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An E Ink display is good for more than reading—it's also great for taking handwritten notes. The Amazon Kindle Scribe and the ReMarkable 2 are arguably the most popular stylus-equipped ereaders that you can write on. But which one should you buy? We've thoroughly tested both and have full reviews with all the details. Here, we're going over everything you need to know about their screens, battery life, reading experience, note-taking features, and more to help you pick the model that fits you best.
Full Specs
| Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) | ReMarkable 2 Tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Dimensions | 9.0 by 7.7 by 0.22 inches | 9.6 by 7.4 by 0.19 inches |
| Weight | ||
| Weight | 15.3 oz | 14.2 oz |
| Screen Size | ||
| Screen Size | 10.2 inches | 10.3 inches |
| Storage Capacity | ||
| Storage Capacity | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Book Formats | ||
| Book Formats | Kindle Format 8 (AZW3), Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; PDF, DOCX, DOC, HTML, EPUB, TXT, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion; Audible audio format (AAX) | PDF, EPUB |
Price and Storage
The Kindle Scribe has three storage options: The entry-level model has 16GB ($399.99), the mid-tier model has 32GB ($419.99), and the maxed-out version has 64GB ($449.99). All three options include Amazon's Premium Pen, which doesn’t need to be charged and has a shortcut button and an eraser at the top.
The ReMarkable 2 comes in a single version with 8GB of storage for $399. This includes the regular Marker, but you can upgrade to the Marker Plus, which includes an eraser, for an additional $50. Though 8GB might not seem like a lot of storage, it's enough to hold thousands of documents.
If loading audiobooks and lots of other content is important to you, you might need more storage. In that case, the Scribe is your best choice since the ReMarkable 2 isn't compatible with audiobooks and has less storage.
Winner: Kindle Scribe
Size and Design
The Scribe has a 10.2-inch screen, measures 9.0 by 7.7 by 0.2 inches (HWD), and weighs 15.3 ounces. Its body is made of aluminum, and its stylus attaches magnetically along the left side.
The ReMarkable 2 has a slightly bigger 10.3-inch display and is thinner and lighter than the Scribe. It measures 9.6 by 7.4 by 0.2 inches and weighs 14.1 ounces. The ReMarkable 2 is also made of aluminum, and the stylus attaches magnetically on the left side.
Both devices have a USB-C port for charging and transferring files. Neither has an IP rating to protect against dust and water, so stay away from the pool.
Winner: Tie
Display
Amazon doesn’t state the Scribe's resolution but notes that it has a pixel density of 300 pixels per inch (ppi). The display is lit by LEDs embedded in the front and reaches up to 94 nits of brightness. The Scribe includes warm and cool LEDs, so you can adjust the yellow and blue hues of the screen. The display can automatically adjust brightness to match the ambient lighting.
The ReMarkable 2 has a resolution of 1,872 by 1,404 pixels and a density of 226ppi. While the display is technically less sharp than the Scribe's, it's difficult to see the difference unless you hold the two next to one another. However, the ReMarkable ereader doesn’t have a front light. Just like a paper notebook, you need an external light source to use it effectively once the sun goes down. This is the ReMarkable 2's biggest drawback, as it is difficult to use in low-light environments without a lamp.
Winner: Kindle Scribe
Stylus and Handwriting Experience
The Kindle Scribe's Premium Pen is light at 0.50 ounces and has a round shape. The pen includes an eraser and a shortcut button, which makes it easy to switch to a highlighter or other writing utensil.
Amazon doesn't specify the level of pressure or tilt sensitivity on the Premium pen, but the stylus feels responsive in use. It is virtually lag-free, though it’s not quite as smooth as the writing experience on the ReMarkable 2.
ReMarkable’s regular Marker is easy to use. It weighs 0.52 ounces and is cylindrical. The Marker doesn't need to be charged and offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and 50 degrees of tilt detection. The pricier Marker Plus weighs slightly more (0.67 ounces) due to its additional eraser button at the top.
Writing on the ReMarkable 2 is a seamless, instantaneous experience. Thanks to the display's texture, which provides a realistic paper-like resistance, it feels as close as possible to writing on paper.
Winner: ReMarkable 2
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Performance, Battery Life, and Connectivity
Amazon doesn't say what powers the Scribe as far as the processor and memory are concerned. However, navigating around the device is quick and smooth. It feels sufficiently fast to do any type of work.
The ReMarkable 2, meanwhile, runs on a 1.2GHz dual-core ARM processor and includes 1GB of RAM. It feels a bit outdated; the device can be slow, especially when loading large PDF files. Page turns lag occasionally, and it takes longer to switch books or notebooks than I'd like.
Both the Scribe and the ReMarkable 2 list their battery life in weeks, not days. Amazon doesn’t state battery capacity but claims the Scribe can last up to 12 weeks per charge when reading for a half hour per day at a brightness setting of 13. That dips to three weeks when writing for half an hour per day. The Scribe's battery life varies depending on usage and brightness settings.
When connected to a computer via USB-C, the Scribe will fully charge in around seven hours. If you use a 9W power adapter, it takes about two and a half hours. You need to provide your own power adapter, as one is not included in the box.
ReMarkable doesn't publish battery life estimates but notes that the ReMarkable 2 has a 3,000mAh battery. In testing, it lasted about a week with an hour's use per day. It also doesn't come with a charger.
The Scribe connects to the internet via dual-band Wi-Fi and includes Bluetooth. Since it doesn't have speakers, you’ll need wireless headphones to listen to your Audible books. The ReMarkable 2 also connects via dual-band Wi-Fi for sending and receiving documents, but it doesn't have Bluetooth. As mentioned, it doesn't support audiobooks.
Winner: Tie
Software
Amazon’s Kindle Scribe software is similar to regular Kindles. The biggest differences are the notebook and writing features. The Scribe's notebook tool features 18 different page templates, such as lined, graph, and dotted paper, along with weekly planners and musical tablature. The Scribe has four different writing utensils, each available in five widths.
The Scribe supports a wide range of files, including MOBI, PDR, PRC, and TXT. You can upload BMP, DOC, DOCX, EPUB, GIF, HTML, JPEG, PDF, PNG, RTF, and TXT files by using the Send To Kindle function, which automatically converts the files so you can read them on your Kindle.
The biggest issue is that the Scribe doesn’t let you simply write anywhere you want on your ebooks. Instead, you have to use Amazon's Active Canvas. This allows you to write a note and then save it as a textbox on the page. The book's text is then reorganized around the box. It’s cluttered to look at and doesn’t let you perform basic functions like circling a word or drawing an arrow. Thankfully, you can expand the margins to give you more space to write.
The ReMarkable OS is a custom-based linux system that stores all your files on the home page and is easy to use. You can write, highlight, doodle, or do whatever you want directly on the pages of your books and PDFs.
The ReMarkable 2 only reads PDF and EPUB files that are free of digital rights management software, so you can't access content from Amazon or other retailers. It can export files in PDF, PNG, or SVG. You can load the files on your device manually or upload them through the company’s Connect cloud service. An app for your laptop or phone lets you sync documents wirelessly to the ereader. Access to the Connect service costs $2.99 per month after a 100-day free trial.
The Notebook features are robust. There are over 40 separate page templates to choose from, nine different writing utensils, and three pen widths. You can also type in the notebooks if you prefer. If you stick to handwriting, the software can convert it to text at the touch of a button.
Winner: ReMarkable 2
Which E Ink Tablet Is Right for You?
So which note-friendly ereader is the better choice for you? Here are some guidelines to help you pick:
The Kindle Scribe is your best bet if you have a large Amazon library of Kindle books and audiobooks.
If you primarily need a digital notebook, get the ReMarkable 2. It has better notebook software than the Scribe.
Thanks to its front light, the Kindle Scribe is the better choice if you often work at night or in the dark.
The ReMarkable 2 is a good choice for anyone who works primarily with PDFs.
