ReMarkable Paper Pro vs Remarkable 2 | Comparison and Recommendation

Product(s) Reviewed

• reMarkable Paper Pro (new flagship)
• reMarkable 2 (RM2) (older, established model)

Key Features & Differences Mentioned

1) Price / What’s Included

• RM2: ~$400
• Paper Pro: $579 (includes the marker)
  • Does not include additional portfolios/cases (extra cost)
  • Marker upgrade also costs extra (if applicable)

2) Form Factor / Size / Screen

• Thickness: Paper Pro is thicker than RM2 (more noticeable from top-down), but:
  • Still lightweight
  • Doesn’t feel heavy in the lap due to weight distribution
• Bezel size: bottom bezel is almost identical between devices
• Two-tone/bezel styling:
  • RM2’s styling is more integrated into the device design (“two-tone” look)
  • Paper Pro removes bezeling, offering a better screen-to-size ratio

3) Display Capabilities

• Paper Pro adds color:
  • Color e-ink
  • Color highlighting tools
  • Easier to see color PDFs (e.g., PowerPoint graphs)
• RM2: supports grayscale shades
• Both devices:
  • Good contrast
  • Low glare
  • Backdrop lighting tests suggest color doesn’t wash out as light increases
• Backlit screen (major upgrade):
  • Paper Pro has backlight
  • Highlighted benefit for low-light note-taking
  • RM2 is said to be better for well-lit settings (e.g., desk/lecture hall), where strong backlight matters less

4) Pen + Writing Experience

• Paper Pro pen (“plus version”):
  • Looks similar to RM2 pens
  • Requires charging to use
• RM2 stylus/marker:
  • Can write without requiring charging (as stated)
• Writing feel:
  • Paper Pro has slightly more friction
  • RM2 feels softer/smoother
• Responsiveness:
  • Paper Pro has faster responsiveness with less/no lag
  • RM2 is still good, but feels slightly less instantaneous
• Both are described as strong for navigation and PDF handling

5) Performance / UI Navigation

• Paper Pro: faster refresh and faster navigation, especially system navigation
• The reviewer notes the difference is noticeable, but not huge—and may not be a dealbreaker if you don’t prioritize speed

6) Typing / Keyboard Features

• Both can support on-screen typing
• Even without the keyboard portfolio, you can still type on the screen
• Paper Pro’s onboard keyboard experience is described as slightly faster

7) Multi-Device Syncing (Both Benefit)

• A mentioned update allows you to pair multiple remarkable devices to the same account
• Highlights and annotations sync across devices (including color highlights via app/cloud)

Pros (As Stated or Implied)

Paper Pro

• Color + color highlighting
• Backlit display for low-light use
• Faster responsiveness/refresh
• Slightly faster navigation and keyboard responsiveness
• More screen area due to reduced bezeling

RM2

• Softer/smoother writing feel (user preference)
• Lower cost
• Comparable writing + PDF + core software experience
• Good contrast with low glare in well-lit environments
• Pen doesn’t require charging (per the user)

Cons (As Stated or Implied)

Paper Pro

• Higher price
• Marker requires charging (unlike the RM2 stylus as described)
• More writing friction (felt difference)
• Extra costs for cases/portfolios

RM2

• No color
• Less emphasis on backlighting, making it less ideal for low-light note-taking

Comparisons Made

• Color & highlighting: Paper Pro vs RM2 grayscale
• Backlit vs non-backlit: Paper Pro better for low-light
• Build/form factor: Paper Pro slightly thicker but comfortable; similar bezel layout
• Pen usability: Paper Pro pen needs charging; RM2 stylus doesn’t
• Writing feel & latency: Paper Pro faster/less lag but more friction; RM2 smoother feel
• Navigation speed & keyboard speed: Paper Pro slightly faster
• Screen quality/pixelation: RM2 slightly more pixelated; Paper Pro sharper; both acceptable

User Experience / Overall Theme

• Both devices are positioned as distraction-free note-taking tablets with software built around handwritten input and syncing.
• Paper Pro is framed primarily as an upgrade for color, backlight, and speed.
• RM2 remains a strong option if those upgrades aren’t priorities.

Unique Points Mentioned (Consolidated)

1. 100-day return guarantee: try both risk-free
2. Pricing: RM2 ~$400 vs Paper Pro $579 (marker included; cases/portfolios extra)
3. Paper Pro is thicker but still lightweight and comfortable
4. Bottom bezel is nearly the same
5. Paper Pro removes two-tone/bezel styling for a better screen-to-size ratio
6. Paper Pro supports color PDFs and color highlighting; RM2 is grayscale
7. Example use: color categories (yellow scheduling, orange meetings, pink family)
8. Multi-device syncing to the same account with cross-device highlight sync
9. Backlit screen on Paper Pro for low-light usage; RM2 better in well-lit spaces
10. More writing friction on Paper Pro
11. RM2 feels softer/smoother
12. Responsiveness: Paper Pro faster / almost no lag
13. Navigation: Paper Pro refresh/navigation faster; difference not huge
14. PDF and system navigation are both handled well
15. Typing: onboard typing works even without keyboard portfolio; Paper Pro slightly faster
16. Screen sharpness/pixelation: RM2 more pixelation; Paper Pro sharper; neither is a dealbreaker
17. Both emphasize a distraction-free handwritten workflow and syncing
18. Recommendation: Paper Pro for larger screen + color + backlight; RM2 if those don’t matter

Speakers / Viewpoints

• Single speaker (Brandon Boner) throughout; no other contributors mentioned

Verdict / Recommendation (From the Video)

• Choose reMarkable Paper Pro if you want color, color highlighting, and a backlit screen (especially useful in low light), plus slightly faster performance.
• Choose reMarkable 2 if you prefer the smoother writing feel, don’t need color/backlight, and want a significantly cheaper device—while still getting strong note-taking, PDF, and syncing capabilities.