Level up your note-taking with AI using the new Kindle Scribe

The newest version of the Kindle Scribe is here, updated from its 2022 original model. An e-ink notebook and Kindle reading device all in one, the Scribe has a broad spectrum of uses, including note-taking, annotating documents, reading, planning, and even sketching.

But is the latest update – which costs on average $100-200 more than the original – worth the purchase?

As a huge reader and writer, I was curious about a few things – namely how it compared to my regular Kindle, which I often use to read, and how naturally it writes.

I took the new Kindle Scribe for a test run to see what made it different, aside from the subtle aesthetic alterations: two new colours to choose from and a uniform white border around the screen.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Kindle Scribe (64GB)

Buy it now for $729

I love the original Kindles because of their e-paper screens, which are far kinder on my eyes than digital ones after being in front of a computer all day. I also love how slim they are, compared to bulky books that are heavy to carry around.

If you're buying a device primarily for reading, not writing, I wouldn't recommend the Kindle Scribe, as I personally found it too large to comfortably read in bed or casually slip into my bag.

It's also heavier than a regular notebook or book. However, it probably wouldn't be able to perform all the functions it does without this heavier technology.

Read on to find out how it fared across the board.

Smooth and natural writing ability

According to Amazon, the new Kindle Scribe's pen has an 'upgraded design' that feels more like writing on actual paper – and I agree.

You can rest your hand against the Kindle screen with no trouble, and the e-ink flows seamlessly from the nib.

Like the first Scribe model, you can copy and paste, resize, and move around text and drawings using the lasso tool.

There are also still four different kinds of writing devices available to switch between: pen, fountain pen, felt tip, and pencil. Each setting has four different thickness levels available.

The pencil is a standout feature of the new Kindle Scribe, with the line produced affected by the weight and angle of the stroke like a real pencil, perfect for people who like to draw or sketch.

The fountain pen produces aesthetically pleasing calligraphy swoops, while the other two settings are fairly similar, simple pens.

Amazon also claims that the upgraded model has a "soft-tipped eraser" that better mimics the feel of an actual eraser. It's a subtle difference, but I agree that it is noticeable.

Lines erased also remain faintly on the screen for a few moments like on real paper, in case users want to use them for reference, which is a nice touch.

Active Canvas: Annotate books and other files

Every new Kindle Scribe comes with a Premium Pen – as opposed to a Basic Pen – which, among other features, allows you to directly annotate books and files.

All Kindle models allow users to send a range of file types, including PDFs, word documents, and ePubs, directly to the Kindle email from a laptop or smart device.

However, I found the Kindle Scribe's annotation function a little clumsy.

Instead of allowing the user to write notes directly onto text PDFs, books, and other files downloaded onto the Kindle, each stroke turns into a kind of separate unit that pushes the text to one side around it, rather than layering over it.

This means the text cannot be directly written on, which is frustrating for people wishing to scribble in the margins or write between the lines of text. However, using a sticky note instead – attached to any part of a sentence that pulls up a note card to write on –halfway solves this problem.

Summarise or refine your notes with AI

While initially only available to US customers upon its release, the Kindle Scribe's new AI note summarisation and refinement are now available to customers in Australia, the UK, and Canada.

The Summarisation feature produces a short synopsis of up to 15 pages of handwritten notes in English or Canadian French, while Summarisation feature converts up to 10 pages of notes into a more readable script font which can be edited after conversion.

Both processes take a few minutes to work; the Kindle Scribe sends handwritten notes to Amazon's servers before sending them back.

While Summarisation is handy for, say, studying or meeting notes, AI may miss the nuance of some notes and be a bit clunky.

Meanwhile, Refinement has a difficult time understanding symbols in text such as arrows and dashes, and may impose odd paragraph or line spacing on your writing, as well as incorrectly read messier handwriting.

Summary: Is it worth it?

The new Kindle Scribe is great, but if you don't want to fork out the extra few hundred dollars, then the original will fulfil most of your needs.

However, if you want more advanced note-taking, a more seamless writing experience, and a more high-definition display, then the new model is for you.

Read our review of the original Kindle Scribe here.

Kindle Scribe (64GB) with Redesigned Display

Buy it now for $729

Kindle Scribe Original

Get yours for $549

Kindle Original

$199 here

Kindle Paperwhite

Buy yours for $299

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