Oreos and Skittles: A Muted yet Enriching Color Experience
The reMarkable Paper Pro tablet has taken the company’s vision of merging PC capabilities with the simplicity of paper to the next level. While the previous reMarkable tablets focused on black and white functionality, the Paper Pro introduces color and a “frontlight” feature. This new device is an upgrade to the reMarkable 2, rather than a direct successor, offering a higher-end alternative.
Color e-paper devices have often fallen short in terms of user experience. The addition of color can compromise resolution and contrast, making it less appealing for everyday reading. However, reMarkable has found a unique solution to this problem. By using Skittles as an analogy, the company’s hardware lead, Mats Herding, explains how they have added color without sacrificing resolution or clarity. The result is a muted yet effective color experience that allows users to highlight, circle, jot, and sketch in distinct colors.
The introduction of color enhances interactive and creative options, making it particularly beneficial for individuals who regularly work with text or mixed media. The ability to switch between different pens quickly, just like a professor or editor marking up a document, adds to the versatility of the device. With the Paper Pro, users can now edit or mark up documents, design treatments, pitch decks, article layouts, books, and more, without feeling limited by the device’s colorless predecessors.
Light, Stylus, and Quick Response Time
The writing experience on the reMarkable Paper Pro remains largely unchanged, with a few notable improvements. Developing a tablet that incorporates color, a frontlight, and a larger screen while maintaining an exceptional pen and writing experience was no easy task. According to Herding, the team had to develop most aspects of the device from scratch to ensure it met their high standards.
The new frontlight is not meant to replace ambient brightness but rather to replicate the experience of shining a light on a physical piece of paper. The color temperature range is locked to maintain consistency and prevent color casts. While some may find the screen a bit cooler for reading books, it aligns well with the concept of a virtual piece of paper.
The Paper Pro also features a new active stylus that offers a sub-20-millisecond response time. This improvement surpasses the inflection point of around 25 to 30 milliseconds, providing a noticeably better writing experience. The stylus is charged by attaching it to the side of the tablet, eliminating the need for a separate charging port. However, users should be cautious not to misplace it, as it is more expensive to replace.
Finally, a Real Out-of-the-Box Typedeck
One of the reMarkable 2’s less successful features was its typing capability. However, reMarkable has made significant improvements in this area with the Paper Pro. The device now offers a typing case and a revamped typing/mixed-media experience that caters to the complex needs of writers. Users can now easily select text, copy and paste, write in the margins, and switch between sketching and highlighting with a dedicated key.
The typing experience on the Paper Pro has been refined, with better-looking type and more in-line options. The interface has become more robust, allowing users to edit their work effectively. While the keyboard itself has also been improved, a direct comparison to the original is required to determine the extent of the enhancements.
The reMarkable Ecosystem – A Unique Selling Point
Despite its innovative features and improved functionality, the reMarkable Paper Pro may still face challenges in terms of market acceptance. The device does not integrate with popular services like Pocket or Notes, requiring users to work within the reMarkable ecosystem and export content to other apps or services. However, reMarkable’s focus on maintaining a distraction-free, creative experience justifies this decision. The company believes that constantly connected devices and apps already exist, and the reMarkable tablet offers a unique alternative.
While the Paper Pro may not appeal to everyone, its target audience consists of individuals who value a more focused digital creative experience. The tablet’s ability to help users complete projects and stay engaged in their work makes it a worthwhile investment. However, those seeking multimedia capabilities like YouTube or Spotify integration may find the device lacking.
Despite these potential limitations, reMarkable has found success in the market, attracting enough buyers and subscribers to its Connect data syncing service. The improvements in the Paper Pro are expected to continue this trend. As one of the early adopters of the device, I will be exploring its capabilities further and assessing whether it can truly help me bring my ideas to fruition.