AMAZON KINDLE SCRIBE INFO & SPECS

This is an objective information page for the Kindle Scribe e-ink tablet, with details of hardware and software specs, features, and capabilities. 

My subjective review can be found here.

The Kindle Scribe is currently on my Top 5 Best E-ink Tablet List

DATASHEET

BEST FOR…?

Anyone wanting to take advantage of cutting-edge features and technology (such as Super Refresh, keyboard support and the OCR camera) and intends to use it for more than simply reading and note-taking.

HARDWARE

• 1GHz Mediatek processor with 1Gb of RAM
• 10.2″ (A5-sized) Paperwhite screen with monochrome resolution of approximately 1830 x 2460 (300dpi)
• Options for 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb storage capacity (see pricing below)
• 3000mAh Internal battery
• USB-C for charging and file transfer
• Frontlight (warm & cold)
• Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity
• G-sensor (for autorotation of screen)
• No speakers but audiobooks can be listened to via Bluetooth headphones
• Metallic chassis

STYLUS

• Included with the 16Gb model is the Basic Pen
• The Basic Pen has no buttons or eraser
• The Basic Pen is magnetic, so it can snap to the side of the Scribe
• The Basic Pen requires tips to be changed (around once every 6 months, depending on usage)
• The Basic Pen does not have batteries or need charging
• The 32Gb and 64Gb models ship with the Premium Pen, which has an eraser at the top, and a shortcut button on the shaft, and is slightly heavier (everything else is the same as the Basic Pen)
• There is an optional upgrade to the Premium Pen for the 16Gb version
• Other Wacom-compatible styluses can be used

Device	Price (USD)	Price (GBP)
16Gb, Basic Pen	$420	£330
16Gb, Premium Pen	$450	£360
32Gb, Premium Pen	$470	£380
64Gb, Premium Pen	$500	£410

OPERATING SYSTEM

• KindleOS (based on Linux)
• Utilises the Kindle User Interface, with menu items for Home, Library, Current Book and Notebooks, and More (web browser, settings etc.)
• Swiping down from the top brings up configuration options for the frontlight (including auto-brightness) and buttons for Aeroplane mode, Bluetooth, Dark mode, Sync, and All Settings.
• Native apps that are built into the O/S are:
  • Notebooks – Digital notetaking app
  • Kindle E-reader – Multiformat book and document reading app
• No access to the Google Play Store or the ability to install additional apps

FILE TRANSFERS

• Notebooks can be organised using a hierarchical folder system
• Ebooks/documents are organised using collections – basically, grouping similar books with the same tag/collection name
• There are no options for tagging or favouriting notebooks
• You can search for files or folder names
• You can sort notebooks by most recent, title, type, date created and dated modified (ascending or descending)
• There is no support for synchronising with third-party clouds – only the Amazon Kindle Library/Cloud
• Notebooks can be exported via email in PDF format only
• Notebooks are accessible from the Kindle app (but cannot be accessed on other Kindle e-readers unless exported as PDF first)
• Files can be transferred to the Scribe via email, the ‘send to Kindle‘ app and the chrome extension.
• This method ‘processes‘ the files so that they can be read on the Kindle Scribe (e.g. EPUBs are converted to Kindle’s proprietary KFX format)
• Files can be transferred/sideloaded onto the Scribe via a USB cable but this may lead to some unexpected behaviours (e.g. PDFs transferred in his way do not support handwritten annotations)

READING & ANNOTATING

• The Kindle e-reader supports several file formats
• However, this does not always mean native support as the process for transferring files to the Scribe may mean that they are converted into Kindle’s proprietary KFX format
• Kindle Scribe support handwritten annotation (writing directly onto) in PDFs – there are also a very limited number of Kindle books that support this feature
• Kindle supports ‘sticky notes‘ in books and documents – this inserts a small note icon in the text that can be tapped to show notes
• Sticky notes can be typed text (using the on-screen keyboard) or handwritten
• Text can also be highlighted
• Kindle provides a summary of all sticky notes and highlights for quick reviewing
• Handwritten sticky notes are not accessible via the Kindle app on other devices (text sticky notes and highlights are still available)
• The Kindle e-reader has many reading features including a table of contents, bookmarks, text search, dictionaries, wordwise, vocabulary builder, X-ray and quote sharing
• There are also lots of settings for viewing preference including font family, font size, font weight, spacing, margins, alignment and reading progress
• Annotated PDFs can only be viewed on the Kindle Scribe itself – when viewed on the Kindle app on other devices, handwritten annotations are lost
• However, handwritten annotations are preserved when the PDF is exported via email
• The Kindle Scribe does not support split-screen viewing
• The 300dpi Paperwhite screen is very clear and crisp
• A detailed overview of the Kindle e-book reading software can be found here.

DIGITAL NOTE-TAKING

• Kindle Scribe notes are organised using multi-page notebooks. Notebooks can be organised with folders.
• Brushes include pen, fountain pen, marker and pencil pen. There is also a highlighter.
• There is a choice of five thicknesses for each brush. The only colour option is black.
• Stylus pressure and tilt are supported for the pencil – the marker has a degree of pressure sensitivity
• Typed text is not available
• There is a regular eraser (five thicknesses) and selection eraser, as well as undo and redo buttons.
• There is support for lasso selection (cut/copy/paste/move/resize)
• There is support for handwriting-to-text conversion (exported via email as an attached TXT file)
• There are almost 20 templates that can be chosen, however the same template must be used on every page of the notebook (you cannot select a different template per page)

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• The Kindle Scribe is manufactured by one of the biggest corporations in the World, which should give customers some peace of mind
• The Kindle Scribe is supplied with a 1-year warranty that covers any hardware defects (not caused by the customer)
• There is also a 30-day guarantee, during which time buyers can return the tablet for a full refund or replacement
• Amazon releases regular software updates for the Scribe
• Amazon provide support via its online knowledgebase, user forum, telephone, and Live Chat

BUYING OPTIONS

• The Kindle Scribe is only available from Amazon Stores
• Shipping and taxes/customs duties are usually included in the selling price (if you buy from the Amazon Store in your country)

KINDLE SCRIBE BLOG POSTS

• Best E-Ink Tablets 2023/2024
• Cyber Monday/Black Friday 2023: Deals on E-Ink Tablets
• Keyboard Support on E-ink Tablets
• Kindles Compared: Which is the best Kindle E-Book Reader?
• Why You Can’t Write on Some PDF Files on the Kindle Scribe
• What is the difference between the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Paperwhite “Signature Edition”?
• Comparing Note-Taking Apps
• What are the Best E-Ink Tablets for Students & Academics
• HOLIDAY DILEMMA! Which E-Ink Tablet to Pack?
• E-ink Tablet ‘Writing Feel’: Which is most natural?