I bought a Note 8 awhile back, even though it had an S Pen, a function I had never used, didn't want, and would tolerate just to get the Note 8. To my surprise, I really enjoyed using the pen. The main use was to scroll through internet pages. This is one of the reasons I am anxiously awaiting the Note 3. It might be very very good with killer battery life.
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Try the S Pen; It's pretty good
- Thread starter jimbo1mcm
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I always thought the pen on the note 2 kind of sucked, i just wasn't impressed by the accuracy but maybe that was due to the small screen compared to a tablet. I think I'm just spoiled by the recognition on a windows tablet.
I was compelled to buy a Galaxy Note 2 solely because of its spacious highly beneficial (for me) display. That it came with the S-Pen was something I was sure would be useless, other than perhaps to doodle.
For the first six months of ownership it performed very well. Then one day I thought about S-Pen and decided to try it. I was very surprised at its ease of use, excellent results and a break from typing. Once again I was reminded that judging a feature before you try it may result in a great missed experience.
For the first six months of ownership it performed very well. Then one day I thought about S-Pen and decided to try it. I was very surprised at its ease of use, excellent results and a break from typing. Once again I was reminded that judging a feature before you try it may result in a great missed experience.
The S-pen is ok, however I can't remember the last time I used mine. The screen is probably the best thing about my note.
The pen on my Surface Pro is better then the Note 2. I only really have issues when I am sketching and the pen leans at an angle.
Sometimes I decide to use the Surface Pro pen on my Note 2. Marks a lot lighter for some reason.
The biggest problem I had with the S Pen on the Note 8 and 10.1 my wife and I owned, was the pen itself. Much too awkward IMO, and felt like one of the pencils used to keep score when golfing. 
Samsung had a regular size pen hanging on the shelf, but we never bought one. My wife used the pen for scrolling around, and I guess that was easier for her. The Note 8 and 10.1 pens have VERY different tips. The 10.1 has replaceable tips, and they are more like mechanical pencil lead. The Note 8's tip is fixed in place, and is more like a ball point pen in shape.
Samsung had a regular size pen hanging on the shelf, but we never bought one. My wife used the pen for scrolling around, and I guess that was easier for her. The Note 8 and 10.1 pens have VERY different tips. The 10.1 has replaceable tips, and they are more like mechanical pencil lead. The Note 8's tip is fixed in place, and is more like a ball point pen in shape.
I also figure i wouldnt use the S pen if i had a Note but i do imagine for me, it would do well when using swype. I still make mistakes using my thumb and im more accurate using my index finger. Id think the S pen would be even more accurate for me, ....but i dont have one or tried it.
The S pen is underrated. I'm considering selling my note 10.1 to get a note 8 ( I lurve me some physical buttons) . Samsung outdid themselves with that pen software, it's great. Annotations, notes, signing docs, and the UI is simple. Too bad the resolution isn't higher and it's still stupidly widescreen. 1600x1200 would be perfect for me.
I love the s-pen. The note 2 was so big that I never needed to pull out a tablet and actually preferred browsing with the pen versus touch. Also, if I was ever on a phone call and need to write down either a phone number, note, or confirmation number it came in handy.
I just bought a Note 8.0 and I agree, the S-Pen is awesome. The handwriting recognition is also extremely accurate. My iPad 2 is now sat gathering dust.
Does the Surface Pro have palm rejection software? Does it have any good note taking apps? I am looking for a tablet to take notes on and use for entertainment. My options are the Note (8 and 10) and Surface Pro it seems ATM.
Yea it has palm rejection, it also has a built in handwriting recognition app which translates what you write into text and can be used in any typing app like Word, Notepad or One note. Tons of stuff out on the web that will just work since. Since it is running Intel and runs the huge Windows catalog.
Battery Life and price are big problems with the Pro in comparison with the Note 8. You will not get the battery longevity due to Intel. Maybe 6 hours tops of non cpu intensive use. When I am playing Civilization 5, XCom or Battlefield 3 I only manage about 2 hours before it needs to hit the charger. Price is also a big concern... if you just need a note taking slate then the Note 8 comes in at around $350 vs the base line Surface Pro being around $799 just for the tablet itself.
Bottom line is, if you just need something to surf the web on, take notes and maybe play the occasional casual mobile game the Note 8 would be good. If you want something that can do a little more and do not mind the lesser battery life and higher cost (not to mention the size and weight) then the Surface Pro is good. I do a lot of sketching and artwork as well as gaming and the Surface Pro meets my needs well.
Don't forget the Atom windows tablets, 10.5+ hours battery life on my Lenovo TPT2, built in stylus with wacom digitizer, and of course runs OneNote, Office, etc like a dream. I've found Microsofts handwriting recognition to easily be above any other recognition I've ever used, it's uncanny at times. Makes taking notes in a meeting pretty awesome. Also having one Note wherever I go is great, including on my iphone, and they all sync up instantly when I make a change on one device.
Great now I really miss my Note 2. I've debated trying to pick one up again but then I know I'll hate myself if the Note 3 is amazing.
Since it fits very nicely in its slot, you don't need to carry anything extra.
For me, the S-pen is awesome. Presently, I have the original note. Also, recently, I got the note 8, from ebay. On both, the s-pen works great. In meetings, the note 8 is nice to have for taking notes. Many ask me where they can they get one. The split window, navigating, etc are nice, but I use mine more for writing and drawing. Lots of uses...
Luckily, I got it brand new for $265 (as luck would have it, paypal gave me a nice coupon plus the seller was discounting it). After receiving it, I registered it and got the $25 for the play store. Even though you may not get it this low, there are very good deals where you can get one below $300 (used but in very good condition).
Since the note 8 is so light, holding it while writing is very comfortable. Writing on the surface tablets while holding one is way less practical.
Now, I can't wait for the Note 3!
Thanks for the input. Right now I'm in the middle of reevaluating my computing needs. I'm trying to find a sweet spot between value, integration between devices, and functionality. Right now I have a big gaming desktop that I don't use to its potential but I don't want to give up Windows completely in my line up. I think the Surface pro would serve my Windows needs well (I only game occasionally) and the added stylus integration would be great. I'm a little concerned about the battery life though and price. I think I will wait for a refresh before choosing between the current pro with a decreased price or the new pro with hopefully good revisions, especially battery life (if I go the S.P. route).
That looks interesting as well. Do you know of any other Win 8 tablets with stylus integration?