Desk of Contents
I see you, annotators — the readers with color-coded highlighting programs and tabs protruding of each e-book. Going digital with an e-reader won’t appear to be it is for you, however with all of the developments out there, issues are altering. I’ve seen all of it, from probably the most basic Kindle to a color e-reader and now the Kindle Scribe.
Launched in late 2024, Amazon debuted the subsequent technology of the Kindle Scribe. It is the most important within the model’s lineup and the one mannequin that comes with a pen and the power to jot down. I might hung out with the earlier technology of Scribe, so I wished to see how Amazon improved the machine. Sadly… it wasn’t a lot.
This is what I take into consideration the Kindle Scribe and if it is value it.
Kindle Scribe value and specs
Placing the unique Kindle Scribe (left) face to face with the 2024 Kindle Scribe (proper).
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
The 2024 Kindle Scribe is identical measurement because the earlier technology however incorporates a redesigned display with even borders surrounding the display.
These are the total specs for the 2024 Kindle Scribe:
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10.2-inch show, as much as 94 nits brightness, and 300 ppi decision
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USB-C charging port with as much as 12 weeks of battery life
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Begins at 16GB of storage, with 32GB and 64GB choices obtainable
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Premium pen included
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Is available in tungsten (darkish grey) and metallic jade
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Not waterproof
All of the perks of a Kindle e-reader, plus annotation
Jotting down my ideas on the Kindle Scribe… on the Kindle Scribe.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
Kindles are great e-readers — our favourite, in reality. So, it is no shock that the Kindle Scribe has the identical prospects. You possibly can entry books by way of the Kindle Retailer or Libby. Like all Kindles, there’s seamless Libby integration to make it straightforward to learn your library books.
Nevertheless it has one thing different Kindles do not, the power to annotate. With an included stylus (referred to as the “premium pen”), you may write utilizing the pocket book function as a digital pocket book. Plus, this newest technology of Kindle Scribe means that you can annotate inside the margins of books. I used it to annotate lengthy PDFs, write notes within the margins, and handwrite line edits. As soon as I used to be carried out, I may ship the annotated doc from the Kindle to my e-mail so I may simply ship it again to my colleague.
When not in use, the premium pen magnetically attaches to the Kindle Scribe, preserving it inside attain.
It is the slowest e-reader within the line-up
Whereas it presents the identical means as different Kindles to learn by way of an enormous array of books, it’s noticeably slower than different fashions in Amazon’s line-up. When Amazon introduced the brand new technology of Kindles in late 2024, the Kindle, Paperwhite, and Paperwhite Signature Edition have been all touted because the model’s quickest units, which they definitely are.
Whereas the Kindle Scribe’s shows have been redesigned, its processor has not been up to date. The Scribe typically lags when beginning to get up or switching between journals and books. I additionally seen some pauses when turning pages, one thing I by no means expertise on different Kindles. That is particularly disappointing contemplating the value, which is greater than double that of the Paperwhite.
It is good to jot down on, however the shows will ghost you
After switching to the pocket book part of the Kindle, you may nonetheless see e-book covers from my library bleeding by way of the display.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
In terms of annotating and writing on a Kindle Scribe, I like the tactile really feel. The anti-glare display and premium pen of the Kindle Scribe have a texture that emulates the sensation of writing with pen and paper. It is a lot totally different and preferential to the slippery texture of writing on an iPad with an Apple Pencil.
Nevertheless, whereas the show has a pleasant really feel, it suffers from a ghosting subject. The again finish of the premium pen works as an eraser, so you may flip it over once you need to erase some notes. Nevertheless, a shadow of your erased writing actually lingers. After I exited the pocket book I had erased, the shadow lingered whilst I opened a brand new e-book and tried to learn.
It is costlier than an iPad
The Kindle Scribe is just not a pill. It is an e-reader with the power to jot down. Why am I noting this? As a result of it is definitely priced like a pill. The Kindle Scribe begins at $399.99 for the 16GB mannequin and tops out at $449.99 for the 64GB mannequin. Contemplating the lately launched eleventh technology iPad with 128GB of storage begins at $349.99, the Kindle Scribe is a horrible worth.
A pill, like an iPad, has so many capabilities, like searching social media and the online, streaming video, gaming, drawing, and even studying, with entry to the Kindle app, Apple Books, and even Libby on there. In the meantime, you are restricted to simply studying or writing on a Scribe — no streaming, gaming, or extra. When you’re in search of a distraction-free reader, perhaps that is a draw. However in any other case, it is simply too costly.
Is the Kindle Scribe value it?
Kindles are often nice e-readers, however the Scribe would not stay as much as the remainder of the line-up.
Credit score: Samantha Mangino
There’s just one particular circumstance I think about the Kindle Scribe is value. When you’re an avid annotator and need a distraction-free e-reader, the Kindle Scribe is nice. It means that you can write notes within the margins of e-books or annotate PDFs, which you’ll then view in your laptop.
However in any other case, in the event you’re excited by the thought of an e-reader you may annotate on, look elsewhere. For $399.99, the Kindle Scribe is not value it with its meager efficiency and display ghosting points.
In order for you an e-reader you could annotate with, take a look at the Kobo Libra Colour, which prices $229.99. The Libra Colour is $170 lower than the bottom mannequin Kindle Scribe and comes with twice the storage. Or, if you wish to spend your cash on one thing that may do extra than simply learn and write, swing for the iPad 11th generation, which is $349.99 — nonetheless $50 cheaper than the Scribe.
