Remarkable Paper Pro Hands-On Review: A Daring Leap into the Future of E-Ink Technology

Introduction

In a world where technological advancements often lead to incremental improvements rather than ground-breaking innovations, the Remarkable Paper Pro stands as a bold exception. Developed over four painstaking years, this device is the culmination of Remarkable's vision to push the boundaries of what an e-ink device can achieve. From the first confidential invitation to the Remarkable HQ to the final hands-on experience, it became clear that the Remarkable Paper Pro is not just another e-ink tablet; it’s a statement of purpose, design, and intelligence.

You can also watch the YouTube video of the Remarkable Paper Pro: Hands-On Impressions on My Deep Guide.

Invitation and the Visit: Behind the Scenes at Remarkable HQ

Receiving a confidential invitation to visit Remarkable’s headquarters was unexpected, but it offered a unique opportunity to have hands-on experience with a device that promises to redefine e-ink technology. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation, as the team prepared for the hard launch of a product that had been in development for four long years.

One of the most striking aspects of this visit was the transparency and openness with which the Remarkable team approached the presentation of the device. While many conversations were off the record, this allowed for a deeper understanding of the mentality and dedication that went into the development of the Remarkable Paper Pro. Even though the team was likely exhausted and stressed, they took the time to engage in natural, flowing conversations, showcasing their genuine passion for the product they had created.

Design and Build Quality: Minimalism Meets Excellence

The first thing that catches the eye when handling the Remarkable Paper Pro is its minimalistic, yet stunning design. Compared to its predecessor, the Remarkable 2 (RM2), the Paper Pro features a much better screen-to-body ratio, meaning that while the device's footprint has grown, the screen area has expanded even more significantly.

Crafted from unibody aluminium alloy, the device exudes a premium feel from the moment you hold it. The fileted ridges on the sides are not just a design element—they serve a functional purpose, providing a confident and comfortable grip. Every aspect of the design is thoughtful and purposeful, executed to the highest quality standards. Remarkable has also employed a smarter manufacturing approach that allows for easier and cheaper reparability. While the device is not user-repairable, trained personnel can perform repairs more efficiently, reflecting a forward-thinking design philosophy.

At a price point of $499, this is not a device that compromises on build quality or design integrity.

Color Canvas Display: The Future of E-Ink Technology

One of the most exciting features of the Remarkable Paper Pro is its ground-breaking 11.8-inch custom-stacked Gallery 3 display. This is not your typical e-ink display as it uses true CMYW (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, White) color ink particles, which are individually controlled on a per-pixel basis. Unlike an off-the-rack Gallery 3 display panel, which often suffer from "yellow-ish" whites and "indigo-ish" blacks, the Color Canvas Display offers a much cleaner and more accurate color representation.

The primary colors of the display are White, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow, with secondary colors including Black, Red, Green, and Blue. The display can render up to 20,000 dithering colors, making it one of the most advanced e-ink displays available. This level of color precision is unprecedented in the e-ink world, and it opens up new possibilities for creative professionals, educators, and anyone who relies on colors in their digital workflows.

Front Light: A Subtle Yet Significant Improvement

The Remarkable Paper Pro features a single-color front light that has been carefully calibrated to complement the display and overall device design. While front lights on e-ink devices are not new, Remarkable has taken a unique approach by creating the thinnest front light stack layer ever. This results in a surface-to-screen distance that is slightly lower than that of the RM2, despite the addition of a front light.

The front light's calibration ensures that it does not overpower the natural feel of the display, maintaining the device's paper-like writing experience while providing the necessary illumination for low-light environments. This balance between functionality and design is emblematic of Remarkable’s meticulous attention to detail.

Paper-Like Writing Experience: A New Level of Precision

For those familiar with Remarkable’s previous devices, the paper-like writing experience has always been a defining feature. The Remarkable Paper Pro takes this experience to new heights, with a structured glass surface that offers an excellent balance of friction and smoothness. There is no lamination or screen protector that might detract from the tactile feedback, allowing users to engage directly with the device’s surface.

The new pen design also plays a significant role in enhancing the writing experience. Remarkable has also introduced stackable brushes, including a highlighter and shader, which allow for more versatile and nuanced drawing options. The intelligent stroke rendering ensures that every stroke is fast and consistent, regardless of the color used. This results in a seamless transition from the initial preview of the stroke to the beautifully post-processed final version.

The Pen: A Whole New Approach

The new active pen introduced with the Remarkable Paper Pro represents a significant departure from the previous generation. Unlike the RM2, which utilized EMR technology, the new pen is not compatible with older devices, and vice versa. However, this shift in technology brings with it a host of benefits that make the trade-off worthwhile.

The new proprietary nib design offers a very precise writing feel, with dampened writing pressure that provides a more comfortable and controlled experience. Remarkable claims that the Paper Pro offers the fastest writing latency yet, and based on my hands-on experience, this claim feels justified. Once I receive the review sample device unit, I will be able to measure that claim. The writing experience is fluid and responsive, with a level of precision that is rivalling the best on the market at the moment.

Another welcome addition is wireless charging for the pen, which is a convenient and modern feature that eliminates the need for constant battery replacements, or hooking up to cables. The pen is available in both standard and premium versions, priced at $79 and $129, respectively, with the only difference being that the premium pen has an eraser.

Performance: Improved Responsiveness

From the moment you tap the first menu option, it’s evident that the Remarkable Paper Pro is a much more responsive device than its predecessors. This improved performance is not limited to just the interface—it translates across the entire system, making the device feel snappier and more efficient in every task.

One of the most impressive performance features is the smart, selective de-ghosting technology. This ensures that previous images or text do not leave behind ghosted remnants on the screen, a common issue with e-ink displays. The Remarkable Paper Pro employs intelligent solutions to mitigate this problem, further enhancing the overall user experience.

Contrast Filter: Smart Content Rendering

As part of its ongoing evolution, Remarkable has introduced smarter content rendering with the Paper Pro. The device can now display content differently depending on the dominant elements on the page, whether that’s text or images. This smart content rendering adds a layer of convenience to the device, allowing it to adapt to different types of content and present them in the most visually appealing way possible.

This feature is particularly useful for users who work with a variety of content types, from text-heavy documents to image-based notes or presentations. The device's ability to adjust its display dynamically ensures that the content is always presented in the best possible light, without requiring manual adjustments from the user.

Redesigned Folios: Beauty Meets Functionality

The Remarkable Paper Pro is complemented by a range of redesigned folios, available in both leather and recycled plastic materials. These folios are not just protective covers—they are thoughtfully designed accessories that enhance the overall user experience. The attention to detail in the folio designs is evident, with features like the intelligent pen flap holder, which ensures that the pen is securely stored when not in use, but also folds unobtrusively out of the way, when not needed.

Priced between $89 and $139, the folios offer a premium look and feel, without compromising on practicality. Whether you opt for the luxurious leather option or the more eco-friendly recycled plastic version, the folios are a perfect match for the Remarkable Paper Pro’s sleek design.

Type Folio: An Improved Typing Experience, At a Price

For users who require a keyboard for their work, the Type Folio is an essential accessory. Remarkable has made significant improvements to the opening and closing mechanisms, making the Type Folio more intuitive and comfortable to use. The wider footprint of the device also contributes to a more comfortable typing experience, as there is more room for the keyboard and palm rest area.

The keyboard itself has been refined, with better key travel and sound, providing a more satisfying typing experience. Additionally, the Type Folio features illuminated keys and dedicated functionality keys, making it a versatile tool for both daytime and night time use. At $229, the Type Folio is a premium accessory that elevates the Remarkable Paper Pro’s capabilities, but it comes at a very high price.

Focus on Distraction-Free Environment: Staying True to the Core Philosophy

One of the core philosophies that has always set Remarkable apart from other digital devices is its focus on creating a distraction-free environment. The Remarkable Paper Pro stays true to this philosophy, offering a streamlined and focused ecosystem that minimizes distractions and allows users to concentrate on their work.

Remarkable in planning to introduce a new level of intelligence to the system and ecosystem, making it smarter and more adaptable to different workflows. This potential evolution is a welcome change, as it could adds functionality without compromising the device’s core purpose of providing a distraction-free environment.

Ad-Free Support: MDO and MMP

Before my final thoughts, I just wanted to say that I hope that you enjoy reading an article that doesn't have a single ad on the entire page. I firmly believe in independence and privacy, and this is why you will not see ads in my articles.

If you appreciate and want to support the independence of My Deep Guide, then I invite you to check out the shop on this website where you can find the My Daily Organizer (MDO) and MDG Meeting Planner (MMP). Both are meticulously designed and crafted hyperlinked PDF planner products that are an absolutely perfect companions to devices like the Remarkable Paper Pro or the Remarkable 2. MDO helps you organize all of your year-round planning needs, while MMP specializes in centralizing, simplifying and organizing all of your meeting planning needs.

Head on over to the shop to get more info about the products, and know that each purchase of any of these products directly helps support the independence of My Deep Guide.

Final Impressions: An Unapologetic Vision Made Reality

After spending time with the Remarkable Paper Pro, it’s clear that this is not just another e-ink tablet—it’s a revolutionary device that represents an important leap in world of color e-ink technology. The physical design and execution are among the highest quality available on the market today, and that’s no small feat. While software can always be improved over time, hardware is much harder to perfect, and Remarkable seems to have nailed it with the Paper Pro.

The sheer amount of dedication, problem-solving, and intelligence that went into creating this device is staggering. From the innovative Color Canvas display to the redesigned pen and folios, every aspect of the Remarkable Paper Pro has been thoughtfully crafted to offer a superior user experience. However, there are inherent limitations with the Gallery 3 display technology that are present in the Remarkable Paper Pro as well, primarily in the speed and method the pages are being refreshed when changed. For me personally, these limitations do not detract from the device’s overall appeal. In fact, they are a testament to the daring and risk-taking approach that Remarkable has embraced.

The Remarkable Paper Pro may not be a device for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine. It is unapologetically unique, offering a combination of features and functionality that no other e-ink device on the market can match. This boldness is what makes it stand out in a crowded field of digital devices, and it’s what will attract users who are looking for something truly different.

I can’t wait to receive the review sample device and dive even deeper into what the Remarkable Paper Pro has to offer. For now, I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have had the opportunity to experience this ground-breaking device first hand and to witness the passion and dedication of the Remarkable team. They have created something truly special, and I have no doubt that the Remarkable Paper Pro will leave a lasting impact on the e-ink technology landscape for years to come.