Sony's new tablet wants to replace paper – for a hefty price

(Image credit: Sony)

One of the easiest ways to be a little more environmentally friendly is to cut down on paper waste. Sony's latest tablet wants to be a reusable writing replacement, though it trades the ecological harm of physical paper for the economical harm of its price tag.

Enter the DPT-RP1, a massive tablet and update to the Sony's previous 'digital paper system,' the DPT-S1.  

The DPT-RP1 features a 13.3-inch display with an impressive 1650 x 2200 resolution, a precision stylus that attaches to either end of the tablet (much to the relief of lefties) and a non-slip design that makes it feel like you're actually writing on paper.

Paper or plastic?

The DPT-RP1 is designed to work with Sony's Digital Paper App interface, which allows files, notes and reading material to be shared from the tablet to a computer. 

Unfortunately, the DPT-RP1 only supports .PDF files, so anyone looking for a big-screen replacement to their Amazon Kindle e-reader is going to be severely limited.

Also making the DPT-RP1 more of a business tool than a consumer electronic device is a premium price in the neighborhood of 80,000 yen (about $720, £580, AU$960), according to The Verge.

The DPT-RP1 is set to go on sale June 5 in Japan. For those looking for a productivity tablet of their own, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is more than up to the task for a similar price/screen size. If that's not your cup of tea, there's a whole bunch of iPad Pro alternatives out there that can fit the bill.

Parker Wilhelm
Parker Wilhelm is a freelance writer for TechRadar. He likes to tinker in Photoshop and talk people's ears off about Persona 4.