Kindle Scribe versus reMarkable 2

When will I ever learn?

I've realised that I often create a story to justify my purchases. I upgrade my iPhone, change e-ink tablets, and collect new camera lenses. I do this because I listen to the stories in my head. Stories about how better my craft will be once I have the new gadget.

What is an impulsive buy?

An impulsive buy happens when someone buys something on the spot, without planning. This is according to a quote from Wikipedia. It's a moment of self-gratification.

Well, that last point makes me blush. Is that me?

I could offer a simpler definition: impulse buying leads to items that gather dust.

This is what has happened with my Kindle Scribe. The dust on the screen is a clear sign that there is more dust hiding in my home office. Time to grab the hoover and duster!

The Kindle Scribe

I bought the Kindle Scribe from Amazon UK in December 2023. This means it's the 2022 model.

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon's entry into the e-ink tablet market. It serves as both an e-reader and a digital notebook. I own a Kindle Scribe and previously a reMarkable 2. I've seen some important similarities and differences between the two. While both aim to recreate the paper experience, I find the Kindle Scribe a bit disappointing.

Each day, I’m surrounded by screens: my work laptop, iPhone, iMac, TV, and my camera's tiny viewfinder. Whether for work or play, I am staring at an electronic screen. The reMarkable 2 helped me escape this, and I regret selling it. Now, here comes the Kindle Scribe. Is it the same experience at a lower price?

Kindle Scribe design and build quality

Both tablets have a minimalist design. The reMarkable 2 looks sleek. It’s only 4.7 mm thick and weighs 403.5 g. This makes it one of the thinnest tablets available. The Kindle Scribe has a thickness of 5.8 mm and a weight of 433 g. While the Scribe feels solid, it lacks the refinement of the reMarkable 2.

In my view, the reMarkable tablet is more comfortable to hold and feels premium. I understand that 'feeling' is subjective.

Display

The Kindle Scribe features a 10.2-inch display with a sharp 300 ppi resolution. It also has an adjustable front light, so you can use it in various lighting conditions. The reMarkable 2 features a larger 10.3-inch display. But, its resolution is lower at 226 ppi, and it lacks a backlight, which limits its use in low light. The reMarkable 2 still gives a real paper feel, making writing more enjoyable.

Writing Experience

Writing on the reMarkable 2 feels like writing on paper. It offers a natural and responsive experience. The tablet includes various templates and tools for note-taking and sketching. The Kindle Scribe's writing experience is good but less intuitive. The pen interaction is smooth, but it doesn’t have the tactile feedback that the reMarkable 2 gives.

Technical Specifications

Processor and RAM: The reMarkable 2 has a 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM processor and 1 GB of RAM. The Kindle Scribe's processor details are tricky to find. But, it works well for both reading and note-taking.

Storage: The reMarkable 2 has 8 GB of non-expandable storage. The Kindle Scribe offers options of 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB. This is great if you need space for documents and notes. I picked the 32 GB version, but I won’t come close to using all that space.

Battery Life: Both devices have impressive battery life. The reMarkable 2 can last up to two weeks on a full charge, depending on usage. The Kindle Scribe offers similar performance. Amazon claims it lasts for weeks. Yet, actual usage may vary based on features like backlighting.

Pricing

Here’s how the prices stack up:

reMarkable 2: Priced at £389, not including the Marker. The standard Marker costs £59, and the Marker Plus, which has an eraser, is £109. If I were buying the reMarkable 2 today with the Marker Plus and a nice folio case, I would be looking at a total of £429.

Kindle Scribe: Starts at £329 for the 16 GB model with the Basic Pen. Upgrading to the Premium Pen will add £30. Higher storage options (32 GB and 64 GB) are available at increased prices. You might even find deals on the 2022 1st-generation model.

If I were buying the Kindle Scribe today, with the latest 2024 model, the marker, and a needed folio case, I would pay £383 for the bundle.

Other Considerations

Unique features of reMarkable 2 include support for cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. It supports handwriting-to-text conversion and provides a distraction-free space for note-taking and reading. There are no extra apps or notifications. If you like reading and your books are from the Kindle Store, this tablet might not suit you. Kindle ebooks are DRM (digital rights management) protected, which reMarkable does not support.

The Kindle Scribe is well integrated with Amazon's Kindle ecosystem. It gives access to a huge library of e-books. It also lets you annotate PDFs and other documents directly. This feature is great for reading and taking notes. The adjustable front light improves usability in various lighting conditions. Handwriting-to-text is available via email.

Handwriting-to-text is the feature I love most about these tablets. I would hesitate to use either if they required a keyboard.

The 2024 Kindle Scribe has been modified to include a sleek flush-front display with even white borders. It also features an upgraded Premium Pen, making writing feel more like using paper. Amazon has added new AI notebook tools to annotate books.

Gripes and Loves

My biggest issue with both the Kindle Scribe and reMarkable 2 is the price. I made these impulse buys. Even though I know I could write more with the handwriting-to-text feature, I don’t. The price does not match my limited use. If you are a frequent note-taker, writer, or reader, then one of these could be a great fit for you.

My second concern is with the Kindle Scribe. It feels slippery like glass. I don’t enjoy holding it, and that’s why it gathers dust. The cost of cases is quite high, but using the Scribe without one is not enjoyable.

My favourite feature is the handwriting-to-text. It is wonderful to have pages of notes converted to typed text. Both products excel in this area.

Another thing I love is the battery life. Both devices last for weeks without requiring a charge.

Conclusion

The Kindle Scribe offers both reading and writing features. But, the first generation doesn't quite mimic the feel of paper. The 2024 model might improve this, but I haven’t tested it.

The reMarkable 2 has a better writing feel and focused features. It’s still my top pick as a digital notebook. But for those who use Amazon products a lot or who want to read and take some notes, the Kindle Scribe is a good option.

As for me, if I clean my home office once a week, I won’t need a dust monitor.

What’s more, if I save up £729, I could get the reMarkable Paper Pro, the new colour e-ink tablet with... let’s pause there.

That wouldn't be an impulse buy, as it would take me a long time to save for it.

On the other hand, for loose change, I could buy some paper and a pen!

Thanks for reading this far. If you found this story helpful, please consider buying me a coffee. It would mean so much. 😊