The reMarkable Power of Minimalism

[@designdisorder]

Couldn't agree more. I was watching some of the "reviews" ahead of my RMPP arriving last week and meanwhile, even before touching the RMPP for the first time, based on those reviews I almost felt that I made the wrong decision . After using the device now for a few days I am so happy I switched from my RM2 to the RMPP. All the things I was missing on my RM2 remarkable fixed on RMPP. Lesson learned: you cannot judge the RMPP by focusing on the nitty gritty details, you rather have to look at the product as a whole and as a complete experience. Almost all of the reviews miss that by focusing on the details. So, remarkable nailed it for me.

[@Artellico]

Could not agree more. It reminds me somehow watching reviews about cameras. Pixel peeping into every fine level of detail. But what really counts? The composition, the expression, the story ... reMarkable created an experience and not an extensive set of specs.

[@stefanogalioni-kp3dg]

I was very disappointed at first but I start liking this device. Is not what I exactly was dreaming of but is the best available in the market currently obviously of the colour screen. But my disappointment originated by comparison to remarkable one and not 2 which I find inferior device. There is no comparison currently between pro and even considering the price. 10.3 is too small for my workflow even if you make me a present I will pass it directly to my kids.

[@dnotemusic]

Your musings and argumentation are spot on. I'm currently waiting for my RPP and am using an Onyx Boox Go 10.3 in the meantime. Color is EXACTLY why I purchased the RPP, as about 95% of my use case involves publications with color imagery and diagrams. They all also involve a high degree of abstract thinking, so I can appreciate the distraction-free focus in their marketing. The only issue I imagine having is (as I understand it) the lack of split-screen capability. In my opinion, having to constantly switch between two full-screen documents, vs having one (ie, note pad) always visible, is actually distraction inducing and increases the 'cognative load' you mentioned. But that's the only potential issue I see for me. I may employ one of the 'rM hacks' once they have been adapted for the PP...again, excellent video!

[@Artellico]

Many thanks for your great feedback. Split screen is currently not possible. And I am also waiting for the rm Hacks :-) Just be aware that on the reM PP you need to enable developer mode to access the device via SSH and this erases all content from the device. No issue, you can sync via the Cloud (sync needs to be enabled ... which means you need an active subscription). Also, the API has been updated, so a few other hacks are not working anymore ... But there is an active developer community, lets stay tuned until everything is updated for the reM PP.

[@matteostara]

I can agree and relate to this - also, really appreciate the scientific angle you took. I am an academic as well, and the amount of stimuli my brain receives from electronic devices is getting overwhelming the more I age. I simply cannot take it. Conversely, e-ink are not registered as that in my brain. I study, love and research computer science topics, and it is usually very complex concepts with high abstractions. I cannot have anything distracting me. I really wanted my ipad to be the device to help me with that, but it never works. I must have tried 5 or 6 times already, before surrendering to the fact that e-inks are the only digital way to help my studies that my brain tolerates. Eagerly waiting for my PP, but enjoying the RM2 so much anyway. Thanks for your content and reviews :)

[@Artellico]

Thanks for your comment. For most or at least many reviewers, the reM PP is mainly about note-taking. But this device is too expensive just to skip one of the essential features - at least from my perspective. An in the e-reading community, most people think about novels ... of course, I would rather have crisp B&W text, if there are not even images included. But for textbooks and scientific papers, that's a different story. Why there are quite few reviews from that angle, I don't know, but hey ... that's my opportunity to find an audience appreciating my content :-)

[@matteostara]

@@Artellico 100%, this is definitely a nice, and your niche. It also brings up the core of this matter, in my opinion: remarkable is a tool for academics. Why? Because it has purposely limiting features and OS choices that make it so. This is not by chance, it's by design. What throws people off is their own (remarkable) marketing, at times ipad-ish, but misleading when so, because it highlights (sometimes) the "wrong" features. Like colours, which is super counter intuitive because it's such a feet of engineering and reasonably the biggest update, but is it really the thing you want to buy this for? Of course not! It's been fascinating to see the various reactions all over the internet so far :)

[@MyLifeInTheDesert]

I did the same. Tried to use a small mini iPad and and then a pro (thinking it was the size) but I can’t do it

[@eerotuhkanen9000]

Thank you for this very interesting discussion

[@TheVorst]

Incredible subject and to think about it (great video). I also bought the RMppro and had a hard time to figure out how to search with the Remarkable the content, after it is was written. My question was, can I find easily the content I'm looking for after days and weeks not using the info I stored. I started a kind of mind map. I was so surprised, how focus I was to brainstorm and getting to the solution. The remarkable Pro big screen, the big canvas expansion to the right and the bottom of page. The colours, drawing the boxes, connecting the boxes, handwriting everything, correcting it etc. Everything was flawless, not to think how to fit it on the page. Just think about the possible solution, was very special to feel.

[@Artellico]

That"s exactly what I experienced as well. Once I have a fancy app with many options, I'd like to use its potential and then much more cognitive energy goes into the "design" and laying out the content, rather than understanding and remembering the content itself.

[@drzulfiq7060]

Excellent reflection on the potential benefits of accessing information in a more minimalistic manner. Particularly poignant today as I returned my boox note air 3 C because I found the array of features overwhelming and not useful to my work flow as an academic here in the UK.

[@tonyt6067]

Excellent points of view! Thank you

Thanks, very nice video. I have converged to a similar setup as a writer. I would be interested to learn more about how you organize your workflow from notes to sharing (as a document, report, video, podcast, etc) ? I use a similar approach but I feel I am failing to allocate enough enought to output as opposed to input (Consumption, digestion, etc). I struggle with the last bit of polish effort that makes my production shareable.

[@Artellico]

Many thanks for your feedback. This is very interesting question. What exactly do you want to achieve regarding output? Are you going to create content for blogs, articles etc.? I currently use my note-taking approach mainly to remember important learnings and insights, connect the dots and then create content based on that. I do not use my handwritten notes for creation of final polished text, but I use it to draft video ideas and create bullet pointed outlines. So for me, the reMarkable is more the "ideation" tool, the Freewrite typewriters are "creation" tools, if this makes sense to you. But thanks for your input. This could be an interesting video idea to share this workflow. :-)

@@Artellico Thanks ! For me I do both on my Remarkable, ideation and creation with the keyboard, usually writing blog post articles.

[@Shag1077]

Thank you for the wonderful video. Have you had any hands-on time with the Boox Tab X?

[@Artellico]

Unfortunately, I have never purchased this one, it's expensive and I have already two Onyx devices. Now with the reMPP, I do not see a use case anymore. But I can check my old Onyx Boox Max2, almost 10 years old, but still usable and almost A4 format. Let's see if I can get it charged again :-)

[@enlightenment00]

I'm waiting for the Tab X in color to have an A4 format for my eyes. Though Color can also be a distraction ?

[@Artellico]

Big +1 from my side, just assuming this will take some time, and (!!!) likely not Gallery 3, as this will likely not be fast enough for full Android usability. Let's see how fast technology develops ...

[@enlightenment00]

@@Artellico 👍🏻👍🏽

[@stefanogalioni-kp3dg]

Great video but I am surprised as an academic that you choose the pixel fold that does not support a stylus. I have the note plus 10 as a secondary phone and the stylus is not useful because of the small screen. But in fold tablet mode it would make absolute sense. These fold devices are very expensive for me currently, not mature enough and I do not have a long train commute to properly utilise them. If I get one would be with a stylus or a pen like my note plus one. But you influenced me a bit with your comments that you find it so useful. In the future I would consider one obviously one with a stylus.

[@Artellico]

Thanks for your comment. It's actually my first foldable after years of iPhones, but when I was using Android in the past then always Pixel ... the purist approach. I do not like all the "custom" designs and features of various Android platforms. So for me the simple Pixel way with focus on AI is OK. And a stylus ... I am not sure, these devices are still fragile, and the inner screen should not be scratched.

[@jameshjacksonjr]

Kindle Scribe is what i like

[@Artellico]

It's a great device, maybe I was too early, but I got it after launch and sent it back. Too limiting for me, my vast majority of books and documents are outside the Kindle ecosystem (sideloaded EPUBs and PDFs).