I got the Supernote A6X2 Nomad almost a year ago, and have been using it off and on for that entire time, deciding if it has a place in my workflow.
TLDR;#
I thought it a great writing tablet - nicer than pen and paper in a lot of cases. The fact you have nearly infinite notes in one little package was a big plus and fits in with my lifestyle but I couldn’t see how it fit into my unix based setup; I had been meaning to do a full review - and I couldn’t justify it. I didn’t want to download some app or use a website to convert my notes from the .note format to .pdf - it was painfully slow and something I felt needed an automation.
That all changed when I found a github repo that solved my problem of integration and I wrote a quick nix flake to make it run as a service. I can now say that the device it on my person almost all the time.
I will preface this with a disclosure: I reached out to Supernote for a review unit of the A6X2 Nomad but they didn’t have any left - they did offer me a discount on the device, but the thoughts I have are unbiased and based on purchasing the device (albeit at a discount).
Enter supernote-tool#
This all changed when I found supernote-tool and wrote a nix flake that one could install into my nixOS system. Essentially overnight, I can now say that I thoroughly enjoy the experience and take the supernote with me everywhere I need a notebook.
The flake simply runs as a systemd service that continually scans a directory and automatically converts the supernote .note format to .pdf. So, all I had to do was get the notes to constantly sync down to my computer and I would have the E-notepad I had always wanted.
I was on the verge of selling my Supernote as I couldn’t see how it integrated with my workflow; even though I write a lot of hand written notes, the friction between getting my notes off of the device onto my computer to then use those notes in future work was, to say the least, frustrating. I had hoped that the device was a companion to reading and note taking, and while it sits on my desk all the time and I do write on it very frequently, it didn’t do things a pen and paper cannot. What I liked the least about my Supernote was that I couldn’t bulk transfer notes to my computer for back up or analysis. I did not want to use their cloud for doing so, either - I don’t want that sort of interface for doing something as simple as a pdf conversion. While the writing experience is first class, I started looking at how to price the device to sell to someone that might use it more than I.
How I set this up#
Due to the ability to sideload apps on Supernotes, you can install an APK via Android tools (ADB) - simply install ADB onto your computer (use your package manager of choice), connect the Supernote, navigate to settings and enable “Allow Sideloading”. Then, install any APK you download from the internet onto the device (I recommend starting with the official F-droid APK - installing it then opens up a world of apps to you.)
From here, you can install Termux which allows you to ssh into the device and Syncthing that allows syncing of your notes to your computer. You can then install my nix flake and run it as a service, permitting automated backup and conversion of .note to .pdf files to any machine you desire.
These pdfs have now become mainstays in my org-mode files to draw out concepts, add personal notes, drawings, etc. I use C-c Tab to instantly insert any pdf page from my screen shots.
Supernote Postitives#
- I like that one can sideload android apps on the device as this does open up the functionality quite drastically. You can install the F-droid store, permitting installation of tons of FOSS apps, KoReader and Hacki being my favourites.
- The writing experience is honestly incredible.
- Build quality and upgradeability are top of mind.
- The company as a whole seems to be very responsive to inquiries and proponents of a free ecosystem.
What I would like to see#
- There has been mention of a Linux based OS that was in the works, as of Q4 2025, I don’t see progress. This would be awesome to see.
- More openness - the good thing is that the platform as it exists is quite open, allowing one to sideload without much issue. Will this continue in the coming years with Google being evil surrounding Android? Who knows. Probably a good time to jump to that linux-based OS.
The Competition#
There are a few competitors in this space, namely Onyx Boox, Remarkable, Amazon’s Kindle (Scribe), and Kobo (Elipsa). The Ipad Mini is also a potential competitor as well as an android tablet, although these are a bit more than a notebook replacement.
My thoughts on each is as follows:
Boox android devices#
The reason I didn’t go with a boox is that they are non-repairable and don’t write as well as the Supernote in the reviews I have watched and read. Many people swear by them however, I have not used one. For my use case of a device I can use anywhere and all the time, the tab mini C was the one i was looking at, although i have heard good things about the Go 10.3, too.
I also didn’t want distractions. I really wanted a focused device for my use case, locking me into writing and reading, nothing more. Boox has the ability to be a fully fledged tablet, which some may want.
ipad mini (there was a new generation that came out when i was purchasing the nomad)#
I don’t particularly like Apple as a company, nor am I in their ecosystem at all. An iPad does too much and doesn’t replace a notebook well, it is a bit too general of a usecase - I used to own an android tablet and i never used it because I didn’t have a usecase that a laptop didn’t fulfil.
This is changing to some degree in that I would consider an Apple computer as I move into a fully integrated emacs workflow where I am getting more and more agnostic of the underlying OS and more focused on emacs as my computer.
Kindle Scribe#
I once more don’t like Amazon as a company, and kindle is the most locked down of the e-book ecosystems. So, this was never a consideration on my list.
Kobo Elipsa#
I own a Clara HD(previous gen and it is a great e-book reader. I think Rakuten as a company are more in line with my ideals in their openness and desire to support as many ebook formats as possible. One is able to repair and upgrade kobos (at least the storage) with relative ease, and they aren’t e-waste. The writing experience on the Kobo was the thing I have heard wasn’t as good, and that is why I turned away. It is also a bigger device than I wanted.
My Verdict#
Is this thing for everyone?
No.
The e-ink notebook/tablet space is tremendously niche.
I don’t think most people can justify a $700 CAD notebook - and even if you do the math on likely thousands of pages of notebook paper and a really nice pen, the costs might not make sense. Is this thing going to save the trees? I doubt it, too.
But, for a specific user that takes a lot of hand written notes and wants to keep them in order electronically with seamless integration, this is a God send. The amount of notebooks I have lost in the past, or had damaged/unreadable pages is painful to think about. And while this is not admittedly as portable as slipping it into your back pocket, it does fit into a sling bag, bigger jacket pocket, or any backpack.
As someone that travels fairly frequently, and values electronic documentation, the ease of backing up that sort of file, and the ability to handwrite anywhere, this has been a real win. I have written more in the past month than I have in the past year combined, and I feel a clarity, direction, and calm that I have not felt in some time.
Will I be keeping the Supernote?
Without a doubt. It generally follows me around the house for writing sessions, note taking, book notes, and just overall is a nice companion. It’s in my bag whenever I head out for work, and on the table in meetings where it is used for note-taking, keeping ideas top of mind, and much more.
As always, God bless, and until next time.
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