Pixel and paper merge on this e-ink tablet

The Remarkable Paper Pro e-ink tablet is a visible and noticeable upgrade to its predecessor, the Remarkable 2, but also costs just under 650 euros (RRP). The functions are manageable, but well thought out. The most important new feature: the Paper Pro also displays colours.

The device is currently only sold by the company itself. Nevertheless, I don't want to deprive you of such a promising product and have tested it extensively.

Design and display: unique technology

The size of the Remarkable Paper Pro shows that it is not a standard e-book reader: At 11.8 inches, the device is slightly smaller than DIN A4. I can read books with it, but the tablet quickly becomes too heavy and unwieldy for longer reading. But it offers enough space for notes and PDFs.

Colleague Coya criticised the previous model for being too thin. She found it difficult to hold the tablet on a flat table. A ribbed frame and the rubberised rondels on the back now solve the problem and make the overall design unique.

The Remarkable Paper Pro uses a currently rare technology: E-Ink Gallery 3. The manufacturer calls it "Canvas Colour". This ensures brighter colours, but the refresh rate is lower than with the more widespread E-Ink Kaleido 3 technology.

Hardware and accessories: major upgrade

Compared to the Remarkable 2, the manufacturer has significantly improved the hardware of the Paper Pro. The built-in chip is a 1.8 gigahertz Cortex A53. It also has 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal memory - of which I can use 46 GB. For comparison: The Remarkable 2 has a 1.2 gigahertz chip with 1 GB RAM and only 8 GB memory. This means that the Paper Pro has a much faster response time than the Remarkable Paper 2 and much more storage space.

The 5030 mAh battery lasts up to two weeks and up to 90 days in standby mode, according to the manufacturer. That's about right for me. Overall, however, the battery life depends heavily on usage behaviour. The device is charged in around 1.5 hours.

The Remarkable Paper Pro comes with a stylus. The softly roughened surface makes it easy to hold. It also has a pleasant weight. I use the back for erasing. I charge the stylus by attaching it magnetically to the side of the tablet. The magnet is strong enough so that the stylus doesn't fall off at the slightest touch.

The stylus recognises both pressure and tilt. However, the rough surface of the display causes the pen tip to rub off over time. The manufacturer has provided for this with a pack of replacement tips.

The distance between the pen tip and the display is minimal, but does not interfere. The reason for the distance is the additional layer, thanks to which the e-ink tablet now has a backlight. This is not particularly bright, has a warm colour tone and is pleasant for my eyes when I work on the tablet in the evening. A bright white colour would keep me awake unnecessarily, which is why I think it's such a good choice.

Also available is a Book Folio. Thanks to the cover, the Remarkable Paper Pro automatically goes into sleep mode when it is closed. If I want to use the tablet for typed texts, I can also clip on a Typo Folio. The manufacturer has equipped the tablet with a 5-pin magnet on the back for this purpose.

Software based on Linux

The operating system "Remarkable OS" is based on Linux. The great strength of the user interface lies in its simple display. I can quickly find all files, tools and settings without searching. In comparison, with Onyx Boox devices, the options are huge and can quickly become overwhelming. The Remarkable has neither too many nor too few options.

Thanks to the simple display and reduced functions, I can concentrate on the essentials when working. The only downside is that you need to know English. Although the Remarkable can be set to German, the software only takes this into account for the keyboard and handwriting recognition, the rest remains in English.

Commissioning and uploading files

The Paper Pro is quickly ready for use. I create a Remarkable account and connect it to the device using a QR code and verification code.

I can log in to the manufacturer's website from anywhere using a one-time code. This allows me to download PDF and EPUB files to the device. A Wi-Fi connection is required on the tablet for synchronisation. As an alternative to the website, I use the app, which is available for iOS, Android as well as macOS and Windows.

Create and edit notebooks

The main function of Remarkable Paper Pro: taking notes. For a new notebook, I select the layout from numerous templates. In addition to the usual dots, lines and chequered patterns, I can even find guitar chords as a template. There are checklists and weekly planners for those who love organisation.

In the notebook, I write and scribble, create text fields or move objects and sentences. I also have plenty of writing tools: from brands and fineliners to brushes and highlighters. I also have nine colours at my disposal, each with three line widths.

Thanks to the creation of several layers, I can keep lines and colourings apart. Or if I want to show and hide images and text individually. Sketching and writing runs very smoothly overall. Thanks to the rough surface of the e-ink tablet, it actually feels like writing on paper - and it sounds like it too.

Convert handwriting

If I want to add to or edit a handwritten text, I do this via "Convert To Text". If I press this button, the software converts my text into block letters and inserts it on a new page in a matter of seconds. If I select several notebook pages at once, they are converted together onto a new page. With the right language setting, this works practically flawlessly. Bullet points and breaks are also adopted.

App and add-ins for even more possibilities

I have a few additional options when I download the App from Remarkable to my PC, Mac or smartphone. I can use the app to access all Paper Pro files, organise them or export them as PDFs.

If I want to share the tablet screen, I use the "Present with Screen Share" function. To do this, I need the Remarkable app on the target device. Sharing runs smoothly and I can highlight texts, take notes and convert them. I hardly notice any delay. Here is a demonstration of screen sharing including converting notes:

In addition to the app, there are also two add-ins. One is for the Google Chrome browser. This allows me to send web pages as a PDF to the Remarkable Paper Pro and read and edit them there.

The second add-in is for Microsoft Office 365. This allows me to upload texts and presentations directly as PDFs to the Remarkable Paper Pro.

Finally, there are three integrations that I use to upload files to the tablet: Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox. From there, I can upload files directly to the Remarkable Paper Pro and edit them.

Subscription for additional functions

Some functions can only be used with a plan. For three francs or euros a month, you get unlimited cloud storage and can also edit notes and PDFs via the apps on your computer or smartphone. The plan also extends the device warranty from one to three years. You can access all functions free of charge for 100 days from registration.

I don't like the plan. It only makes sense for the cloud storage. With such an expensive device, I would have preferred the additional function to be integrated or included as a one-off app purchase. After all, they are not absolutely necessary.