Quit misplacing your notes and kick off the school year with one of these e-readers that also function as notebooks.

      Your backpack is bulkier than necessary. You carry multiple notebooks for each of your classes, a pile of printed PDFs, and nothing that integrates with anything else. The notes from the second week are in a completely different notebook from those from the sixth week, and locating either one in December would be quite a challenge.

      Having a single device that allows you to read books and PDFs, take notes, and keep everything organized could solve this problem, and that's exactly what e-readers with pen input support are designed for. Fortunately, you don't have to spend a semester's worth of textbook money to acquire one. I've compiled a list of six that are worth purchasing this back-to-school season, and I’ll specify who each is intended for.

      **reMarkable Paper Pure**

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      **Pros**

      - Distraction-free: no apps, browser, or notifications

      - No front light

      - 21ms pen response feels akin to writing on paper

      - Black-and-white display

      - Repairable design

      - Full functionality requires a $3.99/month Connect subscription

      - Syncs with Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox

      - Does not natively support Kindle books

      - Extensive writing toolkit

      The reMarkable Paper Pure eliminates everything that makes a tablet distracting. There are no apps, no browser, and no notifications buzzing while you're trying to complete a reading assignment the night before class. At $399, it features a 10.3-inch monochrome screen with a textured matte finish and a 21ms pen response that replicates the feeling of writing on real paper so closely you'd forget you're using glass.

      The device can handle PDF and EPUB files natively, but you'll need a quick conversion for Kindle files. Notebooks can be conveniently organized into folders, making your notes easy to locate. Additionally, there is a one-tap feature to convert your handwriting into typed text. It includes a robust toolkit with various pen types, layers, shape tools, and a library of templates, from grid paper to weekly planners, to get you started.

      With 32GB of storage, equating to about 75,000 pages, the battery lasts approximately three weeks, and you can easily sync your notes and files with Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox, allowing you to quickly export a notebook for paper writing on your laptop. However, the absence of a backlight means you'll need a lamp for nighttime reading, and the monochrome display isn't suitable if you prefer colorful annotations.

      reMarkable offers an optional $3.99 monthly subscription that unlocks additional features like handwriting search, although you don't have to subscribe to access essential functions. The reMarkable Paper Pure is ideal for students seeking a reading and note-taking device that avoids distracting features.

      **Kindle Scribe 11-inch**

      Amazon

      **Pros**

      - Seamless access to your existing Kindle library

      - No cloud sync with Dropbox or Google Drive; notes export only as PDF via email

      - Ask This Book and Story So Far are handy AI reading tools

      - Closed ecosystem: no browser or third-party apps

      - Active Canvas lets you write directly in the margins

      - Lacks drawing or shape tools; note-taking features are basic

      - Thinner and lighter than the previous model

      - Black-and-white screen; Colorsoft version is significantly pricier

      - Improved performance with faster page turns compared to the older model

      The Kindle Scribe is a great choice if you already possess a substantial collection of Kindle books and seek an e-reader that allows you to read course materials and take notes as well. Priced at $499.99, it features an 11-inch, 300ppi screen with an auto-adjusting front light and a slimmer, lighter design than its predecessor.

      The standout feature of the Scribe is the Ask This Book function, enabling you to pose questions about your reading material and receive answers drawn directly from the text. The Story So Far feature is also useful for resuming a book after long intervals without worrying about spoilers. For note-taking, Active Canvas lets you write in the margins of books, or you can make separate notes with the included pen, which can be converted into text and even summarized with a tap.

      The base version offers 32GB of storage, with battery life rated for three weeks under mixed usage and a full recharge taking 2.5 hours via USB-C. Similar to the reMarkable Paper Pure, the Kindle Scribe features a monochrome display, but Amazon also provides the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft for those who prefer color coding their notes, albeit at a higher price of $629.99 for the 32GB model.

      If you're on a budget, you can opt for the Kindle Scribe without Light at $429.99, or the older 10.2-inch Kindle Scribe for $399, which only has 16GB of storage, uses older display technology, features a slower dual-core