iPad for conference note-taking? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Off Topic

iPad for conference note-taking?

Makrame

Veteran

Greyscale mentioned in the thread about conference bags http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....erence-bag that she no longer brings her laptop to conferences and uses an iPad instead. What is your experience with this? I have been very tempted to get an iPad for travel to replace my laptop.

Currently I use a Macbook Air for travel, which is fine when I need to give a presentation but seems a bit excessive for working around the convention halls at large conferences. For years, I used to bring only a paper notebook to the convention hall (and leave my laptop in the hotel room) but after switching to a lighter laptop, I discovered the joy of taking typed notes. How convenient are tablets for note-taking? I am also tempted to buy a cheaper Windows tablet but it seems that iPads have more productivity apps.

I also need to update my phone and was considering an iPhone - it would be nice if one could simply take notes on an iPhone but it seems that it would not be very practical, even with an external keyboard.

Off Topic

16 replies

Latest reply was from Von

Diana

Veteran

I actually still use paper notebooks. I use the small moleskines that come three to a pack and have graph paper inside. It keeps me awake better than typing and is less distracting than the computer. That said, I do take my iPad with me as well. I don't take notes on it but I like to use it to check my mail, look up an interesting paper, or surf YLF during boring talks. it's more unobtrusive than the laptop and you can actually keep it flat in your lap.

Re: note taking on the iPad. I don't like it. I don't find the touchscreen as fast to type on as the laptop for one thing, and the handwriting apps are not sensitive or fast enough for my taste, even with a stylus. However, I know some people who do use it for notes and like it so you could definitely get used to it. If I were to use it for notes I'd probably invest in an external keyboard for it. You can get really cool ones that integrate into the case or fold up into a tiny package.

retailgirl

Veteran

I love my iPad and always use it for note taking at meetings. Then I can just email my notes to my self. At work I sometimes take notes at our meetings for the group and all I have to do is email to my colleagues. I have become very proficient and although it is different from a laptop or desktop, I wouldn't be without it.

MsMary

Veteran

I agree with Diana. I don't like to do much typing on the iPad keyboard. If I were going to be taking a lot of notes on the iPad I'd get an external keyboard for it.

Von

Veteran

I use Penultimate + Evernote for all of my ipad notes. I like Penultimate because I can use a stylus + write or sketch design notes. Then, I can email it to myself, or send it to my Evernote app - where I can access it on a computer later.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I use Moleskine's Evernote notebooks. You write with normal pen on the notebook, but it facilitates import into your computer and you can file them for reference later.

Some shirty conferences wont' let you bring electronics because they're afraid you'll record their precious lectures (they are usually the really boring ones in which I'm drawing on the styrofoam cups) - so I just doodle in a notebook.

I find it's easier to take notes and the older generation just assumes you're playing games or surfing the net on your iPad anyway.

And get the iPhone. You wont' regret it - I have a full Apple set up at home and I won't have it any other way. I used to have a Blackberry and a Linksys wireless system and a Toshiba laptop and they didn't play well with each other at all. Now I have a Macbook Pro x2 in the house, a MacBook x1, and a MacBook Air x1, two iPads, and three iPhones, and we use Airport and it all syncs up beautifully.

Makrame

Veteran

Yes, Lyn, I am pretty much the same way - two Macbooks, one at work, one at home. I got DH an iPhone as a Birthday gift but I am still using a 3-yr-old not-so-smart phone. Since DH loves his iPhone and it works very well with the e-mail and calendar systems at our workplace, I can see that I should get one, too.

I like the idea of an Evernote notebook that I could write in and then import into the computer. Most of my conferences are equipped with WiFi and allow laptops, which was the reason I started bringing the MacBook Air to the conferences.

Diana, I love paper notebooks but I end up with several different notebooks in use at the same time, and don't always remember where to find the info I need. With digital notes, I can do a search on my computer for the key words etc. and/or e-mail my notes to other, like Retailgirl has mentioned. If I end up with an iPad, I will definitely get an external keyboard, like you and MaryK have suggested.

Von, thanks for the recommendation of Penultimate - it was mentioned on a few websites about iPad and notetaking so I meant to look into it.

Diana

Veteran

Ooh, Lyn, I've been very tempted by the Evernote Moleskines. How do you find the importation process? Do they retain all of the resolution?

Makrame, I have penultimate for my ipad but I don't love it (or any handwriting apps really) because I feel like the touch screen is just not sensitive enough for me to write as fast or as small as I want to, even with a stylus. I have an ipad2 though, perhaps on newer models it is more sensitive.

Von

Veteran

I have eyeballed those Moleskines, but I have resisted so far. Is it really, really awesome though??

Diana, you may need to look into upgrading your stylus. Most of my problems were from a wonky griffin stylus. I've been looking at these:

Makrame

Veteran

After this very useful discussion, I am actually thinking that I need to start by getting the iPhone (which I sort of need anyway to have access to work e-mail and calendar when traveling) and trying out the Evernote Page Camera on the iPhone using regular paper notebooks. That might serve my main need (namely, the ability to store and search handwritten notes).

bj1111

Veteran

Love the ipad + upad app + stylus. Revolutionized how i go to mtgs.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I am a stickler for details, and the evernote books have been great for me - and they come free for me because I can order them using my education budget through the university library (muhahaha). Aside from that; they are a bit pricey, but come with an evernote subscription, so don't buy that separately!

ETA: I found a cheapie on Amazon.ca - the book is about $7 and shipping is $7; so $14 for a moleskine isn't hurting my pocketbook: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/produc.....NBXNGGFN49

No combined shipping though; otherwise I'd order even more.

Deborah

Veteran

I use my iPad and I also have an external keyboard for when I need it. I find typing on the iPad pretty easy and do it regularly. It's a very useful tool for me for both work and play:)

Greyscale

Veteran

Just saw this thread. I should admit that I don't take very good notes at conferences, and I find the ipad keyboard annoying. But I have friends who use small external keyboards. Lots of great ideas here for notetaking methods! I hadn't realized there were stylus options.

My attention wanders and I tend to web browse / check email during talks (possibly better than falling asleep, which I do way too easily). The ipad is great for that (and a bit more subtle). It's also great for looking up background info or published papers while someone is talking.

Grey Rainbow

I take my iPad (and iPhone) everywhere and use the iPad for note taking at conferences, as well as for my own presentations. I took to typing on it very quickly and feel no need for an external keyboard. For all the reasons mentioned above it is brilliant at remote and internal work settings (access your entire google drive, store and email your own notes, research as needed immediately...). The keyboard sensation does seem to be the hurdle for my colleagues who have not embraced it so thoroughly. Come to think about it, it is my case that made the biggest difference for me. Feels like a notebook in the hand without adding undue weight and bulk. This one: http://www.amazon.com/CaseCrow.....=iPad+case

Lucy

Veteran

I adore the Ipad for note taking at conferences. I mainly use a keyboard, but I can type fairly quickly on the screen if I need.
I was a big note book user, but what I like about the ipad is that the notes are always available afterwards. Whether I am working at home, on campus or in a library, I can always see them through Pages. I've found I use the notes more if I can access them when I want them....

Von

Veteran

After being in a meeting today, I realized that most people at my job carry their ipads into meetings for notes. I'm a doodle + distract person and I don't feel right without a pen in my hand, but everyone else had these: http://www.amazon.com/ZAGGfoli.....B007JIN6T8

I'm pretty sure they must have all spent their end of year funds on them because everyone has this exact Zagg folio in different colors.