I know this isn't general, but I know several people in my class alone that have had issues with their surface. Some issues were with the tablet itself and others with using various note taking apps. Not to scare you away from it, cause other people have used theirs no issue, but there does in general seem to be more failure with the surface than the ipad. I personally have a cheap macbook air that stays at home, and I do everything else on my 32gb ipad with an apple pencil. I even take exams on my ipad in the testing center. The whole set up cost a little over $1000. I personally would go with the ipad again. If you get a keyboard you might even be able to avoid getting laptop altogether. Best of luck.