Windows Tablet with Pen Digitizer - Best and Cheapest Option?

jeeg on 11/09/2015 - 21:47

Hi. I am looking to buy a windows tablet with pen digitizer. The Surface 3 and Surface 3 Pro range is obviously a good candidate but also quite pricey for me…

I have been researching and came across the Toshiba Encore 2 Write but it is not available in Oz…anyone know where to get this in Australia?

I want the tablet primarily for taking notes using OneNote and would like MicroSD support to keep my work PDF files. Not doing anything intensive such as games and photoshop and stuff. Mainly will be using MS Office, Evernote, OneNote.

Any other options I should consider?

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 11/09/2015 - 22:30
    +1

    Dell Venue 8 Pro supports an active Stylus (sold seperately). The stylus, from forum feedback, seems to eat batteries for breakfast and isn't exactly power efficient however.

    It appears on the Dell outlet once in a while for less than $300.

    And then there's the Asus Vivotab Note 8, also supports a Wacom stylus . http://www.jw.com.au/asus-vivotab-note-32gb-tablet-m80ta-dl0…

    I've only listed two 8 inch tablets, while 10" Win tablets with stylus exist, the cheapest option you can buy in Australia is still the Surface 3 (base model)

    • donnot on 12/09/2015 - 13:34
      +1

      +1 I can vouch for the VivoTab note 8. Brilliant tablet, great battery life (around 7 hours with light use, 5-6 watching YouTube), however the pen is a bit off when used at the edges of the screen. Great for taking notes though. $249 for the 64G version here: https://www.catchoftheday.com.au/product/asus-vivotab-note-8…

      • jeeg on 14/09/2015 - 23:43

        Thanks. I googled the asus and seem to find many issues regarding the pen …like the pen suddenly undetected etc…..not too sure however

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 15/09/2015 - 19:27

      Dell Venue 8 Pro

      I've seen rumours of a new one releasing soon, apparently much improved in all areas, including stylus (though that coincides with most device rumours, true or not, so a pinch of salt is necessary). Won't be the cheapest on release, of course, but it might have sufficient bang to compensate for the buck.

  • iridiumstem on 14/09/2015 - 21:10
    +2

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/209251

    I posted a question that covers what you want few weeks ago.
    Hope it helps. :)

    Cube i7 Stylus (Wacom, Core M, approx $600 AUD)
    ThinkPad 10 (Wacom, Atom Baytrail, $1500 AUD)
    Surface 3 (n-trig, Atom Cherry Trail, approx $900 AUD)
    Asus VivoTab Note 8 (Wacom, Atom Baytrail, approx $250 AUD)
    Surface Pro 3 (n-trig, i5, approx $1200 AUD)

  • jeeg on 14/09/2015 - 23:40

    Thanks for the feedback, didn't know about the cube tablet. Will research more.

    • iridiumstem on 15/09/2015 - 01:02
      +3

      Refer to tl;dr on the bottom, if you cannot be bothered to wade through my rant.

      I frankly think Cube i7 Stylus fills a lot of gaps that not many devices can fill. It has its faults, like it's not available in Australia is one major one.
      You might need to tweak things around for better experience. I've heard an issue with microphone causing an interference in magnetic field for Wacom stylus.
      Overheating issues were mentioned as well (underclocking it apparently is one of the easiest tweak to stop this happening).
      That said Core M allows SSD and relatively decent performance (though many people choose to underclock it) compared to Atom tablets.

      Wacom stylus is something that I prefer, though I think it's more of preference (that said, Wacom is very strong in stylus technology industry).
      That said, Wacom stylus technology is not without a fault and Wacom has different technologies as well (The one that I am constantly referring to is the one that doesn't require battery, the one that uses magnetic field).

      If you are not in hurry, wait till Surface Pro 4 and Skylake Core M tablets.
      They supposedly are going to bring a lot of innovation. Also, I've seen some of the models like Miix 700 by Lenovo or Toshiba's prototype model.
      I think those have a lot of potential.

      VivoTab Note 8 probably is being discontinued, so if you were to look for one, I am not too sure whether you can secure one easily.
      COTD was selling one at $250. I think it's alright (my brother had one), that said, it's $250 tablet, don't expect it to be perfect.

      tl;dr.
      1. Cube i7 Stylus is recommendable but it has its flaws.
      2. Wait for new models to come out, since more models are going to available by other vendors.
      • jeeg on 15/09/2015 - 11:47
        +1

        thanks buddy.

        I now had a closer look into the cube…read a couple of reviews…and yes I agree with you that this has many strengths…

        the one that I am not too keen on is the screen aspect ratio of 16:9. makes this kinda hard to read a paper document formatted to A4. while it can do full screen but the font/text will be too small to read.

        I think a tablet with a 4:3 or 3:2 aspect ratio would be better for reading and taking notes….

        Still searching…

        • iridiumstem on 15/09/2015 - 14:46

          If you want 4:3 or 3:2, you have to wait for the newer models to come out or go with Surface 3 or Surface Pro 3.
          Miix 700 uses 3:2 ratio (same size as Surface Pro 3) and they are likely to use Wacom Feel IT technology, but I am not certain on the stylus.

        • iridiumstem on 15/09/2015 - 19:22

          Justing adding onto what I've said, I personally think you'd be having a hard time finding a 4:3 or 3:2 ratio tablet with a stylus.
          The 16:10 LCD panels are cheaper than 4:3 or 3:2 panels (mass production), so I've heard.
          So I think the best bet is to wait if you absolutely require 4:3 or 3:2.

          3:2 is mainly used with MS products (Lenovo is trying to use it with Miix 700, which I am personally looking forward to).
          4:3 is used mainly in ARM devices, that said, some Chinese tablets use 4:3 but I don't think any of them support stylus input.

          Toshiba Encore Write 2, I believe doesn't use proper Wacom? The Wacom stylus tech that people associate Wacom with.
          It was either that or it just use those weird tech that allows you to write with your pen.
          Can't remember, I've ruled it out long time ago.

        • jeeg on 15/09/2015 - 22:37
          +1

          @Oversimplified: Thanks again. I believe the Encore Write 2 uses a real Wacom digitizer. At least that is what I understand. Looks like I have to start saving up for the SP3…or wait for the SP3 price to drop once SP4 get released…..

        • iridiumstem on 15/09/2015 - 22:39
          +1

          @jeeg: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wacoms-new-active-es…

          As far as I know, it doesn't use the EMR digital pen sensor solution which is what people would think of, when I say Wacom pen technology.

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