Best Tablets for Taking Notes

9 Best Tablets For Taking Notes 2023

In a fast-paced world like ours where so much is happening around us, it is not even possible for our brains to retain all the information without forgetting any of it. In other words taking notes by jotting down trivial/non-trivial information or making random scribbles that you could use later, is very important. It could be a to-do list, a wish list, random thoughts that you might want to go over, or something as simple as a record of your daily expense. Certainly, you will require something portable, easy to carry around, super-fast, and a multipurpose device. We are confident that you will get one from the list of the best tablets for taking notes.

Above all, Why we are confident because, In yesteryears, people used to carry small pocketbooks, notepads, or journals to serve the purpose of note-taking. Meanwhile, we have successfully entered the era of technological development, and people have switched to faster and more convenient means. As a result, One of the most popular tools that people employ for noting things down and making records is a Tablet. Due to their handiness and user-friendly operation, tablets have managed to earn popularity and market value in no time.

What Factors to Consider Before Making a Purchase?

Buying a gadget is not a small investment and so one should be considerate while making it. Now since the market has a large number and variety of available products, enough to confuse someone looking to make a purchase, here is what you need to do.

Listed below are some of the most looked-for features in any note-taking tablet.
Consider all these attributes and check your short-listed products against them. Once you have made this comparison and have also decided on a budget, you’ll find it much easier to make your final call.

1. Pen/Stylus

Most Android tablets come with a stylus. It has almost become an indispensable part of the gadget, and so, most people find the package incomplete unless it has one. So, if you too fall in that lot, make sure that you check the stylus for its natural fluidity and inking technology before making a purchase.

2. Screen Size and Resolution

Screen size and display are two of the most important features of a tablet. Tablets come in several sizes. It’s best that you choose one that suits your job requirements. As for the screen resolution, make sure you consider the type of LCD and IPS and check its compatibility with HD, Full HD, and QHD.

3. Battery

Battery durability is another important feature to consider in any electronic device. Since the tablets for note-taking are used by students and business associates for an all-day workflow, the battery must last them a good 9 to 12 hours.

4. On-board memory

A tablet must have sufficient memory to store all your data and still manage to spare a portion of the total space. Digits for ideal storage vary according to the users’ needs. It could range from light-weight classroom notes of a student to something as heavy as digital files of an artist. Get something that speaks directly to your requirement.

5. Compatibility with Windows and IOS

Windows and Apple IOS are two of the major operating systems worldwide. Make sure that the features and specifications of your chosen tablet support these systems.

6. Price

Last but certainly not least, another important thing to consider is tablet pricing.

There is a notion in the general public that it is not possible to get a decent tablet unless a good few hundred dollars are spent on it. Well, it’s only partly true. There is no doubt about the fact that high-end products are a complete package in terms of look, features, and added specifications. But if you are on a strict budget and don’t have all those extra dollars to spend, you can still manage to get your hands on a nice tablet by just giving up on the unnecessary features that your job doesn’t require.

It is always better to conduct a thorough search, list down your requirements, avoid all impulses, and stay within your budget while making a purchase.

Following is a list of 8 products that deal with high-end technology, along with a detailed description of the features and specifications of each.

Let’s find out what we have got for you on the list!

Best Tablets for Taking Notes Updated List 2021

  1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 2020 – Best Samsung Tab for business
  2. New Microsoft Surface Go – Best big screen laptop tablet
  3. Apple iPad Mini – Best Apple iPad mini
  4. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 – Best 2-in-1 laptop tablet
  5. New Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Best tablets for business
  6. New Apple iPad Pro – Best tablet for drawing
  7. Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation) – Best Apple iPad pro 12 inch
  8. Microsoft Surface Go LTE – Surface Go with LTE support
  9. Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 – Best 10 inch tablet

Other Options: Best Tablets Categories

Best Tablets For Taking Notes

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 2020

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7

Processor Exynos 9611
RAM 3GB
Storage 64GB (expandable via micro SD card slot up to 400GB)
Stylus Yes But Sold separately
Display 10.4-inch ultra-widescreen display
Camera Rear: 8MP | Front: 5MP
Operating System Android Q
Battery life 7040 mAh
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Weight 1.05 lbs

Samsung is known for its best gadgets with display quality. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is indeed one of the best Samsung tablets with a 10.4″ widescreen. It’s sleek, stylish, and most importantly it has got a tablet-to-laptop capability. So you have the option to go with a tablet if you are on the go or enjoy the laptop-style when you are at the office or college, this Galaxy Tab will always be your perfect companion. The Galaxy A7 comes with improved quad speakers that play everything in Dolby Atmos surround sound.

For powerful tab performance, the device is loaded with an Exynos 9611 processor that helps to run every software. Along with that, it comes with 3GB of RAM the holds enough power to support the device CPU. To help you save a huge amount of data, the Samsung Galaxy Tab has 64GB of internal storage the best part it can be extendable with a MicroSD card up to 1TB. From the Galaxy pictures quality point of view, it comes with integrated 8MP rear and 5MP front camera to show off. The Samsung A7 has a lot to go with. When you purchase the Galaxy Tab A7, you will have two months of free YouTube Premium and six months of free Spotify Premium access. Last but not least, The Samsung Galaxy A7 Tab has the power to be your companion all day long with its 7040mAh of decent size battery.

Pros
  • Economical pricing
  • Multi device experience
  • Kid’s Friendly
  • Long Lasting battery
Cons
  • RAM should be upgraded for high end games

2. New Microsoft Surface Go

New Microsoft Surface Go

Processor Intel Pentium 4415Y Processor (1.60 GHz)
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB (expandable via micro SD card slot up to 400GB)
Stylus Yes But Sold separately
Display 10” PixelSense Display
Camera Rear: 8MP | Front: 5MP
Operating System Windows 10 Home
Battery life Up to 16 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Weight 1.15 pounds

Microsoft Surface Go is a sleek and lightweight 2-in-1 tablet-laptop with a high-resolution display of 1800 x 1200. Its 10 inches display screen and outstanding picture quality provide a cinematic view to the user. Loaded with a 64GB flash memory and an external storage slot for a micro SD card. This enables you to watch HD movies, play games, and store data without fear of losing it. It has built-in MS Office 365, which saves you the trouble of installing it after paying a subscription fee.

This application lets you take notes, edit them precisely, and magnify the graphic pixels for better clarity. It comes with the Surface GO pen and a keyboard. The pen provides a fluid writing experience, making its use easy and seamless.

Its keyboard can be easily attached to the tablet port with a type cover; thus, one can turn it into a laptop that features 3 in 1 convertible mode: laptop mode, tablet mode, and studio mode. It also features on-screen and touchscreen keyboards, accommodating the preferences of all users. Microsoft Surface Go is compatible with Windows 10 in S Mode, Windows apps, and several graphic software. These features make it an ideal tablet not only for note-taking but also for beginner-level digital art.

It features an 8MP rearview camera, headphone jack, and a battery that lasts up to 9 hours. Microsoft Surface Go meets user-specific demands and provides excellent specifications for its price range.

Pros
  • Economical pricing
  • Multiple keyboard options (keyboard cover, on-screen and touch screen keyboard)
  • 3-in-1 convertible mode
  • Works perfectly for all note taking applications
  • Support Windows 10
Cons
  • Low Battery-life

3. Apple iPad Mini

Apple iPad Mini

Processor A12 Bionic chip
Storage 64GB
Stylus Yes But Sold separately
Display 7.9-inch Retina Display
Camera Rear: 8MP | Front: 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
Operating System IPadOS
Battery life Up to 10 hours
Connectivity Wi-Fi and Gigabit-class LTE Cellular
Weight 1.35 pounds

When talking about the best note-taking tablets, we cannot miss out Apple iPad mini. Designed specifically for reading and taking notes, the Apple iPad mini is a very compact and lightweight device. This makes it convenient for you to carry it around, even in your hand. It comes with a 7.9-inch retina display, which ensures a vivid color and graphics quality. Its A12 Bionic chip provides active access to writing tools, making it ideal for note-taking.

It features Apple pencil technology, enabling the user to create fonts and draw lines/images with the desired accuracy. The device comes with a Micro SD card slot to ensure the storage of larger files. Apple iPad mini has high-end stereo speakers and an excellent camera. You can synchronize the front camera with smart digital devices and stay virtually connected to your family and friends. It provides Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity and has a battery that lasts up to 10 hours. To provide you extreme security, It features touch fingerprint ID sensors.

Pros
  • Great Pixels quality
  • Large Storage memory
  • High-end speakers
Cons
  • Low Battery life

4. Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Processor 1.3GHz Intel Core 8th Gen i5
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB (expandable via micro SD card slot up to 400GB)
Stylus Yes But Sold separately
Display 12.3” PixelSense Display
Camera Rear: 8MP | Front: 7MP
Operating System Windows 10 Home
Battery life Up to 13.5 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Weight 3.53 pounds

Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is a 12-inch 2-in-1 tablet-laptop. It is lightweight and ultra-slim and comes with a separate smart-keyboard(sold separately) that can be attached through a built-in kickstand or a type cover. Its 12-inch display screen is designed to deliver assorted color tones without compromising the picture quality. For better and extreme performance, it features a 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 8400T 8th generation processor and Intel HD Graphics 620 graphics coprocessor.

In other words why it is termed a note-taking tablet because of its compatibility with the Surface Pen but you will have to purchase it separately. It has excellent fluidity, so it makes it easy to write or draw with natural precision. Moreover, it has customized ink thickness to add diversity to your writing experience. The device works exceptionally well with Windows applications and has a battery life of over 13.5 hours. Its features and specifications are comparable to Apple MacBook Air and HP Z Book x2.

Pros
  • Long lasting battery
  • Large external and internal memory
Cons
  • Accessories such as pen, keyboard and mouse are to be purchased separately
  • High prices

5. New Microsoft Surface Pro 7

New Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Processor 10th Gen Intel Core i5
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB (expandable via micro SD card slot up to 400GB)
Stylus Yes But Sold separately
Display 12.3” Touchscreen with pen input
Camera Rear: 8MP | Front: 5MP
Operating System Windows 10 Home
Battery life Up to 10.5 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Weight 1.7 pounds
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a smart and sleek 2-in-1 tablet-laptop with a 12.3-inch screen. One of its most significant features is its 2,736 x 1,824 high-resolution display, which creates high-quality graphics. It features a 10th gen Intel Core i5 processor and is powered by an 8GB RAM, which ensures much better performance than its predecessors. Being compatiable with a detachable keyboard helps you to switch your device between the laptop and the tablet mode. It is convenient to be used for jotting down notes and scribbling figures/diagrams during a meeting.

Its active touchscreen and the advanced Surface pen makes users’ writing and drawing experience very smooth and seamless. It provides access to all note-taking and digital art software, making it an ideal purchase for writers and artists. Integrated with an excellent camera and a fast-charging battery that lasts up to 10.5 hours. In addition, one of its distinguishing features is the corona listening through which it provides language translation tools.

Pros
  • Smart and Sleek
  • Fast charging
  • Outstanding processing and performance speed
  • Features USB-C and headphone jack
  • Updated Cortana’s Translating tools
Cons
  • Surface keyboards and pen are sold separately

6. New Apple iPad Pro (4th Generation)

New Apple iPad Pro (4th Generation)

Processor A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Storage 1TB
Stylus Yes But Sold separately
Display 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display
Camera Rear: 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner
Front: 7MP TrueDepth front camera
Operating System IPadOS
Battery life Up to 10 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6
Weight 1.42 pounds

New Apple iPad Pro comes with a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide color, and Pro-Motion. It has a high-resolution screen, which enhances the quality of its graphics and visuals. The iPad supports a wireless magic keyboard that can magnetically attach to the iPad. The flexible magic keyboard, the magnetically charged Apple pen, and its powerful processor make New Apple iPad Pro an ideal choice for a portable yet fast and high-tech tablet.

Its superfast A12Z Bionic chip with a neural engine is ideal for 4k videos and 3D graphic editing. It has a four-speaker audio system and five top-notch studio microphones, hence providing a cinematic audio vibe. This iPad features an excellent HD wide camera and has a battery life of up to 9-10 hours. It has outstanding reception of WIFI & LTE and Bluetooth signals.

However, you can convert it into a cellular phone by inserting a sim card into it. Similarly, it is very easy to synchronize it with your smartphone. In this mode, you can easily make and receive unlimited calls and direct messages. Most importantly, you can easily synchronize it with your smartphone. The best part is, It has built-in face recognition and fingerprint sensor system. The package comes with an iPad wireless headphone jack and a charger; however, you need to separately purchase the Apple pen and the magnetic keyboard.

Pros
  • Large display
  • Outstanding camera quality
  • Efficient magic keyboard
  • Powerful processor
  • Can be converted into a cellular phone
Cons
  • High-priced
  • Pen and Keyboard are to be purchased separately

7. Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation)

Apple iPad Pro (3rd Generation)

Processor A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Storage 512GB
Stylus No
Display 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display
Camera Rear: 12MP | Front: 7MP
Operating System IPadOS
Battery life Up to 6 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6
Weight 2.46 pounds

Another hit and tried tablet invention that is getting a lot of appreciation among the niche. Apple iPad Pro 12.9″ is an upgraded model that claims to be the best tablet for taking notes as it’s packed with advanced features one can ask for. Its high resolution is perfect for one to write notes at any day and night light. It has auto-tuned the sharpness and graphic of the picture and video screen. Thus providing you an overall scenic view.

The IPad pro battery life is now updated and can last for many hours, so you can play games with friends, listen to the music you love the most, and write any story or notes endlessly without worrying about battery loss. Its strong muscular A12X Bionic chip with Neural Engine can smartly run 5 trillion operations per second. This iPad Pro comes with a 512GB SSD hard drive.

Apple Pen for Apple iPad Pro is designed with perfection. It Smartly and wirelessly connects to the device and the Pencil refined floating nature over the tablet screen makes it even a better tablet for taking notes, drawing sketches, making presentations, and much more. The magic keyboard has a wireless board that is as perfect as it looks; one can use it for navigation purposes and error-free workflow.

Along with that, if we talk about iPad pro camera specs, it features high quality wide 12MP rear and a 7MP front camera to deliver high-quality shoots of the day in HD format. For security and precautions, it consists of Face ID for verification in Apple pay. Similarly, it supports all the Mac OS versions and different writing and graphic tools. IPad Pro is loaded with Wi-Fi 6 that has a strong connectivity level to work superbly in a vast distance.

Pros
  • Large screen presence
  • A creative and note taking tablet
  • New dock works perfectly
  • Support all type of note-taking app
  • Upgraded Apple Pencil features
  • Good camera quality
  • Runs trillion of operations and very durable in nature
Cons
  • The Pencil and Keyboard need to be purchased separately

8. Microsoft Surface Go LTE

Microsoft Surface Go LTE

Processor Intel Pentium Gold (7th Gen) 1.6 GHz
RAM 8GB
Storage 256GB
Stylus No
Display 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display
Camera Rear: 8MP | Front: 5MP
Operating System Windows 10 Professional
Battery life Up to 9 hours
Connectivity Wi-Fi+4G, Bluetooth
Weight 1.15 lbs

Microsoft Surface Go LTE Verizon is one of the most popular tablets among writers and digital artists. It has a 10-inch, 180-degree angle screen and 1800 x 1200 (Gorilla glass 3, PixelSense, 217 PPI) widescreen resolution. Having a sleek body with a smooth bezel edge makes it easy for the user to carry it around in a small backpack or even in hand. Its dual Core 1.6 GHz 7th generation Intel processor and Intel HD Graphics 615 graphics coprocessor make it an ideal system for gaming, note-taking, and running heavy software. This Surface Go has an excellent reception of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals and comes with a decent battery life of over 9 hours.

To clarify, why it has been picked as one of the best tablets for taking notes because of its Surface keyboard, coated in Alcantara high-quality microfiber, that can be connected magnetically to the tablet and adjusted to the desired angle. Above all, 8GB of RAM allows you to switch between apps, or use several applications simultaneously without compromising the system’s speed. You can separately purchase the Surface pen to use with the tablet. Having passed through 4 generation tests, it is one of the fastest digital tablet pens ever made. It has Wacom’s pressure sensitivity technology that can sense 4096 pressure levels. All these attributes ensure a fluid and smooth writing/ drawing experience.

It is integrated with a 5MP front camera and an 8MP rear camera (1080p Webcam). As a result, it will enable you to take perfect selfies and have quality video calls. The pair of 2W – Dolby Audio Premium stereo speakers can auto-tune sound and generate quality audio.

Pros
  • Beautiful display
  • Outstanding picture quality
  • Excellent stylus-ink quality
  • Works perfectly for all note-taking application
  • Support window 10 and Microsoft office
Cons
  • High priced
  • Pen and keyboard are to be purchased separately
  • Low Battery Life

9. Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

Processor Octa-Core (2.35 GHz + 1.9 GHz)
RAM 4GB
Storage 64GB/256GB (expandable via micro SD card slot up to 400GB)
Stylus Yes Included
Display 10.5″ Super AMOLED display
Camera Rear: 13MP | Front: 8MP
Operating System Android O
Battery life Up to 16 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct
Weight 1.06 lbs

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 comes with a captivating 10.5-inch crystal display that offers a vivid picture quality and a real cinematic experience. Having a 2560 x 1600 screen resolution broadcasts all the graphics with crystal clarity, making the visuals sharp and appealing. Having a long-lasting battery and large memory storage; hence, it is well-suited for those looking for something for an all-day workflow. The S-Pen has a natural fluidity that makes it very easy and smooth to use. It can be used to write customized messages and create GIFs. You do not even have to open an application to write; you can write a quick memo or a reminder directly on the unlocked screen.

You can magnify the text and graphics and can make precise corrections. It gives you the freedom to write in a way that is simple and comfortable. The device possesses the Samsung Dex app feature and has a PC interface; this means you can turn your tablet into a PC. For this, you’d need a separate Samsung Galaxy keyboard that could be attached to the tablet. It will make you go through your day’s task, whatever it may be, in a hasty manner.

It also provides easy access to the Google Assistant app and enables you to control your household appliances over a voice command, even when you are not home. You can easily synchronize it with your smartphone so that you can receive calls and direct messages. Its face sharing ensures your uninterrupted virtual connection with friends and family. Integrated with the in-build Dolby Atmos sound system makes it an ideal tablet for entertainment. Loaded with a 16 hours battery life, spares you the hassle of charging your tablet mid-day. It supports Android windows and Mac OS version operating systems.

Pros
  • Quality display
  • 16 hours battery sustainability
  • 256 GB internal memory
  • Battery free advanced S pen
  • New Samsung DeX mode
  • Compatible with window and Mac OS
Cons
  • High Priced
  • You need to pay subscription charges in order to get a Microsoft office for editing and writing notes

Final Thoughts

The list above has 8 different tablets that have gained popularity in the technology market this year. Their prominence is attributed to their sleek design, light-weight construction, powerful processor, and other added specifications. However, the tech developing companies have identified the requirements of their potential buyers and so they keep launching products that not only cater to the users’ preferences but also add to companies’ competitive advantage. In short, there are a million products out there.

All you have to do is to study the reviews and descriptions of different products, for the features that you are looking for. In addition, after comparing all the prices, specifications, and reviews of your short-listed products, you’d be able to make an intelligent purchase that you will never regret.

This is not it. There are several equally amazing tablets designed specifically for note-taking.
It does not matter if you are a writer, a poet, or an illustrator, these devices will help make your life easy, and your job more fun! If you wish to dig deeper and probe a whole new lot of more products, check out best tablets for note taking.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Why have the best tablet for taking notes?

Digital note-taking tablets are gadgets that cater to the needs of every student and professional. So, having a strong backup and huge onboard memory eliminates the fear of losing data and makes it desirable for use. Be it classroom notes for students, long digital scripts for journalists, research material for scholars, or MS Office documents for company representatives, tablets support them all.

How the idea of cheap tablets evolved?

A few years back, when tablets made their debut in the market, their popularity and sales soared unexpectedly high. This initiated a vigorous competition among the leading brands such as Apple and Samsung to launch products of this category, such that they dominated the market. Since these brands manufactured products that were priced a little on the higher side. After that many new entrances marked their presence and started introducing relatively cheap yet similar tablets.

What makes tablets a good choice to have?

This is an ongoing competition, however, its initial fury has gradually subsided. Now what’s more important is to manufacture a product that not only focuses on the users’ needs but also accommodates them in an economical price range. Another popular practice is to develop devices that help the users to multi-task and switch between activities on a single device. For example, developers have come up with the idea of a 2-in-1 tablet with a plugin keyboard, so that it can also be used as a laptop.

Similarly, there also exist graphic tablets that come with a stylus or a digital pen. These equip digital artists for taking notes, and creating art on one device, simultaneously. The usability and affordability of tablets are being improved with every passing day, along with some creative modifications to add to their charm.

Atif Waheed

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