The ReMarkable Paper Pro builds upon its predecessor, the ReMarkable 2, offering subtle yet meaningful upgrades. Its larger 11.8-inch display (compared to the 10.3-inch screen on the ReMarkable 2), color support, and built-in reading light make it a more versatile device for reading and writing in various lighting conditions. Like the ReMarkable 2, the Paper Pro is designed to be a distraction-free alternative to tablets and smartphones, helping users focus without the interruptions of notifications and news updates.

Despite being slightly thicker at 5.1mm and weighing just over a pound, the extra screen real estate is a welcome addition. Even with a case, the Paper Pro feels as manageable as holding a magazine or a book—light but not fragile.

The most significant upgrade is its color display, making reading comics and highlighting text in PDFs much easier. However, writing in colors other than black presents a minor lag, as strokes initially appear black before flickering to the selected color. This small delay is a noticeable downside in an otherwise smooth performance.

For note-taking, the device offers various pen styles, including ballpoint and mechanical pencil modes, each tailored to different writing preferences. After over a month of use in meetings, for to-do lists, and for reading e-books stored in Google Drive, the Paper Pro has become an integral tool in my workflow, proving its ease of use and practicality.

User Experience and Functionality

Organizing notes is straightforward and intuitive. Users can highlight and rearrange text, adjust font sizes, and use preset templates like the Checklist template for structured note-taking. Editing on the fly is seamless—simply use the highlighting tool to select text and make changes. The Marker Plus stylus, included with some models, features a built-in eraser, making corrections effortless.

A standout feature is the ability to mix handwritten and typed notes using an on-screen keyboard or optional keyboard folio. This flexibility helps maintain organized digital notebooks, preventing the chaos of unstructured scribbles. When working with PDFs, the ability to annotate directly in the margins and highlight passages makes the Paper Pro a valuable tool for study sessions and collaborative work.

Performance and Limitations

Writing on the Paper Pro, as with the ReMarkable 2, is a joy. The stylus is responsive, and the pen tip glides smoothly, closely mimicking the feel of writing on paper. Unlike other tablets, there’s no need to adjust writing habits to accommodate the screen.

The device’s handwriting-to-text conversion accuracy depends on the user’s penmanship. For me, it correctly converted about 50% of my handwritten notes, while colleagues with neater handwriting achieved an accuracy rate of around 90%. This feature is useful for sharing notes but may not be reliable for all users.

A notable benefit is the ability to access and share notes across devices via the ReMarkable app. However, cloud storage requires a subscription fee of $3 per month or $30 annually, which may be a drawback for some users.

One downside is the cumbersome process of transferring PDFs and EPUBs, which must be uploaded via the ReMarkable app or website. Given my extensive Kindle library, manually tracking down and transferring book files was inconvenient. While the Paper Pro is designed for simplicity, the inability to directly access e-book apps remains a limitation.

Once books are loaded, the Paper Pro functions as a decent e-reader. The adjustable reading light is a welcome feature for reading in various lighting conditions. The E Ink Gallery display is easy on the eyes, and I found myself spending extra time reading compared to using my phone.

However, the Paper Pro can feel sluggish. Loading notebooks and flipping pages takes longer than expected, even with its improved processor and doubled memory. While the less demanding hardware contributes to excellent battery life (lasting nearly two weeks per charge), the trade-off is slower performance in non-writing tasks.

Final Verdict

The Paper Pro is a premium distraction-free writing and note-taking device, but it comes at a high cost. Starting at $530, with an additional $50 for the Marker Plus stylus and $230 for the Type Folio keyboard, the total investment can reach nearly $800. For those who struggle with handwriting, the keyboard may be a worthwhile addition to minimize errors, but at this price point, alternatives like the Freewrite Alpha might be more appealing for digital typing.

For users seeking a tablet-first experience, the Apple iPad Mini is a more versatile option, while those looking for a compact E Ink device with color support might prefer the Amazon Kindle ColorSoft.

Ultimately, the Paper Pro is not a tablet replacement—it is designed for focused writing and reading, free from distractions. While its closed ecosystem may be restrictive, it excels in what it was built to do. For those who can forgo third-party apps and web browsing in favor of an immersive writing experience, the Paper Pro remains an exceptional tool. That said, if budget is a concern, the ReMarkable 2 offers a more affordable alternative at $330, sacrificing only the color display and slightly larger screen.

Despite its limitations, the Paper Pro has become a constant companion in my daily routine, encouraging me to write more, reduce screen distractions, and engage in a more tactile digital experience.