit work documents or add notes to your reading material.
4
Seamless Workflow and Integrations
While reMarkable 2 is designed for focused work, it also integrates seamlessly with your existing digital workflow. The reMarkable app allows you to synchronize your notes and documents across devices, ensuring you always have access to your latest work.
There’s a Connect subscription that allows you to type and edit notes using these apps—without the subscription, only files used and synced online in the last 50 days will be stored in the cloud (I’m still on the free 1-year Connect trial included with the purchase of reMarkable 2 bundle).
You can also convert your handwritten notes to text and export them in various formats. This feature is invaluable for sharing notes with colleagues, creating formal documents and presentations, or simply backing up your work. A lot of my notes are from meetings, parts of which I use in the articles I write and so it is a handy feature.
There’s a Read on reMarkable browser extension and an Office Add-in, so you can send online articles and your documents directly to your device. Furthermore, reMarkable 2 supports cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive allowing you to easily import documents from the cloud.
reMarkable 2 is definitely a niche device—you can write, draw, and read, and that’s that. There’s not even a web browser to research information or an email client to keep a tab on your work while you’re making notes. But once you start using it, you’d appreciate the forced bubble, like I did—if you know that going in.
It’s not a toned-down tablet, mind you. It’s pen and paper, with a digital flair. The paper-like display, the distraction-free environment, and seamless integrations make it a superior alternative to both traditional notebooks and conventional tablets.
