The discontinued re Markable 2 is selling fast on Amazon, but should you buy the new Paper Pure instead? Here’s how the two writing tablets compare, according to the man who designed them | Tech Radar
Overview
News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Details
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards.
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
The discontinued re Markable 2 is selling fast on Amazon, but should you buy the new Paper Pure instead? Here’s how the two writing tablets compare, according to the man who designed them
One is on sale, the other isn’t — so which should you choose?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
The re Markable Paper Pure (Image credit: re Markable / Future)
re Markable released its new budget-friendly writing tablet, the re Markable Paper Pure, last month, but ironically, the model it replaced, the re Markable 2, is currently sitting pretty as the best-selling writing tablet on Amazon.
Specifically, Amazon is offering the re Markable 2 for a record-low £339.99 (was £429) as part of its annual Prime Day sale. For reference, the Paper Pure retails for £359 on re Markable’s website, and is not yet available on Amazon.
Interestingly, re Markable discontinued the re Markable 2 following the launch of the Paper Pure in May, so the former tablet can no longer be bought from re Markable directly. Does that mean eagle-eyed shoppers are flocking to buy the re Markable 2 because it’s their last chance to do so, or because it genuinely represents better value than the newer Paper Pure? The answer is complicated.
Let’s start with the key differences between the two tablets, as explained to me by Jon Dalvang, VP, Head of Paper Tablet Product Management at re Markable, in a recent interview. “We always put a lot of effort into making our displays feel as close to paper as possible, and we’ve taken that one step further with the Paper Pure,” Dalvang said. “It's got 20% better contrast than the re Markable 2, while navigation, opening and closing documents, and swiping pages is also up to twice as fast.”
Beyond its display, the Paper Pure is a full 43g lighter than the re Markable 2, it’s got more internal storage (32GB), and its battery lasts 33% longer too.
“It's not a direct replacement of the re Markable 2,” Dalvang clarified, “but it's an intentional take on trying to reach an entry point for a broader mass market.”
The Paper Pure comes with a Marker as standard, but for an additional £40, you can get the Marker Plus (which has a built-in eraser) and a Sleeve Folio.
Amazon's current offer on the re Markable 2 includes the eraser-equipped Marker Plus. A Folio Case bundle is also available for £439.99.
So to recap: the Paper Pure is faster, lighter, and longer-lasting than the re Markable 2, and it comes with four times as much internal storage. On paper (if you’ll pardon the pun), it’s the superior device, and it’s only £20 more expensive at the time of writing.
There is, however, a clear difference in the way writing feels on both devices. As my colleague, Steve Clark, explains in his re Markable Paper Pure review: “Using the re Markable 2 feels very soft, like using a thick pencil or felt tip on the first page of a new Moleskine notebook. The Paper Pro Move [re Markable’s top-end portable model] feels firmer but smoother, as if writing with a biro on the last few pages of a well-worn legal pad. And since the Paper Pure uses the same active stylus and textured glass cover lens display as the Pro and Pro Move, it falls into the latter camp.”
The re Markable 2(Image credit: Sharmishta Sarkar / Tech Radar)
Steve adds: “Personally, I loved the tactile feedback of the re Markable 2 — for what it’s worth, I still prefer the softer writing of the older device compared to the firmer but smoother one found on the Paper Pro and Paper Pure series.” And that might be the reason why so many buyers are flocking to the cheaper-than-ever re Markable 2, rather than paying a few extra pounds for the newer Paper Pure.
To be clear: the writing experience on the Paper Pure is not bad by any stretch. In fact, the opposite is true (“after 10 minutes with the Paper Pure, I found myself enjoying this new writing style,” Steve notes in his review). Throw in its superior physical characteristics, and I’d say the Paper Pure is the better option for most people.
But it’s clear that the re Markable 2 still offers compelling value six years after its launch. It’s a little heavier and a little slower to navigate, but these shortcomings aren’t deal-breakers when the core writing experience remains so great — especially for £339.99.
“The Paper Pure is the re Markable 3 — or perhaps the re Markable 2.5 — in all but name,” Steve notes in his review. “The Paper Pure is faster, with a better processor and double the memory. However, it’s otherwise largely the same experience.”
For more details on the differences between the re Markable 2 and Paper Pure, check out re Markable’s own tablet comparison page.
Axel is Tech Radar's Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site's Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and Four Four Two, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining Tech Radar in 2020, where he earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
1 Prime Day is your chance to stock up on 4th of July must-haves — shop decor, party supplies, and grilling gear from $5.99
2 Some Surface devices just got big price cuts — but also big RAM cuts, too
3I've become obsessed with my Owala water bottle — and it's 26% off for Prime Day
4AWS pipped AMD and Intel to the first CPU supporting PCIe 6.0
5‘Who cares about GTA 6?’ I’m not bitter about the lack of a PC version, and neither will you be with these great gaming laptops
Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
Key Takeaways
- News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
- Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
- Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
- Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
- Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards
