Thanks to my friends at Watch de Luxe, who run the Montblanc Boutique in Bratislava, I had the opportunity to test the Montblanc Digital Paper. I’m genuinely grateful to have it for a few days to explore and experience it firsthand. I’d like to share my honest impressions with you — unfiltered, with both praise where it’s due and criticism where it’s deserved.

First Impressions

The packaging immediately catches your attention — it looks like a beautifully crafted book. I can easily imagine placing it straight into my library, where it would fit right in. The design is minimalist yet elegant. Upon opening the “book,” you’re greeted by the pen, along with a subtle Montblanc reminder not to forget the joy of writing.

Taking out the tablet itself, I’m struck by how thin and light it is. I start looking for the leather case I’d seen in photos, only to find out later that it must be purchased separately — for €200. Honestly, who would want to use it without the case? In my opinion, it really should be included in the box.

Next comes the pen, which I had heard some people describe as cheap-looking. Personally, I don’t share that opinion — it feels fine in hand and looks quite elegant. Overall, the product makes a great first visual impression, despite the missing case. Now, let’s power it on and get to know it a little better.

Versatility of Use

I power it on right away and open a blank page to test all the different writing tools, just as I’d seen in the demo videos. Naturally, the first thing I select is the fountain pen. You can choose from black, gray, or white ink, as well as line thickness — fine, medium, or broad — just like in the world of traditional writing. I go with the fine fountain pen setting and start writing.

Surprisingly, the pen-to-screen response is quick and reliable, and the writing experience feels good overall. However, the interface reaction time when selecting functions is very slow. At first, I thought it was frozen, but it just needs a bit of patience. On the other hand, once you’re writing, the movement is smooth and immediate.

Of course, the feeling of writing isn’t quite like using a real pen. What bothers me most is the slightly jagged line — no matter how carefully I try, it’s hard to draw a perfectly straight stroke. Handwriting refinement seems difficult here. There’s also a ballpoint option, which feels standard, and a fineliner, which I expected to be thinner — but honestly, I don’t notice much difference between the two.

What really caught my attention, though, is the calligraphy pen. It’s excellent. I would have appreciated even thicker line options, but I really like this mode — it offers great potential for digital calligraphy practice. The pencil function impressed me as well — it genuinely feels like sketching with a real pencil. Montblanc truly nailed this one. The highlighter tool is another success — I instantly loved it. It shades text beautifully and looks elegant and refined on the page.

Where things get tricky is the eraser. This feature feels a bit clunky. I even assigned the eraser to the side button on the pen, but it doesn’t work consistently. And when you finally manage to erase something, it leaves behind a faint smudge. At first, I thought this was intentional, but later I realized it’s due to the display technology — the device simply can’t erase to a pure white background. You have to refresh the page (by holding the pen down for a few seconds or manually through the settings), and only then does it clear completely.

On the positive side, the lasso tool works flawlessly. You can easily select and delete parts of your writing with precision. I think I’ll stick to using this method for erasing from now on — it’s far more efficient than the regular eraser.

Functionality

What’s truly impressive is that the Montblanc Digital Paper is packed with features — it offers everything you’d expect, and even a bit more. I really appreciate that Montblanc has considered security (something I’m admittedly a little obsessive about). Unlike a traditional notebook and pen, this device can be password-protected, ensuring no one else can access your notes. That’s a huge advantage, especially if you’re dealing with sensitive work materials or personal reflections.

I also like the customization options for the pen’s functions. By pressing two buttons, you can create useful shortcuts and adjust them to your needs. While it doesn’t allow for unlimited customization, it’s definitely not limited to a single function either. For example, you can assign the side button to undo, redo, erase, or create a quick note.

Other convenient features include quick notes, fast unlock, finger navigation (you can control menus with your finger, though not write with it), and cloud sharing through Montblanc Cloud. These are genuinely useful functions you’ll likely take advantage of every day if you use the device regularly. Interestingly, after exploring all of them, I realized I could easily see myself using 80–90% of the available features daily. I’m still not sure whether that’s a strength or a limitation — perhaps it just means the device covers most needs without feeling overcomplicated. The good news is that it’s quite intuitive to unlock the full potential of the device without much effort.

You can also upload your own PDFs and write directly on them — a fantastic option for presentations, editing materials, or annotating documents. The only slight disappointment is that the display doesn’t support color, unlike some competing products. There is, however, one feature I truly missed: a simple way to instantly clear the page. Sometimes, when I scribble something and want to start fresh, I wish there were a “clear all” button. It’s not a major issue, and maybe not everyone would use it — but I definitely would.

Templates

The Montblanc Digital Paper comes with a generous selection of templates, which you can even switch between while writing. Beyond the classic options — lined, grid, dotted, and blank pages — you’ll also find a wide range of planners, to-do lists, and, to my delight, calligraphy sheets and templates for various forms of creative writing.

I’m genuinely curious whether Remarkable templates could be imported and used on the Montblanc Digital Paper. If anyone has tried this, I’d love to know. If adding new templates isn’t possible, that would be quite a missed opportunity.

The Pen

The pen itself is a fascinating piece. While not particularly robust, I really like its design, especially the Montblanc emblem detail and the elegant cutouts near the end. I could easily imagine this same pen design being used as a standalone ballpoint outside of the digital system.

It feels extremely comfortable in hand, with an ergonomic shape that makes writing natural and effortless. The buttons are well-positioned and pleasant to press. A thoughtful touch is that the box includes replaceable nib tips — Linen, Matte, and Smooth — allowing you to adjust the writing texture to your preference. When it comes to pens, Montblanc clearly knows what they’re doing — and it shows here as well.

Connectivity

In today’s digital world, connectivity is everything — so I was curious to see how it worked here. I downloaded the mobile app and tried to connect the device. Immediately, it asked for a login — but there was no option to register. I tried “forgot login,” but nothing worked, and I was getting close to giving up.

To be fair, I almost never read manuals, but after some time searching online with no luck, it finally clicked — the registration must be done directly on the Montblanc Digital Paper itself. Or rather, first you need to connect it to Wi-Fi, and only then can you register.

After that, everything went smoothly: I registered, confirmed my email, logged into the mobile app, and my files started transferring. Not via Bluetooth as I initially assumed, but through the Montblanc Cloud. Honestly, I think that’s a clever solution — it means I can access my files from my computer or any device where I’m logged into my account. The only downside: you must have Wi-Fi. Without it, your files won’t sync.

File transfers, uploads, and downloads all worked flawlessly — I was very pleased with the performance. You can also transfer files via USB-C cable if Wi-Fi isn’t available, which is a fair and practical backup option.

E-book Reader and Handwriting Improvement

Once I connected the device to Wi-Fi, a whole new set of features became available. One of the most delightful surprises was a built-in handwriting training file, designed to help you refine your penmanship. Honestly, that feature alone made me want to keep the device and start practicing calligraphy every evening.

Another fantastic addition: the device comes preloaded with literary classics — titles like War and Peace and Gulliver’s Travels, a thoughtful nod to Montblanc’s Writers Edition collectors. After discovering these two features, my opinion of the device rose sharply — I’d even say dramatically. If it were mine, I’d already have at least five books uploaded and would be spending my evenings practicing beautiful writing.

As I’m writing this, I can feel myself genuinely starting to think about this device in a new light.

Design

Surprisingly thin and seemingly very durable, the Montblanc Digital Paper is a tasteful piece of technology. I particularly like the leather side panel where the pen docks — it’s elegant and practical. Compared to the Remarkable (the company that actually manufactures this device for Montblanc), this version feels far more luxurious, and the integration of the pen into the tablet body is outstanding — a real advantage in everyday use.

The pen attaches magnetically and holds firmly in place; it’s nearly impossible to dislodge it accidentally with a quick movement. The back side of the tablet is also thoughtfully designed. While it may pick up a few fingerprints, the rubber feet ensure excellent stability on any surface. Even sliding it across a desk feels smooth and refined. In short — the design is beautifully executed.

The Case

This, for me, is the biggest drawback. I searched the box for the leather case I’d seen in promotional videos — but it wasn’t there. It turns out you have to purchase it separately for €200. I found that really disappointing, because without the case, the product feels incomplete — especially if you plan to carry it around.

To be fair, the cases themselves are beautifully made, both in quality and design. But in my opinion, such an accessory should absolutely be included in the package, not sold separately.

Why This Instead of an iPad

I’ve spoken to a few people about the Montblanc Digital Paper, and many said they’d probably just stick with their iPad. I have an iPad myself, and that made me stop and think — but honestly, they’re completely different products.

The Digital Paper isn’t trying to replace an iPad; it’s closer to an e-reader or a digital notebook. Personally, I can’t imagine using an iPad for reading books or taking handwritten notes with an Apple Pencil in the same way. This device serves a different purpose, caters to a different audience, and belongs to a different category altogether.

Cons and pros

Cons ↓

• The occasional black screen flicker can be distracting.
• No option to zoom in or out (technologically limited).
• Slow response time in the main menu.
• Erasing functionality feels underdeveloped.
• No color display.
• Somewhat limited range of features.
• Unclear if 64GB of storage will be sufficient in the long run.
• The leather case must be purchased separately.

Pros ↓

• Excellent battery life.
• Built-in e-book reader.
• Seamless cloud connectivity.
• Wide range of handwriting styles and tools.
• Luxurious feel and craftsmanship.
• Beautiful, ultra-thin, and relatively lightweight design.
• Reliable pen-to-screen accuracy.
• Customizable control options.

Overall Impression

If I weren’t a fan of digital devices, I’d probably go back to a traditional pen and paper after a while. But since I am, I managed to connect with this product — and over time, I even grew accustomed to its imperfections.

That said, my perspective is somewhat biased, because I’m a Montblanc enthusiast. For someone who isn’t, it’s debatable whether they’d opt for this over the Remarkable Pro, which offers a color display at a lower price. In my opinion, this device is designed for dedicated Montblanc fans or for those who appreciate the brand’s refined aesthetic and want a luxurious writing experience — the kind where the craftsmanship and presentation are as important as the function itself.

If you’re a tech geek, the Remarkable might suit you better. But if you’re a connoisseur who values elegance, design, and the tactile experience, the Montblanc Digital Paper is the one for you.

And one last thing — the Montblanc Digital Paper will never replace a Montblanc fountain pen.

Let’s write.