SingDanceRunLife

Typing notes is much faster than writing them by hand. However, I write by hand in 2 of my classes (prof doesn't like laptops in one and there isn't enough writing to make it worth typing in the other), type my notes in 1, and don't take notes in the other 3.

FLVADAD

D has a tablet and absolutely swears by it. Sets it up with a docking station, dual monitors and all the peripherals in her room, but takes it to class everyday. No heat issues. Another added bonus is that its quiet -- some professors don't like students typing in class because the clicking keyboards are a distraction. She says once you learn all the features and functionality you'll really appreciate having a tablet.

whheex

ok.. so there's just one problem i've been having with my tablet.. the screen spazzes out every so often and when it happens in the middle of the class, it gets super annoying because i have to reboot. i don't know if you know what i mean by spazzing, but it's like the screen becomes fuzzy.. pretty much.

i'm taking it to the computer depot tomorrow. so hopefully nothing major is wrong with it

leaftye

I think tabletpc's are the best thing ever if you choose to fully utilize it. I do all my notes and homework on it, I read textbooks I've scanned myself on my tablet, and do a bit of drawing too. I carry around a notepad, but only for pop quizzes.

I see you got your tablet already. I hope you're happy with it. I would've advised something with a wacom digitizer, probably a Fujitsu or Lenovo, but all that matters is that you're happy with your tablet. Hopefully you'll find yourself as happy with your tablet as I have been with my tablet for nearly the last three years.

whheex

oh.. i got a hp. but i'm happy with it, except for the random times it decides to just spaz out.

leaftye

What software and accessories do you have for it so far?

whheex

it came with the stylus and a remote for windows media center. it also came with some random software, like this webcam program, because i got it from buy.com, and it was refurbished.

leaftye

Are you going to be using pdf books, or even have an interest in it? If you can acquire your textbooks as pdf's, you'll almost certainly want a program that allows you to highlight and write (annotate) on those books. Grahl PDFAnnotator is a nice reader and annotator that costs $30 for students, but it doesn't do a very good job of printing annotations. Bluebeam PDFRevu isn't quite as friendly for annotating, but it's still quite good, is much faster to open up, much more robust, and prints annotations perfectly...and costs $60 or $70 for students.

I personally use Journal for handwritten notes and homework, but I really like Onenote too. Journal is free and already part of Vista and Windows 7. Onenote is part of Office. You can get Office for cheap thru your school or by Microsoft Office Discount for US Students -The Ultimate Steal- Office 2007 Software for $59.95 which is a Microsoft affiliate that lets you get one of the best Office packages for $60. I currently recommend Office 2007 instead of the upcoming version because the new version uses the ribbon toolbar and makes it cumbersome to switch between writing/drawing tools.

If you wish to sketch, you can get Autodesk Sketchbook Pro for free as a student. It's best for sketches that you'd do with a pencil. If you wish to do drawing that's more like painting, I recommend TwistedBrush. There's a robust free version that probably does everything you'd want for a long time, and then there's a pay version should you become very proficient with digital painting.

If you wish to digitize your books, I can help you out a lot there. I haven't found many books that you can buy as an editable pdf, so I prefer to buy regular textbooks and scan them myself. It takes a lot of work, but I really want to have all my textbooks all the time without actually having the weight of any textbooks. This also lets me almost always sell my textbooks by the first day of class for more than what I paid. If you think you're serious about exploring this option, let me know. There's more advice than I care to share unless there's a good chance it'll be used.

I have a bunch of other things that improve my tabletpc experience, but I think the stuff above is a great place to start.

Shrinkrap

I've used a tablet for the last four years in my private practice. It was especially helpful when i worked in a number of locations, with no permanent office. Even in my office it can be a way to take notes during an appointment and still maintain a degree of eye contact. Until recently, I used it with an electronic medical record, although I must admit, I kept a paper record as well.