Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Could a MBP 13 trackpad be used for taking notes??

H

hazedragon45

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 23, 2009
125
0
Just wondering although might sound really dumb.. is there a program out there that helps with taking notes (using your index or middle finger as a pen)
I think the extreme sensitivity of the trackpad might help with this.
 
I know you can use it as input for Chinese characters, but it seems like taking a step back in using it for English. Spend some time learning home row and you'll have solved your problem.
 
just learn to type, otherwise you have to use something like a Wacom Bamboo Touch pad or something. Even then, its not realistic for taking notes. typing trumps hand writing any notes.
 
He is most likely referring to making small drawings as you would in a regular notebook. Sort of like the pencil function of Word's note-taking mode, but you know, usable.
 
There are many instances that typing is not the solution. It would be extremely useful to have this ability when taking notes for a variety of subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, and even Biology.
 
At the moment, there isn't a way. We'll just have to wait for the release of a Mac tablet, because I'm looking for the same thing you are.
 
Given the size and intent of the trackpad (trackpad vs. virtual pen) I'd say it would be a clumsy use of the trackpad, in that you'll be better off with a more dedicated solution. That is pen and paper, or typing. Personally, I find typing to be faster then writing and most (all?) people I know type faster then they write so typing is the better solution I think.
 
You're right. Typing is generally a better solution to note-taking in a lecture. However, when it comes to drawing molecular structures, mathematical formulas, and cell diagrams, it would be nice to be able to quickly sketch the information using the trackpad within Pages or Word.
 
NeuralControl said:
You're right. Typing is generally a better solution to note-taking in a lecture. However, when it comes to drawing molecular structures, mathematical formulas, and cell diagrams, it would be nice to be able to quickly sketch the information using the trackpad within Pages or Word.
Click to expand...

yes.. exactly what i would use it for. If only Word or Pages had a feature that let u make a "box" in your document where u can draw or write equations.
 
hazedragon45 said:
yes.. exactly what i would use it for. If only Word or Pages had a feature that let u make a "box" in your document where u can draw or write equations.
Click to expand...

Yah, what your talking about pretty much requires a design tablet of some sort, like a bamboo pad
 
hazedragon45 said:
yes.. exactly what i would use it for. If only Word or Pages had a feature that let u make a "box" in your document where u can draw or write equations.
Click to expand...


That DOES exist, at least in Word when using the note-taking mode. Sadly it's not that well adjusted (you have to click with one finger and draw with the other, making very clumsy sketches).
 
If you did a boot camp you could run one note, its by microsoft and does exactly what you want, it just means you have to boot camp and get the program, it may be a fair amount of work, but it does give you what you want.:cool:
 
This doesn't do EXACTLY what you want, but it's along those lines, and it's a pretty cool app :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back