Electronic note taking devices

[purplepolarbear]

I'm looking for a device to take notes when I work.

It should:

Allow me to write on a screen using a stylus giving an experience as close as possible to writing with a pen on paper.
Automatically save what I write to the cloud, with a date/time the notes were written, and keep past notes for ever, allowing me to view them on a web browser.
Allow me to easily tag notes with e.g. the subject of a discussion and who was in a meeting so I can find all my notes on a topic easily.
Make an effort to OCR my writing so I can search for things (I realise this technology here isn't perfect).
It would also be nice if I could sync the output to a PC in real time or directly plug it into a screen so I can share my thoughts with others in the room.

It looks like there are a range of devices at vastly different price points but it's not very clear exactly what they all do and how much I need to spend to get something that is any good. Does anyone have such a device and what would you recommend?

[akirk]

You don’t mention price...
I use an iPad Pro with stylus (the big one but there is also a smaller one) and there are many apps that do this...

Meeting earlier this week with a client - all notes taken on the iPad, including sketches to illustrate concepts - save as is / word / pdf and to iPad / Dropbox / etc

[TonyRPH]

Microsoft Surface Pro (and many other tablet computers out there) - Microsoft OneNote software is perfect for this.

[Tycho]

TonyRPH said:

Microsoft Surface Pro (and many other tablet computers out there) - Microsoft OneNote software is perfect for this.

I'll second the OneNote suggestion as it is perfect. I use is on my Surface Pro and Android device in work.

I'd also look at a Samsung S4 or S3 tablet as these also have stylus support.

[anonymous-user]

I backed https://remarkable.com pre-launch (think it was indiegogo)

The device itself is superb. It really does replicate the feeling of writing on paper.

They have a cloud based system of storage (as well as with your PC) but I find that I use the device to read/take notes/ annotate and then I store/search/retreive in Office 365. It will also read epub books but unfortunately not Kindle.

I'd use One Note exclusively but I can't get the hang of writing on a "normal" screen so my writing becomes even worse than normal.

One Note is a remarkable piece of software if you can accept writing on a normal screen.

[TonyRPH]

That ^^^ Remarkable ^^^ looks like a great tool. Just a bit pricey though IMHO.

[dickymint]

desolate said:

I backed https://remarkable.com pre-launch (think it was indiegogo)

The device itself is superb. It really does replicate the feeling of writing on paper.

They have a cloud based system of storage (as well as with your PC) but I find that I use the device to read/take notes/ annotate and then I store/search/retreive in Office 365. It will also read epub books but unfortunately not Kindle.

I'd use One Note exclusively but I can't get the hang of writing on a "normal" screen so my writing becomes even worse than normal.

One Note is a remarkable piece of software if you can accept writing on a normal screen.

For that price I’d expect a camera and scanning function!

[anonymous-user]

dickymint said:

For that price I’d expect a camera and scanning function!

It's a niche device - it's just great at what it does.

It was also a lot cheaper at the funding stage.

[zedx19]

I use Onenote on a Galaxy Tab S3 with the Samsung Stylus and it works great, I much prefer to write notes using the keyboard cover though.

[purplepolarbear]

Thanks for your help

I like the look of the Remarkable and think I would prefer that to using an iPad or similar and have ordered one - there's a 30 day no quibble return policy so if it doesn't work out for me nothing's lost. Will post back in a couple of weeks once it's arrived and I've had a chance to use it.

[GeneralSinn]

There is also the MontBlanc Augmented Paper system that is really good but a different slant on it all as you still have the paper variant that it then sends to your smart device

https://www.montblanc.com/en-gb/discover/specials/...

[utgjon]

If that thing doesn't work out, i've heard good things about using this:

https://paperlike.com

[dickymint]

utgjon said:

If that thing doesn't work out, i've heard good things about using this:

https://paperlike.com

Now that makes sense (financially) if it works

[Bumblebee7]

Just thought I'd do a slight thread bump as I've just pre-ordered the reMarkable 2 tablet. Really keen to see how I get on with it.

At present I have about 5 notebooks on my desks consisting of: work diary, personal diary, refurbishment notebook, personal notebook and scrap notebook for any quick calculations, doodles, lists etc.

If I can create my own templates then I think it could serve the purpose of all my notebooks in one which would be amazing. If it doesn't work out it comes with a no questions asked 30 day money back guarantee so no big risk if I don't like it. There's been plenty of delays in delivery so although I'm due to receive mine in November I'll be pretty happy if I get it before Christmas.

[MikeGTi]

I use an 11" iPad Pro and Goodnotes - I prefer the writing experience to OneNote, although it would be handier to use OneNote given it's filing structure!

Plus I can then do loads of other things on the iPad with a Magic Keyboard etc.

$$$ though.