Alternative to Sharp's Digital Notepad

[socksarecool4]

Hi all, I am looking for any device that functions just like Sharp's Digital Notepad but I need some kind of back light. I am a student and often read my notes in a dorm room at all hours of the night/morning. Also I would like if it were between 6-9 inches. Thanks in advance!

[meeera]

When you say "just like" the Sharp device, what features/functionality are you looking for? The device that first springs to mind is the iPad Pro, but the smallest is 9.7 inches. I'm not sure whether there are Android apps that might offer you the features you want.

[socksarecool4]

Originally Posted by meeera

When you say "just like" the Sharp device, what features/functionality are you looking for? The device that first springs to mind is the iPad Pro, but the smallest is 9.7 inches. I'm not sure whether there are Android apps that might offer you the features you want.

I'm mainly looking for something between 6 and 8 inches with a battery life of at least 2 days and it must mainly be for handwriting. A backlight would be nice but not necessary, if I can use a clip on light with it it's fine.

[rem736]

Originally Posted by socksarecool4

I'm mainly looking for something between 6 and 8 inches with a battery life of at least 2 days and it must mainly be for handwriting. A backlight would be nice but not necessary, if I can use a clip on light with it it's fine.

then why not get the SHARP digital memo pad? it's still available on amazon. there really aren't any devices dedicated to note taking that has the functionality of this device. contrast is poor without proper lighting but handwriting response is better than anything i've seen except for microsoft surface/samsung galaxy note devices. there is no built-in light, but you said you're ok with a clip-on light. the battery lasts for weeks even though it's not e-ink. and there's palm rejection. the only negative is the poor contrast without proper lighting and the fact that the user interface is in japanese only. but for most functions, you can get by on the icons alone. the japanese only shows when you need to change settings and there are guides that you can download for that. and with enough usage, you may just learn the functions of those menu items by memorizing the characters or the position of the menu items. and it's cheaper than any samsung galaxy note.

[crich70]

The Kindle Fire is compatible with several Apps that would work I think. One of them presents itself like a yellow legal pad. Another one when exported sends the file as a pdf document. Plus the Kindle fire has a blue shade feature so you don't have bright light making it hard for you to sleep later.
And the two apps I list below are free.

Notepad

Notebook

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by crich70

The Kindle Fire is compatible with several Apps that would work I think. One of them presents itself like a yellow legal pad. Another one when exported sends the file as a pdf document. Plus the Kindle fire has a blue shade feature so you don't have bright light making it hard for you to sleep later.
And the two apps I list below are free.

Notepad

Notebook

Any device that doesn't have an active pen is next to useless for handwriting. I always find it equal to writing a letter with a whiteboard marker if I have to use a non-active pen (like N-trig or Wacom)

I'd love to find a replacement for my aging Galaxy Note 8... (or even my aging Vivotab Note 8...)

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Any device that doesn't have an active pen is next to useless for handwriting. I always find it equal to writing a letter with a whiteboard marker if I have to use a non-active pen (like N-trig or Wacom)

I'd love to find a replacement for my aging Galaxy Note 8... (or even my aging Vivotab Note 8...)

There are some apps that allow you to write with a stylus on the screen of the Kindle Fire too I believe.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by crich70

There are some apps that allow you to write with a stylus on the screen of the Kindle Fire too I believe.

Sure you can write, but never with a small point. Those capacitive pens are always huge... There are some exceptions, but those are generally also very expensive and never work as well as an active pen works.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Sure you can write, but never with a small point. Those capacitive pens are always huge... There are some exceptions, but those are generally also very expensive and never work as well as an active pen works.

There are some stylus pens through Wal-Mart that are inexpensive. Granted there may be some limits to what they can do as far as size of text though.

[Freeshadow]

Originally Posted by crich70

There are some stylus pens through Wal-Mart that are inexpensive. Granted there may be some limits to what they can do as far as size of text though.

Sweetpea is right. Not that I'm an expert on active pen use (my sis is - she's actually on her 2nd Wacom tablet for drawing) but we all have Galaxy Note 4 and had other android phones before - so I CAN compare how much more a smart pen makes.
The difference is something like using a mouse with a d20 instead of a ball inside.

The boogie board sync might be an alternative to sharp.
The non smart boogie board jot ('d love to try it; the reviews say the new model has a better display contrast) has an accompanying app using the device's frame as positioning aid for scan-photos.

[Glorfindel]

I'd get a Surface Pro. Scren is larger than what you want, but worth it imo