Heading off to college is an exciting step in any student’s life. And no college experience would be complete or even possible without a tablet for school. Whether it is for research, note-taking, or creative projects, tablets for college are essential. In fact, one of the biggest decisions students need to make is whether to select a laptop or tablet for college.

Good tablets for college students make note-taking easy and help their owners succeed in school. At a minimum, tablets for college students need to be robust, durable and offer value for money.

Tablets for College

Choosing the best devices for college students does not need to be hard, but it is worth investing the time to select the best tablets for school. Unless someone knows exactly what they are looking for, the best place to start is by making a list of what your laptop or tablet for college needs to do for you.

It is worth dividing this list into must-haves and optional features of the best tablets for college students. The requirements will depend on the subject you’re studying. Most students need to take notes, so it is important to find the best tablet for taking notes in college.

Others may need to use their device to run specialist software like design packages. Anyone studying graphic design or media communications needs more than note taking. Beyond a laptop or tablet for school, they may also want a larger screen than the best tablet for school college can provide.

Laptop vs tablet for college

Depending on the complexity of the applications you use, even the best tablet for taking notes in college may not be enough. Many college students own more than one device. Tablets for college note taking are ideal as a small, mobile device that works anywhere on campus and will also work well for simple projects. What’s more, they are also the perfect solution for staying in touch with friends and family.

However, many students will need more computing power than even the best tablet for college students can deliver. If that is the case, it is worth investing in both a laptop or desktop computer and a tablet.

Best Tablets for College Note Taking

Tablets are ideal companions for note taking in college. They are fast and simple to use, and they take up little space in a backpack. Stylus technology is making it easy to follow lectures and seminars. The best tablets for note taking in college are equipped with a touchscreen as well as a pen equivalent.

If your tablet needs to do more than take notes, consider a tablet bundle complete with a pen and keyboard. These are some of the best devices for college students because they combine the compactness of a tablet with much of the functionality of a laptop.

Budget Tablets

For most students, a college tablet needs to fit within a tight budget. Whilst that may mean compromising on computing power and functionality, many tablets offer excellent value for money. There is one ground rule for picking the best tablets for college students on a budget. Select the tablet with the highest specifications you can afford.

Whether you need a tablet for taking notes in college or for working on more complicated projects, you are buying a device that will last for a few years. Choosing something toward the top end of your budget will support you better for longer.

The best tablets for college students on a budget will still provide ample capacity for note taking and a few other tasks.

A Closer Look at Product Features of College Tablets

The best tablet for school college combines functionality with sleek design, durability, and an attractive price. Before selecting a specific tablet, it is worth taking a closer look at the features and benefits of some of the most popular tablets.

Tablet Size

For many tablet users, screen size is an important factor when it comes to choosing a device. The best tablet for college students note taking may not work for you if it is too small or large. If the tablet is one of several devices that needs

to be mobile, a smaller screen (and tablet) is ideal. On the other hand, if you are thinking about using apps such as video editing, a larger screen will simply work better.

The same is true for anyone whose tablet is their main computer or a laptop equivalent. The best note taking tablet for college is often small, but if you are using your tablet for more demanding projects, a bigger size will work better. Plus, if you enjoy watching movies or documentaries, a screen that is larger by even one or two inches will make a difference.

Tablet Memory

Memory is another essential factor to consider when selecting the best tablets for school. Once again, the key question is what you need to do with your tablet. If you have a long list of demands your tablet for college students needs to meet, you need more memory than a note taking tablet for college requires.

Note taking takes up very little working memory on your computer. That means the best tablets for note taking in college will run well with relatively little working memory. In contrast, video editing software requires more MB RAM to run without disruption and helps you work as efficiently as possible.

Tablet Displays

When it comes to selecting the best tablet for note taking in college, a quality display is important. Choosing the right display involves more than selecting a suitable size.

Brightness is a key differentiator between the best tablets for taking notes in college. If you are planning to work in a bright environment, for example outdoors on a sunny day, a brighter screen will make it easier to read its contents. Anti-glare technology is equally important for working in those surroundings. The best tablet for note taking in college is one that fits your requirements.

Screen brightness is measured in nits. Whilst the exact number may not be critical, it is useful to understand that the higher the nit value is, the brighter the screen will be.

College tablets are equipped with touchscreens. Although many students prefer to use a pen for note taking, most will still find that they use the screen regularly. Over time, fingerprints and other marks can make a screen appear unsightly. To prevent your display from looking tired and dated, select a tablet for school that offers anti-fingerprint technology.

College Tablets That Can Do More

For many college students, a tablet will simply be the most convenient note taking device. However, especially if your technology needs are more complex, it is worth considering tablets that can do more. So, how can you find the best note taking tablet for college?

Tablet Bundles

Tablet bundles generally include the tablet itself, a pen, and a wireless keyboard. Having access to a true keyboard without carrying the weight and using the space of a laptop, effectively creates a full computer experience. Tablets for college students can deliver that easily.

Students benefit from being able to complete essays and academic papers without requiring a computer. Touchscreen technology is improving, and more users are finding it easy to type on touchscreens. However, for longer pieces of writing, keyboards are more convenient. Take a look at tablet bundles to see whether your best tablet for college note taking is available with accessories.

Some tablets offer options to add keyboards or pens after the initial purchase. But for those students looking to make the most of their budget and securing the best tablet for college students straight away, a bundle is the perfect solution.

Tablet or External Monitor?

Tablets are generally known for their small size, lightweight, and overall ease of use. But some of the larger tablets for college can also be used as standalone screens without compromising on size and weight.

Splitting screens is not easy on a laptop or tablet alone, due to the relatively small size. By using a tablet as a portable monitor, it becomes easy to extend or split a screen and work more efficiently and comfortably.

A high-quality display is the key to using a tablet as an external monitor. Otherwise, you will simply not reap all the benefits of having a second display at your disposal.

Beyond College

Choosing a college tablet wisely means buying a tablet that will last for several years and possibly even beyond college. Despite potential budget constraints, college students should select the highest specifications they can afford.

Even during the college years, most tablets for college students will be used for other purposes, too. If you enjoy traveling, your tablet might double up as in-flight entertainment. It is also an excellent tool for communicating with friends or sharing images. Most owners of good tablets for college use their devices for much more than note taking.

The Next Step

Which is the best tablet for college students note taking? With a small amount of preparation and research, selecting the best tablet for college is easy and fun. Starting with a list of must haves and optional features helps narrow the selection and focus the search. One of the key questions to answer is whether the tablet will be the only device a student uses, or whether its purpose is to supplement a laptop. Laptop vs tablet for college is easier to decide with a list.

Some college students will be constrained by their budget, too. When that is the case, it is even more important to prioritize must-have features. Tablet processors, working memory, and display quality are important factors to consider. Tablets for college note taking need not break the bank.

Saying that for college use input methods may be one of the most critical characteristics. Being able to choose between a high-quality touchscreen, a pen, and a keyboard can make all the difference to the user experience. The best tablet for students is the one that comes closest to meeting all your criteria.