A Potential Community Rising in the Art World
E-ink tablets is the replacement of papers. The question is, are they worth investing? And no, this is not a sponsored review, this is my research.
Previously:
First, let me share my history with E-ink devices.
Um, well… there isn’t much to tell, honestly.
I had a Kindle Paperwhite that I used for reading during travels, but that’s about it.
But I’m not talking about E-readers here. I’m talking E-ink or E-paper writing tablets that’s been rising in the market in recent years. Sure, I was fairly interested when they were just for reading, but when writing capabilities entered the scene, that’s when I thought, “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
However, the market for these amazing “analog-style” digital writing tools was way beyond my budget. They’re called luxury devices for a reason, and I had no means to afford one back then. So I did the only thing I could to satisfy my growing curiosity… I researched like crazy.
And as you all know, I love researching and living off other people’s word of experience.
So far, there are three big competitors in the E-paper market:
ReMarkable, Onyx Boox, and Supernote.
I originally saw an artist using ReMarkable and was intrigued to see that the drawings actually looked good. I then explored deeper into e-ink art, and that’s where I discovered Supernote, the device I felt was worth investing on.
Take heed, my decision is based on an artist’s perspective and appeal. Since many of you here are fellow creatives, I will be focusing on its potential as a drawing tool.
Why did I choose the Supernote?
It’s simple — it had the best drawing features.
The Boox seemed more geared toward reading and productivity. And after watching videos of its performance, the drawing experience looked pretty laggy. Plus, I heard the durability is so-so.
To me, it looked more like an Android phone/tablet replacement, but in distraction-free mode. With that, Boox got crossed off my list.
ReMarkable is the first e-ink brand to introduce digital paper, making it one of the most reviewed by artists, so it quickly became one of my top choices.
Despite being the most popular device in this niche market, it later did not appealed to me due to its basic software and nibs that wear out and need replacement over time.
And if you’re considering their new Remarkable Paper Pro (RPP) released this year, be aware that its “battery-charged” pen is reminiscent of the Apple Pencil, something I’ve already had my share of frustrations with when using the iPad Pro.
There are plenty of in-depth comparisons online with solid arguments for those who want to know more about these e-ink brands & models. But be warned: this market is small, competitive, and tends to be on the pricey side.
But back to Supernote, the A6 X2, also called the Nomad, and why it appealed to me.
The nicer PENS.
Supernote features cermaic pen nibs that don’t need to be replaced or charged. You can even DIY your pen fit (grip?) to suit your style, and fool people into thinking you’re using a real ball point pen (like a Pilot or Muji!). But it’s actually converting the pen refills to Supernote refills that’s doing the trick. How cool is that?
However, there are mixed opinions when it comes to the feel of writing on the screen, but I think it all depends on personal preference.
In the end, my decision came down to these key differences:
“Remarkable is like using pencil on paper. Supernote is like using pen on paper.”
Knowing that, I was sold on the Supernote. For those who followed me for a while, know I am a pen person. The title of my old post below says it all.
The DRAWING APP and PORTABILITY.
Supernote has a built-in Atelier app that they added last year for sketching and drawing. That was the sign, folks! Eink technology was finally starting to cater towards creative audiences. I knew this was meant for me because, for the past years, I’ve been concerned about my constant eye strain, mostly from spending countless hours drawing on my iPad Pro. The result? Headaches, migraines, and soreness that was affecting my ability to draw.
That’s when I found myself returning to the good ol’ pen, ink, and sketchbooks.
However, I couldn’t help but miss the little digital conveniences. Things like the undo button, working with multiple layers, and being able to transform drawings.
So, maybe… just maybe, I should splurge and join this eink community that artists are still hesitant to try. I, for one, am a willing human guinea pig and would be happy to share my experiences with you all.
But there was one tiny problem.
Yes, it is a small problem — literally.
The A6 X2 is named because it’s actually A6 size! So, it may be too small to draw on.
But then I looked over at my sketchbook and laughed, it was A6 sized. I’ve always preferred drawing on small sketchbooks, so would it really make any difference?
Just as I was about to hit that checkout button, Supernote made an announcement.
The A5 X2 (the larger version) was expected to drop in September 2024, which people had been eagerly waiting for years. But not me, I’d only recently discovered it. Belatedly, I decided to join the crowd and wait as well. But when the launch day finally arrived, the company postponed it yet again.
As of now, no one knows exactly when it will be released…
But seriously, I wanted an iPad-sized one with the upgraded Carta 1300 display and 300 PPI. At the same time, I wanted a smaller one for portability, something I could carry around and sketch whenever inspiration struck.
Getting both wasn’t in my budget though. (cue dramatic sigh)
It was a real dilemma. With Inktober right around the corner, part of me wanted to snag an e-ink tablet right away so I could draw my Inktober pieces as warm-up. The other part urged me to wait patiently for the next big thing, which might be more beneficial for my future illustrated book projects.
Long story short, which involved a daring venture that finally sealed my decision (details to come in a future post)…
I got the Nomad.
And I have zero regrets.
This was super helpful thank you sm!
Hahaha I predicted it correctly. Am I god? God. 😎