<p>Hey,</p>
<p>It is a bit early for me to worry about this, but I wanted to know if anyone has experience with taking notes on a tablet PC (using the stylus), specifically for engineering. Is it worth it or is it better to stick to pencil and paper for math-oriented classes that use various symbols?</p>
<p>I have a friend in the EE program at Virginia Tech where engineering students were required to buy Tablet PCs. He always complains about the fact he had to buy a Tablet when none of his classes actually use the tablet feature to the point that it was worth spending the extra money on a Tablet. It's probably different at different schools but from my conversations with him I'd suggest just getting a more powerful laptop for the same price as a Tablet</p>
<p>Tablets are cool, but there are some considerations.</p>
<p>First, how is your handwriting? If it's neat, you can do it quickly, and it's better than typing for you (in any important form- writing, diagrams, general note taking), a tablet may be a serious consideration.</p>
<p>Tablets have some major pluses. First, you don't have to go keyboardless; many are "convertible", switching between tablet style and traditional. This has the benefit of making the screen very moveable- whether you want to show what's on screen to someone else or get it in the best possible position.</p>
<p>Also, tablets often come with more energy efficient parts- if you're on the go a lot (like many tablet users), tablets can be lightweight.</p>
<p>Additionally, tablet support within applications (both Windows as an OS and other apps) has improved drastically. I've seen friends do some pretty amazing things in OneNote on tablets (comes with some editions of office or sold seperately- awesome program, you can get a 60 day trial from Microsoft). The integration is great.</p>
<p>Finally, tablets have improved a lot since their early popularity (when XP tablet edition came out a few years back). The screens now come with better scratch resistant coatings, a nicer stylus (better weighted and better tip), better screens (the cost of touchscreens has gone down), are lighter with fewer compromises (early ones got horrible battery life), screens that are more adapted to writing (some of the new ones feel just like pen and paper), and they've gone down in price too (the difference is still there, but it's less).</p>
<p>OK, downsides. Tablets are more expensive for the same parts- if you're on a super budget, it's not the right type of laptop for you. Additionally, they're usually not the strongest- weight is a strong consideration, and compromises are often made between less processing power or shorter battery life. They're more fragile, due to the fact that the screen is often left exposed and the fact that many have one hinge in the center that requires a lot of movement. Touchscreens still scratch, and they can be expensive to replace.</p>
<p>If you're really mobile, or if handwriting is an excellent note taking tool for you, I'd suggest the tablet. If you don't think you'll use it every day, it's probably more of a wastefully expensive gimmick that you'll make compromises for.</p>
<p>My suggestion: Try a tablet. Go to Best Buy/whatever store has them (I wouldn't buy from them...pushy reps and high prices), act interested (as if you're going to buy), try them out. Bring a newspaper, or some homework, and see if you can make an outline (if you're really desperate, outline whatever is playing in the nearby TV). This may seem weird, but don't worry - thank the rep profusely and say "I have to think about it for a few days- thanks for your help!" and leave. The only way to be sure is to try one out with a practical application.</p>
<p>There are two types of tablets:
1. The monitor is a touch screen so any pointing device can be used (finger, pen, stylus, etc). However, with these types of tablets, since they are pressure sensitive, it makes it more challenging to take readable notes since most people do not maintain constant pressure when writing. (you'll end up with partial letters or random strokes because of your palm on the screen as you're writing)
2. The stylus sends a signal to the monitor screen. The stylus is the only thing that can be used for touch-sensitivity. Because it is not pressure sensitive, the monitor can register the stylus's marks regardless.</p>
<p>Tablet type 2 would be more useful for note taking. I didn't know there were two different types when I bought a tablet & I bought an HP model tx1000 which is type 1. I'm still glad I bought a tablet because I can read pdf's on my computer & make margin notes, etc. But I think the recognition is too poor & slow for me to be able to take good notes in class.</p>
<p>For an idea of what note-taking is like on a Tablet PC, see: [Tablet</a> PC - A Student’s Perspective<a href="Good%20screen%20shots">/url</a>.</p>
<p>For student oriented Tablet PC opinions and news, see: [url=<a href="http://www.studenttabletpc.com/%5DThe">http://www.studenttabletpc.com/]The</a> Student Tablet PC](<a href="http://tabletpcstudent.wordpress.com/%5DTablet">http://tabletpcstudent.wordpress.com/)</p>
<p>For math software for the Tablet PC, see: [url=<a href="http://www.xthink.com/%5DxThink%5B/url">http://www.xthink.com/]xThink[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Forgot to mention:</p>
<p>Dell is supposed to be releasing their Tablet PC in December.</p>
<p>The Mac news sites are running stories this morning about the possibility of an Apple Tablet. Still in the early rumor stage...</p>
<p>I want to give you guys my thoughts on a tablet PC...</p>
<p>WHY DID I NOT BUY ONE BEFORE COLLEGE?</p>
<p>I first bought a very large but powerful HP laptop. I used it for 1.25 yeras, sold it, then bought an Apple MacBook. I have been using it for little less than one year. I'm in my third year, as an engineering student, and I almost feel like I want to get a tablet. If I could, I would IMMEDIATELY sell this laptop and get either an IBM or Toshiba tablet. While the IBM-Lenovo tablets are a little expensive (though I've heard great things about them), there are a few good-to-excellent quality Toshiba tablets that start at around $1,350.</p>
<p>In the end, I wish I had a tablet PC. For those parents thinking about getting their children a tablet, DO IT please! It might not come in as handy in the first year of college (because it'll be basic courses, which I doubt will require much writing), but it will definitely help with engineering.</p>
<p>Well, you can spend $1000 for the ability to write directly on the screen or buy a wacom tablet add on: (Newegg.com</a> - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!) </p>
<p>Originally I thought that lenovo was the way to go. I soon found out that you can buy the same hardware in a laptop for $400 and then buy a 5x5 wacom tablet for 80$ while still maintaining that nifty drawing ability. Although the wacom tablet doesn't come with a program like onenote, there are some...other methods to get it (buying it is an option too).</p>
<p>Personally, I am debating whether to splurge the extra 1k for potential ease of use of the tablet pc but I have heard from many graphic artists that wacom tablets are very easy to get used to (YouTube</a> - Promiscuous Girl (Drawing with a Wacom)) example of a drawing made by a wacom tablet.</p>
<p>So, to sum it up.</p>
<p>I do believe that regardless, one should get some type of tablet to make things easier.</p>
<p>Tablet PC
Pros
-All in one
-Writing directly on the screen -> writing on visible lines
-All of your notes are easily compiled into one file with out of the box software
Cons
-$1000 for just the above pros</p>
<p>Wacom Tablet add on
Pros
-$80 for basic model (goes to $400 for professional cgi use)
-Money left over for other things (better laptop, clothing, whatever)
-Available in a variety of sizes
Cons
-Will require other software
-Lines are not on the notepad
-5x5 cheap model may be too small
-Images and notes may not be in the same file (may require combining files after class)
-Another thing to lug to each class (it's still small though)</p>
<p>Again, I'd like to hear some feedback since I'm not sure which to get at the moment. I plan on heading into biochemistry/bioengineering at Duke next year.</p>
<p>I have a question about using the tablet that maybe someone with experience could answer. </p>
<p>When doing math problems involving equations, does it become difficult to keep up, switch papers, etc.? Since I want to go into engineering, I wanted to know if any problems arise when using the tablet for that type of stuff.</p>
<p>While the Wacom tablet will allow you to take written notes, the real problem is the file format. It’s an image file that can’t be altered in a word processing program. The image can’t be converted to text or be made searchable. You’ll need programs that are Wacom compatible like Corel Draw or Adobe Photoshop. Saving your notes in Draw or Photoshop is like taking a digital picture of your paper notes and then storing the image on your laptop. Not real useful…</p>
<p>In a true tablet pc (using OneNote or Journal), handwritten notes can be converted to text (if you want), highlighted with the highlighter option in the tool bar and your notes are searchable. You can also add hyperlinked information to your notes (think Wikipedia articles). In an American History class, you take some class notes about George Washington. If you have WiFi in the classroom, you can attach a Wikipedia article about the first president to your written notes. And since your handwritten notes are searchable, you can highlight a word or phrase and search through all your notes for those references. </p>
<p>The Lenovo Tablet is a top-of-the-line Tablet PC and expensive. While not as powerful, Dell’s newest Latitude XT Tablet PC is supposed to be released sometime in December. And there are rumors that Apple might release a Tablet using a multi-touch screen like the IPhone/Touch Ipod.</p>
<p>Thank you, that cleared up some of my doubts on spending the extra cash on a tablet PC.</p>
<p>On a side note, is it possible to use OneNote/Journal with a Wacom tablet?</p>
<p>OneNote/Journal is not compatible with the Wacom tablet, though Tablet PCs use the Wacom software with their screen. The Wacom tablet is used mostly for drawing programs. </p>
<p>OneNote/Journal can be used with a regular laptop. Instead of taking notes on the screen, you open the program and type as you would in your word processor. So why would you need to "write" on the Tablet PC screen than just type? Most people, including myself, can type faster than I can write.</p>
<p>Typing in class can be a big distraction to others. Many people have a "heavy" typing style. Listen to yourself typing on your computer in a quiet room. Do you make a lot of noise? Writing on paper or on a Tablet is much quieter. And using a Tablet PC is much cooler.</p>
<p>Trying to type while a teacher lectures takes a lot of practice. Too often, you try to capture every word. Great if you're a court reporter or a secretary taking dictations. With just writing, you can concentrate on what your teacher is saying and writing down the main points. You can certainly take notes on paper, but a Tablet PC gives you a lot more options in organizing your material and adding web-based knowledge that paper notes can not duplicate...</p>
<p>"So why would you need to "write" on the Tablet PC screen than just type? Most people, including myself, can type faster than I can write."</p>
<p>True- a lot of people can type WORDS faster than they can write... but how about equations? Math class or Science course would be near impossible to type notes in. I recommend just using pencil & paper anyway though, I don't like the way my handwriting looks on my tablet, it's much clearer on paper.</p>
<p>Anybody looking for a tablet, Lenovo is offering 20% off the ThinkPad tablets with coupon code USPDECSAVINGS (expires December 3rd).</p>
<p>It's rare (in my opinion) to see this good of a discount out of Lenovo, and the reviews for Lenovo tablets always say that they are top notch.</p>
<p>I've been using a tablet pc for this last quarter in college. I'm in computer science (which is in the engineering school here) It's really nice. I don't really use the conversion from handwriting to type much, because I already had nice handwriting. My problem before with traditional notes was that I kept getting them disorganized (ie, I would have math, bio, and english notes all in the same notebook, with no separations), so I could never find anything.
So, now my notes are much neater (and more colorful, since I never carried colored pens with me before). If you do get a tablet, and it comes with OneNote, I really recommend using it. Everything imported into it is searchable: your handwritten notes, web site snippets, typed stuff, everything. I use it for all my notes + as a calendar.</p>
<p>After seeing how cool my friend's IBM x61 tablet is, I'm considering getting 1 for next semester. Since I've never used a tablet to take notes before, I was wondering what you guys think of the practicality and problems of entirely depending on a tablet to take notes. With a combination of coupons, I can get the X61 tablet for about $1200, is it worth it? I just bought a Compaq a few months ago (for really cheap) but it's a tank and kind of slow.</p>
<p>It depends. If you have great handwriting, the new tablets are amazing. If you have bad handwriting...
<-----This guy ;)</p>
<p>Then not so much.</p>
<p>I'm using one right now! A 3 year old Fujitsu Stylistic.</p>
<p>$1200 is pretty good for a X61t. I bought mine for $1800. Fully upgraded though. Ironically I dont use it much for class except when I do homework and I use it as scratch paper. I use it to read manga in tablet form more lol.</p>
<p>This thread is a little old, but I thought I would throw my 2 cents out there. I'm an astrophysics major and purchased a tablet last semester. I purchased a Fujitsu Lifebook T2010 with an extra gig of RAM. It came with Vista business and is not a powerful computer, but works wonderfully for school. Reading most of the replies in this thread, I don't think many people actually understand the benefits of a tablet over paper notes or a laptop. </p>
<p>First, as mentioned, you may be able to type faster than you can write, but typing equations is difficult and not always easy to understand. Tablets are great for writing equations. The bad handwriting thing is true to an extent. If you have bad handwriting, you will still have bad handwriting when writing on a tablet. Often the text conversion does not guess your words right and you have to correct it. That is IF you use the text conversion. I have yet to use it so it really doesn't matter as long as you can read your own handwriting.</p>
<p>I think the best part about having a Tablet is the ability to keep everything organized. You can quickly highlight your notes to add a color dimension in there. This is great for key terms and stuff you know will be on an exam. If your professor missed a part in his lecture and goes back to add something, you can simply create space in your notes by moving all of your writing down like you would when typing a paper. You can put notes into separate folders and notebooks organized however you want. You can also keep old notes without keeping huge binders. This comes especially useful in series classes like calc. If you want to print off these notes so you can have them for reference without having to turn on your tablet, they take minimal ink. I printed on my Dell printer on the lowest possible setting (150 dpi) and they came out smoothly.</p>
<p>Reading is terrific with a tablet as well. If you have the time to scan all of your books, or if you can find ebooks, you can read all of them from your tablet. Definitely a lot better than having to carry them with you. When you have the tablet in tablet mode it is about as big as a closed book too, which makes reading on the bus or in a coffee shop much easier since you don't take up much space. I know there is software that lets you make marks on pdf files so you can highlight and take notes as you read, but I have not bothered to look yet. </p>
<p>If you do decide that a tablet is for you, I have a few suggestions. You want something that will have a good battery life. Most tablets are made to run long periods solely on battery power. Mine typically gets 4-5 hours which is perfect for getting me through my classes. Also, you want an active digitizer. This will give you the best quality of notes with no accidental blobs showing up. Tablet</a> PC Reviews has good reviews of most of the major tablets on the market. I would definitely suggest checking there for a good tablet and I would avoid HP. I picked up my Fujitsu on newegg for $1500 which was a good deal as I get more use out of it than I ever did my Dell I bought two years ago for $2400.</p>