Supernote A6X2 Nomad LONG-TERM Review

[@mauchkimberly]

I have the Nomad and it's a really important tool in my life. You won't mention this (and maybe no one else will care, but I care) but something that's turned out to be quite useful for me is the fact that I never "needed" to connect the device to the internet. It worked exactly the way I wanted it to work, out of the box. It's never been connected to a computer since I bought it, and it's been nearly a year. For me, this is an extremely advanced NOTEBOOK, where I can connect different writings together via hyperlinks, and really organize my thoughts, without having to use several physical notebooks to accompish the same goal. And I can include typed documents and hyperlink them as well. I think most would want the cloud storage so they would never use this device as I am using it. But I wanted a portable notebook so I could stop my personal war against trees; and I really wanted a device that the internet can not see. I have that with the Nomad.

[@Leonnie13]

Actually, that is kind of what I want. No AI. No cloud. No persistent updates. No ransomeware. No subscriptions. I just want a digital note taking and reading device that is private that I can back up with external storage.

[@mauchkimberly]

@@Leonnie13 that's how I use it. Backing up isn't really "convenient", because I remove the SD card rather than connecting the tablet to the computer. But it works well enough, and I can put typed documents on the card too and include them in my hyperlink order. Perhaps someone else wouldn't want to spend that money to use this device the way I do; but, like you, I wanted private and I didn't want AI or cloud storage, so this allowed me to eliminate those unwanted things.

[@sanosagara4507]

Thank you for this important additional information, this is what i need.

[@MartinCusworth]

Thanks! Your videos are always great because you are balanced and thoughtful. I have bought a Supernote Nomad after lengthy consideration and I am delighted with it. I wouldn't have felt the same level of confidence without your long term review. Keep up the good work!

[@Daniel-sn6ei]

A consistent remark in nearly every review I’ve seen is that the film feels sticky. I just got my nomad in the mail last week and I can say that as an exclusively Fountain Pen user for the last 5 years, the nomad is neither sticky or soft. I believe that what you’re feeling is your excessive pressure on the screen as I had my wife try my nomad and she said it was sticky as well. Fountain pens require substantially less pressure (generally speaking) which is why I believe that I didn’t notice and stickiness on the nomad. Outside of that great review.

[@gizralnork]

As an FP user, this is an interesting information. Thanks a lot

[@systemsbuster9539]

It's really interesting what you pointed out about the lack of home-screen. I've watched multiple reviews of supernote devices, and I don't remember a single other reviewer drawing attention to it. I think I might find that a bit disorientating.

[@pedromcfernandes]

The sidebar "home screen" is actually interesting to use and to me it was very easy to adapt to it. I like it as i can partially see the note behind and let my brain stay on track on where i was and where i want to go next. So i actually prefer like this

[@systemsbuster9539]

@@pedromcfernandes Interesting. I always liked the idea, but had assumed it was in adition to a regular homescreen where you could perform all the same actions and more. Quick access menus on smartphones for example, work in concert with the homescreen and do not replace it. The fact that it's the ONLY way to access important functions definitely reduces the appeal for me. I think having a homescreen acting as a central hub to which you can always return, and from which any action can be initiated is quite psychologically important. Hence why most devices that use a graphical user interface employ them.

[@ChalidRaqami]

I'd really love to see both. I think the current solution is great as a task switcher (as I said) and Ratta keeps refining it, so it's also getting better. But I honestly see no good reason to not implement a homescreen in addition to the current solution.

[@lordrandal90]

The sidebar is very useful to switch tasks without having to pass through another page. Like, I'm reading a book then I want to take a note, from the sidebar I can either create a new note or return to the latest one, or one pinned, etc. Anyway in my opinion a dashboard would be more useful than a homepage. There are email, calendar and to-do apps that I have to sync and check individually. Would be cool to be able to have everything at a glance

I actually like the fact that it doesn't have a "home screen". It helps me get to my notes faster and it makes the note feel less like a regular computer (which goes in line with them wanting you to feel that it's a notebook or paper). I think at the end of the day the home screen would just add extra steps.

[@deadiemeyers1661]

As I have come to expect from your channel, this is a thorough and concise review. Many thanks.

[@Grunfeld]

Excellent review. Love the balance of pros and cons you have mentioned.

[@JMaxwell1000]

What I love about the Supernote is the device's ability to accept a mechanical keyboard for all input. That is brilliant as you can use it as an e-ink monitor.

[@zenithquasar9623]

With being bad at a good e-reader, I think these devices, including this and Remarkable, are extremely pricey! They need to come down a couple hundred bucks to be worth it imo.

[@Redukteur]

I had the Nomad and found it the almost perfect device - unfortunately, only the size was too small for me. Thus, I returned it and am waiting for the A5X2 (expecting even further delays, as it looks 😟- I hope beginning of 2025 it will finally be available). For commuters or travellers or people who use A6 paper Moleskines, the Nomad might be the perfect device over all. Like you, I mostly used it in well-lit environments and did not miss a front light at all. I used it more for note-taking than reading (A5 might be better for reading PDF articles as well). I completely agree with you, for pure note-taking it is unsurpassed so far and the company policy is trustworthier than some competitors ... I won't name any ;)

[@karlmunford7000]

Unless there has been an announcement I have missed, I have expected the release of the A5X2 late this year and the A4X2 late next, have I missed something?

[@thirstycaterpillar]

@@karlmunford7000Yes, you’re right. I emailed their support about this 2 days ago and they said that they expect launch of the A5X2 in late Q3 this year

[@simonhenry7867]

Is the A4 A4?

[@ReadGameCraftCook]

I couldn't wait for your review and just got mine a few days ago 🙂. I wanted to get the white back cover version (because I knew it'd be in the folio), but it wasn't in stock when I ordered last week. I ended up being happy I got the crystal though when I read people having issues removing the white cover to install an sd card. I had to remove my cover twice because I forgot to format my card the first time. I agree about the the Home Screen, its kind of jarring initially since it's so different using a side menu but I'm hoping over time it becomes second nature. I do kind of like the idea of not having functions in the center of the screen and I think maybe that's what they were going for. Being right-handed my pen is already there ready to tap the menu options. Since I only wanted a device for writing and reading I'm happy on the writing front but I REALLY miss the fountain pen option every other major writing device I've used has. I feel like it's taking away some of my enjoyment of writing with eink, the fountain pen without the ink mess. I also wish they'd improve their built in ebook functionality. I love that you can annotate directly on the book, but I don't like how books are listed like normal documents. I wonder how long before someone makes the perfect 7.8 ereader/notebook.

[@parkerjwill]

missing home screen is no problem. a welcome difference.

[@mjhopgoodswe]

I use a note that links to all my other notebooks. It is on the side panel for quick access.

[@VladimirKostek]

Great revie Chalid! It is really a powerful tool, the lack of homescreen can be a bit strange at first. The recent files or quick access bar means that I rarely miss a homescreen though.

[@madhattressnightcore2754]

I think the missing home screen is just another one of the things they thought of to make in more paper-like. You normaly don't open a notebook and have a homescreen greeting you and they seem to really replicate this feeling as much as possible. Can't say how much it would annoy me not to have one without having tested it, but I do apprichiate the amount of detailed choices Ratta seems to have made. And the amount of detail you are giving out in your reviews! Defently want to get my hands on a Supernote product right now but I am still "fighting with myself" if I should just go with the Nomand or wait till the bigger model comes out. You said you mostly dislike a bigger model for mobility reasons and you had no issues or situation where you thought "oh this would work better if the screen was a bit bigger" while using the nomad?

[@ChalidRaqami]

I suspect you're right about trying to provide a more paper-notebook feel with that approach. I guess that's also the reason why they didn't add a magnet to the cover. For what I used the device for, the screen size wasn't an issue, but I can definitely see use cases where the smaller screen requires compromised. It's quite a big difference of what you can fit on a 7.8 inch or 10.3 inch page. So I'd say in terms of screen estate the 10.3 inch device will always be more comfortable when it comes to writing flow.

[@vincentchow6448]

I've been trying to learn how close this device is to a paper notepad and I was actually wondering about the home screen. The lack of home screen is a necessary for me - I would not consider purchasing a notepad that comes with a home screen since I'm looking for something to replace my pen/paper notepad and not a smart device. My only concern is with the latency. I need to get my hands on one to know whether or not 20 ms is a deadly breaker. Personally I would disable the locks as I feel it'll substantially detract from the experience. Appreciate the review, it was thoughtful and well done.

[@justjonoutdoors]

Having used one for a little over a month now, I don’t notice the latency at all, with one exception - there is a setting for an idle mode that it takes a brief delay to wake up from - prior to the last update, that was noticeable, but knowing what it was, I would just start writing, and by the time I hit the second character, the device was caught up. After the last update, I don’t even notice this anymore.

[@piplup10203854]

1:30 I think that is a very valid criticism. The idea is integration especially with the format of this platform all of those in the day to day do add up and do matter. I am glad to see reviews in which people point that out. These products are a lot of money and require a real dedication to actually use but I really like this A6X2 model. I think that's a design flaw that could be improved. If I am gonna get their product I really do want the best experience I can get. I actually hope for the next iteration but I really like the idea of the nicer pens and a more simple color. This was the type of review I was looking for 😊

[@PeteLeuenberger]

It looks great. But I do like the larger size of the Boox Go 10.3. Is the "headline" note taking functionality a supernote only thing ? Or is it also possible to select any kind of part of a note and make it a "headline" with other devices ? (like the boox air 3c or go 10.3? I love this feature because it's great for any tasks and notes management, and creativity. I can use it to make tags. For kindle book reading, would you say the supernote is a viable alternative to a kindle ?

[@ChalidRaqami]

You can tag and link words, but the headlines-feature isn't available on Boox and the automatic TOC is also missing. If you rely on better notes management, I'd recommend waiting for the Supernote A5X2, which will have 10.2 or 10.3 inch display and the same features as the A6X2. Should be available to pre-order in Q3 last I heard.

[@RonaldCzik]

Thanks for the review, very helpful. I have an unrelated question though. Where did you get the VERY cool Star Trek Enterprise screen behind you? :) Thanks.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks :) Check out mewho.com (not made by me). There are a couple of cool LCARS options available there :)

[@goldenfishman5418]

I wonder if the home page is an option that might become available with the Linux os

[@rhopsi-q6b]

6:57 I like that you also work on a warp drive :)

[@Kabirio93]

I do have the SuperNote nomad and not only is a beatiful device but also a simple and straight to the point device. Thanks to it I can take notes at work without having papers around. The only con is the lack of the front light.

[@paytonheiman5734]

Hi! What are you thoughts on this device as a planner/agenda alternative? I would like something for work that can take notes with customers while replacing my paper agenda.I also see the new A5X2 should be coming out soon. Thank you

[@gizralnork]

I have a question to all viewer. I am an FP user, but struggling with keeping up so many notebooks and I am thinking to switch to e-note for studying and working. But I have this unreasonable worry, that I will abandon my FPs and turn them to artifacts. So do you all still use a paper notebook as well, regardless using e-note?

[@BobbyTomio]

Excellent review. Thank you!

[@docjodoc1]

Personally, I don't think the lack of a homescreen is an issue at all. Actually, I don't understand the perceived problem. Swipe down to get the sidebar and you have access to everything. Also, I learned a trick from I forgot who, one of the reviewers: I made a contents page with any items I want and link to each. I put the page in Quick Access. Pull down the sidebar, and touch Contents and I can get anywhere. Or just use the built-in access to everything else with the sidebar. To each his own, I suppose. Not a drawback for me. I love the darn thing.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Yes, the setup works as it is just fine and I agree that it's a really good device. I still keep using it even after I finished my long-term review. However, since people are often recommending a shortcuts-page (and I stumbled upon that tip a couple of times as well) for quick and easy access to certain things, I feel like the criticism is still valid. The very need for such a tip is a workaround for something missing in the UI-specifically, a homescreen, in my opinion. But as you said, to each their own! If that's not something others need, that's totally fine with me too :)

[@JK-hw8fo]

Do you know of a showroom/store in Austria, that has the Nomad available? How easy is it to send links to the Nomad and read an article there?

[@ChalidRaqami]

AFAIK the only European reseller is Wannanote SAS (supernote.eu). So I don't think you will find it in any local store (outside of France). I'd say the easiest way is to set up the browser on your PC to download the articles in PDF format directly to a Dropbox folder and then sync that folder with the Supernote Nomad.

[@realericanderson]

I prefer your natural speaking voice in this video over the "techtuber" adaptation in the Note Air 3C review. Needless to say I greatly appreciate your content, keep experimenting with your delivery however you choose, just my two cents.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks :) I'll keep doing it like this for now, but might try a few things here and there

[@minghonsiu]

I appreciate how opinionated you were in your review. No more “it depends on your needs!”

[@insorrow6951]

Great review, have you played around with the links tool? i think that might address the criticism of no home screen. albeit in a limited way

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks! You mean linking to different documents from one notebook to create a sort of homescreen? That could definitely serve as a workaround to mitigate the issue

[@amandawilson2303]

Instead of a magnet on the front cover, what do you think about a button or a thin strap? That way the weight could stay about the same?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Yes, that might work - I guess a strap would be the easiest solution.

[@paolobellucci-g9n]

Great review.

[@Ghazalmetal]

You are very good. Thanks a lot

[@Vale-1224]

I’m not understanding why a home screen is critical for your UX - my analog notebook doesn’t a home screen and that’s what this is replacing. I want to open my notebook and start writing.

[@ChalidRaqami]

True, but if you just go by that, many of the features that the UI offers shouldn't be there either (multiple notebooks, handwriting recognition, search, sharing, interlinking ... etc). For me a homescreen is like a table of contents, that provides a quick and easy overview of what's on the device. It feels like many of the other (great) features try to also provide exactly that, but the one thing every graphical user interface has for that purpose, is missing here. I honestly don't see any good reason for that. Also having a homescreen wouldn't mean you can't just open it and start writing from where you left off ...

[@Vale-1224]

@@ChalidRaqami well - you’re not wrong. I think in my mind this is a writing tool first, like my current reader is for reading first. I rarely go to the reader home page a prefer the fly out menu or upper nav bar. I think maybe you don’t love the sparse folder view as in the video this was the page you landed on twice when speaking about it.

[@thisguy2973]

I think the lack of home screen is meant to feel like a real notebook where you may be taken back to where you left off. Unlocking the kindle always feels clunky, so I think I’d like no Home Screen.

[@theladyfuria]

great video, chalid! would you try some manga or comics? i`d like to see how it looks. i heard it is a bit sluggish though. also, i am also a trekkie fan, what`s your favourite start trek series? thanks!

[@ChalidRaqami]

Yes, mangas and comics are a bit sluggish. It works, but there are definitely better E-Ink devices for looking at those contents. My favorite ST series ... I have to say it's a draw between TNG and DS9 :)

[@t0dd000]

A pattern unlock like Android does would be nice.

[@Radulf666]

I love my SuperNoteA6x, but the only thing I really miss is a remarkable-Like eraser.

[@justjonoutdoors]

I think the lack of home screen thoroughly streamlines the use of the device. You can get from pretty much anywhere to anywhere else with very few gestures - 2 or 3 being the norm. If you look at something like the reMarkable 2, that “home screen” is basically the root directory of the files app. (I use and like both, by the way!) In my mind, Supernote wins…

[@mahmoudnaguib8928]

Is it better, or Boox go 10.3 .. I know the Boox is bigger .. but I mean for the whole experience?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Depends on what you want to do. Notetaking on Boox is a bit more comprehensive in terms of features overall, especially when it comes to PDF-files. But I'd say Supernote is better when it comes to how streamlined everything feels for notetaking specifically. Boox on the other hand generally offers more options with easy Android app-installations and different E-Ink modes. So just for notetaking the Supernote Nomad, as an allrounder, the Boox Go 10.3.

[@johnwright5126]

Oh you gotta get the Hearty of Metal Pen. Really worth it.

[@byard55]

Can you please tell me: can you do a search on handwritten words with a Supernote?

[@ChalidRaqami]

Yes, that's possible. You can select the real-time handwriting recognition mode when creating a notebook, which gives you the option to search your notes.

[@emillyledee6706]

Can I donwload cloud library app? That is what my local library uses.

[@ChalidRaqami]

You can sideload Android apps via ADB, but that's a bit of a hassle if you've never done it. And apps generally don't work well, because there are no special E-Ink viewing modes available to switch to.

[@marguerit8]

Thank you very much for this review ! This also gave me idea on what to expect from A5x2. I'm really looking forward for 10.3 color e-ink devices, optimized for sketching and annotating in pdf books. With smooth writing experience and intuitive UI. Can you maybe recommend some for students in your future reviews and comparisons (*^▽^*)

[@rush48192]

Overall i prefer boox

[@t0dd000]

Tooooooo heavy. And the writing experience is crap. (Dry eraser in pen form.) I returned my Note Air 3c and ate the $100 restocking fee. Of course, that's my opinion.

[@janinawalker4200]

Your videos are always very useful. I am waiting for the A4X2, but I would not wish to put a password on it if I have to enter it several times a day as I would be mostly using it at home where there is no one to be careful about sneaking a peak, as I live alone. But is there a way to temporarily put a password on it if one does take it somewhere else and then be able to disable the password when it is at home? If this is not a feature, I would highly suggest it, to Supernote. There should also be a way of changing the password. Is there a way to be reminded of the password if one forgets their own password? Or is there a way to reset the password? Having to enter the password every time the cover is opened is now a major reason why I would not even want to get a Supernote, so I am glad you mentioned it. It is an annoyance I am not willing to live with at all. So could I just leave it with NO password? That is why I believe there should be a way to enable and disable the password, so it can be more easily used when in a safe location. Then when people come over or one goes out, the password could be re-enabled.

[@ChalidRaqami]

Thanks! :) Sorry if that wasn't clear: There is no need for a password. You can simply use the device without a password if you're at home. When you leave and want to set up a password, you can quickly do so in the settings and disable it again once you're home. It's possible to log in using the Supernote account (and the device being connected to Wi-Fi). Then you get an email with a one-time code to unlock the screen. So it definitely makes sense to set up an account for cases like this (and also to backup your notes).