ipad Vs ReMarkable Note taking Review

[@sleepnaught]

Remarkable seems like a great product, but it’s hard to justify the price for what you get. You can get an iPad Air for the same price that can do so much more. If it was ~$300, that would make more sense.

[@HermanSays]

I use my Remarkable Paper Pro exclusively at work for all my note taking and planning and it’s the best solution for my needs. I tried using the iPad first before purchasing the Paper Pro and it had to many alerts and notifications going off while I was in meetings. I know I could shut off all those notifications and alerts but the remarkable eliminates having to worry about constantly turning on and off all sorts of notifications. I am able to focus more on notetaking and planning with the Paper Pro. I also much prefer the writing surface on the paper Pro than writing on glass with the iPad. The iPad is too noisy with the point of the Apple Pencil, tapping on the glass sound while writing is noticeable, annoying and distracting during meetings. The paper pro is quiet and feels like writing on paper. For those hesitant on buying the remarkable, I say go for it. You will not be disappointed.

[@NethirOsman]

Thanks for the insight

[@ClinttheGreat]

Apple’s “Focus” settings allow you to silence notifications with 1 button, or schedule no notifications during certain times or by location. It’s super easy to set up.

[@neem1972]

,,,,,, apple eco-system….. if you use it for work,, it pays itself in very short time …

[@cloker375]

Battery life was the reason as an Ipad user I also got a remarkable. As someone who doesn't reliably charge my ipad every day like I do my phone or watch .... I would find that the ipad battery would be too low for longer meetings etc. and not be there when I needed it. Remarkable with the long battery life to me is what makes it my go to note taker (and of course I find it much more comfortable for writing).

[@migueltoledo1884]

I agree. The iPad battery life is still far too short. Only a day or so. Also, it looks unprofessional to have an iPad in a meeting. Whereas the Remarkable or a Supernote fits in better and isn't nearly as distracting.

[@ClinttheGreat]

@@migueltoledo1884I have no idea why someone would think an iPad is unprofessional when you’re taking notes on one. I see a lot of people use them in meetings for notes.

[@jh9855]

Thank for this comparison. I have the iPad Pro and the Remarkable paper pro. I use the Remarkable to take notes, etc. The iPad is next to the Remarkable and I use it to look up reference material, regulations, articles, etc while I am working. I like the Remarkable because it does feel like paper and I like the iPad for the internet, and apps. I look forward to adding your software to the Remarkable.

[@bodendorfer]

That is one way for sure to go about it. I really don't know if there is a "prefect" device.

[@NethirOsman]

I use rm2 purely because of a distraction free feeling. I used to also use the freewrite 3rd gen and travler for the same reason. Other than creative writing, the rm2 with keyboard fits all my needs. I intentionally also try to not use a computer at home... rather at the library... too easy to be distracted. For me, the value of remarkable is so clear. Even so, I bought an e ink phone now. For the same concept. I was the biggest ipad support since the days of the mini and the first pro. And that it would revolutionase everything. My siblings laughed at me. Now my sibling uses ipad pro for uni along side a laptop. I stopped using ipad pro. It was easy to use before cause it was more simple. The more complicated a device is for me (i have some cognitive/executive functioning challanges) the better is too use. I also have light sensetivity so that rules out the ipad

[@MC-ov8dr]

I prefer the Remarkable above all else for handwriting notes. I love iPads but I loathe writing on them. I stare at screens all day and I can't stomach staring at another backlight to write my notes.

[@jacksonier]

@MC-ov8dr , exactly! I mean, no one cancelled "LCD display" and the way the LCD displays affect the eyes, it's all there...While, the E Ink has been proven to not cause any problems with the eyes even for the long usage...

[@jonathanduran5502]

Thank you Brandon for answering my questions about remarkable, great video!!

[@bodendorfer]

Any time! Thanks for sharing your feedback.

[@georgiospapadopoulos2432]

I have both and they are top of the line products. I find rpp to be extremely better at writing notes but on the other hand iPad Pro is way better with adding voice memos or explanatory photos on the notes with notability or good notes.. Further more you can save the notes into various cloud services which if you ask me is as important as the writing experience of the remarkable. We must not forget that these two are digital devices. Rpp are far too expensive to overlook what is missing. You can get writing experience from a piece of paper without spending 7 hundred dollars or euros. My mind speaks iPad and it is not even close. I still have my rpp and I m considering returning it… Actually when I return it I will purchase an iPad mini with a paper like screen protector for writing only purpose and I will keep my iPad Pro for media consumption.

[@NethirOsman]

Thanks for these comparisons. Great insight

[@bodendorfer]

You are welcome. Thanks for the comment, means a lot to know the content was helpful.

[@johnw4595]

For me it is about choosing the Apple Notes App over any other app. So not primarily about writing feel or distraction. I want to go to one place for my notes. This helps me stay organised with one place for capturing stuff like scans and screenshots and typed notes and handwritten notes. I use a paper like screen protector which helps a lot. But I am curious. How do you find having two places to store notes? Does it work for you? Because I really like the EInk devices. Thanks for the video.

[@MrApomentis]

Yeah, I am lucky enough to have free remarkable subscription and I find it a great app to put everything there. A bit nicer to organize than the apple notes - which always was messy on my side hah. I own an iPad and a remarkable 2. I don’t think soon I will be switching to the pro (however backlight is great), and my use for both of them is very different. For serious note taking, or writing, only remarkable (especially as remarkable has great hand writing to text feature - works great with other languages that English). But for everyday use iPad and remarkable app on iPad.

[@johnw4595]

Ok, that’s helpful. I can see that working well. Especially the opportunity to work on the Remarkable for deeper work. I like it. Thanks for the reply 😊

[@jacksonier]

In your review, you have mentioned multiple pros and cons between the devices, and multiple criterias , which would be crucial to determine to go with one or another device. However, in that criterias it seems you have never mentioned the "E Ink" part of the Paper Pro. So, the IPad is actually LCD device. What if the person going to literally "stare at the IPad screen for 5 hours in a row", do you think just the "warm light" would help decrease the "potential" eye strain from starring into the LCD display? I don't think so. While, you can look into the E Ink display endlessly and to not have any eye strain...So, I think this criteria should be actually highlighted...

[@laurasayre830]

Branden, you mention a video at the 5:21 mark that digs into note-taking apps, but I didn't see a link to that video. Could you share it?

[@bodendorfer]

Sorry about that, the card was at the wrong time. its updated now. But here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4O1Z5idYpuCqrs

[@Xingqiwu387]

IF the Remarkable PP had the ability to attach an OTG thumb drive through the USB-C port, I'd place my order right now. Sadly, it does not, and that is a deal-breaker. The Supernote, Penstar, Hannsnote, Daylight, all have this ability, but remarkably, the Remarkable does not. WHY?

[@luisordonez5423]

Hi Branden, Very useful comparison. Wonder it you have any other video comparing the connectivity for these devices. Do you have it?

[@bodendorfer]

You are welcome. We have a number of videos on our channel. So you a direct question, if I can, I will point you in the right direction.

[@speedbird737]

I bought both - top of the range iPad Pro 13 inch with M4 CPU and the reMarkable Paper Pro lol

[@bodendorfer]

That’s baller. No seriously. I am in the same camp as you.

[@Drivenby]

I have an iPad Pro and it’s amazing …. But does anyone really want to use it for note taking? To me it feels like taking note in a white board with a marker rather than taking “notes”

[@AJR42723]

I have both. that distraction free is the most beneficial to me. The feel and the simplicity is the deciding factor, but for me you should have both, 😂. Or get the ipad first. Really depends on your needs.

[@zoltanpahi8604]

Honestly, I think that while it's true that the focus with the Remarkable is on work, you also have the option to turn off notifications on a tablet. So, for me, that's a bit of a weak argument. What really makes a big difference between the two devices is the display. People spend all day looking at monitors, if nothing else, then at their phone. This is very tiring for the eyes, which is why e-ink displays are so great. The fact that Remarkable uses one of the most advanced, if not the best color management systems today, provides the experience that justifies spending so much on the device. The fact that the display is not as responsive and the pages load slowly is more a result of the technology-it's a "feature, not a bug." At this size, e-ink displays are not cheap at all, and in the case of Remarkable, there's more room for improvement on the software front. Which device someone chooses depends a lot on where they work and what they need. If an all-in-one device is required, there's no question which one to choose. But if all you need is a digital notebook, and you're already tired from staring at the screen of your phone and computer, with your eyes watering, yet you still need to take notes without further straining your eyes, then obviously, the Remarkable is the better choice. I do have a tablet that can be used with a pen, but the Remarkable 2 feels completely different, and it doesn't make my eyes tired. I haven't used the Pro version, but the addition of colors and backlighting gives it a significant advantage.

[@bodendorfer]

Thanks for your contribution here. Great insights for everyone.

[@zoltanpahi8604]

@@bodendorfer Thank you for your quick response. Unfortunately, I have to look at screens up close all day, so the only alternative for me would be the Remarkable Pro if I had to choose between the two devices. We received a great comparison in the video. Thank you.

[@bodendorfer]

@@zoltanpahi8604 Reasonable.

[@heidispodcasts2665]

I have both, two different devices completely. The rM2 has replaced my paper notebooks and the iPad is used for browsing the internet, sosial media, reading newspapers, games etc. But for solely writing notes the rM2 (soon to be replaced with the rMP), the rM2 is the best!

[@bodendorfer]

I feel many people follow you on this. What would it take for you to use only one device?

[@RenaldoEpps]

Great video back to being number 1. Also, will there be another discount offering next year?

[@bodendorfer]

Our promotions for 2026 planners will be starting soon. If you haven't ordered your 2025 planner yet, please email me.

[@bencohen3088]

My big issue is that I want to change my notes from handwritten into type. And my handwriting is not great... I have a Boox and it doesn't do a great job of Optical Character Recognition (OCR). There seem to be some really good developments in OCR (including GPR 4V which sounds v intelligent). If I go for iPad, are there more and better options for OCR?

[@NethirOsman]

Is that the 11-inch ipad Pro? The remarkable pro looks pretty big next to it

[@bodendorfer]

Yes this is the iPad Pro 11?

[@jacksonier]

Can you please help me understand one thing: say you write the text in the notebook using Yellow highlighter, as in your screen, and then you erase that using the back side of the RMPP pen, and then turn the page, multiple times (but not closing the document), would you see the ghosting from yellow, on the otherp page, on your RMPP? Thank you very much in advance

[@bodendorfer]

So I tried this very thing on the RMPP and when I turned the next page there was zero ghosting.

[@jacksonier]

​@@bodendorfer First of all, thank you very much for trying this out , appreciate it. The reason I've asked about it is because currently I am very much struggling to understand whether this behavior is expected or not, for my newly arrived RM PP, and if it is not, then that I should replace it or not :( So, based on your comment, it looks like the same issue is not happening for you, which is good.

[@nad1a1]

I have the same issue with ghosting - if I press buttons on the menu, if I move text, etc. The page looks smudged to the point of being unpleasant. I watched reviews and others too are reporting this. I logged a ticket with ReMarkable and they asked for a video.

[@jacksonier]

​@@nad1a1 Exactly, I have actually done the further testing , submitted to them, they have confirmed it's software Bug just yesterday, and today already released 3.15.0, which fixes this Bug!) This is awesome, so, install 3.15.0 , in case you are on RM Beta for RMPP, or wait until the General Availability of 3.15.0. Cheers!)

[@msuspartan2016]

While I like the Remarkable, I can’t justify the cost, you can get the same experience (keyboard, stylus/pencil) for much cheaper than the apple OEM add ons and come out less in spend than the cost of the Remarkable by itself. But most importantly I think you can eliminate the distractions on iPad you mention by utilizing the Focus tool on iPad OS properly

[@bodendorfer]

I would agree with you on many points. The use of a screen cover on the iPad greatly improves the writing conditions.

[@speedbird737]

why don't you stick to paper and pencil lol

[@bodendorfer]

@@speedbird737Because I can carry a life worth of notes with me. And I don’t lose them. Plus I can search my notes.

[@msuspartan2016]

@@bodendorfer that’s why I switched to electronic notes. I prefer paper, but losing notebooks, and also reducing weight on my commute was worth the compromise

[@NethirOsman]

I assume it is your wife in one of the segments with the ipad is shown in a photo. Not sure if you want to keep that or omit it. Just a heads up if it wasn't intentional 😊

[@Block-yc6bh]

lack of handwriting recognition without internet for remarkable

[@RameshKumar-ng3nf]

I would prefer Ipad over Remarkable. I will use a paperlike screenprotector for paper writing experience. And will use FOCUS mode in ipad for focusing while i am working.

[@JenniferPete-o4u]

just saved me $800 - thank you! Will use my partner's iPad instead.

[@bodendorfer]

Always happy to hear that we saved someone some money. Which app you considering on the ipad?

[@Cukito4]

Why get a keyboard? Then what you really want is a LAPTOP. Note taking? On my phone. Or a NORMAL COMPUTER.

[@bambamlamalama8270]

I feel like ipad is a kind of a hard sell if it’s going to be your ONLY ‘computer’ in that aspect apple completely and knowingly failed. Cant kill their macbook sales.

[@tracylhl08]

When you sync the re(markable) app on the iPad, are you able to edit your notes using your Apple Pencil on the iPad? I’m considering having both devices and trying to understand how I can sync my notes across them

[@bodendorfer]

You are able to view them on the iPad app. At this time you are not able to edit the content.

[@derryvirgo2300]

Stop doing hand movement