Note-taking has never been easier than in the age of technology.
And because more and more people have been switching from paper to tablets, we want to present you with our top picks of best note-taking tablets.
We’ll be covering both Android and Apple devices so there’s something for every OS aficionado.
But before we begin, let’s see how you can find the best tablet for your work.
Top Picks:
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How to Choose the Best Tablet for Note Taking
What is the best tablet for taking notes is a matter of not just opinion but also the kind of work you do.
If you’re at college and you need a tablet to take notes during the class and also do your school work, then you might want to consider getting a tablet/laptop hybrid.
On the other hand, if you need a tablet for drawing/sketching then you can choose between going for E Ink tablets or an iPad Pro for that matter depending on your budget. An E Ink tablet is mainly for sketching, taking notes, and reading, and the iPad can be used for all sorts of purposes making it a well-rounded device.
Of course, if you need a tablet for business purposes you’ll want to go with a device that has more utility, battery life, and performance than power because you need something reliable and keeps all of your data on the go.
Generally speaking, if you’re looking for a tablet to replace your notebook, hardly any tablet can compete with the iPad Pro’s Liquid Retina technology which truly does feel like writing on paper if you don’t mind the steep price-point.
So that being said, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative but with lots of features that the iPad doesn’t have than your best bet will be an Android tablet powered by Android 9.0 and up that’s in the $300+ range.
Best Tablets for Taking Notes
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch
The Best Tablet for Drawing and Note Taking
The first tablet we have on our list is the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 inch which is the best tablet for drawing and note-taking on the list.
It’s designed with the edge-to-edge screen which offers the latest Liquid Retina technology (P3 wide color) and gives it that paper feel when you write on it and also has a higher number of pixels-per-inch than other tablets on the market
Strength-wise this iPad Pro can store up to 128GB has the A12Z bionic chip which is 64-bit, has an 8core CPU, and 8 core GPU as well as 2.5 GHz max capacity.
Utility-wise, this tablet has a 4-speaker audio system, 5 microphones and it also has two front cameras (12mpx/10mpx) which offer ultra-wide shots and one front camera with 7mpx.
This model weighs just 1.41lbs so it’s easy to carry, has a 10-hour battery life, and also uses a USB-C charger. It’s worth mentioning that the iPad Pro only has one USB-C port so you might want to consider getting a dock station.
Pros:
- Ultra-fast and smooth operations
- Best tablet for drawing
- Bright display and vivid colors
Cons:
- Has only one USB-C port
- Doesn’t have a headphone jack
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
The Power of a Pc in a Small Convertible Tablet
Revolutionize your portable experience with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, a powerhouse that can multitask the most taxing activities on handheld devices without any issue. This gadget levels the playing field for any occasion that requires power, versatility, and portability one machine.
This fantastic product was designed for work while remaining perfect for entertainment purposes. The TFT LCD screen sports an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which, combined with Dolby Atmos surround sound, gives you immersion that is almost unheard of on tablets!
This product can have the option of being bought with a keyboard addition. With DeX mode, you have one powerful machine that gives outstanding performance with its Octa-Core (3.09GHz + 2.4GHz + 1.8GHz) processor, with the weight of just 1.1 lb!
You get to choose the amount of internal memory that suits your needs the most (from 128GB to 512GB) and, if you need even more space, you can get yourself a microSD, which offers reach up to 1TB.
The entire experience gets even better with the inclusion of a long-lasting battery (it gives you power for up to 15 video playback). This tablet is an excellent choice for both work and entertainment.
Pros:
- Strong processor
- Excellent internal memory
- Expandable memory option
- S Pen included
- Ad-free youtube for 4 months
- Fantastic viewing experience
- Includes the option of a keyboard and trackpad
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
- Lacks a headphone jack
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The Best Tablet for College
This might be the best tablet for college as it has everything a college student needs. The Surface Pro 7 features a 12.3-inch screen, 2736 x 1824 resolution display with Intel UHD graphics.
It’s light-weight (1.1lbs) and the tablet is ultra-thin even with the detachable kickstand (0.3 inches). The kickstand has a keyboard so you can set it up in a desktop mode and also lowering the kickstand makes drawing much easier.
As far as power is concerned, the Surface Pro 7 has 128GB of internal space (external capacity 1TB), 8GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5-1035G4 Quad Core CPU with 3.7 GHz. Utility-wise, it has an 8mpx rear and a 5mpx front camera, dual 1.6W speakers, a headphone jack, USB-C, and USB-A ports and a microSD card slot.
The battery life might be the best thing as even though you get about 10 hours of screen-time, the detachable 5702 mAh lithium battery takes about 2 hours to fully charge.
Pros:
- Detachable kickstand
- High-powered processor
- Both USB-C and USB-A ports
Cons:
- Not a lot of updates from the previous version
- Price
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
The Jack of All Trades With Power to Compete With All Daily Tasks
Elegance and power rarely go so much hand-in-hand as to deliver us a device that outperforms its intended usage and shatters our expectations to a point where it destroys the competition with sheer quality alone.
The sleek look of the device accompanies the ergonomic design, which comfortably fits at the palm of your hands. The 10.3″ FHD touch-sensitive display comes with TDDI technology to bring you the best viewing experience from all angles.
The standard Octa-Core processor is well-known as a reliable and quality addition that equips most high-end gadgets with fantastic performance.
It has an impressive 8MP rear and a 5MP front camera. The two side speakers are custom-tuned with Dopoundsy Atmos to deliver vibrant sounds comparable to dedicated sound systems.
You get to choose what kind of specs you need, from 2GB to 4GB of RAM and internal storage from the standard 32GB to a whopping 128GB.
You can give this device to children as well, as it comes with dedicated content filtering, eye-health software, and parental controls that make it a truly excellent choice for any consumer.
Pros:
- Powerful and customizable specs
- An overall luxurious feel to the device is present
- Admirable camera quality
- Powerful speakers
- Includes kid’s mode
- High-quality display
- Expandable memory
Cons:
- The device can sometimes lag for short durations
Apple iPad Mini 5 Gen
The Best Compact Tablet
Another Apple product we have on our list is the iPad Mini 5 Gen, one of the best tablets for note-taking. This small and light-weight 7.9-inch display tablet packs a lot of punch considering its size. As with the iPad Pro, the Mini also has a Retina display (2048 x 1536) with True Tone.
Even though it’s small, the Mini has 265GB of storage, a 64-bit A12 Bionic chip (2.49 GHz), and 2GB of RAM. The front camera has 7mpx and the back 8mpx which offers 1080p HD video.
As far as ports are concerned, it has a Lighting port and yes, a headphone jack. It also has the usual sleep/wake button at the bottom of the bezel and volume up/down buttons on the side.
Battery-wise, it uses a 5124mAh battery which will last you about 9-10 hours depending on what you use it for but it recharges in about 2-3 hours.
Pros:
- Has a headphone jack
- Compact but with a lot of power
- Good battery life
- Supports Apple Pen
Cons:
- Not compatible with USB-C
Fire HD 10 Tablet
Great Tablet for HD Videos
This is another affordable tablet on the list but considering the cost, it has great features. The Fire HD 10 has a 10.1 inch fully laminated display, with 1920 x 1200 resolution and 1080p HD playback.
It has 32GB of internal storage and can store up to 512GB externally by using a micro SD card. The tablet also has a MediaTek Octa-Core processor which can run on a maximum 2.0GHz, 2GB of RAM, and runs on Amazon’s Fire OS 5.5.
Utility-wise the Fire HD 10 also has 2 cameras which both have 2mpx and two stereo speakers by Dolby and it has one port for USB-C and a headphone jack. It runs on a 3800mAh battery which should last you for 10-12 hours of screen time but needs about 3-4 hours to recharge and uses a USB-C 2.0 adapter.
As far as accessories are concerned, you can also purchase a standing case and the tablet is compatible with most stylus pens.
Pros:
- Cheap
- HD videos
- Solid power
- Smooth performance
Cons:
- The Amazon OS is integrated
- Poor camera quality
BOOX Nova2 7.8 ePaper E Ink Tablet
The Best E Ink Tablet for Note Taking
Last but not least we have the BOOX Nova2, which is the best e-ink tablet for note-taking your money can buy. It is perfect for reading E-Books, drawing, and note-taking, and with the e-ink pen, it will feel like writing on paper.
The Nova2 has a 7.8 inch 300 pixel E Ink Carta Plus display which only has 16 shades of gray and no color but has a Wacom digitizer that offers 2048 different levels of pressure. Alongside the drawing potentials, the display is much easier on the eyes so it feels like reading a printed book.
This tablet is powered by an Octa-Core processor that can put out a maximum of 2.0GHz, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. It also runs on Android 9.0 Pie that offers smooth performance and speed.
The battery is also the crown jewel of the whole device because it can last for 4 days without charging and needs about 6 hours to recharge. The Nova2 also supports OTG connections so you can have all your data on the go without any additional drivers.
Pros:
- Easier reading
- Great for sketching
- Long-lasting battery life
- Supports OTG
Cons:
- No camera
- Only 16 shades of gray display