Unboxing & Review: reMarkable Paper Pro – Bringing Color to the World of Thoughts

Prologue: When a Package Raises Expectations

The package was larger than expected for something called a “paper tablet.” Heavy, solid, without the flashy tech-marketing many other brands plaster on their boxes. Pulling the tab: a soft crackle of cardboard – and there it was, the reMarkable Paper Pro. A little like a designer sketchbook made of metal, the kind you’d find on the desk of a creative director. The first impression is elegant restraint, almost understatement – and that alone raises expectations.

Unboxing & First Impression

As shown in the photos: the large tablet box alongside the separate Marker Plus package. Inside, a matte black insert reminiscent of premium photo books. Neatly tucked inside are the Marker Plus, six replacement tips, a USB-C cable, and a slim quick-start booklet. The presentation feels minimalist yet premium – as if reMarkable wants to make clear from the first moment: this is about focused work, not flashy distractions.

Design & Build: Aluminum and Refined Edges

The Paper Pro comes in a full aluminum unibody. Measuring 274.1 × 196.6 × 5.1 mm, it is both large and impressively slim. At around 525 g, it feels like a light metal clipboard – sturdy, but never heavy. The edges are finely chamfered, one side houses the USB-C port, another the long power button. On the back, recessed magnetic points and an accessory rail are visible – that’s where covers and the keyboard folio attach.

Display: Canvas Color with E Ink Gallery 3

The star of the show is the 11.8-inch display in 4:3 format. reMarkable calls it Canvas Color – technically based on E Ink Gallery 3. Resolution is 2160 × 1620 pixels at 229 ppi. An adjustable frontlight and palm rejection complete the package. For the first time, a reMarkable display can render up to 20,000 colors. The colors are naturally muted – this is E Ink, after all – but for highlighting or sketching, it makes a huge difference.

The glass surface has a textured finish, so pen and screen meet with just the right paper-like resistance. Pen-to-ink distance is 920 µm, latency just 12 ms. In practice, lines appear immediately, giving a nearly “analog” feel.

Marker Plus: Wireless, Precise, Erasable

The pens have been redesigned. Marker and Marker Plus (with eraser) charge wirelessly when docked to the tablet’s side. A quick charge is enough: five minutes give roughly an hour of use. Docking briefly shows a battery indicator. The Marker Plus supports pressure sensitivity and tilt, while the eraser on the back feels natural and precise.

The box includes six replacement tips. Swapping them takes seconds. Third-party tips are not supported – reMarkable deliberately designed its tips for the textured glass surface of the Paper Pro.

On the software side, there are nine pen colors to choose from, along with ruler and shape tools, and different pen types (ballpoint, fineliner, pencil, marker, highlighter). That covers everything from everyday note-taking to sketching ideas.

Hardware: CPU, Memory, Connectivity

Inside runs a 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53, paired with 2 GB LPDDR4 RAM and 64 GB of storage. Not high-end, but perfectly tuned for notes, PDFs, sketches, and reMarkable OS. Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz and USB-C (USB 2.0) provide connectivity.

The battery has 5,030 mAh. Officially: up to two weeks of use, 90 days standby, and charging from 0–90 % in about 90 minutes. Real-world battery life depends on frontlight, Wi-Fi, and pen usage, but a full work week is no problem.

reMarkable OS & Connect

The OS stays true to its philosophy: minimalist, focused, distraction-free. No third-party apps, just notebooks, templates, handwriting-to-text, PDF annotation, and screen sharing. Those who want entertainment will be disappointed – those who want concentration will love it.

Connect provides unlimited cloud storage, editing on desktop and mobile apps, and optional protection plans. Without Connect, you can still transfer files via USB, email, or the apps, but real-time syncing and editing are missing.

Unboxing in Practice: Setup and First Use

Setup is quick: connect Wi-Fi, link your account, enter the one-time code, set an optional passcode – done. A short tutorial explains gestures and how to change pen tips. From the first stroke, the textured glass and tip combination delivers that subtle scratch reminiscent of pencil on paper.

Everyday Use

Note-taking: Switching between ballpoint for writing and highlighter for marking is seamless. The 12 ms latency makes handwriting feel immediate. Colors help create structure: blue for headlines, red for tasks, yellow for highlights.

Sketching: Pressure and tilt detection are finely tuned. Shading feels authentic, strokes flow naturally. Perfect for designers, architects, or visual thinkers.

Reading: PDFs are its strong suit. The frontlight provides even illumination without glare. EPUBs also work, though there’s no built-in store – files must come from apps, cloud, email, or USB.

Performance & Battery Life

The hardware is modest but reliable. Large PDFs turn smoothly, big documents remain usable. Zooming causes brief E Ink pauses, but nothing disruptive. In practice, the device lasts 7–10 days per charge with moderate use, and recharges in about 90 minutes.

Security & Privacy

The Paper Pro offers device and cloud encryption, optional passcode protection, and account-based management. For professional use with sensitive notes, this is an important advantage.

Accessories: Type Folio

The Type Folio turns the Paper Pro into a minimalist writing machine. It features 1.3 mm key travel, backlit keys, and magnetic docking without cables. Opening wakes the device, closing locks it. Together with the tablet, total weight is just over one kilogram – portable and well-suited for long-form writing.

Comparison: Paper Pro vs. reMarkable 2

The Paper Pro is larger (11.8″ vs. 10.3″), adds color, frontlight, a stronger battery, and lower latency. It is, however, heavier and slightly thicker. If you already own a reMarkable 2, the upgrade is worthwhile mainly if you need color, light, or more screen space.

Small Drawbacks

• No app ecosystem: Great for minimalists, limiting for integration-heavy workflows.
• File transfer without cloud: Possible, but less elegant.
• Proprietary tips: Only official reMarkable tips are supported.
• Price & ecosystem: Premium quality, but with a premium price tag. Starting at $629.
• Adding custom templates is difficult: While preinstalled templates exist, importing your own requires workarounds and system access – a real downside for those who like customizing their workspace.

Who Is It For?

The device shines for:

• Knowledge workers who structure, annotate, and present.
• Students and researchers who live in PDFs and need color annotations.
• Creatives who sketch and brainstorm visually.
• Readers who value a curated library without distractions.

It is less suited for those seeking entertainment, app diversity, or all-in-one tablets.

Conclusion: Color, Space, Focus

The reMarkable Paper Pro is what many creative minds have long wanted: more space, light, and color, without betraying its original idea. It feels like a notebook that just happens to be digital. The new Marker generation with wireless charging makes everyday use easier, the frontlight improves late-night work, and color adds clarity to the chaos. The hardware is well thought-out, and the software stays consistent with its philosophy.

Yes, there is competition – but few devices feel as coherent and focused as the Paper Pro. For anyone seeking a pure note-taking and productivity tool without distractions, this is one of the most elegant solutions available.

Transparency Notice

Transparency notice in accordance with EU regulations:
The reMarkable Paper Pro reviewed in this article was purchased by us. This is not paid advertising. All opinions expressed are based solely on our own practical experience.