Exploring the ReMarkable 2: Worth the Investment in 2024?
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the ReMarkable 2
In previous posts on Medium, I've discussed various e-ink tablets. These devices are known for their impressive battery life, excellent writing experience, and the ability to consolidate numerous physical notebooks into one convenient gadget. I decided to test the ReMarkable 2, a model that debuted four years ago but remains a top choice in this category. I was eager to evaluate its performance for my needs.
The first thing that stands out is the stunning hardware. The tablet boasts a sleek and lightweight design. The white bezels blend seamlessly with the e-ink display, creating an illusion of continuity. The power button, located in the top left corner, is small yet provides a satisfying click when pressed. The Marker Pro stylus feels more textured than any other I have used, and its balanced weight makes it comfortable for prolonged writing sessions. The unboxing experience is impressive, with a premium feel evident even in the packaging.
Chapter 2: Display and Writing Experience
The e-ink display is located just beneath the cover glass, minimizing air gaps since there's no front light (more on that later). This design results in sharp text, although PDFs may appear slightly washed out due to the absence of contrast adjustment. Nevertheless, the display provides an experience akin to reading a printed document, which is quite remarkable.
The writing experience is exceptional; the screen and stylus nib offer just the right amount of resistance, allowing for natural movement without excessive sliding. The latency between the pen and the screen is almost nonexistent, providing smooth and fluid writing. One notable advantage is the absence of the annoying 'taptaptap' noise often associated with using an Apple Pencil on an iPad. The stylus features a rubberized eraser on the opposite end, adding to the overall tactile experience when used on the textured screen.
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Chapter 3: User Interface and Software Design
The software on the ReMarkable 2 is exceptionally well-designed and user-friendly. The initial setup includes helpful guidance notes that are straightforward and intuitive. The entire user interface is a pleasure to navigate. While the use of black text boxes with white text may seem like a design flaw in terms of accessibility, it beautifully showcases the deep blacks the screen can produce. Despite having a lower resolution compared to devices like the Kindle Scribe, this aspect is hardly noticeable unless you opt for larger icons for accessibility, which can slightly blur the text. Overall, the ReMarkable 2 creates a distraction-free writing environment, aligning perfectly with its creators' intentions.
Chapter 4: The Major Drawback: Lack of Front Light
Now, let's address the significant reason you might reconsider purchasing a ReMarkable 2: its lack of a front light. Using it outdoors is enjoyable, but I reside in South Wales, where sunny days are not guaranteed year-round. Additionally, my nineteenth-century farmhouse has thick walls and relatively small windows, making it difficult to provide the lighting this device requires. Despite my efforts to rearrange my environment, I find it challenging to meet the ReMarkable's lighting needs.
As a reference, here’s a comparison with a cheap notebook in similar lighting conditions:
Even with light from a window positioned about three and a half meters away, the ReMarkable 2's display struggles, while the notebook remains easily readable. The beautiful white bezel that looks attractive in natural light appears more gray in dimmer conditions.
Using an external light source can also cast shadows across the screen, which can be frustrating—especially for left-handed users like myself. This issue is likely to be a common experience across any e-ink device lacking a front light, including models like the Boox Go 10.3 and SuperNote Series.
In conclusion, while I wish the ReMarkable 2 could serve as my everyday notebook due to its outstanding hardware and accessories, the lighting situation in my home poses a significant obstacle. Ultimately, it's essential to assess your real-world usage scenarios before diving into the e-ink device market, especially those without backlighting.
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