Looking for feedback on stylus/pens and tablets for writing type stuff.

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Looking for feedback on stylus/pens and tablets for writing type stuff.

gzt

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#120895 17-Jun-2013 15:26

I'm thinking of getting a tablet and pen/stylus to sketch out whiteboard plans, flow diagram type things, and maybe some math.

Is this practical with a pen/stylus or will I become disillusioned and go back to pen and paper real fast?

Hardware and app suggestions are welcome.

nathan

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#838149 17-Jun-2013 15:29

I'd recommend an active digitiser like you'll find on a Microsoft Surface Pro and a number of other Windows Tablets, you'll be disappointed if you buy a stylus and try doing it on a tablet like an iPad that wasn't designed for it

I'd suggest going into a Harvey Norman/JB HiFi/Noel Leeming and having a play with a Surface Pro and see what you think

Personally I've used Tablets for doing this sort of thing for almost 10 years now and extensively use Microsoft OneNote, Visio etc with a Stylus

If you're in Auckland? drop past the Microsoft office in the Viaduct and I can show you

Skillie

192 posts

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#838459 18-Jun-2013 06:06

nathan: I'd recommend an active digitiser like you'll find on a Microsoft Surface Pro and a number of other Windows Tablets, you'll be disappointed if you buy a stylus and try doing it on a tablet like an iPad that wasn't designed for it

We have one and it works fabulously!

nathan

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#839725 19-Jun-2013 19:02

Skillie:
nathan: I'd recommend an active digitiser like you'll find on a Microsoft Surface Pro and a number of other Windows Tablets, you'll be disappointed if you buy a stylus and try doing it on a tablet like an iPad that wasn't designed for it

We have one and it works fabulously!

Which one?

I've tried various styluses on iPads and they are just no comparison to an active digitiser like you'll find on Surface Pro, ThinkPad Tablet 2 etc

gzt

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#839851 19-Jun-2013 21:15

The Surface Pro is an awesome beast but a little bit on the large side for what I had in mind.

I'm basically looking for a digital replacement of a 5" x 8" paper notepad. Jacket pocket size.

Based on the earlier hints about active digitiser I did some research.

There are very few devices close to that size available with an active digitiser. Samsung Galaxy Note II, Google Nexus 7. The examples I have seen for both are not impressive, but I will give them a go soon.

HP has produced something called Slate 7 using NTrig instead of Wacom. I'm not expecting much from that.

There are some after market clip on IR digitisers available for iPad but not really a retail item yet.

TwoSeven

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#839884 19-Jun-2013 21:48

A tablet wont be good for sketching - I used a stylus with my IPad but the issue is that the pens contact patch is quite large. I have not had a chance to try out my Surface yet, was going to see what OneNote was like for quick drawings.

If doing detailed drawings, then a Wacom tablet might be the better option, I believe they will plug into USB (or have a wifi model).

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kontonnz

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#839905 19-Jun-2013 22:04

The MS Surface Pro is an awesome little beast and pricey for just what you indicate esp with one note one of Microsofts' least appreciated pieces of software

a Galaxy Note Tablet or Phone might be what you are after they have active digitizers and are nice to use I can't live with out mine :)

The thing is for active note taking I've found the Galaxy note phone useful in a pinch but not useful enough in a long meeting, the tablet tho is a bit better but that is my lounge device :)

nathan

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#839907 19-Jun-2013 22:06

the best Stylus I have found it from

Adonit (http://adonit.net/) has totally reimagined the stylus for devices without active digitisers. It uses a flat disc, instead of a nub, which gives users a major boost in precision.