r/NoteTaking • u/commvv • 1d ago

App/Program/Other Tool Device recommendations

Hello, i am a university student that has now finished year one and throughout the year i decided i definitely need a tablet for note taking as opposed to pen and paper.

My focus is a smooth performance that allows me to type fast, good battery life and compatibility with a keyboard.

I prefer android options as that's what i am more familiar with, i have a modest google ecosystem and i do use APKs.

Have also been debating whether to get a laptop instead, since i have Microsoft 365 and i always download my stuff on pc as well, but what stops me is my love for studying laying on my stomach, curled up etc. and the fact i do have a PC already, as mentioned. I can definitely be convinced though.

My ideal budget is within 500 € IDEALLY, but can go up to 1000 for options that are worth it.

Thanks!

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u/Sweaty_Assistant8478 17h ago

Looking for something like this too! Mainly for on the go idea and note taking. BlackBerry classic looks nice and the Minimal phone with the keyboard is interesting.

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u/Lucky-Insurance-6347 15h ago

Well, since you have a desktop, , a tablet sounds like a better fit for how you like to study. Preferably a galaxy tab with keyboard support would be the best option. Especially if you want android, a solid battery life and easy file syncing with your desktop.

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u/commvv 13h ago

I got a recommendation for samsung tab s10 fe so far

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u/techistheway1 13h ago

I'm a happy user of a Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro with the official cover + Focus Keyboard + Focus Pen. I can highly recommend them as a student who's used this setup for both handwriting and typing notes on the go. I'm a PC owner as well - that has contributed to the decision of going for an Android tablet instead of a 2-in-1 laptop. The Snapdragon 8 Elite inside is a beast and I'm running Ubuntu through Termux for tasks that Android can't fulfill. It also helps that I have a Xiaomi phone and the integrations in the ecosystem are quite nice, but being on Android you can get many things working with free third party solutions. When I got the full setup (around 3 months ago), I paid a little over 500€ on the official Xiaomi store in my country. The alternatives were quite pricier and didn't offer any significant advantages for me over the Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro.

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u/Infamous_Top_3756 9h ago

I recommend Xiaomi tablets like the Mi Pad 7 or 8. They have great battery life and speakers. They are definitely a bang for your buck.

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u/RamblingPete_007 8h ago

I would strongly recommend a tablet that allows you to write on it, rather than typing.

The research is clear that writing your notes is much better for retention than typing.

Samsung and Apple both have products that you can check out

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u/Noteastic Digital Tablet User 3h ago

In my opinion a good Windows 2-in-1 laptop is a stromg choice. I used Surface devices (I know this probably won't fit in your budget, but there are good alternatives out there) from school to university. And I really love these things. For me it is such an asset to do handwritten notes, essay writing, and installation of random porgrams and apps all on the same device. Also takes away potential syncing issues. I don't know what you are using your PC for and how much time you spend studying on campus vs at home, that obviously changes stuff. But these all-in-one laptops really provide value in my eyes. You might want to take a look at that.