Kevin JohnsonreMarkable 2 is a second-generation E-Ink writing tablet for reading, sketching, and note-taking. It was developed by a Norwegian startup company founded by Magnus Wanberg in Oslo in 2014. In 2016, reMarkable launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the business and released reMarkable 1 in 2017. However, this tablet could have been more active when loading and unloading files and needed integrations with other software.
In May 2020, the company launched reMarkable 2. It is the world’s thinnest tablet at 187 x 246 x 4.7 mm and emulates putting pen on paper. Users can subscribe to reMarkable’s Connect service for $3/month to add notes to their notebooks using mobile and desktop devices. A Connect subscription also offers a protection plan and unlimited cloud storage. [1]
reMarkable 2 is one of the best E-Ink writing and reading tablets for students, academics, and professionals. It is 0.19 inches thick and 0.88 pounds, making it light to carry in a backpack. In April 2023, the company released reMarkable Version 3.3 with new features. Users can now bold text with the reMarkable Type Folio keyboard and tablet. They can also clear their recent doc email recipient list and transform handwritten notes into typed passages via Ocular Text Recognition (OCR).
However, reMarkable 2 is not the only E-Ink tablet on the market. The device faces stiff competition from Kindle Scribe, Kobo Elipsa, iPad Air, Onyx BOOX Note Air, and Samsung Galaxy Tab. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of reMarkable 2’s top competitors and alternatives:
1. Amazon Kindle
Year founded: 2007
Headquarter: Seattle, Washington
Amazon Kindle is a reading tablet offered by Amazon, Inc. The first generation of Kindle went on sale on Amazon.com in November 2007 and sold out within hours. In September 2022, Amazon introduced a Kindle Scribe that unites reading with writing. [3]
Kindle Scribe features a 10.2-inch, 300 pixels per inch (PPI) paper-white display and pen that never needs charging. It is designed for reading and note-taking in books, journaling, and adding notes to documents. Unlike reMarkable 2, Kindle Scribe has LEDs for front lighting. Both are roughly the same sizes, but Kindle Scribe is 30g heavier than reMarkable 2. Kindle Scribe is the top alternative to reMarkable 2.
2. Kobo Elipsa
Year founded: 2009
Headquarter: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Kobo is an e-book, audiobook, e-reader, and tablet retailer owned by Japanese e-commerce conglomerate Rakuten. The company introduced the Kobo Elipsa in 2021. This e-reader and smart notebook allow users to write on the screen.
Kobo was one of the first companies to make a waterproof e-reader. In April 2023, the company launched the Kobo Elipsa 2E and the Kobo Plus service. The new Elipsa 2E is an E-Ink e-reader and writing device with a 10.3-inch glare-free display, Bluetooth support, and a stylus attached to the side.
Users can rely on the three-tier Kobo Plus subscription to access over 1 million e-books and hundreds of thousands of audiobooks for $7.99/month. Kobo is one of the top competitors for reMarkable 2. [4]
3. Apple’s iPad Air
Year founded: 1976
Headquarter: Cupertino, California
Apple is an American multinational tech company. It offers innovative consumer electronics, including iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPhone, and Mac PCs. In 2013, Apple introduced iPad Air to extend the iPad line of tablet computers.
The iPad Air is a multifunctional tablet that combines a note-taking device and a smartphone.
Unlike reMarkable 2, the iPad Air doesn’t offer an E-Ink display with a paper-like texture, but users can write on it with the Apple Pencil 2.
In March 2022, Apple introduced a new iPad Air with an Apple-designed M1 chip to improve performance. This tablet features an ultra-wide front camera with a center stage for video conferencing. iPad Air is one of the top competitors for reMarkable 2. [5]
4. Onyx
Year founded: 2006
Headquarter: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Onyx is one of the leading manufacturers of devices for reading electronic books. It offers BOOX Note Air 2, a tablet-like E-Ink device. The main selling point of Onyx BOOX Note Air 2 is its WACOM sensor, which allows users to take notes in a separate application and directly in the text.
Onyx offers BOOX Note Air and Note Air 2 models. The newer Note Air 2 comes in two configurations: the Note Air 2 with a 3,000mAh battery capacity or the Note Air 2 Plus with 3,700mAh. Both are 10.3-inch tablets with a resolution of 227 mph and an Android 11 operating system. Onyx BOOX Note Air 2 is one of the best alternatives to reMarkable 2 for e-readers and digital note-takers. [6]
5. Samsung
Year founded: 1938
Headquarter: Suwon-si, South Korea
Samsung is a multinational manufacturing conglomerate based in South Korea. It offers the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, which competes against reMarkable 2. In August 2023, Samsung released the One UI 5.1.1 update for Galaxy Tab S8 devices in European countries. The upgrade covers the Galaxy Tab S8, Galaxy Tab S8+, and Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is an Android 12 tablet with an 11-inch 120Hz LCD display, 8GB RAM, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU. Its S Pen stylus allows users to take notes, sketch, and annotate documents. With the latest One UI 5.1.1 update, the Galaxy Tab S8 now features a two-handed drag-and-drop feature for files and hidden pop-up windows. Users can switch between pop-up view and multi-window mode for supported apps and share files via Quick Share. Samsung is a formidable competitor for reMarkable 2. [7]
6. Meebook
Year founded: 2004
Headquarter: Guangzhou, China
Meebook is an e-reader brand owned by China’s Haoqing. The company offers the Meebook M6 and Meebook P78 Pro, which compete against reMarkable 2. As of April 2023, Meebook M6 had 32GB internal storage and stored over 5,000 e-books. [8]
Meebook M6 is a 6-inch e-reader with 300 PPI, while the Meebook P78 Pro is a 7.8-inch e-ink device with 1404 by 1872 resolution. One of the advantages of Meebook M6 is the reading experience. It uses 256 system-wide and supports several formats, including PDF, EPUB, TXT, HTML, DOCX, MOBI, CHM, PDB, JPG, PNG, GIF, MP3, and WAV. When reading e-books, Meebook delivers sharper text than Kindle and Kobo e-readers. Meebook is one of the best alternatives to reMarkable 2.
7. Supernote
Year founded: 2018
Headquarter: Shanghai, China
Supernote is an electronic notebook brand owned by Ratta. The company was founded to develop IC card terminals (POS) and payment systems but later ventured into the e-reading device sector. As of August 2023, Ratta Supernote operated offices in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Los Angeles.
Supernote electronic notebook helps users take notes, annotate, and read without distractions. The latest Supernote A5X has a 10.3-inch screen and an easy-to-use pen. In September 2023, the company unveiled system updates, enhancements, and customization options. Users can now highlight text in PDFs using different colors, add comments, and manipulate links and headings. Supernote is a worthy alternative to reMarkable. [9]
8. Fujitsu Quaderno A5
Year founded: 1935
Headquarter: Minato City, Tokyo, Japan
Fujitsu is a Japanese multinational ICT equipment and services corporation. The company offers Fujitsu Quaderno A5 for note-taking and editing PDF files. In 2022, Fujitsu had around 124,000 employees.
Fujitsu Quaderno A5 is a 10.3-inch digital note-taking device. Users can view and edit PDF files, take notes, draw freehand sketches, and track their schedules and meetings. However, the main selling point of Fujitsu Quaderno A5 is its E-Ink Carta 1250 e-paper technology, delivering a wider gamut and higher contrast ratio. Fujitsu Quaderno A5 is one of the best alternatives to reMarkable 2 for reading and editing A5 documents. [10]
9. Rocketbook
Year founded: 2014
Headquarter: Boston, Massachusetts
Rocketbook is a digital cloud-connected notebook. It combines a classic paper-to-pen feel with the innovations and versatility of a tablet. As of August 2023, Rocketbook was sold for only $23.25.
Rocketbook uses technology to transfer handwritten words from paper to computer. Users can write memos like on traditional notebooks and then leverage cloud-based functionality to simplify searching, sharing, and organizing notes. The kit includes the notebook, 36 pages, a compatible pilot pen, and a microfiber cleaning cloth and works with the Rocketbook App. Rocketbook is a budget-friendly alternative to reMarkable 2. [11]
10. MobiScribe
Year founded: 2018
Headquarter: San Jose, California
MobiScribe is an E-Ink writing and reading tablet brand. The company is best known for the MobiScribe Origin E-Ink Notebook, which competes against reMarkable 2, but it also offers the MobiScribe Wave and MobiScribe Wave Color tablets.
MobiScribe Wave features a 7.8-inch Kaleido Plus color e-ink screen, which delivers 4096 colors in apps and the e-reader. Customers can use its stylus to freehand draw, take notes, or edit PDF files. Unlike reMarkable 2, MobiScribe Wave Color runs on Google Android 12. It is the first e-note to use this latest operating system. MobiScribe is a worthy alternative to reMarkable 2. [12]
References & more information
- Bellamy, S. (2023, Aug 17). The ReMarkable 2 E-Ink tablet is the next best thing to paper. USA Today
- Cipriani, J. (2023, Apr 28). ReMarkable’s latest update fixes my biggest gripe about the tablet. ZDNet
- Amazon (2022, Sep 28). Introducing Amazon Kindle Scribe—the First Kindle for Reading and Writing. Yahoo Finance
- Vasani, S. (2023, Apr 5). Kobo launches the Kobo Elipsa 2E. The Verge
- Apple Inc (2022, Mar 8). Apple introduced the most powerful and versatile iPad Air ever. Apple.com
- Sarkar, S. (2022, Oct 28). The Onyx BOOX Note Air 2 Plus is my favorite E-Ink tablet. TechRadar
- Shaik, A. (2023, Aug 17). Galaxy Tab S8 series gets One UI 5.1.1 update with better multitasking features. SamMobile
- Kozlowski, M. (2023, Apr 28). Review of the Meebook M6 e-reader with Google Play. Good E-reader
- Supernote Staff (2023, Sep 1). Discover the Massive Upgrades in Supernote. Supernote.com
- Kozlowski, M. (2021, Jul 24). Fujitsu Quaderno A5 2nd Gen Review. Good Ereader
- Koopman, A. (2023, Aug 4). Don’t go to school without this $16 smart notebook from Amazon. SF Gate
- Kozlowski, M. (2023, Sep 3). First-look at the MobiScribe Wave Color e-reader and e-note. Good E-reader
- Featured Image by Jonas Gerlach
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