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Choose Xournal++ if you mainly open existing PDFs to handwrite or mark them up while keeping your work in an editable journal. Choose Rnote if you want a sketching and note-making space that can extend beyond page boundaries. Both projects document pressure-sensitive stylus input, but Rnote’s maintainers say X11 is unsupported, so check your Linux Mint session before relying on its stylus or touch workflow.
How the two apps approach notes
The key difference is where you start. Xournal++ treats a PDF as the background of a separate journal. Rnote imports documents and images into a workspace that can use conventional pages or an infinite canvas. That makes Xournal++ a natural fit for document markup, while Rnote is oriented toward drawing and notes that may spread beyond a standard page.
What Xournal++ is best suited to
Annotating an existing PDF
Xournal++ is an open-source, cross-platform handwritten note-taking application. Its documented features include pressure-sensitive styluses, page previews, layers, customizable pen, highlighter and eraser tools, LaTeX support, and plugins. For PDF work, it uses the PDF as the journal background and saves your handwriting and other journal content separately in a .xopp file.
That separation matters when you move files: Xournal++ stores the PDF’s absolute path in the journal. If either file is moved, the journal may no longer find its background PDF, and you may need to locate it again. Exporting the journal to PDF is useful for sharing, but the exported marks are no longer editable as Xournal++ journal objects. The guide also warns that built-in PDF annotations such as pop-up notes and forms are not preserved.
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- Basics uses Boogie Board’s patented LCD technology, which means you can write with anything you have handy--the included stylus or any scratch free stylus. No special pen required. No software is needed to use the board.
- This electronic notebook with pen erases with just a press of the button. There’s no need to wipe anything or use special erasers. It's a note taking tablet perfect for around the house.
- The Basics lcd writing tablet for adults has a battery, so there are no cords or chargers taking up space! This electronic notepad can last for years on a single battery.
- Basics digital notebook for note taking has been extensively tested for durability and long-lasting use. This reusable notepad has UV protection to prevent fading from the sun.
- The Basics digital writing pad uses Boogie Board’s patented technology, offering a natural writing experience and a bright, high contrast screen, making this digital notebook with pen easy to read.
Other tools and installation options
The project’s Linux installation page lists stable version 1.3.8 and provides AppImage, Flatpak, Snap, and .deb options. It labels nightly builds unstable; if stability matters, choose the stable channel and check the page for current packages. Linux Mint’s community software catalog also describes PDF annotation, stylus use, SVG/PNG/PDF exports, shapes, layers, and audio recording, but that catalog entry does not establish which version is available for every Mint release.
What Rnote is best suited to
Sketches and notes with flexible layouts
Rnote is a vector drawing app for sketching, handwritten notes, and annotating documents and pictures. Its documented tools include pressure-sensitive stylus input, shapes, selection, and transformation. It offers fixed-page, continuous-vertical, and infinite layouts; the infinite canvas can extend in every direction, which suits work that does not fit neatly on a page.
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- Battery-Free Pen: StarG640 drawing tablet is the perfect replacement for a traditional mouse! The XPPen advanced Battery-free PN01 stylus does not require charging, allowing for constant uninterrupted Draw and Play, making lines flow quicker and smoother, enhancing overall performance
- Ideal for Online Education: XPPen G640 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, Zoom, Xsplit etc. Works perfect than a mouse, visually present your handwritten notes, signatures precisely
- Compact and Portable: The G640 art tablet is only 2 mm thick, it's as slim as all primary level graphic tablets, allowing you to carry it with you on the go
- Chromebook Supported: XPPen G640 digital drawing tablet is ready to work seamlessly with Chromebook devices now, so you can create information-rich content and collaborate with teachers and classmates on Google Jamboard’s whiteboard; Take notes quickly and conveniently with Google Keep, and effortlessly sketch diagrams with the Google Canvas
- Multipurpose Use: Designed for playing OSU! Game, digital drawing, painting, sketch, sign documents digitally, this writing tablet also compatible with Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and more. Create mind-maps, draw diagrams or take notes as replacement for mouse
Rnote can import PDFs, bitmaps, and SVG images. It can export documents as SVG, PDF, and Xopp, and pages or selections as SVG, PNG, and JPEG. For Linux installation, its project README points users to the official Flathub Flatpak.
Native-file and session cautions
Rnote’s maintainers describe the native .rnote format as unstable and subject to breaking changes. For important or long-lived work, keep portable exports such as PDF where appropriate, and check compatibility before relying on older files after a major version change.
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- Customize Your Workflow: The 6 customizable press keys on Huion H640P drawing tablet for pc let you assign your most-used commands—like undo, zoom, brush switch, or save—so you can keep your hands on the tablet and your mind on the art. Whether you're a digital painter switching brushes, or a comic artist zooming in and out, these keys keep your workflow smooth and uninterrupted. Plus, the Huion driver lets you save different shortcut profiles for different apps, so you never have to reconfigure when switching software.
- Professional Pen Performance: Huion H640P drawing pad for computer comes with the battery-free PW100 stylus that's always ready when inspiration strikes. With 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, every light sketch, or bold stroke responds naturally to your hand—just like a real pen. The 5080 LPI resolution and 233 PPS report rate deliver lag-free, precise strokes, so you can draw confidently without second-guessing your cursor. The pen side buttons help you switch between pen and eraser instantly.
- Compact and Portable: Huion H640P computer graphics tablet features a compact, ultra-portable design at just 0.3 inches thin and 0.61 lbs light, so it slides easily into your backpack—perfect for sketching in coffee shops, taking notes in class, or editing on the go between home and studio. The 6x4 inch active area offers enough room for natural pen movements while fitting comfortably on crowded desks, or lecture hall seats.
- Stable Compatibility: Huion H640P graphic drawing tablet works seamlessly with Mac, Windows, Linux PCs, and Android smartphones/tablets (OS version 6.0 or later). Left-handed friendly, and you just need to flip the tablet and adjust the settings in the driver. Please note: H640P does NOT support iPhone/iPad.
- Move Beyond the Mouse: Huion Inspiroy H640P is a pen tablet that replaces your mouse for more natural, precise control. Freehand draw, take notes, or even play OSU—everything you do with a mouse, you can do better with a pen. The precise tip makes it ideal for detailed photo editing, graphic design, or signing PDF. Meanwhile, the ergonomic pen grip helps you avoid the strain that comes from hours of using a mouse.
The README also says X11 is unsupported and that stylus and touch input can be unreliable in that environment. Linux Mint configurations differ, so confirm whether your current session is X11 or Wayland before choosing Rnote for tablet-based work.
At a glance
| Question | Xournal++ | Rnote |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | A PDF can serve as the background for a separate journal. | Import a PDF into a workspace with fixed-page, continuous-vertical, or infinite layouts. |
| Space beyond a page | Paper backgrounds and a PDF-markup workflow. | An infinite layout that extends in every direction. |
| Native project format | .xopp journal; its linked PDF is separate and referenced by absolute path. |
.rnote format is described by the maintainers as unstable and subject to breaking changes. |
| Stylus and touch | Project documentation describes pressure-sensitive stylus support; actual input depends on device, drivers, and session. | Project documentation describes pressure-sensitive stylus support; X11 is unsupported and input may be unreliable there. |
| Linux installation guidance | Official page lists stable v1.3.8 and AppImage, Flatpak, Snap, and .deb packages. |
Project README directs Linux users to Flathub. |
Check your Linux Mint setup before installing
- Identify your session. Check whether Linux Mint is running an X11 or Wayland session, especially if you plan to use Rnote with a stylus or touch input.
- Choose the workflow. Pick Xournal++ for a PDF-centered journal; pick Rnote for sketching, flexible pages, or an infinite workspace.
- Use the project’s installation guidance. For Xournal++, consult its official Linux installation page and select the stable package if you want to avoid nightly builds. For Rnote, follow the project README’s Flathub guidance.
- Check the package against your Mint release. Availability and versions can vary; do not assume the Software Manager or a particular package will be identical across Mint releases.
- Test your own input hardware. Both projects describe pressure-sensitive stylus support, but that does not establish compatibility for every tablet, driver, or desktop session.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Xournal++ when most of your work begins with a PDF and you want to keep annotations editable in a separate journal.
- Choose Rnote when you want an open-ended sketching or handwriting surface, particularly if fixed pages feel restrictive and your Mint session is not X11.
- Plan file management around the format. Keep Xournal++ journals with their referenced PDFs; for Rnote archives, retain portable exports when useful and be mindful of possible native-format changes.
This comparison reflects current project documentation, not hands-on testing; it does not establish performance or compatibility on a specific Linux Mint, tablet, or driver setup.
Quick Recap
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