The primary motive behind acquiring the iPad was to transform it into a portable notebook, serving as a versatile tool for crafting university projects and jotting down notes. This functionality extended beyond the plethora of multimedia features the product provides. However, if you happen to be an iPad user who primarily employs the device as a digital notebook, the allure of this Norwegian company’s offering might resonate with you, just as it has with me. Could the Remarkable 2 potentially stand as an iPad alternative? Let’s delve into this question below.
The concept of “high added value” often emerges when a company adeptly addresses two or more individual needs, delivering exceptional results. This is precisely what this product achieves. The creators have successfully identified a niche within the market, a previously untapped segment, and have developed a product tailored exclusively to it.

Remarkable 2, an alternative to the iPad?
Undoubtedly, the iPad stands as an exceptional product, offering a multitude of functionalities that far surpass those of the Remarkable 2. Nonetheless, as with all things in life, different products cater to distinct types of users. If your primary use for the iPad is as an electronic notebook, then the Remarkable 2 emerges as a superior choice when compared to the iPad.
This digital notebook boasts an enviable hardware configuration, featuring a mere four-millimeter thickness and a stylus that recreates the tactile sensation of writing on paper to a remarkable degree. This authentic experience is so immersive that the stylus tip undergoes natural wear over time, necessitating periodic replacement. The realism is strikingly reminiscent of pen-to-paper writing.
The design of this electronic ink notebook is crafted to uphold your focus, enabling you to engage solely in tasks that matter: writing, drawing, or structuring your week. While it holds true that the iPad also performs these functions and boasts superior apps compared to the Remarkable 2’s software, the standout success of the latter lies in its adeptness at executing a select set of 3-4 tasks exceptionally well. This very aspect underscores its value. Hence, for users seeking to utilize the iPad for these particular functionalities, the Remarkable 2 emerges as a more fitting and accomplished alternative.
Why do I prefer this digital notebook to the iPad?
As of today, I find myself in possession of a 16-inch MacBook Pro and a Mac mini M1, ensuring that my performance and portability requirements are fully met. Consequently, the question arises: what role does an iPad play within my tech ecosystem? The answer is simple: it adds nothing substantial.
However, my identity as a dedicated writer, coupled with my penchant for meticulously documenting meetings, projects, and even the intricacies of my interface design training, has brought about a conundrum. My affinity for jotting down notes has led to an accumulation of physical notebooks scattered in every direction, often resulting in a fruitless search when I require specific information.
Hence, my pursuit for a digital notebook was fueled by the desire to evoke the nostalgia of my childhood while simultaneously offering an efficient mechanism for organizing and managing my day-to-day activities. Could a Mac app fulfill this need? Undoubtedly. Yet, the organizational prowess exhibited by the Remarkable 2 transcends any application. With this device, it’s just me and my notebook—an intimate connection devoid of notifications, Wi-Fi, or internet distractions.
In this capacity, the Remarkable 2 serves as the perfect complement, granting me the opportunity to immerse myself in work without the perpetual concern of incoming emails or messages on my iPhone. It creates a dedicated window for mental reprieve, allowing me to escape the pressures of our hyperconnected world and reclaim a sense of tranquility.