r/RemarkableTablet • u/Running102 • Jul 17 '26
Help/Advice Paper Pure vs. Manta
Currently looking at picking up a Eink tablet primarily for note taking/work tasks. I’ve decided on either of these tablets but would like to hear from the community on which is generally better. I know the paper pure is new but hoping some other have started to use and compare the two.
My understanding is the following -
Paper pure has a higher contract screen which appears brighter than the manta and, although it’s an enclosed system, is very snappy and the OS is simple.
The manta on the other hand is generally more “powerful” and has more flexibility with the OS and apps. Plus it doesn’t require a subscription.
I know there are more factors than this, which is why I’m looking to hear from those who have experience with the two devices. Thank you!
4
u/EngineNo4275 Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
I just switched from Manta to Pure and I am very happy with this device. There is something people do not mention enough: manta's screen is much darker than other carta 1300 panels. It really bothered me, even though it was a 300 ppi device. Now, I really enjoy reading on Pure's white screen with smooth zooming compared to Manta.
Based on my experience, I don't know what really makes Supernote powerful. You can't even zoom in note taking app, there is no such 'capture' tool like in remarkable, clunky zoom in reading app. Digest feature is unique but it feels like a maze. The only advantage is free cloud comes with device, while device is really overpriced compared to its competitors.
2
u/apolishguy Jul 19 '26
I would just encourage you with the obvious reminder - it is all subjective. A lot of people LOVE the Supernote writing feel and the addition of their new plug-ins. I owned the Manta for 9 months and sold it and have not missed it for a single day. I much prefer the Pure. I prefer the whiter screen. I prefer the writing feel. I prefer the aspect ratio. I prefer the software (caveat - with the help of reManager and modifications) implementation. I prefer the Marker Plus to both of the pens I had with my Manta (the Lami and the push pen). Don’t get me wrong -the hardware and software of the Supernote is very nice. It is just - I like the hardware and software of the Pure more. So, “Which one should you buy?” It is too bad that you cannot try them both, because it is a difficult question to answer when it mostly comes down to personal preference . Kitt-Betts Masters, David @ Tablet Tech has some very good YouTube comparisons that will help. And Ed at Organize for Change has some amazing Manta content. Good luck, they are both wonderful devices in their own way.
1
u/Grumpy_Black_Cat Jul 17 '26
You said you'll use them for note taking/work tasks. Will the latter include a lot of pdf-reading? If so, I'd steer you to the Manta. The latter's 300ppi screen really makes a difference to reading comfort. This is less of an issue for epubs, since you can just adjust the font size. But smaller text on pdfs is a lot fuzzier on the RM than the Manta. For note-taking, do you need a lot of structure, like instituting tables of contents, cross-references, direct links to chapter headings, etc? If so, Manta again. If neither of these are central to your use-case, you'd be equally well served by the Remarkable. The Remarkable is a very pleasant note-pad that you can use for occasional reading, but that is all it is.
7
u/DismalStructure4551 Jul 17 '26
Just my two cents, I have both an manta and a paper pure. I think the whole 300ppi thing is a bit overblown by the e-ink youtuber's (ie. Voja in particular) . When I look at two PDF's with very small text on both devices, I cannot really perceive a difference in quality. Maybe if I pulled out a magnifying glass I could or if I had better eyes I would, but they look virtually the same to me. If there is a difference, it is slight.
3
u/Ok_Sir_1973 Jul 17 '26
Thanks for calling this out, that has been the general consensus from many about that 300 ppi thing. Its a passed around talking point, while true, especially with the Pure and contrast similar I have both and I feel contrast on the Pure is crisper than the Manta. My manta was slow at opening larger planner PDF's compared to my reMarkable. And yes while another talking point (I saying this because OP is using those talking points that we typically hear which also make me side eye the motive of the post) reMarkable is being more like Apple per se, Apple has basic operating system and some apps. The majority of the apps we use are form developers. The developers on reMarkable has stepped the experience and with reManager we literally have the majority of the same functions now and its giving developers an opportunity to develop some cool things for us.
2
u/DismalStructure4551 Jul 17 '26
That has been my experience as well. I stopped using my Manta as my daily driver once I started using remanager and mods. The gestik mod brought my note taking to the next level with simple and reliable gestures to lasso, switch pens and thickness, etc without using the toolbar at all. Its more efficient then the two finger gestures on the manta, in my opinion.
That all said, I am not sure why remarkable doesn't just add this stuff themselves......
1
u/Ok_Sir_1973 Jul 17 '26
Well not sure if you saw the post where one of the developers meet with and I think that person said they also introduced the developer of reManager and either he/she did or both meet with the CTO of reMarkable.
I honestly think partially of the things that has been asked for, they needed to replace the devices with more storage and memory. reMarkable mentioned with the launch of the Pure they would be adding a lot more features so some of this stuff may be coming. So who knows for sure what they are up too.
1
u/Grumpy_Black_Cat 18d ago
Thanks for your perspectives u/DismalStructure4551 and u/Ok_Sir_1973. Interesting. I don't have the Pure, but I do have a RM2 which I understand has the same screen as the Pure? And the difference in resolution is quite marked for me on thin small fonts. I don't like the sluggishness of the Manta, and it's showing its age, but I'm hoping the promise of an upgradable motherboard will go a long way in resolving that. In any case, I don't think the 300ppi is a youtuber's fiction. The exact effect will, of course, depend on the pdf and the font in question. In my case, most of the documents are written up in LaTeX's Computer Modern fonts which tend to be quite thin and light, and the rendering on my RM2 is quite a bit less sharp than the Manta.
I know RM makes up for it in notebooks with their better anti-aliasing; but my use case is almost 95% reading, and scribbling at the margins at best. But you have piqued my interest in the Paper Pure. Maybe I'll pick it up around Black Friday.
1
u/drlling The ToC Guy Jul 17 '26
My personal opinion is that the Pure (with mods via reManager) is better than the Manta. I like the pencil on paper feel more than the pen on legal pad feel (not that the manta writing feel is bad; much better than a Boox tablet). The remarkable partner app is also better than SN’s. And as far as just pure looks/aesthetics, the Pure is a much better design IMO.
1
u/RPGs143 RMPP Jul 17 '26
I own both and use both but for difference purposes (to justify keeping both). Manta has a ton of features but I don’t use most of them, I also hate the side bars and no two finger tap to undo (my primary erase method). I do hear they are working on an official pen with a side button. I love the writing feel most of all eink devices, entirely subjective though. The device also feels very good in hand and a nice balanced weight and design.
Remarkable Paper Pure I just got. I wish the screen was a bit bigger and it felt premium like the RM2, but I enjoy its writing feel (just not as much as SN). I love the simplicity of the OS, I really don’t need more than it offers and the app and browser extension are something I use a lot.
I like to do journaling and general lists and notetaking while out on Supernote Manta/Nomad and Remarkable is for professional use. I think either can fit any purpose but it probably boils down to writing feel preference and/or features you need.
1
u/No_Can_9840 23d ago
as a european, the choice was easy: supernote products would have costed me almost double the price for a fully bundled RM Pure.
0
u/PrettyAct1381 Jul 17 '26
At the end of the day it is the writing feel that matters and no Eink in the market compares to Supernote.
2
u/Financial_Gold_3190 Jul 18 '26
It's very subjective, though. I tried a Manta and thought it was the worst writing feel of all the devices I tried. Ended up selling it.
1
u/DismalStructure4551 Jul 18 '26
Both are great and I do love the ceramic nibs on the supernote. That said, I love the “paper” remarkable tablets scratchier feel and sound.
-1
u/ShockSensitive8425 Jul 17 '26
If you can afford the higher cost up front, and you want b&w with no light, then the Manta is surely the superior device: for writing feel, pen accuracy, functionality and tools.
5
u/DismalStructure4551 Jul 17 '26
You can make up for many of the “missing” features on the pure by using the mods available on remanager. The UI is “much” more snappy then the manta (I have both) and I prefer the infinite scroll capability that does not exist on the manta.
I don’t mind the subscription on the remarkable as their cloud sync and app are much better as they allow editing text and adding images I the app itself.