Pens for computers can be used in a number of different ways. The pen tablet computer has always been popular among graphic designers, but PC pens are now being used for more than just drawing.

The computer mouse pen replaces a traditional mouse, and a digital character recognition pen acts as a line by line OCR scanner. These pens are often available in wired or wireless models. Here are some options available to you with current computer pens types and styles:

1. Replace your regular mouse with a computer pen mouse.
2. Transfer printed text using a computer pen scanner.
3. Purchase a graphics tablet or tablet computer that supports computer pen input.

Action Steps
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Combat carpal tunnel with an ergonomic computer pen mouse

The computer pen mouse replaces your current mouse, and can be used without a tablet or special paper. It is highly recommended for people that suffer from shoulder pain or carpal tunnel syndrome when using a standard mouse.

I recommend: The V-Mouse from Salient Technology is wireless, weighs less than 2 ounces and works on soft or curved surfaces. It can cover a typical monitor screen with less than 2 inches of movement. The iPen, available at ZyonSystems, is offered in wired, wireless RF and wireless Bluetooth models. In addition to functioning as a mouse, it also has the ability to convert your handwriting to text with 99 percent accuracy.

Consider using a computer digital pen scanner with optical character recognition

The computer digital pen scanner gives you the ability to scan, store and transfer printed text and small images to your computer. Most pens can recognize multiple languages, and include features like synthetic voice to read-back scanned text.

I recommend: The I.R.I.S. IrisPen comes in three different models: Express, Executive and Translator. The Express IrisPen is for personal use, while the Executive IrisPen is a full-featured business text recognition pen scanner. The IrisPen Translator recognizes 123 languages, and can translate between 11 different languages. This model will only work on a Windows PC. The Planon Docupen series are portable hand-held color scanners capable of scanning a full page. WizCom Technologies offers numerous different computer pens, each with a particular purpose. Quicktionary pens instantly give you word and idiom definitions, InfoScan pens help with note-taking and the ReadingPens are portable learning tools to help those with reading disabilities or dyslexia.

Buy a pen computer or graphics tablet for maximum creativity with a computer pen

Graphics tablets are used the world over by graphics designers for the ultimate in creative control and digital fine tuning of art and photos. Business executives enjoy tablet computers because of the ability to take notes directly on the screen of the computer. Most graphics tablets come with their own unique computer drawing pen, but if you purchase a tablet computer you will need to buy a pen separately.

I recommend: The Blue Thunder TabletPC 2 website has the latest tablet PC comparisons and reviews, to help you decide which tablet PC is best for you. You can purchase a computer pen for your tablet PC from Wacom. Check out reviews of the different graphics tablets on the market at HowStuffWorks.

The world of PC pens has been expanding rapidly. Originally developed to appeal exclusively to artists and architects, computer digital pens can now be found in the hands of secretaries and students and have untethered themselves from pen computers and tablets.

Pens for the computer encompass a wide range of uses, including:

1. Replacing mice and touch pads.
2. Being used to take notes on specially coated paper.
3. Being used as dictionaries, translators or to help with homework.
4. Being used in graphic design by artists, engineers and architects.
5. Being used to scan pages from books, magazines and other documents.

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Use a pen computer for graphics

Artists and others dependent on graphical output find it easier to use a pen tablet computer and a computer drawing pen or computer graphics pen.

I recommend: Companies such as Wacom manufacture tablets that can be attached to a PC or notebook and used with computer digital pens to produce everything from enhanced photos to elaborate artwork. Wacom also manufactures an LCD screen that can be used with a computer pen.

Use PC pens with laptops

Several laptop manufacturers have climbed aboard the 'pens for computers' bandwagon and developed screens for their computers that can be used with a pen.

I recommend: Toshiba has led the way in developing laptops that can be used with pens. The Toshiba model can be used as a normal computer, or it can fold over the keyboard for pen use.

Use PC pens to take notes or for school work

There's a whole line of digital pens that can be used just like normal pens and download information stored in them to a PC at a later date.

I recommend: The io Digital Pen from Logitech and the LeapFrog Fly Fusion Pentop Computer can write on specially coated paper, recording every stroke to be later downloaded to a computer. In addition, the Fly Fusion Pen can be used with various programs to help with everything from basic grammar to calculus. Another pen, manufactured by Pegasus, can be used with a standard notepad.

Use the PC pen as a tool

Digital pens can be used to make your life easier.

I recommend: The Planon DocuPen is a scanner that can fit in your pocket. This pen-sized tool scans documents line by line and is the width of an standard sheet of paper. Other pen-type scanners, manufactured by C-Pen and IRIS, can perform the same tasks, but need to be tethered to a computer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Wireless digital pens and others that work away from the computer should be fully charged before each use.
• •  Handwriting recognition software is only as good as your penmanship. Double check all documents translated from a pen to a computer for typos.
• •  Try before you buy. Unfortunately most computers that have adapted pen computing technology have had to cut corners when it comes to battery life, weight and keyboards.

Pricing of pens for computers varies wildly depending on sophistication and function. A hand-held color scanner pen will cost more than a simple black and white digital character recognition pen. Your basic computer mouse pen is less expensive than high-tech language translation wireless computer pens.

Basically, what you can expect to pay depends on what you are looking for. The following approaches will help you get a good idea of computer pens pricing and costs:

1. Plan on spending between $50 and $100 for a computer mouse pen.
2. Buy an OCR computer digital pen for between $120 and $200.
3. Take notes with a mobile digital scribe computer pen, priced between $100 and $200.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Spend between $50 and $100 to replace your standard mouse with a computer mouse pen

A computer mouse pen is highly recommended for people who suffer from shoulder pain or carpal tunnel because of a regular mouse. You can buy both wired and wireless versions. These computer pens simulate the natural motion of writing with a pen, and are therefore far less stressful to your joints than a standard mouse. They also require much less room to navigate about.

I recommend: ZyonShop offers a wired model of their iPen computer mouse pen for about $50, and Bluetooth or RF wireless models for about $100. Salient Technologies offers five different models of their V-Mouse for prices ranging between $30 and $80.

Order a digital character recognition pen for between $120 and $200

Digital character recognition pens can scan text, numbers and sometimes images into any application. Many come with features like voice synthesis, barcode recognition and translation.

I recommend: I.R.I.S. is one of the leading providers of OCR and translation digital character recognition pens. You can pick up the Express personal IrisPen for about $130. The professional-grade IrisPen Executive is available for about $200. IrisPen Translators can be purchased for about $150. Wizcom electronic note-taking and text scanning pens are available for between $120 and $200. The Lite version doesn't recognize hand-written text.

Invest between $100 and $200 to take digital notes with scribe computer pens

You don't need a pen computer to take advantage of digital note-keeping. Digital scribe computer pens often work on any surface, and allow you to take notes for later input into your computer. Some pens are even capable of recording audio as well. These pens are great for busy executives, medical professionals and even students.

I recommend: The SureSource Iogear Mobile Digital Scribe is a note-taking pen that captures natural handwriting from any surface and stores it in the receiver. Their pen uses ordinary ink to write on any surface, and is great for notes, memos or drawings. You can purchase it for just under $100. The revolutionary Livescribe Pulse Smartpen records and links audio to everything you write. It uses special dot paper to track what you are writing, which you can either purchase from Livescribe or print out on your own printer. You can purchase a 1GB Smartpen for about $150. The 2GB version will run you almost $200.