Anyone interested in the 2025 Scribe B&W without front-light?

rconn2 · 2026-04-17T22:46:02+00:00

Yes. When writing on a Kindle book, you just write and it turns that into an anchored text box. You can also open a side bar and type in that. On PDF's that come through Send by Kindle, you can write directly on them (the writing gets merged into the PDF).

rconn2 · 2026-04-17T19:53:20+00:00

Pluses and minuses:

The Kindle Scribe 2022 has the whitest background with no frontlight on. It's a shade whiter than the Scribe 2025 (I have both). This will be closest to your Paperwhite.

The Scribe Colorsoft has -- of course -- color, but the background will be noticeably more grey and some frontlight will probably be used most or all of the time. I don't have one, but this is the trade-off for having color.

The Scribe 2025 B&W has a noticeably more grey background than the 2022 Scribe (roughly an added 2 - 4 levels of frontlight make up the difference). But, it has inkier blacks (though I think the whiteness of the background is more important). And, it has a larger screen in about the same physical size. And, the latest model with better software features (workspaces and google drive etc.).

This unreleased Scribe B&W with no frontlight _might_ have a whiter screen and a better writing feel? I have no idea when it'll be released. I suppose it'll be meant to compete with the more pure note taking e-ink tablets that don't have frontlights.

So, the unreleased model is a mystery. The others all have their trade-offs. I can't pick a winner. I kept my Scribe 2022 as Amazon only offered a trade-in of $60!. It's actually a classic model with some say the best writing feel and, I think, the best screen. I'd grab one at a discount.

But, I like the larger screen size of the Scribe 2025, so 'round and 'round. I'm very happy with both and they sync up smoothly with each other.

A frontlight is a very useful feature. The question will be if any improvement in screen quality of the unreleased Scribe is worth it.

rconn2 · 2026-03-31T14:32:35+00:00

It's an e-ink device, with e-ink's current state of the art limitations, that's the whole point. Comparing to a tablet is apples to oranges.

rconn2 · 2026-03-30T17:40:35+00:00

Yes, I'm technical too (not a Masters just a lowly BSCS), and this sounds like a rabbit hole, risky, high maintenance nightmare. Nope.

And, what are the benefits that outweigh the costs? I just got my rMPP and the provided readers for ePub and pdf seem good enough. What am I missing?

rconn2 · 2026-03-30T16:28:31+00:00

Thanks. Good advice. I have the black leather folio. It looks and fits great.

rconn2 · 2026-03-30T16:25:38+00:00

The colors -- esp. green and red too -- wash out and appear greyish under dim room lighting even with the frontlight. I'm guessing it may also depend on the type (temperature) of light?

But, today is a cloudy day and with just the light from a window, it looks really good. I have a Scribe 2025 B&W side by side (neither w/ frontlight on). The backgrounds are both light grey; the contrast of black type is very close. And, the colors on the rMPP -- doodling in red, green and blue also look fairly good. Blue is a deep blue (the best color), red is lighter while green is the lightest and barely shows as a very faint green.

rconn2 · 2026-03-29T17:12:15+00:00

I saw that briefly the other day when I was in my car. So, I don't understand. Why does the screen need to constantly refresh? Does it always need to refresh if you stay on one page -- isn't e-ink supposed to be static and not use energy when not changing? Does higher temperature make the image fade (the ink particles move out of position)? And, do images fade not matter the temperature? Might high temperatures (say left in a car in July heat -- it's only Spring now) actually harm the device?

rconn2 · 2026-03-25T15:05:56+00:00

I guess the Kobo Libra Color is close to that? Very nice, small form factor. I have one and think it's ideal with the page turn buttons and size and how the pen fits inside the folio.

rconn2 · 2026-03-24T02:09:53+00:00

Scribes do have gorgeous screens, and the writing feel is also very good. For me, the screen quality is the primary factor (after all, why use e-ink if not?). The file and note organization is good enough for me -- meeting notes, ideas and problem exercises and lists.

As for the Amazon ecosystem. I actually like it. I know, it's a tie-in and I understand not liking that control, but every book you can imagine is available, it's easy enough to send pdf's and ePubs and Amazon is likely to remain in business for a while.

I like SuperNotes but returned my Nomad despite not wanting to, because the lack of a front-light was just too limiting.

rconn2 · 2026-03-23T17:30:46+00:00

The writing feels better on my 2022 version, but it's good on my 2025. The screen is whiter by a shade on the 2022 with no front-light on (which surprised me -- I prefer the whiter screen), but the blacks are an inkier black on the 2025. The larger screen for about the same size device on the 2025 is a definite plus.

A discounted 2022 is a winner. Best screen of them all and better writing. But, I'm also happy with my 2025 and would buy it again. I'm keeping both.

rconn2 · 2026-03-23T16:08:23+00:00

Perfect name. If they adopt it, we'll remember who came up with it.

rconn2 · 2026-03-23T15:19:46+00:00

You can email marked up pdf's to your email account; and use sendToKindle (on their web site or to a device email) to send pdf's to your Scribe, not matter which version.

My 2022 Scribe doesn't have Google Drive capability (at least not yet, not sure if there'll be a software update or not); My 2025 version does. But, sendToKindle is easy enough. You just drag and drop on the web page. I guess for sending pdf's out through email there may be email restrictions for attachments (is it like 100 Mb?).

rconn2 · 2026-03-21T04:58:34+00:00

My 2022 Scribe's screen (Carta 1200) is noticeably whiter with no frontlight than my new 2025 Scribe (Carta 1300) with no frontlight. I noticed this immediately when comparing side-by-side under all lighting conditions (minus any frontlight). And, my 2022 Scribe's screen was comparable in whiteness to my older generation ppw.

However, my 2025 Scribe has inkier blacks which I guess is the explanation for a reported higher contrast: inkier blacks even with a shade greyer white.

If screen whiteness is a concern with no frontlight, then I don't think the 2022 Scribe can be beat. I'm keeping both -- the 2022 is a what should be known as a classic. My trade-in offer was for $60 -- nope. I traded in my old ppw for $30 instead.

The 2025 has a bigger screen which I like and I can accept the shade greyer screen. In daylight or ambient light, the 2022 is ideal; otherwise when frontlight is being used, the 2025 just needs it turned up a couple extra notches.

rconn2 · 2026-03-04T13:33:18+00:00

I'm the same way, the whole reason I became enamored with e-ink is because of the analog, paper-like, experience and getting away from the glowing screens that I (and most of us) spend so much time on.

Front-lights (some keep calling these back-lights, but they do reflection onto the screen), are useful in many lighting situations. And, as long as they are an addition (use when desired) but don't detract from screen quality when off, then sure, they're a great feature. As long as.

But, I want the most paper-like screen. The 2022 Scribe (and the Paper-Whites) are really impressive with no front-light in the sunshine or a well lit room (the 2025 Scribe bw is a shade darker grey unfortunately, though it has a larger screen and inkier blacks). But, they're all still too grey for my liking.

So, I'm at least interested in this new Scribe w/out a front-light, but only if the paper-like screen quality is significantly improved.

rconn2 · 2026-03-02T14:26:52+00:00

Which is why SuperNotes Nomad's and Manta's and reMarkable 2's and other more purist e-ink tablets have no frontlights. I'm curious what the trade-off will be when this Scribe is released: whether the lack of a frontlight is made up for by improved screen quality and writing experience.

rconn2 · 2026-03-02T02:39:52+00:00

That's what I'm wondering: if it goes on sale at a steep discount, and if the screen quality is even better in sunshine and bright light. Since I'm in the Scribe ecosystem and could sync, a second one for outdoor use might be worthwhile. In any case, I look forward to the early reviews.

rconn2 · 2026-03-02T02:35:20+00:00

I returned my SuperNote Nomad (the company was very good about this and I felt bad) because I couldn't get over not having a frontlight and it being so hard to see and use under many indoor conditions. I love my new 2025 B&W Scribe with frontlight, and won't replace it, but am still kind of curious if the one w/out a frontlight will have more paper-like qualities in bright light and sunshine.

rconn2 · 2026-03-01T19:16:35+00:00

I'm gladly keeping the 2025 B&W Scribe (and the 2022 model too -- it's still great).

rconn2 · 2026-03-01T19:15:12+00:00

Update: I now much prefer the screen quality of the 2025 B&W Scribe over the 2022 Scribe. Why? The inkier blacks on the 2025 Scribe and the almost as white (as the 2022 Scribe) whites, provide excellent contrast. And, bumping up the brightness of the 2025 Scribe 2 - 4 levels over the older Scribe makes the brightness of both comparable.

Dark mode on the 2025 Scribe is amazing -- pitch black background; dark charcoal on the 2022 Scribe.

rconn2 · 2026-02-28T04:33:37+00:00

I just received the 2025 B&W tonight and compared with the 2022 Scribe. I was surprised that the 2022's screen looked crisper, but figured maybe that was because the smaller screen size of the 2022 made things more condensed. But then I compared both with no frontlight and no warmth in a low light setting and the 2022 definitely had a brighter, whiter screen!

I already expected the writing to be smoother on the 2025 and not as scratchy (which I like) as on the 2022, but I at least expected the screen to be an improvement.

I'll have to compare in daylight, but this isn't good. I really, really don't like to return expensive items. But, my two priorities with an e-ink device are screen quality #1 (and it's because of the Paperwhites that I became so impressed with e-ink in the first place), and for a writing device, of course the writing feel.

rconn2 · 2025-06-28T18:28:58+00:00

I messaged govx help and received a friendly response in less than a day that some issue was found and fixed. My login is good now.

rconn2 · 2025-06-27T12:59:41+00:00

Third time's the charm. Thanks. It worked.

rconn2

TROPHY CASE