reMarkable 2 writing tablet

A DECK isn’t as simple as grabbing a tape measure and a saw. We all know there’s a whole lot more to it than meets the eye. You’ve got to tackle marketing, design, quoting, selling, scheduling, and a bunch of other tasks before you can even think about picking up that trusty hammer.

Building

Most of these tasks require taking notes or making drawings. This is normally handled by juggling multiple notebooks that are bursting at the seams with all your important job details. But let’s face it, those notebooks can be a real pain. They fill up fast, get all crumpled or lost and always seem to get ruined from spilled coffee. And, honestly, they’re just not cutting it anymore. It’s time to save a few trees and hop on the digital notetaking train.

Thankfully, Decking TNT has uncovered a true gem that we feel will help a deck builder’s life get easier and more organized—the reMarkable 2 tablet. This cutting-edge device has seamlessly blended the worlds of technology and old school notetaking, offering a simple platform and a user friendly application that is proving to be an absolute gamechanger for making things simpler. In this review, we will dive into the features and practical applications of this innovative note pad, revealing how it has become an indispensable companion for those striving for better organizational skills and efficiency in the deck building industry.

As we dove into this product, we quickly started to field test it and see how it would impact our daily tasks as deck builders. Here is our experience with the reMarkable 2.

Mike: I am always looking for ways to level up, but sometimes change is hard. I wanted to find a way to organize and share my sticky notes, “Tops” yellow pads, graph paper, notebooks, etc. I tried online apps like Google Keep and Apple Notes, but nothing I found could take the place of the old pen to paper. Personally, I have always retained information better when I physically write it down. So when I started using the reMarkable 2, it felt so natural. I quickly realized that this was the product that I have been looking for.

Andy: “I also have always been an old school paper and pen guy, using a notepad or graph paper to take notes and measurements. So when I got my hands on this product to test it out, I was skeptical of it. I despise the learning curve of new technologies; however, it is so simple to use. The moment you open the box and power on your new reMarkable, you can start taking notes. No training or trying to figure out how to use it.

The reMarkable 2 also has connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it easy to transfer files and notes to and from other devices. It has a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. This allows your notes to be viewed on any device that can sign in with your account information

Andy: As a creative deck builder/creator, my drawings have lots of details and notes. Downloading the reMarkable app on my laptop and phone was another awesome feature. I am able to import my CAD drawings and group them in the correct job folder. I can use the drawings to make material list and mark details and share them with my team. It’s so easy. I was a little disappointed to find out there was a monthly fee for the Connect feature. I did not expect that based on the advertisements, but luckily they currently offer the first year of service free with purchase. When I recommend this to people I make sure to mention that there is a monthly fee of $2.99 to use Connect.

Mike: It’s basically a thin tablet that stores and organizes your notes, specifically made for writing on it. It’s the perfect bridge between pen to paper and the digital world we live in. It has a 10.3”, highresolution E Ink display and is extremely thin, providing a natural writing experience. There is minimal lag when writing or drawing, making the experience mimic writing on paper. It doesn’t have a backlight, which makes it hard to see in the dark, but works well inside and outside in the daylight. For such a thin device, the battery life is impressive, I can go days between charges. Best of all, everything can be organized in folders and with notebook names so that when I go back to review it, I can actually find it. It’s really a unique writing experience. When the pen tip first hit the screen, I was amazed.

Andy: After using the reMarkable 2 about a week just taking notes and measurements, I started to understand that this device is much more than just taking simple notes. I was able to create folders and tabs. I made a folder for all my measurements, current project notes, my “Today” list, etc. This was so helpful with keeping me organized. Before, I didn’t know where to start with the pen and paper. I would always lose the note or something would happen, causing me to miss details and add stress to my day.

Andy: The pen is what I think makes this special. I was using the Marker Plus with the built-in eraser and would recommend having this feature. The marker is magnetic and gets stored right on the side of your reMarkable 2. It has no battery (this is one less thing to worry about) and it feels great. The eraser is awesome! I can mark up plans and make quick notes, then erase the notes leaving the plans unharmed.

The pen is pressuresensitive, allowing you to create fine lines and variations in thickness just as you would with a traditional pen or pencil. You can click to erase with the regular marker, or upgrade to a marker with a built-in eraser. The device also supports multi-touch gestures, making it easy to navigate and interact with notes and files.

The reMarkable 2 runs on a custom operating system that has been optimized for low-power consumption and fast performance. The OS provides a super-simple user interface that makes it easy to organize notes and files.

Mike: If you were trying to compare it to a tablet, the functions will seem very limited and simple, but I feel like this what makes the experience so great. You don’t get distracted with pop-ups from Instagram, or emails while you are writing. This is not for searching the web or getting directions, it is truly a notebook. Because of its limitations, it does the notebook thing extremely well. We all have those specialty tools in our toolbox that do one thing and do it well. From the moment you turn it on, it starts up in seconds and when you begin navigating folders and files they come up instantly. There are selections for what type of marker tip, and lots of options for paper types. The pen is weighted and feels perfect in your hand. As mentioned before, it actually does feel like you are writing on paper.

Andy: Working in the field or visiting the project for the first time to get measurements, we deal with all sorts of environmental conditions. I’m from northeast Ohio and I deal with rain and snow more than I like. In the past, it’s been a struggle with pen and paper getting saturated and becoming unrecognizable. So I tried this out on a rainy day to put it to the test. The product was durable and works just as good when the surface gets a little wet. It’s not waterproof, but will take a small beating—and to top it off, it won’t blow away!

Andy: I am left handed and I kept hitting the X-out button. It was a pain until I realized that I could hit a button that made the X-out button go away. This was a wow factor for me.

Mike: Going digital with your notes will be one more thing that can set you a step ahead of your competition. You’ll be able to take notes at home, on the jobsite, at a seminar, and keep all your devices in perfect sync. Whether you’re brainstorming