{Photograph}: Nena Farrell
The Manta additionally has a built-in artwork mode, however you may should hunt to search out it. Not like different digital notebooks, you may’t simply swap over to the pencils, however as an alternative you may must entry the settings and obtain the Atelier app, which is free and fairly quick to obtain by way of Wi-Fi. When you try this, slightly paint palette icon will seem on the highest proper subsequent to your buttons to make a brand new word or Phrase doc, permitting you to generate an artwork file. You’ll inform which is which whenever you see .spd on the finish of a file identify, which is Supernote’s file sort for the Atelier program.
As soon as inside an Atelier file, you may achieve entry to seven pencil weights, 5 ink-pen kinds, and three marker choices. You can even choose the lock button to search out two totally different spray pens, although the lock icon is not what I might have guessed to represent that. You’ll be able to add layers, too, and a grayscale vary of 16 shades of grey (ending in white and black). The drawing instruments are attentive to strain and enjoyable to make use of.
Pen Station
{Photograph}: Nena Farrell
This assessment may be for the Manta, however it’s additionally for Supernote’s pens that pair with the Manta—and with Supernote’s smaller digital pocket book, the A6 X2 Nomad ($299). Whereas each different digital pocket book firm provides about two digital markers, normally a primary possibility after which an improve that always options an eraser, Supernote provides 4 pens. Not solely that, however its Coronary heart of Steel Pen 2 ($75) has 10 coloration choices, one thing no different digital pocket book firm provides. Even Supernote’s Push-Up Commonplace Pen ($59) truly seems to be like an actual pen moderately than a elaborate pill stylus. Supernote’s pens additionally do not require any charging.
I have been testing the Manta with Supernote’s Lamy Safari Vista EMR Pen ($89), a digital pocket book model of the famed Lamy Safari pen. It is light-weight and comfy and appears so actual I typically seize it and by chance attempt to use it in my paper planner. I additionally actually just like the Coronary heart of Steel pen, which I examined with the Supernote Nomad final 12 months, although it is heavier than the Lamy. (They weren’t joking concerning the metallic!) Each are snug to put in writing loads of notes with, whether or not you are in six hours of conferences or a five-hour Dungeons and Dragons session. If you happen to’re choosy about your writing utensil, even when it is a digital one, Supernote is the best choice.
The one draw back? No erasers. If you happen to assume you may be an eraser or keyboard individual, then the Supernote, whether or not this Manta or the smaller Nomad, is not for you. However when you do not want both of these equipment, it is an incredible digital pocket book for notes and sketches alike.