Let’s be honest, organization isn’t always my strong suit. But of all the tools I’ve tried, the Remarkable has made the biggest impact. The new Remarkable Paper Pro takes this digital notebook concept to a whole new level.
What is Remarkable?
If you’re unfamiliar with Remarkable tablets, they’re essentially digital versions of traditional notebooks, but in a sleek and compact tablet form. They’re designed to be distraction-free, focusing solely on note-taking and idea generation. While simple in concept, they offer a powerful set of tools that go far beyond a typical notebook.
Paper Pro Design and Features
The Paper Pro’s design reflects its name. The ridged sides provide a comfortable grip and evoke the look of stacked paper. The minimalist design includes a power button and a USB-C port. The 11.8-inch display is larger than the previous model’s 10.3-inch screen. While slightly smaller than a standard 8.5×11 inch page, the digital format allows for scrolling and zooming, effectively expanding the available writing space. This flexibility is a key reason I’ve become a fan of Remarkable tablets.
Beyond the physical design, Remarkable offers the equivalent of an unlimited number of notebooks and pages. I use mine for to-do lists, brainstorming, and even planning camera setups. The included templates are incredibly useful. My to-do list uses a checklist template, and I use blank pages for sketching. For video projects, the storyboard templates are invaluable. There’s a wide variety of templates available for different uses, from note-taking to music composition.
Paper Pro Upgrades: Writing Experience and More
The Paper Pro introduces several key upgrades. The writing experience is noticeably improved. It feels more like writing on real paper than the previous version, which was already quite good. Writing on tablets usually feels like using a stylus on a screen, but the Paper Pro comes closer to the real thing than anything I’ve tried.
The included marker (stylus) can be used as a pen, pencil, highlighter, or any other writing tool. The optional Marker Plus adds a different textured finish and, crucially, a built-in eraser, which I consider essential.
The Paper Pro also features a Canvas color display, a highly requested feature. This allows for writing in different colors and, importantly, mixing colors by layering them. This is fantastic for highlighting, creating custom color combinations, and marking up documents.
Another significant upgrade is the built-in reading light. This backlit display allows for writing in the dark, which is perfect for journaling in bed or working on red-eye flights without disturbing others. The brightness is adjustable to conserve battery life.
Companion App and Syncing
The Remarkable companion app for computers and smartphones automatically syncs your notes and makes them accessible across devices. This is incredibly convenient when you don’t have your tablet with you. You can also save and share your notes as PDFs. After brainstorming or planning on the Remarkable, I can easily access and execute my ideas on my computer.
Conclusion: Staying Focused and Productive
I’m easily distracted, so the focused environment of a digital notebook is a big plus. The Paper Pro helps me stay on task and organized. The improved writing experience, color display, reading light, and companion app make the Paper Pro a worthwhile upgrade from the Remarkable 2. However, the Remarkable 2 is still a great option and remains available.