reMarkable 2 vs. Boox Note Air: Key Differences and Full Comparison

Are you looking for the perfect note-taking e-reader? The reMarkable 2 and Boox Note Air are two impressive options loved by users for an excellent writing experience that feels close to paper.

But the two devices take quite different approaches. In this comprehensive comparison guide, we‘ll analyze how they stack up across all key factors like design, display, software, battery life and value to help you decide which is better for your needs.

Overview of The reMarkable 2 and Boox Note Air

The reMarkable 2 focuses purely on notetaking and reading with an elegant, distraction-free interface. It features reMarkable‘s proprietary "Canvas" E Ink display designed specifically to mimic writing on paper with an ultra low latency pen-to-screen response.

The Boox Note Air runs on Android 10 out of the box. So beyond notes, you can install a wide range of third party apps to transform the Boox Note Air into an all-in-one productivity tablet. It also touts more memory, a faster processor and longer battery life compared to the reMarkable 2.

Key Differences At A Glance

Next, we‘ll compare both devices across various categories in greater depth.

Design Comparison

The Boox Note Air sports an ultra-slim aluminum body with a flush, scratch-resistant glass screen that gives it a very premium look and feel. At just 5.8mm thick and 412g, it’s very portable for its 10.3” display size.

The reMarkable 2 is still well constructed with its canvas-textured plastic rear shell. Rubber grips on the back provide a good hold while writing. At 4.7mm thick, it‘s actually slimmer but weighs slightly more than the Note Air at 503g.

Both tablets are comfortable enough for extended writing sessions. But the Note Air’s flush display and metal chassis make it feel more expensive and luxurious versus the plastic build of the reMarkable 2.

Display Technology Comparison

The Note Air utilizes E Ink’s Mobius flexible e-paper and Moon Light 2 front light technologies. Thanks to Mobius, you can write smoothly at any angle with virtually no display lag. And the front light enables comfortable viewing in dark environments while avoiding eye strain.

reMarkable 2’s proprietary Canvas display tries to closely emulate writing on paper. It has just 21ms latency from pen-to-screen while refreshing the monochrome e-ink panel at 47 Hz for minimal ghosting. reMarkable also developed a unique high-friction surface on the Canvas display to feel more paper-like when writing with the marker.

Both produce crisp black and white text that’s easy to read for long periods. But the Note Air gives you more flexibility with its adjustable front light for nighttime use.

Performance Comparison

The Note Air packs serious specs including an octa-core 1.8 GHz Snapdragon 662 processor and 3GB RAM. That’s plenty of performance to juggle productivity apps smoothly in addition to note taking. You also get a generous 32GB built-in storage.

Conversely, reMarkable 2 features a simpler dual-core 1.2 GHz processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, which is just enough for core functions like note taking, sketching and reading ebooks.

So while the reMarkable 2 delivers excellent writing performance, Boox Air’s higher memory and faster CPU give it significantly more multitasking and storage capabilities.

Software and Features Comparison

Since it runs full Android 10, you can install a wide array of third party mobile apps on the Note Air from the Google Play store and Boox‘s own app catalog. That includes apps like Microsoft Office, Spotify, Kindle and more to transform it into an all-around productivity tablet.

The Linux-based Codex software on reMarkable 2 cannot install additional mobile apps and focuses purely on notetaking. Codex introduces unique features like an endlessly scrolling canvas, multiple notebooks with nested organization/structuring and a distraction-free interface for writing without popups or notifications getting in your way.

So software comes down to whether you want maximum flexibility from Android on the Note Air vs. the simple, streamlined writing experience of Codex OS on the reMarkable 2.

Battery Life Comparison

Thanks to using power-sipping e-paper panels, both tablets offer superb battery life that blows traditional tablets or phones away.

The Note Air touts an incredible 1 month of use from its massive 3000 mAH battery before needing a recharge. The smaller reMarkable 2 still posts an impressive 2 weeks of runtime on similar battery capacity. Just keep in mind that lifetime can decrease on the Note Air with heavier third party app usage.

Either way, you shouldn‘t need to worry about charging more than once every 1-2 weeks even with daily use.

Pricing Comparison

Being a simpler device focused solely on core writing functions, the reMarkable 2 retails at an affordable $299. That friendly price point makes it very accessible for students, artists and writers seeking an e-ink notetaking upgrade without breaking the bank.

In contrast, the Note Air costs $479 for a standard bundle including the pen and case. So you are paying quite a premium for its state-of-the-art hardware like the metal chassis, flexible Mobius display and Snapdragon 662 processor enabling a broader range of productivity use cases beyond just note taking.

For those willing to spend up, the Note Air brings excellent value as a versatile 2-in-1 tablet replacement powered by Android. But the much cheaper reMarkable 2 already delivers an excellent writing experience for a simpler purpose if that is your main focus.

Which Device Is Better For You?

So is the reMarkable 2 or Boox Note Air the right choice? It really comes down to your budget and intended use case. Here are some guidelines:

The reMarkable 2 is the better pick if you want:

• A distraction-free digital notebook purely for reading, notes and sketches
• Smooth writing performance you can take anywhere at an affordable price
• Long battery life with minimal charging

Opt for the more versatile Boox Note Air if you want:

• Maximum flexibility from a full range of Android apps like Kindle, Spotify etc.
• More processing power and storage space
• A premium build quality and adjustable front lighting

Both devices are excellent – you really can‘t go wrong! Analyze the key differences above against your needs to decide if the cheaper, writing-focused reMarkable 2 or the pricier, app-enabled Boox Note Air better fits your use case.

Conclusion

The reMarkable 2 and Boox Note Air each bring unique capabilities as modern e-paper writing tablets. Shoppers will need to weigh specs like display technology, software ecosystem, battery performance as well as pricing and sheer versatility to determine the best model for their needs.

Overall, both deliver easy eye comfort for reading while taking digital ink notes, sketches and annotations unlike traditional backlit tablets. If you seek the very best distraction-free writing experience, reMarkable 2 takes the crown. But Boox Note Air brings flexible Android apps and robust hardware for replacing even more paper and tablets in your workflow.

Hopefully this detailed comparison of the reMarkable 2 vs Boox Note Air sheds light to pick your perfect productivity e-reader companion!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the reMarkable 2 require a subscription?

No – the base $299 reMarkable 2 does not require any ongoing subscription. There is an optional $2.99/month "Connect" subscription for additional cloud sync and collaboration capabilities if desired. But the core functionality works great without paying a subscription.

How durable is the reMarkable 2?

With its plastic rear shell and thick protective front bezel, the reMarkable 2 is built to withstand the bumps and drops of everyday carry in backpacks or bags. The canvas textured back also provides plenty of grip while writing. So it will hold up fine to student and professional use cases.

Can I read EPUB books on the Note Air?

Absolutely. One benefit of the Note Air running full Android is support for a wide variety of file formats. So you can load up and read any non-DRM EPUB books on it smoothly via apps like the pre-installed NeoReader or third party reading apps you install yourself from the Google Play store.

Is the handwriting experience better on the reMarkable 2 or Note Air?

Most reviewers praise the ultra low latency writing performance and detailed custom templates available from reMarkable 2 for the best pure handwriting feel. But the Note Air also delivers an excellent, lag-free writing experience – especially with its flexible Mobius display accommodating writing at any angle. So while reMarkable 2 has a slight edge, both work very well for taking digital notes and annotations by hand.