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Question

Device Designed for Inputting-Thoughts/Thinking

Sep 7, 2017 6:11AM PDT

I use a laptop to type my thoughts in OneNote. I prefer it over a physical notebook because of:

* The ability to quickly copy or transfer the notes via clipboard, where it is easy to look and think on related thoughts. This provides flexibility, which is essential.
* The uniformity of typewritten text, which makes it clear and easy to read
* The ability to search typed text

However, there are also several disadvantages, such as the following:

* Laptops have limited battery life, unlike physical notebooks.
* Laptops have a significant startup time, unlike a book, which can be instantaneously used.
* All laptops are general purpose, and have functions other than inputting thoughts. This would seem to increase both upfront and ongoing (maintenance) costs.
* Even if I am using laptop, for typing, other programs seem to be using its resources.

Are there devices similar to Microsoft Surface, with stylus, meant only for thinking and not for any other purpose, to reduce the device cost and increase durability, similar to the focus of e-readers on reading?

I don't have experience with Chromebooks, don't seem to have Microsoft Office available. If a device with offline versions of note-taking software, like OneNote, meant only for note taking is produced, it may become very popular.

Modern laptops might be powerful to eliminate problems, but if a device meant for only writing thoughts is produced, this might get even more powerful. Is there such a device now, or is it to be produced?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I use the old paper notepad for idea sketching.
Sep 7, 2017 6:32AM PDT

I don't know why folk dismiss it but from a legal perspective it is used to pin down the date of invention.

Anyhow OneNote on Chromebooks has ended. https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/6793r8/onenote_android_app_no_longer_supported_on/ gives us the clue Microsoft may be working on their Cloudbook models.

That said why not any Android tablet? E-readers never were as cheap as what I get Android tablets for so you know why e-readers died. Yes they keep trying.

-> Here's where you need to think very hard. By reducing what a device does you reduce it's possible user base and the cost rises due to https://www.google.com/search?q=mass+production+reduces+cost

This can really upset a person that thinks a thing will cost less if it has less features, parts, etc.

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Answer
Found a CloudBook. Does include OneNote.
Sep 7, 2017 6:45AM PDT
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Cloudbook-14-Inch-AO1-431-C7F9-Personal/dp/B014YN6YZ8?th=1 is not that cheap at about 199 to 299USD.

I've read, heard discussions like yours and again, a device SPECIFIC to your use can be very expensive.

My advice is to research the market, learn why things are the way they are and consider an Android tablet with your choice of App that fits what you want to do.

-> Making a tablet to do one thing equals very high cost.
-> Using a mass produced tablet with an app will get you there cheap. You can get more durability and battery time by picking models that fit your need.

That tablet with just what you want? You may not believe me but figure one million for the first one.
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Staying with laptop
Sep 7, 2017 8:51AM PDT

Thank you for the reply. You have been very helpful even before when I posted here (I seem to have created two accounts).

I got frustrated with my another laptop being overheating and not being able to use it type my thoughts, and was thinking on durable device meant only for inputting thought, without compromising on the features.

Now, from the available options, it seems better that I stay with laptop.

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Nod to refurbs if you need cheap. EXAMPLE. and sold out.
Sep 7, 2017 8:59AM PDT

But there are more out there of the same model.

Look at https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6A35CV8466
I picked up two for the office from Groupon for 125.89USD to my door and these are the sturdy Probook models.
Found it. https://www.groupon.com/deals/gs-hp-probook-6460b-14-intel-i3-2350m-2-3ghz-4gb-320gb-extra-battery?deal_option=f31be9d9-dde8-44f1-9ec9-192d25d313dc

About your overheating laptop. If it did that new, why didn't it get returned? If it's old I ask folk if they are keeping up with a monthly canned air to the vent cleaning. (How is on the web)

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Shifted
Sep 7, 2017 6:54PM PDT
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Which is the most durable laptop you have seen?
Sep 7, 2017 7:27PM PDT

If I buy refurbished laptop, I wan to buy most durable laptop. Which is the most durable one you know?

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None really. I think durable as the dictionary definition.
Sep 8, 2017 9:22AM PDT

"able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing."

That said at the offices and home we must have close to 100 laptops in the business and very few are worn out. But they have me. That is, I don't consider a worn keyboard or fan to be the end of a laptop. But many users do since service is pretty expensive. Here the min counter charge is 150USD before any parts and more hours so the refurbs we picked up at 125USD to our door were spot on to cycle out the oldest and slowest in the company.

The oldest and slowest were at this time from 2006 and 2009 so while they lasted many years, they are not by the dictionary definition "durable."

We use the old ABC rule about power and batteries (always be charging) so the 2006 model did need a new battery since its user didn't follow ABC. At 22 bucks for a battery it's a non issue but again, that part is certainly not durable. The 2009 was in great shape as it was following the ABC rule and getting canned air cleaning every few months.

The GROUPON models we picked up were HP PROBOOKS which are very solid beasts. Metal cases but durable? I think that word does not apply to laptops. You do not apply pressure or wear to these. They will break if you do.