Review roundup: Amazon Kindle Scribe (2024)

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Look, I know what you’re thinking: “Oh great, another Kindle refresh. Revolutionary.” I know, I know, don’t leave just yet because Amazon’s 2024 Kindle Scribe is doing something interesting here. And no, I can’t believe I just typed that sentence, either.

According to TechRadar, Amazon basically looked at their perfectly fine e-reader and said, “what if we made it… better?” (Revolutionary concept, I know.) But here’s the thing – they actually did.

They’ve created what happens when AI meets a fancy notebook, and your local hipster’s Moleskine collection is officially shaking.

Let’s face it: Every tech company is slapping AI onto products faster than you can say “ChatGPT.” Amazon’s approach with the new Scribe is surprisingly… not terrible.

GeekWire’s hands-on review suggests this thing might actually be worth the kidney you’ll have to sell to afford it. It’s like they finally figured out that people who read books might also want to write in them. Mind-blowing stuff, really.

So, we’ve crawled through the hot takes, cold takes, and lukewarm-like-your-office-coffee takes from every tech publication that’s gotten their hands on this thing (somehow, Amazon forgot to send us one).

So instead of another by-the-numbers review that puts you to sleep faster than reading Ulysses on a regular Kindle, we’re giving you the unfiltered tea: what works, what doesn’t, and whether this thing deserves a spot in your “things I bought because TikTok made me do it” collection.

Buckle up, buttercup – this is gonna be fun.

That Premium Design Life

First off, Amazon’s design team apparently discovered aesthetics exist.

They’ve wrapped this bad boy in a shiny new green metal body and – plot twist – slapped a thicc white border around the display. It’s like they’re screaming, “THIS IS TOTALLY PAPER, GUYS!” And honestly? It kind of works.

At 10.2 inches and weighing just over a pound, it’s not exactly pocket-sized, but let’s be real – when was the last time you actually put a notebook in your pocket?

While it’s not waterproof (because apparently, Amazon thinks writers never cry into their notebooks), the build quality is premium enough to make you feel like you didn’t just blow $400 on another gadget you’ll abandon in a month.

That Screen Though

TechRadar’s getting all poetic about how the 300 ppi E Ink display has “just enough roughness to feel like paper,” which is tech reviewer speak for “we’re running out of ways to describe screens.”

But I won’t lie; it looks pretty good to write on. It’s like they finally figured out that people don’t want their expensive tablets to feel like they’re writing on a plastic bag. Who knew.

The “We Actually Tried This Time” Features

Here’s where things get spicy. Tom’s Guide confirms this thing “improves upon its predecessor” with better writing features and some actually useful AI tricks.

The new Active Canvas feature? It’s basically magic – you write on top of text, and it’s like “oh, you need space?” poof Creates a neat little box around your chicken scratch. We love an accommodating queen.

AI Features (Because It’s 2024 and Everything Needs AI)

According to GeekWire, Amazon finally decided to join the AI party, and surprisingly, they didn’t just slap ChatGPT on it and call it a day.

The Scribe’s AI actually, like, does stuff you might want – like turning your chaotic 3 AM notes into something that wouldn’t embarrass you in a meeting.

Sure, it needs to phone home to the cloud for the AI magic (because apparently local processing is so 2023), but the wait time isn’t long enough to finish your coffee.

Show Me The Money (And Storage Options)

Let’s talk numbers and maybe grab a seat for this one. The 2024 Kindle Scribe starts at $399 for the 16GB model.

Want more storage? Cool. That’ll be $419 for 32GB or $449 for 64GB because, apparently, some of you are writing the next Game of Thrones on this thing.

Battery Life That Won’t Ghost You

Here’s some good news for the chronically undercharged: TechRadar claims this thing can go 12 weeks without plugging in.

Plot twist, though—that’s with WiFi off because heaven forbid you want to read AND stay connected to the internet.

Your actual mileage will vary depending on how much you use the lights and whether you’re basically writing the next Great American Novel on this thing.

What’s Actually Good (And What’s Not)

The Good Stuff (According to People Who Actually Used It):

• That Active Canvas feature is actually pretty great.
• AI that doesn’t make you want to throw your device out the window
• Battery life longer than your attention span
• Useful Kindle features (shocking, we know)

The Not-So-Good Stuff:

• New pen is basically the old pen’s twin
• Highlighter button placement that’ll make you question everything
• It can lag a bit under a heavy load
• File management still needs work

The Bottom Line (TL;DR For The Scroll-Happy)

Look, Amazon’s 2024 Kindle Scribe is trying hard to be your next digital BFF, and honestly? It’s working.

If you’ve got the cash to burn and you’re tired of killing trees with your notebook habit, this might be your jam. Shipping December 4th, just in time to convince yourself it’s a “productive purchase” for your New Year’s resolutions.

Is it perfect? Nah. But in a world where most tech feels like it’s just getting marginally less mediocre, the Kindle Scribe is actually doing something interesting.

Plus, you can finally stop pretending you’re going to organize all those paper notebooks you’ve been hoarding since 2019. We see you.

So, what’s the verdict on the new Kindle Scribe? Are you ready to embrace this shiny, AI-infused e-reader and kick your paper notebook to the curb? Or do you think Amazon missed the mark yet again? We want to hear your thoughts!