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How is the iPad for note taking?..

TheBritishBloke

TheBritishBloke

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jul 21, 2009
2,532
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United Kingdom
I'm buying an iPad tonight for delivery late next week.. and I'm going to be going back to college in the Fall.

I was wondering:

How is the iPad (with pages) for taking notes? Does it get tiring? Lots of mis-spellings?(I'm pretty good with the iPhone keypad).

Does it get uncomfortable? Any other issues?

Have any of you used it for college work?

Thanks..
 
Going to keep an eye on this thread, although tbh sound's like you might want to invest in a bluetooth keyboard, just to aid typing. The media keys on it also work as well. Pages is good for document making, but for quick notes it may be a bit slow to start up, but don't worry, copy and past also works, so you can use just the normal notes app for quicker creation.

Size wise, the on screen landscape keyboard is literally full size when compared to the wireless bluetooth keyboard, just that its cut down, so tab and other keys aren't accessible as easily.
 
http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/07/noterize-30-ipad-exclusive-prerelease-review/

I am salivating.

To answer your question...gonna use for college, typing is fine once you get used to it, but a keyboard would probably be the way to go. I make some mistakes but type relatively fast on it, not sure I'd feel very confident in class without a keyboard taking notes, although I do plan on going one week keyboardless to see how it goes.

I use the Apple case to prop it up to type better, works great!


(Sent from my iPad ;))
 
I got to use mine for the last week of class last semester, and it worked great! I'm pretty fast when it comes to the the ipad's keyboard, so I don't have a need for the Bluetooth one. My recommendations would be to get the apple case (makes it's comfortable to type on a desk), and evernote for note-taking.
 
heavensblade23 said:
The iPad is a better consumption device than a production device.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this is why enterprise-sized corporations are starting to utilize them as business devices. :rolleyes: Seriously, there's plenty that can be done on one if you spend the time to hunt for good apps that work well with your personal preferences for input.

My husband uses PaperDesk for fairly heavy note taking at work, with just the virtual keyboard and drawing with his finger. I use Notebooks for the iPad to do everything from corral my web research to fiction writing, MaxJournal for daily journaling, and SoundPaper for lectures/conferences. I have the Bluetooth keyboard for use with all of them, but still end up doing more than half of my typing without it. And I use a TenOne Pogo Sketch stylus for drawing when I need to.

It's a superb consumption device, but it shouldn't be dismissed as JUST that.
 
In short with the right applications, the iPad is what you want it to be. Consumption, production, etc... The key is to define your tasks and see if the accessories you need are available. It is that simple. I use mine at work. I have a brand new MBP 17 inch i5 that sits at home most of the time and use only when I want to edit photos or something that might need Flash. When on my couch, my iPad is near, the kitchen, the iPad is close by and so on. Listen to yourself and your needs before listening to anyone else. Hope this helps.
 
IrishVixen said:
Yeah, this is why enterprise-sized corporations are starting to utilize them as business devices. :rolleyes: Seriously, there's plenty that can be done on one if you spend the time to hunt for good apps that work well with your personal preferences for input.
Click to expand...

I've found it to be nothing but painful compared to an actual computer. A virtual keyboard pales in comparison to an actual keyboard with tactile feedback, and handwriting with your finger is just dumb.

There's a reason Apple put a dock that included an actual keyboard, in case you find yourself needing to enter a lot of text.
 
Thankyou everyone for your replies!

FLYING SE7EN said:
Perfect note taking for me is :

iPad
Pogo stylus
Note Taker HD
Click to expand...

That looks fantastic! Including the cheap price of the stylus :)

At the moment, the only case I have on order is a switcheasy nude (long shipping times for the Apple case!) which includes a stand, but that sits the iPad at a high angle.

The whole point in considering the iPad for note taking is that I'd only need that device, and I wouldn't have to lug a keyboard around with me too because it just appears as a waste of space too.

Tactile feedback is of course nice, but it depends on personal preference, it's never bothered me.
 
I just ordered a stylus from amazon, prob going to try out penultimate with it for college to take hand written notes. Hopefully it works out well, would make things a lot easier to organize for me personally.
 
I tried my share of efforts with various note taking apps plus Pages. I seriously need a wireless keyboard so that I can have access to control and arrow keys! However, with added keyboard, the portability of iPad reduces significantly where I get to wonder why not take my notebook instead...

Oh well, I'm fine with iPad being a consumption device as I've got more to consume than I can ever handle. :D
 
I have had my first iPad since April 3rd (the release date) and immediately began using it for classwork (UC Berkeley student & assistant professor). Here's my perspective:

TheBritishBloke said:
How is the iPad (with pages) for taking notes? Does it get tiring? Lots of mis-spellings?(I'm pretty good with the iPhone keypad).

Does it get uncomfortable? Any other issues?

Have any of you used it for college work?

Thanks..
Click to expand...

With the various apps out there for notes (Notes, Evernote, Noterize, Pages, etc. to name a few) that you may want to try out to see which interfaces you will enjoy. Two days after the iPad released, it was a Monday morning, and I took my device to lecture. For select lectures, I would use Voice Memo and just write out my notes in a notebook sheet, but for active iPad usage, I did go to several classes where I was typing up notes and attempting to draw figures/systems/diagrams. Typing is something that felt extremely weird, but it worked... you will not get tired with it, it's just awkward to know that you're typing and only looking at the professor/slides... you may not be used to it at first, but through time, it becomes natural and enjoyable. Now, it's no hassle, and I will only rarely-to-occasionally type a mistaken word (which usually ends up auto-corrected to an actual word and doesn't make much sense). It's not uncomfortable, but you may want to go with the Apple case for longer class sessions (4 hrs +).

CristobalHuet said:
http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/07/noterize-30-ipad-exclusive-prerelease-review/

I am salivating.

I use the Apple case to prop it up to type better, works great!


(Sent from my iPad ;))
Click to expand...

That app is beautiful! Good advice on on having the Apple case to prop it up. Then, typing becomes natural overtime and you'll end up going to classes without a laptop/notebook most of the time.

nalk7 said:
I got to use mine for the last week of class last semester, and it worked great! I'm pretty fast when it comes to the the ipad's keyboard, so I don't have a need for the Bluetooth one. My recommendations would be to get the apple case (makes it's comfortable to type on a desk), and evernote for note-taking.
Click to expand...

This. Agreed with how it takes some time to get used to, but it will work great gradually and there won't be a need for a bluetooth/dock keyboard once you practice for some time with it... even for longer typing sessions/work. Great recommendations. :)
 
I use it a lot for notetaking during business meetings. If its à slow meeting i can use the virtual board, but otherwise I use a Bluetooth keyboard. I prefer the apple keyboard, but an igo foldable is also pretty nice and compact! If you type blind with 10 fingers, the virtual keyboard isn't gonna cut it, if you are a 2 indexfinger typer, you're probably already looking at the screen, so it won't be as much trouble and slow you down as much.
 
I've said this before..i take mine to meetings along with my old MBA in the bag. If it's a slide show.excel type meeting I use my Ipad and the pogo and notetakerHD. save and throw in dropbox. after the meeting email myself some other notes on dragon dictation on iphone.

If it's a small, personal meeting i use the MBA cause I can type fast and I don't have to setup the ipad keyboard. In fact I have the BT keyboard but seldom use it for the Ipad. I prob would if it were my only device
G
 
stark4 said:
i like your idea but the don't you think the stylus is too big to write stuff on ipad?

btw can i draw with "Note Taker HD" using stylus?
Click to expand...

Yes you can draw in Note Taker HD using a stylus [till the time the stylus works on touch screens]. I would, however, recommend Notes Plus over Note Taker HD. I've used both and find Note Taker HD to be lacking UI wise [as compared to Notes Plus and Notes Pro HD and also Pen-Ultimate]. Also, for Note Taker HD - you must click on the button in the zoom box to go to next line [unless I can't figure out how to auto do it] while Notes Plus does it auto... my 2 cents.
 
saberahul said:
Yes you can draw in Note Taker HD using a stylus [till the time the stylus works on touch screens]. I would, however, recommend Notes Plus over Note Taker HD. I've used both and find Note Taker HD to be lacking UI wise [as compared to Notes Plus and Notes Pro HD and also Pen-Ultimate]. Also, for Note Taker HD - you must click on the button in the zoom box to go to next line [unless I can't figure out how to auto do it] while Notes Plus does it auto... my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

ok i'll try Notes Plus, Notes Pro HD and Pen-Ultimate.

now the real question is What's the best stylus for note taking on ipad???
 
stark4 said:
ok i'll try Notes Plus, Notes Pro HD and Pen-Ultimate.

now the real question is What's the best stylus for note taking on ipad???
Click to expand...

It depends on your need. I am quite comfortable with a ball top stylus as I can get decent accuracy with it, something like Pogo. I did not like the idea of Pogo and was a little hesitant in regards to the "iPad stylus" idea; therefore, decided to make my own before purchasing anything. I must say that I am so happy with the one I made myself that I don't see any need to spend $15 + tax for any professionally made stylus.. now if I wanted to, I could... but like I said, I'm very happy with the one I made.
If you want directions on how to make your own, just look here.

-- SR

Edit: I sent you a PM. Take a look.
 
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