Posted by Esmeralda,
I was trying to figure out what to give my son to help him with taking notes for college. I finally decided to look into getting him one of those digital pads that allow you to take notes on the screen. I thought maybe this would be convenient for him. It might allow him to carry less with him every day since he would not need to carry his laptop. I hope he likes it because I think it would be a great item to have for note taking. I had talked to his girlfriend and she said that she had seen him looking at them in a magazine.
Ian
August 8, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I started using a digital pad in high school and can’t imagine not having one now that I’m in college as a sophomore it makes note taking a breeze without having to be a good typer.
Andy
August 9, 2010 at 11:00 pm
We gave our daughter a smartpen for graduation instead of a car which she thought she really needed. Now after her first year at Ohio State she has repeatedly said we made the right choice. She says it has been invaluable to her studies. Keep up the good work Sis!
Alena
August 11, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I’m a senior at the School of Arts in San Francisco and began using digital drawing technology a couple of years ago. It allows me to doodle and jot down ideas as I ride the bus to and from school and when I’m walking. It is convenient to carry and allows me to save them to my laptop or print them off as I want.
Rhett
August 12, 2010 at 11:59 am
I would definitely recommend getting your son one. Once he gets used to it I think he will consider it the best gift he ever got. Check with his girlfriend to see what he was interested in, then do a little research to get the one that best suits him.
Dennis
August 14, 2010 at 7:59 am
My boyfriend bought one a year ago and found it a bit combursome to use. He gave it to me and I just love it. I think he just doesn’t like school or note taking or something. Maybe I need a new boyfriend!
Pearly
August 14, 2010 at 11:58 pm
I hear ya. I knew a guy that swore that a pad was a waste of money but my parents got me one for Christmas and I just love it. I can take notes and do homework on it during school then download them when I get home and I’m done leaving me with plenty of time for after school activities.
Corie
August 16, 2010 at 11:58 pm
I wish my folks would give me one now. I think they are waiting until I graduate next year or at least that is what they have hinted at. But I could really use a digital pad in my senior year because I’m taking a number of AS courses.
Bobby
August 21, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Giving your son a digital pad for college is a great idea. I’m a law student and am still using one I got as an undergraduate and it is easily the single best tool I now have. Although it is a bit out dated technology wise it continues to perform as well as it did when I first got it. Don’t wait get your son one now!
Su
August 22, 2010 at 2:57 am
I found that the number and variety of digital pads on the market today required me to spend a good deal of time deciding which one was best for me. I would suggest that you consult with your son before you go out and buy one for him. It won’t be a suprise but he will get one he will use and will do what he wants.
Reta
August 23, 2010 at 9:57 pm
I concure. I was given a digital writing pad (I won’t say which one) and I found it difficult to use. Initally I became a bit negative about the technology then one day I was at the store and began looking at the different models. I discovered one that was perfect for me and the way I wanted to use it and it is now literally an extension of my hand.
Julian
August 26, 2010 at 10:57 am
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if my parents would give me something like this. I’ve seen them in the stores and a couple of my friends have them and I would love to have one too. If your parents give you one for college you are very lucky. I’m just starting my junior year in high school so maybe someday.
Bradford
August 28, 2010 at 4:56 pm
I must agree with a couple of the other comments. I’m going to graduate from Texas Tech this winter and have used several digital writing pads over the years. Some met my needs and others didn’t. Those that didn’t were good units they just didn’t have the functionality that I needed so take the time to shop with your son so he gets one that will serve his purpose.
Douglass
August 30, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I just bought my daughter (a high school senior) a digital writing tablet and was so impressed with how she has used it that I am considering getting one for myself. I’m in sales and at the end of the day always seem to have a pile of notes and scribbles; totally unorganized and often illegible. She showed me how she is able to organize her notes that has just amazed and dazelled me.
Claudette
September 2, 2010 at 4:55 am
A wonderful idea. My son wants one too! I think it would make a great gift and I hope it will help his grades. He loves gadgets and with one more year of high school he needs to start working harder if he wants to go to college.
Latrisha
September 4, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Great gift idea. It sounds like your son will be thrilled and I appreciate everyones comments cause I’d probably just run out and buy the cheapest one without doing a little research first. Wish me luck.
Leighann
September 6, 2010 at 7:54 pm
What’s the big deal about these pads. I tried using one I got on eBay and it took more work than just making notes with a pen in a notebook. I guess I’m not much of a techie but they seem to be a waste of money.
Earle
September 9, 2010 at 6:54 am
Just read your comment that you are thinking about getting your son a digital pad for college. I am a freelance writer and use mine constantly so I know that it would be a big hit with him and if he uses it, it should be a real benefit to his college experience.
Roxann
September 11, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Perfect plan. If your son is at all artistic think about one that is user friendly for artists. Being able to draw and sketch on a pad then being able to save it for later refrence without having scrapes of paper to file or just laying around is a real advantage.
Shari
September 12, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Wow giving your sone a digital pad for college is a great graduation gift idea. My parents asked me what I wanted and I said clothes but on second thought I think I’ll change my wish after reading these comments. Thank-you.
Lucretia
September 14, 2010 at 4:53 am
I have to agree with those who have suggested to not only look at them in a magazine but also go to the store and use them then search the net for the best price. Not all writing pads are the same.
Eliseo
September 14, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I started taking notes on my pad about six months ago and discovered that I needed more storage space. Since I have found that I tend to use my pad a lot more than even my laptop now I just keep my notes organized there and that eats up space. So as you shop keep this in mind.
Olin
September 16, 2010 at 11:53 am
I researched pads and then got one from Amazon for a really cheap price. It does what I need so I’m real happy. The more expensive units were just over kill in my opinion. So a little experimenting and thought has paid off for me.
Leonardo
September 17, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Good comments. I asked my parents for one for graduation but because my day has been laid off from work they really can’t afford it. I really wanted a new one but if I’m going to get one it will probably be a cheap used one so I guess eBay is the best place but there usually aren’t many on there yet.
Leopoldo
September 19, 2010 at 10:53 am
I’ve wanted to get my daughter one for school also and have been watching eBay but the one she wants isn’t ever on there. But I did get the right one at Cosco for a better price than I found anywhere else which rather surprised me.
Daisey
September 20, 2010 at 3:52 pm
I know the convenience of these pads first hand. I’m a sales rep not a student but because I travel so much I can put mine in my purse and go. Take all the order notes I need and process them when I get home. A lot better than when I carried my laptop everywhere.
Taylor
September 21, 2010 at 9:52 am
I want one too! But I’m not going to college just trade school to learn to be a hair stylist. It sounds like it would be real handy even for a beautician. Now I just have to get somebody to buy me one.
Minnie
September 21, 2010 at 2:52 pm
My sister introduced us to digital pads last year when she won one at a drawing down at Office Max. Now I have one and each of my two brothers have one. We all for some reason have different brands and have swapped with each other several times to see which one we like the best.
Darin
September 21, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I had the opportunity to first use a digital pad a couple of years ago as a test program at work. Now they are standard equipment around the firm and I condone any parent who gets one for their kids. It will serve them well in the future.
Joey
September 22, 2010 at 3:52 am
My son says I’m a techie klutz but when he and I went shopping for a digital pad he showed me how easy they were to use even for older people like me and how handy they were. We ended up buying two and I can actually use it. Couldn’t be happier.
Del
September 23, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Get your son one, they are the best device ever and are a real babe magnet at school. Since everyone already has a blackberry or some other phone these pads have become the newest gizmo craze and as a bonus they are a real productivity booster rather than a waste of time.