Montblanc has just launched its new Digital Paper, an E Ink device designed to replicate the feel of handwriting on paper. Accompanied by the Montblanc Digital Pen, the product is a clever bridge between analog longhand writing and cutting-edge digital technology, bringing the oldest method of writing right into the present.
The design of the Montblanc Digital Paper is immediately striking, with a handsome leather grip on the side that doubles as a magnetic charger for the pen. Its metal case has the heft and feel of a luxury product, one that’s comfortable to hold and intuitive to use. And the look of the Digital Pen itself is modelled off of Montblanc’s Meisterstück, making it immediately familiar to fans of that iconic writing instrument.
What’s quickly apparent is just how much it feels like putting pen to real paper. Thanks to three options of interchangeable tips for the Digital Pen, you’re able to select exactly the texture and feel you want when writing. Having it feel almost exactly like a fountain pen or a ballpoint pen on notebook paper is a revelation. Unlike the uncannily smooth feeling of using a stylus on a tablet, it feels tactile and real.
And if you’re someone who grew up learning cursive in school but quickly became most comfortable with a keyboard, writing freehand can feel like a return to a purer form of writing. Even if you’re a fast typist, there’s something about slowing down and writing freehand that gives your brain time to really consider every word. And when you look at something you wrote out yourself, you immediately know it’s yours. Your writing is distinctive and unique, unlike the default font in your word processor of choice.
This is also a truly focused writing device. Unlike a phone or laptop, there’s nothing to distract you on the Montblanc Digital Paper. There are no apps, no browsers, no notifications. It’s purpose-built, doing one thing and doing it well. It lets you lock in without being pulled away to something unrelated every few minutes, instead allowing you to really focus on the task at hand—whether that’s taking quick notes, annotating a PDF document, or doing your daily journaling. Spending time with it will make you realize just how much of your energy is spent trying to ignore the multitude of distractions your other devices are constantly throwing your way.
And when you’re done with the notes you’re writing, it’s incredibly easy to send them to yourself for use on one of those ever-distracting devices via email, USB-C, or the Montblanc Cloud. There’s something nice and grounding about seeing your own handwriting on a screen like that, making it stand out even more from the standard text you’re used to seeing.
The Montblanc Digital Paper and its accompanying Digital Pen are a perfect fusion between the digital and the analog. They’ve got the feel and vibe of old-fashioned pen and paper, but with the searchability, storage capacity, and robust sharing features of modern digital tools. It cuts out distractions and lets you focus on what’s really important: the words you’re writing.
The Digital Paper is now available at Montblanc.com.
