Amazon Kindle Scribe review: This e-ink tablet offers an excellent reading and writing experience

The Scribe is Amazon's first Kindle that supports stylus input and indeed, it offers an excellent reading and writing experience. With this new device, Amazon has managed to not only replicate a pen-and-paper experience, but without the associated limitations like running out of ink. Some of our main issues with the Scribe, particularly its lack of editing tools, are possibly solvable by software updates. Indeed, when we asked Amazon about possible handwriting recognition tools in future, a representative said “While we can’t comment on future roadmap features, we are always listening to customer feedback.” So maybe if we all complain loudly enough, the company will add it.
The Kindle Scribe’s biggest competition is the Remarkable Tablet, which retails for slightly more than Amazon’s device, though you can find it on sale for less nowadays. It has a slightly larger 10.3-inch screen but comes in noticeably thinner at 4.7mm (or 0.18 inches) thick. ReMarkable offers slightly better syncing and writing software than Amazon, but it pales in comparison to the Kindle as an e-reader.
Artists, designers and serious note-takers also probably want to look elsewhere for a more sophisticated drawing and annotating solution - the iPad and Apple Pencil might be your best bet. But as a combo of an e-reader that can also serve as a basic digital notepad, the Kindle Scribe is surprisingly satisfying.
Pros:
- Smooth and natural writing experience
- Premium thin and light design
- Roomy canvas for reading and writing
Cons:
- No handwriting-to-text conversion, Not water resistant
Engadget Score: 85
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[@aras_aras_aras_aras]

This should be compared with ReMarkable 2 in more detail. She refers to iPad and Galaxy Tab throughout the video, but the real competitor is ReMarkable.

[@sherlockholmes2591]

She keeps talking about the Scribe having "anti glare" attributes but I don't think she quite gets that it's literally ink on the screen. Anyway, been waiting a long time to see the Scribe in action glad to find it.

[@BrwnEyedSouthernGurl]

Supernote, too

[@romeshprakashpalan8895]

I was baffled by the lack of comparison with its true competitors as well.

[@CherlynnLow]

@@sherlockholmes2591 i don’t remember mentioning anti glare at all? maybe once? do u mean when i talk about a paperlike experience? thanks!

[@CherlynnLow]

i mention the remarkable 2 at the end but because the coworker on our team who had received that device to review no longer works with us and didn’t hand it off to someone on our team, i had no real way to go too indepth other than based off his write up for us and a specs sheet. if i had more time to write this review i def think calling in a reMarkable 2 to compare is a must! we might be able to do that for a video later down the line. i also mentioned the ipad and galaxy devices as they’re things people i spoke with outside of niche tech circles asked me most often about and seem to use more, so it felt prudent to bring those up.

[@TheMrMobile]

Your best review yet, IMO. You covered at least three things I missed (or had to leave on the cutting-room floor). Love the personal anecdotes too!

[@jasonlotito]

For me, the biggest issues with the Scribe are things that can be fixed in software. The hardware is excellent, and the writing is phenomenally good. The software can be updated. So, I'm happy with the purchase.

[@BunnyB.Bunnerson]

I'm glad someone finally has focused more on the notebooks feature of this device. All the other reviews I've seen complain about the clunky annotation features for ebooks, but I don't think that was why this device was made. It is more like an ereader/planner combo.

[@WhitneyRaeann]

I carry my kindle paperwhite, a pocket calendar planner, and a small notebook all in my purse. This is exactly why I want the scribe- has everything I need/use daily all in one.

[@Miketation]

That and the price... I'm just here to see what it actually does, like damn!

[@nickisashkir]

The device was definately designed to be a reader first and notetaking second! But, I do like the more in-depth note system. Hopefully future software updates makes it better and better.

[@smpalaniappan8955]

@@WhitneyRaeannsmartphone does it all ..

[@nachiketn8032]

A thorough review covering different needs and perspectives. Good job !

[@DavidBrown-bs7gg]

Early impressions.. great if you want to read kindle books on it (you can’t with the Remarkable) and the backlight is great for varying light conditions (Remarkable has no backlight) As for writing the screen/pen has no pressure sensitivity so you can’t emphasise text by pressing harder/lighter. Scribe screen does a full refresh when you use the erase which is annoying/distracting. And there are fewer pen styles to choose from

[@pythonantole9892]

This is such an amazing device. Like all Amazon devices that i own i'll wait for the second gen, hopefully in 2024.

[@redredrubyred9]

Thank you Cherlynn! What a wonde4ful informative review ! I want to see more of your reviews because you explain things in such a captivating and educational way! Very much appreciated. Am waiting for my scribe sometime this month….. 😎

[@IAmSam_TheMan]

Yeah. I just got one and I have to admit I am impressed with the Kindle Scribe. I hope they make a standard size 81/2 by 11. I would love to buy that one and keep the one I have now. 😁

[@adrianocavalcanti298]

You know what, as a mathematician and heavy reader, I'd much rather stick with my Kindle Paper white and my mini iPad, even though knowing that the light from the iPad is killing my eyes. But, if Amazons allows us to directly scribe on eBooks, I would get a Kindle scribe in a heartbeat.

[@fantasiame]

A Supernote (note taker with Kindle app) might satisfy your need.

[@adrianocavalcanti298]

@@fantasiame really? I will look it up rn!

[@andrewjohnson1486]

This is a smart thing to have if you scribe a lot. Might save a lot of paper. Good job by Amazon and Mediatek together.

[@frankr111th]

I would never buy this device, but this was one of the more entertaining reviews I've watched in a while 👍🏽

[@ChasingForever]

Thank you for the video review. I love that you were practicing your Hiragana. Thank you for giving attention to the note taking and sharing of notes function. I am a dedicated Kindle reader, and I have one pre-ordered, but I think it will be going back. Limiting PDF exports and sending to co-workers is a "no-go" for me. Sad...

[@sveronih5376]

I traded in my 2 yr old kindle and got 20% off as well. Down to $241.

[@codegreenie3429]

I'm in love already

[@rayraman3243]

I enjoyed listening to the review. Thank you!

[@Abdullah-uv9nk]

Great review but you didn't mention the backlight which is what I'm interested in coming from the ReMarkable since it's the key differentiator between the two products. I'm buying it just for that.

[@CDubya.82]

Good Review. And yet despite its limitations, Christmas needs to include a Scribe in my stocking this year.

[@JoshuaBrown-ud5ui]

For readers, it appears to be engaging. It would work great for travellers, in my opinion, and has fantastic mediatek chipset compatibility.

[@will3377]

Thank you for an honest review... Was considering it but my main goal was to doodle on a digital platform and ended up getting a Lenovo Tab M10 Plus.

[@Tony_515]

Great review! This really is one of the first “big fish” companies dipping their toes in e-ink with writing capabilities, which is exciting to see. It would be interesting to see how it compares with other e-ink writing devices from Boox, Supernote, Remarkable, etc… I currently own a Boox device and it seems to have an edge with it having full Android capabilities and I can install any app or even use OneNote to take my notes (which actually does sync edits across devices!!) but it would be interesting to see differences in daily performance and possible use cases. EDIT: I meant to say first e-ink device with Wacom/writing support, didn't make that clear initially

[@Civilian08]

What? Amazon has had numerous e-ink devices. Their first Kindle had an e-ink display and that was in 2007. They're not dipping their toes in, they've been in it for the past 15 years.

[@Tony_515]

@@Civilian08 Whoops, that's my bad! I meant to say that the Kindle Scribe is Amazon's first e-ink device with wacom/writing support, I know Kindle has been around for a long time.

[@coreygreene3708]

Such a simple and thorough review as always from Cherlynn. And, so happy it didn't break when you accidentally set on it😁

[@AlfieAlmeda]

With every new device, don't be a beta tester. Wait for the follow up. Scribe looks great but I imagine we'll get an A4 sized device with color within a year and a half. Til then, I'll continue to use a tablet or good old paper and pen.

[@moiraohara]

I like that in my rm2 we write direct in the ebook if this kindle could do that with light library etc would be a perfect replacement

[@CherlynnLow]

yea the rm2 software def seems a lot better for note taking!

[@XtianApi]

They must bring massive feature updates. I expect they will. I can't give up ipad and one note. My old paperwhite is going fine still. Wish it had warm light, but I'm waiting for new oasis

[@farhatsam8529]

People will argue about why not having a full tablet instead of such devices like the Scribe (considering the price), but they are totally not comparable. The scribe is an electronic paper, just it: No notifications, not colors, no distractions (KZbin, blogs...), no complicated Notes software... The goal of Ebook readers like Scribe and Paperwhite is to not lose the book and paper experience, which is something people underestimates

[@rowanwhile]

great review! Thanks so much :)

[@CherlynnLow]

thank you so much!

[@ch3ckm8]

They have to add a smudging tool for writing to make this perfect for pencil drawing. Drawing doesn't need to be complicated and I believe these e-ink displays can achieve this very soon.

[@pengchengwu3695]

does anyone know if amazon will upgrade its pen to support 2048 or 4096 pressure sensitivity？

[@chuaheyia]

The video sound is super low. Otherwise, convincing video. Thinking of buying one.

[@InfoSopher]

I would love to see an in depth comparison with other brands. My scribe is due in a few days, and I intend to use it as a productivity device for notetaking. But I don't thnk that Amazon has the best software teams. That 3 click to switch to another note already makes me anxious.

[@JanvierSoldat]

Memories of the cursive guide inside EVE exercise books

[@CherlynnLow]

right??? haha

[@Belgarathe]

Great review as always from Cherlynn and Engadget team Coming from ReMarkable 1, Boox Max Lumi, and ipad pro, the key advantage of Scribe is Kindle library. Second is that Amazon kindles is very reliable, easy returns and replacements policies. As for writing in a ebook for notes, I suspect this was done for 2 different issues. The first one being that for ebooks you can change size of fonts which could be a problem for you being that handwritten notes would be all over the place instead of reflecting the actual place you meant it to be. A second reason which I think, is also but not tested, is that your handwritten notes could be seen in a regular kindle. Please update us and let us know about the second part when you open your kindle book in a regular kindle after making notes and synchronization. For pdf i believe you can write directly on margins on no notes. There is a planned update in January, to make easier uploading. Also just for those who have been around the block remember the old dx kindles....those were huge with poor pixel density :-)

[@CherlynnLow]

thank u so much! fully agree on the Amazon library of content being the main draw here. def keen to see what that January update does!

[@giatrus70]

great review! I'm waiting for a kindle scribe 64 gb. Considering its writing function, but having the fear of scratching it, is it advisable to protect the screen with a film or, in some way, could this reduce the effciency of the product? In the past I have always protected my kindle Oasis with a protective film.

[@Fisox]

I miss colors for marking etc., thats why I stay on iPad.

[@RomanOnARiver]

If it was just smaller - about the size of a notebook, and less expensive it'd be a quick purchase. Great review.

[@jonbon770]

I forgot that kindles are still around

[@marinadarmaros3154]

Can you please compare the writing feeling to Supernote? And is it true that the notes can be easily opened in the computer as part of Word’s comments?

[@larrygoad2141]

Can anyone tell me if you can read Microsoft Word documents on the Scribe? That's kind of a deal breaker for me if I can't load Word docs on it.

[@arsenicCatnip2763]

from what i've read yes, though support to send docs to the scribe from the word app is coming next year

[@nickisashkir]

Also the way you folded the cover is different than how Amazon recommends you fold it. That's probably why it takes up more space.

[@laniakeasupercluster9440]

Amazon, bring Kindle Scribe to Brazil. Please.

[@gustavobarandas2012]

NÃO

[@dstr3ss]

Yeah only for $600 USD xD

[@Existomalus]

Never

[@fernandomel3117]

they probably will The only relevant countries in America besides Canda and USA for companies are Mexico and Brasil The rest come later

[@norryvamp]

I bought it twice and I was ready to love it but both of the scribes I got had a flaw - they were writing above the screen. I was not able to resolve the issue and gave up after the second device had the exact same problem :(((

[@rmmm329]

Does the display stay always on? Like if I have a note, will it stay displayed on the screen after an hour?

[@Kyaro8888Cari]

I wonder if Apple will come out with e-ink laptops. Or like, a laptop with the ability to switch to e-ink if you wanna read some manga or something.

[@nickisashkir]

This is defiantly a reader first and a notebook second! Also eInk color isn't quite there yet. We'll probably see a mainstream eink color device in about 10-15 years. It's nowhere near ready and the few that experimented with it, it's not great yet.

[@airixxxx]

So, you can't write directly on ebooks, only in PDF? It's kinda pointless isn't it?

[@adrianocavalcanti298]

I feel the same and this is a huge NO to me. I'd much rather stick with my Paper white and my mini iPad. But, if Amazons allows us to scribe on eBooks, I would order one Kindle scribe in a heartbeat.

[@SigmaJAD]

I thinki they will introduce handwriting recognition eventually

[@CherlynnLow]

fingers crossed!

[@hiddenbooks]

Awesome~~~

[@DarthDaddy-cg6ro]

Thanks.

[@alanbell1821]

Can u turn pages just like a regular pad

[@ishyandmikkischannel8811]

Arriving tomorrow, 01 Dec, for us, but I think the Onyx Boox Tab Ultra just out recently will be the one for the future - despite 227 ppi vs the 300 on the Kindle Scribe.

[@NuruddinZainal]

Thanks Tony Buzan for the mind maps

[@taotao98103]

Asking for different pen colors is like asking a radio to do tv jobs.

[@BlindRambler]

Ok so for a daily driver, it holds up, but not necessarily a major productivity machine?

[@neojubei]

That hiragana writing is something else.

[@CherlynnLow]

tbh all my “a”s were hideous 😂😂😂

[@neojubei]

@@CherlynnLow That's okay. Practice makes perfect. Keep practicing on your scribe.

[@CherlynnLow]

@@neojubei i plan to! thank you!

[@tonyhorseman9209]

I wonder if left handed people have to worry about their hand sliding across the screen and turning the page. If anyone has a response to this comment , please holla. Or if there’s any negative aspects even if it’s for left or right handed peeps. Thank you

[@ulyssesnathanialowen3831]

after waiting a few months for scribe to arrive , it arrived today , promptly crashes and gets itself stuck in a loop updating its Os. amazon support were quite deeming and belligerent in their online chat to the point were i have hung up , raised an official complaint about the whole matter and will be shipping the scribe back to amazon tomorrow and most likely investing in kobos eclipse and converting may 500 book library !! buyer be warned !!

[@gfrmartins]

So close to be a Book/notebook perfect replacement and improvement. If only: Just don´t save the files as pictures and allow to edit them in other devices, and improve the search, add tags, etc and its an almost perfect replacement to a work notebook and a great reading device. Almost is the keyword, not cheap but almost a great product, just with some more functionalities will be a Excelent e-reader and pen and paper experience

[@IkaikaArnado]

This video was cute. My hand writing sucks though. It's like a seven year old, which is when I started typing.

[@izakshuvo8434]

Sit on test Passed. My friend would approve 👍

[@Kendihalindebiryildiz]

Hi, is the screen flickering? I will be happy if you give me information.

[@johnlawton9902]

Why is Amazon holding out for the ability to write directly on kindle books? That is most obviously what everyone wants. I suppose they haven't sussed out how to cash in on it properly yet. . .

[@p5ych0p4th]

Hmm … seems like the ReMarkable 2 is still the better option 🤔

[@CherlynnLow]

depends on your needs! I think for someone who prioritizes ebooks and reading, with occasional writing, the Kindle might be better!

[@iambobwhoru]

@@CherlynnLow Hard to say...the size is definitely a CON for me. I don't need a bigger device for just reading. While I use my Remarkable 2 EVERY day at work, I don't think I would see myself pulling it out to read.

[@theRenjie]

5:26, did she give a finger to the non-editable picture? LoL..

[@vicentefrancavalcarcel3995]

Boox and remarkable are Way better

[@jayvansickle7607]

Did you notice any scratching on the screen? I haven't used any eink note taking device... but, I have used a matte screen protector on an iPad..and that scratches pretty easily. thanks.

[@CherlynnLow]

i haven’t noticed any scratches! this thing feels really smooth to write on!

[@jayvansickle7607]

@@CherlynnLow god to know…thanks

[@Chequr_Prostate]

I’m sending mine back, not enough functions. No lag though.

[@diegorc]

This version has a dark mode?

[@vladimirivanov6353]

Can i surg on internet (web brauser?)

[@bobsimmons1470]

Amazon treating note taking like an after thought yet charging a premium? NICE

[@kwanpakshing]

The device , having no text recognition or post-writing editing ( due to the pack of text recognition) in the mobile app , can be simply regarded as half-baked that a normal user cannot accept . At least this is something an e-reader user like me cannot accept at all . Amazon, what's in your mind?

[@disco7379]

It annoys me it has no page turn buttons, like why the heck not?!!!

[@JamJim]

Pen Pineapple Apple Pen

[@hoseroo]

Can you plug a keyboard into that usb c port? Would love this for speed note taking and brain dumping

[@CherlynnLow]

i didn’t try that, will check but i don’t believe so! would be a nice feature tho

[@MatrixSJD]

Totally folded the case in the wrong way lol. Come on now 😂 it should be a triangle underneath the tablet, not straight out the back like that.

[@erickranz]

The case includes a diagram for how you're supposed to fold it. What you show in the video is.... not that

[@CherlynnLow]

haha so yea one thing I forgot to note is that I neglected to look at the instructions so this is my bad.

[@nickthaskater]

@@CherlynnLow how do you write and film a video like this without looking at the product's instruction manual first?

[@mryitch]

would love to see the comparison against the kobo elipsa... Personally I think the kindle is better but the lack of integration with libby is a no no for me

[@asthana12]

Omfg, someone pls fire her! She reminds me of the verge PC build guy, only more clueless! 10:55 thats not how its supposed to be used. The case literally comes with an illustration of its supposed to be folded

[@VickiStokes]

No immersion reading.

[@RogasTV]

300 dpi on 10” - nothing else matters. Don’t pretend handwriting plays a role here :D

[@dstr3ss]

Sounds great... If only costed $120...

[@CherlynnLow]

agree the price is high!

[@Existomalus]

You can get it in 5 monthly payments of like 78 dollars. Much more manageable

[@Philippines1780]

yeah that could be the best price 120

[@sam_6480]

sadly it doesn’t support drawing directly on the book

[@twingytwango6971]

Excuse me, but Amazon said the kindle scribe would ship out on the 30th November. How did you receive yours BEFORE thanksgiving???

[@CherlynnLow]

hahahahhaa part of a review program =)

[@DeepNightHour]

Review unit duh

[@Timmy-Hi5]

WE LOVE YOU LONG TIME 😁🤩🥰😁

[@SK-lt1so]

Can't edit document after generating?! Bye!

[@um995]

おおおおおおおおおおおおお lol

[@antonissavvidis1534]

This seems to be a paid review. Why am I saying this? Because the product was released hours ago and that girl talks about it as if she had been using it for at least a month.

[@Philippines1780]

Well ipad is still the best option…

[@XYZ1234-z9o]

@Engadget Please stop using Cherlynn for reviews, shes the worst reviewer on the internet.

[@DeepNightHour]

Try stopping your breath. You won't see her anywhere ever again!

[@XYZ1234-z9o]

@@DeepNightHour Dude, no need to make it personal.

[@BunnyB.Bunnerson]

Your opinion. I've liked her review the best after looking at several others.

[@jonkyjonkerson4397]

The first few minutes of this video are pointless