Smart Notebooks & Dotted Journals

It’s been long proven how taking notes by hand is more effective for information retention than typing, but taking notes by hand results in a lot of paper to store, carry and sort through. That’s where the new trend of the digital notebook comes in to make note-taking more productive than ever before. With a smart notebook, you get the traditional writing experience with pen and paper combined with the convenience of digital note-taking and cloud storage. Plus, you can save paper because smart notebooks are reusable — just wipe a page clean and start over, knowing all of your previous notes are saved to your favorite cloud storage service.

There are multiple ways a smart notebook can digitize notes. Smart notebooks often work through the use of compatible pens, like Pilot FriXion pens. Though using a smart notebook and pen makes it feel like you’re taking traditional notes, smart technology allows you to write as normal and then send your handwritten notes to a cloud service for storage. This allows you to clear the notebook page and reuse it again and again, with your notes safely stored in the cloud with lifetime access.

There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for smart notebooks. First is the scan type, meaning whether you prefer to use your notebook with a smart pen or the use of Bluetooth or apps. Another is battery life. If you’re someone who will be using your notebook for long hours at school or work, choosing an option with a long battery life is essential so you’re not left without power during the middle of the day.

Also consider the size and weight. If you take a lot of notes or are frequently on the go, a lighter option may be best. Not only is it easier to carry around in a bag or backpack, but your hand won’t get tired as easily if you like to hold your notebook while writing. Glare is another consideration. Depending on where and how you’ll use your smart notebook, you could benefit from a low or anti-glare option.