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The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

cfenollosa.com

161–170 of 283 posts

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#161
post #43
post #2

> They are moving towards a subscription model. This is the biggest minus point for me. I want devices that I own, that I can use like I want to. I don't want to be caught in another cloud and pay monthly for something I don't want to use. Currently I'm looking into getting a device from Onyx, because those support the Android App Stores, so I could set it up with Notion or my Nextcloud probably. Remarkable seems to…

Notably, and with a disclaimer that I myself unfortunately failed to live by ideals in this case and did buy, Onyx seem to have their own issue, which is violating GPL: https://old.reddit.com/r/Onyx_Boox/comments/p9ztru/lets_help...

I have another similar device, the Boyue Likebook Mars, and it's so close to being great.

In addition to the license compliance issues, I assume these cheap Chinese devices are siphoning off all my data to parts unknown. The last I checked, you couldn't even root the thing.

I trust reMarkable more, so I might eventually buy one to replace the Mars. But a device like the Onyx/Boyue e-ink tablets that was more open (ideally: running LineageOS) would be close to ideal.

Edit: I forgot about the PineNote, which is probably the best option on the horizon for those who don't trust these Chinese Android distros: https://www.pine64.org/pinenote/ - I should probably go pre-order one :)

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ps. I also own a Boox Note Air, and the remarkable quite simply blows it away. When I bought the Boox I loved it, but after getting the Remarkable there really is no competition. I do like the Boox for its novelty value, running weird things on an e-ink display, but I don't use it for notes or reading anymore.

Can you elaborate why? I'm stuck between the two as a purchasing decision. I value the android apps but if the writing and reading experience is way low I may skip out on boox

I'd recommend MyDeepGuide on YouTube for e-ink device reviews; the channel has pretty comprehensive comparisons

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#164
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm going to answer with what is cool with a Remarkable against a paper notebook when it comes to writing : you can easily erase shapes, strokes, undo, resize, copy, paste, add pages between... To me that's a lot of advantages only for the comparison of the actual "writing tools" even not taking into account the "extras". Disclaimer : I sold my remarkable because I had a tiny but noticeable "gap" between the stylus a…

Are you left handed?

No. But I acknowledge I may have an "uncommon" way of handling a pen, with a really closed angle between the pen and the paper. Of course my writing is totally garbage.

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#165
post #57

Good luck ever getting a warranty or return done on these. Look around at their support. It’s awful. I had to file a dispute after they wouldn’t provide a refund for my return after nearly 30 days of non-movement of the return (their label, their shipping carrier). I would strongly caution you run away. Worst customer support I’ve ever experienced. Edit: I will never understand people that downvote a warning like thi…

How dare you give a warning based on experience. I'm always suspicious though of heavy affiliate links and when every review on a product (1000+) are all 4-5 stars. I know it's not but it screams to me of the dropshipping popup sites.

What I've heard, and no idea if this is true, but I think my experience backs it up somewhat I just have no hard proof of it.

If you see a company advertising heavily on social media sites, and Remarkable is everywhere for me on social media sites, they're basically throwing all their money at advertising and all other areas of their business are getting the short end and suffering.

With the recent news they're moving subscription for their various services I think it's clear Remarkable is likely to die in a couple years.

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#166
post #13

I’ve been using a Sony Epaper notebook for almost 2 years now and considering buying a Boox Note 5 or Air 2 (the remarkable didn’t make my short list) They are running almost stock android and the quality seems better than remarkable. I’ve watched My Deep Guide ( https://youtube.com/c/MyDeepGuide ) where they test every single feature of all note taking devices. This article says that you have root access on the rema…

If you've been using a Sony DPT-RP1 or DPT-CP1, you should also consider the Fujitsu Quaderno Gen 2, which is the most prominent successor of the RP1/CP1. I strongly prefer my Quaderno to my Remarkable 2. Unfortunately My Deep Guide hasn't been able to get a review unit yet.

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The hardware isn't better on the Remarkable. It's a slower weaker chipset than what's used on any of the Oynx devices and the screen in the RM2 is literally the same part as what is in the Oynx Note Air. Both use Wacom EMR for writing so you can use the same pens and nibs on both. Remarkable has a plastic layer to improve writing feel and optimized software to get pen latency down. The Oynx Note Air 2 supposedly also…

So I have the note air 2, and the reMarkable because reasons. The reMarkable feels like writing on paper. The Note Air 2 feels like writing on a piece of plastic. The reMarkable wins there. The latency on both is about the same, in my opinion. The reMarkable might hesitate when you erase something big, but then it's completely gone. Switching pages takes just enough time to be annoying. On the Note Air 2, erasing is…

I only have the Note Air 1 and I don't see any ghosting on page switches in the notes app. But they are running different firmware so who knows. Other apps it's settings dependent but you can set it to refresh every page turn if you want.

I'm sure RM feel is better but I bring up it's a plastic layer/nib feel and not something specifically built into the device. It's possible to get a better writing feel with a screen protector and a different nib on the Note Air. For me, writing is secondary to reading and the RM is just too limited in that regard.

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#168
I have an rM2, and I loved it at first. But honestly, I've just gone back to carrying a notepad and a pen. One of the biggest issues I have is that for /most/ things when I want to take notes, it's because I've found myself in a spur of the moment situation and I need something that will fit in my pocket. For planned note-taking, I'd rather type than write. I write because I can fit a pen in my pocket. I guess it's somewhat of a tautology, but in the end my rM2 has sat very prettily on my desk, completely unused, for months.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the device itself, I think it just didn't fit the way that I take notes. The only thing I found as an actual annoyance was that they forced you into using their cloud services which I didn't think were very good. I would have much rather had it OCR my notes into Standard Notes or figured out a way to sync. Syncing to Standard Notes never happened, so I just type long-form notes directly into Standard Notes and keep a Rite in the Rain pad in my pocket and a pen for spur of the moment stuff.

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#169
post #146

I have the Onyx Boox Max 3, it is great. Just a normal android device with an e-reader screen. You can install apps, listen to audio (it has a speaker). I'm wondering why there are not more like those devices..

Same, I have an Onyx Boox Note Air which is working great. I love it at night especially because I don't have to stare at a backlight and that I can read technical pdfs more comfortably.

I also wondered why E-Ink devices are not more popular. I think it has the potential to rival the iPad but at the moment it is just a fraction of the tablet market.

I think one reason that E-Ink is not more popular is probably because of the Price and that it is really best as a secondary device. Most people would rather purchase a primary device that can do a lot of things well rather than a secondary device that can do a few things exceptionally.

Re: The reMarkable as a notebook and eBook reader

#170
post #2

> They are moving towards a subscription model. This is the biggest minus point for me. I want devices that I own, that I can use like I want to. I don't want to be caught in another cloud and pay monthly for something I don't want to use. Currently I'm looking into getting a device from Onyx, because those support the Android App Stores, so I could set it up with Notion or my Nextcloud probably. Remarkable seems to…

I watch this space and find the new Kobo interesting - syncs with dropbox, similar tech https://us.kobobooks.com/products/kobo-elipsa

If you want to roll your own you can get an arduino attached to a recycled kindle display with wifi - i love this idea (but touch support is just emerging) https://inkplate.io/

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