Question

Math on a tablet: what to get?

Answer 1

My college gave me an ipad with a case, keyboard, and an Apple pencil.

I've never been a big fan of Apple products, but I gotta say, it works. The pencil's input is almost perfect. (Which makes sense, it's ridiculously overengineered.) I used the Notability app to take and organize notes, and it worked great for me! Also Desmos and Geogebra for graphing things.

My only two issues were that the ipad didn't come with any calculator apps installed (anyone know one without ads?), and that it took me some time getting used to writing on a tablet instead of writing on paper. The feeling is very different. But now it works pretty well for me.

Answer 2

I would probably recommend any recent iPad regardless of what phone/laptop/PC you use (I had an early iPad long before I had an iPhone). I personally like an iPad mini just for the form factor, but a plain iPad (called "iPad") or iPad air is fine. I've seen some YouTubers swear by a refurbished iPad Pro straight from Apple as well (2018-present). I'm talking about for general use by the way. For math, The Apple Pencil is wonderful and I use the Goodnotes app that is mostly great IMO, but if you like to add some color to your notes, you only get 3 colors to use at will and then you have to swap out one of your 3 colors every time you want to use a color that's not one of the 3 you have on screen.

Answer 3

A couple years ago, I spent more time researching this than I'd like to admit on this same question. I narrowed it down to either the Surface Pro or the iPad Pro.


I use a Surface Pro with the 2H nib (the stock one is trash). When I want something like a whiteboard/chalkboard, I use Microsoft OneNote; it lets me scroll infinitely left/right. If I want something that exports to PDF nicely (OneNote is trash for this), I use Scrble Ink or Drawboard PDF. I also get the benefit of having access to all sorts of desktop programs (like LaTeX). The battery life on the Surface is terrible when compared to the iPad Pro though.

Answer 4

I suggest one made of paper, in my opinion they are the easiest to work with.

Answer 5

A Surface Pro 8, in combination with OneNote and LiquidText.

Answer 6

iPad or a windows surface laptop are safe bets.

I used a surface and the one note app a lot when not using paper. Almost every other student was using an iPad, and they seemed to work extremely well.

Although with the surface, I could do my programming homework for grad school on it aswell, which I really liked. So during a break in class, I could open up matlab and ask the professor some questions about the problems, then sit back down, maybe code a bit, then continue writing notes when class resumed.

Something to keep in mind.

Answer 7

I love my remarkable 2, it's a good tablet for people who prefer paper.

Answer 8

iPad (preferably pro) + Apple pencil + Notability

Answer 9

In lecture, I use an iPad mini. Otherwise, I use notebook or copy paper

Answer 10

My Remarkable 2 has totally made pen and paper (and even physical books) obsolete for me. It has very very few features, but for writing it is really really good.

I cannot stress enough that it has very few features. Don't view it as a tablet or smartphone. Assume all it can do is digital paper. If all you want is something to write on that saves your writings with the ability to export it somewhere else should you choose to, then the remarkable is a good (if expensive) choice.