TR Forums

First post, so I apologize if I break any etiquette.

I'm currently a student and am looking to buy one of the ultrabook/tablet hybrids that are currently circulating on the market. I was looking at a few models with positive newegg feedback and some of them mention a lack of digitizer as reason for giving 4 instead of 5 stars. I'm pretty tech savvy on the hardware side of things, but I'm not sure how important a digitizer is for my needs. I'm looking primarily to use the tablet functionality for note taking and I was wondering if the lack of a digitizer would impact input on note taking programs that convert pen strokes to text or anything like that. Any advice or help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

If you've ever tried to write on an iPad then you know what it like to try and write on a screen that doesn't have a digitizer.

I don't own an iPad, but I know quite a few people who take notes on them... I don't know of anyone who has complained of lag, could you be more specific?

albinooverlord wrote:

I don't own an iPad, but I know quite a few people who take notes on them... I don't know of anyone who has complained of lag, could you be more specific?

You should find someone who uses a Wacom or the like and then use an iPad. That's the best way to experience the difference. I can't stand using capacitive touchscreens to write notes on. I've used a few different tablets and I'll never buy a touchscreen only tablet to take notes.

For consumption I can use a tablet but not if an important purpose is to take notes with it.

thecoldanddarkone wrote:

I can't stand using capacitive touchscreens to write notes on. I've used a few different tablets and I'll never buy a touchscreen only tablet to take notes.

Yes, its not very much fun to take notes with a touchscreen only. The rendering of the hand writing is not very precise which is pretty important when writing.

Basically, I think you will be very dissatisfied with using an touch screen to take notes.

Nevertheless, If you're only planning to use the touchscreen to supplement your typed notes (e.g., drawing graphs) then I think a touch screen will be fine.

Thanks for the input, it looks like the best option that I can find currently with a digitizer is the Sony Vaio Duo... I'm a little concerned that the 11.6" screen will be a hindrance though. Any suggestions for other options with the digitizer?

albinooverlord wrote:

I'm looking primarily to use the tablet functionality for note taking...

Stop right there. I will tell you that you absolutely need a tablet with an active digitizer for your intended purposes. Got my wife a Thinkpad X230T (convertible tablet + digitizer) last xmas. The Vaio Duo has a higher resolution screen and is lighter, but the X230T was my pick for the better keyboard, more rugged build, more versatility (we use it in 'tent' mode occasionally), more expandability (added a 128 GB mSATA SSD to go with our 500 GB HDD and added an extra 8 GB of RAM for 12 GB), docking capabilities (we got a docking station for cheap) and not least importantly, has a slot to store the stylus on the body so it doesn't get lost.

EDIT: Also, aside from not having a slot to store the stylus for the Vaio Duo, it is also retarded in that the pen is battery-powered, whereas the thinkpad wirelessly powers its stylus from the screen.