Rooting and installing custom ROM was the best thing I found with my note.
I cannot even imagine "downgrading" to the official ICS from Samsung. I have tried a couple of TW based roms since rooting and am always horrified by the lack of flexibility after about 2hrs of use and go with a more stock ICS based rom.
Am using Paranoid Android and Apex Launcher, the 2 combined offer near limitless customisation. I feel I am getting my note completely as I want it and not as some corporate giant wants me to have it.
Major benefits...
specify tablet or phone mode for each app individually and also the OS views
specify the DPI, resolution for each app individually and also the OS views
choose rotation 360 degrees so i can charge from the top (very useful; i have been worried about fracture of the port internally for a while now, because of the cable at the bottom and pressure being put on the join)
rename any icon to whatever i want
have upto 9x9 icons on each screen and upto 9 screens
set pointer speed of mouse
completely reconfigure the quick launch bar - currently empty waiting for apps to put in it

show or not show soft buttons and reconfigure their placements (home, back, recents)
The only thing i miss a little is Snote , but am using Freenote which is as good. Just not as "sexy" and slick as the Samsung stuff.