The Student and the Tablet PC

With every school opening, it seems that the prominence of tablet PCs is increasing steadily, while the popularity of laptops is slowly starting to dwindle. While the laptop is still indispensable for some functions, somehow, tablet PCs have caught on with the majority of the features and functions of the laptop. Not only are tablet PCs used for entertainment purposes or to show off, but a lot of models these days can be used in academic-related activities, which is a huge benefit for students.

A majority of tablets don the same look – a slate screen and buttons on the side. However, that doesn’t mean that they are the same when it comes to functions. Some tablets are better in some factors, while others have their own advantages that provide their unique selling point. Thus, there are tablets that perform better than others, depending on the school-related task.

So, should students sell iPad and switch to an Android device, or are iPads still the best, even for students? Here are the tablets we think are best, depending on particular tasks:

For note-taking and drawing: The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ($499.99+) 

While there are still a lot of concerns regarding the Galaxy Note, any student who wants the best tablet for scribbling, hand-writing notes, drawing, or doodling will certainly be in love with the Galaxy Note 10.1. The S Pen, or the stylus, that comes along with this tablet/smartphone has 1,024 sensitivity levels, allowing it to differentiate between a slight and hard press, and everything in between those two. So, your drawings end up amazing and rich with detail. You can also use two apps at the same time, thanks to this tablet’s multitasking capacity. It definitely comes in handy when a student needs to look at a browser and take notes at the same time.

For word processing and other functions: The Asus Transformer Infinity TF700 ($499.99+) 

The Transformer Pad Infinity's 10.1-inch, 1080p display and its Tegra 3 processor makes the Asus Transformer an amazing entertainment gadget. So, if you want to watch a movie or play a game, this tablet is practically the best there is. But there’s definitely more. It has an optional keyboard dock (for an additional $150) that transforms (pun intended) the tablet into a wonderful productivity device. Aside from typing away, the keyboard dock also provides you with additional battery life. If you should sell your iPad and switch to another device, the Asus Transformer is definitely worth considering.

For everything else: the Apple iPad ($499+) 

A student’s use of a tablet PC revolves around a few things: Reading books, drawing, note-taking, surfing the Internet, and doing academic work, including reports, term papers, and presentations. Of course, a little entertainment does not hurt. On all these activities, the apps available for the iPad are top-notch, making Apple’s tablet PC the best in everything. From games, to reading and productivity tools, the apps for the iPad are more sophisticated and easier to use for students. It really comes as no surprise that students won’t sell iPad in exchange for an Android device. Of course, when the iPad Mini comes out, students may have something to think about.