{Photograph}: Nena Farrell
The Manta additionally has a built-in artwork mode, however you will need to hunt to seek out it. In contrast to different digital notebooks, you’ll be able to’t simply change over to the pencils, however as an alternative you will must entry the settings and obtain the Atelier app, which is free and fairly quick to obtain by way of Wi-Fi. When you do this, a bit 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 if 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 will acquire entry to seven pencil weights, 5 ink-pen types, and three marker choices. You too can choose the lock button to seek out two completely different spray pens, although the lock icon is not what I’d have guessed to represent that. You may add layers, too, and a grayscale vary of 16 shades of grey (ending in white and black). The drawing instruments are conscious of strain and enjoyable to make use of.
Pen Station
{Photograph}: Nena Farrell
This evaluate may be for the Manta, but it surely’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 presents about two digital markers, often a fundamental possibility after which an improve that usually options an eraser, Supernote presents 4 pens. Not solely that, however its Heart of Metal Pen 2 ($75) has 10 coloration choices, one thing no different digital pocket book firm presents. Even Supernote’s Push-Up Standard Pen ($59) really seems like an actual pen fairly than a flowery 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 cozy and appears so actual I generally seize it and by chance attempt to use it in my paper planner. I additionally actually just like the Coronary heart of Metallic pen, which I examined with the Supernote Nomad final 12 months, although it is heavier than the Lamy. (They weren’t joking in regards to the metallic!) Each are snug to write down loads of notes with, whether or not you are in six hours of conferences or a five-hour Dungeons and Dragons session. In the event you’re choosy about your writing utensil, even when it is a digital one, Supernote is the best choice.
The one draw back? No erasers. In the event you suppose you may be an eraser or keyboard particular person, then the Supernote, whether or not this Manta or the smaller Nomad, is not for you. However should you do not want both of these equipment, it is an amazing digital pocket book for notes and sketches alike.
