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ReMarkable has just unveiled its latest digital paper tablet designed for note-taking and sketching, named the Paper Pure. It launches at the same $399 entry price as one of its main rivals, Amazon’s Kindle Scribe. If you’ve been considering either tablet and aren’t sure which one comes out on top, I completely understand the confusion.
The 2024 Kindle Scribe isn’t the most recent release — but it’s the model I personally recommend and one of Amazon’s highest-rated tablets given its price and features. It also shares that same $399 starting price as the Paper Pure and offers the most comparable set of capabilities.
Also: I’ve tested several ReMarkable tablets, but its new cheap E Ink tablet had me fooled
In fact, there are signs that these two devices have borrowed ideas from each other. Following the success of ReMarkable’s Paper Pro, Amazon adopted some of ReMarkable’s professional-oriented features that prioritize distraction-free work. Likewise, the Paper Pure appears to have drawn some inspiration from Amazon: the left-side grip, the sharp white display, and a more budget-friendly price tag.
Both tablets feature sharp monochrome displays, strong tools for quickly sharing documents, and, above all, outstanding pen-on-paper writing experiences. Yet despite these similarities, they’re quite distinct devices. Let’s take a closer look at what each one does well and where they come up short.
Specifications
Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024) | ReMarkable Paper Pure | |
Display | 10.2-inch Paperwhite display, 300 ppi, with backlight | 10.3-inch Canvas display, 226 ppi, no backlight |
Weight | 0.95 pounds | 0.79 pounds |
Processor | 1 GHz dual-core MediaTek MT8113 | 1.7 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A55 |
| Storage/Memory | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB / 1GB | 32GB / 2GB |
| Battery | Up to 12 weeks for reading, 3 weeks for writing (3,000 mAh) | Up to 3 weeks (3,820 mAh) |
| Subscription | Kindle Unlimited: $11.99/month (optional) or select eBooks through Amazon Prime | ReMarkable Connect: $3.99/month (optional) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Price | Starting at $399 | Starting at $399 |
You should buy the Kindle Scribe if…
1. You want access to a massive e-book library
This is the most compelling reason. If you’re after a device for reading e-books, the Kindle Scribe is the clear choice. The Kindle essentially created the e-book device category, and Amazon’s digital content library is unmatched. If you’d like to annotate and jot notes on the books you’re reading, the Scribe offers a handy feature called Active Canvas that lets you arrange your handwritten notes within text documents in multiple ways.
Also: I tested the Kindle Scribe 2 for months, and it beat my ReMarkable in several ways
The Scribe also comes in more storage configurations, topping out at 64GB (twice what the ReMarkable Paper Pure offers), which provides more than enough room for a lifetime of reading material.
Keep in mind that you can read eBooks on the ReMarkable Paper Pure; you just won’t have Amazon’s library readily available, and you’ll need to transfer EPUB files onto the device yourself.
2. You need a built-in backlight
Whether you enjoy reading on the porch after dark or struggle with dim screens, the Kindle Scribe automatically adapts to surrounding light levels, while ReMarkable’s Paper Pure skips the backlight entirely and can be tough to read in low-light conditions. On the flip side, the Kindle Scribe gets very bright — up to 110 nits, making it one of the brightest digital paper tablets I’ve tested.
You should buy the ReMarkable Paper Pure if…
1. Writing and sketching are your main priorities
The writing experience on both tablets is solid, but the Paper Pure offers a more extensive set of brushes, colors (shades of gray on the device itself, which appear when shared online), and a vast collection of “Methods” (templates and fillable e-books). We’re talking journals, checklists, creative exercises, and practical templates like grid layouts.
Also: Kindle Scribe vs. ReMarkable Paper Pro: I’ve used both E Ink tablets, and this one wins
Writing is at the heart of the ReMarkable experience, and the steps to power it up and get to a blank page are minimal. For instance, turning on the device takes you right back to where you left off, and the whole process takes just seconds without having to navigate through menus.
It’s also simple to share anything you create with just a few taps: you can send your work to a specific email address, or generate a shareable link that anyone with internet access can open. This makes it effortless to quickly showcase designs or sketches without any hassle.
2. You prefer a distraction-free interface
ReMarkable’s entire philosophy revolves around keeping distractions to a minimum. There’s no app store, no web browser, and no notifications. While you’re using the device, nothing pops up trying to sell you something, and the interface stays out of your way.
Compared to a laptop (or other tablets), the ReMarkable offers a calmer experience (both literally and figuratively — there’s no speaker) that’s excellent for keeping your attention on the task at hand. It’s incredibly refreshing. The Paper Pure has a single focus, and it executes it brilliantly.
That said, this distraction-free approach does come with trade-offs. If you’re looking for a digital paper tablet that isn’t so closed off, take a look at the Boox Note Max — a tablet with far more customization options (but also the potential for more distractions).
3. You’re a casual user, or you’d rather avoid a subscription
You might not see yourself reaching for the tablet every single day, and that’s perfectly fine. For casual users who pull it out only now and then, I’d suggest
Opting for the Paper Pure at $399 and forgoing the Connect subscription is a solid choice. You’ll retain access to the device’s essential functions, though you’ll miss out on unlimited cloud storage, Methods, and handwriting search.
Also: I tested the ReMarkable Paper Pro, and can’t go back to ‘real’ paper – especially at this price
You can still share your screen, convert handwriting to text, use third-party storage like Google Drive and Dropbox, and access your notes via the web app — all the core features. In contrast, the Kindle Scribe without a subscription is somewhat more limited since you won’t have access to new e-books, the device’s primary appeal.
Writer’s choice
Both devices deliver an excellent writing experience. The Kindle Scribe is more of an e-reader with Amazon’s vast library of e-books and a more advanced annotation feature. The ReMarkable Paper Pure, on the other hand, is a minimalist device with a distraction-free design and a focus on productivity.
Also: I’ve tested dozens of E Ink tablets, but this Android checks the most boxes for me
Personally, I favor Paper Pure’s streamlined UI and beautiful digital writing experience. I appreciate how it acts as a conduit for your creativity without getting in the way, and its integrations and screen-sharing features are smart and seamless. I use the device to sketch, take notes, and iterate on ideas, and have to say, it’s impressive how ReMarkable nailed the balance of features and trade-offs for $399.
The ReMarkable Connect subscription is very optional and, for many users, not necessary — bringing the overall price of the Paper Pure down to a one-time cost. Just note that if you want to read e-books on your Paper Pure, you can, but you’ll have to acquire them elsewhere and download them to the device.
