Android tablet for taking notes

[olds]

Who uses one for taking meeting notes with a stylus?
Do you prefer 7" or 10"?
Which one?

I was leaning toward the Surface Pro 2 because my work laptop is a POS. Then I could have the best of both. But I was just promoted and will be getting a new and much better laptop. I don't see the need for the 2 now. (Doesn't mean I've ruled it out though...)

 

[poofyhairguy]

How do you like to take notes?

Writing - Galaxy Note Series
Typing - Surface (Pro) 2 or Transformer tablet

 

[cbrunny]

Are you looking to "write" notes using a stylus or type them with an onscreen/attachable keyboard?

If you choose on-screen keyboard, you'll probably want a tablet that has at least the option of a slant, or has one built in like the original Sony Tablet S.

 

[olds]

Sorry, stylus.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Than Surface Pro 2 or Galaxy Note series if you want Android.

 

[nixium]

Galaxy note 10.1 was great..

How's the 10.1 form factor vs. 8" factor for taking notes? Is the space restrictive for long term note taking *stylus*

 

[cbrunny]

I'd opt for surface pro 2. Excel can come in handy in meetings.

 

[olds]

Went to Best Buy and played with the Note 8, 10.1 and the Surface Pro 2. (Well, as best I could. Every time I touched the 10.1 the alarm went off and the BB idiot had to reset it. I complained that it was impossible to check it out and he said he'd rather the alarm went off than didn't.)

I like writing on the 10.1 better but I don't like the fact that they changed how to "erase" from the 8. On the 8 you can hit the eraser and select Clear All. On the 10.1 you have to hit the eraser then drag the stylus on all the text. That's probably minor to most but I hate it.

The Surface Pro 2 is .7 pounds heavier but does a lot more. I don't need a laptop so the price may make me exclude it. I'll play with Polaris on my phone to see how different it is from office, which is the only reason I'd go with the Pro.

 

[Imaginer]

I like writing on the 10.1 better but I don't like the fact that they changed how to "erase" from the 8. On the 8 you can hit the eraser and select Clear All. On the 10.1 you have to hit the eraser then drag the stylus on all the text. That's probably minor to most but I hate it.

I went with the Pro 2 because of the ease and natural use of the eraser function versus the built in stylus option that usually does not have an eraser end. (amongst other good things with the Pro 2)

And I used and liked the handwriting recognition. Great for handwriting to text options in lieu of switching to an on screen keyboard, hard keyboard, etc.

OneNote is utterly very functional and very nice. I wish I had this during college. It can even sync with other shared users for their viewing and input.

 

[Crono]

The Surface Pro 2 is .7 pounds heavier but does a lot more. I don't need a laptop so the price may make me exclude it. I'll play with Polaris on my phone to see how different it is from office, which is the only reason I'd go with the Pro.

Sounds like the Dell Venue 8 Pro would be the best fit for you. $369.99 for 32GB version with case and stylus, full Windows 8.1, MS Office, and the weight is 0.87 lbs.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/dell-venue-8-pro/pd

 

[Necrolezbeast]

Agreed with Crono...

I'm thinking of grabbing one in December to replace my TERRIBLE classroom computer and ipad smartboar setup... just need to see if miracast is an acceptable option

 

[Imaginer]

After relooking at the Dell Venue 8 Pro, I would also vouch for the tablet. It has a nice form factor, comes with Office 2013, sports a reasonable quad core Bay Trail Intel x86 processor for Windows programs of before and Windows apps, and a stylus with two buttons alongside the pen point.

All for a very good price point. I am just a but wary with the Synaptics pen hardware though, considering my history with their trackpads with my previous HP Envy 14.

The only reason why I have not jumped on the Venue, is the wanted and needed i5, RAM, and SSD capacity.

 

[roham]

NOTe series are said to be good for writing! but I think it is a little small!
if you dont have any problem with 10'' tablets buy one!

 

[olds]

Dude, I am getting a Dell!
Ordered the Dell Venue 8 Pro.

 

[RossMAN]

But I was just promoted and will be getting a new and much better laptop.

Congrats on the promotion!

Great choice on the Dell Venue 8 Pro, let us know how you like it (or don't)?

 

[olds]

Congrats on the promotion!

Great choice on the Dell Venue 8 Pro, let us know how you like it (or don't)?

Thanks and will do. It wasn't too expensive and I can always give it to the wife or a grand kid if I "need" more.

 

[olds]

Haven't had much time to use it yet. It arrived without the case or stylus. They won't be here till the 18th. VERY disappointing. The stylus is 85% of why I bought it.

When I clicked on the Office tile, it took me to a place to buy Office. I thought Office was supposed to come on it. So I installed an unused copy of 2013 Pro. It may have/had Office Home & Student 2013 but now it has Pro.

Going to try the wife's stylus from her Note 2 and see if it works. (it didn't)

 

[Imaginer]

Haven't had much time to use it yet. It arrived without the case or stylus. They won't be here till the 18th. VERY disappointing. The stylus is 85% of why I bought it.

When I clicked on the Office tile, it took me to a place to buy Office. I thought Office was supposed to come on it. So I installed an unused copy of 2013 Pro. It may have/had Office Home & Student 2013 but now it has Pro.

Going to try the wife's stylus from her Note 2 and see if it works. (it didn't)

The Note uses a different stylus setup (On similar to the Surface Pro, being Wacom - I know this because for demoing the first Pro, a Note was setup in close proximity and the tethered stylus worked for the Pro) The Venue 8 Pro uses Synaptics pen hardware.

Also, is there a voucher, email, anything that came with the invoice for a code to Office?

 

[Trombe]

The serial key for Office for the Venue 8 Pro is supposed to be in the box/packaging somewhere.

 

[olds]

...

Also, is there a voucher, email, anything that came with the invoice for a code to Office?

The serial key for Office for the Venue 8 Pro is supposed to be in the box/packaging somewhere.

This, though I haven't looked for it.

 

[RossMAN]

What do you think of the build quality? Compared to any current tablets you own?

How is the display?

How is the size/weight, it's an 8" right?

Does it seem snappy? How much disk space is available?

 

[olds]

What do you think of the build quality? Compared to any current tablets you own?
I own an original Kindle which is built like a tank. This thing feels lighter and I'd be afraid to drop it on anything not carpeted. I did order a case but it's not here yet.

How is the display?
It's an IPS screen 1280X800 and looks good to very good with the HD trailers I watched. Text in a Word document and a Kindle book were good.

How is the size/weight, it's an 8" right?
(that's what she said) Yes, it's 8".
I won't be able to really make a determination till I start using it for taking notes with the stylus. It's fine for holding on to. Not too heavy. My gut says 10" (closer to a legal pad size) might be better for taking notes if using a table to rest it on. Time will tell.

Does it seem snappy? How much disk space is available?
Not real snappy, in fact a little slow. But I just started using it. Maybe it learns and pre-caches often used apps?
Disk space is a little ridiculous. 9.05 free of 23.3. It's a 32 GB model so I assume the OS takes up 9 GB. My first PC only had a 10 GB HDD.
I've installed some card game apps and Office S&H.
But I also added a 64 GB SD card.

I'll play with it for a while and see if I need 4G or a 10".
Also, no flash for the camera.

 

[RossMAN]

I'll play with it for a while and see if I need 4G or a 10".
Also, no flash for the camera.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll wait a while for a hot deal on 64GB or 128GB with keyboard (which will hopefully be backlit).

 

[olds]

One other thing.
I am not seeing a battery charge indicator and didn't find one in the "Store".

 

[Imaginer]

One other thing.
I am not seeing a battery charge indicator and didn't find one in the "Store".

For this, swipe for the charms bar. If plugged in, the battery will have a plug next to it. The icon is around the time and date shown on the left.

I resorted to installing Battery Meter and All CPU Meter with 7 sidebar gadgets. Have not looked on the store recently for live tile functionality of the two gadgets.