I’m Reviewing Digital Notebooks, and Five of My Favorites Are on Sale for Black Friday.
Black Friday sales officially kick off on Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1. Before they end, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.
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I’ve reviewed so many digital notebooks for Lifehacker over the past year that my wife now rolls her eyes when she sees me running out the door to meet the UPS guy—probably because it’s a little ironic that I, a somewhat disorganized person who’s never written anything down, am paying so much attention to devices designed for organized people who like to write everything down.
And yet! I’ve tested all of these things in practice so many times now (and spent so much time browsing their respective Reddit communities) that I’ve accumulated a wealth of capital-O Opinions about what makes them good. So I hope you’ll believe me when I say that if you’ve been waiting to buy one of these productivity tools, Black Friday is the perfect time, as five of my favorites are on sale right now. Depending on your needs, I think any of these will suit you.
reMarkable 2 Essentials Bundle
The reMarkable 2 is one of the great-grandfathers of the modern digital tablet. When it was released in 2020, it offered an unrivaled paper-like writing experience, a crisp 10.3-inch e-ink display, and innovative features for organizing and sharing notes across devices. Even five years later, it’s still a great option (though if you need additional features like backlighting and color printing, you should consider the updated reMarkable Paper Pro model in 2024). The reMarkable 2 is currently available for $529 (a $70 discount off the regular price) with a Marker Pro stylus, eraser, and leather case . You can also purchase a refurbished model for even greater savings.
reMarkable Paper Pro Kit
The reMarkable Paper Pro is the younger, but in some ways larger, sibling of the reMarkable 2. It features an 11.8-inch front-lit color Canvas display and all the same amazing document organization and cloud syncing features as the previous model. It’s currently priced at $749 (a $50 discount) and comes with a Marker Pro stylus and a leather case. If you prefer the fabric case, it’s slightly cheaper at $729 .
Boox Note Air 4C
This year, the Boox Note Air 4C was replaced by the Boox Note Air 5C , but given that the devices are virtually identical except for the latter’s rear-facing ports that allow you to attach an expensive keyboard cover (sold separately), you might prefer to save $30 and go for the 2024 version . Either way, you’ll get what I think is the best all-around digital notebook for most people: a color screen with adjustable backlighting, excellent writing capabilities, the versatile open Android OS, and access to the Google Play Store.
Boox Note Max Kit
With its massive 13.3-inch black-and-white Carta 1300 display, the Boox Note Max is the largest digital notebook you can buy. It’s also one of the sharpest—the lack of color and front lighting is arguably an advantage, as there’s nothing between the outer glass and the inner display, making the writing experience much smoother and more paper-like. (Truth be told, I mostly use mine for reading manga .) You can currently get it for $50 off with a stylus and folio case, or spend an extra $35 and get a leather keyboard case instead (considering the keyboard itself is $140, it’s a great deal).
Viwoods AiPaper Bundle
Boox and reMarkable are among the most well-known brands in the electronic notepad market, but in 2025, the Viwoods AiPaper , seemingly out of nowhere, challenged their dominance. This tablet, powered by advanced AI technology, offers a superior writing experience (if not on par with reMarkable devices, then at least on par with Boox), access to Google Play, and thoughtful software that makes it easy to add AI to your note-taking and research processes. On Black Friday, get over $80 off a bundle including a case and the updated Viwoods Stylus Pro.
Which stores have the biggest discounts on Black Friday?
With both large retailers and small businesses competing for Black Friday shoppers, you can expect sales at virtually every store until Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” discounts depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to be offered by large retailers that can afford lower prices, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our blog .
Are Black Friday deals worth it?
In short, yes, Black Friday still offers deals you rarely see the rest of the year. If you’re shopping or looking for gifts, now is the time to look for deals on essentials, especially tech , home goods , and fitness equipment . Of course, if you’re looking to save money, the best way to save is to buy nothing.
Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?
Black Friday used to favor large retailers and higher-end appliances, while Cyber Monday favored cheaper appliances and gave small businesses a chance to compete online. However, today, this distinction has become virtually meaningless. Every major retailer runs sales on both days, so it’s best to know what you need, use price trackers, or consult guides like our blog , which uses price trackers, and not worry about finding the perfect time.