Supernote - Reviews & Comparisons
Supernote is the writing tablet for handwriting purists, the people who care more about how the nib feels than about apps or color. Made by the Chinese company Ratta, these e-ink devices chase one thing: a lagless, paper-like writing experience you can keep for years. Ratta also does something almost no other brand does: its devices are repairable, with user-replaceable batteries on several models. This hub gathers reviews, comparisons, and buying guidance across the Manta and Nomad so you can find the one that fits how you write and read.
Who Supernote is and what sets it apart
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.
Repairability and longevity define the Supernote approach. Ratta pushes user-replaceable parts, batteries included on several models, and has a track record of shipping software updates to old hardware years after release. This is a device to buy once and maintain instead of upgrading on a two-year cycle, and that sets it apart from a reMarkable.
The Supernote A5X2 (Manta)
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 deciding between screen real estate and pocketability, because the writing experience is the same on both.
The Supernote Nomad (A6X2)
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.
The Nomad shares the same core writing feel, repairable design, and software as the Manta, so the trade-off is size. 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.
Choosing between the models
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.
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 write (a desk or a train) and what you handle most, then match the format to that.
Who should consider a Supernote
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. If you want a durable, paper-like tool for capturing ideas and marking up documents, the Supernote lineup is worth a close look.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between the Supernote Manta and the Nomad?
The Manta (A5X2) is the larger-format model with more writing and reading area, built for document markup and detailed notes, while the Nomad (A6X2) is the compact one made for carrying everywhere. They share the same writing feel, repairable design, and software, so the choice is screen size or pocketability.
Who makes Supernote devices?
Ratta, a Chinese company that specializes in e-ink writing tablets and little else. The brand is known for a paper-like handwriting feel, repairability including replaceable batteries on several models, and a habit of keeping older hardware updated long after release.
Is a Supernote a good tablet for general use?
No. Supernote is a focused e-ink device for handwriting, note-taking, and reading, with no color screen and no wide app ecosystem. If you want those, look at a Boox instead. If you want a distraction-free, repairable tool for writing and annotation, it is one of the best options going.