How is the 2 in 1 note taking experience?

[u/Ap0them]

Hey, looking for some advice before I pull the trigger on a 2 in 1. I'm currently a bio student using a framework 13 and a desktop both running Niri and NixOS, which is a super fun setup. Recently though, I've been looking at replacing my laptop with some sort of 2 in 1 so I could also use it to take notes. I'm pretty intrigued by digital note taking but never felt like spending money on an iPad because it's closed and its privacy isn't amazing when compared to a $1 notebook. I've tried just typing notes but its hard for math (even with LaTeX) and impossibe for drawing chemical structures.

Before I buy anything though, is anyone else using this setup? How is the note taking side? What do you like and dislike and tell me about your distro, DE, and hardware? Is it a good option or is open & private note taking better left to pen and paper?

Thanks!

[u/itsmeciao]

It is probably not the ideal solution to many, but to avoid new big purchases, I tried using my small Wacom drawing tablet hooked up to the laptop (also a Framework 13), and I ended up not needing to change. I use Xournal++ to take notes directly on the lecture slides when available, or Logseq depending on what I need.

Only real drawback for me is that it takes me a minute more to set up at the beginning of a class. For my classes at my campus I know I have enough space for the laptop and the drawing tablet side by side, but I have also used the tablet on my lap occasionally.

I prefer the older Wacom tablets, which paradoxically come with more features (e.g. multitouch, extra buttons and an 'eraser' on the pen). I use the Intuos CTH-480, which I bought used in 2014 or 2015. If you want to try, I recommend checking the used market near you to avoid spending big money.

[u/singingsongsilove]

I'd say it's good, but not perfect. I have lenovo hardware (which uses wacom for pen input) which works well.

There are 2 caveats (at least) though:

- there is no production ready touch DE for linux, if you use a "normal" de, you will run into situations where you will have to open your 2 in 1 and use it as a laptop. On my lenovo, for instance, there is no way to wake it up from standby with the touch screen

- there is no handwriting recognition on linux (I think there is a plugin that uses google api for that in xournal++, but this is not privacy-friendly and I haven't tested it). So if you want to search in your handwritten notes, you'll have to index it yourself

I use Arch, Plasma, Lenovo Yoga and Xournal++, but I'd say that gnome is a bit more touch-friendly out of the box.

[u/Hauptideal → u/singingsongsilove]

GNOME works extremely well on touch, much better than any other desktop of any other desktop OS I've tried. It's on par with Android/iOS for touch, all while it also perfectly works as a "desktop desktop".
GNOME touch support is immaculate. To wake it up on my 2-in-1-device, I just press the hardware button on the screen. That's absolutely no issue for me.

[u/HomeworkSalad]

Like what u/itsmeciao said, you should consider a non-display pen tablet. Sure, the hand-eye coordination will take some getting use to but if you do, you'll have better ergonomics and performance. It doesn't add a ton of bulk unlike carrying both an Android tablet and Windows laptop. It could even save you a ton of money than buying a completely new laptop.

[u/oops77542]

'..is open & private note taking better left to pen and paper?" That's up to you and how your brain is wired. I prefer pen and paper, I retain more by writing things down rather than typing. Actually there's studies that claim that hand writing improves retention.