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Can't afford Pro, Note taking options

D

davidwes

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 28, 2004
307
141
Hi,

Right now I am using an iPad 2 for comic book reading and internet surfing. Despite how old it is (and I bought it refurb) it's still usable for those two things only. I then have a macbook air I use as my main device.

I've been really interested in a new iPad for 2 reasons. 1 - I need a lot more storage then I currently have and 2 - I'm interested moving my notes from a moleskine book to the iPad where I can use spotlight to search my handwriting, etc.

I'm worried about 64Gb as I went with the smallest storage on my iPhone and its really really really been a problem. I'm constantly deleting apps only to re-install them when I need to. So let's look at the middle option and hopefully you can help me.

iPad Pro 10.5 256GB - 749 plus 99 for pencil is $850.
Refurb iPad Pro 9.7 128GB - 529 plus 99 for pencil is $630. (This would be both lower storage and apple only had rose gold in stock :( )

A 220 price difference is significant but I am wondering if anyone can offer a suggestion using the iPad 2017.

iPad (2017) 128Gb is 429. Are there any third party pens that would work on this iPad. Does anyone else take notes on paper and photo them onto the iPad? Any other suggestions?
 
Although I have a 12.9 iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, I also have an iPad Mini 4. I use that for writing and sketching as well. My solution should work with the iPad 2017... and I've actually been thinking of getting the 2017 as well.

I have a powered capacitive stylus called the DotPen. $35 @ Amazon. It has a fine tip and works as any other stylus on the non-Pro iPads. With that type of stylus, palm-rejection is dependent upon the particular app. This pen works great in OneNote, Notes.app, and all of the sketching apps I've used.

When sketching however, I use a homemade "artist glove". I picked up a white cotton glove at the pharmacy, cut off the thumb, index, and middle fingers. The fabric prevents the iPad from picking up my palm as a touch. Works great!
 
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sracer said:
Although I have a 12.9 iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, I also have an iPad Mini 4. I use that for writing and sketching as well. My solution should work with the iPad 2017... and I've actually been thinking of getting the 2017 as well.

I have a powered capacitive stylus called the DotPen. $35 @ Amazon. It has a fine tip and works as any other stylus on the non-Pro iPads. With that type of stylus, palm-rejection is dependent upon the particular app. This pen works great in OneNote, Notes.app, and all of the sketching apps I've used.

When sketching however, I use a homemade "artist glove". I picked up a white cotton glove at the pharmacy, cut off the thumb, index, and middle fingers. The fabric prevents the iPad from picking up my palm as a touch. Works great!
Click to expand...

Hi,

You're saying that this DotPen for only $35 works great in OneNote on any iPad I might have? That could be the answer to everything.

I don't really need anything in terms of sketching. It's just that I've tried task collecting on my laptop and its not as good as writing it down. So I was hoping to do like a bullet journal but just on an iPad so I can track it in multiple places and search. I also like to write notes on PDF's when I'm reviewing writing's or marketing materials.
 
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davidwes said:
Hi,

Right now I am using an iPad 2 for comic book reading and internet surfing. Despite how old it is (and I bought it refurb) it's still usable for those two things only. I then have a macbook air I use as my main device.

I've been really interested in a new iPad for 2 reasons. 1 - I need a lot more storage then I currently have and 2 - I'm interested moving my notes from a moleskine book to the iPad where I can use spotlight to search my handwriting, etc.

I'm worried about 64Gb as I went with the smallest storage on my iPhone and its really really really been a problem. I'm constantly deleting apps only to re-install them when I need to. So let's look at the middle option and hopefully you can help me.

iPad Pro 10.5 256GB - 749 plus 99 for pencil is $850.
Refurb iPad Pro 9.7 128GB - 529 plus 99 for pencil is $630. (This would be both lower storage and apple only had rose gold in stock :( )

A 220 price difference is significant but I am wondering if anyone can offer a suggestion using the iPad 2017.

iPad (2017) 128Gb is 429. Are there any third party pens that would work on this iPad. Does anyone else take notes on paper and photo them onto the iPad? Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

I use the 9.7 with the Apple pencil and I love it. The features you mention is in ios 11 not the ipad itself. Most 3rd party stylus works with the pro and very well, just not as good as the  pencil. Also 128 should be more than enough for you. 64 I feel can be too low.
 
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davidwes said:
Hi,

You're saying that this DotPen for only $35 works great in OneNote on any iPad I might have? That could be the answer to everything.

I don't really need anything in terms of sketching. It's just that I've tried task collecting on my laptop and its not as good as writing it down. So I was hoping to do like a bullet journal but just on an iPad so I can track it in multiple places and search. I also like to write notes on PDF's when I'm reviewing writing's or marketing materials.
Click to expand...
Correct. DotPen works great in OneNote for iPad. OneNote needs to have the "touch" setting set rather than "pen"... because DotPen is treated as a "finger" by iOS. But again, the issue of palm rejection is one to consider. I don't think that OneNote has palm rejection.
 
davidwes said:
Hi,

Right now I am using an iPad 2 for comic book reading and internet surfing. Despite how old it is (and I bought it refurb) it's still usable for those two things only. I then have a macbook air I use as my main device.

I've been really interested in a new iPad for 2 reasons. 1 - I need a lot more storage then I currently have and 2 - I'm interested moving my notes from a moleskine book to the iPad where I can use spotlight to search my handwriting, etc.

I'm worried about 64Gb as I went with the smallest storage on my iPhone and its really really really been a problem. I'm constantly deleting apps only to re-install them when I need to. So let's look at the middle option and hopefully you can help me.

iPad Pro 10.5 256GB - 749 plus 99 for pencil is $850.
Refurb iPad Pro 9.7 128GB - 529 plus 99 for pencil is $630. (This would be both lower storage and apple only had rose gold in stock :( )

A 220 price difference is significant but I am wondering if anyone can offer a suggestion using the iPad 2017.

iPad (2017) 128Gb is 429. Are there any third party pens that would work on this iPad. Does anyone else take notes on paper and photo them onto the iPad? Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
I have the adonit pixel which is pressure sensitive and has palm rejection. It works pretty well on my iPad Air 2. I use it more for drawing but it can be used to make notes.
[doublepost=1496774664][/doublepost]
davidwes said:
Hi,

You're saying that this DotPen for only $35 works great in OneNote on any iPad I might have? That could be the answer to everything.

I don't really need anything in terms of sketching. It's just that I've tried task collecting on my laptop and its not as good as writing it down. So I was hoping to do like a bullet journal but just on an iPad so I can track it in multiple places and search. I also like to write notes on PDF's when I'm reviewing writing's or marketing materials.
Click to expand...
I'll be waiting to see if my adonit pixel will be able to make use of the PDF annotation features of iOS 11. However I can already annotate PDFs and other documents with it using third party apps.
 
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davidwes said:
Hi,

Right now I am using an iPad 2 for comic book reading and internet surfing. Despite how old it is (and I bought it refurb) it's still usable for those two things only. I then have a macbook air I use as my main device.

I've been really interested in a new iPad for 2 reasons. 1 - I need a lot more storage then I currently have and 2 - I'm interested moving my notes from a moleskine book to the iPad where I can use spotlight to search my handwriting, etc.

I'm worried about 64Gb as I went with the smallest storage on my iPhone and its really really really been a problem. I'm constantly deleting apps only to re-install them when I need to. So let's look at the middle option and hopefully you can help me.

iPad Pro 10.5 256GB - 749 plus 99 for pencil is $850.
Refurb iPad Pro 9.7 128GB - 529 plus 99 for pencil is $630. (This would be both lower storage and apple only had rose gold in stock :( )

A 220 price difference is significant but I am wondering if anyone can offer a suggestion using the iPad 2017.

iPad (2017) 128Gb is 429. Are there any third party pens that would work on this iPad. Does anyone else take notes on paper and photo them onto the iPad? Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

I bought a 9.7 iPad Pro for 567 with tax on this site Called glyde. It even shipped with a Smart Keyboard! I don't work for glyde.. hope this isn't considered spam... but for anyone who agree with me that iPad Pro should be sold at a lower price.. just buy one used like I did. You might even get the fancy keyboard for free.
 
I'm going to sell my 9.7 iPad Pro with silicone case and Smart Keyboard after the 10.5 shows up. I'm sure many folks are. Have you considered looking into buying a used one?
 
iregret said:
I'm going to sell my 9.7 iPad Pro with silicone case and Smart Keyboard after the 10.5 shows up. I'm sure many folks are. Have you considered looking into buying a used one?
Click to expand...

Right now a used 9.7pro is still more expensive then the 2017 iPad. So that's why I'm trying to judge the note taking on that one.
 
What is your budget? I'm guessing something around a 2017 iPad? In that case, wait until the end of summer. The 9.7" won't drop down to 2017 iPad (it's still a premium device), but it would be much closer since everyone will be trying to clear their stock.
 
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