Unboxing the Kindle Scribe 2: A Closer Look
There’s a unique satisfaction in writing by hand that can be hard to replicate with digital devices. Recently, I had the opportunity to dive deep into the 2024 Kindle Scribe and its stylus and note-taking features. Holding a pen and writing for extended periods has rekindled a nostalgic feeling I haven’t experienced in years. While I generally jot down quick thoughts or lists, Amazon’s new AI tools seem designed for those who need to craft essays or notes that they plan to share.
New Features and Updates
In February 2025, Amazon rolled out updates to the Kindle Scribe, including collapsible margins. This feature allows users to adjust the side margins for more writing space while reading. However, I found that the updates mainly enhanced usability with handwritten notes rather than transforming the whole experience.
Overall Experience
As someone who enjoys fiction and self-help books, I rarely feel the need to write in the margins. The Scribe 2 has performed well as both an e-reader and as a notebook. The handwriting-to-text conversion was surprisingly useful, especially when documenting team tasks more professionally. I no longer had to retype notes, which saved valuable time.
Competing Options: reMarkable Paper Pro
While the Kindle Scribe 2 has many appealing features, I recently tested the reMarkable Paper Pro and found it superior for writing. Its software effectively blends handwritten and typed text in the same document, and it offers a handy app for mobile note editing. For those who primarily read but occasionally want to annotate or sketch, the Kindle Scribe 2 provides a rich library of titles at an affordable price.
What’s New in Design
From an exterior perspective, the Kindle Scribe features a slightly refreshed look with color changes around the bezels. The updated Premium Pen comes with a rubberized eraser end and has a customizable shortcut button to quickly switch between different writing tools. The new pen feels familiar, ensuring ease of use remains intact.
Noteworthy Changes in Writing on E-books
The writing experience on e-books has also improved. Amazon introduced the Active Canvas feature, which presents a box for your handwriting as soon as you start writing on a page. This replaces the older, more cumbersome implementation. While this change was promising, I did experience some software bugs during testing that caused frustration. Occasionally, doodles would appear unexpectedly, interfering with note-taking.
General Writing Challenges
The Active Canvas feature seems convenient but can sometimes activate when you’re simply trying to underline text. It’s important to note that these passive features, while innovative, need improvements if they are to compete with offerings from companies like Kobo, which provide a more stable experience for writing on books.
Generative AI Features
The Kindle Scribe 2 introduces generative AI tools for managing notes. Users can summarize or refine their written content using the new AI capabilities. After selecting either option, the Kindle processes your notes, offering redesigned versions that are often more structured.
However, while these AI features were interesting, I found them less useful for my needs. The accuracy of the AI summarization could improve, and the results are not directly editable, which can be frustrating for users who prefer to tailor their notes before sharing.
Pros of Using the Kindle Scribe 2
Despite some shortcomings, the Kindle Scribe 2 provides a satisfying writing experience with a weight of only 0.95 pounds and a thickness of 0.22 inches. The large screen enhances reading, making it more accommodating for those who need larger font sizes. I also enjoyed exploring “write-on books” and engaging in activities like Sudoku and cryptography puzzles.
I believe there is plenty of untapped potential in this area. A more integrated approach that connects handwritten notes with digital calendars and reminders could significantly increase the Scribe’s practicality.
Areas for Improvement
That being said, there are several areas where the Kindle Scribe 2 could shine brighter. The magnetic attachment for the stylus could be more reliable. For instance, I accidentally knocked mine off while entering my apartment, resulting in scratches on the screen that might have been avoided with a more secure design.
Additionally, the limitations of the Note app—particularly the inability to edit notebooks on the mobile Kindle app—can be frustrating. There’s also the battery life to consider, which, while initially rated for three weeks, was less impressive based on my intense testing.
Final Thoughts
The Kindle Scribe 2 comes with a competitive price tag of $399, which is $60 more than its predecessor. While it does include an upgraded Premium Pen, the enhancements might not fully justify the extra cost. As I evaluate the Kindle Scribe against competitors like reMarkable and Kobo, I can appreciate Amazon’s commitment to quality but feel there are more pressing areas for development, particularly in note-sharing features and the overall user experience.
While the Kindle Scribe 2 still ranks among the best e-readers available, those invested in Amazon’s ecosystem should keep an eye on updates and improvements. There’s hope that with continued innovation, future versions of the Scribe could offer even better functionality and value.
