E Ink tablets over paper notebooks: why students should pick them instead of an iPad

As the new school year approaches, the question of which gadgets to buy for classes comes up. A TechRadar reviewer suggests taking a closer look at E Ink or ePaper tablets, such as the ReMarkable lineup or the Boox Go 10.3 he recently tested. In his view, these devices are perfect for taking notes and lack the main drawback of regular tablets — the temptation to get distracted.

The key advantage of E Ink displays is the absence of a backlight, which makes the screen look like real paper and keeps it from standing out on a classroom desk. This reduces the risk of curious glances from classmates and teachers, and also lessens eye strain during long sessions. The lower refresh rate of the screen, in turn, makes the device unsuitable for scrolling through social media or watching videos, helping to maintain focus during lectures.

The feel of writing with a stylus on such a surface is also closer to paper notebooks. The rough texture is built right into the screen, especially on ReMarkable devices, while Boox falls slightly behind in this regard. Writing on plain glass, as on an iPad, is far less comfortable and satisfying, the author notes.

The journalist, who has already finished his studies, uses a similar tablet to write scripts for his YouTube videos. It helps him narrow his focus to the task at hand while providing a satisfying writing sensation. He admits he would have loved such a device during his college years.

The choice of a specific brand is not crucial — the technology itself matters. E Ink tablets serve as a true replacement for a paper notebook, retaining all its benefits while adding digital capabilities, which makes them a solid purchase for the start of the school year.