![iPad Air vs reMarkable Paper Professional: Which pill is greatest for word taking? [Updated]](https://i0.wp.com/9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/05/ipad-air-remarkable-paper-pro.jpg?resize=1200%2C628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1 "iPad Air vs reMarkable Paper Professional: Which pill is greatest for word taking? [Updated]")
Over the previous few months, I’ve had the pleasure of testing out the reMarkable Paper Professional. You’ll be able to learn my full assessment right here, however in brief, it will get all the things proper concerning the word taking expertise.
Regardless of being an e-ink pill, it does get fairly dear. Nevertheless, there are actually some improbable elements of the expertise that make it price evaluating to an iPad Air, relying on what you’re on the lookout for in a word taking system for varsity, work, or no matter else.
Up to date June fifteenth to mirror reMarkable’s new post-tariff pricing.
Overview
Because the reMarkable Paper Professional is available in at $679 with the reMarkable Marker Plus included, it possible makes most sense to match this in opposition to Apple’s iPad Air 11-inch. That is available in at $599 with out an Apple Pencil, and including within the Apple Pencil Professional will run you an extra $129. The equal iPad setup will run you $50 greater than the reMarkable Paper Professional.
Given the truth that iPad Air‘s frequently go on sale, it’d be truthful to say they’re roughly on the identical enjoying discipline. So, $679 for a reMarkable Paper Professional setup, versus $728 for a comparable iPad Air setup. Which is best for you?
iPad Air benefits
Clearly, the iPad Air has one key benefit: It runs iOS, has thousands and thousands of apps obtainable, can browse the online, play video games, stream TV exhibits/motion pictures, and rather more. To some, which may finish the comparability and make the iPad a transparent winner, however I disagree.
Sure, if you need your pill to do all of these issues for you, the iPad Air is a no brainer. On the finish of the day, the iPad Air is a normal goal pill that’ll do much more for you.
Nevertheless, should you even have a laptop computer to accompany your pill, I’d argue that the iPad Air could fall right into a class of slight redundance. Most belongings you’d wish to do on the iPad might be accomplished on a laptop computer, excluding any type of touchscreen/stylus reliant options.
iPads are nice, and if you need that – it’s best to decide that. Nevertheless, I’ve another argument to supply…
The reMarkable Paper Professional does one factor very well: word taking. At first thought, you may suppose: why would I pay a lot for a tool that solely does one factor?
Properly, that’s as a result of it does that one factor very well. There’s additionally a second aspect to this argument: focus.
It’s a lot simpler to concentrate on what you’re doing when the system isn’t able to the rest. When you’re taking notes whereas learning, you can simply see a notification or have the temptation to examine notification middle. Or, should you’re studying an e-book, you can simply select to swipe up and get into one other app.
The very best factor concerning the reMarkable Paper Professional is you could’t simply get misplaced on the planet of contemporary know-how, whereas nonetheless having essential technological options like cloud backup of your notes. Plus, you don’t have to fret about carrying round bodily paper.
One last item – the reMarkable Paper Professional additionally has rubber ft on the again, so should you place it down flat on a desk caseless, you don’t have to fret about scratching it up.
Spec comparability
Right here’s a fast rundown of all the key specs between the 2 units. reMarkable Paper Professional‘s strengths undoubtedly lie in battery, type issue, and stylus. iPad has some reasonably neat options with the Apple Pencil Professional, and likewise clears within the show class. Each units additionally provide keyboards for typed notes, although solely the iPad gives a trackpad.
| iPad Air | reMarkable Paper Professional | |
| Show | – 10.9-inch LCD show – Shiny glass – 2360 × 1640 at 264 ppi |
– 11.8-inch Coloration e-ink show – Paper-feeling textured glass – 2160 × 1620 at 229 ppi |
| {Hardware} | – 6.1mm skinny – Anodized aluminum coating – Weighs 461g w/o Pencil Professional |
– 5.1mm skinny – Textured aluminum edges – Weighs 360g w/ Marker connected |
| Stylus | – Magnetically prices from system – Helps tilt/stress sensitivity – Low latency (quantity unspecified) – Matte plastic construct – Squeeze options, double faucet gestures |
– Magnetically prices from system – Helps tilt/stress sensitivity – Extremely-low latency (12ms) – Premium textured aluminum construct – In-built eraser on the underside |
| Battery life | – As much as 10 hours of internet looking – Recharges to 100% in 2-3 hrs |
– As much as 14 days of typical utilization – Quick prices to 90% in 90 minutes |
| Worth | – $599 ($529 on sale) for iPad Air – $129 ($99 on sale) for Pencil Professional |
– $679 bundled with Marker Plus |
Wrap up
All in all, I’m not going to attempt to persuade anybody that needed to purchase an iPad that they need to purchase a reMarkable Paper Professional. You’ll be able to’t beat the truth that the iPad Air will do much more, for roughly the identical price.
However, should you’re not shopping for this to be a major computing system, I’d argue that the reMarkable Paper Professional is a worthy various, particularly should you actually simply need one thing you may zone in on. The reMarkable Paper Professional feels lots nicer to jot down on, has considerably longer battery life, and actually masters a minimalist type of digital word taking.
Purchase M3 iPad Air on Amazon:
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