1 Year Later: Is the Kindle Scribe worth it now?

Today, we do a review of the Kindle Scribe one year since it originally came out! Is it any better? Is it worth getting now? I'll share my thoughts with you in this video.

0:00 Introduction
0:49 Does size matter? (on a Kindle)
3:47 The perfect notebook (for techies)
6:11 This would help…a lot.

——————————————————

Hi there! My name is Maneetpaul Singh, but my friends call me Maneet (pronounced muh-neet).

I'm based out of NYC and make YouTube videos about Book Tech and digital reading.

Think of me like the MKBHD of books 😅

Whenever you’re ready, here are a few other ways I can help you:

1. Read a new book with me every month

2. Check out the books I’ve written

TL;DR:

[kahj]

I think the reason you can't write directly on the pages is because there isn't a good way to allow you to still change the font/size and keep the markings in the correct spot.

However, I do think that they should make it an option to "lock" your current font/size in for a book and then let you mark it up.

[BrianHartman]

Regarding the size, I said that when it came out: Amazon would've been better served if they'd made two sizes: One Oasis-sized Scribe and one Paperwhite-sized Scribe. I can understand people wanting an Oasis-sized Scribe, but I think a Paperwhite-sized one would be more popular. I can maybe understand the argument that people would want more space to write, but it's an electronic device. If you want more space, just turn the page.

I also agree with you about writing directly on ebooks. I think that's a big missed opportunity. What I've read (but can't confirm) is that there's some kind of copyright issue with that. I'm not sure why there would be, but that's what I've heard. I think that's why they have a special section of the Kindle store set up for Scribe-enabled books. Those are probably authors/publishers who gave explicit permission.

I'm hoping the Scribe doesn't flop, because I really want that kind of writing device in the Kindle ecosystem. They just made a few missteps with this iteration, IMO.

[richeleortiz]

I love my Scribe! I use the notebook feature daily and love that I can use it as a notebook for my studies and read on it too. Its much lighter than my 10 inch tablet thatI usedaily, so I feel the size is perfect. Reading in bed is the only time I use my Oasis now. Thanks for your videos!

[ja]

Thanks for the video. This is best kindle review I’ve seen. You touched upon the key advantages and disadvantages.

[meganwilson]

It feels awesome to write on the scribe. By far my favorite device to take notes.

[BrianHall-Oklahoma]

The larger screen is exactly what I wanted for reading. I very seldom use the note taking capability. It isn't that heavy and can easily be held with one hand.

[h.a.]

Kindle Scribe is meant to imitate harecover books. You need its case to get the benefit of the device. With the case you can position the Scribe on your desk in a very comfortable way. Scribe was not meant to used holding it. Either on the desk or on your lap. There is no tablet in the market this size that can be operated by one hand. So I don't think your point about the size does justice to this device. I personally always wanted a large sized kindle and the Scribe is perfect for me.

[anotherbibliophilereads]

I like reading on the larger Scribe screen. It’s a device I only use at home though. If I’m on vacation or waiting for service on the go, I use the Paperwhite, but I miss the larger screen.

I rarely use the note taking capabilities. It mimics handwriting very well, and my handwriting is nothing I want to look at or attempt to decipher. I would Trade-in my Scribe for a 10 inch Kindle without notetaking features.

[chanmit]

I really appreciate how concise and content-rich your videos are! thank you for sharing your perspective

[georgwilliamfriedrichhegel]

I actually really like the Scribe for reading...I use it sitting in a chair, holding it with one hand, and resting it on my leg. The extra space is very appealing to me, and it's a must for pdfs. That being said, it pretty much stays in my reading room and I take my Paperwhite to work and use my Oasis in bed.

I really like the update that lets you see your notebooks across devices. If Amazon would let you edit your notebooks across devices (either through writing or typing) then that would make it an S-tier experience and allow it to outclass my Remarkable.


And @BrainHartman I also hope it doesn't flop. The Kindle just got better over time and I want to see what the Scribe 2 could do.

[JustLearning]

I have the Kindle Scribe 2024 and use it mostly to read. It is so nice to see a whole page with letters you can read. I also have taken some notes on it and will continue to do so. I do not think that it is Axiomatic that big screen are not good for reading. It is not so portable but that is another issue. And I got it with the 64gb. Yea I will probably never fill it up but you never know what the feature will bring like bigger book sizes to accommodate new features on a book. Plus i can listen to audio books if I need. The Scribe is perfect for reading. Now I use my Kindle Paperwhite when I am out of the apartment or traveling and only use the scribe at home. But If I attend my church group I will bring it along to take notes.

[steverolfeca]

Totally agree with you about the must-haves that are still missing. I was THIS close to keeping my Scribe, but returned it because of limitations re: synching notes to text, etc. So close, yet so far. Still, lots of progress to date, so maybe next year!

[Theheartfelthelper]

I’d really like a Scribe pocket. A scribe the size of the Boox Palma would be awesome. Extra points if marked up documents can be viewed and edited between the two devices

[janwilson]

Great, accurate review. Keep up the good work.

[chckm]

the way to read in the scribe is horizontal 2 column/pages mode!!
It feels exactly like a book (only works with epub)

[lorenzohadley]

I've had my Scribe for about 6 months now and honestly the most useful thing I've used it for is textbook PDFs. It's so much more engaging to be able to annotate my homework without worrying about returning or reselling the book. Aside from that, I've found it excellent for sheet music in choir and being able to annotate music to export and print is really great, too. That said, I agree that for normal reading a smaller Kindle is a must - currently daily-driving a 2010 Kindle Keyboard from eBay and loving it!

[monochromios]

The device has been intended for entering the market of eink writing assett: it's a good starting point, costing way less than a Remarkable, an Onyx or a Supernote. Judging it as a reader only surely shows limits. It depends a lot on use case.

[movethelimit]

I believe that every device and therefore also the scribe has its strengths and weaknesses. I am appreciating its minimalism and the fact that when I use it I enter a unique state of concentration. The notes part will have to be strengthened both in terms of notebooks and in terms of taking notes in books. It is equally true that those who want to overturn the scribe are better off changing devices. Very useful for me even if a little too expensive

[goldassayer]

At 75 years my eyes are not what they used to be. I find the large screen size and ability to increase the font size very helpful. Also I send documents like owners manuals to my Scribe which allows me to both zoom in and pan around the pages to read that legal fine print or see detail in any mechanical drawings which otherwise I would miss.
So, for me, the large size of the Scribe is a plus.

[AmmeRose]

Best way of reading on the scribe if you have the official folio case, is folding it back into the small tilt fold and resting it on your lap. No hands unless you're flipping a page.