The Amazon Kindle Scribe is a revolutionary new product that combines the best of both worlds: a Kindle e-reader and a digital notepad. It’s the first Kindle that allows you to not only read, but also write, journal, and sketch. With its 10.2-inch glare-free E Ink display, the Scribe feels like a traditional notebook, offering a comfortable writing experience without the distractions of a backlit screen. But unlike a traditional notebook, the Scribe allows you to organize your notes, annotate books, and even convert your handwritten notes into text.
This innovative device presents a tempting prospect for anyone seeking a digital solution for note-taking and reading. But does it truly deliver on its promise? Does the Kindle Scribe live up to the hype, or is it just a gimmick? In this review, we delve into the features, performance, and overall experience of the Kindle Scribe, exploring its strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if it’s the right device for your needs.
We’ll explore the various aspects of the Kindle Scribe, from its design and display to its note-taking and reading capabilities. We’ll also analyze its battery life, storage options, and integration with other Amazon services. By the end of this review, you’ll have a clear understanding of what the Kindle Scribe offers and whether it’s worth your investment.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone who enjoys taking notes and reading, the Kindle Scribe presents an intriguing option. Join us as we dissect this innovative device and see if it truly lives up to its potential.
| Name: | **Amazon Kindle Scribe** |
| Image: |  |
| Price: | |
| Rating: | 4.3 out of 5 stars |
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Amazon Kindle Scribe: A First Look
The Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s first foray into the world of e-readers with integrated note-taking capabilities. It’s designed to be a versatile device for both reading and writing, offering a large 10.2-inch E Ink display, a pressure-sensitive stylus, and a plethora of features designed to enhance your reading and writing experience. We spent some time getting hands-on with the Kindle Scribe to see if it lives up to the hype.
Right out of the box, the Kindle Scribe feels substantial and well-built. It’s thinner and lighter than you might expect for a device with a 10.2-inch screen, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The front bezel is noticeably thinner than previous Kindle models, providing a more immersive reading experience. The back of the device features a smooth, textured finish that feels good in the hand and provides a good grip. The power button and volume rocker are located on the top edge, while the USB-C charging port resides on the bottom.
The 10.2-inch E Ink display is the real star of the show. It’s incredibly sharp and crisp, making text look clear and well-defined. The display is also quite responsive, with minimal lag when navigating menus and interacting with the stylus. The lack of backlighting means it’s best suited for indoor use, but you can utilize the warm light feature for a more comfortable reading experience in low-light conditions. The pressure-sensitive stylus feels comfortable to hold and provides a natural writing experience. The pressure sensitivity allows for varying line weights and shading, making it suitable for both note-taking and sketching. The stylus magnetically attaches to the device, making it easy to store and transport.
The Kindle Scribe comes in a variety of storage options, ranging from 16GB to 64GB, which should be sufficient for most users. It also offers the option for cloud storage, allowing you to access your documents and notes from any device. Battery life is excellent, with Amazon claiming up to 12 weeks of battery life on a single charge. While we haven’t had the opportunity to test this claim fully, our initial usage suggests the battery life is impressive.
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In terms of features and functionality, the Kindle Scribe offers a comprehensive set of tools for reading and writing. You can access your entire Kindle library, download and read books from other sources, and even subscribe to Kindle Unlimited. The note-taking functionality is highly customizable, allowing you to create different notebooks, organize your notes, and even add annotations to books you’re reading. The Kindle Scribe also supports several different file formats, including PDF, Word, and more, making it a versatile device for students, professionals, and casual users alike.
E Ink technology has come a long way in recent years, and the Kindle Scribe is a testament to its advancements. The display is refreshingly fast, with minimal lag or ghosting when flipping pages or writing. The resolution is high enough to make text look sharp and detailed, and the contrast is excellent, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The stylus is also highly responsive, with minimal latency between the tip of the pen and the display.
Overall, the Kindle Scribe is a promising device with a lot to offer. It combines the convenience of an e-reader with the versatility of a note-taking device, making it a compelling option for anyone looking for a digital reading and writing solution.
Design and Build Quality
The Kindle Scribe boasts a sleek and modern design, reminiscent of its predecessors, with a focus on simplicity and functionality. The device feels robust and well-built, thanks to its plastic construction, and its lightweight nature makes it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The Scribe’s slightly larger size compared to traditional Kindles is noticeable but doesn’t detract from its portability. It easily fits into most bags and backpacks, making it a convenient companion for travel or everyday use.
The front of the device features a large, 10.2-inch E Ink display, surrounded by a thin bezel that minimizes distractions. The display is protected by a layer of scratch-resistant glass, ensuring durability against accidental bumps and scratches. The inclusion of a physical page-turn button on the side of the device adds to its user-friendliness, allowing for easy navigation through books and documents. The button feels responsive and tactile, enhancing the overall reading experience. The power button and USB-C charging port are conveniently located on the top edge, making them easily accessible.
Overall, the Kindle Scribe’s design and build quality are solid. Its sturdy construction, comfortable grip, and well-placed buttons make it a pleasant device to interact with. Its lightweight nature adds to its portability, making it an ideal companion for reading and note-taking on the go.
Display and Writing Experience
The Kindle Scribe boasts a 10.2-inch, 300 ppi glare-free E Ink display, which is a significant upgrade from the standard Kindle Paperwhite. This larger size provides ample space for reading and note-taking, making it feel more like a traditional notebook. The resolution is crisp and sharp, offering a clear and comfortable reading experience. The display is also very responsive to touch, making it easy to navigate menus and highlight text.
The real star of the show, however, is the included stylus. It’s responsive and precise, making writing and drawing on the screen feel natural. There’s no lag or jitter, and the pressure sensitivity allows for varying line thickness and shading. You can jot down notes, highlight passages, and even draw sketches directly onto your ebooks or documents. The Kindle Scribe even supports handwriting recognition, so you can search your notes and handwritten documents.
One minor drawback is the lack of a dedicated “eraser” button on the stylus. To erase, you need to tap the screen with the stylus tip, which can feel a bit clunky. However, the pressure sensitivity allows for a more nuanced approach to erasing, letting you selectively erase parts of your writing instead of just clearing the entire line.
The Kindle Scribe also comes with a built-in dictionary and Wikipedia access, so you can easily look up definitions or get more context on a topic while reading. The built-in light allows for comfortable reading in any environment, and the warm light option reduces eye strain in low-light conditions.
Overall, the display and writing experience on the Kindle Scribe is excellent. It’s a comfortable and responsive device that makes both reading and note-taking a pleasure. The larger size, high resolution, and precise stylus make it a great option for anyone who wants a versatile e-reader that doubles as a note-taking device.
Storage and Battery Life
The Kindle Scribe offers 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage, allowing you to store a substantial library of ebooks, documents, and notes. The base model with 16GB should be sufficient for most users, especially if you primarily read ebooks. However, if you plan on storing a large number of documents, PDFs, or create extensive handwritten notes, you might consider the 32GB or 64GB versions.
Amazon claims the Kindle Scribe can last for weeks on a single charge, and in my testing, that’s been accurate. The battery life is impressive, especially compared to other tablets or e-readers with active displays. You won’t need to worry about constantly charging the device, making it ideal for travel or long reading sessions.
The Kindle Scribe’s battery life is significantly impacted by the features you use. Actively writing or drawing will consume more power compared to simply reading ebooks. Additionally, the backlight, while helpful for reading in low-light conditions, will also reduce battery life. Overall, the Kindle Scribe offers excellent battery life for its intended purpose, allowing you to enjoy extended reading and note-taking sessions without constantly needing to plug it in.
Features and Functionality
The Kindle Scribe is more than just an e-reader; it’s a complete note-taking and productivity tool. This is thanks to its integration of several features that cater to different needs. Let’s dive into some of the key ones:
Note-Taking and Journaling: The Scribe boasts a pressure-sensitive stylus that provides a natural writing experience. You can jot down notes, create lists, and even sketch with ease. The writing experience feels surprisingly smooth, with minimal lag, making it comfortable for extended writing sessions. You can choose from a variety of pen styles and colors to personalize your notes.
E-book Reading: The Scribe excels as an e-reader, with its large screen allowing for comfortable reading. The adjustable warm light ensures comfortable reading in any environment. You can annotate directly on e-books, highlighting passages, adding notes, and even drawing diagrams, making it a powerful tool for students and researchers.
Organization and Management: The Scribe offers intuitive organization tools. You can create notebooks for different subjects, projects, or tasks. You can also easily search through your notes and e-books, using keywords or handwritten notes. This makes it a great tool for managing personal or professional tasks.
Cloud Integration: Your notes and documents are automatically synced to the cloud, ensuring that you never lose your work. You can access your content from any device, making it perfect for collaboration and staying organized on the go.
Audiobooks: While the Scribe doesn’t have built-in speakers, you can pair it with Bluetooth headphones or speakers to enjoy audiobooks. This extends the device’s versatility, allowing you to listen to books while multitasking.
Built-in Dictionary: The Scribe has a built-in dictionary that lets you look up definitions of words directly on the screen. This feature is useful for learning new words and improving your vocabulary.
Accessibility Features: The Scribe includes a variety of accessibility features, such as adjustable font sizes, text-to-speech, and contrast settings. This makes it accessible for users with different visual impairments.
The Kindle Scribe offers a comprehensive package of features that go beyond traditional e-readers. Its combination of note-taking, e-reading, and organizational tools makes it a compelling choice for students, professionals, and anyone looking to enhance their productivity and streamline their workflow. The integration of cloud syncing and accessibility features further emphasizes its practicality and user-friendliness.
E Ink Technology and Performance
The Kindle Scribe boasts a 10.2-inch E Ink Carta 300 display with a resolution of 1448 x 1872 pixels and 300 ppi. This results in a crisp and sharp display that’s comfortable to read for extended periods, especially with the adjustable warm light feature. The E Ink technology offers excellent contrast and reflectivity, making it easy to read even in bright sunlight. The display is also glare-free, reducing eye strain and fatigue.
The Scribe’s display is optimized for writing and drawing, offering a smooth and responsive writing experience. The pen, which is included with the device, feels natural in the hand and offers a good level of pressure sensitivity. The writing latency is minimal, making note-taking and sketching feel fluid and natural. It’s not quite the same experience as writing on paper, but it’s remarkably close for an electronic device.
The Scribe’s E Ink technology offers a number of advantages over traditional LCD screens, including:
- Low power consumption: E Ink displays consume very little power, which means the Kindle Scribe can go for weeks on a single charge. This is ideal for anyone who wants to read or take notes without worrying about battery life.
- Eye strain reduction: E Ink technology does not emit blue light, which is known to be harmful to the eyes. This makes the Scribe a better choice for long reading sessions or for those who are sensitive to blue light.
- Improved readability in sunlight: E Ink displays are highly reflective, making them easier to read in direct sunlight compared to LCD screens. This makes the Scribe ideal for reading outdoors or in brightly lit environments.
While the Scribe’s E Ink display delivers an excellent reading and writing experience, it’s important to note that it is not as fast or as responsive as LCD screens. The screen refresh rate is relatively slow, which can be noticeable when scrolling through documents or web pages. Additionally, E Ink displays cannot display colors, so images and graphics may not look as vibrant as they would on an LCD screen.
Pros and Cons
The Kindle Scribe offers a compelling blend of features, making it an appealing option for those seeking an e-reader with note-taking capabilities. However, it’s essential to weigh its strengths against its limitations before making a purchase.
Pros:
- Large, high-resolution display: The 10.2-inch E Ink display delivers crisp text and visuals, making reading and note-taking a pleasure. Its large size also allows for comfortable reading and writing experiences.
- Precise stylus: The included stylus provides a responsive and accurate writing experience, enabling you to jot down notes, draw sketches, and even highlight text with ease.
- Extensive storage options: With 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage, you’ll have ample space for your books, notes, and other digital content.
- Seamless integration with Amazon ecosystem: The Kindle Scribe integrates smoothly with Amazon’s ecosystem, allowing you to easily access your Kindle library, Audible audiobooks, and other Amazon services.
- Long battery life: The Kindle Scribe boasts a long battery life, enabling you to enjoy hours of reading and note-taking without worrying about running out of power.
Cons:
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- Limited note-taking features: Compared to dedicated note-taking devices, the Kindle Scribe’s note-taking features are relatively basic. You can’t organize notes into folders, create different notebooks, or use advanced note-taking tools like mind maps or tables.
- No offline note-taking: While you can highlight and annotate books offline, you can’t take notes on the Kindle Scribe without an internet connection.
- Higher price point: The Kindle Scribe is more expensive than traditional e-readers, making it a significant investment.
- Limited app selection: The Kindle Scribe currently has a limited selection of apps compared to other tablet devices.
- Limited flexibility for creative work: While the Kindle Scribe allows for some basic sketching, it’s not ideal for more complex creative work, such as detailed illustrations or digital painting.
Comparing the Kindle Scribe to Other E-Readers and Note-Taking Devices
The Kindle Scribe stands out as a unique device, combining the strengths of both e-readers and note-taking devices. Let’s see how it stacks up against the competition:
Against Traditional E-Readers: While Kindle Scribe shares the e-ink display and long battery life with other Kindle models, its note-taking capabilities set it apart. Unlike standard Kindles, the Scribe allows you to annotate books, take handwritten notes, and even sketch.
If you primarily want an e-reader and have no need for note-taking features, other Kindle models like the Paperwhite or Oasis might be a better fit. They offer a more streamlined reading experience, sometimes at a lower price point.
Against Dedicated Note-Taking Devices: Compared to devices like the iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, or even the popular Remarkable 2, the Kindle Scribe provides a more focused experience. While it lacks the versatility of tablets for browsing the internet or watching videos, it excels in its dedicated role as a reading and note-taking device.
The Scribe’s e-ink display offers a paper-like reading experience, making it easier on the eyes than brightly lit tablet screens. It also boasts better battery life, allowing you to use it for weeks without needing a charge. The Scribe’s focus on reading and writing makes it an excellent option for students, professionals, or anyone who prefers a distraction-free environment for note-taking.
Considerations: If you require advanced features like complex drawing capabilities, access to numerous apps, or a full-fledged internet browsing experience, a tablet might be a better choice. However, for those seeking a dedicated device for reading and note-taking with a paper-like feel, the Kindle Scribe presents a compelling option.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Kindle Scribe is a compelling addition to Amazon’s Kindle lineup, offering a unique blend of e-reader and note-taking capabilities. Its expansive display, precise stylus, and versatile note-taking features make it an appealing option for those who want a device that can handle both reading and writing. While it might not be the perfect fit for everyone, particularly those who prioritize speed and responsiveness, the Kindle Scribe stands out as a solid choice for readers who also enjoy taking notes, journaling, or sketching.
If you’re primarily looking for a dedicated e-reader, the standard Kindle or Paperwhite models might be more suitable due to their lower price point and faster page turn speeds. However, if you’re seeking a device that can seamlessly handle both reading and note-taking, the Kindle Scribe is a worthwhile investment. Its intuitive interface, excellent display, and impressive battery life make it a capable and user-friendly tool for those seeking to enhance their reading and writing experiences.
Where to Buy the Kindle Scribe
The Kindle Scribe is available for purchase directly from Amazon. You can find it on the Amazon website or through the Amazon app. The device is available in a variety of configurations, including different storage sizes and with or without a pen. It’s also available in a range of colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your style.
If you’re looking for a physical store to purchase the Kindle Scribe, you can check with your local electronics retailer. Some major retailers, like Best Buy and Target, may carry the Kindle Scribe. However, availability may vary depending on your location.
No matter where you choose to buy your Kindle Scribe, make sure to compare prices and read customer reviews before making your purchase. This will help you ensure you’re getting the best deal on the device that best meets your needs.
The Kindle Scribe is a game-changer for anyone who loves to read and write. Its large, glare-free display makes it a joy to read, and the ability to take handwritten notes, highlight, and annotate makes it a powerful tool for learning and productivity. While the price point may seem high, the Scribe offers a level of versatility and functionality that’s unmatched by other e-readers.
The Scribe’s pen-to-paper feel is incredibly intuitive, and the ability to organize notes and documents in a digital format is incredibly convenient. It’s a perfect companion for students, professionals, and anyone who wants to streamline their workflow. While the Scribe is primarily focused on reading and writing, the addition of the basic sketching capabilities opens up a world of creative possibilities.
Overall, the Kindle Scribe is a solid investment for anyone who wants to enhance their reading and writing experience. It’s a versatile device that seamlessly blends the benefits of a traditional e-reader with the functionality of a digital notebook. Amazon has done a fantastic job creating a device that feels both familiar and innovative, and the Scribe is sure to be a popular choice for years to come.
If you’re looking for a device that can keep up with your busy schedule and enhance your reading and note-taking experience, the Kindle Scribe is a fantastic option. It’s a smart, innovative device that’s sure to impress.
Omar 
Yasmin 
Hassan