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How does the Note II hardware stack up today?

Page 4 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
5,493
3
81
Do people really take notes using the S-Pen?

I could text with the keyboard (Swiftkey) a lot faster than writing things.
 

dawheat

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
3,132
93
91
Do people really take notes using the S-Pen?

I could text with the keyboard (Swiftkey) a lot faster than writing things.

For me it's being able to still look at people/presenters when taking notes via S-Pen vs. staring at my screen typing notes. Less important, but still useful, I can do more than just type - whether it be drawing arrows/lines to connect ideas, underlining for emphasis, putting in quick stars or such to remind me to go back, etc.

There's probably folks out there who can type on their phones without staring at the keyboard - but I'm not one of them.
 

pakotlar

Senior member
Aug 22, 2003
731
187
116
I use the spen quite a bit during browsing. Also helps some with web development, if I need to quickly check hover states or js trigger $(elem).on('hover',...) .

Luckily spen is 100% functional in CM10.1 & roms basd on CM (like Carbon Rom, my personal favorite); only need a replacement for snote if you wish to take notes.
 

Chocu1a

Golden Member
Jun 24, 2009
1,386
79
91
Do people really take notes using the S-Pen?

I could text with the keyboard (Swiftkey) a lot faster than writing things.

Every single day. I jot down notes, take orders, make memos from meetings. I use the s-pen at least 5 times every single day. I use it so much that I bought a Note 10.1 to sync s-notes between the two, using which ever is closest to me.
The deciding factor on my purchasing the Note 2 WAS the s-pen.
 

ChronoReverse

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,562
31
91
You mean the regular capacitive pens on regular capacitive screens versus the Wacom stylus in the Notes?

It's like crayon versus a pen.
 

Jinny

Senior member
Feb 16, 2000
896
0
76
if it makes anyone feel better, everything is obsolete by the time it gets released. snapdragon 800 is in production .
 

ControlD

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2005
5,440
44
91
I went to the Verizon store and checked out both the S4 and the Note II for a bit, so now I am stuck debating between the two. I imagine either one would be fine for my uses, but making quick buying decisions isn't one of my strong areas.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
If you have expensive low-impedance earphones, the S4 won't play well with them. The Note 2 definitely will.

You probably don't, but if you do...
 

ChronoReverse

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,562
31
91
Yeah, the Wolfson DAC and amplifier in the Note 2 is a lot more powerful. My Nexus S (Wolfson) can go like twice as loud as my GS4 without distortion (it can go even louder!).
 

ControlD

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2005
5,440
44
91
That helps quite a bit. If the audio is better on the Note that is a big deal because a good part of what I use my phone for is audio.
 

ChronoReverse

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,562
31
91
It's not so much better that it's a deal-breaker UNLESS you need the volume (for low impedance headphones).
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Yeah, I have expensive *high*-impedance headphones and there shouldn't be any issue with the S4. It's just the low-impedance/high-current setups that beg for the Wolfson.
 

ControlD

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2005
5,440
44
91
My headphones of choice are on the high end of low impedance (32 Ohms), which should be fine with either the S4 or the Note I believe.
 

ControlD

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2005
5,440
44
91
I pulled the trigger on a titanium Note 2 yesterday from swappa. Now I just have to hope I can sell my 4S or else this is gonna hurt :)
 

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
32,229
2,539
126
www.theshoppinqueen.com
I am in the unique position of having many phones placed into my hands regularly. I love my Note 2, the battery life is terrific, I use the S pen daily & the screen size is excellent. I'm very happy with the phone & suspect I will be for quite awhile.
 

ControlD

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2005
5,440
44
91
So, I have had the phone for three days now. It did take about a day to come to terms with the sheer size of the thing, but when I went back to my 4S to transfer some data off I realized just how nice that huge screen really is. I do get some strange looks from people at work when I am using it as a phone ...

I held off for about a day before installing a custom ROM and that entire process was much easier than I expected. This thing is so much better than my 4S there really isn't much point in trying to compare the two. I feel like I have total control with this phone and the speed is amazing. Overall, very much a worthwhile upgrade.
 
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bearxor

Diamond Member
Jul 8, 2001
6,605
3
81
So, I have had the phone for three days now. It did take about a day to come to terms with the sheer size of the thing, but when I went back to my 4S to transfer some data off I realized just how nice that huge screen really is. I do get so strange looks from people at work when I am using it as a phone ...

Every once in a while while I'm out, I'll see someone on a Note and I'll walk by and say 'Nice tablet!'

I haven't gotten beat up yet.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Every once in a while while I'm out, I'll see someone on a Note and I'll walk by and say 'Nice tablet!'

I haven't gotten beat up yet.
Probably because most of them are 5' Asian girls? :D
 

ChronoReverse

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,562
31
91
The best part about the Note 2 is the battery life. I'm still somewhat disappointed that Samsung didn't pull that off with the GS4.
 

dbk

Lifer
Apr 23, 2004
17,685
10
81
I have a S2 and am finally eligible for an upgrade. I was sooo close to upgrading to the S4 but now I think i'm gonna wait for the Note III to comes out. It wouldn't make sense to upgrade to the Note II, right?

Although, I will prob upgrade my dad's S2 to Note II since he really only cares about the screen size. Note II and Note III screen size should be neglible for him. ha
 

ChronoReverse

Platinum Member
Mar 4, 2004
2,562
31
91
Well, I treat my battery extremely harshly. I'll probably pop in a Zerolemon 3000mah battery next year.