The reMarkable 2 is an amazing note taking and planning platform, but how does it perform as an e-reader? it is certainly capable for a technical perspective but does have a few drawbacks that are worth considering. Overall – I would recommend using the reMarkable as an ereader if you’re already carrying it for business travel, but not as a daily reader at home.
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Why listen to me about eRearders
As an avid reader, I’ve been using e-readers for over a decade. I love technology and seeking ways to find the best solutions for my life & wellness. I’ve been using the reMarkable paper tablet for 2+ years as my primary note taking and organization platform. I am always looking for the best solution for business travelers / executives that have aggressive travel schedules but still want to maximize wellness and happiness.
How did I test the reMarkable for this article?
As a specific test to really understand the pros and cons of the reMarkable for ereading, I decided to read the classic “The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe. While this work is available from Amazon in paperback, audiobook, and Kindle, I used Project Guttenberg to download an EPUB3 file. I read this book in many different settings – in flight, in bed, and on my couch.
What are important features for an eReader?
An eReader (or e-reader), short for electronic reader, is a portable electronic device designed for to read digital books and other written content (e.g., PDFs). It typically features a screen that mimics the appearance of printed text, making it easy to read digital books, magazines, newspapers, and documents. eReaders are known for their lightweight and compact design, long battery life, and the ability to store and carry thousands of books in one device. Popular eReaders include the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, Barnes & Noble Nook, and Kobo devices.
In terms of key features, these include:
- Storage (hard drive capacity, speed)
- Ability to hold (size, weight, one-handed access)
- Reading experience (screen readability, pixels)
- Lighting (backlight strength, coverage)
- Access to documents (wifi, access to ebook platforms)
Pros of reMarkable 2 work as an e-reader?
The reMarkable 2 has some very important advantages for using it as an eReader. These advantages include:
- Already in my briefcase during business travel = no extra weight
- Great for reading PDFs
- Excellent for reading Project Gutenberg free books
- Underlining and note taking work well (and you can export by email w/ your markups)
- Great storage – 6GB of storage (= TONs of documents)
- Web access through reMarkable connect / WIFI
- eInk display is crisp, so most fonts are very easy to read
Cons of reMarkable 2 work as an ereader?
Despite the advantages, there are some clear disadvantages to using the reMarkable as an eReader. These include:
- A bit bulky to hold in bed
- Lacks the gestures of a Kindle
- No backlight
- No dictionary lookup
- Difficulty centralizing your notes / highlights
- Limited file types / access to a store to purchase ebooks
What ereader file types work on the reMarkable 2?
- PDFs
- EPUB
- EPUB3
- Less useful formats for reading – JPG & PNG
With a limited number of file types, you’ll need to either find your desired work in one of those or convert it to a supported type. One trick that I use a lot for work documents is “print to PDF” – learn more with this PPT example
One example of this would be to take a document that’s in HTML or HTML5 and then print to PDF or export as PDF, which could then be sent to your reMarkable to read.
Do you recommend the remarkable 2 as an e-reader?
Not as a primary or sole eReading device. That said, the reMarkable 2 makes a very solid backup device or as multifunctional reader. I’m always looking for ways to slim down my briefcase when traveling for work and using my remarkable for some reading is good enough to leave the kindle at home.
