Remarkable Paper Pure: A New Black-and-White E Ink Tablet Without Color or Front Light

Remarkable has unveiled its latest digital notepad, the Paper Pure, which deliberately avoids the color screen and front lighting found in earlier models. Instead, it focuses on improving the monochrome E Ink experience with a faster processor and a refined black-and-white display. This Q&A covers everything you need to know about the device.

What exactly is the Remarkable Paper Pure?

The Remarkable Paper Pure is a new digital notepad designed for focused, distraction-free writing and reading. Unlike the recently released Paper Pro and Paper Pro Move, which feature a color E Ink screen, the Paper Pure sticks with a black-and-white display reminiscent of the six-year-old Remarkable 2 but with enhancements. Remarkable claims the device is twice as fast at navigating, zooming, and turning pages compared to its predecessor. It also lacks any front light or backlight, aiming to replicate the feel of paper under natural lighting. Priced at $399, it is available for preorder on Remarkable’s website and targets users who prioritize simplicity, battery life, and a paper-like writing experience over color capabilities.

How does the Paper Pure differ from the Remarkable Paper Pro?

The key difference lies in the display technology. The Paper Pro uses an advanced color E Ink screen (Gallery 3) that supports thousands of colors, making it ideal for annotating documents with highlights, color-coded notes, or viewing color graphics. The Paper Pure, on the other hand, uses a monochrome E Ink display similar to the Remarkable 2 but with improved contrast and responsiveness. It also lacks the Paper Pro’s front light, which allows reading in low light. Internally, the Paper Pure features a faster processor and optimized software, resulting in snappier performance. The Paper Pro offers color and lighting for roughly a higher price (typically $579+), while the Paper Pure targets users who prefer the classic E Ink look, longer battery life, and a lower cost.

What are the display specifications of the Remarkable Paper Pure?

The Paper Pure’s display is an upgraded version of the black-and-white E Ink panel used in the Remarkable 2. It measures a similar size (likely 10.3 inches) but features higher contrast ratios and faster refresh rates. Remarkable says the new display delivers “sharper text and clearer images,” though it remains monochrome (black, white, and grayscale). The company emphasizes that the lack of a front light reduces eyestrain for some users and mimics the experience of writing on actual paper under ambient light. The display also supports 256 levels of grayscale, which is typical for E Ink readers. Because there is no color or lighting, the Paper Pure can achieve longer battery life (weeks on a single charge) compared to color E Ink devices that require more power.

How does the Paper Pure’s performance compare to the Remarkable 2?

Remarkable states that the Paper Pure offers twice the speed of the Remarkable 2 when navigating, zooming, and turning pages. This is attributed to a new processor and more efficient software algorithms. The original Remarkable 2, launched in 2020, sometimes lagged when handling large PDFs or complex notebooks. The Paper Pure minimizes latency, making page turns and zooming feel nearly instantaneous. However, the Paper Pure still uses an E Ink screen, so there is inherent refresh flicker—but the improvements make the experience smoother than on the Remarkable 2. The device also boots faster and handles multitasking (e.g., switching between notebooks and documents) more fluidly. For users upgrading from the Remarkable 2, the speed boost is the most noticeable change.

Why did Remarkable omit color and a front light on the Paper Pure?

Remarkable’s strategy appears to cater to different user segments. The color Paper Pro is aimed at professionals and creatives who need color for annotations, diagrams, or presentations. In contrast, the Paper Pure targets traditionalists who value simplicity, battery life, and a pure paper-like feel. Including a front light would add complexity, potential screen glare, and reduce battery duration. Additionally, color E Ink screens often have lower contrast and slower refresh rates than monochrome ones. By sticking with a high-contrast black-and-white display and no lighting, Remarkable can offer a device that feels closer to real paper, especially under bright reading lights or in daylight. This also keeps the price lower—$399 versus the Paper Pro’s $579+. The company likely sees a market of note-takers, students, and writers who do not need color.

Who is the target audience for the Remarkable Paper Pure?

The Paper Pure is designed for users who want a distraction-free digital notepad for writing, sketching, and reading text-heavy documents. Ideal candidates include students who take lecture notes, writers who draft without digital clutter, and professionals who prefer a focused workflow without color distractions. The lack of a front light means it works best in well-lit environments like a desk or coffee shop. Those who often read or write in dark rooms would miss the built-in light. Additionally, the Paper Pure appeals to e-reader enthusiasts who want a larger canvas for PDFs and ebooks but don’t need color. The $399 price point makes it competitive with other large E Ink tablets (like the Kobo Elipsa or Boox models) but Remarkable’s minimalist software and superior writing feel are key differentiators.

What is the price and availability of the Remarkable Paper Pure?

The Remarkable Paper Pure is available for preorder immediately at $399 through Remarkable’s official online store. The price includes the tablet but does not include the Marker stylus or the Book Folio cover, which are sold separately (Marker costs $79, Folio starts at $49). Shipping is expected to begin within a few weeks of the announcement. Remarkable also offers a 30-day return policy. For those who want accessories, bundle deals may be available at launch. Compared to the Remarkable 2, which remains on sale at $299 (with original screen and slower performance), the Paper Pure represents a mid-tier option between the budget Remarkable 2 and the premium Paper Pro. The company also offers a subscription service for cloud syncing and advanced features (Connect plan), which costs $2.99/month or $29.99/year.

Read the full story at The Verge.