Kindle Scribe Review

By
Chandler
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The moment I learned about the Kindle Scribe, it sparked my interest. I’m always drawn to new tech items, particularly those related to reading. If they offer multiple functions, I cannot help but explore them for hours. The Kindle Scribe caught my attention just as much. 

While I adore my Kindle Paperwhite’s compactness, sometimes a larger display is more suitable, don’t you think? The Kindle Scribe also has a feature for writing, which is quite intriguing. Is this feature useful? That is what I explore in my Kindle Scribe review!

Back in 2020, I saw my husband enjoying his brand-new iPad Pro, which made me want one too. I knew I would be editing a book soon and thought that being able to annotate digitally and work on documents without paper would be beneficial. I was also fascinated by the idea of digital planners to organize my life. 

Although I found the iPad Pro great for certain tasks, it was too bulky for me to use as an everyday e-reader. That is why I often returned to my Kindle for reading stories. It fits perfectly in my hands and even has a stand-alone case. Let’s talk more about my personal Kindle Scribe review:

Kindle Scribe Review: Pros and Cons

The Kindle Scribe has been checked out by tech experts, and here is a rundown of what they liked and did not like:

Pros 

  • Big, clear screen for easy, sharp reading.
  • Smooth writing experience.
  • Excellent for e-books with Amazon’s setup.
  • Long-lasting battery life.
  • Includes a good stylus.
  • Improved options for writing and journaling.

Cons

  • Not water-resistant, not ideal for water-related reading.
  • No physical buttons, which some find less convenient.
  • Basic writing features, suitable for notes, but lacks advanced journaling.
  • I cannot write in book margins for note-taking.
  • Limited selection of books available for direct writing.

What is the Kindle Scribe? How can you use it?

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s innovative e-reader that combines the traditional reading experience with the ability to write on the device. Here is what you can do with it:

  • Large, glare-free 10.2-inch screen with crisp text for reading ebooks.
  • Direct note-taking on millions of books and documents using the included pen.
  • Add handwritten notes to ebooks easily; notes are organized by book for quick access.
  • Create notebooks, journals, and lists with templates, and organize them in folders.
  • Import and write directly on PDFs, Word documents, and other supported file formats.
  • Includes pen, highlighter, and eraser with adjustable thickness options for writing and marking.
  • Storage options: 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB to fit your reading and writing needs.

The Kindle Scribe stands out for its paper-like writing experience, long battery life, and distraction-free environment, as it does not have notifications or social media interruptions. It is a device designed for those who love reading and would appreciate the convenience of digital note-taking and planning.

You can purchase a 16GB Kindle Scribe with a standard pen and no Kindle Unlimited membership for $339.99, or split the cost into five payments of $68, which is a new payment option Amazon offers for expensive items. If you prefer the advanced pen, you will need to pay an extra $30. 

The 32GB and 64GB Kindle Scribe models are available only with the advanced pen, costing about $390 for the 32GB and $420 for the 64GB. You have the option to include three months of Kindle Unlimited for a little more money, but you will not find any option to pay extra for removing ads.

Indeed, the Kindle Scribe does not display any ads. The screen shows the cover of the book you are currently reading when locked.

In the package, you receive the device, the pen, extra tips (likely for the advanced pen), and a USB-3 to USB-C charging cable. It does not include an AC adapter, so you will need to find one yourself or purchase one that fits.

Although the Scribe is slightly smaller than the larger iPad Pro and smaller than the reMarkable, it is still effective for writing notes and other tasks. The ability to write on it is useful for several reasons: I had only considered using the sticky notes for book comments, but one reviewer pointed out they could also quickly write down reminders or ideas and then return to them after finishing their book. 

Also, if inspiration strikes while reading, you can easily switch to the notebook feature to jot down your thoughts for a story and then go back to your reading with just a few taps.

So, Should You Get a Kindle Scribe?

The decision really depends on your personal needs.

If you are in the market for a larger reading device that also allows you to take notes and organize to your liking, then it could be a worthwhile investment. However, if your main goal is to find a marking tool that can handle all your study materials, and you are not particularly interested in the added features of a large e-ink reader, then you might prefer an iPad or a reMarkable 2.

On the other hand, if you are content with your Kindle Paperwhite and its size, and you do not have a use for additional features, then it is probably unnecessary to spend money on a new device that does not offer you any significant benefits.

What are the extra features of Kindle Scribe?

The Kindle Scribe comes with several extra features that enhance the reading and writing experience:

  • Easily convert handwritten notes to text when exporting, so you can edit and share them as a .txt file.
  • Use the new Lasso Select Tool to circle handwritten text or drawings and resize, move, or copy them across notebooks, sticky notes, and PDFs.
  • Enjoy more versatile writing and drawing with new brush types added to the Kindle.
  • Create subfolders to better organize your content.
  • Send documents directly from Microsoft Word to your Kindle Scribe.
  • Get an overview of your notebooks for easier navigation with the Notebook Overview feature.
  • Experience enhanced capabilities for reading and annotating PDFs.
  • Switch to a two-column layout in landscape mode for easier reading of books on your Kindle.

These features are designed to make the Kindle Scribe a more powerful tool for those who read extensively and need to take notes or annotate documents.\

Some Questions

What is the Kindle Scribe Review?

The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s first e-reader that supports in-display writing, featuring a large 10.2-inch display for reading and note-taking.

How has the Kindle Scribe improved since its launch?

Amazon has released three significant firmware updates for the Kindle Scribe, enhancing its functionality and user experience.

What are the pros and cons of the Kindle Scribe Review?

Pros include a large high-resolution display, excellent writing surface, and long battery life.

Cons are that it is not water-resistant and lacks physical buttons.

Can you write in the margins of books on the Kindle Scribe?

No, currently, you cannot write in the margins of books on the Kindle Scribe.

Are there many ‘write on’ books available for the Kindle Scribe?

As of the latest update, there are not many ‘write on’ books available yet, but Amazon has been adding more options since the launch.

Is the Kindle Scribe a good choice for journaling?

Yes, with the new features added since its launch, the Kindle Scribe has become a better tool for journaling.

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