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> Later this month I'll take a look at Supernote which already has a enthusiastic community and promises to have a rich API for 3rd parties to explore and expan

> Later this month I'll take a look at Supernote which already has a enthusiastic community and promises to have a rich API for 3rd parties to explore and expand. I tried the Remarkable 2 for a month but ended up returning it and ordering the Supernote A5X instead – I couldn't be happier! Its main advantages (IMO): - The Supernote acts as a regular USB mass storage device, so syncing files (w/o resorting to the cloud) is not as hard as with the RM2 (which serves a really buggy web interface over USB, pretending to be an ethernet device). Sure, the RM2 gives you SSH access but that doesn't help much because it's using a shitty proprietary file system, so you can't just scp your documents but need to convert them first. - The Supernote comes with much better PDF reading and annotation capabilities. (The RM2 has pretty much none.) - The Supernote's soft non-glass surface is more comfortable for long writing sessions – writing on it feels like writing with a gel pen. Plus you'll never need to replace your pen tips as they're made from ceramic. - The Supernote A5X is running Android instead of a barebones Linux system, meaning that it comes with more features out of the box and it'll be much easier to extend it in the future when Ratta opens up their platform. (Sure, you can "hack" your RM2 but the chances that the next official update will then completely brick your device are rather high – /r/RemarkableTablet/ is full of these stories.) - The company behind the Supernote actually values the community's input, see https://www.reddit.com/r/Supernote https://www.reddit.com/r/Supernote

teruakohatu 5y ago
How is it better than the remarkable?
- codethief 5y ago
  I updated my post! :)
michaelmior 5y ago
Thanks for sharing. I got the reMarkable 1 pretty early and I've been debating ordering the reMarkable 2. I've heard almost exclusively good things about it, but right now I'm happy enough with the original device. I hadn't heard of Supernote until seeing this comment, but it's definitely something to keep an eye on when I think about upgrading. I'm not sure what you mean when you say the RM2 has "pretty much none" when it comes to PDF reading and annotation capabilities. That's pretty much exclusively what I use my RM1 device for and it works great. EDIT: Wow. Looked at the A5X and for the price compared to the RM2, it's very enticing. (Once you throw in the folio and the pen for the RM2, the A5X is comparable if not cheaper.) Since my old Kindle Keyboard died a while back, I haven't replaced it. Looks like the A5X can also read Kindle books which is a huge draw for me. Do you know if there's any API that allows me to write my own utilities to sync with the A5X? Specifically, I want to be able to send PDFs to the device programmatically that will be eventually synced the next time I use it.
- boudin 5y ago
  I don't use those features but currently you can sync it using Ratta's own cloud (which is optional by the way, no obligation to create an account), dropbox or email. Otherwise you can copy files via USB. There's no APIs that i know off and currently the device is not hackable so there's no alternative software.
  - michaelmior 5y ago
    Thanks! Syncing via Dropbox would not be my first choice, but probably sufficient for my use case. I'll definitely have to keep an eye on this :)
- codethief 5y ago
  > I'm not sure what you mean when you say the RM2 has "pretty much none" when it comes to PDF reading and annotation capabilities. Well, all you can basically do is scribble within a PDF. The RM2 doesn't offer proper PDFs annotations and it doesn't even come close to the Supernote in terms of other useful features like bookmarking, digests, etc. > EDIT: Wow. Looked at the A5X and for the price compared to the RM2, it's very enticing. Yup, exactly. It seems more expensive upon first sight but it's actually a pretty good deal. > Do you know if there's any API that allows me to write my own utilities to sync with the A5X? Specifically, I want to be able to send PDFs to the device programmatically that will be eventually synced the next time I use it. This is exactly what I'm waiting for, too! My hope is that once they open up their platform I'll be able to install the Syncthing Android app and sync my Supernote with all my other devices over WiFi.
  - michaelmior 5y ago
    > RM2 doesn't offer proper PDFs annotations This is true and I don't really mind that personally although having read up a bit more on the Supernote, the annotations it generates do seem much nicer. > it's actually a pretty good deal Pricing seems about the same really. Especially when you consider the bundle of table, folio, and pen together for each. I was disappointed to see that the standard Supernote pen does not include an eraser and the LAMY pen which does lacks the ceramic tip and instead requires replacing nibs just like the reMarkable pen.
gpm 5y ago
> Sure, you can "hack" your RM2 but the chances that the next official update will then completely brick your device are rather high – /r/RemarkableTablet/ is full of these stories No... they're approximately 0. The next update will wipe out your modifications, everything outside of the home directory is wiped, but the device will still work. People bricking their devices are people actively doing things that brick their devices, not updates coming along and bricking them later.
- lima 5y ago
  > People bricking their devices are people actively doing things that brick their devices ... such as flashing their own bootloaders or overwriting the system partitions. This isn't required for any of the fancy mods :)
fossuser 5y ago
Interesting - thanks for writing up the differences. For me, lack of android is more of a feature for this kind of device.
- codethief 5y ago
  Not sure why you're getting downvoted – this is certainly a matter of taste. Why do you consider it a feature, though? Here's why I prefer Android over plain Linux on anything that's not a laptop or desktop computer (or a server): - Much more secure. Every app is running in a sandbox and permissions are clearly defined. (This is a big one! I don't want to have to trust the apps I'm running.) - Data encryption by default - Clearly defined ways for apps to talk to one another (intents etc.), for user data to be separated from app cache etc, for user data to get backed up via Google Backup / Seedvault. Anyone who's trying to do the same on Linux needs to re-invent the wheel here. As Ratta is planning to open up their Supernote platform for 3rd-party apps, this is crucial. - A/B updates – it's hard to break your device - Bluetooth & fingerprint support. I wish the Supernote came with a fingerprint reader but it does allow you to use a bluetooth keyboard (though typing comes with a rather long delay)
  - fossuser 5y ago
    Part of the draw for me is a device that does very few things with hardware/software optimized for doing those few things well. In a lot of ways that's the opposite of Android. It doesn't mean that an Android implementation as the base OS has to be bad, but it requires extra effort to constrain it to be good. I've also had performance issues with Android in the past, but maybe that's better now.
- eloisant 5y ago
  It's important to note that unlike the Onyx Boox that exposes the Play Store, the Supernote is only using Android under the hood, it's not visible. It's still an experience controlled by Supernote. That why they could preinstall the Kindle app, however they don't let you install apps and have a bad experience in the Play Store, bad experience with apps that work but are clunky on an e-ink display...
dhucerbin 5y ago
I learned that 9-10 inches is to small to annotate pdfs so I decided against remarkable or supernote a5. To be honest, most science-y documents I read by the computer, because I try to use knowledge right away in some notebook and/or repl. But then I noticed that I also read substantial amount of soft skill/self help/popscience books and they're easily obtainable in epubs. I pulled te trigger and bought supernote a6x. It size is perfect. I can read and annotate on the go, I can jot during coffee breaks. I take notes on the meetings and then I can put supernote on the stand beside monitor and see bullet points/todo lists for this day. Supernote support and community is very helpful and constant upgrades take user requests into account.
shyn3 5y ago
I wish it had a web browser. Didn't see many updates from them about it.
9935c101ab17a66 5y ago
The supernote website / product pages are super confusing. If I want the Lamy pen, and don't want the "nebula" cover, I have to buy the lamy pen separately, but I'll also still get the standard set, which I don't want? Or can I choose the Lamy set but change the cover? Also, the Lamy pen has a function button, but also doesn't have the ceramic nib. This is weird since they go to such great lengths to convey how valuable the "never wear-out nib" is on the regular supernote pen. Also, does the Lamy pen need to be charged somehow? Also, apparently, Canadians have had to pay ~$95 in duty, and shipping already isn't cheap. 95$ in duty is insane IMO. Seems like an interesting product, but the website needs a huge overhaul IMO. I've been looking to replace my Kobo H20 Aura for a while, and I wouldn't mind ponying up a more for the supernote, but the website leaves me with more questions than answers. I dunno, it's cool

teruakohatu 5y ago

How is it better than the remarkable?

codethief 5y ago
I updated my post! :)

michaelmior 5y ago

Thanks for sharing. I got the reMarkable 1 pretty early and I've been debating ordering the reMarkable 2. I've heard almost exclusively good things about it, but right now I'm happy enough with the original device. I hadn't heard of Supernote until seeing this comment, but it's definitely something to keep an eye on when I think about upgrading. I'm not sure what you mean when you say the RM2 has "pretty much none" when it comes to PDF reading and annotation capabilities. That's pretty much exclusively what I use my RM1 device for and it works great. EDIT: Wow. Looked at the A5X and for the price compared to the RM2, it's very enticing. (Once you throw in the folio and the pen for the RM2, the A5X is comparable if not cheaper.) Since my old Kindle Keyboard died a while back, I haven't replaced it. Looks like the A5X can also read Kindle books which is a huge draw for me. Do you know if there's any API that allows me to write my own utilities to sync with the A5X? Specifically, I want to be able to send PDFs to the device programmatically that will be eventually synced the next time I use it.

boudin 5y ago
I don't use those features but currently you can sync it using Ratta's own cloud (which is optional by the way, no obligation to create an account), dropbox or email. Otherwise you can copy files via USB. There's no APIs that i know off and currently the device is not hackable so there's no alternative software.
- michaelmior 5y ago
  Thanks! Syncing via Dropbox would not be my first choice, but probably sufficient for my use case. I'll definitely have to keep an eye on this :)
codethief 5y ago
> I'm not sure what you mean when you say the RM2 has "pretty much none" when it comes to PDF reading and annotation capabilities. Well, all you can basically do is scribble within a PDF. The RM2 doesn't offer proper PDFs annotations and it doesn't even come close to the Supernote in terms of other useful features like bookmarking, digests, etc. > EDIT: Wow. Looked at the A5X and for the price compared to the RM2, it's very enticing. Yup, exactly. It seems more expensive upon first sight but it's actually a pretty good deal. > Do you know if there's any API that allows me to write my own utilities to sync with the A5X? Specifically, I want to be able to send PDFs to the device programmatically that will be eventually synced the next time I use it. This is exactly what I'm waiting for, too! My hope is that once they open up their platform I'll be able to install the Syncthing Android app and sync my Supernote with all my other devices over WiFi.
- michaelmior 5y ago
  > RM2 doesn't offer proper PDFs annotations This is true and I don't really mind that personally although having read up a bit more on the Supernote, the annotations it generates do seem much nicer. > it's actually a pretty good deal Pricing seems about the same really. Especially when you consider the bundle of table, folio, and pen together for each. I was disappointed to see that the standard Supernote pen does not include an eraser and the LAMY pen which does lacks the ceramic tip and instead requires replacing nibs just like the reMarkable pen.

gpm 5y ago

> Sure, you can "hack" your RM2 but the chances that the next official update will then completely brick your device are rather high – /r/RemarkableTablet/ is full of these stories No... they're approximately 0. The next update will wipe out your modifications, everything outside of the home directory is wiped, but the device will still work. People bricking their devices are people actively doing things that brick their devices, not updates coming along and bricking them later.

lima 5y ago
> People bricking their devices are people actively doing things that brick their devices ... such as flashing their own bootloaders or overwriting the system partitions. This isn't required for any of the fancy mods :)

fossuser 5y ago

Interesting - thanks for writing up the differences. For me, lack of android is more of a feature for this kind of device.

codethief 5y ago
Not sure why you're getting downvoted – this is certainly a matter of taste. Why do you consider it a feature, though? Here's why I prefer Android over plain Linux on anything that's not a laptop or desktop computer (or a server): - Much more secure. Every app is running in a sandbox and permissions are clearly defined. (This is a big one! I don't want to have to trust the apps I'm running.) - Data encryption by default - Clearly defined ways for apps to talk to one another (intents etc.), for user data to be separated from app cache etc, for user data to get backed up via Google Backup / Seedvault. Anyone who's trying to do the same on Linux needs to re-invent the wheel here. As Ratta is planning to open up their Supernote platform for 3rd-party apps, this is crucial. - A/B updates – it's hard to break your device - Bluetooth & fingerprint support. I wish the Supernote came with a fingerprint reader but it does allow you to use a bluetooth keyboard (though typing comes with a rather long delay)
- fossuser 5y ago
  Part of the draw for me is a device that does very few things with hardware/software optimized for doing those few things well. In a lot of ways that's the opposite of Android. It doesn't mean that an Android implementation as the base OS has to be bad, but it requires extra effort to constrain it to be good. I've also had performance issues with Android in the past, but maybe that's better now.
eloisant 5y ago
It's important to note that unlike the Onyx Boox that exposes the Play Store, the Supernote is only using Android under the hood, it's not visible. It's still an experience controlled by Supernote. That why they could preinstall the Kindle app, however they don't let you install apps and have a bad experience in the Play Store, bad experience with apps that work but are clunky on an e-ink display...

dhucerbin 5y ago

I learned that 9-10 inches is to small to annotate pdfs so I decided against remarkable or supernote a5. To be honest, most science-y documents I read by the computer, because I try to use knowledge right away in some notebook and/or repl. But then I noticed that I also read substantial amount of soft skill/self help/popscience books and they're easily obtainable in epubs. I pulled te trigger and bought supernote a6x. It size is perfect. I can read and annotate on the go, I can jot during coffee breaks. I take notes on the meetings and then I can put supernote on the stand beside monitor and see bullet points/todo lists for this day. Supernote support and community is very helpful and constant upgrades take user requests into account.

shyn3 5y ago

I wish it had a web browser. Didn't see many updates from them about it.

9935c101ab17a66 5y ago

The supernote website / product pages are super confusing. If I want the Lamy pen, and don't want the "nebula" cover, I have to buy the lamy pen separately, but I'll also still get the standard set, which I don't want? Or can I choose the Lamy set but change the cover? Also, the Lamy pen has a function button, but also doesn't have the ceramic nib. This is weird since they go to such great lengths to convey how valuable the "never wear-out nib" is on the regular supernote pen. Also, does the Lamy pen need to be charged somehow? Also, apparently, Canadians have had to pay ~$95 in duty, and shipping already isn't cheap. 95$ in duty is insane IMO. Seems like an interesting product, but the website needs a huge overhaul IMO. I've been looking to replace my Kobo H20 Aura for a while, and I wouldn't mind ponying up a more for the supernote, but the website leaves me with more questions than answers. I dunno, it's cool