I wrote this evaluation on the ReMarkable Paper Professional. What higher method to check it than utilizing it because the distraction-free writing device it guarantees to be? This digital notebook is technically a successor to the ReMarkable 2 that launched in 2020—although the Norwegian firm is presenting it as the “upgrade” model with extra options, commanding a better worth.
This pill now has a colour E Ink display, a entrance mild that makes it seen at the hours of darkness, and an lively stylus paired with a extra responsive show, making the entire package deal really feel a lot nearer to the expertise of writing with pen and paper. Contemplating the corporate will nonetheless be promoting the ReMarkable 2 for $399—nonetheless a superb digital pocket book—it is exhausting to say the ReMarkable Paper Professional is well worth the eyebrow-raising $579 worth (minus equipment), and it is in all probability not value an improve if you have already got the ReMarkable 2.
However should you battle to remain centered on a laptop computer and miss the sensation of pen and paper—which has real benefits for memory retention—the Paper Professional could be a useful software. The updates on this mannequin are welcome, and if it means having the ability to write this evaluation with out listening to an incessant ping from Slack, then which may simply be priceless.
Shade Me Mine
{Photograph}: Nena Farrell
I really like taking notes, whether or not it is on a paper planner or a digital pocket book. The Paper Pro is greater than most of those, with an 11.8-inch display, so it feels a lot nearer to having a sheet of A4 paper in entrance of me. It is a good dimension for my crazy handwriting and ever-growing lists, however it’s not so giant that it is uncomfortable to hold round. It is skinny sufficient to stack on my laptop computer or a big e book as I wander about my house. It is simply over a pound, which is manageable.
I am additionally a giant fan of including colour once I can, and that is the headline function right here. Shade E Ink screens have been changing into more common of late—Kobo has a color e-reader and it is protected to anticipate Amazon to launch one quickly—however ReMarkable says its Canvas Color technology was constructed on prime of E Ink’s colour show and options bodily colour particles that transfer across the display. It is not a colour filter sitting on prime of a black-and-white show, which is what you will discover on another colour E Ink screens.
The colours aren’t electrical however muted, sort of like coloured pencils somewhat than a set of vibrant pens or highlighters. The shades vary from traditional major shades of purple, blue, and yellow to magenta and cyan. You’ll be able to select grey or white too, and the latter solely exhibits up should you’re writing on prime of one other colour. There are seven totally different pen types to select from, just like the ReMarkable 2, all of which have the identical vary of six colours and three neutrals, whereas the highlighter and new shader have barely totally different colour choices.
The colours on the web page are nonetheless straightforward to see and establish. The expertise of utilizing them is enjoyable too; if you initially write it is typically black or grey, after which the Paper Professional begins recoloring the letters after you raise your pen. Typed textual content, in the meantime, can solely present up in black. I appreciated utilizing the colours to mark edits I wanted to make when proofreading my typed work or to jot down color-coded notes. The black pen colour is far darker than any of the colours, a lot in order that I’d use grey as my impartial possibility in order that it would not make the colourful writing look pale.
Energy Up
{Photograph}: Nena Farrell
One other main improve is the built-in mild. It is not a backlight like your smartphone or pill however a frontlight like on many e-readers—the sunshine faces the show and illuminates it, reflecting it as much as your eyes and making the show readable at the hours of darkness. For those who’re in a well-lit room, you won’t even discover the sunshine is on—I can barely see the distinction when sitting at a desk with loads of pure mild. However in darker rooms, the light glow of the display jogs my memory of studying on my Kindle at night time. It is effectively fitted to writing your novel on a night airplane trip or taking notes in a dimmed presentation corridor.
