I'm thinking about getting a tablet mainly for reading PDFs and taking notes during meetings. Don't really need it for gaming or heavy work stuff. Should I go with an iPad or would a Samsung Galaxy Tab be better? Also wondering if I should get one with a stylus included or buy it separately.
Stylus comfort matters way more than you'd think since you'll be using it constantly during meetings - don't skimp on a cheap one even if it's included! Both iPad and Samsung tablets will handle PDFs and note-taking beautifully, but the big thing everyone glosses over is the software ecosystem: if you're already in Apple's world (iPhone, Mac) an iPad integrates seamlessly, whereas if you prefer flexibility and don't mind jumping between ecosystems, Samsung gives you more customization at a better price point. I'd lean toward getting the tablet without a stylus bundled in and spending extra on a quality pen separately - you can test what feels right in your hand rather than being stuck with whatever comes in the box, and honestly that makes a difference when you're scribbling notes all day!
For pure reading and notes, the screen quality matters most, and iPads tend to have better displays overall plus more polished note-taking apps. Samsung tablets are solid too and usually cheaper, so it really depends on your budget - if money's tight, a Galaxy Tab will do the job fine. On the stylus question, I'd say get a tablet that includes one or at least has good stylus support built in, since you'll actually be using it for notes; buying separately often means settling for something mediocre or spending extra. Both brands have decent options at different price points, so check what's available in your area and go with whichever fits your wallet and feels right to hold.
What's your budget looking like, and do you already use other Apple devices? I went with a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 a while back because the price was way more reasonable than an iPad Pro, and honestly the screen is fantastic for reading PDFs - the 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through documents feel smooth. The stylus thing: I'd say skip buying it bundled in if you can get it cheaper separately, but definitely factor that cost in either way since you specifically mentioned note-taking. Samsung's Notes app works great, though if you're really particular about handwriting feel, the iPad ecosystem does have more polish there with apps like GoodNotes.
The real difference I notice is that iPad holds its value better and integrates nicer if you're in the Apple world already, but for your use case - just reading and meeting notes - a mid-range Samsung saves you money without sacrificing anything important. Either will do the job; it comes down to whether you want to spend the premium or not.
The choice really comes down to your ecosystem and how much you want to spend. If you're already deep in Apple's world with a Mac or iPhone, an iPad will feel more natural since your notes sync seamlessly and the apps work together better. But if you're not locked into Apple, don't dismiss Samsung - their tablets are genuinely good for reading and note-taking, often at a lower price point. The real differentiator isn't the brand so much as the screen size and refresh rate; you want at least 90Hz if you're writing a lot, since it makes the stylus feel way more responsive.
On the stylus question, I'd definitely recommend getting one that's designed specifically for the tablet rather than relying on whatever comes bundled. I borrowed a friend's tablet with a basic stylus thrown in and immediately regretted not upgrading - cheaper styluses lag behind your hand, feel plasticky, and make note-taking frustrating instead of enjoyable. If you're taking meeting notes regularly, that's actually something you'll use constantly, so spending extra on a decent stylus (or buying the official one for whichever tablet you pick) pays off pretty fast.
Budget-wise, you don't need a flagship model for your use case. A mid-range iPad or Galaxy Tab will handle PDFs and note-taking apps without breaking a sweat. Check if the stylus is sold separately first before you buy - some tablets bundle them, others don't - and factor that into your total cost. That'll probably matter more to your decision than the brand itself.
One thing nobody's mentioned is that cheaper styluses - even some bundled ones - can introduce noticeable lag when you're writing notes, which gets annoying fast during meetings. Before you commit to either iPad or Samsung, it's worth testing the stylus responsiveness in person if you can, since that's where the real difference between budget and mid-range options shows up. Battery life on the stylus itself matters too; some need charging constantly while others last weeks. Beyond that, the earlier points about ecosystem lock-in and screen quality are solid - just don't overlook the actual writing experience, since you'll be doing that repeatedly.
Get the tablet that matches what you already own - ecosystem lock-in is real and switching between Apple and Android for syncing notes across devices will drive you absolutely mad! People keep saying stylus comfort matters most, but honestly the bigger factor is whether you'll actually use the note-taking app that comes with it, and iPad's Notes app plus third-party options like GoodNotes absolutely dominate for meeting notes while Samsung's offerings feel clunky by comparison.
If you're not already married to Apple's ecosystem though, a Galaxy Tab will save you serious money and handles PDFs beautifully - just budget for a decent stylus separately since the cheaper included ones can feel mushy when you're writing fast during meetings!
Don't go cheap on the stylus thinking the included one will do - you'll regret it within a week of meetings. Beyond the iPad vs Samsung debate, here's what nobody mentions: test both tablets in person with your actual PDFs before buying, because how the apps render them matters more than raw specs. If you're bouncing between different ecosystems anyway, grab whichever feels better in your hands and has the note-taking app you genuinely want to use (not just the fancier one). One practical thing - get a basic screen protector specifically made for stylus use; it changes how the pen feels on glass and makes a huge difference during long note sessions.
Are you planning to sync notes across your phone and laptop, or keep them pretty isolated on the tablet? I'd actually push back a bit on the "iPad displays are always better" take - Samsung's Tab S series has genuinely excellent screens that rival iPads, and you'll save a decent chunk of money. The bigger thing IMO is the software: if you're already in Apple's ecosystem, iPad wins for seamless syncing, but if you're Android everywhere, don't force yourself into iTunes hell just for note-taking apps. On the stylus question, skip the included cheaper ones if possible - the difference between a $30 bundled stylus and a decent $80+ one is noticeable when you're writing for hours in meetings, so factor that into your actual budget rather than just the tablet price.
Don't fall into the trap of assuming the included stylus will work for you - go to a store and actually hold both a Samsung S Pen and an iPad stylus for a few minutes to see which feels natural in your hand, since you'll be gripping it through entire meetings and your wrist will tell you the truth way better than specs ever could.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned: if you're reading a lot of PDFs, test the tablet's PDF reader situation before buying. iPad's built-in apps are decent but some people swear by third-party readers on Android tablets that let you customize margins, reflow text better, or add layers of annotations without slowing down. Grab a sample PDF on a demo unit and actually try scrolling through a dense document at the brightness and angle you'd use in a real meeting - that five-minute test beats any review.
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