Discussions

Which would be better?  

Laptop or tablet with a keyboard for typing notes/essays/papers in proper format. A high school teacher friend of mine says kids are so used to tablets/texting they don't know how to "tab" a first paragraph indent!

Yes to computer, no to tablet. If you have a current gen smart device you already have 100% of the same functionality of a tablet except for screen size.

Bigger screen size = much higher productivity for typing and office type work.  
 
You will hate life typing essays on a 10 inch tablet screen.

I know you can buy keyboards for tablets, but functionality-wise, laptop is a way to go. Even if you go smaller, it is much easier to handle documents/type with.

Way better than a tablet

There are a wide range of these available and some have bigger screens. Have the best of both worlds.

MacBook Pro is the best and iPad is good companion, but if you have to choose one or the other then go with a MacBook Pro!

Check out the laptops at Brandon Computers. I'm a 3rd year at BU and thinking of getting a laptop for class notes. No way I'd do a tablet. Why get something to do most of the work to transfer to something else to finish it? Might as well just get a lap top from the start.

I use the surface for work, I am in clients houses often and wants small but big portable device. I tried the Asus transformer before, it was too small and just not powerful enough for my needs. However, I did like the rigidness of the keyboard and that the screen detached. The surface is fantastic, the only downsides are the price (but I have come to terms with that) and that the keyboard isn't rigid and I need to use the kick stand.