Is the reMarkable Worth It for Students?

Investing in a reMarkable tablet can be a significant decision, especially for students. Here’s a breakdown of whether it’s worth the price and how it can be used effectively in a student’s academic life.

Benefits of the reMarkable for Students

1. Distraction-Free Environment:
   • Unlike traditional tablets, the reMarkable is designed to be a focused tool for writing, reading, and sketching. It does not support apps, games, or web browsing, which helps minimize distractions and improve concentration during study sessions¹.
2. Paper-Like Writing Experience:
   • The reMarkable’s E Ink display mimics the feel of writing on paper, making it ideal for taking handwritten notes, sketching diagrams, and annotating PDFs. This can be particularly beneficial for subjects that require a lot of note-taking and drawing, such as math, science, and art².
3. Organization and Storage:
   • With the ability to store thousands of notes and documents, the reMarkable helps keep all your study materials in one place. You can create notebooks for different subjects, organize your notes, and easily search for specific information².
4. Handwriting-to-Text Conversion:
   • The reMarkable’s handwriting-to-text feature allows you to convert your handwritten notes into typed text. This can be useful for creating digital copies of your notes, making them easier to edit and share².
5. Cloud Integration:
   • The device integrates with cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, enabling you to sync your notes and access them from any device. This ensures that your study materials are always backed up and accessible².
6. Long Battery Life:
   • With up to two weeks of battery life on a single charge, the reMarkable is reliable for long study sessions and ensures you won’t be constantly searching for a power outlet¹.

Potential Drawbacks

1. Cost:
   • The reMarkable is relatively expensive compared to traditional notebooks and some other digital note-taking devices. The reMarkable 2 starts at around $399, while the reMarkable Paper Pro is priced higher due to its additional features¹².
2. Limited Functionality:
   • The reMarkable is designed specifically for note-taking, reading, and sketching. It does not support traditional apps, web browsing, or multimedia functions, which might be a limitation if you need a more versatile device².
3. No Front Lighting (reMarkable 2):
   • The reMarkable 2 lacks front lighting, making it difficult to use in low-light conditions. However, the reMarkable Paper Pro addresses this issue with built-in front lighting².

Conclusion

For students who value a distraction-free, paper-like writing experience and need a reliable tool for organizing and accessing their notes, the reMarkable can be a worthwhile investment. It is particularly beneficial for those who prefer handwritten notes and need a digital solution for storing and organizing their study materials. However, if you require a more versatile device with broader functionality, you might want to consider other options.

¹: Trusted Reviews ²: Joshua Lowcock