Samsung Note I/II versus an old school PDA

Forums › Android › Samsung Note I/II versus an old school PDA

KiwiTT

122 posts

Master Geek

#109545 21-Sep-2012 20:00

I had a Palm III, Tungsten T and Telecom Harrier.

Does using the S-Pen, recall many of the familiarities of using a PDA, only significantly enhanced. I had always liked using a pen for the precision it felt versus using fingers (I have short stubby fingers)

Or should I go with a Samsung Galaxy SIII, and adjust to the finger, with the added advantage of a more pocketable device.

Reason I am seriously considering the Note I/II is that larger screen size and the fact my eyesight is starting to fail.

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#689643 21-Sep-2012 20:17

Modern devices use capacitive touch screens, which are much more accurate than the old resistive touch screens that you're probably used to - you'll probably find that using your fingers on a modern device is actually better than a stylus on an old PDA.

You can also get aftermarket styluses that you can use with any capacitive touch screen device, the main advantage to the Note/Note II is the stylus is built in to the device and there are some tweaks to the software/interface.

It's probably best to have a play with them in store and get the device that suits your needs, rather than focusing on the stylus.

loganjames

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#689662 21-Sep-2012 20:27

Galaxy note's stylus is not even close to what you have to use on the iPhone or SGSIII. Its amazing what you can do with it once you have a play. I've used the 10.1" Note for a few days and almost cried when I had to give it back (5yo daughter did cry)

KiwiTT

122 posts

Master Geek

#689677 21-Sep-2012 20:45

So you can get a external case for the SIII with a builtin stylus ?

loganjames

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#689680 21-Sep-2012 20:49

KiwiTT: So you can get a external case for the SIII with a builtin stylus ?

But its the type and quality of the stylus. On most phones the stylus is a rubber ball on a stick. The S-Pen is a PEN that is crazy accurate and has a button to perform additional Tasks, the apps on board are built to be stylus friendly.

If the OP is planning on using a stylus mostly then the Note / Note II is the best option.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#689698 21-Sep-2012 21:28

KiwiTT: I had a Palm III, Tungsten T and Telecom Harrier.

Does using the S-Pen, recall many of the familiarities of using a PDA, only significantly enhanced. I had always liked using a pen for the precision it felt versus using fingers (I have short stubby fingers)

Or should I go with a Samsung Galaxy SIII, and adjust to the finger, with the added advantage of a more pocketable device.

Reason I am seriously considering the Note I/II is that larger screen size and the fact my eyesight is starting to fail.

look, i love every bits of my galaxy note. if you like stylus, go for galaxy note 2. i found s3 is too small. my recommendation to you, get note2!!!

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#689710 21-Sep-2012 21:45

Mildly related to this thread, Smiggles do a real cool capacitive tipped ballpoint pen for $15.99

I use it with my S3 and it works well, not inthe same realm as a note/s pen but not bad

loganjames

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#689737 21-Sep-2012 23:11

Wade: Mildly related to this thread, Smiggles do a real cool capacitive tipped ballpoint pen for $15.99

I use it with my S3 and it works well, not inthe same realm as a note/s pen but not bad

really? That'd be cool do you have a link? Couldn't find it on the website.

EDIT: wait found it (http://goo.gl/bvMBd) its the "rubber ball on a stick type"

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

KevinL

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#689739 21-Sep-2012 23:14

loganjames:
Wade: Mildly related to this thread, Smiggles do a real cool capacitive tipped ballpoint pen for $15.99

I use it with my S3 and it works well, not inthe same realm as a note/s pen but not bad

really? That'd be cool do you have a link? Couldn't find it on the website

Presumably this one? http://www.smiggle.com/SM_navIWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=8&Section_Id=&pcount=&Product_Id=1787741

Seems overpriced - see http://dx.com/s/stylus+pen for example.

Edit - due to the nature of capacitive touch screens (the Note and S-Pen uses slightly different technology), a fine-tipped capacitive stylus doesn't really exist. The closest is the Adonis Jot (http://adonit.net/product/jot/) or there's a DIY version here (http://tumblr.kinglau.co/post/6442455519/ipadstylusdiy).

KiwiTT

122 posts

Master Geek

#689775 22-Sep-2012 07:12

So if I get a Note II, do I simply get a new SIM (I have a standard-size at present) if required and put in the APN settings, and I am good to go.

The Note I/II, will also be a good sized e-reader as well.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#689777 22-Sep-2012 07:16

No need to set APN. It should set it automatically

KiwiTT

122 posts

Master Geek

#689787 22-Sep-2012 08:51

If I buy a retail Note I/II and use Samsung's own updating software (Kies - I think), and get a new mini-SIM from Telecom, will it work.

The Transfer process - is this correct ?

1) Buy Note I/II - Charge up battery
2) Take to Telecom Store, get mini-Sim
3) Put in Mini-Sim
4) Wait for activation ?!?!?
5) APN details automatically applied ?!?!?
5) Good to go ?!?!?

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#689796 22-Sep-2012 10:07

Agree with the comments recommending the Note 2 to the OP - for your background and needs as you state them the Note 2 will be better than anything else available.

I see nobody has pointed out specifically why the S-Pen is so much better than all the capacitive styli people are recommending - its a WACOM digitiser. There is a bit of a write up about it here, the most notable point being how much more sensitive it is than the first Note S-Pen, and I wrote a bit more extensively about the digitiser in my review of the original Note in the final part here.

To the OP - if you're in Auckland I will be getting a Note 2 ASAP at release and would be happy for you to gets hands-on time with mine to see whether it's for you (I have an S3 as well, so you could even compare them).

EDIT: Your setup is basically correct, although you could get a micro SIM now and use it with your existing handset with a SIM adapter. No need to wait for activation when you get your new phone that way.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org