I had purchased a used Remarkable tablet of the first generation back in May because I wanted to test whether the device was right for me before spending a lot of money on the second generation. I have already written enough about the pros and cons of the Remarkable approach, so here I will focus on the new device with comparisons to the first generation.
First of all, the Remarkable 2 looks incredibly sleek. This starts with the packaging that arrived. Everything was thoughtfully designed, with small and large packages that together formed a block that fit perfectly into the shipping box. Everything was carefully packed, especially with paper. The plastic wrap could have been avoided, though.
As an early adopter, I paid a lower price for the whole package, meaning I got some extras for a much smaller additional cost. I treated myself to a Book Folio and a Marker Plus. This marker has an “eraser” built in, meaning I don’t need to go into the menu to erase something. You get used to it very quickly. However, the “eraser” is so wide that it’s easy to erase too much. But I wouldn’t want to miss this feature anymore. It definitely makes the work easier.
The marker attaches to the Remarkable 2 just like the Apple Pencil 2 attaches to the iPad — magnetically. This is already a significant improvement over the previous solution. The Folio also sticks magnetically. However, what’s missing from the marker is the ability to store extra nibs inside it. That’s unfortunate because I found that feature extremely practical. A nib lasts me about a month, and in the last few days with a nib, you start to wonder if the writing is becoming messy. With or without the Folio, the Remarkable feels really good in the hand, and have I mentioned how sleek it looks? Even with the Folio? 🙂
Apparently, the new generation is also faster than the previous one, but I haven’t really noticed much of a difference so far. Overall, the Remarkable is still not the fastest software, and I hope they make some improvements in that area.
The Remarkable first generation looks almost cheap next to the second generation. The display size is the same, but the case is slightly larger. The plastic of the first generation always seemed a bit dirty. However, I do miss the buttons from the first generation; the swipe motion from top to bottom to return to the home screen is still a bit unfamiliar. Sometimes, I also find the response a bit sluggish. As mentioned earlier, it’s not super fast, neither the old nor the new model.
Despite daily use (sometimes more, sometimes less per day), the battery lasts surprisingly long for me, definitely over a week. The USB port, which is now built into the side panel, is a USB-C port, making it much easier to plug in.
I mainly use the Remarkable for:
- Taking notes during meetings
- Brainstorming and story writing (see below for an example of how I add a story to a PowerPoint)
- Making annotations in PDFs, such as correcting papers or adding notes to articles I need to read
- Reading books
- Journaling and planning
For all these activities, the device is extremely well-suited. I use it more than my iPad, which I could now sell. However, with the iPad, I can draw on a virtual whiteboard in Zoom calls, which is a bit more complex with the Remarkable, though still possible. Overall, I am very satisfied with the purchase. It’s a lot of money for a device that does so much less compared to an iPad, but it has exactly what I need: something analog that doesn’t strain my eyes as quickly and offers a better writing feel. Is the higher price compared to the used first-generation device justified? I don’t know. For me, it’s about how practical it is, and the new generation is definitely more practical with its longer battery life and well-thought-out accessories. The rest is an extra cost for a significantly better design and aesthetics that are in a completely different league. And yes, that’s also worth something to me. After all, who doesn’t know that the writing tool also affects writing inspiration? 🙂
Update August 23, 2021: With a heavy heart, I sold my Remarkable 2. I still think it’s an excellent device, but it just didn’t fit into my workflow. And since I’m constantly trying to reduce the number of my gadgets… 🙁
Update August 2022: I have a Remarkable again. It’s simply unbeatable when it comes to taking notes, and it’s better for reflective work where you shouldn’t be distracted…