Dell Active Pen pn350m – Back in March I evaluated a Dell Computer 2-in-1 and said how well using the stylus worked and accelerated productivity in a number of places. There are plenty of other stylus options to choose from. For me, for computer accessories I tend to choose aftermarket products. In general, aftermarket accessories from major companies perform as well or better, are cheaper, and can be more reliable than OEM products.
But in terms of computer stylus, I referred my client to use Dell Active Pen – PN350M because it was planned to be used with his computer, reviews from Dell.com were good (3 stars would refer something else if the explanation was lower) and he was not interested in me to do research on aftermarket products. Today, I want to share my thoughts on the stylus.
According to Dell the Dell Active Pen – PN350M is compatible with the following mechanisms:
Latitude 3390 2-in-1
Star 11 (3190)
Inspiron 13 7000 (7386) 2-in-1
Inspiron 15 7000 (7586) 2-in-1
Inspiron 14 5000 Series (5482)
Inspiron 15 Series 5000 (5582)
Inspiron 13 Series 7000 (7390) 2-in-1
Inspiron 15 Series 7000 (7590) 2-in-1
Dell Active Pen – PN350M – Discussion
I used a Dell Active Pen – PN350M for about 1 week to do basic tablet tasks and browse websites. I’m not very good with the stylus and prefer my fingers when using the tablet. But I find it more useful to take quick notes while watching TV. After talking to my client a few days ago, he said he now usually uses it to update patterns, charts, change documents and when he wants to add handwritten notes.
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This stylus is battery operated and is NOT rechargeable. It uses AAAA battery. But after a period of inactivity, the device switches to alert mode. Strange that they didn’t add a power button. I assume there is not some room to add one. To keep alive, try not to press the button and remove the battery for long period storage. The client tells me that it is still using the original battery and that the battery was reactivated in 2019.
Using Buttons
There are two buttons on the pen and they are called down button 1 and up button 2. Button 1 is the button closest to the tip and the second button is right next to it. Button 1 will delete the created content. To delete, press and hold the button, then drag on the monitor to delete content. Button 2 is Right Click and Define. To Right Click press and hold the button. Then touch the monitor with the pen tip. Then release the button to display the skeleton menu. To select, press and hold the button, then drag the tip of the pen on the monitor to select content.
Using the buttons plays the same role as planned. This acts like using a mouse or a track pad. After I was trained with surgery, I found it useful. My client is well versed in using a stylus and says the stylus is as good as any stylus he has used before.
Final Thoughts
Between his life story and my experience with the Dell Active Pen – PN350M we decided this is a good pen. We both agreed that it was on the more expensive side. If you need a stylus for your Dell 2-in-1 netbook and want to keep using Dell then this is what I want to refer to. Just make sure it works with your computer. I believe some of the problems people may experience are a combination of operator error or using the wrong pen for preparation. My client did say if so he lost this pen (he said one time he would do) he would look at the aftermarket options before he ordered another from Dell.
