Roughly a year ago, we emphatically concluded that the Remarkable Paper Pro was a product that most people could—and perhaps should—live comfortably without. This distinctive e‑ink tablet exists in an almost paradoxical space between extravagance and refined design. Although its concept elegantly merges minimalism with innovation, it remains imperfect for straightforward content consumption such as reading books, and its display can occasionally respond with an almost torturous slowness. That would be tolerable were it not for its price tag, which veers deep into luxury territory: a starting price of $629, elevated from $579 by U.S. tariff adjustments. Then, when one adds the $229 Type Folio keyboard case into the equation, the overall cost borders on the absurd. At first glance, any rational buyer might understandably recoil—perhaps redirecting those funds toward something more conventionally useful, like Apple’s ever‑popular MacBook Air, which has recently dipped as low as $738. When the math is done, Apple’s feather‑light laptop seems the far more economical and versatile choice compared to the combined expense of the Paper Pro and its costly case.
Yet despite these entirely valid objections, I did something most would probably consider impractical: I purchased the Remarkable Paper Pro. Not only did I buy it—I’ve come to rely on it with increasing frequency. It has quietly become my instrument of choice whenever I need to organize my thoughts, streamline my workflow, or—as in this very moment—write a blog post. My admiration for the Paper Pro stems not from it being the pinnacle of tablet performance, because frankly, it isn’t. Rather, its greatest virtue lies in what it defiantly refuses to become: a multipurpose, distraction‑laden device. In a digital age where our attention is constantly fragmented by incoming notifications, relentless updates, and algorithmic nudges, the Paper Pro feels almost revolutionary because it does so little—and in that restraint lies its genius.
When I work on the Paper Pro, I find myself cocooned in a rare quietness. There are no Slack messages sliding into view, no social‑media feeds dragging me down endless rabbit holes, and no alerts demanding instantaneous responses. The tablet offers precisely zero distractions—no notifications, no YouTube diversions, and certainly no AI‑generated prompts. Its stillness feels intentional, almost meditative. By design, it fosters an environment conducive to slow, deliberate thought and genuine creative focus. Instead of being seduced by a stream of algorithmically curated content, I find myself engaging in authentic human reflection, choosing what to read, plan, or compose with unhurried deliberation.
This, ultimately, is the secret at the heart of the Paper Pro’s appeal. It channels one’s concentration into a single, uncluttered lane, eliminating the constant threat of digital detours. That simplification—its narrowness of purpose—is not a limitation but a rare gift in an age of perpetual stimulation. The combination of the Paper Pro and the Type Folio keyboard amplifies this effect beautifully. Admittedly, the Type Folio is not a trivial accessory; at $229, it’s expensive enough to make most buyers wince. Yet every element of its design justifies the price: it attaches magnetically with ease, remains remarkably slim and lightweight, and even doubles as an effective protective cover. Though folding and unfolding it requires a touch of practice, the mechanical finesse soon reveals itself—it transforms into a portable writing companion that feels meticulously engineered for uninterrupted creation.
I’m certainly no keyboard connoisseur—my daily driver has long been Apple’s Magic Keyboard—but the Type Folio impresses me far more than expected. Though not remarkably spacious, its typing experience is highly comfortable. Each key offers a satisfying tactile click, enhanced by a soft‑touch texture that invites extended use. The inclusion of partial backlighting proves particularly useful during late‑night writing sessions, offering visibility without disruption. Once opened and balanced on my lap, the entire setup remains stable, allowing genuine portability and productivity beyond the desk.
The tactile experience extends beyond typing. Writing directly on the Paper Pro’s 11.8‑inch Canvas Color screen with the upgraded Marker Plus stylus offers a distinct pleasure rarely found in digital tools. The stylus, sold separately for $129—or $50 less if purchased as part of the bundle—enhances the interaction with its precision and texture. The tablet’s subtly roughened glass imitates the tooth of real paper, resulting in an unexpectedly authentic writing sensation. Whether jotting thoughts on a blank canvas, annotating PDFs, or employing pre‑loaded templates for planning, the process feels intuitive and physical in a way traditional tablets seldom achieve. Moreover, every scribble, sketch, or written note is securely stored and seamlessly synchronized across Remarkable’s companion mobile and desktop applications. Access to this synchronization, however, demands a modest monthly subscription of $2.99, a small but notable caveat within the user experience.
Despite these thoughtfully implemented features, I must admit that I still don’t fully exploit the Paper Pro’s potential. Its color capabilities often lie dormant, and the stylus, elegant as it is, spends much of its time magnetically affixed to the device’s edge rather than actively in use. Even so, the Paper Pro remains an invaluable tool. There are countless competing tablets that cost less and offer substantially more functionality at a technical level. Yet none replicate the specific sense of calm productivity that the Paper Pro fosters through deliberate limitation. For me, the premium price feels justified—not by specifications or speed, but by the serenity it restores to my creative process. In a world oversaturated with apps, alerts, and algorithmic distractions, this device acts almost as an antidote. If you, too, are seeking a means of reclaiming focus—without resorting to the drastic measure of permanently disabling your phone—the combination of the Remarkable Paper Pro and Type Folio is perhaps one of the most elegantly simple ways to rediscover mindful work and deliberate creation.
Photography by Brandon Russell / The Verge
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Brandon Russell — Gadgets, Tech, Verge Favorites, and Verge Shopping.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/837877/remarkable-paper-pro-type-folio-marker-plus-favorite
