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IOGear Mobile Scribe Digital Pen with Flash Memory GPEN300
Company: IOGear |
In theory, digital pens are a great idea. The stumbling block has been how to use a digital pen without the troublesome issue of expensive digital paper. Luckily, Iogear's Mobile Scribe Digital Pen with Memory, aka GPEN300, removes this big stumbling block.
One of the biggest problems with digital pens has been specialty paper. Writing on any type of paper is not possible with the vast majority of digital pens. One must use special papers designed specifically for digital pens. The problem with this is rather obvious once you look at price and convenience.
Online I have seen pricing at $30 for three pads totaling 128 page per pad. What is worse, they are are counting front, back and pages you cannot use in this number. Considering that your average discount store sells 100 sheet pads for about $2, the cost of ownership becomes an issue. If this alone were not bad enough, digital pens can reach $200 per pen, and more, very easily.
Iogear's GPEN300 separates itself from the pack in that it does not rely on special paper. You do not need dot laden specialty paper to use the device. Any paper will work with it, be it lined, blank etc. It also sells for about $94.95 (much less on Amazon), making it substantially less expensive than others in this arena.
What makes it possible for the GPEN300 to use any type of paper is the small base station that clips to a piece of paper. The USB rechargeable base is portable and simply attaches to any paper allowing whatever you write or draw to be stored on the pen itself.
As a result of the base, the portable pen is about the same size as any other pen. The pen is also a lot less bulky than others. Transferring what you have to the PC is simply a matter of plugging it into any USB port and downloading what is stored. In fact, you can transfer to any PC and you do not need to install special software on the host computer.
Included with the pen is a full version of My Script Notes. This application transforms hand written notes into digital content that can be read in programs like Word. If you prefer to write long hand, but need a digitized copy, this is a great convenience, particularly for note takers.
The version included can be updated to the new My Script Studio. This is a pretty good value, but the install is a bit tricky. Instead of installing from the included CD, just visit my scripts, and download from there the new version. Simply use the enclosed key that comes with the GPEN300 package to utilize. I am not sure why instructions are not clearly available, but the fact that you can upgrade for free to the new version is a nice feature.
Digital pens are a great idea. The problem has always been the cost of ownership. With the new GPEN300 the biggest problem with using them, being able to use a pen without special paper, has been solved. If that were not enough, you also have the increased functionality of a pen that can pose as a mouse.
Removing the troublesome issue of special paper, The GPEN300 manages to succeed where the competition has failed. While you may be able to find devices with more bells and whistles, you are going to be hard pressed to find any that do not require special paper or come with some much higher price points.
Factoring ease of use, the convenience of a device that functions and feels like your standard pen, and the ability to double as a pointing device, there is a great deal to like about this peripheral. If you like note taking, and simply do not have space, time or room for a laptop, but need to take notes, this is the type of device that students, professionals and writers may want to look at seriously.
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