Supernote A6X2: Two Weeks Later

 

I have been using the A6X2 for two weeks now as my primary device at work for note-taking, meeting notes, and some classroom planning. I have also used it for reading and writing for classes. Below, we will talk a little more about each of these uses.

Notetaking

As a note-taker, I find this almost a perfect device. I was very concerned about the size of the device when it arrived. However, I quickly found myself adjusting to the size and my handwriting adjusted accordingly. Here are some other reasons this is an exceptional note-taking device:

• Retractable Pen – This frankly surprised me. I am a huge fan of the Heart of Metal pens [I own 3). However, the comfort of the new pen and the light weight of it is phenomenal.
• FeelWrite 2 Screen – This is yet another surprise. As many of you may have seen in my unboxing, I was concerned with the initial feel of the screen. However, having used it, for two weeks, I have gotten used to how much pressure to use and it feels extremely good.
• Dual Sliders - This is for multiple reasons. When writing, it is much easier to undo/redo with just a swipe. Also, having a dedicated gesture for both the lasso erase and select (negating the need for a button or backend eraser, at least for me) makes writing just feel good and intuitive.
• Portability – While I don't consider the A5X to be burdensome, the A6X2 is so light, small, and easy to just carry around, I find myself reaching for it first if note-taking is the purpose.

Classroom Planning

Regarding classroom planning, I found the A6X2 to be good, but also that I was reaching more for my A5X. Why would that be? Here are a few reasons:

• Screen Real Estate – As much as this did not bother me when taking notes, it did when preparing for class. If I had to draw a diagram, annotate a PDF, or review materials, I would reach for the A5X. This was a surprise because I thought the auto-rotate would be enough, and even with the scrolling it wasn't.
• Unclear Landscape Gestures – I found this very troubling at first, but once I figured it out, I was able to successfully manage it. When you rotate the device, the top bar maintains control of the quick access function and the bottom becomes undo/redo and page navigation. Again, this isn’t as much a criticism as it is just a “wish I’d known” thing. Many of the other functions pop up with a mini tutorial when you do something new, but this was not one of them.

General Reading Experience

Finally, I want to talk about the general reading experience. The 300ppi screen is exceptional and allows for serious clarity. If anything, it almost makes the ghosting seem more pronounced, although comparing it to my A5X at the same time, I think it may be an optical illusion. Also, when reading and being able to adjust the font (specifically in Kindle) makes for a comfortable experience.

However, if you are not just reading for enjoyment or need slightly larger text, you may encounter the following issues:

• Texts with Line Numbers – This will not apply to everyone, but we are reading Henry V in a class I am teaching. Increasing the font size in Kindle makes it more difficult to follow the lines cohesively. With the larger screen size of the A5X, this issue is mitigated. You can rotate the A6X2, but then you only get the half-page view.
• PDFs and PDF Planners – The reading and annotation experience on PDFs is just not comfortable. When I trim a PDF to read it, I am not able to comfortably annotate it, due to no margins. When I flip to landscape, I am not able to trim it or zoom.
• PDF Planner Templates – There is no way for me to use these effectively. You cannot zoom in to write, and landscape doesn't help much. My writing just does not fit. I know this is not the same for everyone, but it is important to consider.

Conclusions

So, there you have it. I love this little device, but it could not serve as my only device with my current workflow. Fortunately, I can use both this and my A5X. However, I would urge you to carefully consider your individual needs before purchasing any e-ink device. 

If you want to take notes, use a PDF Planner, and have exceptional portability, along with a good casual reading experience, the A6X2 might be the perfect device for you. On the other hand, if you need to be able to read and annotate PDFs or have trouble reading smaller font sizes, you may consider purchasing an open box A5X or waiting on the A5X2. Finally, if you feel you need a legal pad-sized device, I recommend waiting for the A4X2 later this year. 

Until next time, please follow me and add your thoughts in the comments.