The Apple Pencil is an Apple-designed stylus that works with Apple’s iPads. The Apple Pencil is meant to work like a traditional pencil, but instead of writing on paper, you write on the iPad’s display. In this article, we’ll discuss some pros and cons of digital note-taking with the iPad and Apple Pencil. If you’re interested in exploring this as an option for school, here’s what you need to know.
Pros of note taking with Apple Pencil
1. Stationery at Your Fingertips
The first, and probably most appealing, advantage of note-taking with Apple Pencil is that all the stationery you’ll ever need is right at the tip of your stylus. Personally, I don’t spend any money on pens, markers, highlighters, or even paper because all of these are available in every note-taking app. This endless supply of digital stationery allows you to change pen colors and paper templates on the fly. You can also erase and redo notes and illustrations without making a mess. Moreover, in apps that offer it, you can easily resize elements. Clearly, using the iPad to study provides much more freedom and flexibility.
2. Say Goodbye to Heavy Textbooks
The second benefit is that you can say goodbye to heavy textbooks. Many of these textbooks are available online as PDFs, sometimes even for free if you search thoroughly. With digital textbooks, you can read and annotate them on your iPad, which helps keep your backpack light and saves your back.
3. No More Notebooks and Binders
Another advantage of digital note taking is that you can also say goodbye to notebooks and binders. These, too, can be streamlined by using an iPad. This is especially true with online classes, where much of the content is available online and can be downloaded directly to your iPad. One of my favorite uses of the iPad is annotating PowerPoints in class. There’s no need to print them out—you can download them straight onto your iPad, which is a perfect size for reading and writing while you’re in class. Even without notebooks, binders, and textbooks, you still have everything with you, thanks to the portability of the iPad.
4. The Undo Button is a Game Changer
The next advantage is the undo button, which makes note-taking and illustrating much less frustrating. Instead of erasing or crossing things out, ruining your paper, and making your notes look messy, you can easily undo and redo actions. This helps keep everything neat and makes the note-taking process more enjoyable.
5. Compact Organization System
Lastly, one of the main benefits of note taking with iPad and Apple Pencil is having a compact organization system. Everything can be stored and accessed on the iPad, and all your notes can be backed up to iCloud or Google Drive. You don’t need binders or dividers anymore, as everything is in one place, and you don’t need to look elsewhere.
Cons of Note-Taking with iPad and Apple Pencil
Of course, there are also cons to this type of note-taking. Here are some of them:
1. High Entry Cost
The most significant disadvantage of note taking with iPad and Apple Pencil is the initial high entry cost. I like to consider the iPad and Apple Pencil as a one-time expense, but this doesn’t mean it’s affordable for everyone. It’s important to note that you don’t need the iPad Pro just for digital note-taking. The regular iPads and iPad Air are also great options.
2. Additional App Costs
Another downside is that high-quality note-taking apps often come with an extra cost in the App Store. However, these are one-time fees, usually around $10-$15, and are not subscription-based. I always recommend GoodNotes 5 or Notability. The features they offer are completely worth the money if you want the best digital note-taking experience.
3. Battery Dependency
Battery dependency is more of an inconvenience than a major con. If you forget to charge your devices, you might not get much use out of them during the day unless you keep them connected to the adapter. However, this isn’t a huge issue since you charge other devices like your phone anyway. Just make sure to charge your iPad and Apple Pencil overnight so they’re ready to use the next day.
4. Wi-Fi Dependency
Lastly, Wi-Fi dependency can be inconvenient if you need to access the internet on your iPad or things like Google Drive. However, if you’re just taking notes or annotating, you don’t really need the internet unless you’re backing up files.
See also: Why iPads May Not Be The Best Choice For Note Taking in College
Conclusion
That’s it for my pros and cons of note taking with iPad and Apple Pencil. I hope this article helped you weigh the two sides of digital note-taking with the iPad and Apple Pencil. I’d love to know if you also take your notes digitally, so let me know in the comments.