The Inkling looks interesting. The Verge gave it a 6.8, which isn't too too reassuring.

The thing with the smart pens is that they're chunkier than I'm used to, and then I worry about the smoothness of the pens.

I know the LiveScribe doesn't have gel based ink refills, which is basically the only type of pen I write with. I find the friction from normal ball point pens a little uncomfortable.

You should honestly consider purchasing a fountain pen. They work via capillary action, which means that they write on contact -- no pressure needed. At all.

Some good starters are the LAMY Safari, the TWSBI 540, and the Kaweco Sport. All of these cost <$50 and can take bottled ink (with possible modifications to the Kaweco), reducing refill costs drastically.

I, too, used to think gel pens were the bomb, but writing with a fountain pen is just something else. :D

Unless you're left-handed :-( Then you spend your time scratching and pushing against the paper and smudging your handwriting :-(

If you're trying to do mirror writing they become awesome again, but that's not a frequent use case:-(

I'm a 'lefty' and write with a fountain pen using Parker's Quink - a fairly fast drying ink. Works remarkably well.

Thanks, nice to know. Btw, do you use a particular model of fountain pen (hard / supple head, wide / narrow tip) ?

I'm left handed. :)

That's very informative, I think I'll give a fountain pen a shot.