From Paper to Pixels: My Transition to the Supernote A6X2 Nomad

Why I Chose a Digital Notebook Over Traditional and Tablet Alternatives

In a world increasingly dominated by screens, I've made a transition that balances the digital with the analog. After years of juggling physical notebooks and an iPad, I've found a new companion in the Supernote A6X2 Nomad with a "Franken nib" Lamy Al-Star EMR + Supernote Ceramic Nib pen (Supernote's ceramic never dull nib + Wacom FeelWrite 2 screen is one of the main reasons why the Supernote writing experience is far superior than any other writing tablet on the market). Supernote is a brand from a Japanese company named Ratta, and I spent a month studying Japanese design and technology back in university, so I really appreciate all of the intentionality in their devices.

This shift wasn't without its challenges, but the benefits have been transformative. Supernote just released a long-awaited A5 sized tablet called the Manta, which is also very exciting for those coming from a larger screen, or are often to annotating documents, then it might be worth the upgrade. For me, I was more interested in having a notebook I could use for work, but also bring with my to take notes at meetings, presentation, and events, that wasn't something very digital.

The decision to move away from physical notebooks was driven by the chaos of losing important notes amidst pages. The Supernote offers a solution: a digital space where all my notes coexist harmoniously. Whether it's my morning journal or my ever-changing planner, I now have the flexibility to adapt without losing past entries. In the past, if I wanted to change the style of my planner to include a daily reflection, top priorities, etc I would have to buy a brand new notebook, which meant that all of my previous days/weeks were going to be left behind. Now, if I want to try or even customize my own templates, I have the freedom to do so.

The iPad, once a staple in my toolkit, fell short due to its battery limitations. The Supernote, with its e-ink display, offers a refreshing alternative that mimics the paper experience while ensuring longevity and access without frequent charging. I often found myself bringing my MacBook Pro, iPad, notebook, and phone to everywhere I would go. With the MacBook Pro's drastically improved battery life thanks the the Apple Silicon chips, I have confidently sold my iPad (I've very pro second hard marketplaces, and got my Nomad refurbished directly from Supernote), rarely bring my laptop with me, and often have my phone and Nomad, which feels great to have minimal devices. Having said that, there is an incredible Supernote iOS app and free cloud syncing, so I always have my notes on-the-go on all of my devices (can't do that with a pen and paper!), and often use the app to organize my notes using the PARA method, if they get cluttered on my device.

Working as a consultant, my needs have evolved. I require efficiency and portability, something the Supernote delivers by replacing multiple devices. With features like PDF annotation, quick linking, and a distraction-free interface, it enhances productivity without the clutter of additional gadgets. My current workstation (further breakdown here) in my office consists of 3 screens, 1 teleprompter, 1 tablet controlling my smart home, and my phone. I'm considering consolidating down to 1 monitor to help with my productivity, and reduce distractions even further, so stay tuned on that front.

Despite the Supernote's advantages, I acknowledge the irreplaceable feel of tearing a page from a physical notebook or the ease of flipping through pages. However, the Supernote's compact, Moleskine-like design keeps it accessible and convenient for on-the-go note-taking. I don't love taking notes on my phone, so the fact that whenever I want to simply write something, I have 1 device to grab, which helps reduce my omni-present decision fatigue.

Looking forward, I'm intrigued by emerging technologies like the Daylight Computer tablet and alternatives like the Remarkable and Boox tablets. Yet, for now, the Supernote A6X2 Nomad stands as my ideal notebook, merging the best of both worlds in size, functionality, and simplicity.

Quick side note: I use the Carbon Voice app to help write these blog posts and love using it as an "in between" of texting, emailing, [video]calling, and in-person communication. I am trying to get better at trigger stacking to develop better habits, as well as get ideas out of my head and articulate them in prose, and Carbon is one of those underdog tools that deserve more recognition.