A6X2 Nomad review & VERY long-term Supernote thoughts | The best notebook I own is an e-ink tablet

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4 Jan 202408:58

TLDRThe video review discusses the Supernote A6X2 e-ink tablet, highlighting its improvements over the previous A6X model. The new FeelWrite2 film offers a more textured writing experience that improves with use. A significant enhancement is the removable back cover, allowing users to replace the battery and expand storage, promoting longevity. The device also sees processing improvements, such as doubled RAM for faster operations, and new features like note linking, PDF template usage, handwriting recognition, and screen sharing. The review praises Supernote for its focus on user experience, with thoughtful feature additions and refinements, positioning it as the best notebook replacement. The reviewer also suggests potential future enhancements, such as a screen saver function and the ability to draw straight lines and shapes.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“ The Supernote A6X2 features a new FeelWrite2 film that offers more texture and a better writing experience after a break-in period.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ A significant improvement is the ability to remove the back cover for battery replacement and storage expansion, promoting longer device life.
  • ๐Ÿš€ Processing enhancements include doubled RAM, making operations like handwriting to text conversion faster and more efficient.
  • โ†”๏ธ The device now has two slide bars and an auto-rotate feature, improving the ease of viewing PDFs in landscape mode.
  • ๐Ÿ”— New features include the ability to link notes and documents, use PDFs as templates with intact links, and screen sharing for collaboration.
  • ๐Ÿ–Š๏ธ Handwriting recognition and search have been added, allowing users to search handwritten notes and convert them to digital text formats.
  • ๐ŸŽจ A specialized sketching and drawing app is in development, offering various tools that could serve as an alternative to traditional sketchbooks.
  • ๐Ÿ“š The Calendar app has been improved with the ability to jot down notes in a monthly or weekly view and view all notes created on a certain day.
  • ๐Ÿ“š Reading functionality is basic but functional, with landscape mode recommended for PDF viewing and epub support.
  • ๐Ÿ“ The user wishes for additional features like a screen saver with the last viewed page and the ability to draw straight lines and simple shapes.
  • ๐ŸŒŸ Supernote's deliberate approach to firmware updates and feature enhancements aim to improve the user's note-taking and productivity experience.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the transcript?

    -The main topic of the transcript is a review of the Supernote A6X2 e-ink tablet and an update on the user's long-term experience with the Supernote platform.

  • What are the significant changes made to the Supernote A6X2 compared to the A6X?

    -The significant changes include the introduction of the FeelWrite2 film for a more textured writing experience and the ability to remove the back cover for battery replacement and SD card storage expansion.

  • How does the FeelWrite2 film compare to the older film in terms of texture?

    -The FeelWrite2 film has a bit more texture than the older, smoother film, and it breaks in after a few days of use to feel less rough and more textured, resembling a very smooth or wet gel pen.

  • What is the user's opinion on the new features and improvements made by Supernote?

    -The user appreciates the new features and improvements, noting that they are deliberately added and refined to enhance the note-taking and productivity experience in a focused way.

  • How does the Supernote A6X2 handle PDFs?

    -The Supernote A6X2 has new features that allow users to link notes, use PDFs as templates with intact links, and manipulate PDFs directly on the device, making it easier to view and work with PDFs.

  • What new features have been added to the Supernote platform?

    -New features include the ability to link notes to each other and to web pages, use PDFs as templates, handwriting recognition and search, screen sharing, and a specialized app for sketching and drawing.

  • How does the user perceive the Supernote platform in comparison to other e-ink tablets?

    -The user perceives the Supernote platform as more consciously designed for note-taking and organization, offering a better experience than other e-ink tablets like the Kindle Scribe and Boox tablets.

  • What are some of the user's favorite features of the Supernote platform?

    -The user's favorite features include the ability to navigate to different headings in one note, access specific pages or folders from anywhere, and the improved Calendar app that allows note creation and retrieval based on dates.

  • How does the user describe the drawing app on the Supernote A6X2?

    -The user describes the drawing app as a neat little app with various pencil and pen options, a soft eraser, and layers, which could serve as a good alternative to a physical sketchbook.

  • What are some features the user wishes to see added to the Supernote platform?

    -The user wishes for features like a screen saver displaying the last viewed page, and the ability to draw straight lines and simple shapes for an even better note-taking experience.

  • What is the user's overall impression of Supernote's approach to product development?

    -The user's overall impression is positive, appreciating how Supernote has maintained and improved the user experience over the years and is looking forward to future enhancements in 2024.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿ“ Supernote A6X2: New Features and User Experience

The first paragraph introduces the transition to Supernote's X2 series of tablets and discusses the new features and changes. The author shares their updated thoughts on the Supernote platform after three years of use. The Supernote A6X2 is compared to its predecessor, highlighting significant changes such as the FeelWrite2 film for improved writing experience, which becomes less rough over time. The ability to replace the battery and expand storage with an SD card is noted as a gamechanger for device longevity. The company's commitment to sustainability and DIY customization is mentioned, along with processing improvements like doubled RAM for faster operations. The addition of two slide bars, auto-rotate feature, and landscape mode are discussed for their utility in viewing PDFs. The paragraph concludes with the author's appreciation for Ratta's approach to software updates and feature rollouts.

05:01

๐Ÿ” Organization and Productivity Enhancements in Supernote

The second paragraph delves into the organizational strengths of Supernote, contrasting it with other platforms like Amazon's Kindle Scribe and Boox tablets. The author criticizes the lack of thoughtful organization features in these competitors. Supernote's design philosophy is praised for mirroring the experience of using a physical notebook, with added benefits like handwriting recognition. The paragraph discusses the new features added to Supernote, such as linking notes, using PDFs as templates with intact links, and handwriting recognition and search. The refinement of existing features like navigation gestures, tag management, and global search function is also highlighted. The author appreciates the deliberate and focused improvements that aim to enhance the user's productivity. The paragraph ends with a discussion on the drawing app and the author's desire for additional features like a screen saver and the ability to draw straight lines and shapes.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กSupernote A6X2

The Supernote A6X2 is an e-ink tablet that is part of the X2 series by Supernote. It represents an upgrade from the previous A6X model with new features and improvements. In the video, it is discussed how the A6X2 enhances the user's writing experience with a FeelWrite2 film and allows for battery replacement and storage expansion, which contributes to the device's longevity and sustainability.

๐Ÿ’กFeelWrite2 film

The FeelWrite2 film is a new feature of the Supernote A6X2 that provides a more textured writing surface compared to the previous model. It is mentioned in the script that this film becomes less rough after a few days of use, offering a writing experience that feels more like a smooth or wet gel pen rather than a traditional pencil, which is appreciated by the reviewer.

๐Ÿ’กPlanned obsolescence

Planned obsolescence refers to a business strategy where products are designed with a limited useful life, encouraging consumers to replace them more frequently. The video contrasts this concept with Supernote's approach, highlighting the company's design that allows users to replace batteries and expand storage, thus extending the device's life and reducing the pressure to upgrade.

๐Ÿ’กDIY community

The DIY (Do-It-Yourself) community is a group of individuals who enjoy creating, modifying, or repairing things on their own. The script mentions that Supernote supports this community by making the specifications of the back cover available for 3D printing and offering customizable covers, which aligns with the company's focus on sustainability and user engagement.

๐Ÿ’กHandwriting recognition

Handwriting recognition is a feature that allows a device to interpret and convert handwritten notes into digital text. This is a significant addition to the Supernote A6X2, as it enables users to search through their handwritten notes and convert them into text files. The reviewer notes that this feature is particularly anticipated by many users considering the device.

๐Ÿ’กPDF templates

PDF templates are pre-designed documents that can be used as a starting point for new documents. The Supernote A6X2 allows users to use PDFs as templates while keeping links intact, which means they can insert pages into a PDF and manipulate PDFs directly on the device. This feature enhances the functionality of the device for note-taking and document management.

๐Ÿ’กScreen share

Screen sharing is a feature that allows users to share their screen's content with others in real-time. The script mentions that this feature has been added to the Supernote A6X2, making it a useful tool for collaboration. It enhances the device's utility in professional or educational settings where teamwork and sharing of ideas are essential.

๐Ÿ’กE-ink

E-ink is a display technology that mimics the appearance of ink on paper, used in e-readers and certain tablets for a more comfortable reading experience. The Supernote A6X2 uses e-ink technology, which is praised for its readability and lower power consumption compared to traditional LCD screens. The video discusses how Supernote has improved upon this technology with their latest device.

๐Ÿ’กGlobal search

Global search refers to the ability to search across all files, folders, and content within a device or application. The script highlights that Supernote has improved its global search function, making it easier for users to find specific notes, tags, or keywords across their documents, which is crucial for productivity and organization.

๐Ÿ’กSustainability

Sustainability, in the context of the video, refers to the ability of a product to be used for an extended period without needing to be replaced. The Supernote A6X2's design, which includes replaceable batteries and expandable storage, embodies this concept. The reviewer appreciates this approach as it aligns with a longer-term use of technology and reduces electronic waste.

๐Ÿ’กNote-taking

Note-taking is the process of recording information, often in written or digital form, for later reference. The Supernote A6X2 is designed with note-taking in mind, offering features that facilitate this process, such as handwriting recognition, organization tools, and the ability to link notes. The video emphasizes how the device's features are tailored to enhance the user's note-taking experience.

Highlights

Supernote is transitioning to their X2 series of tablets with new features and changes.

The writing experience has improved with a new FeelWrite2 film that offers more texture.

The FeelWrite2 film becomes less rough after a few days of use, providing a better feel.

The back cover is removable, allowing users to change the battery or expand storage with an SD card.

Ratta plans to provide specs for the back cover to support a DIY community.

The device has double the RAM compared to the X-series, making operations faster.

New auto-rotate feature and landscape mode improve viewing of PDFs.

Ratta has a history of delivering on announced features and providing software updates.

New feature allows linking notes to each other and to web pages.

Users can now use PDFs as templates while keeping links intact.

Handwriting recognition and search feature has been added, enhancing note-taking capabilities.

Screen sharing feature introduced for better collaboration.

A specialized app for sketching and drawing is being improved.

Existing features have been refined for easier navigation and note-taking.

Global search function and tag management have been made more convenient.

The Calendar app has been improved with the ability to view notes created on a certain day.

Handwriting recognition allows searching and converting handwritten notes to text or Word files.

The device feels like an improved notebook rather than just a tablet replacement.

The ability to navigate to different headings and access specific pages or folders from anywhere is a standout feature.

The drawing app offers various tools and could serve as a digital sketchbook.

Suggestions for future improvements include a screen saver feature and the ability to draw straight lines and shapes.

Supernote continues to enhance the user experience and plans further improvements in 2024.