Overall I would say that unless you intend to primarily use with a PC and maybe occasionaly use it for non-critical direct text entry or doodles on a Mac it is not a excellent buy. With the benefit of hindsight, for Mac only users I would recommend avoiding this product.

I then tried another version of a separate digital pen, but it required that I write on dotted paper and this kept me tied to using this special loose leaf paper. I wasn’t pleased with this since I write in so many different forms of paper.

This all changed when I bought the Iogear Digital Mobile Scribe. I am now free to write in standard spiral notebooks and bound journals. I am free to write on loose leaf in and out of binders. I can write on letterhead and personal note paper. All of it gives me with a hardcopy on the original paper and a copy I can download to my computer for my personal records.

I like how I can use it on the computer in “note mode” with its own software – 2 programs, one for downloading what I write away from the computer and one I can use to write on the computer directly, both with the ability of converting what I write from my handwriting to standard type if I want.

I can also use it to utilize the Tablet PC features incorporated into Vista and Win 7 on my non-tablet PC. This means I can use the digital pen in “mouse mode” as both a mouse and to write and draw directly into such programs as Windows Paint, Microsoft OneNote 2007, Windows Journal, Microsoft Research’s InkSeine, and in the sticky notes utility in the Sidebar.

I can also use the handwriting recognition feature in Vista and Win 7 to handwrite into programs that don’t recognize the digital pen. The handwriting recognition software converts my handwriting and drops it into these programs as type. Microsoft OneNote also uses the handwriting recognition software so my handwriting is searchable in that program, just like type.

I write a lot (100 to 200 pages a day) and I have already gone through one ink cartridge since I bought it 1 month ago (I end up a gel pen in 2 weeks). I easily bought a two-pack refill from Cross (item # 8518-3) at Office Depot. It’s a standard black ballpoint and writes smoothly without skipping. Thank you, A.T Cross Company of Lincoln Rhode Island!

I can also easily store all the pages I write in a day and the USB storage/reader device that reads the pen’s writing takes it in easily.

I do have to remember to press the button on the USB storage/reader device when I change pages so that current page does not write over the previous page in memory. And because of the way I write I have needed to start double spacing my writing now so that the highs and lows of my lettering does not overrun the previous or following lines. I have also modified my writing to make it simpler to be recognized by the handwriting recognition software – closing loops so it doesn’t reckon my O’s are U’s, etc.

The only complaint I have is that the clips they place on the USB storage/reader device to hold it to the top of the page you are writing are flimsy and ackward to use and they don’t clip many pages. I have already broken the center clip. But even without the clip, I can place the USB storage reader device on the top of my current page while it’s on a flat surface and it stays where I place it. And for when I don’t have a flat surface to write on, it’s not hard to hold the USB storage/reader device at the top of the page with my left hand while I write with my right (such as when I’m in the car waiting and I am writing in my journal at an angle over the steering wheel).

I am a writing addict and a computer addict and I highly recommend this device for journal writing, note writing, for drawing and making diagrams. It is compatible with everything I do and I like it!

The pen with stylus also works with Adobe Illustrator very well, and it can be also used a mouse.

Out of the box works fine.. connected through USB and all and it works,

BUT,

it just will not turn no without the USB? period.

either receiver batteries are gone, or that’s what it’s supposed to do (which I highly doubt).

Anyway, I bought this item based on the reviews which I find extremely misleading as there is no way of knowing if the product works or not so buy at your own risk.

I’m in the process or returning this thing. Hope this review helps.

Limitations that were expected (I have no problem with this but should point them out):

Charts that you draw are not converted to Word/Textpad

The ‘HOW TO’ manual is only in soft copy (print it from the program) so do not expect a booklet in the package

There is a ‘learning’ curve to the program in translating your hand writing and small hand notes

She answered, “Like one of those note pens?”

And I thought, “No…but really that would be nice.”

My search for a hybrid led me to this device. I’ve only been using it for a few days but I’m rapidly falling in like with it. It’s capacity to be used as a note taker as well as an input device puts this small guy’s worth well past its price point.

I spent the better part of the last six years scribbling down notes in a small binder. Anything that I needed to keep around for a day, I typically typed into an email and sent it to myself. Now I can catalog the whole note, and pull it up for viewing later.

There a couple of flaws worth mentioning. As with other reviews, the clips on the bottom of the detection device are laughably inefficient. They don’t grip more than couple of pages at a time and they really don’t do a very excellent job of holding the thing still. That’s a major problem, because if the device gets shifted while you’re using the pen, your note will look terrible! My solution? Spend $3 at an office or home-improvement store and get yourself some stick-on Velcro strips. Place the plastic-sided strip on the device, and some strips of the fuzzy side wherever you plot to use it (notepad, desk, etc). The other major thing is that it doesn’t detect the pen through even the thinnest sheet of paper. If you do choose to place this thing on a pad, be ready to rip the page out to use a page underneath. Not really a huge deal considering you’ll be discarding those papers anyway.

The device comes in a handy, attractive carrying case. The pen itself refills with a standard size ink refill you could find at an office supply store or maybe just a Target. The manual warned me that the pen came with enough ink for “initial use only” so I guess I’ll be heading out there soon. Also included in the box was a hard plastic attachment for writing without leaving an ink trail.

I didn’t use the software inside. I went to the website to download the latest version of it and so should you. Unless you don’t have an internet connection, you should always, always, always do this. You’ll save yourself headaches later.

Again, I’m a tech-savvy person and I wouldn’t recommend this to someone who’s still using a Day Runner instead of a smartphone. Despite its few shortcomings, its a excellent device that’s likely to save time for someone who takes a lot of notes.