Finding the best tablet for OneNote does not have to be complicated. To make your life easier, we’ve rounded up the best of the best.
Our recommendations are the best tablets for OneNote, with fantastic pen integration.
These tablets are perfect for taking notes at meetings, conferences, and during lectures. We’ve recommended tablets with good battery life, so you don’t have to get energy anxious while using OneNote on your tablet.
Now, what would be a good tablet for OneNote? Read on.
Best Tablets for OneNote at a Glance
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Apple iPad Air (2022) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Apple iPad Mini 6 (2021) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 8 | Microsoft Surface Pro 8 | Check Price on Amazon |
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) (Editors’ Choice)
Our Editors’ Choice for the best tablet for OneNote is the Apple iPad Pro 2021.
The Apple iPad Pro 2021 is stacked with so much power. Packed with Apple’s powerful M1 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the iPad Pro blazes through apps, browser tabs, games and videos without any sign of slowdown.
You can opt for the model with 16GB of RAM. For OneNote, the 8GB RAM variant is pretty OK.
But before you get swept up by all that power, let’s not forget that beautiful new Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display. The 2021 iPad Pro’s gorgeous display is on the level of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. Pictures look more intense, expressive and realistic.
As for audio, you’d be equally impressed. The iPad Pro’s audio is respectable.
New for the iPad Pro is a USB-C port with USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 support. This means you can connect compatible devices and accessories effortlessly.
As you would expect, the iPad Pro isn’t filled with the kind of bloatware that manufacturers usually lade cheap tablets and phones with.
Elsewhere, it offers a ton of storage. Available internal storage includes 128GB, 256 GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB.
Apple isn’t skimping on the battery with the iPad Pro; the 40.88 Wh cell offers excellent endurance.
Sure, the iPad Pro 2021 12.9-inch still a bit out of range for some people, price-wise. However, it gives a lot.
On the negative side, the colour options are a bit restrictive. Like its predecessors, the iPad Pros 2021 come in Silver and Space Gray colour options.
For all of this, the iPad Pro 2021 has earned our Editors’ Choice award for the best tablet for OneNote.
PROS
- Outstanding display
- Super-fast performance
- Slim build
- Durable
- Incredible battery life
- Good audio
- USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 support
CONS
- Limited colour options
- Pricey
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) Key Specifications
Display: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR Mini LED display, 2048 x 2732 pixels
Chipset: Apple M1
OS: iPadOS 14.5.1
RAM: 8GB/16GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Size: 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in (280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm)
Weight: 1.50 pounds (682g)
Rear Camera: 12MP, 10MP
Front Camera: 12MP
Battery: 40.88 Wh
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus
Right now, our absolute favorite Android tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, which is one of the best tablets for taking handwritten notes in OneNote.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus’ predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus was (heck, still is!) an excellent tablet. However, the Tab S8 Plus is slightly a cut above it and, of course, the rest (Android tablets, that is) out there.
Its internals are nothing to scoff at – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, more than enough RAM (8GB or 12GB), 128GB or 256GB of storage, and Android 12 operating system.
Performance is on par with what the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch boasts. The sheer amount of power makes the Tab S8 Plus an appealing upgrade.
Samsung nailed it again with the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus’ display. It does keep the same 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate from the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, which is not necessarily a bad thing. And it’s bright enough to make reading and watching videos a pure joy.
Just like the 2021 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch, the Tab S8 Plus’ premium design will blow you away. It sports a flashy metallic finish.
Elsewhere, the AKG speakers with Dolby Atmos tuning on the Tab S8 Plus pump out clear sound. We are pleased with the balanced profile of the sound.
What’s more, using the Galaxy Tab S8’s S Pen is a pure joy. Samsung has reduced the S Pen’s latency making it faster just like a real pen.
There’s also the cameras. The rear holds a pair of 13MP and 6MP ultrawide sensors. Dominating the front is a 12MP ultrawide sensor, perfect for video calls.
Samsung’s class-leading tablet ranks very high for its battery performance. The 10,090 mAh battery tucked inside the Tab S8 Plus offers excellent endurance.
There’s very little to complain about with the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, except for perhaps the price tag. If you want to save money, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus isn’t for you.
If you’ve been an iOS loyalist for years, it’s worth taking a look to see what else is out there.
Overall, this is a great piece of hardware that anyone should be proud to carry around. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus is highly recommended.
PROS
- Immersive Super AMOLED display
- Premium design
- Good cameras
- High-performing processor
- Good S Pen integration
- Large battery capacity
CONS
- Limited upgrade
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus Key Specifications
Display: 12.4-inch, Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ 1752 x 2800 pixels
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
OS: Android 12
RAM: 8GB/12GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Size: 11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 inches (285 x 185 x 5.7 mm)
Weight: 1.26 pounds (572 g)
Rear Camera: 13MP, 6MP
Front Camera: 12MP
Battery: 10090 mAh
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
Like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus, the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is one of Samsung’s best tablets you can buy now. It packs as much oomph as the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch).
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’ screen is a nice, large, 12.4-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate, bolstering its credentials. Its Super AMOLED display is super responsive, amazingly bright, colorful to boot and delivers a stunning picture quality thanks to its HDR10+ feature. You won’t have problems using it in direct sunlight.
The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’ credentials are further established with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, which is complemented by 6GB or 8GB of RAM.
Samsung has made available three storage/RAM variants on the Tab S7: 128GB/6GB, 256GB/8GB, or 512GB/8GB.
What’s more, it supports 5G connectivity.
As for the sacrifices one has to make, the optional book cover keyboard case isn’t a chart-topper, however, it makes the Tab S7 Plus a viable laptop replacement.
Looking for a tablet that can last all day? This is it.
But overall, this is one of the best tablets money can buy for those willing to pay a premium. So, if you really want to get the best from OneNote, consider buying the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus.
PROS
- Beautiful super AMOLED 120Hz display
- Excellent battery life
- Stunning display
- Very good build quality
- 5G Connectivity option
- Fast performance
- Thin and Portable
- Excellent audio
CONS
- Limited port offerings
- Pricey
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus Key Specifications
Display: 12-inch, Super AMOLED, 1752 x 2800 pixels
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
OS: Android 10, upgradable to Android 11
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Size: 11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 inches (285 x 185 x 5.7 mm)
Weight: 1.27 pounds (575 g)
Rear Camera: 13MP, 5MP
Front Camera: 8MP
Battery: 10090 mAh
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
When it comes to churning out high-end tablets with great performance, Microsoft is still not quite at the level attained by Apple and Samsung. That said, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a decent 2-in-1 tablet with pretty good specs for taking notes using OneNote.
The touchscreen display is as impressive as what the previous models produced by the Redmond manufacturer parade.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 now has a USB-C port, which is a good addition, nonetheless, it is not Thunderbolt 3. There is a USB-A port on the Pro 7.
With regard to CPU, three models are available: Core i3, i5, and i7. The Core i7 variant has a faster processing speed than the Core i3 and i5 models.
The base configuration (that is Core i3), comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD. If you prefer more RAM, you could go for the 8GB (Core i5) or 16GB (Core i7) model. For more storage options, pick up the Core i5 version (256GB) or the Core i7 (256GB/512GB/1TB). Remember, you’ll pay more to get the models with more storage and RAM combinations.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 isn’t like some tablets with bloatware – if truth be told, you won’t find any bloatware on the Pro 7.
Face recognition via Windows Hello works great.
Battery life is not the Microsoft Surface Pro 7’s strong point. Other tablets boast excellent battery performances with good battery capacities.
If a solid battery performance is one of the features you don’t joke with, you may consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e (7040 mAh), Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (7300 mAh), 2019 Apple iPad Air (8134 mAh) or the 2018 Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (9720 mAh).
Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 remains one of the best tablets for OneNote.
PROS
- Excellent display
- Good design
- Improved processing power
- USB-A and USB-C ports
CONS
- Almost the same as the Pro 6
- Average battery life
- Bezels are rather thick
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Key Specifications
Display: 12.3-inch display, 2736 x 1824 pixels
Chipset: Intel Core i3, i5, or i7
OS: Windows 10 Home
RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR4x (non-upgradable)
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax
Size: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5 mm)
Weight: Core i3 and i5: 1.7 pounds (775 g); Core i7: 1.74 pounds (790g)
Rear Camera: 8-megapixel camera
Front Camera: 5-megapixel camera
Battery: 5702 mAh
5. Apple iPad Air (2022) 
The Apple iPad Air is for anyone who needs an iPad Pro-like performance from a portable tablet at a fraction of the price. It is a fit for casual users and creators alike.
Its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina multi-touch display looks fine, especially in its color reproduction. You can use the Air comfortably in either portrait or landscape orientations.
The best part of the 2022 iPad Air, however, is its performance. It is fast thanks to the Apple M1 chipset tucked inside it. This tablet delivers at all times. You can watch videos, play games, and read on the Air 2022 with zero performance lag.
Like the 2021 iPad Mini, storage is a bit restrictive. The base model ships with 64GB of storage. Though, there is a variant with 256GB of storage, and we recommend this. If you need more storage, your best bet is the iPad Pro 2021 which comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB.
It’s worth noting, as well, that the 2022 iPad Air ships with the outstanding Apple Pencil 2 which attaches magnetically and charges wirelessly. This makes the Air 2022 an ideal pick for writing, drawing, and taking notes without a hitch.
Audio quality from the Air’s two speakers is just ok, while admittedly lacking bass and the staggering audio performance iPad Pro users enjoy.
Then there’s the cameras. The tablet boasts a 12MP rear camera and 12MP ultra-wide selfie camera. One thing Apple’s added to this 2002 Air is the Centre Stage feature which automatically pans the camera to keep everyone in centre view during a video call.
What else should we include? Well, the responsive Touch ID built into the power button is an A+ in our book. How about the Face ID feature? Well, there isn’t one really.
Again, the 2022 iPad Air is 5G compatible.
Plus, it features a remarkable battery life and debatably one of the best we’ve ever come across. The Air 2022 will stay powered up for an entire workday and more.
Oh, and for the record, the 2022 iPad Air has no headphone jack. Not a deal breaker, but worth bearing in mind.
Overall, this is the best tablet for just about everyone. Its performance and price tag make it easy to pull the trigger on a purchase order. Highly recommended.
PROS
- Super-fast M1 processor
- Colorful display
- Thin and portable
- Good design
- Compatible with Apple Pencil 2
- Good speakers
- 5G connectivity
- Long battery life
CONS
- Storage is restrictive
- Expensive peripherals
Apple iPad Air (2022) Key Specifications
Display: 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD display, 1640 x 2360 pixels
Chipset: Apple M1
OS: iPadOS 15.4
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 64GB/256GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Size: 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in (247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm)
Weight: 1.02 pounds (462 g)
Rear Camera: 12MP
Front Camera: 12MP
Battery: 28.6 Wh
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is one of the best Android tablets on the market, and one of the best tablets for OneNote.
It’s juiced up with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chipset, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.
There‘s another spin on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7: You could opt for the model with 8GB of RAM. There are variants with 256GB or 512GB of storage. The model with 4GB of RAM is adequate for using OneNote without a problem.
As you would expect, the Galaxy Tab S7 has excellent support for pen and touch input. You won’t have problems annotating PDFs.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7’s big screen, responsive stylus, and solid specs make reading and note-taking enjoyable.
Mystic Black, Mystic Silver and Mystic Bronze are colour options you can choose from.
As far as the design and build quality are concerned, Samsung nailed it. The Galaxy Tab S7 sports a design similar to the new iPad Pro.
At 9.9 inches and 1.1 pounds, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a lightweight and easy travel companion.
Aside from using OneNote, reading PDFs and technical papers, the tablet allows you to do many research-related things effortlessly.
Given its Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chipset and 6GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab S7 can handle multiple tabs running simultaneously without any sign of slowdown.
As far as sound goes, what comes out of the tablet speakers is actually decent.
Battery life is reasonable, allowing for a full day’s work.
A minor “but” is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7’s DeX mode. It still has room to grow.
There’s no getting around the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 remains an excellent tablet for educational purposes, and one of the best tablets for OneNote.
PROS
- Beautiful 120Hz display
- Excellent battery life
- Good design
- Fast performance
- Thin and Portable
CONS
- DeX-mode could be improved
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Key Specifications
Display: 11-inch, IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 1600 x 2560 pixels
Chipset: Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+
OS: Android 10
RAM: 6GB/8GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Size: 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches (253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm)
Weight: 1.1 pounds (498 g)
Rear Camera: 13MP, 5MP
Front Camera: 8MP
Battery: 8000 mAh
7. Apple iPad Mini 6 (2021)
The Apple iPad mini 6 (2021) is an outstanding iPad with impressive specs.
Built on Apple’s speedy A15 Bionic processor and featuring 4GB of RAM, along with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen, it has specs that rival other flagships. The A15 Bionic processor that powers the 2021 iPad mini can handle everything you throw at it.
Aside from its super fast processor, the screen stands out, too. Text looks sharp on the screen as do photos and videos.
Storage is a bit restrictive. Available internal storage includes 64GB and 256GB only. If that’s your main concern, you should probably lean toward the 2021 iPad Pro 12.9-inch which comes in 128GB, 256 GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB.
As far as sound goes, what comes out of the tablet speakers is actually decent.
You can write, draw, annotate PDFS, and take notes with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation). The Apple Pencil 2 attaches magnetically to the iPad mini 6.
Apple says the 19.3Wh battery in the iPad mini 6 provides an all-day battery life, however, in truth, the battery will last up to 10 hours on a single charge.
On the negative side, the 2021 iPad mini has no headphone jack. That’s slightly painful.
You’ll be hard-pressed to be disappointed with the iPad mini 6 performance. Overall, this is an exceptional iPad you can take anywhere and one of the best tablets for OneNote.
PROS
- Exceptional display
- Super-fast performance
- Beautiful design
- Light and portable
- Compatible with Apple Pencil 2
- Very good webcam
- Long battery life
- USB-C charging
CONS
- No multiuser support
- No headphone jack
Apple iPad Mini 6 (2021) Key Specifications
Display: 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD display, 1488 x 2266 pixels
Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic
OS: iPadOS 15
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB/256GB
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Size: 7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in (195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm)
Weight: 0.65 pounds (293 g)
Rear Camera: 12MP
Front Camera: 12MP
Battery: 19.3 Wh
Notable Mention
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is a good tablet for OneNote worth considering.
8. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
PROS
- Good display
- Beautiful design
- Works well with external devices
- Excellent Windows 11 integration
- Impressive webcam
CONS
- Stylus and keyboard sold separately
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Key Specifications
Display: 13-inch display, 2880 x 1920 pixels
CPU: 11th Gen Intel i5-1135G7- Intel i7-1185G7
OS: Windows 11
RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Storage: Up to 1TB
Size: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches (287 x 208 x 9.3 mm)
Weight: 1.96 pounds
Rear Camera: 10MP
Front Camera: 5MP
Battery: 51.5Wh
| No. | Item | |
| 1 | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) (Editors’ Choice) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 | Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 | Apple iPad Air (2022) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 | Check Price on Amazon |
| 7 | Apple iPad Mini 6 (2021) | Check Price on Amazon |
| 8 | Microsoft Surface Pro 8 | Check Price on Amazon |
Bottom Line
All of the tablets we’ve reviewed are well-suited for note-taking in OneNote. They are the best tablets for anyone who needs tablets that are responsive and work without issues. These tablets are worth considering and highly recommended.
