Tablets forum: Tablet for note-taking, with USB port

Cheaper than an 8 RT tablet and without MSFT's restrictions on apps.

It's really a nice tablet and the keyboard battery pack lets it run over a day. I paired up a bluetooth mouse and the note taking software is interesting but just like all the others I can type faster than I can with just the screen input.

Those that ask about note taking really need to try this out. So far I don't see why there is such attraction to note taking given the speed issues.
Bob

Note taking is laughable in so many ways. I can't imagine how long folk will put up with that as it's speed is slower than pen and paper in what I've seen others use it. It's slower because you don't just write but you have to check the computer got it plus on most you have to write in big letters then the software does a nice trick of picking that up and sizing it to a note.

I think the attraction is for those that don't want to use a keyboard or never learned to type.

Good idea but appears to fail in practice. That is, if I was in a class I would be at a disadvantage as I would be distracted by this work of notetaking over pen and paper.

Here's my thought on this. Maybe it's a good thing that such folk do this and pay the price in so many ways. Those that are smart enough to see the issues will get better grades.
Bob

Your somewhat cynical post displays a total lack of understanding journalism. Yes, in the classroom a keyboard would work, but when interviewing people, you need to make a personal connection that's automatically severed when you're pounding out notes on your keyboard.
Pen and paper -- and hopefully a tablet replacement of those tools -- allow you to maintain eye contact with your subject and relate to them, while jotting down the pertinent details of what they're telling you.

I'm writing from not only first hand use and experience but from students that tried it. Some seem OK with it and that's fine but they are still lagging behind the pen and paper folk as to speed.

As to your interview scenario I have a very nice recorder for such work. Do you? We have a few at our disposal at the office but my favorite is a Sanyo ICR-XPS01M.

Sorry if I sound cynical but I'm writing from experience. I find many folk have not used such things so I share experiences from both students and my own use.
Bob

I use the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet. It is a very nice tablet, I take notes with it all the time (tho I am not a journalist). I really like the ability to write on the tablet, my only issue was with the screen protector. When writing I could tell I was writing on glass and not paper, there was no drag so it just felt difficult. I picked up a new screen protector (armorsuit) and it works great. Has fantastic drag, and it is very nice.

You should be able to pick one of these up for around $400. I bought mine off ebay for $219 used with a dock and the pen. If you would like you may contact me at firstcorinthians1013@yahoo.com I have a few people from these forums emailing me with questions about tablets and my experiences. I would be glad to help if I can.

Best of luck!