The Productive Engineer

Taking Notes iPad vs Paper

writing on paper vs ipad

Taking notes using a notebook has been the way I had been taking notes for years. Over the last several years, however, the iPad has evolved as a note-taking option. Having the iPad as a potential note-taking option, the question becomes: which should you use for note-taking and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using each? This blog post will examine each option, assess the pros and cons of each option and provide a recommendation based on various use cases.

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of iPad vs paper note-taking? Enclosed below is a table that lists both paper and iPad as note-taking options and the advantages and disadvantages:

If you are looking for some tips on how to improve your academic performance, check out my article on my top study tips at the link below:

25 Amazing Study Tips to Improve Academic Performance – The Productive Engineer

If you are looking for the best study tools out there, you should read our article on the best study tools to enhance your studying at the link below:

The Ultimate Study Tools You Must Use to Succeed!

If you are looking to pick up an iPad but don’t want to spend a ton of money or looking to sell your current device for a fair price, you should check out Gazelle. Gazelle is a great place to buy certified (each device goes through a 30-point inspection process), pre-owned devices like iPads and iPhones as well as to easily get cash for your current devices, even if they are damaged.

For more information on how to buy or sell a device on Gazelle, click the link below:

Gazelle – A Smart Way to Buy and Sell Devices

Writing Experience

Writing experience on paper.

Nothing beats the feeling of pen and paper. This is perhaps the biggest strength of paper over the iPad (well, along with cost :)). There is a wide variety of paper types, pencils, pens, and markers each with their own experience and you can really personalize the feeling of writing itself in terms of texture, writing resistance and feel.

writing on paper vs ipad

You can have a nearly infinite number of options in terms of notebooks, journals, and pads. When you write on an iPad, you have, well, the iPad. While you certainly have variety in terms of the various writing apps in the App Store each with their own options, the iPad itself is a constant.

Writing Experience on iPad

The writing experience on iPad is different from writing on paper. Writing on glass with a stylus, such as the Apple Pencil, feels a little strange at first. The biggest thing I felt when I first started writing on the iPad is the lack of resistance. It felt like the stylus had no resistance as it moved across the glass of the iPad.

writing on paper vs ipad

However, over time, I got used to it and now I don’t really notice it too much (unless I had just finished writing something on paper first :)). For some people, however, I can imagine the feel of writing on the iPad might be too different. Fortunately, there is a solution you can try if you find this is the case for you: Paperlike.

Paperlike is an iPad screen protector engineered to mirror the feel of writing on paper . Ali Abdaal (one of my favorite YouTubers) did an awesome video review of the Paperlike. For more information on the Paperlike 2, click the link below:

Paperlike – Draw & Write Like on Paper

If you are looking to take notes on your iPad in Apple Notes, check out my guide on how to use Apple Pencil to take notes in Apple Notes at the link below:

Using Apple Pencil with Apple Notes – The Definitive Guide

Portability

Paper portability.

Notebooks and pads are extremely portable as are pens, pencils and highlighters. However, do you use one notebook for multiple classes/things or do you use multiple notebooks? How many pens do you use? How many pencils and highlighters? Sounds like you might need a backpack to carry them all in.

You can certainly do this or simply carry a single, multi-subject notebook and a pen with you to mitigate this potential issue.

iPad Portability

The iPad is about the same size as a notebook (maybe a little bit bigger for the 12.9 inch versions). However, they are multi-purpose and can take the place of both your notebook(s) and your laptop (assuming you go for a keyboard case

writing on paper vs ipad

The iPad is light and has great battery time and, when paired with a keyboard case like the Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil from Apple, can do double-duty of your notebook and your laptop. For more information on how you can use the iPad in your college life, check out this YouTube video from the KathPath channel:

If you want to stay on top of your studies, you should consider using Notion. Notion is free for students and can be the hub for your scholastic life. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Notion for Students to learn how Notion can improve your academic workflow.

Editability

Paper editability.

The editability of your notes on paper is dependent on several factors, most notably:

  • The paper type
  • The writing instrument (pen, pencil, highlighter, marker)

writing on paper vs ipad

While it is easy to erase most pencil writing, erasing pen marks is more difficult. While erasable pens exist, they are not that great. You can’t erase highlighter and marker from a page once you have written on it, which is something we have all grown used to in our note-taking journey.

iPad Editability

The issues paper has with editability simply does not exist on the iPad. As everything you write is digital, you can inherently edit everything you write or highlight . The end result is that you can write to your heart’s content knowing that any mistake you make is easily and immediately fixable.

writing on paper vs ipad

I find that this is freeing to the note-taking process as I find myself unencumbered, unafraid of making a mistake . Knowing I can easily fix or re-arrange anything I write on the fly is empowering to my writing process and is a differentiator when comparing this experience to writing on paper.

Customization

Paper customization.

The customization abilities of writing on paper are wrapped up in the options you have in terms of:

  • Paper types
  • Paper templates
  • Journals/Notebooks
  • Highlighters

One option I would recommend if you want the ability to be flexible in note-taking and writing is the use the Arc Notebook System (or similar disc-binding notebook system). The reason why is that you can mix and match paper templates like calendars, ruled notepaper, grid paper, Cornell note-taking, and many others very easily. Systems like Arc also allow you to re-arrange the pages of your writing, which can be very helpful.

iPad Customization

The form factor of the iPad itself can’t change based on what you are writing like paper-based solutions can. However, the iPad offers tons of apps that allow you to customize how you write or draw.

writing on paper vs ipad

Looking to draw something, use Procreate, Linea Sketch, Paper, or Adobe Illustrator Draw. Taking notes in class, use Notability or GoodNotes. There are literally a ton of apps in the AppStore each with their own customizable options for writing.

Cost Efficiency

Paper cost efficiency.

The cost of using paper, while possibly expensive if you choose fancy pens and journals, is generally extremely cost-effective. Basic notebooks, pencils, and pens cost next to nothing relatively. If cost is an important consideration in your evaluation of paper vs iPad writing, paper is a no-brainer.

iPad Cost Efficiency

The cost of iPads range from moderate to crazy with iPad Pros eclipsing a thousand dollars. If you are a student, the iPad Pro is likely outside your budget but the base model iPad may not be. Either way, cost is definitely something you have to weight when looking at the iPad option that you simply don’t have to do with paper solutions.

Archiving/Retrieval

Paper archiving/retrieval.

This is perhaps paper’s biggest failing in my opinion. Keeping track and storing paper and notebooks of information and drawings can become problematic over time. While you can scan in paper into a digital system, this can be time-consuming and error-prone if you forget to scan a piece of content.

In terms of finding information within paper system, this becomes time-consuming as the amount of paper information increases . Trying to find a specific note in a notebook or, worse yet, a bunch of notebooks or individual pieces of paper can become a nightmare.

writing on paper vs ipad

That said, there are structured systems like Bullet Journals which can be helpful in terms of providing an index and structure to your content.

iPad Archiving/Retrieval

As stated earlier, everything created on the iPad is digital. Therefore it can be easily saved, backed up and archived. Many writing and drawing apps on the iPad also support saving to cloud services like iCloud, Google Drive and Dropbox.

writing on paper vs ipad

An additional benefit of using an iPad for writing is information retrieval. Several of the writing applications on the iPad will OCR (Optical Character Recognition) your handwritten notes and make them searchable . So, for example, if you are looking for notes containing the word “lambda”, you can simply open the app containing all your notes and search for that word. The app will return all references to the word “lambda” across all your notes in that app.

Who Should Use Paper for Note-taking

So who should use paper for note-taking? Well, if you are cost-conscious for one thing. As referenced earlier, the costs between paper and iPad writing is significant. Also if you love the feel of writing on paper or don’t like the feel of writing on glass, paper will likely be more enjoyable to you. Some people also love certain types of pens or pencils or paper and, for those people, they should probably choose paper.

Who Should Use iPad for Note-taking

Who should choose the iPad for writing? Well, anyone who already has an iPad t hat supports Apple Pencil. Also, anyone who wants to have their writings archived digitally or want them to be easily sharable to others.

The ability to quickly retrieve information or rearrange items within a page are also strong capabilities that iPad offers that may be appealing for some users.

The choice between paper and iPad writing is not an easy one to make. You should review what is important to you and try out both options (for the iPad option, I recommend visiting a store and trying it out). For me, I have been moving more and more of my writing to the iPad but still find myself occaisionally using physical notebooks at times.

I hope this blog post was helpful to you. Good luck!

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writing on paper vs ipad

Solutions Architect

Jimmy McTiernan is the owner/author of The Productive Engineer, a website dedicated to helping people master productivity applications. Jimmy also is the creator of The Productive Engineer YouTube channel.

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When You Write

Note-Taking On Ipad Vs Paper: Pros And Cons

Are you tired of lugging around heavy notebooks and stacks of paper? Do you want a more convenient way to take notes on the go? The iPad has revolutionized the way we take notes, offering a portable and efficient alternative to traditional paper note-taking.

But is the convenience of the iPad worth sacrificing the tactile experience and potential retention that comes with writing on paper? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of note-taking on iPad versus paper, helping you determine which method is best for your needs.

As technology continues to advance, it’s important to stay informed and make informed decisions on how we approach our daily tasks, including note-taking. So, let’s dive in and weigh the pros and cons of each method!

Key Takeaways

  • iPad note-taking offers efficiency and convenience while reducing paper usage and allowing for easy searchability.
  • Handwriting notes on paper may lead to better memory retention and engagement of different parts of the brain.
  • Both methods have their disadvantages, such as digital notes being lost or damaged and poor handwriting on paper.
  • When choosing a method, factors such as personal preference, learning style, and contextual relevance should be considered, and experimentation may be necessary to determine the best fit.

Convenience of iPad Note Taking

If you’re looking for a way to take notes that are both efficient and mobile, using an iPad may be the perfect solution for you. Not only can you easily type out your notes, but you can also access them from anywhere with an internet connection. This convenience is something that traditional note-taking methods simply can’t compete with.

When it comes to efficiency, the iPad reigns supreme. Typing notes is much faster than handwriting, and you can easily search for specific keywords or phrases within your notes. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of paper or ink.

However, for those who prefer the traditional method of handwriting their notes, the iPad may not be the best option. It can be difficult to replicate the feeling of writing on paper, and some people find that they retain information better when they physically write it out.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what works best for your individual needs.

Potential Lack of Retention with iPad Note Taking

When taking notes on your iPad, it’s important to consider the potential lack of retention that may come with the convenience of typing.

While it may be quicker and easier to type out your notes, research has shown that physically writing them down can lead to better memory retention.

Without the physical act of writing, you may find it more difficult to retain the information long-term.

Convenience of typing may lead to less retention

Typing on an iPad may seem like a time-saver, but it could lead to a significant decrease in retention, making all those notes taken on the device essentially useless. The convenience of typing may actually be detrimental to your ability to retain information.

When typing, you tend to write down everything you hear or see, without really processing the information. This means that you’re not really engaging with the material, which can lead to a lack of retention.

On the other hand, writing by hand requires more effort and processing, which can actually help you retain information better. Writing by hand also allows you to take more selective notes, since you have to be more deliberate about what you write down.

This means that you’re more likely to remember the information that you’ve written down since you’ve had to engage with it on a deeper level. So, while typing on an iPad may be more convenient, it’s not always the best option if you want to retain information.

Difficulty in retaining information without physical notes

Losing your physical notes can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to remember key information from a lecture or meeting. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of note-taking on an iPad or other digital device.

While it’s convenient to have all your notes in one place, it can be difficult to retain information without physical notes to refer to. Physical notes provide a tactile experience that helps with memory retention. Writing notes by hand can also be a more active process, as it requires you to engage with the material in a way that typing does not.

For this reason, many people find that they’re better able to remember information when they take notes on paper. However, this isn’t to say that digital note-taking is completely ineffective. With the right techniques and tools, it’s possible to use an iPad or other device to take notes that are just as effective as physical notes.

Tactile Experience of Paper Note Taking

You’ll feel the satisfying texture of the paper beneath your fingertips when jotting down notes by hand. There’s something about the tactile experience of writing on paper that simply cannot be replicated by typing on a keyboard or tapping on a screen. The act of physically forming letters, words, and sentences with a writing instrument can be a calming and meditative process, allowing you to focus more fully on the content you’re trying to capture.

Beyond the sensory pleasure of writing on paper, there are proven benefits to handwriting your notes. Studies have shown that writing by hand can improve memory retention and recall, as well as enhance critical thinking skills. Additionally, the act of handwriting engages different parts of the brain than typing does, which may lead to a deeper understanding and retention of information.

So while digital note-taking certainly has its advantages, the tactile experience of paper note-taking should not be overlooked.

Disadvantages of Paper Note Taking

When opting for paper note-taking, you may find yourself struggling to read your own handwriting, resulting in frustration and confusion when reviewing your notes later on. This can be especially problematic if you have poor penmanship or if you’re in a hurry and don’t take the time to write clearly.

Additionally, paper notes can be easily lost or damaged, making it difficult to access important information when you need it most. On top of these issues, paper note-taking isn’t the most eco-friendly option. The amount of paper used for note-taking can add up quickly, contributing to deforestation and other environmental issues.

By switching to digital notes, you can significantly reduce your paper usage and have a positive impact on the environment. Not only that but reducing paper usage can also have health benefits, as exposure to paper dust and other particles can be harmful to your respiratory system.

Overall, digital note-taking is a more efficient and environmentally responsible option that can benefit both you and the planet.

Choosing the Best Method for You

When it comes to choosing the best note-taking method for you, there are a few key points to consider.

First and foremost, you should think about your personal preferences. Do you prefer the tactile experience of writing on paper, or do you enjoy the convenience of digital note-taking?

Additionally, it’s important to consider the purpose of your note-taking. Are you taking notes for a class or work meeting, or are you just jotting down ideas for a personal project?

Finally, it’s always a good idea to experiment with both methods to determine what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to try new things and see what feels most natural and effective.

Consider your personal preferences

As someone who’s always preferred the tactile experience of writing on paper, I find that taking notes on an iPad feels like trying to dance in shoes that are two sizes too big – it’s doable, but it doesn’t feel quite right. However, it’s important to consider your personal preferences when choosing between paper and digital note-taking.

Here are three factors to keep in mind:

  • Personal preferences and individual habits: If you’re used to writing with a certain type of pen or pencil, or if you have a favorite notebook, you might find it difficult to switch to digital note-taking. On the other hand, if you’re someone who’s more comfortable with technology and enjoys using new gadgets, an iPad might be a better fit for you.
  • Learning style: Some people learn better when they can see and touch physical objects, while others learn better when they can interact with digital media. If you’re someone who learns best through hands-on activities, you might find that paper note-taking is more effective for you. However, if you’re someone who enjoys multimedia content like videos, animations, and interactive diagrams, an iPad might be a better choice.
  • Cognitive processes: For some people, the act of writing by hand can help them remember information more effectively. Others might find that typing on an iPad is more efficient and allows them to keep up with a fast-paced lecture or meeting. It’s important to consider how your brain processes information when choosing between paper and digital note-taking.

Consider the purpose of your note-taking

Considering the purpose behind your note-taking can greatly impact the method you choose, as it’s important to select a mode that aligns with your specific goals and objectives.

If you’re taking notes to study for an exam, for instance, you may want to consider your learning style. If you’re a visual learner, typing notes on an iPad may not be as effective as handwriting them on paper, as the physical act of writing can help with memory retention. However, if you’re an auditory learner, recording lectures on an iPad and taking typed notes may be a better option.

Another factor to consider is contextual relevance. Are you taking notes for personal use or for a professional setting? If you’re taking notes for a meeting, typing on an iPad may be more efficient and allow you to easily share notes with others. However, if you’re taking notes for personal use, handwriting on paper may be more meaningful and allow you to add personal touches like drawings or diagrams.

Ultimately, the purpose behind your note-taking should guide your decision on whether to use an iPad or paper.

Experiment with both methods to determine what works best for you

Ah, the eternal battle between technology and tradition. Want to know the best way to figure out if typing on an iPad or handwriting on paper is right for you? Experiment with both methods and see which one floats your boat.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start – there are plenty of opportunities to compare the effectiveness of iPad and paper note-taking in different scenarios. For example, try taking notes during a lecture or meeting using both methods and see which one allows you to capture the most information. Or, try writing down your thoughts and ideas on paper, then typing them up on your iPad later to see which method helps you organize your thoughts better.

As you experiment with both methods, pay attention to the pros and cons of each. For instance, typing on an iPad allows you to easily edit and rearrange your notes, while handwriting on paper may help you retain information better. You may find that one method is better suited for certain tasks than the other.

Ultimately, the best way to determine what works best for you is to try both and see which one fits your needs and preferences.

So, which method of note-taking is best for you? It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what fits your learning style.

The convenience and organization of note-taking on an iPad can be a game changer for some, but it may not be the best choice for those who struggle with retaining information without the tactile experience of pen and paper.

On the other hand, paper note-taking can provide a satisfying tactile experience and may lead to better retention of information, but it can also be less organized and harder to search through later on.

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each method and consider your own habits and preferences when deciding which method to use.

Ultimately, whether you choose to take notes on an iPad or with pen and paper, the most important thing is to find a method that helps you effectively retain and recall information.

So, ask yourself: what works best for you?

Recommended Reading...

Academic writing in resume: how to highlight your academic achievements, active vs passive note-taking: understanding the difference, can you claim resume writing on tax here’s what you need to know, best way to take notes in university: tips for success.

Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

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© 2024 When You Write

the college route

iPad vs Paper for taking notes in college

a picutre of a college student taking notes on paper, and another person taking notes on his iPad

Written by Charaf Mrah

General | college tips, updated mar 27, 2023.

Choosing between taking your notes using an iPad or on paper can be confusing at first. I personally used paper my entire life until last year when I got a new iPad. I completely ditched paper for an entire year since I got the iPad and I think that I have enough experience to give you my thoughts.

Table of Contents

Ipad vs tablets, pros & cons, why choose paper to take notes, why choose an ipad to take notes, why i use the word “ipad” and not “tablets”.

iPads are way better than any of the competition in the tablet market. So when it comes to digital notes taking, iPads are a no-brainer. This is due to the great battery, operating system, and most importantly the Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil is miles ahead of the competition as well. It’s relatively cheap compared to the high-end pencils used by professionals. So when it comes to comparing tablets with paper, I had to choose the best tablet in both value and performance.

What’s the difference between an iPad and Paper when taking notes?

While taking notes is the end goal, it can be achieved differently depending on what option you choose to use. iPads and paper both have advantages and disadvantages. So let’s take a look at their key differences:

  • Saves space
  • More organized
  • Easy to modify data
  • Cheaper in the long term
  • Can feel weird at first
  • More costly if it breaks
  • Needs more care
  • Has built-in distractions (social media apps)

Paper Pros:

  • Feels familiar
  • No batteries to charge
  • Harder to break
  • Cheaper in the short term

Paper Cons:

  • Harder to edit data
  • Harms the environment more
  • Limited storage space
  • Limited functionalities

Why Choose Paper to take notes?

writing on paper vs ipad

There are still valid reasons for choosing paper over an iPad. The most important one in my opinion is the battery. Obviously, you won’t have to worry about charging your papers (but you need new pencils though).

Another major reason why you would choose paper over an iPad for note-taking is the natural feel of paper. This is very subjective in my opinion since I prefer writing on glass over paper. I should note however that my font is very bad, like really bad. I generally don’t write with a pen a lot except for solving math, physics, or chemistry problems.

Another factor is the price as well. While getting an iPad might save you money in the long term, it’s more expensive to buy at the beginning. This will go back to your financial situation and your priorities of course. Paper is also easy to replace if you forget it somewhere or something, you easily buy a new notebook.

Paper has been the go-to medium for note-taking for centuries. Here are some of the advantages of using paper for note-taking:

  • Feels Familiar: Many people find that writing on paper feels more natural than writing on an iPad.
  • No Batteries to Charge: With paper, you don’t have to worry about running out of battery power or finding a charging outlet.
  • Harder to Break: Paper is durable and can withstand rough handling better than an iPad.
  • Cheaper in the Short Term: Buying a notebook and a pen is much cheaper than buying an iPad.
  • No Distractions: With paper, there are no built-in distractions like social media apps to tempt you away from your notes.

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iPad notes

I might be biased here but from my experience, there’s no reason not to choose an iPad except for the feel or price. While writing on glass might feel weird at the beginning, I personally got used to it. I don’t think that the glass feel is inferior to paper. I just think that they’re different, and I actually like glass more. This is a personal preference, however, so I would advise you to try it for yourself a couple of times.

An important factor that could make someone choose an iPad would be the amount of data you can store in a thin device. I have all of the class books, notebooks, a calculator, google, editing software…etc in a relatively small device. This would have seemed insane just ten years ago.

Being able to go to college just holding an iPad and an Apple Pencil in the pocket is amazing. It’s also easier to organize all of your classes, as well as your studying plan in one place. Do you want to study at the coffee shop today? no problem, you’re just gonna carry this little magic device with you.

The iPad is a powerful tool for taking notes. Here are some of the advantages of using an iPad for note-taking:

  • More Organized: With an iPad, you can keep all your notes in one place. You don’t have to worry about losing pages or notebooks, and you can easily search for notes by keyword.
  • Easy to Modify Data: With an iPad, you can easily edit and modify your notes. You can change the font, add images, or even record audio notes.
  • Saves Space: An iPad is a thin device that can store all your notes in one place, saving you space in your bag.
  • Cheaper in the Long Term: While an iPad may be more expensive initially, it is cheaper in the long term. You don’t have to buy new notebooks or pens, and you can store all your notes in one place, reducing the likelihood of losing them.
  • Versatility: An iPad can do much more than just take notes. You can also use it for research, email, and even social media

Conclusion:

Ultimately, the decision between an iPad and paper for note-taking comes down to personal preference. If you prefer writing on paper and don’t need the additional features of an iPad, then paper is the best option for you. However, if you prefer the convenience and versatility of an iPad, then an iPad is the way to go. Regardless of your choice, the most important thing is to take notes consistently and effectively to help you succeed in your studies.

Personally, I don’t care much about how my handwriting looks as long as I can read it easily. So for me, an iPad is the superior choice. I started using the iPad one year ago for revising at home. And this year when I joined college I used the iPad for everything that involved writing. So in my opinion, the iPad is a much better solution for note-taking than paper in the twenty-first century.

In case you are considering getting an iPad you can check our guide on the best iPads for college students.

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should I use an iPad or paper for note taking?

  • 13 Nov, 2020

Should I Take My Notes On An iPad Or Paper?

There is a big debate at the moment about whether digital iPad notes or physical paper notes are better. And like everything in the world, each note taking style has their advantages and disadvantages. That is why in this article I go through the pros and cons of taking your notes on an iPad versus taking them on paper so you can make an informed choice on which note taking style is best for you and use it for the rest of the school year.

You should take notes on an iPad if you already have one or are planning to invest in an iPad, you want to have only one device to carry around each day, you want the ability to easily share your notes, you want to add images, diagrams and charts to your notes and/or you want limitless possibilities for customisation. Alternatively, you should take notes on paper if you like the feel of pen and paper, you don’t want distractions, you want to use your favourite stationery while note taking and/or you like organising your things in a binder.

Note Taking On An iPad: Pros & Cons

ipad vs. paper

Advantages Of Taking Notes On An iPad

Ability to carry around one thing with everything on it.

One of the best things about taking notes on an iPad is that you only need to carry one device around in comparison to a large binder or multiple notebooks.

Also on an iPad you can sync all of your notes to the cloud or your preferred storage system. This means you can access all of your school work from wherever and whenever. Never forget all of your books for the day every again because you looked at the wrong day on the timetable!

Super Easy To Edit Notes

iPad note taking apps make it seriously simple to edit your notes and make them perfect. In comparison to paper notes where it’s very difficult to erase and change things without the help of whiteout or an eraser, the iPad has very useful tools like the lasso tool to re-arrange things on your page or quick digital erasing tools.

Easier To Share Notes

With airdrop and messaging, you can easily share your digital notes on your iPad with your peers and teachers. This also means that you can get great resources in return really easily too!

Supplement Notes With Photos, Diagrams & Charts From The Internet

Another thing I love about digital note taking on an iPad is that I can import endless photos, diagrams and charts from the internet into my notes to supplement them. This is so much easier than spending heaps of time drawing or printing images for physical paper notes.

You can also use images to aid your own drawing of diagrams. For example, you might import an image of a plant for biology notes and then trace over it to create your own drawing. This is one of the best tricks of the trade for making aesthetic notes without fantastic artistic skills!

Lined digital notebook

Can Annotate Articles, Handouts & Other Resources Easily

I love annotating and highlighting resources and readings that I have been given at school on my iPad. It’s much easier to add extra notes around them as you can expand the page around the original article and write as much as needed. This means no more cramming in the margins of a small A4 page!

Endless Possibilities With Colour Schemes, Pen & Highlighter Types

You will never be limited again with your small pencil case and subsequent boring notes if you have an iPad. With most iPad note taking apps you have unlimited colour options and also pen types and thicknesses. This makes your notes super customisable and personalised.

I usually take my notes with the pre-installed notes app or GoodNotes on my iPad. These applications have a wide range of pen types including ball point, fountain, markers, pencils and highlighters. You can also change the opacity and thickness of the pens so it is suitable for your intended aesthetic as well.

You might be interested in my article on how to take aesthetic notes on your iPad here!

Disadvantages Of Taking Notes On An iPad

The slippery writing surface.

The writing experience on an iPad takes so time to get used to. At first it can feel very unnatural taking handwritten notes on an iPad as the screen is glass, smooth and slippery. However, you can improve your writing experience by putting a paper-like screen protector on your iPad. Or just simply spend time getting used to the new surface by practicing your handwriting on your iPad and doing other activities like digital drawing and doodling.

Not All Teachers Are Tech Friendly

Unfortunately not all teachers are technology friendly so in this case you would not be able to use your iPad to take notes. Before getting an iPad check out who your teachers are going to be for the semester or year to make sure you can get the most out the product.

iPads Are Expensive

The biggest disadvantage of taking notes on an iPad is the large gap between the price of an iPad and the price of a notebook and some pens. However if you need a device for researching, drawing, taking photos that you can also use for entertainment purposes (YouTube, Netflix etc.), an iPad could be a really good investment for you! An iPad could be a replacement for a laptop if you get a keyboard cover as well.

The price range for iPads really vary as well. You don’t need to get the latest model. Go for an older model with less storage for a cheaper solution.

Here are some models of iPad that are pretty good:

  • New Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 1TB) – Space Gray (2nd Generation)
  • New Apple iPad Air (10.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) – Space Gray (Latest Model, 4th Generation)
  • New Apple iPad (10.2-inch, Wi-Fi, 32GB) – Space Gray (Latest Model, 8th Generation)

They Have A Battery Life

Like all pieces of technology, iPads have a battery life. While it is a considerable amount of hours, if you forgot to charge your iPad the night before a lecture, you might be in a bit of trouble when it comes to note taking, especially if you don’t have access to a charger.

That is why it’s probably a good idea to carry around a portable charger to save you in tricky situations like these!

Takes A Little Bit Of Time To Get Used To

Handwriting on an iPad definitely takes a while to get used to. The apple pencil or your chosen stylus can feel unusual in your hand and the way it glides along the glass surface is very different to paper.

As I mentioned above, spend time getting used to writing on it before going to class. You could also get a paper feeling screen protector if it is really bothering you.

It also takes a bit of time to get used to the organisation system on your iPad and any new note taking applications. I like to use digital notebooks with hyperlinked tabs to make the note taking experience on the iPad as similar to a physical book.

digital notebooks in goodnotes

Have To Buy Add Ons (Either Stylus or Keyboard Case & Note Taking App)

This is an additional point to how iPads are expensive. Everything is an add on. If you want to get an Apple Pencil , it is an additional cost. If you want to get a keyboard case , it is an additional cost.

You might be interested in my article on the best iPad cases for note taking here!

Note Taking On Paper: Pros & Cons

ipad or paper for note taking

Advantages Of Taking Notes On Paper

No notifications, social media & other distractions.

On one hand, an iPad lets you take super customisable notes but on the other hand it can be a big distraction. Not only will you be bombarded with notifications and also the urge to go onto social media platforms or just surf the web, you will also have the distraction of endless choice. What colour should I make my highlighting? What thickness of pen does my handwriting look best in? Taking notes on paper totally eliminates this problem.

Everyone Is Used To The Pen-to-Paper Feel

You have been writing on paper since you were in kindergarten or even before! That’s pretty much all of your life. There is no adjusting needed when it comes to paper notes. It’s a very personalised experience in terms of paper type, texture and feel.

Use Your Favourite Stationery

When you take paper notes, you can let your stationery loving side shine! Use whatever pens, highlighter and markers that please you. Put as much colour or as little colour on your page. Do fancy calligraphy writing with your brush pens or keep it simple with block writing with your trusty ballpoint.

Here are some of my favourite stationary items for taking notes on paper:

  • Zebra Mildliner Highlighters
  • TomBow Brush Pens
  • Zebra Gel Pens, Milky Assorted

Disadvantages Of Taking Notes On Paper

Notes are located everywhere.

When you take physical paper notes, your organisation skills need to be tip top. This means having a great binder or folder system that is organised with divider by sub-topics for each subject.

In comparison to taking note on an iPad where everything is automatically saved to digital folders, taking physical notes can eat up a lot of your time, in the sense that after each class you need to re-organise your notes.

You might be interested in reading my article on the best way to organise your binder here!

Pens Always Run Out

The only expense to taking physical paper notes is stationery, especially pens. When you are taking lots of note you can go through many pens. From an environmental stand point this is not great as every pen has a lot of plastic which is discarded (unless you use pen ink refills). Also if you are a bit of a stationery guru, you would know how expensive a single pen can be!

You might be interested in my article on how to become a paperless student here!

Before You Go!

Are you interested in becoming a super organised student, try out a digital student planner today.

digital daily planning student planner

You Might Also Be Interested In These Articles On Note Taking:

  • The 5 Best Note Taking Strategies
  • The Ultimate Guide To Taking & Studying Cornell Notes
  • How To Take Effective Notes From A Textbook
  • The Ultimate Guide To Taking Handwritten Notes On An iPad

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Taking Notes On iPad vs Paper [Which Is Better For Note-Taking]

Is it better to take notes on paper or iPad ? The method I was taking notes for years was not to take notes using a notepad. However, the iPad has developed over the past many years as a note-taking choice.

Now there is great disagreement over whether digital iPad notes or traditional paper notes are superior.

In addition, like anything in the universe, each note has its benefits and downsides. If you have one or plan to invest in the iPad, you should take notes on an iPad , have just one device every day, you want the possibility to share your notes, to add pictures, diagrams and charts to your notes, and/or you want endless customization options.

If you enjoy the sense of pen and paper, you don’t want interruptions, you want to use your favorite stationery while making a note or you like to organize your items into a binder, you should also write notes on paper.

In this context, I am talking about all the pros and cons of  taking notes on iPad vs paper .

Taking Notes On iPad vs Paper

Is It Better To Take Notes On An iPad Or Paper?

Writing on an iPad takes so long to get used to it. It can initially feel somewhat odd to take handwritten notes on an iPad, as the surface is glass, smooth and slippery.

You may nevertheless improve your writing experience with a paper-like screen guard on your iPad.

The Pros Of Digital Note-taking

iPad is generally tiny, portable, and fits everywhere as normal on your notebook. There are various digital notebooks available for a single iPad.

You may simply update your text several times and add several images with note-taking tools like a Note shelf . Cut, copy, undo, redo and resize tools make it much easier and quicker to compose notes.

Sharing Features

Due to ease of sharing and backup, the iPad is better than a tablet or laptop . With an iPad, you may simply share your notes and keep them secure on the cloud, google drive, etc.

You can connect any image, capture PDFs, and record your lectures easily in note-taking tools like a Note shelf. You may also bookmark and instantly access any topic.

The Cons Of Digital Note-taking

Cost-ineffective.

Compared to other devices, iPads are relatively costly. However, if you invest in this high technology gear, you can undoubtedly boost your productivity.

Limits Natural Writing Skills

It’s hard to gain a sense of natural writing on a digital notebook. It takes someone a little time to become acclimated to the Apple pencil. Note shelf is however one of the applications which give a more natural handwriting experience.

Distractive

An iPad cannot limit us to single-tasking, ongoing pop-ups, and notifications on the iPad. However, you can simply overcome this by postponing notifications as necessary.

The Pros Of Handwriting Notes

Can use stationery.

If you take note of paper, you can shine your loving side. You can use any style, highlighters, and markers that you like. Do fantastic calligraphy using various brush styles, or keep it simple with writing blocks using your trustworthy ballpoint.

No Disturbance From Social Media

An iPad allows you to take many customized notes, on the one hand, but on the other, it may be a tremendous distraction. Taking paper notes removes this difficulty.

Natural Handwriting

The feeling of writing with pen paper can’t beat anything. The sensation of writing a notebook on paper is better than a computerized notepad.

Easily Accessible

You can quickly select a random notebook and start writing your ideas or thoughts at any time.

Eco-friendly

As digital screens can do, notebooks are not harmful to your eyes. If you have weak eyes, this is a healthier option.

The Cons Of Handwriting Notes

No editing feature.

Once you’ve written something with a pen, you can’t edit it easily. You can’t cut, copy, or delete any content in notebooks.

Numerous Notebooks

According to your subjects, you require different paper templates. You cannot get them in one notebook thus you have to carry many notebooks.

Accessibility

It’s not easy to flip through a complete notepad. If you are looking for a specific topic, you must go through the whole notebook, unless you have a simple accessibility mechanism such as indexing or bookmaking.

Who Should Use Paper For Note-taking

Who Should Use Paper For Note-taking

If for one thing, you are cost-conscious. As previously said, the costs between paper and iPad writing are important. In addition, if you like writing on paper or don’t like writing in glass, paper is probably better for you.

Some people also like particular types of styles or pencils or paper, and they probably should choose paper for them.

Who Should Use iPad For Note-taking

Well, anyone who owns an iPad supporting Apple Pencil already. Also, anybody who wishes to archive their writings or wants them to be easy to share with others.

The capacity to access information quickly or arrange objects within a page is also a major feature that the iPad offers for some users.

Which Is The Best Note-taking Method For You?

The Outline approach is one of the greatest and most popular methods for academics. It helps you systematically organize your notes, which saves you a lot of time to review and modify further.

Note-Taking Best Practices For Students

Note-Taking Best Practices For Students

Note Down Important Facts

If you have a teacher that makes notes on the board that is a bonus. If not, note down the class’s main points.

Keep your notes available when you accomplish your tasks for reading. Compare what you wrote to what the readings say – you can add as you read to your notes.

If you hurriedly write down notes, you may not be able to read them when it is time to prepare for an exam.

Look through your notes when you arrive home and if necessary recopy them. It also helps you know and remember what you wrote by copying them.

Keep notes for each subject in one spot so that when the time comes to test, you can quickly find it all. This could mean that a notepad or piece of a notebook is kept in the classroom for each subject.

Digital Notes vs Paper Notes: Benefits of Taking Notes by Hand

You may have questions about digital notes vs paper notes, which is better for you. As more institutions extend online education programs and more educators include interactive learning trends in their courses, it is only logical that students also use computers and other digital devices to enhance their learning experience.

While a computer or laptop could serve to enhance learning by enabling students to research, communicate and cooperate efficiently, such devices might not be as useful in note-taking.

Note-taking methods have evolved alongside technology throughout the years. Word processing tools, personal digital assistants, digital notebooks, note-taking applications, audio recordings, voice-to-text programming, and other technology, have added handwritten notes if not replaced.

How Do You Choose The Best Method To Type?

Research suggests generally that taking notes manually enables you to remember the subject more than entering those notes on a computer. For example:

An experiment on recall and recognition of the term has shown that when people write them by hand, people remember lists of vocabulary words better than when they type them on a computer.

A study of note-taking in the classroom indicated that students who take notes by hand usually perform better in lecture assessments than those who put the notes on a computer.

Uses Of Paper Notes Method

You can use numerous note-taking procedures without dipping your laptops or other technological devices. You can complete the following with pen and paper, laptop, smartphone, or tablet.

Cornell Method

This approach requires students to start with a template that allows them to specify keywords and questions.

This strategy also encourages the participant to check their notes after a lecture to produce a summary. This strategy is suitable for all kinds of lectures and conferences.

Charting Method

Students can use a table or insert a table for this strategy in a word processing paper. Here, you can utilize columns to distinguish key concepts and the cells below to provide supporting material and data. This is best utilized for lectures with plenty of material, particularly data and figures.

Uses of Digital Notes

Many digital note-taking apps are available, but Evernote, Google Docs, and Microsoft OneNote are three of the best known among students.

All of them are available to iOS, Android, and PC users and offer free membership alternatives. Each tool lets you choose from various templates or you can choose to make your own.

Why is Paper Better Than a Pen For Digital?

Research on note-taking showed that taking notes and reviewing them in classroom lectures has a favorable impact on learning. At this point, that longhand note-taking surpasses laptop note-taking was previously established.

While classical style and paper can be regarded as ideal, the influence of technology in the modern learning environment cannot be ignored. Students must make use of notes by hand and technology, methods and practices that combine both.

How Students Digest Their Notes is More Important

Notes, whether written digitally or manually, have long proved to be a significant element of the learning experience. In the end, though, the most crucial thing is how students absorb notes.

In addition, as digital devices and programs continually improve, stakeholders should maximize the chance to develop interactive techniques and applications that integrate the benefits of long-range and digital note management efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, an iPad is worth noting, especially if you make the most of your iPad and employ other capabilities. It is worth it since you can carry all your notes on one device, share digital notes quickly and you can rearrange and update your notes easily.

Now, let us see below about taking notes on iPad pro vs paper notebook using criteria.

Researchers are saying that it is better to take notes by hand than digitally. Researchers Pam Mueller and Daniel M. Oppenheimer discovered that pupils remember more via longhand notes rather than on a laptop. It has to do with what occurs if you have to slow down.

The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a multifunctional 2-in-1 tablet designed to meet any note and educational demands. A gold processor with Pentium for lots of juice to complete ordinary office chores powers this tablet. The tablet may also be configured with 4 or 8 GB of RAM and a solid-state storage drive with either 64 or 128 GB.

What used to be before a pen, tablets, and touch equipment now replace paper. You can take notes on a tablet simpler.

However, few types of research have explored the difference between writing a digital pen on a tablet and writing with a conventional pen on paper. No significant changes in understanding and memory tests were made after notes on a tablet vs. paper.

Final W ords

You don’t have to choose between  iPad vs paper notes . You should check what is crucial for you and try both options. You should visit a store and try the iPad option. For me, I’ve moved more and more of my writing on the iPad, but sometimes I find myself using real notebooks.

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iPad next to notebook and open textbook in article about taking digital notes.

Digital Notes VS. Paper Notes – The Ultimate Clash

writing on paper vs ipad

It was freshman year and I was sitting in my SOC 100 class grabbing my designated notebook along with three pens for a nice color scheme. All of a sudden another student pulls out this massive iPad with an Apple Pencil and sat it on her desk. Her iPad was the same size as the screen on my MacBook Pro, and I grew curious. That was the day I asked myself which side should I pick in the ultimate note brawl between digital notes VS. paper notes .

After telling my mom about the girl, along with a thorough bullet point list on why I needed the iPad, she told me that she’d consider it. On Christmas morning, I received an iPad with the Apple Pencil, and with the help of my extensive YouTube research, I bought GoodNotes within the same hour.

At first, I struggled taking notes on my iPad only because I wanted the aesthetic Pinterest notes, but digitally. I considered giving up, but I didn’t want my mom to feel like she wasted her money. I went back to those videos and studied their techniques and the small things I wasn’t noticing before.

When you search digital notetaking on YouTube, there are a number of videos where people show you their preferred way of taking digital notes. You can either type them on your computer using OneNote or with the iPad and Apple Pencil; most students use Notability and/or GoodNotes.

On the other hand, there is the classic staple: handwritten notes . Personally, I still hand write my notes because I have a slight (nothing serious) obsession with gel pens.

After being in college for three years, I’d like to think that I have my note-taking process down pat, but I’d be lying. What I will say is within that time the battle between digital notes and paper notes has come to an end. Here are some of the things I noticed while taking digital notes VS. paper notes .

Digital Notes

Everything stays in one place.

In GoodNotes, you can create folders and choose different covers for each notebook. For example, I have a folder named “Spring 2020” for the spring semester of this year and within that folder are more folders for each course I am currently taking.

You can import PowerPoint lectures and articles

A lot of my professors teach using PowerPoints, so I can import them into GoodNotes and write directly on the slides . For sociology classes, there are a lot of articles to read and by importing them into GoodNotes I can annotate the article right then and there instead of printing it out.

They’re easier to carry

I tend to have three to four classes a day and having to carry all the notebooks, folders, pens, books, planners, etc. puts a lot of weight on my back. With the iPad, that’s all I carry . The iPad and Apple Pencil replaced the notebooks, folders, and pens so that all that will be in my backpack is my planner and tablet.

Say goodbye to messy notes

I have at least two professors who speed through lectures, and on paper, my notes look horrific with the crossed lines, scribbled words, and corrections in the margins. With my iPad, I can quickly erase something and write the correct version without getting lost .

It’s easier to share notes.

Let’s be honest — waking up at 9 a.m. can be hard. When I accidentally sleep through class, or if a friend needs the notes from the lecture, I can send or receive a PDF copy of the digital notes and be done . Having the iPad eliminates the need to take pictures and send them.

All devices have a battery life

There have been times in class when my laptop and/or iPad would die and I’d have to resort to paper notes again. Once class is over I’d have to charge the device and immediately transfer my notes or else I’d forget and half my notes would be somewhere else.

iPads are far from cheap

Listen, college broke is a different type of broke. I asked my mom for the iPad because I had one dollar in my bank account. I wanted the iPad, the Apple Pencil, and I downloaded GoodNotes .

— iPad: $329 ( The base price is $329, but if you want more storage along with Wi-Fi and cellular you end up paying $559.)

— 1st  generation Apple Pencil: $100

— GoodNotes: $7.99

Not everyone is e-friendly

I had a couple of teachers who didn’t allow electronics of any sort in class and because of that, I’d end up taking paper notes.

It takes a second to catch on

I stated earlier that it took a minute to adjust because it wasn’t paper. With the iPad, you’re writing on a smooth surface and the tip of the Apple Pencil is just as smooth . With paper, your pen doesn’t slide the same.

There is a significantly different feeling when it comes to taking notes on paper . With my slight obsession (again, nothing serious) with gel pens, I can get good use out of them and they won’t collect dust.

Paper Notes

You retain the information better.

I’ve purposefully written notes on my iPad for one section of class and took notes by hand for the next section. I noticed that I remembered a lot more information with paper notes . Even though both notes are manually written down, paper notes helped me get a 95 on an exam.

There are no distractions

With the iPad and even my laptop, there were so many distractions from notifications. Once I got bored, I’d go on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest, but when taking paper notes, there are no distractions . All my focus went toward the lecture and taking thorough notes.

The possibilities are endless

When typing notes there is only so much you could do to make the notes your own. There are a few restrictions on a laptop and the iPad, but with paper you can do just about anything . You could use any pen or pencil of any size.

Organization is key

You can’t retain information if it doesn’t make sense . It takes time to get your own process of note-taking, but without it, your notes would be all over the place.

They can be slightly time-consuming

While you’re trying to keep your notes neat and organized, you could be missing out on key information .

Good pens can get expensive

I don’t know about you, but I’m not spending over $10 on a pack of pens. I don’t care if they write what you say, I’m not doing it . In some of the videos on YouTube, they write with pens that I have never heard of, and the price is the reason why.

I have had my fair share of experience with digital notes, both laptop and iPad, as well with hand written notes and the truth is — I prefer both. Some teachers don’t allow electronics in class and because of that, my slight obsession with gel pens gets put to good use. I will write or type my notes during lecture and to make sure I retain the information, I rewrite my notes on paper. Going over the information twice ensures I understand everything I’m reading and writing.

I’m not saying rewriting your notes is something you should do, but it’s what works for me.

If you choose to go the electronic route, I recommend apps like GoodNotes, OneNote, and Notability, and if you’re trying to save money, the built-in Notes app works great too . You can choose from a few pen options, and they give you the ability to choose your preferred pen size.

If you choose to go the traditional route and pick in the battle of digital notes vs paper notes , I recommend using grid paper for more controlled writing. As far as the actual writing, I use a number of pens to rewrite my notes. They don’t cost a lot of money, and they don’t write like cheap pens. Those are:

Paper Mate Ink Joy gel pens

They have very vibrant colors and ink that doesn’t smudge. The ink leaves a slight shadow, but doesn’t bleed through the page.

Zebra Mildliner

These aren’t as bright as traditional highlighters and some people prefer that.

Sharpie fine point marker pen

I haven’t tried the colored pens, but my favorite is the black pens. It’s the only black gel pen that I enjoy using. If you’re heavy handed when writing it might bleed through, but it doesn’t for me.

Paper Mate Flair | Medium

These are thicker and vibrant just like their gel pens. I usually use these for titles and key terms. For such a thick pen it doesn’t bleed through paper, but that all depends on pressure applied.

If you’re ever looking for other pens, I’d recommend going to stores (not right now in these hectic times) like TJ Maxx, Burlington, Ross, etc. for inexpensive gel pens and marker pens.

  • colored pens
  • note taking

Kayla Johnson, Bradley University

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Kayla johnson, bradley university journalism.

I am currently a junior majoring in journalism with a minor in sociology. I want to be a published author and a sports photographer one day.

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reMarkable 2 review: better than iPad for notes, but nothing else

Andrew O'Hara's Avatar

reMarkable 2

Taking notes is a legitimate issue for many, spanning high school to college, office life, interviews, and everything in between. There's been a few common issues that crop up, from managing notes to just making out what the heck we'd written in the first place.

As tech-prone users, we've always been inclined to take our notes digitally. We remember using early iPads and a generic rubber-tipped stylus to jot down chicken scratch for use later. It never seemed to go well. Palm rejection wasn't great in the early days, and the squishy tips weren't up to the task. Not to mention, the iPad's screen always felt too small.

We've tried out plenty of options, including notebooks you can scan, other "smart" tablets for taking notes that fell short, and high-end styluses for our iPad, and when it came to note-taking, it was never ideal. Even when Apple got serious about notes and drawing by introducing the Apple Pencil .

Currently, we still take a lot of notes which led us to pick up the reMarkable 2 tablet.

After using it for a few months now, we were surprised by how much we have come to love it. That's what generally summarizes our review of the reMarkable 2 tablet. In a world where everything is expected to do ten things at once, reMarkable rejected the pressure to go down that route and released a second-generation device that focused on nailing down that singular, note-taking experience.

The reMarkable 2 tablet is a second-generation device, improving on many — but not all — of the shortcomings of the original.

If we had to choose a word to describe the reMarkable tablet's quality, it would be "premium." The tablet feels like a well-made, high-status device that is hard to put into words. Between the various accessories (more on those in a moment) and the device itself, it feels like you are holding something designed with a purpose.

The tablet is very thin with nice details, such as the chamfered edge on the sleep/wake button

If you examine the tablet closely, you can see the little details. Take the power button, for example. It is located atop the spine of the tablet, and it fits in place perfectly with the slightest little chamfered edges that give it just enough differentiation between it and the edge of the tablet.

The tablet's body is metal, which gives it some solid weight, though not too heavy at all. It just feels as if it has some substance and doesn't feel cheap. By itself, reMarkable 2 weighs only .88 pounds.

Rubber feet on the back prevent it from sliding on your desk

On the back of the tablet are four tiny rubber feet. Without these, the tablet would surely slide around your desktop. It's again a small detail that is well thought out and done explicitly for notetakers.

reMarkable 2 is remarkably thin

It's also shockingly thin. So thin that it looks impossible to go any thinner. It's about as thick as the USB-C port used to charge, measuring only 4.7mm. That's an entire millimeter thinner than iPad Pro and 30 percent thinner than the last-generation reMarkable tablet.

Internally it's powered by a 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM processor with 1 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM and 8GB of storage. That updated processor doubles the speed from the reMarkable 1. Its battery is three times that of the original, which will last two weeks on typical use.

It connects with the aforementioned USB-C port, but it also connects wirelessly with either 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi bands.

Battery status and Wi-Fi signal

The display is a lovely 10.3-inch display with 226 dots per inch (DPI) at 1872 by 1404 resolution. This is a second-gen CANVAS partially-powered E-ink display with Carta technology that looks better than the original. Using the reMarkable Marker, the screen can display 4096 levels of pressure.

Since this is all about the writing experience, it makes sense that E-ink display both looks and feels like paper. It has that matte finish that looks good in the sun, has little to no glare, and even makes the same sound as paper as you write.

Accessories

The display works with your fingers, but to write, and get the full experience, you will need one of reMarkable's stylus options.

As an entry-level option, there is the Marker which comes in a soft gray color. It feels nice in hand, has a slightly textured exterior, and writes very pleasantly. Still, we think the better option is the Marker Plus.

reMarkable stylus

It has a bit more weight than the simple Marker and comes in black instead. What sets it apart most, though, is the ability to use the opposing end as an eraser. Just turn the Marker Plus around, erase whatever you just wrote by rubbing it against the screen, and your writing disappears.

End of the Marker Plus

In another nod to the reMarkable 2 tablet's ability to replicate actual writing, as you erase, you still see a faint outline of your text for a moment before the screen refreshes. It looks just like you erased a pencil line on a sheet of paper.

Tip of the Marker is replacable

Whether you opt for the Marker or Marker Plus, some things are shared, such as the swappable tips. The tips are consumables and will need to be replaced every so often. This is similar, again, to an actual pencil. As you write and take note with the tablet, the drag that creates that pencil and paper experience wears down that tip. A handful is included in the box, and more are available through reMarkable. They are very cheap, so it isn't a concern and a worthy tradeoff for the feeling.

Something we see with lesser tablets quite often is the distance between the writing instrument and the display. This feels slightly unnatural as you see the stylus' tip and then the "ink" a millimeter or so away. Here, there is very minimal distance, and it's about as close as we've come to replicating the paper experience.

Each of these styli requires no charging and can magnetically connect to the side of your tablet for safety. It's very similar to the iPad Pro and second-generation Apple Pencil.

With something as nice as the reMarkable 2, you'd likely want to have some protection for it if you're taking it outside the office or home. There are two first-party options to choose from — either the Folio or the Folio Book.

Folio for remarkable 2

The Folio is more akin to a sleeve that the reMarkable 2 can slide into. It's a fine, heathered grey fabric that is sturdy and durable while also staying very thin. On one side is a slot for the Marker or Marker Plus to sit. While the magnetic ability is cool and useful to stop it from rolling away, when you're tossing it in a bag, it can still come free. By sliding it into the sleeve, it's always safe.

Book Folio for reMarkable 2

Above that is the Folio Book. This is not dissimilar to a leather cover on a traditional notebook. It magnetically locks into place so you can keep it attached while you use your paper tablet. It covers both the front and back and can be folded around the back while writing.

Book Folio for reMarkable 2

We picked up the brown leather, but a black leather option is also available. These fine leathers are minimally treated to take on a gorgeous patina with age. If leather isn't your thing, another version made of heathered grey fabric is available.

The user interface

This tablet makes it easy to do what it does best — take notes. Just power it on from the small button on the top-left corner, and you'll see the note you were on last or the main menu.

That main menu page shows all of your notebooks and files you've created. Three buttons at the top let you create a new folder, create a new notebook, or add a new quick sheet.

The battery level and Wi-Fi status are situated in the lower-left corner, a search button is to the top-right, and the menu button is to the top-left. The menu gives you access to just your notebooks, any PDFs you've loaded, any ebooks you've saved, your favorites, trash, and settings.

Navigate to any of your existing notes or notebooks you've started, but quite often we'd opt for the "quick sheets," which, for us, are just spur-of-the-moment unorganized notes that we had to jot down.

Notebook options

When you create a notebook, there are dozens of various templates for both portrait and landscape. Storyboards, a planner, dots, grids, lines, and more are all possibilities. We very much appreciate the options here and the thoughtfulness of the layouts. It's a big reason to choose a digital notebook rather than a paper one.

Each note has a hideable menu with a smattering of controls, mainly the ones you'd expect. reMarkable lets you change what writing utensil you are writing with, including a ballpoint pent, a fineliner, a marker, a pencil, a mechanical pencil, a paintbrush, a highlighter, or a calligraphy pen. Each writes differently and with a different style.

In-note menu

Those instruments can be black, white, or black and thin, medium, or thick in weight. Other tools include a marquee tool to select, an eraser, a magnifier tool, and undo/redo arrows.

At the bottom of the menu is a share icon that can send it by email or "convert to text and send." It ends with the layers button and the notebook button.

When not necessary, the menu can be hidden, letting you focus on content.

The UI is overall easy to follow and understand and has a minimal learning curve to get the hang of.

Where reMarkable 2 comes up short

We see reMarkable 2's shortcomings in two categories — those that are relevant to note-taking and those that aren't.

handwritten notes on reMarkable 2

When it comes to taking notes, our biggest issue is its translation feature, which transcribes your handwritten notes into text and allows you to send them off. By design, it's a great feature. Take notes during a meeting and then send typed notes out to everyone who was in attendance. But for us, it wasn't all that accurate.

Perhaps it was our handwriting — which is far from great — but we wound up with a lot of errors. There were errant commas, new lines, and other issues that required quite a bit of editing. It is decent enough, but not something we could fully rely on without putting in additional work.

Another issue with note-taking was the search. There isn't a good way to search your notes, which in truth, just kept us more organized as it was the only way to find what we needed in our notes.

Beyond note-taking, reMarkable 2 tries to do a few other things— some well and some not so well. For example, you could use the tablet as an eReader. Technically, it works for this, and the screen is perfect, but the interface is poor, and it only supports ePub with no DRM. Few people have DRM-free ePub files lying around. There are also no hardware navigation buttons, so you have to tap the screen each time to go to the next page.

If you want an eReader, go for a Nook or Kindle. PDFs, though, do work well on the tablet, and you can even annotate them.

One interesting feature that works on occasion is the Chrome plugin. Here you can save websites and news articles that you want to read later, and they will automatically load on your reMarkable tablet. If you want the text, this is great. But images or videos can get lost in the conversion and leave you jumping back to a browser for additional context.

Don't replace your iPad, supplement it

Some may see reMarkable 2 as a replacement for an iPad. That could potentially be the case if your sole use of your iPad was for taking notes, but that use case is less than likely. Apple has endowed the iPad with more and more features of the years, and third-party apps have brought even more potential to the device.

The iPad line used to be very poor at note-taking but got much better when Apple introduced the Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil 2. Yet even then, it doesn't hold up in this one category to reMarkable. To get close, you'd need a solid third-party app, a matte screen protector such as Paperlike, and of course, an Apple Pencil.

At that point, it still falls short. An iPad is heavier, it is thicker, it slides on a desk, and you're constantly interrupted by notifications. Without notifications, you have the draw of a web browser or social apps that can tempt you and pull your focus from taking notes.

You can't beat reMarkable for physically taking notes, and you can't beat iPad for being a capable full-featured tablet. As much as it would be nice to have one device to do both, serious notetakers will inevitably have to rely on two devices.

One way the two can work together is the reMarkable app. This app, available on iPhone and iPad, syncs all your notes across. You can see all your notes and sketches from your reMarkable 2 tablet on your iPhone and iPad for further sharing and viewing. Makes it easy to take your notes and then pull them up on any other device when you need them. There's even Mac support to see your documents there too.

Should you invest in the reMarkable 2 tablet?

We'll repeat it — we love this device. But while we love it, we can't recommend it to everybody. You have to take a lot of notes or sketch to make it worth it. The entire premise of the device is to elevate note-taking so if you don't do that regularly, it is too high a cost to pay.

reMarkable 2 tablet on our desk

The accessories are as good as it gets with a solid feel, premium materials, and excellent features. The Folio Book is one of the best covers we've seen on a tablet hands-down.

We liked the original reMarkable tablet, but this second-gen device takes it to a whole new level with increased software support, twice the speed, USB-C, a better display, a thinner design, magnetic accessories, and a longer battery life.

If you take many notes and want the unequivocal best device for doing so, grab the reMarkable 2. But that isn't going to be everyone. If the third-generation device does do a bit more, then maybe its audience will broaden.

  • Top-notch build quality and materials
  • Fantastic premium accessories
  • Marker and Marker Plus don't requie charging and Plus model has a built-in eraser
  • Designed 100 percent with notes in mind
  • Easy to manage and organize notes
  • Mobile and Mac apps for syncing notes
  • Chrome plugin for saving articles for offline viewing
  • Many "paper" types for notes and notebooks
  • Feels and sounds like writing on paper
  • Very thin and fast
  • Long battery life
  • Much improved from original version
  • Can annotate PDFs
  • Ebook funtionality is poor
  • Convert to text feaure isn't great
  • No cloud storage support

Rating: 4 out of 5

Where to buy.

You can pick up the second-generation reMarkable tablet direct from reMarkable for $399 . There are bundles as well paired with various accessories.

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Green Your Notes!

Is taking notes on a notepad or an ipad more environmentally responsible.

Until now, I’ve taken my class notes the old-fashioned way, scrawling and scribbling on a legal pad. All this talk of tablets and note-taking apps has piqued my interest, but I worry about the environmental impact. How many pages of notes would I have to take before a tablet or laptop would be better for the earth?

You have to admire paper, a 19-century-old technology that can hold its own against 21 st -century computers. The dissimilarity between the two products, however, makes comparing them difficult. The raw materials used to manufacture tablets and those used for paper are so vastly different that they inflict dissimilar damages on the earth. In addition, tablets are versatile devices, so it’s not clear how much of their embedded energy— the fuel required to manufacture, deliver, and dispose of your device—we should attribute to note-taking. Nevertheless, they can serve the same function, so it’s only fair to attempt a comparison.

Let’s start with greenhouse gases, the common denominator in most environmental-impact analysis. If you already own a tablet and you’re thinking about using it as a note-taking device, it’s time to retire your ballpoint. According to data from the Environmental Paper Network , producing a single sheet of paper with no recycled content is responsible for about 0.03 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents being released into the atmosphere. (A carbon dioxide equivalent is a unit used to express all greenhouse gases, including methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, in terms of the impact of carbon dioxide.) By contrast, an iPad uses about 3 watts per hour, which results in the release of 0.004 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents. That means you could take notes on an iPad for more than seven hours before surpassing the greenhouse gas emissions of a single sheet of paper. Unless you write really, really small, or your professors rarely say anything worth writing down, the tablet wins.

Switching to 100-percent post-consumer recycled paper changes the calculus, but not nearly enough to tip the scales. Producing a sheet of recycled paper releases 0.017 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents. Given this figure, you could run the iPad for four hours before surpassing the greenhouse gas emissions of this relatively eco-friendly sheet of paper.

But if you plan on purchasing a tablet for the sole purpose of taking notes, the equation changes. (Though the scenario seems rare—at the very least, you could download the Slate app —it’s worth considering as an edge case.)

Using an iPad accounts for less than 30 percent of its lifetime greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturing (60 percent), transport (10 percent), and end-of-life recycling (1 percent) are responsible for the rest. Apple estimates that, over an iPad’s entire lifetime, the device will account for 231 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents. (The company doesn’t disclose how many hours of use that includes, only that it assumes “intensive daily use” for three years, which sounds about right for a student with a full course load.) That’s roughly equivalent to the emissions stemming from 7,700 sheets of virgin paper or a whopping 13,600 sheets of 100-percent post-consumer recycled paper. It’s unlikely that a college student would go through the equivalent of 113 spiral-bound notebooks before falling for the iPad 3.

As you’re probably aware, paper raises environmental issues beyond greenhouse gas emissions. Manufacturers are sawing down native trees around the world to make room for eucalyptus trees and loblolly pines . While these species have excellent paper-making fiber and require less bleaching than many native varieties, biology superstar E.O. Wilson estimates that the industrial plantations reduce biodiversity by 90 to 95 percent . They also require pesticides and herbicides, which can impact water quality. Native forests are being converted to tree farms in the southern United States, and at particularly alarming rate in Indonesia. Office Depot and Staples have agreed not to sell paper products made from unsustainably harvested Indonesian pulp, but your best bet is to buy Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper.

Tablets don’t directly result in deforestation, but they do require rare earth metals like coltan that are mined in environmentally (and politically) sensitive areas like the Congo. (In April, several major electronics companies set up rules to prevent revenues from rare earth metals from funding wars, but it’s not yet clear if that will stop the trade or merely shift the distribution routes.) In addition, the iPad is just the end-user piece of a massive cloud-computing network. If you’re planning to use apps like Simplenote or Evernote , you should also consider the environmental impacts of the network as a whole.

The simplest answer to this query is that you shouldn’t buy something you don’t need. So, if you already have a tablet, use it for note taking instead of buying reams of paper. And squeeze as many years as possible out of your current tablet before getting a new one. If you’re thinking of buying a tablet just for note-taking, reconsider. The Earth would be better off if you stuck with recycled paper. You can even get a little creative. Collect all those one-sided printouts your professor gives you—professor still use handouts, don’t they?—and fashion your own notebook out of wastepaper.

The Lantern thanks Joshua Martin of the Environmental Paper Network.

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Yes, paper-feel screen protectors for the iPad are good

You can make writing notes or drawing on the ipad much nicer with the right kind of screen protector..

By Dan Seifert , an editor overseeing The Verge’s product reviews and service journalism programs. Dan has covered the technology world for over a decade at The Verge.

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An iPad Mini with a matte screen protector applied

Apple’s iPad and Pencil combination makes for an excellent note-taking or digital drawing solution. But even though writing notes or creating art on the iPad has a lot of advantages over using analog pen and paper, the actual feel of writing with a plastic-tipped stylus on the iPad’s smooth glass isn’t great. The hard plastic of the stylus hitting the hard glass of the iPad can be noisy, slippery, and just unpleasant to use if you’re used to writing on paper.

Yet it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. There is a small cottage industry of paper-feel (or paperlike or paper-type) screen protectors for the iPad that address this issue directly. And as someone who takes handwritten notes on the iPad every single day, I now swear by them.

These kinds of screen protectors have a different purpose than the typical clear plastic screen protector designed to prevent scratches on the screen. They have matte finishes that both diffuse the light coming out of the screen and provide a rougher texture for writing. This has the effect of providing resistance to the tip of the Apple Pencil, which makes writing on the glass feel more like writing on paper and provides more control over your strokes. They also reduce the tapping-on-glass noise you get with the Pencil on the iPad. Writing through the screen protector is no less responsive than without it, and you can still navigate the iPad easily with standard finger taps and swipes.

Yes, as expected, it makes the iPad feel more like paper, though I’m not going to tell you it’s exactly the same.

Common brands of paper-type screen protectors include Paperlike , Moshi (this is what I use on an iPad Mini and an iPad Pro ), and PenTips , though there are many off-brand options on Amazon for lower costs. You can find options for every iPad on the market, from the base 9.7-inch model released a couple of years ago to the latest and greatest iPad Pro models. A matte screen protector will typically cost more than a basic clear one, with the name-brand versions running anywhere from $30 to $45 each.

The matte finish of the screen protector provides texture to the iPad’s surface, providing greater control over Pencil strokes

There are some downsides to be aware of when using a matte screen protector. Because these screen protectors diffuse the light coming out of the screen, there is an impact to the brightness and color saturation of the screen. If you use your iPad outdoors or you primarily use it for watching movies, this might be an issue for you. PenTips’ PenMat offers a clever solution for this: it magnetically attaches to the iPad, so you can easily put it on when you want to write or draw and take it off when you want to watch a movie or get the full brightness of the iPad’s screen. I haven’t used this one myself, but YouTuber Brad Colbow, who creates videos about making art on digital devices, recently tested it and came away impressed.

Those who write with a heavy hand or do a lot of drawing on their iPads might wear out the tip of the Apple Pencil faster with a matte screen protector due to its rougher texture. (This seems to be worst when tilting the Pencil for shading effects.) Replacing the Pencil’s tip is easy, and you can get four replacements for less than $20 , but it is something to be aware of.

The matte screen protector almost makes my handwriting legible

I personally have never had an issue with the reduced brightness and contrast caused by the matte screen protector, so it’s something I leave on my iPad 100 percent of the time. And when I’m writing notes, it’s more comfortable to use, I have greater control, and you can almost read my chicken-scratch handwriting. It also eliminates glare when I’m reading or watching video. One last benefit is the matte screen protector seems to repel fingerprints and other grossness better than the bare glass screen.

If all you use your iPad for is watching video and entertaining young kids, then you probably don’t need to spend the money for a good matte screen protector. But if you’ve had ideas to use it for note-taking or digital art, then it’s one of the best accessories you can purchase — once you have a Pencil already, of course. And an iPad with a matte screen protector goes a long way toward providing a similar writing experience to something like a Remarkable while still being capable of all the other things an iPad is great for.

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How-To Geek

How to take handwritten notes on your ipad using the apple pencil.

Purchased an Apple Pencil with your new iPad? Forget your notebooks and take digital handwritten notes right on your iPad. Here's how.

Quick Links

Apple pencil compatibility, how to take handwritten notes on ipad using notes app, alternative note app options.

The Apple Pencil is a versatile tool for your iPad. Not only can you use it for (virtual) drawing, painting, or coloring, you can also take notes and doodle. Here's how to take handwritten notes on your iPad.

Apple Pencil is available in two different models. The first-generation Apple Pencil comes in a round shape and was first introduced with the original iPad Pro. It also includes a Lightning connector under a cap for charging.

1st Generation Apple Pencil

Here's a list of all iPads that support the first-generation Apple Pencil at the time of writing:

  • iPad Air (3rd generation)
  • iPad mini (5th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st or 2nd generation)
  • iPad Pro 10.5-inch
  • iPad Pro 9.7-inch
  • iPad (6th generation)
  • iPad 10.2 inch (7th generation)

The second-generation Apple Pencil is quite a bit smaller, with a single flat edge. It now magnetically latches on to the edge of the iPad Pro and charges wirelessly.

2nd Generation Apple Pencil

The accessory is only supported on the following iPad Pro models with Face ID (again, at the time of writing):

  • iPad Pro 11-inch (2018 and 2020 models)
  • iPad Pro 12.9 inch (2018 and 2020 models)

It's quite easy to get started taking notes on your iPad as you don't even have to download an app. Simply use the built-in Notes app on your iPad.

Handwritten note in Notes app landscape

Open the "Notes" app on your iPad and create a new note. From there, tap on the Expand button to make the note full-screen.

Tap to create new note

Now, you can tap the tip of your Apple Pencil on the screen to enter the handwritten notes mode. You'll see drawing tools appear at the bottom of the screen.

Pencil tools in Notes app

The canvas is now yours. You can doodle, write, or type anything in the note. When you're taking notes with the Apple Pencil, use your finger to swipe up and down.

Handwritten note in Notes app on ipad

From the drawing tools, the first is the Pen tool. Tap on it to see the option for the thickness of the nib and the transparency. You can do the same thing for the next two tools which are Marker and Pencil.

If you have the second-generation Apple Pencil , you can double-tap on the Action button to switch to the Eraser. You can also customize the Action button to switch to the last used tool instead.

Related: How to Change the Double-Tap Action on Apple Pencil for iPad Pro

Pen tool option in Notes app

The fourth tool is the Eraser. Tap on it to turn your Apple Pencil into an eraser. Move your Apple Pencil over anything that you want to erase.

The fifth tool is a Lasso-style selection tool. (Photoshop users might be familiar with it.) Once the tool is selected, you can circle over elements to select them. Once selected, you can use your finger to move them around. This can be a good way for you to move a doodle to a different place.

Lasso tool in Notes app

The last tool in the set is the Ruler. After you select it, you'll see a large ruler show up in the note area. You can use two fingers to move the Ruler and to change the angle.

Move your fingers around and you'll see that the ruler snaps to certain angles like 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and so on. Once you've used the ruler, tap on the icon again to get rid of it.

Ruler in Notes app

On the right edge, you'll see a color picker. You'll see five common colors that you can pick from, or you can tap on the color picker icon to choose from all available shades.

Color Palette option in Notes app

Now that you know all the tools, go ahead and start writing using your Apple Pencil.

Once you're finished writing, there's a nice hidden gem for you to discover. Apple Notes app has a handwriting recognition feature built-in. So, as long as your handwriting is legible, Apple should be able to recognize and index them.

This means that you can search for text inside your handwritten notes. To test it out, go to the "Search" field, and try to find something from your handwritten note.

Search handwritten notes

Plus, you don't even need to unlock your iPad to start taking handwritten notes. Just tap on your iPad's lock screen with your Apple Pencil. This will create a new blank note that you can start writing in. Later, you can unlock your iPad to save the note.

You can customize the feature in the Settings app by going to Notes > Access Notes From Lock Screen section.

Access Notes from Lock screen options

Write Neatly Using Lines and Grids

When you start using the Notes app to take handwritten notes, you'll realize that your handwritten notes are quite haphazard. There's one way to make things neat and tidy. When you first create a blank note, tap on the Share button. It will show a single "Lines & Grids" option. (You'll also find the option in the Share sheet. )

Tap on Lines and Grids option

From the pop-up, select the kind of lines or grid layout that you want.

Choose a line or grid

This will now become the background of your note, making it much easier to write in straight lines.

Notetaking with lines

The Apple Notes app is a good place to get started with handwritten notes on the iPad, but if you want more features, you'll have to look at one of the many third-party apps on the App Store. Here are our recommendations.

GoodNotes 5 ($7.99)

GoodNotes 5 notetaking

GoodNotes 5 is the most versatile notetaking app when it comes to Apple Pencil. You can customize virtually every single part of the handwritten notetaking interface. You can switch between different pen styles and scrolling direction. You can add shapes, images, and text to the note. The app comes with a myriad of templates, and there's a feature that lets you zoom in to a particular part of the page.

Notability ($8.99)

Handwritten note in Notability

Notability is a popular notetaking app among students. It lets you record audio, type out notes, and take handwritten notes, all in a single interface. Plus, it can sync audio along with your notes, which is handy during revision time. You can also import and annotate PDFs and work on two notes side-by-side.

If you have an iPad Pro and a newer Mac, you can connect your iPad to your Mac and turn it into a fully functional secondary display and drawing tablet (with Apple Pencil support) using the new Sidecar feature in macOS Catalina and iPadOS.

Related: How to Use Your iPad as an External Mac Display With Sidecar

iPad User Guide

  • Setup basics
  • Make your iPad your own
  • Keep in touch with friends and family
  • Customize your workspace
  • Do more with Apple Pencil
  • Customize iPad for your child
  • Models compatible with iPadOS 17
  • iPad mini (5th generation)
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Draw or write in Notes on iPad

writing on paper vs ipad

Draw or write in a note

the Handwriting Tools button

Do any of the following:

Change color or tools:   Use the Markup tools .

Adjust the handwriting area: Drag the resize handle (on the left) up or down.

writing on paper vs ipad

Note: Scribble is available in supported languages. See the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website . To learn more about writing notes with Apple Pencil, see Enter text with Scribble on iPad .

Tip: You can search handwritten text (in supported languages ) in Notes. If the note doesn’t have a title, the first line of handwritten text becomes the suggested title. To edit the title, scroll to the top of the note, then tap Edit.

Select and edit drawings and handwriting

With Smart Selection, you can select drawings and handwriting using the same gestures you use for typed text. You can move, copy, or delete the selection within the note. You can even paste it as typed text in another note or app.

A note with a handwritten list selected. Above the highlighted text is a menu with options to cut, copy, delete, copy as text, and more.

Select drawings and handwriting with Apple Pencil or your finger using any of the following methods:

Touch and hold, then drag to expand the selection.

Double-tap to select a word.

Triple-tap to select a sentence.

Adjust the selection by dragging the handles if necessary.

Tap the selection, then choose Cut, Copy, Delete, Duplicate, Copy as Text, Insert Space Above, Translate, or Straighten.

Tip: If you choose Copy as Text, you can paste the transcribed text in another note or another app.

Drag images from other apps

You can drag images from other apps to a note and combine them with handwritten and drawn content. After you add an image to the drawing area, you can reposition and resize the image.

CNN values your feedback

In unprecedented decision, alabama’s supreme court ruled frozen embryos are children. it could have chilling effects on ivf, critics say.

Barbara Collura

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, Alabama’s Supreme Court said frozen embryos are children and those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death – a decision that puts back into national focus the question of when life begins and one that reproductive rights advocates say could have a chilling effect on infertility treatments and the hundreds of Alabamians who seek them each year.

And, critics say, the ruling could soon have consequences nationally as other states could attempt to define embryos as people. Already, one religious group is using the Alabama ruling as precedent in a Florida abortion rights case.

“This is part of a long and strategic march towards entrenching this ideology of fetal personhood, that is at the heart of controlling pregnant people, their decisions and their birth outcomes,” Dana Sussman, the deputy executive director of legal advocacy group Pregnancy Justice, told CNN.

The Alabama ruling, which was released Friday, stems from two lawsuits filed by three sets of parents who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures to have babies and then opted to have the remaining embryos frozen.

The parents allege in December 2020, a patient at the Mobile hospital where the frozen embryos were being stored walked into the fertility clinic through an “unsecured doorway,” and removed several embryos from the cryogenic nursery, the state’s Supreme Court ruling said. The patient’s hand was “freeze-burned” by the extremely low temperatures the embryos were stored in and the patient dropped them on the floor, killing them, according to the ruling.

The parents sued for wrongful death but a trial court dismissed their claims, finding the “cryopreserved, in vitro embryos involved in this case do not fit within the definition of a ‘person’ or ‘child,’” according to the ruling.

But in a stunning reversal last week, the state Supreme Court disagreed, noting “extrauterine children” – or, unborn children “located outside of a biological uterus at the time they are killed” – are children, and they are covered under the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor law.

The Alabama Supreme Court issued a ruling that could have national implications, groups say.

An attorney for one of the couples told CNN the case is solely about accountability for the parents whose embryos weren’t kept safe by the clinic, and the state Supreme Court’s ruling offers them a way forward for justice.

Though the court’s decision does not prohibit IVF, it’s the first known case in which a US court says frozen embryos are human beings, and that could have profound impacts on how the fertility industry in Alabama operates, critics warned.

They say it could send liability costs skyrocketing, making fertility treatment prices prohibitive for many families; it could discourage medical providers from performing infertility treatments in fear of being held liable each time an embryo does not turn into a successful pregnancy; and it could mean parents will now be forced to pay for lifelong storage fees of embryos they will never be allowed to discard, even if they don’t want any more children.

“No rational medical provider would continue to provide services for creating and maintaining frozen embryos knowing that they must continue to maintain such frozen embryos forever or risk the penalty of a Wrongful Death Act claim,” Alabama Supreme Court Justice Greg Cook wrote in the sole full dissenting opinion.

“There is no doubt that there are many Alabama citizens praying to be parents who will no longer have that opportunity,” he added.

What the court’s ruling says

The state Supreme Court’s decision centers on whether frozen embryos are covered under the Alabama Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, which allows parents to sue for punitive damages when their child dies.

At the heart of that question is whether those embryos should be considered children.

In its majority opinion , the court ruled they should, noting Alabama residents voted in 2018 to amend the Constitution to include protections for unborn life. Whether that unborn life is physically in or out of a uterus shouldn’t matter, it said.

“The People of Alabama have declared the public policy of this State to be that unborn human life is sacred,” Chief Justice Tom Parker wrote in his concurring opinion. “We believe that each human being, from the moment of conception, is made in the image of God, created by Him to reflect His likeness.”

The defendants in the case – the fertility clinic, the hospital and its owner – argued creating wrongful-death liability for frozen embryos would substantially increase the costs of the treatment and could make the preservation of the embryos “onerous” for Alabama families. CNN reached out to representatives of the defendants but has not heard back.

Meaghan Hamm, Sherrae Lachhu, April Barsby and Katy Seppi

Related article Their IVF journeys did not end with children. Here’s what these women want you to know

The Alabama Medical Association, which also weighed in prior to the court’s decision, warned such a ruling would create an “enormous potential for civil liability” for fertility specialists, because embryos can be damaged or become unsuitable for pregnancy at any time during an IVF process, including when they are being thawed.

And the ruling could mean parents cannot opt to discard embryos, which happens for a number of reasons, including divorce or the death of one of the two, the association said.

That would cause “embryos to remain in cryogenic storage even after the couple who underwent the IVF treatment have died and potentially even after the couple’s children, grandchildren, and even great grandchildren have died,” the state’s medical association wrote in an amicus brief.

“This absurd result would be the outcome if this Court extends the wrongful death liability to the destruction of cryopreserved embryos,” the association added.

Alabama’s Supreme Court ruled those questions belong with lawmakers and that the Wrongful Death of a Minor Act is clear in that it includes “all children, born and unborn, without limitation.”

Remarkable macro view through the microscope at process of the in vitro fertilization of a female egg inside IVF dish in the laboratory. Horizontal.

Related article First on CNN: Amid post-Roe concerns, Democratic lawmakers introduce bill to protect access to IVF

Trip Smalley, an attorney representing one of the couples, told CNN Tuesday the parents were “devastated” by the destruction of their embryo and simply sought a way to be able to hold the fertility clinic accountable. Any policy issues that may arise from the ruling should be taken up by lawmakers, he said.

“Our goal is simply to provide a measure of relief to my clients for the facts of this particular case and the wider-ranging policy fallout, I think it’s just too early to know what that will be,” he said.

“What we can’t have is a situation where these clinics are not subject to civil justice,” Smalley added. “How that justice is imposed does present difficult decisions.”

The case will be sent back to the lower court and the parties will prepare for trial, Smalley said.

Dozens of Alabama patients worried

IVF is a method of assisted reproduction that involves removing eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm outside the body. The resulting embryos are then typically placed in a person’s uterus in hopes they spur a successful pregnancy.

“The goal is to actually create as many embryos as possible because that gives you the greatest chance at a pregnancy,” said Barbara Collura, president and CEO of the patient advocacy organization RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

That often means there are remaining embryos that are frozen and stored in fertility clinics or cryopreservation centers for several hundred dollars annually.

Laboratory Fertilization Of Eggs In IVF Treatment  Stock Photo:Image ID: 155727377

Related article Infertility gets a new, expanded definition to address ‘the reality of all’ seeking care, medical group says

Once families decide they don’t want any more children, they have several options for those embryos, including to discard them or donate them to research or another family, Collura said. Last week’s ruling could take some of those options off the table, she told CNN.

“We have a lot more questions than we do answers,” Collura said. “Will people be able to have rights over their embryos?”

“People who are already in the midst of (infertility treatments) or who’ve already done IVF in this state and have frozen embryos, what’s the status of those embryos? What can they do with them?” she added. “We just don’t know.”

Dr. Mamie McLean, with Alabama Fertility Specialists, which offers reproductive care in the state, told CNN she’s already heard from more than 30 patients since the ruling who are worried they won’t have control over what happens to their frozen embryos.

“We worry that if this ruling and its worst case becomes true, that we will be limited in the ability to keep frozen embryos in the state of Alabama, which will make fertility care riskier and more expensive for patients, and ultimately limit the access to care that women in Alabama have.”

“Patients are worried,” she added. “This is adding anxiety and stress to patients who are already going through a lot to build their families.”

Doctors are worried too, McLean said: “We’re worried that if this ruling stands, that fewer babies will be born in Alabama.”

About 1 in 4 married women in the United States ages 15 to 49 without prior births has difficulty getting pregnant, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. And roughly 1 in 6 adults globally experience infertility, according to the World Health Organization.

Religious freedom group uses Alabama ruling as precedent in Florida abortion case

The Alabama Supreme Court’s decision will make modern fertility care inaccessible for the state’s families, reproductive medicine advocates say.

“No healthcare provider will be willing to provide treatments if those treatments may lead to civil or criminal charges,” American Society for Reproductive Medicine President Dr. Paula Amato said in a statement.

“Young physicians will choose not to come to the state for training or to begin their practice,” Amato said. “Existing clinics will be forced to choose between providing sub-optimal patient car or shutting their doors.”

Others say they worry the ruling creates a road map that groups and legislators across the country who have previously targeted fertility treatments can now follow.

Liberty Counsel – a nonprofit that says it works to advance “religious freedom, the sanctity of human life and the family” – said it is using the Alabama ruling as a precedent to argue a proposed amendment in Florida aiming to protect abortion rights will take away “a protected right to life for the unborn.”

“Every human life begins as an embryo, and now the Alabama Supreme Court has upheld the decision of its citizenry that every unborn life should be protected, no matter their stage or location,” Liberty Counsel founder and chairman Mat Staver said in a statement.

“This important ruling has far-reaching implications. Liberty Counsel is using this precedent to argue that Florida’s proposed deceptive and misleading abortion amendment violates Florida’s own laws that routinely recognize that an ‘unborn child’ has the legally protected rights of a person. Unborn life must be protected at every stage,” Staver said.

Collura, with RESOLVE, told CNN she worries about how similar groups may use the ruling.

“You now have a Supreme Court very emphatically say that a frozen embryo is a person and we’re going to see now other states trying to codify that,” Collura said.

“Mark my words: I am absolutely sure that this is what is going to be our future for IVF in the United States.”

CNN’s Meg Tirrell contributed to this report.

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IMAGES

  1. Best Note-Taking Device Ever? iPad Pro vs. Paper Notebooks

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  2. iPads vs. paper and pencil

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  3. Paper vs. iPad Comparison and How to Start Digital Lettering

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  4. Should I Take My Notes On An iPad Or Paper?

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  5. Taking Notes iPad vs Paper

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  6. Writing on iPad Air 3 with GoodNotes vs. Paper app by Wetransfer

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  1. Unboxing PAPER Apple iPad Mini!

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  5. Mastering Drawing in 2024 on paper, not iPad

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COMMENTS

  1. Taking Notes iPad vs Paper

    Gazelle - A Smart Way to Buy and Sell Devices Writing Experience Writing Experience on Paper Nothing beats the feeling of pen and paper. This is perhaps the biggest strength of paper over the iPad (well, along with cost :)).

  2. Note-Taking On Ipad Vs Paper: Pros And Cons

    iPad note-taking offers efficiency and convenience while reducing paper usage and allowing for easy searchability. Handwriting notes on paper may lead to better memory retention and engagement of different parts of the brain. Both methods have their disadvantages, such as digital notes being lost or damaged and poor handwriting on paper.

  3. iPad VS Paper for note-taking in college (2024)

    What's the difference between an iPad and Paper when taking notes? While taking notes is the end goal, it can be achieved differently depending on what option you choose to use. iPads and paper both have advantages and disadvantages. So let's take a look at their key differences: iPad Pros: Saves space More organized Easy to modify data

  4. Stronger Brain Activity After Writing on Paper Than on Tablet or

    Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles · March 19, 2021 Summary: Writing by hand increases brain activity in recall tasks over taking notes on a tablet or smartphone. Additionally, those who write by hand on paper are 25% quicker at note-taking tasks than those who use digital technology. Source: University of Tokyo

  5. Should I Take My Notes On An iPad Or Paper?

    In comparison to paper notes where it's very difficult to erase and change things without the help of whiteout or an eraser, the iPad has very useful tools like the lasso tool to re-arrange things on your page or quick digital erasing tools. Easier To Share Notes

  6. Paperlike 2.1 review: Apple Pencil & iPad use feels more like writing

    Amber Neely | Nov 11, 2022 4 Facebook x.com Reddit Swiss Paperlike 2.1 4.5 / 5 If you're craving a more natural writing and drawing experience on iPad, nothing will get you closer than...

  7. Taking Notes On iPad vs Paper [Which Is Better For Note-Taking]

    If for one thing, you are cost-conscious. As previously said, the costs between paper and iPad writing are important. In addition, if you like writing on paper or don't like writing in glass, paper is probably better for you. Some people also like particular types of styles or pencils or paper, and they probably should choose paper for them.

  8. Writing on paper vs. ipad, does it make a difference?

    Writing on paper vs. ipad, does it make a difference? — Tony Hchaime Cutting edge lessons and tips on High Performance, Productivity, Excellence, Entrepreneurship & more. Writing on paper vs. ipad, does it make a difference? May 03, 2021

  9. iPad vs Paper Notebook: Which is a Better Note-taking Platform

    The natural writing experience with different pens and paper texture feel are not easy to match. So, here are some of the pros and cons of using a paper notebook for note-taking: Pros

  10. Digital Notes VS. Paper Notes

    With the iPad, you're writing on a smooth surface and the tip of the Apple Pencil is just as smooth. With paper, your pen doesn't slide the same. With paper, your pen doesn't slide the same. There is a significantly different feeling when it comes to taking notes on paper .

  11. reMarkable 2 review: better than iPad for notes, but nothing else

    4.0 / 5 If you are a student or a copious notetaker, Apple's iPad isn't the best device for the task, but the reMarkable 2 is an exceptional note-taking experience, lacking any other tablet...

  12. Best Note-Taking Device Ever? iPad Pro vs. Paper Notebooks

    Today we're taking a look at the iPad Pro as a note-taking device. Should it replace your paper notebook?Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tomfra...

  13. Paper versus the iPad: Is taking notes on a tablet computer or a

    That means you could take notes on an iPad for more than seven hours before surpassing the greenhouse gas emissions of a single sheet of paper. Unless you write really, really small, or your ...

  14. iPad vs. Handwritten Notes

    Check out my Skillshare note-taking masterclass here: https://skl.sh/3bly4AVWhen you sign up, you'll get 2 months completely FREE. You can cancel at any time...

  15. reMarkable 2 VS iPad Pro

    The reMarkable 2 gives THE closest feeling to writing on paper, but what else? What can the iPad Pro give me to beat this? I know this will cause debate! 😀 ...

  16. Does you retain memory differently if you write on a iPad/tablet vs

    From my experience - writing is far superior. I started my masters degree on iPad + typing my notes during class — I wasn't distracted by other apps or anything but I wasn't retaining the material as well as with writing on pen and paper. Ever since I switched to ONLY hand writing everything, I retain the information noticeably better.

  17. Is it worth getting an IPad for notes instead of paper : r/ufl

    ability to complete homework with the iPad, easily copy / pasting textbook questions over into your notes ability to record while you write with Notability (never used this but it seemed like it could be useful, basically let you hear what your prof said while you wrote something) much easier to draw your own graphs or anything like that

  18. for Students: Does iPad Replace papers? : r/ipad

    For the most part, yes. Printing has become a luxury task with the iPad Pro. 99% of time, I use the iPad Pro for any paper-related purposes. ... The screen protector totally changes the game, it makes it feel like you're writing on paper rather than glass (don't bother with Paperlike, the company is bad and pricey just get a $10 one off ...

  19. Yes, paper-feel screen protectors for the iPad are good

    Tech Yes, paper-feel screen protectors for the iPad are good / You can make writing notes or drawing on the iPad much nicer with the right kind of screen protector. By Dan Seifert, an...

  20. How to Take Handwritten Notes on Your iPad Using the Apple Pencil

    Open the "Notes" app on your iPad and create a new note. From there, tap on the Expand button to make the note full-screen. Now, you can tap the tip of your Apple Pencil on the screen to enter the handwritten notes mode. You'll see drawing tools appear at the bottom of the screen. The canvas is now yours.

  21. Digital tablet notes vs pen/paper? : r/productivity

    Digital tablet notes vs pen/paper? I just got an iPad Pro 10.5 w/ Apple Pencil. I'm curious on your opinions and experience on taking notes in class with a tablet versus paper. A few things on my situation. I'm starting engineering school (w/ a built pc @ home for cad), but mostly math, physics, and chemistry classes.

  22. Writing medium's impact on memory: A comparison of paper vs. tablet

    Bradford J. Lee Fukui University of Technology Abstract and Figures Studies comparing writing media typically compare different modes of writing (e.g., keyboard typing vs. writing,...

  23. Draw or write in Notes on iPad

    Draw or write in a note. Open the Notes app on your iPad. In a note, start drawing or writing with Apple Pencil. Or to draw or write with your finger, tap . Do any of the following: Change color or tools: Use the Markup tools. Adjust the handwriting area: Drag the resize handle (on the left) up or down. Transcribe your handwriting to typed text ...

  24. Alabama embryo ruling: state Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are

    In a first-of-its-kind ruling, Alabama's Supreme Court said frozen embryos are children and those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death - a decision that puts back into ...