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Build: The Remarkable 2 has a better feel. Both the premium pen and the device feel just a little better constructed on the Remarkable. Both feel good but the Remarkable wins here. The Scribe's premium pen struggles to erase consistently which is irritating. That said, both feel great to write with. Further, it is clear to me that Amazon really took the writing part seriously. There is virtually zero lag on the Scribe. The Remarkable has low lag but the Kindle is clearly faster and more rewarding to write with. The Scribe is also back-lit and it is very good. That is a big win for Amazon. I give the edge in overall build to Remarkable but the Scribe has done enough in other places to make it a tough call.
Processor and speed: This one isn't even a contest. I haven't looked up the processing specs and I will for my next update but I really don't need to. The Scribe is so much faster in everything it does. Page turns and searches are so much better here. Everything from menu access to flipping from one notebook to the next is better on the Scribe. It is actually painful to use my Remarkable in some ways now.
Last Remarkable comparison points: The Remarkable make sharing work easier for now though it isn't seemless. The Scribe is clunky in this area. Note transcription is an area that Remarkable is clearly more refined in for instance. The thing is, while I love the idea, I don't use it that much personally but I know many do. If you are taking note, sharing them with colleagues, transcribing them to text, and using your device as a workhorse, The Scribe isn't ready for you. I think it will be but it isn't there now. Of you are like me, and like to have all your notes in one handy device, the Scribe works even if the software isn't perfect yet.
As a Kindle: For me this is homerum city. The Scribe is absolutely Amazon's best Kindle for reading. It is much larger, still reasonably light, and is so much faster and more capable. You can take notes here while reading which is okay bit clunky. Do not buy this if you hope to make indepth annotations or comments on your books. Making little sticky notes comments isn't the best. Better than nothing but not a reason to buy.
So, in conclusion, for me, this is a tough one. I am going 4 stars with hope for software improvements that take it to 4.5 to 5. The speed, backlight, functional note taking and customizable folders / notebooks make it enough to recommend but only if you want to really use a digital notebook. I do. I love it. Therefore, for me, having the ability to marry my Remarkable and my Kindle, even if it isn't quite perfect, is enough for me to recommend. Much more to come.
***First Update*** So, week one is in the books and I was able to travel with the Scribe across the country which I find to be a great way to get to know a device like this. I don’t often have five or six hours in a day to read and write. As I write this, I am on my plane back to Detroit from LA and just got done doing some reading and then some work. I have a couple of more thoughts here. The first is that the software needs to be improved. It is not as easy as it should be to switch between reading and note taking. It goes like this: Tap the top of the screen, tap Home, then scroll to what you want to switch to, and click again. Not the end of the world, but not ideal. Some sort of carousel at the bottom or top that you could call up would be ideal. Again, the speed of the device is better than any E-Ink device I have ever used which does minimize the inconvenience, but it could be better. I also just noticed the lack of pressure sensitivity in the last few days. I never used it much with the Remarkable, but I do think it is worth noting as many likely will. I do not think I mentioned the lack of waterproofing. That is a pretty large omission for me as this is the most expensive Kindle and nearly every other now made has waterproofing for a whole lot less. Now, I need to be more careful at the pool or beach and that might force me to buy a different Kindle for those purposes. This would defeat a lot of the device reduction purpose my Scribe investment set out to achieve. I have to think that through but it may be a deal breaker for me. On the positive side, like all Kindles, the battery life is outstanding. I have barely moved the needle on this four day trip and have spent a number of hours reading and writing. Really impressive! Also, worth noting, unlike others, I find the Premium Leather Case to be a really good addition. If you are going to do buy the Scribe, I think you should really consider that investment as well. I will update as I decide if I will make this work. So far though, the Scribe is a really good reader that has some work to do as a true multi functioning work asset.
***Second Update*** Okay, I had my first glitch. The panel started recognizing the pencil maybe a centimeter off of the device, meaning both that it was writing before the pencil was touching and when it was being pulled off the panel. The results were a big mess. I tried to reboot and it was still doing it. I then went to Kindle mode, opened a book, and tried to make a note. It was fine. Went back to notebook mode and it was back to working normally. I cannot get it to replicate but I will be busy with the device this week and will update if it rerurns. Strange and it has me a little spooked. Also, a software thing I really miss from Remarkable. It sounds small, but one of the options in the pencil drop down in Remarkable's menu is a little dash. When clicked, it allows you to circle things you have written and then cut or copy it for easy moving or large erasing jobs. Amazon needs to add this to the next update ASAP. Something I use often and will miss if I keep the Scribe. More to come...
***Third Update***So, thanks to our friends on the web, I solved my pen problem. I had jammed the tip to far into the pencil and it thought I was pressing down on the panel even though I was a good half inch of it. I pulled it out and reinserted it. Problem solved. Today is the last day I can return the Scribe and I am keeping it. The ability to have my Kindle and my notes together is just too strong for me to go back. That said, the Scribe isn't perfect. I am absolutely banking on Amazon providing significant improvements here. I think Amazon has been clear about the mission here so I am going to go along for the ride. If you need a workhorse writing tablet right now, this isn't it. If you want the best reader ever made and like the idea of having a robust note taking partner, this is absolutely something you need to buy. I will wrap up in a couple of months, but, for me, the Scribe does enough to warrant the investment.
***Fourth Update*** So, this is what I have been waiting for. Amazon has gone update crazy as of late and this device is officially a five star now. The last large update, about 6 weeks ago is huge. I won't go through it all here as it is detailed everywhere online, but Amazon has officially killed off Remarkable for me. Text conversion, searchable notes, better folder management, a better dropdown menu with the little dashes to circle and delete stuff, and so so much more is here now. I have received 3 updates in the last two months and the Scribe is better now in every way. I am moving my review from a 4 to a 5 because this is now the best e ink writing and reading tablet on the market. Keep up the great support Amazon! Buy with total confidence!
