I wrote this evaluate on the ReMarkable Paper Professional. What higher strategy 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 value.
This pill now has a shade E Ink display, a entrance mild that makes it seen in the dead of night, and an energetic 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 arduous to say the ReMarkable Paper Professional is well worth the eyebrow-raising $579 value (minus equipment), and it is in all probability not value an improve if you have already got the ReMarkable 2.
However for those who wrestle 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 will be a useful instrument. The updates on this mannequin are welcome, and if it means having the ability to write this evaluate with out listening to an incessant ping from Slack, then that may simply be priceless.
Colour 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 larger 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, nevertheless it’s not so massive that it is uncomfortable to hold round. It is skinny sufficient to stack on my laptop computer or a big guide as I wander about my residence. It is simply over a pound, which is manageable.
I am additionally a giant fan of including shade after I can, and that is the headline function right here. Colour E Ink screens have been turning into more common of late—Kobo has a color e-reader and it is protected to count on Amazon to launch one quickly—however ReMarkable says its Canvas Color technology was constructed on high of E Ink’s shade show and options bodily shade particles that transfer across the display. It isn’t a shade filter sitting on high of a black-and-white show, which is what you may discover on another shade E Ink screens.
The colours aren’t electrical however muted, form of like coloured pencils quite than a set of vibrant pens or highlighters. The shades vary from traditional major shades of crimson, blue, and yellow to magenta and cyan. You’ll be able to select grey or white too, and the latter solely exhibits up for those who’re writing on high of one other shade. There are seven completely different pen types to select from, much 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 completely different shade choices.
The colours on the web page are nonetheless straightforward to see and determine. The expertise of utilizing them is enjoyable too; while you initially write it is typically black or grey, after which the Paper Professional begins recoloring the letters after you elevate your pen. Typed textual content, in the meantime, can solely present up in black. I favored utilizing the colours to mark edits I wanted to make when proofreading my typed work or to put in writing color-coded notes. The black pen shade is way darker than any of the colours, a lot in order that I might use grey as my impartial choice in order that it would not make the colourful writing look light.
Energy Up
{Photograph}: Nena Farrell
One other main improve is the built-in mild. It isn’t 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 in the dead of night. 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 evening. It is properly fitted to writing your novel on a night airplane trip or taking notes in a dimmed presentation corridor.
