iPad iPad note taking apps suitable for Windows PC users

[ozaz]

Essential
1. iPad note taking app with ability to take handwritten notes via Apple Pencil
2. Associated Windows PC app

Back when I started using iPad for note taking (a few years ago), I'm pretty sure OneNote was the only option that satisfied both requirements. I've been using it ever since and haven't really paid attention to any alternatives since. However, I've just noticed that GoodNotes will soon have a Windows app. I know GoodNotes is popular but I've never really used it.

If you have used GoodNotes and OneNote - what do you think is better about GoodNotes?

Aside from OneNote and GoodNotes, are there any other apps that satisfy both essential requirements listed above and that are worth looking at?

 

[Cromulent]

Microsoft OneNote, by far. It supports everything you want, easily syncs stuff and is easy to use. I've tried GoodNotes but went back to OneNote.

I should point out I have a Microsoft 365 Business Standard package which makes it easy to sync via OneDrive.

 

[sracer]

Essential
1. iPad note taking app with ability to take handwritten notes via Apple Pencil
2. Associated Windows PC app

Back when I started using iPad for note taking (a few years ago), I'm pretty sure OneNote was the only option that satisfied both requirements. I've been using it ever since and haven't really paid attention to any alternatives since. However, I've just noticed that GoodNotes will soon have a Windows app. I know GoodNotes is popular but I've never really used it.

If you have used GoodNotes and OneNote - what do you think is better about GoodNotes?

Aside from OneNote and GoodNotes, are there any other apps that satisfy both essential requirements listed above and that are worth looking at?

OneNote and GoodNotes are the two that I would recommend... however...

If you want to use a more customized planner/journal type interface, then the edge goes to GoodNotes. GoodNotes supports importing hyperlinked PDFs. I use both, but I rely more on GoodNotes.

Because I have a variety of devices running different operating systems/environments, I've been experimenting with using PDF readers/editors on each platform to be able to modify my PDF-based notebook/journal/planner that is stored in a cloud storage.

PDF reader/editors don't have all of the neat features and functions of GoodNotes, but for how I use GoodNotes, the PDF reader/editors work quite well. I'm still in the experimentation phase so I'll how well it works out in the longer term.

 

[ozaz]

OneNote and GoodNotes are the two that I would recommend... however...

If you want to use a more customized planner/journal type interface, then the edge goes to GoodNotes. GoodNotes supports importing hyperlinked PDFs. I use both, but I rely more on GoodNotes.

Because I have a variety of devices running different operating systems/environments, I've been experimenting with using PDF readers/editors on each platform to be able to modify my PDF-based notebook/journal/planner that is stored in a cloud storage.

PDF reader/editors don't have all of the neat features and functions of GoodNotes, but for how I use GoodNotes, the PDF reader/editors work quite well. I'm still in the experimentation phase so I'll how well it works out in the longer term.

Thanks, I'll take a look at GoodNotes once I have access to the Windows beta.

With your PDF-editor approach, do you not run into sync issues / conflicts?

 

[ozaz]

Microsoft OneNote, by far. It supports everything you want, easily syncs stuff and is easy to use. I've tried GoodNotes but went back to OneNote.

I should point out I have a Microsoft 365 Business Standard package which makes it easy to sync via OneDrive.

Thanks. Was your preference for OneNote entirely due to syncing/cross-platform support, or was there more to it?

 

[sracer]

Thanks, I'll take a look at GoodNotes once I have access to the Windows beta.

With your PDF-editor approach, do you not run into sync issues / conflicts?

So far, no, I haven't run into sync issues or version conflicts.
Two simple rules help avoid those...

1. When picking up a device, if the PDF viewer/editor app is running and the planner/notebook file is loaded, close the file.
2. When making changes to the planner/notebook, save the changes (if the app doesn't have an autosave feature).

This is just for handwritten notes or notes mixed with handwriting and typed notes. For typed notes, Joplin for non-trivial notes, and Google Keep for quick ones.

edit: fixed typo

 

[ozaz]

For typed notes, Jopin for non-trivial notes

Why do you use Joplin over OneNote?

 

[sracer]

Why do you use Joplin over OneNote?

A few reasons why I don't use OneNote for non-trivial notes...

Inconsistent UI. OneNote looks and feels different on different platforms... and until recently, there were two different versions of OneNote for Windows alone. Not all features and functions are available on all platforms.

Proprietary file format. I have notes dating back to the early 80's. Over the years I've had to periodically transfer them over to newer systems/apps as technology advanced. Having reliable and accessible import/export capabilities is important to me.

In the past (10 years ago), I've experienced file corruption with OneNote. There were no recovery tools available. Thankfully I had backups and redundancy via other formats that allowed me to recover the data. So while OneNote is more reliable now, I learned a lesson of the importance of having ways to access the data should the application fail.

WYSIWYG. The visual nature of OneNote requires too much effort for basic consistent formatting but not enough functionality for advanced formatting. If I had to use a WYSIWYG approach to notetaking then I would rather use a Word processor for individual notes and leverage the system's filesystem/filemanager for organization. (with the added benefit of addressing the proprietary file format issue)

I'm a fan of markdown... it allows for easy and consistent basic formatting.

Vendor lock-in. OneNote only syncs with OneDrive/MS Cloud. I try to avoid getting locked in to any particular product or service.

Joplin addresses all of those issues (and more).

 

[ozaz]

Thanks. Do you import your handwritten notes into Joplin, or keep them separate?

 

[sracer]

Thanks. Do you import your handwritten notes into Joplin, or keep them separate?

I want to preface my response by saying that although I'm offering an explanation, it isn't a conscious decision I make every time I take notes... I'm not obsessive. 😅

It depends upon the reason for taking handwritten notes....

Some handwritten notes are "consumable". They help me remember something now. (not later) The physical act of writing/drawing on a paper or tablet helps me to remember those things better than simply typing... especially since I'm a touch typist there is no effort in capturing thoughts by typing.

The extra time and effort required for handwritten notes helps me to retain that information and thought. Once I've written and remembered the info, I no longer need the written copy. I do not import these handwritten notes into Joplin.

I've found this so helpful that I've begun using those cheapo LCD writing tablets (knock-off boogie boards for $10 on Amazon). I just picked up a bezel-less 6" diagonal tablet for that purpose. They don't require power (except for erasing) and they're "always on".

Some handwritten notes are "free-form". When I'm brainstorming a task (brainstorming is a visual activity for me), I don't want to be constrained by text blocks or linear flow of traditional note apps. Write text where I want, draw shapes and lines where I want. Capture the thought with as little resistance as possible.

These notes I DO import into Joplin... either by transposing them to text, or embedded as a scan.

But, if my brainstorming involves capturing a lot of thoughts quickly, that is when I'll use mind map software. I can quickly type the thoughts into the app and THEN visually arrange and connect them to see patterns and relationships.

Some handwritten notes are "practical". There are some situations where I prefer to handwrite notes... particularly in one-on-one settings. Typing on a laptop or a tablet with a physical keyboard, feels less personal and less attentive than writing notes by hand.

These notes I DO import into Joplin. The added benefit is that it gives me an opportunity to add details that weren't captured in writing but that I still remember.

You might see a pattern emerging here... two parallel paths for notes and personal information management... analog (handwritten) and digital (typed).

I'm a fan of "smart" notebooks like the Rocketbook. But I'm not a fan of the physical books themselves... the covers warp, the reusable paper gets stained. So I constructed a "Rocket Window"... a laminated frame that reproduces the black border and QR code of the Rocketbook but allows me to use my paper notebooks with the Rocketbook app. Place the frame over the page, snap a photo of the page, and the app sends the note to the appropriate cloud destination.

 

[ozaz]

I want to preface my response by saying that although I'm offering an explanation, it isn't a conscious decision I make every time I take notes... I'm not obsessive. 😅

It depends upon the reason for taking handwritten notes....

Some handwritten notes are "consumable". They help me remember something now. (not later) The physical act of writing/drawing on a paper or tablet helps me to remember those things better than simply typing... especially since I'm a touch typist there is no effort in capturing thoughts by typing.

The extra time and effort required for handwritten notes helps me to retain that information and thought. Once I've written and remembered the info, I no longer need the written copy. I do not import these handwritten notes into Joplin.

I've found this so helpful that I've begun using those cheapo LCD writing tablets (knock-off boogie boards for $10 on Amazon). I just picked up a bezel-less 6" diagonal tablet for that purpose. They don't require power (except for erasing) and they're "always on".

Some handwritten notes are "free-form". When I'm brainstorming a task (brainstorming is a visual activity for me), I don't want to be constrained by text blocks or linear flow of traditional note apps. Write text where I want, draw shapes and lines where I want. Capture the thought with as little resistance as possible.

These notes I DO import into Joplin... either by transposing them to text, or embedded as a scan.

But, if my brainstorming involves capturing a lot of thoughts quickly, that is when I'll use mind map software. I can quickly type the thoughts into the app and THEN visually arrange and connect them to see patterns and relationships.

Some handwritten notes are "practical". There are some situations where I prefer to handwrite notes... particularly in one-on-one settings. Typing on a laptop or a tablet with a physical keyboard, feels less personal and less attentive than writing notes by hand.

These notes I DO import into Joplin. The added benefit is that it gives me an opportunity to add details that weren't captured in writing but that I still remember.

You might see a pattern emerging here... two parallel paths for notes and personal information management... analog (handwritten) and digital (typed).

I'm a fan of "smart" notebooks like the Rocketbook. But I'm not a fan of the physical books themselves... the covers warp, the reusable paper gets stained. So I constructed a "Rocket Window"... a laminated frame that reproduces the black border and QR code of the Rocketbook but allows me to use my paper notebooks with the Rocketbook app. Place the frame over the page, snap a photo of the page, and the app sends the note to the appropriate cloud destination.

Thanks. Interesting to hear other people's approaches.

Rocketbook / smart notebook looks interesting. Wasn't aware of this type of product. Your Rocket Window sounds like a clever hack!