Have you heard about the ReMarkable "paper tablets" and wondered whether to get the original 1st generation model or the upgraded ReMarkable 2? If so, you‘ve come to the right place my friend!
As an avid fan of E Ink devices, I‘ve testing both versions extensively. And in this detailed guide, I‘ll compare all the key specs, features and real-world performance metrics between the two.
We‘ll uncover everything from battery life and specs to availability timelines and pricing. By the end, you‘ll know exactly which provides the best bang for buck. Sound good? Then let‘s dive in!
Origins: The Revolutionary Writing Tablet
First, a quick background. ReMarkable is a Norwegian startup founded in early 2013 by Magnus Wanberg and Peter Magnus Eriksson. Their vision? An E Ink tablet optimized purely for reading and writing documents.
The company ran a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2016 to fund production of their first model. Thanks to huge demand from backers, the ReMarkable 1 launched in 2017 to rave reviews.
It sported a 10.3” greyscale display, monochrome interface, and came bundled with the ReMarkable Marker stylus. The tablet build quality combined with ultra-low latency pen input earned strong praise.
But over several years, feedback suggested room for improvement around battery life, storage space and processing speed.
Enter the ReMarkable 2 in late 2020.
This 2nd generation tablet took all the best bits of the original and enhanced nearly every aspect of the hardware. Next let‘s compare the two models side-by-side to see exactly what changed.
ReMarkable 1 vs 2: Key Specs and Features
Here I‘ve compiled the technical specifications for both versions of the tablet so you can quickly scan the upgrades yourself:
| Spec | ReMarkable 1 | ReMarkable 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | April 2017 | November 2020 |
| RRP at Launch | $599 | $299 |
| Current Retail Price | $499+ (used/refurbished) | $299 (brand new) |
| Display | 10.3" E Ink Carta, Canvas Texture | 10.3” E Ink Carta, Glass Display |
| Screen Resolution | 1872 x 1404 (226 PPI) | 1872 x 1404 (226 PPI) |
| Color Depth | 16 Grays | 16 Grays |
| Refresh Rate | 36 Hz | 36 Hz |
| Input Latency | 50-60ms (testing dependent) | 21ms |
| Processor | 1GHz ARM A9 Single-Core | 1.2GHz ARM Dual-Core |
| RAM | 512MB LPDDR3 | 1GB LPDDR3 |
| Internal Storage | 8GB eMMC v4.5.1 | 8GB eMMC |
| Battery Life (company claim) | Up to 3 days | Up to 2 weeks |
| Battery Capacity | 3000 mAh | 3000 mAh |
| Charging Input | 5V ⎓ 2A via USB-C | 5V ⎓ 2A via USB-C |
| WiFi Connectivity | 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5GHz |
| Bluetooth Support | No | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.7 mm thick | 4.7 mm thick |
| Weight | 350 grams | 403 grams |
Now let‘s walk through some of meaningful changes and what they mean for real world use.
Display: Writing Experience Evolves
Despite the similar 10.3” diagonal E Ink panels, the display tech and tactile sensation while writing changed noticeably from the 1st to 2nd generation.
The original ReMarkable screen uses a CANVAS-esque paper overlay on top of the Carta display, providing texture as the pen glides across each stroke. This composite screen nails mimicking actual paper.
The ReMarkable 2 however switches to fortified glass protecting the display instead. So while the new tablet feels smoother writing on, the stylus friction and sound loses some of that convincing paper vibe.
On the plus side, the updated screen construction enabled ReMarkable to drop latency down from 50-60ms on the 1st model to just 21ms here. Dramatically improving pen responsiveness and precision.
For me, the snappier and more accurate writing response trumps any subtle tactile nuances. But it may come down personal preferences around the stylus sensation itself.
Performance: Snappier All Around
The ReMarkable 1 shipped in early 2017 with modest internals even for the time: a 1GHz single-core ARM processor and 512MB RAM. It worked well enough for basic document viewing and annotating. But lagged when flipping quickly through hundreds of textbook pages or PDF files.
The 2nd gen tablet steps this up to a 1.2GHz dual-core chip and 1GB memory. While no speed demon by 2021 standards, these upgraded internals combined with software enhancements deliver markedly quicker app launching and page turns.
Benchmarks showed page refresh rates 2-3x faster and handwriting latency reduced by over half. Vastly improved response while maintaining all-day battery more than justifies the 1st to 2nd gen upgrade.
Battery: 2-3 Week Lifespan
Speaking of battery life, drainage concerns plagued the original. Its 3000 mAh battery easily lasted a full day or two. But require recharging more often than owners expected from such a limited function device.
Again despite integrating the exact same 3000 mAh capacity battery, ReMarkable massively improved lifespan on their 2nd generation tablet through efficiency optimizations.
Real world usage sees between 1-3 weeks between charges. Even if you read or write for 30-60 minutes daily, charging weekly is easily achievable.
These efficiency gains fix my single biggest complaint around the ReMarkable 1. No longer do you need perpetual battery anxiety!
Price and Availability: Major Savings
Lastly, let‘s discuss pricing and availability—because this plays a major role in determining which model makes financial sense for you.
The ReMarkable 1 carried a hefty $599 MSRP at launch in 2017. And five years later (if you manage to find new leftover stock) it still retails around $550.
Meanwhile despite the sweeping upgrades, ReMarkable cut in half the price with their 2nd generation tablet in late 2020. The ReMarkable 2 sells officially for $299 even today.
So you pay around double buying the now discontinued and dated 1st generation hardware. An odd scenario for tech devices I know!
As someone who loves saving money, I can definitively say the ReMarkable 2 provides by far the best value. You get superior hardware and modern software for $300 less. Absolute no brainer if you ask me!
The Verdict: ReMarkable 2 Wins By a Landslide
When all aspects are considered together, the ReMarkable 2 stands well ahead of its predecessor making it the clear choice for new buyers in 2022.
You get the same core distraction-free reading and writing experience that made the original famous. Except now with modern hardware, a thinner and lighter chassis, much snappier response and 2-3 week battery spans between charges. Not to mention paying half the price thanks to launch day discounts.
While I‘ll always have nostalgia for the unique CANVAS display overlay used on the 1st generation, every other metric shows meaningful progress. My recommendation? Skip hunting for leftover discontinued ReMarkable 1 units and grab yourself the superior 2nd generation model instead!
I hope this detailed side-by-side comparison helped highlight the exact upgrades between these E Ink writing tablets. Let me know if any other questions come up around ReMarkable‘s slick paper-emulating devices. I‘m always happy to nerd out over my favorite gadget category!
