Lenovo only falters on the little things. Lenovo’s ThinkPad 10 boasts native resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. It’s also a bit cheaper, at $829 with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and the tablet alone is about 0.4 pounds lighter. Think of Lenovo’s ThinkPad 10 as a “Surface Lite.” It has a smaller screen than Microsoft’s tablet, and a weaker Intel Atom processor, but it runs the same Pro version of Windows 8.1 and still has a full-size USB port, optional keyboard and optional desktop dock. And at 2.4 pounds with the Type Cover attached, it’s lighter than most laptops of similar size. If you’re used to working in Windows, the Surface Pro 3 doesn’t require any change in workflow.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 can do just about anything a laptop, and its thinner and lighter than most notebooks.Īnd of course, it runs full-blown Windows 8.1, with all the things you’d expect from a work laptop, including a file browser, a taskbar, and desktop programs. The full-size USB slot lets you connect a mouse, an external hard drive or a printer, and there’s a pressure-sensitive stylus thrown in for good measure. It has a full-size keyboard and a trackpad for precise pointing and selection.

Microsoft’s latest tablet sits on the opposite end of the spectrum from Apple’s iPad, unashamedly embracing its PC roots. Once you do that, it’s a tough tablet to beat.

The trick is to figure out how to bring the iPad into your work routine. One other thing: The iPad’s ecosystem is unparalleled, not just for apps, but for accessories such as keyboards, styluses, and music recording tools. Even if you’re sticking to your laptop, there are plenty of ways to use the iPad as an additional tool. The best part of iOS is that it gets out of the way and lets you concentrate on what you’re doing. The iPad Air’s simplicity turns it into a blank canvas for all kinds of productive tasks, whether it’s writing your thoughts in a minimalist text editor, editing movies, or re-touching photos. The iPad Air is supremely thin and light.

Best tablet for handwriting notes 2014