The digital notebook brand reMarkable is back with an unexpected new product, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, which comes as a more compact version of its color e-ink notebook.
Introducing the reMarkable Paper Pro Move
This is somewhat of a surprise that could shape the future of this type of device. After years of growth in screen size, smaller digital notebooks now seem to be the next trend.
A first example of this shift is the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, which fits in your hand with its 7.3-inch diagonal screen, in a format close to that of a large smartphone.
The display is labeled “Canva Color e-ink”, which appears to be reMarkable’s brand name for E Ink Gallery 3 color screens.
Colors seem comparable to those of an e-reader using Kaleido 3 technology (though, judging by early videos, the results aren’t particularly convincing). What’s most interesting, however, is that the screen refreshes very quickly, making the color reMarkable devices surprisingly pleasant to use. Still, this type of optimization has also been mastered by other manufacturers, as we saw with the HiBreak Pro e-ink smartphone in my review.
Inside the box, you’ll also find a USB charging cable, the stylus, and 6 spare nibs (since stylus nibs wear down, as with all pens of this kind).
A New Work Tool?
The company presents this notebook as a new kind of work tool, one that doesn’t get in the way of your interactions. Unlike larger 10 inch devices, this one fits in your hand and aims to replace your trusty old paper notebook.
Unlike paper, the reMarkable Paper Pro Move lets you search your notes (even handwritten ones) and, of course, convert handwriting to typed text.
One important caveat: to unlock the full set of features, you’ll need to subscribe to a paid service costing $2.99 per month.
This subscription gives you cloud storage for your notes and the ability to edit your documents from a smartphone, tablet, or computer with instant sync. In addition, subscribers get access to extra document and note templates.
Reading eBooks: Best Avoided
Even though the reMarkable Paper Pro Move is primarily a work tool for note-taking, it can also be used for reading.
Your PDF files are fully supported and can be annotated. You can also read EPUB files, as long as they’re not DRM-protected (like those using Adobe DRM).
By default (and without complicated file conversion) you cannot read Kobo, Pocketbook, or Kindle books on a reMarkable device. This severely limits its usefulness as an eBook reader (in my opinion).
Given its price, if your main goal is reading eBooks, you’re better off with a dedicated e-reader. Not only is the price-to-performance ratio much better, but e-readers also support a wider range of formats.
If you’re particularly interested in smartphone-sized e-ink devices, I recommend checking out my reviews of the Boox Palma 2 and the HiBreak Pro.
Isn’t It a Bit Expensive?
With a price tag of $449, at a time when the competition is both strong and cheaper, one might wonder if reMarkable has gone too far this time.
Time will tell if people are willing to pay this much for a work tool, especially since reMarkable requires a monthly subscription to access all its features.
And if you want to protect your Paper Pro Move, you’ll need to spend an extra $69 for the Book Folio case. That brings the total to $519 for the base notebook and its case! What’s more, the base version only comes with the “Marker” stylus, which is a downgraded version of the “Marker Plus”.
Despite my skepticism, I do think it’s a good idea that could open the way for more interesting digital notebooks in the future.
Personally, I’d imagine something like the Boox Palma 2 (which already comes in a compact smartphone-like form), but with strong handwriting recognition, a good stylus, and an Android system. That would give us a versatile device (one that works for productivity, web browsing, and reading eBooks) while still fitting right in your pocket.
See also : best alternatives to the reMarkable
Website : https://remarkable.com
