Looking to compare the BOOX Note Air 2 vs ReMarkable 2? These are both powerful digital note-taking devices with similar screen sizes, impressive battery life, and a close-to-paper writing experience.
However, there are key differences between the two devices that make the Boox Note Air 2 a more suitable option for those who value seamless integration with other devices and additional features – that doesn’t mean it’s better, but moreso ideal for more complex creative projects.
In general, the BOOX Note Air 2 is more powerful and more like a full-on tablet, while the reMarkable 2 has a minimalist feel that provides the user of a traditional notepad experience, but digitized.
We also compared both devices against the Supernote (e-ink alternative):
In this article, we’ll compare the Onyx Boox Note Air2 Plus and reMarkable 2, two of the most prominent digital note-taking devices on the market. Get ready to be dazzled by their features as we take you through a comprehensive comparison of these innovative gadgets.
Related: Boox note air 2 vs supernote
What are the main differences between the reMarkable 2 and BOOX Note Air 2 Plus?
In the rapidly evolving world of digital note-taking devices, the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus has emerged as a strong contender, boasting an Android 11 operating system that grants users access to the Google Play Store and a plethora of applications.
Related: 7 Best reMarkable 2 alternatives
In contrast, the Remarkable 2 relies on a native operating system that supports only a limited range of applications released by Remarkable itself. This notable distinction in software capabilities positions the Onyx Boox Air 2 Plus as a more versatile option with enhanced functionality over its Remarkable 2 counterpart.
The Onyx Boox Air 2 Plus further sets itself apart by offering a suite of features absent in the Remarkable 2, such as split-screen functionality, compatibility with Bluetooth keyboards for typing, screen refresh options, and RAM reset capabilities.
Related: Kindle Scribe Vs Remarkable 2 – Which is better?
Moreover, the device comes equipped with a speaker, making it a suitable choice for users who enjoy listening to audiobooks or other audio content. These additional features, coupled with the broader range of available applications, make the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus a formidable competitor in the digital note-taking device market.
- Writes just like pen on paper
- Additional apps that help with productivity for creatives and professionals
- Specialized for e-reading, annotating, note taking, drafting, and more
- Sketching is a strongpoint of this dev
reMarkable 2 vs BOOX Note Air 2 Plus – Hands on Comparison
The Onyx Boox features a front-lit display for natural lighting when taking notes or drawing, as well as internal and expandable storage options for added convenience. It also has a long-lasting battery life so you can get more done without having to worry about charging your device.
Related: Is the reMarkable 2 good for drawing?
On the other hand, the ReMarkable 2 offers tilt detection capabilities and unlimited cloud storage options, making it a more powerful device than its counterpart. It also boasts an impressive 10 inch screen size with two weeks of battery life, giving users plenty of time to take notes or draw without interruption.
Related: How to use Layers on the Remarkable 2
Advantages of reMarkable 2
Advantages of reMarkable 2… let’s Discover the key benefits of the reMarkable 2, including its glass screen, tilt detection, and impressive battery life.
Related: Boox note air 2 vs Boox note air 2 plus
Advantages of the Remarkable 2:
- Glass screen: The device features a durable glass screen, which enhances its longevity.
- Tilt detection capabilities: Allows for a more nuanced and realistic drawing experience. (reMarkable 1 has a plastic screen)
- Cloud storage: Offers unlimited cloud storage options, providing ample space for users to store their notes and drawings – Though, a subscription model called connect may be needed.
- Battery life: Boasts an impressive two-week+ battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Screen size: Features a larger 10-inch screen size, providing more space for users to work on their notes or drawings.
The Remarkable 2 is an ideal choice for users seeking a durable and feature-rich digital note-taking device. With its glass screen, tilt detection capabilities, and ample cloud storage, it caters to artists, writers, and professionals alike. The impressive two-week+ battery life and large 10-inch screen size further enhance its convenience and usability.
Related: What is E-Paper Technology and How does it Work?
Advantages of BOOX Note Air 2 Plus:
Advantages of BOOX Note Air 2 Plus: Learn about the BOOX Note Air 2 Plus’s strengths, such as its front-lit display, storage options, and ink screen technology.
Related: Mobiscribe Wave vs reMarkable 2: Both e-Paper Tablets Compared
Advantages of the Onyx Boox Note Air 2 Plus:
- Front-lit display: Provides natural lighting when writing notes or drawing, enhancing the user experience in various lighting conditions.
- Storage options: Internal storage is available, with the added benefit of expandable storage options.
- Battery life: Offers long-lasting battery life, allowing users to work without worrying about frequent charging.
- Ink screen: Delivers a reading experience similar to traditional tablets.
Related: 15 Best e-ink Tablets for Reading, Note Taking, and Annotation
Drawbacks of the reMarkable 2
Drawbacks of the reMarkable 2: Uncover the limitations of the reMarkable 2 that may affect your user experience and overall satisfaction.
Some disadvantages we found that the Remarkable 2 included:
- Limited app support: The device uses a native operating system, which only supports applications released by Remarkable, limiting its versatility.
- Subscription model: To access advanced features like cloud storage integration and handwriting-to-text conversion, users need to subscribe to the Connect plan, adding a monthly cost, while the Boox note air 2 does not have this requirement.
- No front-lit display: Unlike some competitors, the Remarkable 2 does not have a front-lit display, making it less suitable for use in low-light conditions.
- No audio support: The device lacks built-in speakers or audio support, limiting its functionality for listening to audiobooks or other audio content.
Considering the drawbacks of the Remarkable 2, users may face some restrictions when using the device for note-taking and related tasks. The limited app support hinders the versatility of the device, potentially affecting productivity and efficiency.
Also- the subscription model (Connect) adds a recurring expense for users to access advanced features, which could impact the overall perceived value. The absence of a front-lit display may limit usability in various lighting conditions, while the lack of audio support constrains the device’s multimedia capabilities – it’s more of a minimalist style device that is stylish and works to replace a traditional notepad quite well (Boox note on the other hand is more complex).
Drawbacks of the BOOX Note Air 2 Plus
Drawbacks of the BOOX Note Air 2 Plus: Explore the potential downsides of the BOOX Note Air 2 Plus, shedding light on areas that may require improvement.
Some disadvantages of the BOOX Note Air 2 Plus include:
- Learning curve: The Android operating system and a wide range of features may result in a steeper learning curve for some users.
- Compatibility issues: While the Android OS offers versatility, some users may face compatibility issues with specific apps or services.
- Price: The BOOX Note Air 2 Plus may be more expensive than some of its competitors, making it less accessible to those on a tight budget.
- Weight and thickness: The device might be heavier and thicker compared to other e-paper tablets, affecting its portability.
Design and Build
The reMarkable 2 is recognized for its authentic paper-like texture and slim profile. It comes with 8GB internal storage, 1GB LPDDR3 SDRAM, and a 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM processor.
Featuring a 10.3-inch E Ink display with a 1872×1404 resolution, the reMarkable 2 operates on a proprietary Linux-based system called Codex. It lacks a backlight and does not support external memory cards.
With a rechargeable battery that lasts up to two weeks, the device charges through USB-C. Although both the reMarkable 2 and the Boox Note Air 2 provide a distraction-free environment and a paper-like feel, the reMarkable 2 stands out with its more elegant design and marginally superior battery life.
Conversely, the BOOX Note Air 2 features a design more similar to a tablet (Android tablet at that), with an E-Ink screen that imparts less of a notebook sensation. While the build quality of the BOOX Note Air 2 is commendable, it significantly diverges from the reMarkable’s minimalist aesthetic. It’s much better for advanced functions like that which an architect or experienced designer or creative professional may find useful.
Display & Screen
The display is a priority for e-paper tablets – the Onyx Boox Air 2 Plus offers a better writing experience, faster page turns, and a larger screen size than the reMarkable 2. The reMarkable 2 display felt overall very smooth; even though its made from glass, rather than plastic like its previous model as mentioned earlier.
The reMarkable 2 and the BOOX Note Air 2 both feature a 10.3-inch E-Ink display, offering users a paper-like writing and reading experience. However, the BOOX Note Air 2 has a front-lit display, providing better visibility in low-light conditions (reMarkable does not have this and this is important to some users).
The display of the BOOX Note Air 2 offers a more versatile user experience compared to the reMarkable 2; despite their similarities in screen size and E-Ink technology.
Hardware & performance
The Air 2 Plus runs on Android 11, allowing users to access OneNote and other Android apps, which greatly enhances its functionality compared to the Remarkable 2. The Onyx Boox Air 2 Plus is more versatile, allowing users to sync and edit their notes on other devices, which is a significant advantage over the Remarkable 2
The ONYX BOOX Note Air 2 Plus is regarded as a more robust device compared to the reMarkable 2, thanks to its superior hardware specifications – With an 8-core 2GHz processor, 4GB RAM (3 more GB RAM than the remarkable), and 64GB of internal storage, the Note Air 2 Plus is well-suited for creative professionals with complex projects at hand.
However reMarkable has it’s pros as well – with dimensions of 188 x 246 x 4.7 mm and weighing 403.5 grams, reMarkable is the world’s thinnest tablet at just 4.7 mm thin (source).
The device features a 10.3-inch display and is powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM processor, 1 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM, and 8 GB of internal storage. Running on Codex, a custom Linux-based operating system, it supports PDF and ePUB file formats.
However, it’s important to note that the device doesn’t support external memory cards. Overall, the reMarkable 2 offers a unique and distraction-free experience for users who prioritize note-taking and document review in their daily routine; while the Boox Note Air 2 can achieve this, but is catered towards those with more advanced tasks.
Comparison Table: reMarkable 2 vs BOOX Note Air 2 Plus
| Feature | reMarkable 2 | BOOX Note Air 2 Plus |
| Dimensions | 188 x 246 x 4.7 mm | 229.4 x 195.4 x 5.8 mm |
| Weight | 403.5 g (0.89 lb) | 420 g (0.92 lb) |
| Thickness | 4.7 mm (0.19 in) | 5.8 mm (0.23 in) |
| Screen Size | 10.3 inches | 10.3 inches |
| Display | E Ink, no backlight | E Ink, front-lit display |
| Resolution | 1872 x 1404 | 1872 x 1404 |
| Operating System | Codex (custom Linux-based OS) | Android 11 |
| Processor | 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM | 8-core 2.0 GHz |
| RAM | 1 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM | 4 GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB | 64 GB |
| Expandable Storage | Not supported | Supported (via microSD card) |
| Battery Life | Up to two weeks | Up to one week |
Thoughts after reviewing these two devices hands on
The reMarkable 2 is a next-generation paper tablet designed to replace traditional notebooks and printed documents without compromising the feel of paper. The reMarkable 2 has a very long battery lifespan. of two weeks… it also has Wi-Fi connectivity – with the reMarkable cloud service automatically syncing your data across devices (can be handy for many).
Also see: 5 Best Wireless drawing tablets
The BOOX Note Air 2 Plus is a powerful and versatile digital note-taking device that offers a tablet-like experience with its Android 11 operating system and access to a wide range of applications. Its front-lit display, expandable storage options, and additional features such as split-screen functionality and Bluetooth keyboard compatibility make it an attractive option for those who require more advanced functionality and seamless integration with other devices.
Related: 7 Best Drawing Tablets For Mac
When it comes to note-taking and using the device, the reMarkable 2 is designed to promote focus and minimize distractions; while the BOOX Note Air 2 does not have this as a priority.. On both devices, there are no social media apps, notifications, or pop-ups, allowing users to concentrate solely on their thoughts and work – leaving the choice up to what you value – simplicity or more features.
Its groundbreaking display, thin design, and impressive battery life make it an ideal tool for taking handwritten notes, reading, and reviewing documents. Moreover, the reMarkable 2’s palm rejection technology ensures a comfortable and seamless writing experience
