The reMarkable 2 and iPad Pro are the two dominant devices for serious note-taking. They’re priced similarly, serve superficially similar purposes, and attract completely different types of users for good reasons. Here’s how to know which one is actually right for you.
The Core Philosophical Difference
The Remarkable 2 does one thing: digital paper. Writing on it feels almost identical to writing on paper — the latency is imperceptible, the texture is genuinely papery, and there are zero distractions because the device literally can’t run apps, show notifications, or connect to social media.
The iPad Pro does everything. It’s a tablet, a note-taking device, a video player, an email client, and a creative studio. The Apple Pencil on the iPad is excellent. But the iPad is also a distraction machine by nature.
The Writing Experience
Remarkable 2 wins on writing feel. The e-ink display with its textured surface produces a friction and responsiveness that no tablet has matched. If the physical experience of writing matters to you, the Remarkable 2 is noticeably superior.
iPad Pro with Apple Pencil wins on flexibility — palm rejection is excellent, Procreate handles illustration beautifully, and apps like GoodNotes and Notability offer features the Remarkable 2 doesn’t: audio recording synced to notes, better PDF annotation, more organizational tools.
The Distraction Problem
This is where the Remarkable 2 makes its clearest argument. When I’m taking notes on an iPad, I’m one tap away from Safari, email, and Twitter. Even with intention, the pull of notifications and apps subtly fragments focus. The Remarkable 2 has no apps to escape to. The constraint forces presence.
For reading, annotating, and thinking — where distraction is the enemy of depth — the Remarkable 2’s limitation is actually a feature.
Practical Considerations
Remarkable 2: ~$300 for the device, $3-8/month for the Connect subscription (required for cloud sync and some features). No backlit display means it’s unusable in dark environments. No color. No apps. No flexibility.
iPad Pro 11″ with Apple Pencil: ~$800-900 total. Does everything. Heavier. More distracting. More capable.
My Honest Recommendation
If your primary use is reading books and papers with annotation, taking meeting notes, and thinking through problems on paper — buy the Remarkable 2. The focused experience is genuinely valuable and the writing feel is unmatched.
If you need one device that handles note-taking alongside video calls, creative work, travel entertainment, and everything else — buy the iPad Pro. The flexibility is worth the distraction risk if you have the discipline to manage it.
I own both. The Remarkable 2 lives on my desk for deep work. The iPad lives everywhere else.