The Fujitsu Quaderno series has been one of the best e-notebooks in the world. It is in its third generation and has 13.3 and 10.3 screen sizes. This brand has floated under the radar because it is only available in Japan and through third-party resellers. It does support English, though, which makes it very useful for many customers. This current third generation is the first to have employed color e-paper. How does it compare to the Amazon Kindle Scribe 2?
The Amazon Kindle Scribe 2 is a tremendous e-notebook. It has a high-resolution 300 PPI black-and-white e-paper display. It taps into the massive Kindle bookstore, and the device can write inside e-books. It also has respectable freehand drawing and PDF editing features. Amazon has also introduced useful AI features, such as handwriting-to-text, book recaps, and quickly converting pages and pages of notes into concise bullets that summarize your thoughts.
The best new feature is called Active Canvas. As you’re reading, write directly in the book with the Premium Pen, and the sentences will move and flow around your note, making your thoughts part of the page. Or take notes in margins, expand them for more extended notes, or collapse them to see the original page. If you increase the font size or change the font style or layout, your note will stay anchored to its original place, so it never loses meaning or context. You can also use Active Canvas to mark up Word Docs and other reflowable documents, which you can then share with colleagues.
The Fujitsu Quadeerno A5C has no helpful AI features but supports Bluetooth foot pedals to turn the pages of PDF files. Unlike the Kindle, it does not have an internet browser or bookstore; instead, it appeals to corporate users who can’t have internet connections or WIFI. The Quaderno does have NFC and can be locked down even further. The freehand writing and PDF editing engine is better than the Kindle Scribe since Fujitsu has been refining its software and hardware for over 7 years. It helps that this version of the Quaderbno has a Kaleido 3-color e-paper display, so you can draw in color and view PDF documents. Highlights and annotations are also in color, which gives it a competitive edge.
Wrap up
The Amazon Kindle Scribe is a better investment for the average user. The 2nd and 1st generation models are often on sale every couple of months, making it easier on the wallet. It is also very compelling to be able to buy e-books, manga, magazines, and newspapers right on the device. It also has a front-lit display for reading at night, whereas the Quaderno does not have a lighting system.
The Scribe 2 does have its cons. You cannot just sideload in your PDF files and expect to read them. Instead, you must use the Send to Kindle system to deliver them to your device. It is an extra couple of steps you must take; for the average user, that is not a big deal, but it might be a deal breaker for students, business people, and professionals. Some of the AI tools are just gimmicks at this point.
The Quaderno does not appeal to casual users because it only reads PDF files and nothing else. The lack of a front-lit screen makes the screen darker than the Scribe 2. The Scribe 2 does have a better screen and resolution. It is also hard to buy, again only in Japan and 3rd party sellers. Although Fujitsu has been making these devices ever since Sony Digital Paper was a thing, most users don’t know it exists and never make it to the top of any tech reviewer’s list.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.