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Note Apps
- Thread starter TWO2SEVEN
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Goodnotes for me. Here's the main reason why.
I like the notebook metaphor for how I take notes. For others, primarily students, a scrolling document makes more sense (which is where Notability excels).
I also need cross-platform capabilities. Goodnotes has a very nice macOS version that complements the iOS version. I'll use Google Keep for post-it type notes as it is available across all of the platforms I use and supports a stylus on all those platforms that have one.
I like the notebook metaphor for how I take notes. For others, primarily students, a scrolling document makes more sense (which is where Notability excels).
I also need cross-platform capabilities. Goodnotes has a very nice macOS version that complements the iOS version. I'll use Google Keep for post-it type notes as it is available across all of the platforms I use and supports a stylus on all those platforms that have one.
Notability is good, but I prefer Nebo. Notability and GoodNotes both use Nebo's handwriting recognition engine, but implement it differently. Nebo formats well and allows easy linewrap, while Notability places a hard return at the end of each line - which means that if you copy the text into Word, you must d a great deal of reformatting. (Maybe I just haven't figured out how to override that problem in Notability.) In Notability, you must select ech section or paragraph that you want to convert to text, while Nebo does it automatically. However, I do prefer the drawing and diagraming of Notability over Nebo. Notability does allow multiple yypes of backgrounds (different width of lines, graph paper) which may help you when you write, while Nebo does not. Notability also provides pre-formatted forms and also allows you to import your own, 2 significant advantages over Nebo.
Search "Tom Solid" of the "Paperless Movement" on YouTube - he has several good videos comparing the most popular note-taking apps.
I have not yet purchased GoodNotes yet - I may change my opinion once I do try that one.
Notability!...I also have Goodnotes 5 but my writing is much smoother on Notability and I can record my classes while I take notes.
Notability because it can search my handwriting and it supports continuous scrolling.
GoodNotes 5 can do both but there is a gap between pages when doing continuous scrolling. I don’t want any gap because I want to be able to write or draw right across the border.
Notability will give you a active box that will open a browser to where you video is stored (YouTube or file).
I use Notability for many things - but- I must admit I am becoming more impresssed with Apple Notes ( especially if you are looking for an Evernote substitute).
The actual hand writing aspect of Notes is excellent. You can put handwritten notes into your note ( which may be a combo of typed and handwritten) without it being an “ extra” - like a drawing.
It still lacks some aspects of the other note taking apps but for a good all rounded, that works smoothly across all your devices, and is becoming a viable option for Evernote - as well as Notability or Goodnotes - it is certainly getting there. I just hope they continue to work on it and don’t just leave it and occasionally - every few years add an emoji.
I noticed i was able to put videos on AN I like it but its hard getting used to it after having the flexibility of Notibility.,
The one thing I don’t understand in AN, is the tool set changing from a note taking environment to a drawing environment. I mean, sometimes you can change a line thickness - sometimes you can’t. Sometimes you have a ruler, other times you don’t.
Once this gets sorted out, I may consider a switch.
I've just started testing out Notion (www.notion.so) it's very feature-rich and the iOS app is really good to use too
Since the OP specified "to use with the Pencil", I wonder how and where in Notion you can effectively put the Pencil to work ?
They support it as a stylus and, according to Twitter, are bringing full Pencil support "soon". So thought I'd throw it into the mix
Interesting, I’ve been watching Notion from a distance - seems like a rather steep learning curve though.
Meanwhile, as of tomorrow, I’m going to try with Apple Notes exclusively (even removed GoodNotes from my devices).
I'm new to note taking on my iPad.
I have training PDFs on my Mac that I imported into OneNote so that they'd sync on OneNote in my iPad for an upcoming training class. I intend to take notes on the PDFs with the Apple Pencil during the classes. I tend to prefer using Notability on my iPad Pro (I like the ability to record the lecture in Notability as I take notes).
I have both Notability and OneNote, and I'm just getting started using them in my iPad. Although I tend to prefer Notability, I'm leaning to OneNote because it appears to be easier to get scanned PDFs from my Mac to my iPad (OneNote is free on both platforms, and I haven't purchased Notability for Mac, yet, but I will if I hear positive advantages from users).
Is there a way to get PDFs from the Mac into Notability on the iPad without having Notability on the Mac? I've been looking at the Notability support site, and the import functionality seems to require the Mac software.
If you have experience with OneNote and Notability, do you have a preference?
I have training PDFs on my Mac that I imported into OneNote so that they'd sync on OneNote in my iPad for an upcoming training class. I intend to take notes on the PDFs with the Apple Pencil during the classes. I tend to prefer using Notability on my iPad Pro (I like the ability to record the lecture in Notability as I take notes).
I have both Notability and OneNote, and I'm just getting started using them in my iPad. Although I tend to prefer Notability, I'm leaning to OneNote because it appears to be easier to get scanned PDFs from my Mac to my iPad (OneNote is free on both platforms, and I haven't purchased Notability for Mac, yet, but I will if I hear positive advantages from users).
Is there a way to get PDFs from the Mac into Notability on the iPad without having Notability on the Mac? I've been looking at the Notability support site, and the import functionality seems to require the Mac software.
If you have experience with OneNote and Notability, do you have a preference?
Not having my Mac right now to check, but AirDrop should do the job.
I like neither. OneNote has way too much interface clutter leaving you little over 50% of working space. Notability looks old school in a bad way. But that’s just my humble and personal opinion, and your note taking needs may well totaly overrule my ranting ;-)
I use mostly notability and MyScript (Nebo). Nebo is quick and easy but it lacks several import features that I need. Only one paper format and no PDF import feature. Notability has a lot more features, but there is a learning cure. Nebo’s Hand recognition is faster, easier and more accurate. I have used GoodNotes and notes plus as well. Since notes plus (used it fore several years prior to the pencil) exported as PDF and notability was able to import PDF’s so Notability won out. The latest version of Nebo has some improvements to its file system but still lacks different types of paper as well as imports. Notability cloud sync (iCloud) is easier to establish and maintain. In addition when I choose not to use PDF expert Notability makeup and handling of PDF’s is great. Notability also has many available template packages for formatining both notebooks and individual note. To duplicate several old fashion meeting note formats / daytimer paper.
Onenote fill all the gaps for me, I can write notes but also pasting full websites thanks to its web clipper, it syncs with iphone mac and my PC.
I agree its interface is not the best and simple but I thinks it has more features than others and it's free.
I agree its interface is not the best and simple but I thinks it has more features than others and it's free.