If you have ever used a tablet for taking handwritten notes, you will realize that, when chosen correctly, a tablet with a pen will give a better user experience than a paper and pen.
At the end of the article, we have clearly explained the criteria we used and a simple process you can follow to choose the best Tablet For taking notes.
The Best tablets for taking notes
- iPad Air – Best tablet for taking notes
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus – best Android tablet for taking notes
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 – Best Windows Tablet for taking notes
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite – Best tablet for taking handwritten notes Samsung
- iPad Pro – Best iPad for taking notes
- Lenovo Tab P12 Pro – best Android tablet alternative
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 – Best Chromebook tablet
- Amazon Fire Max 11 – Alternative Cheap tablet
iPad Air – Best tablet for taking notes
- Screen Size and Resolution: 10.9 inches with 1640 × 2360 pixels resolution
- Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Processor and RAM: Apple and 8 GB RAM
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Weight: 1.02 lbs
- Comes with Stylus: No
- Storage Space: 64 GB / 256 GB
- Operating System: iPadOS
- Connectivity: USB-C port
The Apple iPad Air is the Best tablet for taking notes. It is made with the same technology used on other more expensive Apple Tablets but at an affordable price range.
It comes with a decent 10.9-inch screen with 1640 × 2360 pixels resolution. This is large enough for comfortable use and still portable.
Up to 60 Hz Refresh Rate is fast enough to display 0 lags when using the pencil on your screen.
Apple iPad Air is compatible with Apple’s standard second generation Pencil but you have to buy it separately as it does not come with it.
When it comes to processing power, it comes with a powerful M1 chip that is fast and more than you will need for taking notes and other tasks.
Additionally, you will have 8 GB RAM that will eradicate any slowing down or lags on your device, whether you use it for handwritten notes or other complex tasks.
It would have been great if they added face recognition like newer iPad versions but it will not limit you from writing notes.
One downside however is that it does not come with a headphone jack for those who like a simple audio device connection.
The storage size is limited to a maximum of 256 GB without an external Micro SD card expansion option. Most written documents and PDFs are not too big and will occupy minimal space.
Pros
- Powerful M1 processor and large 8 GB RAM
- Large screen with perfect resolution
- Long Battery life
- Works with Apple Magic Keyboard
Cons
- Lacks an Audio Jack
- Pen comes separately
- Storage is not expandable
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus – best Android tablet for taking notes
- Screen Size and Resolution: 12.4 inches with 1752×2800 Pixels resolution
- Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 12 GB / 16 GB RAM
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Weight: 1.29 lbs
- Comes with Stylus: Yes
- Storage Space: 256 GB / 512 GB
- Operating System: Android 13
- Connectivity: USB-C port
If you prefer an Android system, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus is our pick for the best Android tablet for taking notes.
It is larger than the iPad Mini with a 12.4-inch screen with a 1752 × 2800 Pixels resolution. Additionally, the screen is fast and responsive thanks to the 120 Hz screen refresh rate.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus has easily ousted its predecessor Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra as the best iPad alternative to Android, thanks to its powerful features and affordable price range.
A powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 12 GB RAM with a 16 GB RAM option, will ensure fast processing with minimal lags.
Unlike most iPad and Apple tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus comes with Samsung’s’ S-Pen.
Unfortunately, you will have to keep buying replacement nibs which are unavailable on purchase. You will also not get a charger or external keyboard.
Overall, it is a good multipurpose tablet that will obviously give iPads a run for their money.
Pros
- Powerful Processor and RAM.
- Comes with S-Pen
- Large screen with good resolution
- Long battery Life
Cons
- No charger included
- Few Nibs available on purchase
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 – Best Windows Tablet for taking notes
- Screen Size and Resolution: 13 inches with 2880×1920 Pixels resolution
- Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Processor and RAM: Intel Core i5 / i7 and 8 GB / 16 GB / 32 GB
- Battery Life: 19 hours
- Weight: 1.94 lbs
- Comes with Stylus: No
- Storage Space: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
- Connectivity: USB-C port
If you prefer a Windows system, then the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is your best pick. It features a large 13-inch screen size with a 2880 × 1920 Pixels resolution.
Although it does not come with the pen in the box, when you buy its native pen, you will realize fast screen responsiveness to the pen thanks to a high 120 Hz Screen Refresh Rate.
If you like saving files on your tablet, you will have a wide choice of storage space sizes from 128 GB to 1 TB. Most written files are small in size and will not occupy too much space. 256 GB and above is perfect for reading and writing.
This tablet stands out for its powerful processor that will not only work as a writing tablet but also work without lags for multiple purposes including drawing and gaming.
The Core i5 or i7 processors and 8 GB RAM are more than you need for note work writing. However, for more complex tasks, we recommend 16 GB or 32 GB RAM. This large RAM will allow seamless multi-tasking even with complex programs running.
This tablet is slightly too big and may limit portability. However, 19 hours of battery life and 1.94 lbs overall weight make it ideal for outdoor usage.
Pros
- Powerful Processor and RAM options
- Large high-resolution screen
- Wide storage space options that are expandable
- Long Battery life
- Lightweight build
Cons
- A little too big for portability
- Pen comes separate
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite – Budget tablet for taking handwritten notes
- Screen Size and Resolution: 10.4 inches with 1200×2000 Pixels resolution
- Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 720G and 4 GB
- Battery Life: 7-8 hours
- Weight: 1.03 lbs
- Comes with Stylus: Yes
- Storage Space: 64 GB / 128 GB
- Operating System: Android 12
- Connectivity: USB-C port
If you are on a budget but still want a good Samsung Tablet, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is your best pick.
Just like most other Samsung tablets, it comes with a good standard S-pen that you can use for drawing or note-taking.
Most features on this tablet are far more than you will need for note-taking. For example, you have a decent 10.4-inch screen with a 1200 × 2000 Pixels resolution.
Additionally, the pen interacts with the screen at a 60 Hz Screen Refresh Rate eradicating any lags when writing or drawing.
Lines and texts will be displayed without any delays as you draw. Affordability is a key selling factor for this tablet.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Long battery life
- Modern and Sleek design
- Large 10.4 inches screen
- High 1200 × 2000 Pixels resolution
- Comes with S – pen
Cons
- Low 4 GB RAM
Apple iPad Pro – Best iPad for taking notes
- Screen Size and Resolution: 11 / 12.9 inches with 2048×2732 Pixels resolution
- Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Processor and RAM: Apple M2 and 8 GB / 16 GB
- Battery Life: 9-10 hours
- Weight: 1.50 lbs
- Comes with Stylus: No
- Storage Space: 128 to 2 TB
- Operating System: iPadOS
- Connectivity: USB-C port
Apple iPad Pro is by far the best tablet that you can buy. It comes packaged in an overall comfortable to-use, slim, and modern-looking body.
Note-taking for the iPad Pro will be simple and fast thanks to very powerful features. Unfortunately, this is a premium tablet and will not come cheap.
Although it is compatible with Apple Pencil 2, you will have to buy it separately, which can be expensive.
Overall, this is a powerhouse that you will be able to use for multiple purposes such as drawing, animation, or as a gaming tablet.
Pros
- Powerful RAM and processor
- Large screen and quality display
- Large storage space
- Can be used with Apple Pencil 2
- Works with Apple Magic keyboard
- Large storage space
- Long battery life
Cons
- Accessories are bought separately
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro – best Android tablet alternative
- Screen Size and Resolution: 12.6 inches with 1600×2560 Pixels resolution
- Screen Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 870 5G and 6 GB / 8 GB RAM
- Battery Life: 8-9 hours
- Weight: 1.02 lbs
- Comes with Stylus: Yes
- Storage Space: 128 GB / 256 GB
- Operating System: Android 11
- Connectivity: USB-C port
4K tablets are super crisp and clear. They are perfect devices most commonly used as streaming tablets.
For note taking, however, you do not need such a high-resolution screen to achieve a comfortable and appealing user experience. A cool 2K screen resolution like the one found on the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro will be perfect for all your note-writing needs.
The good screen resolution is further complemented by a large 12.6-inch screen size. Long 8-9 hours battery life will allow you to easily use your tablet on the go for up to a full 8-hour working day.
As mentioned earlier, a writing tablet does not have to be too powerful. However, more power is always better and will allow you to use your tablet as a multipurpose device for professional work.
Lenovo Tab P12 Pro comes with a reliable Snapdragon 870 processor with 5 GB,6 GB, and 8 GB RAM options that will make multitasking easy.
Unfortunately, the screen is too big and a little too sensitive when touched by your pen and hand simultaneously. Simply put, palm rejection on this tablet could have been made better.
For this reason, you will find yourself preferring to use it for other tasks such as streaming or watching movies where you will only click a couple of buttons.
Pros
- Cool and modern design, with slim bezels.
- 1600×2560 Pixels resolution or 2k resolution display.
- Expandable storage space
Cons
- Poor Palm rejection.
- Better for movie streaming rather than taking notes.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 – Best Chromebook for note-taking tablet
- Screen Size and Resolution: 10.9 inches with 2000×1200 Pixels resolution
- Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Processor and RAM: Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 and 4 GB
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Weight: 1.14 lbs
- Comes with Stylus: No
- Storage Space: 64 GB / 128 GB
- Operating System: ChromeOS
- Connectivity: USB-C port
Amazon Fire Max 11 – Alternative Cheap note-taking tablet
How to choose a Good Tablet For Note-Taking?
There are a number of key factors that you need to consider when choosing the best note-taking tablets.
Stylus Pen
A good stylus pen or pencil will directly affect your experience with a note-taking tablet.
When buying a tablet, make sure to check whether your tablet comes with a pen or if you have to buy it separately.
Those that come with a pencil are more budget-friendly than those that do not. If it does not come with a pen, make sure you check the specific pencil that is compatible with your tablet and buy it.
Portability and Battery life
A good note-taking tablet will allow you to carry it around and use it even away from your office.
The battery life, size, and overall weight will affect your tablet’s portability. You want a lightweight and small, but not too small tablet for portability.
Additionally, the tablet needs to be able to sustain a charge for up to 7 or 8 hours without having to recharge.
Screen and resolution
Choose a tablet with at least 8 inches in size with full HD resolution. The bigger the screen, the more comfortable it is to use.
However you need to balance size and portability because large tablets are difficult to carry around.
High refresh rate and brightness levels are the best. The screen refresh rate will determine how fast your screen responds to your pen.
High brightness levels will make sure that your tablet is usable even in outdoor high-light conditions. A screen with a high refresh rate and high brightness levels is the best.
Application Compatibility
Make sure to confirm that the applications you normally use are compatible with the operating platform of the tablet you intend to buy.
Best tablet for taking notes
- iPad Air – Best tablet for taking notes
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus – best Android tablet for taking notes
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 – Best Windows Note-Taking Tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite – Best tablet for taking handwritten notes Samsung
- iPad Pro – Best iPad for taking notes
- Lenovo Tab P12 Pro – best Android tablet alternative
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 – Best Chromebook for note-taking tablet
- Amazon Fire Max 11 – Alternative Cheap note-taking tablet
Which is the best pen tablet for note-taking?
iPad Air is the best pick for note-taking. Other good tablets for note-taking include Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus, Apple iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro 9, Lenovo Tab P12 Pro, and Amazon Fire Max 11.
Is taking notes on a tablet better than on paper?
Taking notes on a good tablet with a decent pen is better than the experience om pen and paper.