Supernote - Reviews & Comparisons

Supernote is Ratta's line of e-ink tablets, and Ratta has stayed almost entirely in the handwriting niche instead of trying to build a general tablet. The devices run a custom Linux-based system and are tuned to feel like writing on paper, with a textured surface and low-latency ink that long-time owners will tell you, at length, is the reason they never switched to anything else.

Two things really define the Supernote philosophy: repairability and longevity. Ratta pushes user-replaceable parts, batteries included on several models, and has a genuine track record of shipping software updates to old hardware years after release. This is a device for people who want to buy once and maintain it, not upgrade on a two-year cycle. If a sealed, disposable gadget bothers you on principle, Supernote is the antidote, and it is a real point of difference against a reMarkable.

The Supernote A5X2, sold as the Manta, is the larger-format flagship. It is aimed at people who want a roughly A5-sized writing surface for detailed notes, heavy document annotation, and longer reading sessions, and the bigger panel gives you room for diagrams, margins, and multi-column layouts that feel cramped on a small screen.

If your work involves serious PDF markup, technical notes, or you just prefer a larger canvas, the Manta is the Supernote to get, and it is the model that goes head to head with the reMarkable Paper Pro and Kindle Scribe on size. Buyers torn between it and the smaller Nomad are really just deciding between screen real estate and pocketability, because the writing experience is the same on both.

The Supernote Nomad is the compact model, built for portability and one-handed use. Its smaller footprint slips into a jacket pocket or a small bag, and it suits people who take quick notes on the move, keep a journal, or want a lighter device for reading. It is the Supernote you carry everywhere without thinking about it.

Crucially, the Nomad shares the same core writing feel, repairable design, and software as the Manta, so the trade-off is genuinely just size, not a watered-down experience. That makes it a strong pick for students, commuters, and anyone who values always having the device on them over having the biggest writing area. You are not settling for less by going small.

The decision inside the Supernote range is almost entirely about screen size and how you work. Pick the Manta if you want the largest writing and reading surface and expect to wrestle with full-page documents. Pick the Nomad if portability, weight, and pocketability matter more than a bigger canvas. There is no wrong answer, just a size that fits your day.

Beyond size the models are closely matched on software, accessories, and the writing experience, so you will not feel locked out of core features by choosing the smaller unit, which is not always true of rival lineups. Think about where you actually write (a desk versus a train) and what you handle most, then match the format to that and stop second-guessing.

Supernote is a great fit for note-takers, students, researchers, writers, and professionals who want a focused device for handwriting and reading without the notifications and app clutter of a general tablet. People who fuss over tactile writing feel and prefer a minimalist system tend to fall hard for the platform, and the repairability wins over anyone tired of throwaway hardware.

It is a poor fit for anyone who wants a color screen, rich app support, or a do-everything tablet, because Supernote keeps its scope narrow on purpose. If that describes you, a Boox Note Air 4C gives you color and open Android, or a reMarkable gives you a slicker closed experience. But if you want a durable, paper-like tool for capturing ideas and marking up documents, the Supernote lineup deserves a very close look.