Looking for the best digital writing pad for your laptop? This article will have you writing in no time.
Technology has become synonymous with every aspect of our lives, including the writing pads we use to jot down notes, sketches, or even doodles. Gone are the days of spiral notebooks and legal pads, replaced by digital writing pads that can transfer your information to a laptop or cloud service, lasting forever.
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While the old tech may be tried and true, upgrading is never a bad thing and if you’re ready to trade your pencil in for a stylus, have we got the buying guide for you.
As we take a closer look at the 10 Best Digital Writing Pads for Laptops, we know that letting go of old faithful may be tough for some people but just think of the stacks of paper you’ll be saving and the number of trees!
Anyhow, before we jump right in, let’s take a gander at our choices and then how you can be sure to pick the right digital writing pad.
Alright, class is in session!
10+ Best Digital Writing Pads for Laptops & PCS 2022
- Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook — The best digital writing pad overall (Editor’s Choice)
- HUION Inspiroy H950P— The best budget-friendly digital writing pad
- Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set — The best value digital writing pad
- Galaxy Tab S7 — The best Android digital writing pad
- Royole RoWrite 2 — The best digital writing pad for notetaking
- B00X Nova3 Color— The best digital writing pad for writers
- Apple iPad Air — The best multipurpose digital writing pad
- ReMarkable Paper Digital Writing Pad — The best digital writing pad with memory
- XP-Pen Star05 V2 — The best versatile digital writing pad
- Wacom Bamboo writing pad — The best entry-level digital writing pad
- Drawing Tablet UGEE M708 V2 – The best light weight digital writing pad
What is the best Digital Writing Pad for laptops?
The Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook is our pick for the best Digital Writing Pad for Laptops. However, in this article, we have got you a guide to the ten best digital writing pads of the year. These are listed with their own pros, cons, and special features.
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We have selected the top 6 and ranked them by best overall performance, Budget-Friendly, Value, Entry-Level, Multipurpose, and Versatile. Check out the comparison table below.
How to Choose the Best Digital Writing Pad
When you finally decide to make the switch from Mr. Notebook and his #2 pencil buddy, knowing exactly what you should be looking for can be tough for a newbie. Thankfully, we like to go shopping and did a lot already so we can share what we look for to make sure you choose the right digital writing pad.
Size
While the overall purpose of a digital writing pad is the same, like many other choices when it comes to technology, there are plenty of options when it comes to size. If your primary focus is to use the pad for writing, then you may want to look at pads that are between 7 and 10 inches, while someone who may primarily use a pad for artwork might want something a little bigger.
Storage
While some digital writing pads offer internal storage so you can save all of your notes, if you happen to choose one that doesn’t, you have to make sure that it syncs with a storage option such as Google Drive or iCloud.
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The last thing anyone wants is to spend an entire afternoon taking notes at the big meeting, only to have no way of saving them for later reference.
Stylus
No matter how good your digital writing pad is, without a good stylus, you might as well throw it out the window (Don’t do this!). Seriously though, much like a physical notebook, a stylus is how you’ll jot ideas down or take notes in class.
The point of a good stylus is that it replicates the natural feel that comes with handwriting as best as it can. While they can come in many different materials, finding the right one will feel like an extension of your hand.
Battery
Battery life is among the most important things to consider before you buy a digital writing pad. There are some pads that require frequent charging and others with long battery life. Having a long battery life enables you to work without any interruptions, so you must know the battery life and not only the hours of work.
Type
There are different types of digital writing pads with a variety of features, so you must choose one depending on your needs and requirements.
Some of them have LCD screens with ink technologies and rely on sensors, but there are also traditional writing pads with pens and a stylus. These have a sensor capturing method which suits most of the requirements, but may not suit your needs.
Price
When it comes to pricing, it all depends on the features you’re looking for. For written text that can be converted to digital text in physical books, it costs users below $50. For more direct digital writing, your entry-level digital notepads usually cost around $100 (this is without a screen).
When it comes to digital writing pads with a screen, these tend to be a little more pricey with options starting around $400 and upwards. That said, these ones are typically tablets. This means that they come with several other functions like email, applications, WiFi, and even Bluetooth.
For those with a budget, we’d strongly recommend opting for a tablet for its convenience and versatile utility.
10+ Best Digital Writing Pads for PC & Laptops
1. Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook (Editor’s Choice)
The best overall digital writing pad for laptops
When it comes to notebooks that appeal to writers, there are none more appealing than the Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook. A uniquely designed notebook that combines digital and analog functionality. Many writers enjoy the feeling of putting pen to paper and this notebook only nurtures that relationship but with a digital save option.
The Rocketbook Frixion pens use actual ink which can be wiped off the digital notebook with a microfiber cloth and isn’t necessary unless you’re a novice when it comes to digital writing pads. Once you’re done taking notes, simply scan the document, save it to the cloud, wipe away the ink and begin again. With 42 template pages, the amount of notes you can take is almost limitless.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Reusable templates | ➖ No onboard storage |
| ➕ Syncs with Google Drive, Slack, Evernote, iCloud | ➖ Ink has to dry first |
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Latest Price on Amazon:
- No more wasting paper - this 42 page notebook has 7 different page styles for planning, listing, goal setting, note-taking, sketching, and sharing big ideas
- Blast your handwritten notes to popular cloud services like Google drive, Dropbox, Evernote, box, OneNote, Slack, iCloud, email and more using the free Rocketbook application for iOS and Android
- Allow 15 seconds for ink from any Pilot Frixion pen, marker, or highlighter to dry in order for it to bond to our specialized pages - just wipe clean with a damp cloth to start over
- 42 pages include task list, weekly planner, monthly calendar, OKR goal template, idea list, dot-grid, and lined pages
- Includes 1 Rocketbook Fusion Executive Size (8.5" x 11") Notebook, 1 Pilot Frixion Pen, and 1 Microfiber Cloth
2. HUION Inspiroy H950P
The best budget-friendly digital writing pad
Compatible with almost every software you’ll need to use, including OneNote, Illustrator, and more. The Inspiroy H950P from Huion also supports Windows, Mac, and Android operating systems which will make it useful for just about everyone. The standout feature is its compatibility with OneNote.
OneNote features handwriting recognition, meaning that all of the notes you write in by hand can easily be converted to text. Packed with a stylus that features 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity, you can write until your hand cramps up thanks to the battery-free design of the stylus. Essentially a laptop miniaturized into a tablet that will fit in your tote bag, the H950P is a great budget-friendly option.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Compact design | ➖ No LCD screen |
| ➕ Battery-free stylus with tilt response | ➖ Handwriting recognition could be better |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Digital Drawing Tablets Connected with Android Phone-You can easily connect your phone to the drawing tablets with the OTG adapter after firmware UPDATED (OTG adapter included),so that you can start...
- Innovative Tilt Control System - Support ±60 degrees brush tilt,provide you better pressure detection and accurate cursor positioning with different angles,Moreover,the pen moves smoothly across the...
- Battery-free Stylus PW100 - Never worry about pen-charging ; 8192 Levels of Pen Pressure Sensitivity - Enjoy the accuracy and precision when drawing.Immediate response between the graphic drawing pad...
- 8 Customizable Press Keys - Keep all your favourite short-cut in handy; The Press-key lock design on the side can avoid potential accidental touch of the buttons.Only 8mm thick and weigh 497g,...
- Online Teaching,Working and Designing - Meet all your needs for every subject with online tutoring softwares: Power Point, Wrod, OneNote, PDF...Use Huion Inspiroy H950P digital art tablet for...
3. Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set
The best value digital writing pad
Known for their high-quality, stylish notebooks, Moleskine produces versatile notebooks that maintain a tactile experience that every user is looking for. WIth the Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set, they created a whole new ballgame.
While from the outside, the Pen+ Ellipse looks like a standard Moleskine notebook, the pages are embedded with a nearly invisible grid pattern of dots while the camera recognizes each pen stroke, the page number you’re on, even which Moleskine notebook you’re using. The great thing about the Pen+ Ellipse set is that even if you fill a notebook while you’re not connected, once you sync the pen to the app, everything you’ve done shows up
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Comfortable to use | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Sending notes and sketches digitally is easy | ➖ Battery life could be better |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- INCLUDES: Pen+ digital smart pen, Paper Tablet with ncoded paper in dotted layout to work with pen+, pen+ smart pen USB recharging cable, 1 pen tip ink refill, & user manual Designed with Code...
- FROM PAGE TO SCREEN: Companion app seamlessly transfers what's written on the notebook page to your device, digitizing your analog notes & allowing you to notate, share, search, edit, & organize your...
- MULTIMEDIA: Record audio to sync with your notes; flesh out your ideas & ensure that nothing gets lost in translation Explain, clarify, detail With the app you can have the picture & a thousand words...
- MOLESKINE VERSATILITY: In addition to the iconic notebook, the Moleskine family of products includes both digital & analog writing & lifestyle technology, including smart notebooks & apps, bags,...
- MOLESKINE QUALITY: We're dedicated to culture, travel, memory, imagination, & personal identity—both physical & digital We bring this commitment to our notebooks, bags, apps & smart pens & notebooks
4. Galaxy Tab S7
The best Samsung digital writing pad
While the number of Samsung tablets continues to grow by the day, the Galaxy Tab S7 continues to be one of the best digital writing pads around. With its lightweight and sleek design, you can take the tablet anywhere you need and with WiFi capability and cloud support, you’ll always have a connection.
Packed with the tablet is Samsung’s S Pen. While there are better options out there, the stylus is good enough quality to handle all of your writing needs. While overall, the Galaxy Tab S7 is a great digital writing tablet for PC, the display itself could be better, with some users reporting that issues like glare and reflections keep them from fully enjoying everything that the tablet offers.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Great storage space | ➖ Android only could turn some away |
| ➕ Durable | ➖ The display can have a bit of glare |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- PC PERFORMANCE. TABLET PORTABILITY: Transform your tablet into a PC experience with DeX mode and the optional keyboard¹ with expanded trackpad. (Keyboard sold separately)
- ENTERTAINMENT, UPGRADED: Experience cinematic viewing with larger edge-to-edge displays, TFT LCD screen, and AKG quad speakers with Dolby Atmos Surround sound.
- REDESIGNED S PEN INCLUDED: With improved 9ms Pen latency, the redesigned S Pen can control presentations and take notes effortlessly.
- CHANGE THE WAY YOU GAME: Bring console gaming anywhere thanks to available Wi-Fi connection, an immersive screen, and Bluetooth-enabled controller.
- CHARGE FAST. POWER FOR HOURS: Go for hours on a single charge, and back to 100% with the fast-charging USB-C port.
5. Royole RoWrite 2
The best digital writing pad for notetaking
For anyone who is a fan of the original RoWrite, the Royole RoWrite 2 improves on just about every aspect and successfully delivers one of the best digital writing pads for laptops we’ve seen today. With a slimmed-down design, the RoWrite 2 trades the original gray canvas cover for a beautiful leather cover that comes in a wide variety of colors.
Internally, the RoWrite 2 has simplified the mechanisms to make it easier to load paper. Instead of locking specific pads of papers into a frame, you can now slide any small, A5-sized notebook into the rear cover and the sensor panel stitched into the back will take care of the rest. If you’re looking for a digital notepad for your next class, the RoWrite 2 is an excellent option.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Can use any A5 notebook | ➖ Writing-to-text could be better |
| ➕ Simple and small design | ➖ Long charging time |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- This is A Smart Writing Notebook, Not A Digital Tablet, Without LCD Screen,too.and it needs to be used with notepads of Real Paper and Ink pen refills which are included in the product. compatible...
- Using this electronic notebook, you can simultaneously capture notes, ideas and drawings digitally
- Organize, search and share work on the RoWrite App
- Edit and share work as PDF, MP4 & JPEG via the RoWrite App
- Stylish design with synthetic leather and premium aluminum
6. B00xX Nova3 Color
The best digital writing pad for writers
When you start shopping for a digital writing pad, you’ll notice that the majority of them are only displayed in grayscale. Well, times they are changing and that change start with the Boox Nova 3.
Packing more than 4,000 shades of color, the Nova 3 uses the Android 10 OS, which means that you can access all the apps found on the Google Play Store but the hits don’t stop there. With its 7.8-inch screen, great battery life, and good performance, the Nova 3 Color is a great versatile writing pad that can be used anywhere and even includes a speaker so you can listen to audiobooks or your favorite podcasts.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Wide-ranging file support | ➖ Brightness could be better |
| ➕ Good battery life | ➖ Low-resolution colors |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- BOOX Color eReader Tablet 7.8 Notepad
7. Apple iPad Air
The best multipurpose digital writing pad
If you’re an avid reader of JUSTCreative, you know our affinity for great products and the iPad Air from Apple certainly fits that moniker. With its 10.9-inch screen, a beautiful retina display, plus a 12 MP camera, the iPad Air is the swiss army knife of digital writing pads for laptops.
While the specs are the beautiful window dressing, the amount of things that the iPad Air allows you to do makes it so much more than just a digital writing pad. With the numerous apps found on the Apple Store, you can draw, sketch, dictate, record and so many other things. Although writing on the iPad does require an Apple Pencil (bought separately), it feels like a natural extension of everything the iPad Air has to offer, making it a great multipurpose device for anyone.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Immersive | ➖ Expensive |
| ➕ Apps available is near limitless | ➖ Stylus has to be bought separately |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 wide color
- A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
- Available in Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue
8. ReMarkable Paper Digital Writing Pad
The best digital writing pad with memory
Already an established brand, ReMarkable is an e-reader and digital notepad that easily compared to the Kindle from Amazon. While many new writing pads and tablets will use LCD screens because of their reliability and cheaper cost, writing pads like the ReMarkable Paper Digital Writing Pad has managed to carve out a nice niche within the market.
Originally funded by Kickstarter, the ReMarkable writing pad is great for any note-taking or sketching that you may need to do during a meeting or just on your own. The ReMarkable pen looks and feels just like a real pen except for its ‘special high-friction grip’ that will keep it securely in your hand. The overall experience of writing on the ReMarkable tablet is better than any other digital pad available including the iPad Pro from Apple or the Galaxy Note 8 from Samsung.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Thin and light design | ➖ Not cheap |
| ➕ Good battery life | ➖ Can suffer from lag |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- The reMarkable paper tablet - a digital device for writing, reading & sketching that feels like paper.
- No other tablet in the world gives you an experience so close to paper as reMarkable.
- Here to replace your notebooks, printouts and documents. A groundbreaking device that changes how people work.
- Super low latency, 226 DPI CANVAS display. You've never experienced anything like the CANVAS display.
- In the box: reMarkable, Marker, 8 extra Marker tips and charging cable. Original reMarkable Folio (sleeve) NOT included.
9. XP-Pen Star05 V2
The best versatile digital writing pad
While XP-Pen is typically known for its drawing tablets, the Star05 V2 is a great option for a digital writing pad with its easy connectivity to your PC through wired and wireless options. While the overall aesthetic may not win any awards, the Star05 V2 comes with many features that set it apart from the competition.
Right from the start, one feature that many artists and note-takers will “take note” of is its battery life. Able to run up to 14 hours on a single charge, the lithium battery can recharge in 2.5 hours which is lightning quick when compared to other writing pads. With six touch-sensitive shortcut keys, you can set things up just the way you need to and even comes with a battery-free stylus so you don’t have to worry about not being able to finish your thoughts.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Fast charger built-in | ➖ Touch-sensitive side buttons |
| ➕ Elegant design | ➖ Pressure sensitivity could be too much for some |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- [Wireless Technology] - The Star05 V2 Drawing tablet features both wired and wireless USB capability: Simply plug the included USB receiver into your computer to draw wirelessly using the ISM 2.4G and...
- [XP-PEN Advantage] - The Star05 V2 Pen Tablet built-in lithium battery charges quickly and conveniently during wired use—2.5 hours provides a full charge that lasts up to 14 hours, our battery-free...
- [Touched Shortcut Keys ] - Six touch-sensitive shortcut keys allow quick access to most commonly used functions. The Star05 V2's 8x5in working area provides ample room to draw and paint comfortably.
- [Compatability & Application] - The XP-PEN Star05 V2 digital wireless tablety is compatible with Windows 7 and above and Mac 10.10 or above operating systems and compatible with Photoshop, Paint tool...
- [Online Teaching and Working] -XP-PEN Star05 V2 graphics tablet is designed for digital drawing, painting, sketching, E-signatures, online teaching, remote work, photo editing, it's compatible with...
10. Wacom Bamboo writing pad
The best entry-level digital writing pad
Sometimes, no matter how good of a stylus you have, it can’t replace the feel or the response that might come from using your finger. Thankfully, the Bamboo Pen Tablet from Wacom allows you to use both to great effect. While many tablets can do this as well, most of them are considered lower-tier and not worth the affordable price that they ask.
The overall working area is large compared to other options that we’ve featured on our list but the writing pad for your PC still lacks many of the functionalities that higher-end writing pads come with. If you’re in the market for a quality pad but don’t want all of the features that come from more expensive models, the Bamboo writing pad is your go-to.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Battery-free stylus | ➖ Small size |
| ➕ Touchscreen capable | ➖ Surface can scuff easily |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Battery-free, ergonomic pen with two programmable switches
- Includes Corel Painter Essentials 4.0 (Win and Mac) for creating natural media art and turning photos into paintings
- Easy USB connection
- Interactive tutorial helps you make the most of your Bamboo
- Active Area Touch (W x H) - 4.9" x 3.4" (124mm x 86mm); Pen (W x H) - 5.8" x 3.6" (147mm x 91mm)
11. Drawing Tablet UGEE M708 V2
The best light weight digital writing pad
Drawing Tablet UGEE M708 V2 is one of the traditional digital writing pads which has a screen size of 10 x 6.25-inches. It is a slim, sleek, and lightweight panel with a compact design and delicate craftsmanship. It also offers a no-delay drawing experience.
It is versatile and comes with 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing you to control the thickness of lines with detailed descriptions to be more accurate. UGEE M708 V2 comes with a tilt brush supporting up to 60 degrees to provide smoother, soft lines and strokes. This also enables you to add shadows to your creative projects.
The UGEE drawing tablet contains 8 customizable shortcut keys allowing you to move, undo, eraser, hand, zone in, zone out, brush+, brush-, which saves you time while drawing. It is user-friendly and supports left-handed user operation.
It also has good compatibility with most systems, androids, and even Mac OS. It is also compatible with applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Painter, Autodesk MAYA, and more.
Pros |
Cons |
| ➕Customizable shortcut keys | ➖ Must be tethered always while working |
| ➕ Levels of pressure sensitivity | ➖ Writing area is less compared to others |
| ➕ Great stylus that feels realistic to write | ➖ Stylus requires a battery |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Mac/Windows/Android Supported: The graphics drawing tablet supports connections with Android 6.0 or later Phones and Tablets. It is compatible with most major software including: ibis Paint X,...
- Compatible with PC Multiple Systems: This graphics tablet is compatible with Windows 7/8/10 Chrome and Mac OS 10.10 or above after download latest driver from UGEE official website, but not for the...
- Papery Drawing Experience: 8192 levels pressure sensitivity, the harder you press, the thicker and darker lines would be,the lines transition from thin to thick will be fluid and precisely under your...
- Large Working Area: 10 x 6.25-inch working area allows to release your inspiration on enough space and slim, sleek, super lightweight panel with compact design and delicate craftsmanship, offers a no...
- Innovative Tilt Control System: M708 V2 supports up to 60 degrees of tilt brush effect and delivers smoother and more natural lines and strokes, while also giving you the ability to add shading to...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a digital writing pad?
A digital writing pad is a book, computer device, or tablet that allows users to write and draw using a stylus, rendering the data digitally. The person does this similarly to how people use pen and paper. However, it can be shared, stored, and utilized a lot easier this way. In some cases, the pad can be a book that saves the data digitally.
What is the best digital writing pad overall?
The Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook is our pick for the best digital notepad overall. This writing pad helps users write digitally similar to how one would use a book, and is affordable to use. We’d strongly recommend the Apple iPad Air for those with a larger budget.
What is the best digital writing pad for affordability?
When it comes to affordability, the Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook is the best digital writing pad to opt for. If you’re looking for an option that connects directly with your device then you should consider the HUION Inspiroy H950P instead.
What is the most multi-functional writing pad?
The Apple iPad Air and The Galaxy Tab S2 are the best multifunctional writing pads. While these two are technically tablets, they have the most features for a device that doubles as a writing pad.
Which digital writing pad looks most authentic?
When it comes to looking authentic we have 2 recommendations. The Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook and the ReMarkable Paper Digital Writing Pad are the best choices.
What is the best digital writing pad for beginners?
The Wacom Bamboo writing pad is the best electronic notepad for users looking to work directly on devices. That said, even the Rocketbook Fusion Smart Notebook is a great option.
What is the importance of digital writing pads?
Digital writing pads enable multi-modal writings which in turn gives you more depth in reading, understanding, detailing, and designing. It is also simple to access different learning and improve efficiency.
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10+ Best Digital Writing Pads for PC & Laptops
Although it may be innocuous-looking, a digital writing pad can have many more uses than just jotting down notes or scribbling the random thoughts to run through your head. Our list of the best digital writing pad for laptops can make you forget all about your old pen and notebook and help you clear all that clutter.