Remarkable 2: A Game-Changer for Note-Taking?

A couple of months ago, I decided to ditch the stacks of paper notepads and switched to the Remarkable 2 paper tablet. Despite being many times more expensive than traditional paper notebooks, making the switch has been a good investment for me. Let's dive into why I made the switch and how it has impacted my productivity.

Why I Switched to the Remarkable 2

With physical paper, I always felt restricted by the page size and was overly cautious not to waste it. This often resulted in fewer notes and disorganized stacks of different notepads. The Remarkable 2 has changed my note-taking habits for the better.

Limitations of Physical Paper

• Page Size Restrictions: Limited space for notes.

• Fear of Waste: Hesitation to freely jot down ideas.

• Disorganization: Notes scattered across various notepads.

Embracing the Digital Era

With my new paper tablet, I feel much freer to write. For instance, planning out this blog post would typically be done on a computer. Now, I do it directly on my Remarkable 2, which has introduced me to new, good habits.

Developing New Habits

One of the best new habits is writing out a daily to-do list during my morning huddle. This small change has significantly boosted my productivity and kept me organized.

• Morning To-Do Lists: Improved organization and focus.

• Freed from Computer Dependency: More flexibility in planning and writing.

The Joys of a Distraction-Free Device

Before adopting the paper tablet, I relied heavily on apps for reminders. I still use these apps, but having a distraction-free device to write on has made a world of difference. There is nothing quite like the satisfaction of ticking items off a to-do list.

Benefits of a Distraction-Free Environment

• Simplicity: The Remarkable 2's minimalistic design helps maintain focus.

• Satisfaction: The physical act of crossing off items feels rewarding.

Downsides of the Remarkable 2

Like any device, the Remarkable 2 has its downsides. It only supports black and white, which can make colourful documents harder to read, and marking up notes with vivid colours is not possible.

Limitations in Colour

• Monochrome Display: Limits readability and markup options for colourful documents.

• Colour Accessibility: Only available when notes are emailed or opened on other devices.

Still, this hasn't been a major issue for me. The primary challenge I face is with the pen nibs. I use about one nib a month, and before long, I need to replace it again.

The new Remarkable Pro has colour but is carries a much higher price tag compared to the Remarkable 2.

Maintaining the Device

• Pen Nib Wear: Frequent replacement needed, approximately once a month. I quickly wear the nib down to a point due to how much I am writing and how I write (angle, pressure, etc). Different people have different nib wear experiences.

The Upsides Outweigh the Downsides

Despite the drawbacks, the benefits make up for them. One major advantage is having all my notes in one place and synced across devices. If I ever lost my tablet, my notes would still be organized and available.

Key Advantages

• Synchronization: Notes are always backed up and accessible across devices.

• Organization: All notes in one centralized digital location.

Reducing Paper Waste and Printing

Another benefit is that it has significantly reduced my need to print documents. I can open and read documents and web page articles directly on the tablet.

"The Remarkable 2 has not only improved my note-taking but also helped me reduce my paper waste."

Environmental Impact

• Less Printing: Reduced need to print documents and articles.

• Digital Reading: Facilitates easy reading and digestion of web articles.

Conclusion

Switching to the Remarkable 2 paper tablet has been a worthwhile investment. It offers a distraction-free writing environment, helps develop productive habits, and keeps all my notes organized and synced. While it has some downsides, like the lack of colour and the need to replace pen nibs frequently, the pros far outweigh the cons. Do you think a paper tablet could help your productivity?

John Fisher

Meet John Fisher, founder of Westway IT, passionate about helping businesses thrive with technology. With a BSc in Computer Science, he values integrity, education, and quality relationships. Active in The Tech Tribe and CompTIA, John simplifies IT and creates scalable strategies. Connect with him on LinkedIn.