reMarkable Paper Pro 11.8" RM83C-1001NW 2024, Cortex-A53, 4GB, 64GB, Basalt

The reMarkable Paper Pro is the best digital writing experience we've tested, with a genuinely paper-like feel and battery life that lasts for days. It's a single-purpose device that does that one thing exceptionally well, but it's not a tablet replacement. US pricing ranges from $486 to $779, so shop around. If you're a serious note-taker, this is the one. If you want a general-purpose tablet, look elsewhere.

Let's talk specs, because on paper this thing looks underpowered. A 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage. Those numbers put it in the bottom third of our database for CPU, RAM, and storage. If you're comparing spec sheets against an iPad Pro, you'll think we're crazy for liking this thing. But here's the thing: the Paper Pro isn't running Photoshop or Genshin Impact. It's rendering ink strokes and turning pages in a PDF. For that job, the hardware is plenty.

The writing latency is the real performance metric here, and it's excellent. The screen refreshes fast enough that the ink feels like it's coming out of the pen tip, not lagging behind it. That's the whole ballgame for a device like this. The 18Wh battery sits in the 92nd percentile for this category, which translates to days of real-world use, not hours. You'll charge this thing less often than you charge your phone. The screen itself is solid, above average for the category, and the adjustable reading light is a nice touch for late-night journaling.

The obvious comparison is the Apple iPad Pro M5. The iPad has a better screen, a faster processor, a real app ecosystem, and it can do everything the Paper Pro does plus a thousand other things. But writing on an iPad feels like writing on glass, even with a paper-feel screen protector. The Paper Pro feels like paper. If you're a serious note-taker, that difference matters more than any spec sheet. The iPad is a better computer. The Paper Pro is a better notebook.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is in the same boat. Gorgeous display, S Pen included, tons of features. But it's a media machine first and a writing tool second. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the wildcard here. It runs full Windows, so you get real software, and the Surface Pen is decent. But it's heavier, the battery life doesn't touch the Paper Pro, and it costs more. If you need one device that does everything, get the Surface. If you want a dedicated writing tool that disappears into your workflow, the Paper Pro is the pick.

Pricing is all over the map, and that's worth paying attention to. In the US, we're seeing listings from $486 to $779. That's a $293 spread for what should be the same product. If you're buying, do your homework. The low end of that range makes the Paper Pro a much easier sell. At $486, you're getting a focused writing tool for less than half the price of an iPad Pro. At $779, you're paying a premium for a device that does one thing really well and nothing else.

The bundle situation matters too. The Marker Plus and Book Folio are often sold separately, and you'll want both. The Marker Plus is essential, the folio is close to it. Factor that into your math. Compared to the competition, the Paper Pro is cheaper than an iPad Pro or Surface Pro, but those devices do dramatically more. You're not saving money, you're choosing focus over versatility.

The reMarkable Paper Pro is a weird beast in the best way. It's not trying to be an iPad. It's not trying to replace your laptop. It's a digital notebook that wants to feel like paper, and honestly, it gets closer than anything else we've tested. The 11.8-inch color display, the textured surface, the Marker Plus stylus, it all comes together to make writing feel genuinely good. Not 'good for a screen', just good.

This thing is for people who fill notebooks. Students, lawyers, designers, writers who think better with a pen in hand. If your desk is covered in sticky notes and half-filled Moleskines, the Paper Pro is aimed squarely at you. The distraction-free pitch is real. No notifications, no app store, no browser rabbit holes. Just you and the page.

What makes it interesting is the trade-off. You're giving up almost everything a normal tablet does. No video streaming worth watching, no real app ecosystem, no gaming. But what you get back is focus, and a writing experience that's genuinely best-in-class. For the right person, that's a fair trade. For everyone else, well, we'll get to that.

If you want a device that does more than one thing, skip this. The Paper Pro is terrible for video, has no real app ecosystem, and the entertainment score in our database is a 49.3 out of 100. If you're looking for a tablet to watch Netflix, browse the web, and occasionally take notes, get an iPad or a Galaxy Tab. You'll be happier.

Also skip it if you're on a tight budget and don't need the paper feel. A basic iPad with an Apple Pencil costs less than the high end of the Paper Pro's price range and does dramatically more. The Paper Pro is a luxury focus tool. If you're not already a dedicated note-taker, you're paying a premium for a feature you won't fully appreciate.

For writers, students, and anyone who lives in a notebook, the Paper Pro is the best digital notebook we've tested. The writing feel is unmatched, the battery life is outstanding, and the distraction-free design actually works. You'll write more, read more, and focus better. That's the whole point, and it delivers.

For everyone else, this is a hard pass. If you want to watch videos, browse the web, play games, or run apps, buy an iPad or a Surface. The Paper Pro does none of that well. It's a single-purpose tool, and it's priced like one. Know what you're buying. If you're the target user, you'll love it. If you're not, you'll wonder why anyone would pay this much for a fancy notebook.