Tablets that will streamline your workflow
Tablets are quickly becoming the #1 option for note-takers. Modern tablets are more advanced than ever before, and they offer a range of benefits that are difficult to ignore. Gone are the days of disorganized desks, endless reams of paper, and heavy backpacks.
But with so many options, it can be difficult to find the best tablet for note-taking. As luck would have it, we’ve gone ahead and found the best tablet options for quick, easy, and affordable note-taking.
iPad Pro
Price: $749
When we talk about the best tablets for note-taking, the conversation quickly turns to iPads. Apple has long been synonymous with technologically advanced tablets. The iPad Pro is the most powerful, fast, and versatile tablet on the market. It is ideal for students, professionals, and hobbyists who want to create aesthetically appealing notes, conduct research, and take advantage of all the entertainment options available to them. If you want an all-rounder, then the iPad Pro is the best iPad for note-taking.
The Liquid Retina display guarantees color realism and the LiDAR scanner allows you to create visual notes. On top of that, the Apple store has hundreds of note-taking apps. Notability allows you to work on multiple documents at once, LiquidText offers an unlimited workspace for handwritten notes, and Nebo lets you combine handwritten and typed text.
Of course, to take advantage of the best iPad for notes, you need to purchase the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil. This stylus features tilt and pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and unbeatable precision, but it doesn’t quite have the tension, drag, and friction that you would expect from a pencil.
Pros
- Minimal lag for real-time note-taking
- Wide range of brilliant note apps to choose from
- Compatible with Rock Paper Pencil
Cons
- One of the highest price points for a tablet
- Compatible Apple accessories are expensive
iPad Air
Price: $559
There is no shortage of iPads, so a few of them are bound to appear on our list. We think that the iPad Air is one of the best iPads for notes, especially for people who are on a budget.
As well as being affordable, the iPad Air works with the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil, so you can still take real-time notes with a responsive stylus. It also has processing power similar to a desktop computer, guaranteeing a seamless experience with minimal lag.
All in all, the iPad Air is a good replacement for a laptop. It is one of the best iPads for note-taking because it offers up to 10 hours of battery life, Liquid Retina display, and all the best apps from the Apple store.
Pros
- More affordable than the iPad Pro
- Extremely lightweight
- 4th Generation and later iPad Air works with the 2nd Generation Apple Pencil
- 10.9″ model compatible with Rock Paper Pencil
Cons
- Apps and documents can’t run at the same time
- No face ID
Upgrade your iPad Notetaking Experience with Rock Paper Pencil
You can use Rock Paper Pencil to make your digital note-taking experience even more realistic. This all-in-one paper-like product features a reusable matte screen protector, two ballpoint Apple Pencil tip replacements, and a protective storage folder.
Unlike other products that only swap the Pencil tip or the screen texture, we’ve crafted unmatched realism by combining a custom Apple Pencil tip and a nanotexture screen protector. Together, they create the most realistic pen-on-paper feeling for iPad.
- Ditch the slip: On its own, the iPad’s glass screen is a slippery surface that creates an inconsistent drag on your Apple Pencil.
- Smoother, more precise strokes: Rock Paper Pencil adds subtle friction between your screen and Apple Pencil tip, giving you more control with each stroke output.
Microsoft Surface Go 3
Price: $399.99 to 729.99, depending on the size
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a brilliant option for people who want to switch between handwritten and typed notes. It can function as a fully-fledged laptop or a tablet, so you get the best of both worlds.
Even better, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 runs a full operating system. In practice, this means that it can run any program that is designed for Windows laptops and computers. The tablet only weighs 1.19 lbs, which makes it even better for note-takers who have to travel to work, seminars, and coffee shops.
There are a few downsides, such as poor battery life and lag on the external display. But in terms of functionality and versatility, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is one of the best tablets for taking notes.
Pros
- Use it as a laptop or tablet
- Use Windows programs on your tablet
- Extremely lightweight
Cons
- Big screen option is expensive
- Reviewers have found a discrepancy between the battery life on the box (up to 11 hours) and their own tests (around five hours)
- Only available with a low-power Central Processing Unit (CPU), so graphics and complicated programs will lag
Lenovo Tab P11 Tablet (2nd Generation)
Price: $269.99
Searching for the most affordable and best tablet for note-taking? You will love the Lenovo Tab P11 tablet.
Apart from the price point, the Lenovo Tab P11 Tablet has a lot of enticing features. It is fitted with a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, a 2K OLED screen, and Dolby Atmosphere-enhanced quad speakers. You can create bright, vibrant notes and enjoy high-definition entertainment breaks.
If you want to take handwritten notes, you will have to purchase the Lenovo Digital Pen separately. The standard stylus has over 4,000 levels of tilt and pressure detection, which makes taking notes easy peasy.
To push your note-taking to the next level, you can purchase the Lenovo P11 Pro tablet, which comes with two illustration apps called Bamboo Paper and Squid.
Pros
- Price point makes it one of the most affordable and best tablets for taking notes
- Standard compatible stylus is only $60
- 2000×12000 resolution panel guarantees eye-catching images
Cons
- Not the fastest tablet on the market, so there might be some lag
- No audio jack
Amazon Kindle Scribe
Price: $340
Kindle Scribe is an e-reader and a note-taking tablet, which is perfect for students and professionals. The screen is 10.2 inches, which is a little bit on the smaller side, but it is the largest Amazon e-reader to date. On top of that, the screen has an anti-glare feature.
You can choose from the Basic Pen or the Premium Pen, both of which come with the tablet. The stylus does not need to be charged, and it has a magnetic element that attaches it to the reader. When you choose the Premium Pen, you can highlight sentences, create sticky notes, and make bullet journals, to-do lists, and documents.
However, it is important to know that Kindle Scribe does not feature handwriting-to-text conversion or any tools for illustration.
Pros
- One of the most affordable yet best tablets for note-taking
- Smooth note-taking experience
Cons
- No handwriting-to-text conversion
- Does not support entertainment apps like Netflix and YouTube
Final Thoughts
So, which tablet is best for writing notes?
Our top pick is the iPad Pro, but you might find that a different tablet is best for your specific notetaking needs. Ultimately, the decision is yours. There are lots of tablets and e-readers on the market, so you have to decide which features appeal to you the most.
- For a great all-rounder, go for the iPad Pro
- For an affordable option, opt for the Lenovo Tab P11
- For an e-reader that offers note-taking capabilities, purchase the Amazon Scribe
Which will you choose?
