reMarkable Paper Pure 10.3" Tablet Review

Design

You can think of the reMarkable Paper Pure as a digital notepad. It has a crisp, e-ink touchscreen that is great for reading, plus you can also markup and highlight text with the included stylus (what they refer to as a “marker”). The matte display has a paper “feel” to it, so writing feels natural when using the stylus.

Not only does the display feel like paper, but it also looks like paper as well. The background is white, and the dark e-ink display contrasts nicely against it. Unfortunately, there is no backlight in the Paper Pure, so you will only be able to use it in a well-lit area.

The frame of the device is plastic and while it is lightweight, it does feel a little flimsy. However, the bundle version of this tablet includes a semi-rigid carrying case, and there are other 3rd party protective case options available as well.

The stylus attaches magnetically to the right side of the Paper Pure for storage and charging. The bundle version of this tablet includes Remarkable’s Marker Plus which includes an eraser function on one end which saves you from having to manually turn on the erasing function in the software with the regular Marker. The bundle also includes a Sleeve Folio for the Paper Pure.

Performance

The OS and display are responsive and documents and notebooks open quickly so you can get to work. There is some ghosting when scrolling and pinching and zooming, but if you wait a beat the screen typically refreshes to clear any abnormalities.

When creating new notebooks on the device, you can choose from a blank page or use a handful of templates as a background, such as lined notebook paper, week planners, and sheet music.

Writing on the device feels natural and, as I mentioned, the glass display has a matte finish that provides a paper-like feel as you write. The Paper Pure can also convert handwriting to text and I found it to be quite accurate with my own writings.

I sometimes need to read lengthy manuals and technical documentation in the PDF format which I typically do on an iPad, but sometimes (especially after long reading sessions) my eyes prefer an e-ink display. Transferring PDFs to a Kindle typically messes up the formatting, so I’ve been looking for a larger e-ink solution for PDF reading. The reMarkable Paper Pure does a fair job with PDFs as you can import PDFs in their original format. The resolution of the display is typically enough for most PDF documents, but text-dense documents or documents with a small font may require zooming or using the tablet in landscape mode.

You can transfer documents back and forth from the tablet by using reMarkable’s website, but some features require a subscription.

Which features are free and which require a Connect subscription?

Free features include:

• Reading web articles and eBooks
• Transferring/syncing files updated within the past 50 days
• Handwriting conversion to typed text
• Annotating PDFs
• Using the browser extension on your laptop to send PDFs and articles to reMarkable
• Retrieving documents from Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive

The Connect subscription adds these features:

• Unlimited cloud storage and syncing (no 50-day limit)
• Viewing and editing your work in the mobile and desktop apps (without the tablet)
• Handwriting search
• Exclusive templates

Battery Life

The Paper Pure can last about 3 weeks on a single charge, and it recharges with a standard USB-C cable.

FAQs

Is there a backlight on the reMarkable Paper Pure 10.3” tablet?

No, the reMarkable Paper Pure does not have a backlight. This means you’ll need to use it in a well-lit environment, which can be a limitation for some users who prefer reading in low-light conditions.

What is the reMarkable Connect subscription and what does it offer?

reMarkable Connect is a subscription service that adds several premium features to the tablet, including:

• Unlimited cloud storage and syncing (the free version has a 50-day limit)
• Viewing and editing your work on mobile and desktop apps
• Handwriting search functionality
• Exclusive templates

The subscription is optional, and the core features for note-taking and PDF annotation work without it.

Can I use the reMarkable Paper Pure for reading PDFs?

Yes, the tablet can import and display PDFs in their original format. The 300 ppi display provides good resolution for most documents, though text-dense documents or small fonts may require zooming or using the tablet in landscape mode.

What’s included in the reMarkable Paper Pure bundle?

The bundle includes:

• The reMarkable Paper Pure 10.3” tablet
• A Marker stylus with eraser function
• Marker Plus (an upgraded stylus with additional eraser functionality)
• Sleeve Folio carrying case

Does reMarkable offer cloud storage with the tablet?

Yes, reMarkable offers two options:

1. Free cloud storage with a 50-day sync limit (documents updated within the past 50 days)
2. reMarkable Connect subscription for unlimited cloud storage and syncing

Can I write on the reMarkable Paper Pure without a subscription?

Yes, all core writing and note-taking features are free. You can create notebooks, write notes, highlight and annotate PDFs, and convert handwriting to text without needing a Connect subscription.

How do I transfer files to and from the reMarkable Paper Pure?

You can transfer files using:

• The reMarkable website (requires creating an account)
• reMarkable’s desktop and mobile apps
• Cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive

Some features like unlimited syncing and viewing work on other devices require a Connect subscription.

Is the reMarkable Paper Pure good for taking notes in meetings?

The tablet excels at capturing handwritten notes with its natural writing experience and handwriting-to-text conversion. However, since it lacks a backlight and requires internet connectivity for cloud sync, it may not be ideal for all meeting scenarios. The device is also not waterproof.

What is the screen size of the reMarkable Paper Pure?

The reMarkable Paper Pure features a 10.3-inch e-ink touchscreen display with 300 ppi resolution, providing a crisp, paper-like reading and writing experience.

Can I sync my reMarkable notes with other apps?

Syncing capabilities depend on your plan. Free users can sync files updated within the past 50 days. Connect subscribers get unlimited syncing and can access their notes on mobile and desktop apps, making it easier to switch between devices.