The Best Tablets for College Students & for Note Taking to Buy in 2018

Are you looking for buying new tablet for back to school at affordable price? In this article, we have listed Top 11 choices for The Best tablet for college students in 2018 including Top 4 high-end tablets and Top 7 inexpensive tablets, special for students on a budget.

Students  need a tablet that is lightweight, easy to carry, and multi- functional. A good tablet can make a world of difference whether used for taking notes, reading books, web browsing, sketching, listening to music, taking pictures, or gaming.

At first, there was the notebook and the three ring binder. If you were taking notes, it would be in your notebook. If you needed to save worksheets, you used a three ring binder. Tablets are changing the education game. University students especially know the value of bringing a tablet into the classroom.

Laptops emerged dominant at first, but the bulk and inconvenience of bustling around your laptop led to the rise of the tablets. Whether it’s a class related app, amazing note taking features, or using an editable textbook PDF; the tablet is bringing new energy to the classrooms.

If you prefer a laptop then we have a comprehensive buying guide for laptops for college students where you can get recommendations of laptops for every college majors and budget.

However, If you choose a tablet, we have listed Top 11 tablets for university students in 2018 including Top 4 high-end tablets and Top 7 inexpensive tablets. Let’s check it out !

Top 4 Best  Tablets for Students in 2017/2018

	Microsoft Surface Pro 4	Apple Ipad pro (12.9	Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (12	Google Pixel C
RAM	4 GB	1 GB	8 GB	3 GB
Processor	Intel Core i5	Apple's A9X Chip	intel i5-4300U 1.9GHz	Intel XScale PXA272 - 1.6 GHz
Hard Drive	128 GB	32 GB	256 GB	64 GB
Display	12.3"	12.9"	12 "	10 "
OS	Windows 10 Pro	IOS 9	Windows 10 Pro	Android
Battery Life	9 Hours	10 Hours	10 Hours	10 Hours

#1 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch

While not a laptop replacement the iPad Pro when equipped with Apple’s Smart Keyboard it can make you forget from time to time it is not a laptop. Part laptop, part e-book reader, part camera, part media consumption device, Apple’s excellent 1.57 lb tech is as at home as a productivity device as it is an entertainment device.

Equipped with a 2.26 GHz 64-bit Dual-Core A9X Chip with Quad-Core Graphics and 4 GB of ram it packs plenty of horsepower. With 10 hours of battery life, as well as Wi-Fi and cellular model ensures you have power and connectivity while on the go.

With access to both Microsoft Office, Google’s office applications, and textbooks through Apple’s bookstore, the iPad Pro serves as a student’s virtual swiss army knife.

It would be a shame to not mention the tablet’s 2048 x 2732 display as well 8 MP front-facing and 1.2 MP rear-facing cameras capable of 1080p video. Coming in 32 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB storage options the iPad Pro 12.9 is also a perfect tablet for school work.

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#2 Microsoft Surface Pro 4 – The Best Laptop/Tablet Hybrid

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 is is the best note taking tablet for college students in 2018. This 2 in 1 tablet/laptop is also great for sketching and drawing. The keyboard/cover is available for an additional cost.

The 12.3 inch high resolution screen is not only large but shows high contrast and low glare, so it is a perfect tablet for reading textbooks. At 1.7 pounds without the keyboard, it is lightweight and easy to carry around campus. It comes with Windows 10 and is a great processor.

It also has facial recognition. The battery life is good at about 9 hours, so it will last throughout the day. Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 is also a perfect for sketching and drawing. It comes with a good stylus pen for taking handwritten notes. It has 1024 pressure levels, so it can be used for a variety of fine and dark lines. The only drawback to this tablet is the price and the fact that the keyboard is sold separately. This tablet could easily replace your laptop.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is ideal for  college, high or middle school students, for professional and personal use. It’s perfect for graduate students as well as for for teachers, lecturers or professors. It is great for studying, reading and sketching. It is lightweight, and the screen is vivid. The power and processing is good, and this device has several extra features that make it worthwhile.

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#3 Google Pixel C

Google’s Pixel C is best for reading books, web browsing, gaming, and listening to music. Although expensive, it is lightweight and multi-functional, so it is great school and college students. The LCD screen is 10.2 inches with 2560 x 1800 pixels for a clear display. The Pixel C is slim and compact, so it is easy to carry to and from classes.

. At just over a pound, it is lightweight and will not take up much space in your backpack. The Pixel C has many solid features. It uses Android 6.0 Marshmallow and is upgradeable. It has duel band WiFi and Bluetooth.

The HS speakers have good sound. There are quad microphones and a front and rear camera. In addition, Google’s Pixel C has a gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and an ambient light sensor.

The only drawback to Google’s Pixel C is the price, but it could be worth it, particularly for an undergraduate student who depends on the device. It does have a great batter life, 10 hours, so it is great for teens and students on the go all day. The keyboard doubles as a cover, but it is sold separately.

The Google Pixel C is ideal for personal, business, and student use. It is lightweight and sturdy. It has a good screen and power. The processor is good and the extra features make this tablet a useful device.

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#4 Microsoft Surface Pro 3 –12″ – Best for Medical Students

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is a great tablet for reading online and sketching. Like the Surface Pro 4, the Surface Pro 3 is a quality laptop/tablet hybrid for students with many functions.

The keyboard/cover is sold separately. It has a nice kickstand. The display screen is 12 inches with good clarity. It is very lightweight at just over a pound, so it is easy to throw in the backpack.

It comes with Windows 10 pro. The Surface Pro 3 is great for sketching, taking notes, web searches, reading, music and gaming.

Although still expensive, this is a tablet that, with the keyboard, can replace your laptop. It is multi- functional and has good memory.

The battery life is just about 9 hours, but other features are helpful. the Surface Pro 3 contains Intel i5-4300U and the split screen is helpful. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is just as good as the Surface Pro 4, yet less expensive. Surface Pro 3 comes with a variety of useful features for multi-functional use. It is lightweight, and the screen is clear. If you’re medical students and looking for a perfect tablet to help you study, it’s the best choice for medical students.

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Top 7 Best Tablets for College Students on a Budget

If you’re on a budget and looking for quality tablets, the following are top 7 good tablets at an affordable price you can buy  in your local store.

	Toshiba Encore	Amazon Fire HD 8	Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6	Lenovo Yoga Tab 3	ASUS ZenPad Z301M-A2-GR	Acer NT.LCMAA.002;B3-A30-K816 32 GB	ASUS Transformer Book T101HA-C4-GR 10.1'
RAM	1 GB	1.5 GB	1.5 gb	2 GB	2 GB	1 GB	4 GB
Processor	Atom Z3740 1.4 GHz	Quad-Core: 1.3 GHz	Qualcomm APQ 8016, Quad-Core 1.2GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8009	MediaTek MTK 8163B - Quad Core 1.3 GHz	MediaTek MT8163-Quad Core 1.3 GHz	Intel Core X5 1.44 GHz
Hard Drive	32 GB	16 or 32 GB	16 gb	16 GB SSD	16 GB	32 GB	64 GB
OS	Windows 8.1	Fire OS	Android 5.1	Android 6.0	Android 7.0	Android 6.0	Windows 10
Display	10.1"	8"	9.6	8"	10.1	10.1"	10.1"
Battery Life	4 Hours	12 Hours	20 Hours	11 Hours	9 Hours	11 Hours	11 Hours

#5 Toshiba Encore

Toshiba’s Encore is smaller lightweight tablet. It is very affordable, so it is appealing to university students. The screen is 10.1 inches. The pixel resolution is 1280 x 800.

The screen is clear, but not as vivid as some other tablet brands. The processor on this device works very well. There are 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB hardware.

The Toshiba Encore comes with Windows 8.1 and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connect. It is powered by Intel Quadcore Atom. The Encore has GPS and 2 cameras (front and back).

For a smaller screen tablet, the Encore is a good multifunctional device. At just over a pound, it is lightweight so easy to carry with you. The dimensions are 10.2 x 6.9 x.35. It is a bit bulky, but it is a sturdy tablet.

It has a textured back which is easy to grip, and the screen is easy to navigate. The battery life is about 4 hours. The Encore does not come with a keyboard. The Toshiba Encore is one of the more affordable smaller tablets.

It has a decent screen and power. Its features make it desirable for personal, professional or student use. It is a good purchase without spending too much money.

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#6 The Amazon Fire HD 8-16GB

The Amazon Fire is easily at the top of the list. The Amazon Fire HD 8 is another 8” screen that has great HD display. You can choose between black, blue, pink, and tangerine. The battery lasts 12 hours.

You also get the assistance of Alexa, which is pretty much Amazon’s Siri. She’s useful and gives your tablet another element of class.

The Tablet is changing education. A tablet that gives you access to all of Amazon’s resources can help you adapt to this changing world.

You get access to Amazon Underground where there are several users submitted and free apps and games. Amazon Prime members also get full access to all of the amazon prime benefits at their fingertips. This device is one of best tablets under $100.

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#7 The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3

The Lenovo Yoga Tab is super fun. It can accomplish everything you need for your studies, while at the same time providing another element of fun. It’s combination of serious and fun make the Lenovo Yoga Tab a great purchase for those with versatile needs.

It comes in at 129 dollars a pound. It’s super lightweight, only weighing one pound, and has an 8 inch screen. There is a 10” screen option that bumps the price to about 200, but since the Yoga Tab has entertainment value, I recommend it.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab has Dolby ATMOS virtual surround sound, which is impressive for a little tablet. Any Pen Tech means you can use anything in place of a pen. The versatility of the tablet makes it fun. It has a rotatable camera which makes even pictures more fun.

It only has 1GB of ram, so you won’t be doing hardcore processing, but if you’re a university student looking for a versatile tablet, the Yoga is for you. The excellent part is that the 6200 mAh battery can last up to 20 hours of straight usage.

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#8 The Asus Zenpad 10.1 Inch Tab

The Asus Zenpad comes with an 10.1” display with ASUS TruVivid technology that really does give a tangible boost to screen quality. It has a strong 1.3 GHz Atom processor.

The Zenpad has 2GB of Ram and 16GB MMC of storage making the Zenpad an ideal candidate for those seeking a powerhouse with some real kick. The Zenpad gives you some serious power for only 159 dollars.

The screen is great. It gives a slight yellow tint that your eyes will take a day or two to adjust to. Once you do adjust, it makes the Zenpad ideal for reading. If you are a student who spends a bulk of his or her studying reading a lengthy material, then the Zenpad might be for you.

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#9 Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6 Inch

The Samsung Galaxy Tab gives you all the perks of being a member of the Samsung Family. It comes with 16 GB of storage. The Tab only has 1.5GB of RAM but makes up for it with 16GB of flash memory.

The samsung tablet has the strongest network settings and will give you the widest perimeter for connection. It feels professional and is a wise choice for undergraduate students. Samsung is a trusted brand and for under $200, the Galaxy Tab is a great bargain.

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#10 ASUS Transformer Book – T101HA C4 GR 10.1″

ASUS Transformer Book T101HA-C4-GR is affordable and sleek. This is a 2-in-one(convertible) tablet/laptop so it doubles as a laptop with the keyboard. The Transformer book flip is not the lightest of smaller tablets but it is perfect for teens and students who need to keep it close.

The design is sleek, and the it is easy use either as a tablet or laptop. The dimensions are 10.3 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches. The touchscreen is 10.1 inches with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. The screen is pretty clear and vivid.

The Transformer mini comes with Windows 10, Bluetooth and a full size USB 3.0 port. This tab has 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of hardware storage. The ASUS Transformer Book is affordable and multi-functional. It has a good screen and is easy to navigate. This tablet has a great battery life, 11 hours.

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#11 Acer NT-LCNAA-002 10.1 Inch Tablet

The ACER NT-LCNAA-002 tablet is easily one of the top options for budget tablet. It is a great buy. While not boasting the most impressive features out of the five, it comes at a low price of $$$. The ACER tablet can accomplish most everything you need to be done on a tablet.

It has 1GB of RAM which is the standard for much pricier tablets. It has an 10.1’’ screen, that is beautiful and smooth. Not even many of the more expensive tablets have a resolution of this quality.

The battery can last upto 11 hours and it is very lightweight. It’s ideal for throwing in you messenger bag in between classes. There are 16GB of storage, but you can expand that. 16GB is, more likely that not, enough for your academic needs. Though, you should know off the back that half of the 16GB is taken up almost instantly to load the OS.

Conclusion

They’re lightweight yet they pack a strong punch. The days of notebooks and even laptops in the classroom are over. Tablets will make your studies easier. That being said, not every tablet is worth it. But you can get the finest tablet that will last your college career at a fair price.

If you’re in college, and are considering a change of pace with your study habits, but are also on a budget, then we strongly urge you to smart shop and purchase one of 7 best cheap tablets for students on a budget that we have reviewed here.

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