Searching for an inexpensive tablet for note-taking

1. What is your budget?

Absolute limit? $500.

2. Would you consider purchasing used/refurbished?

Yes - I'd prefer it, in fact!

3. Do you prefer a media/mobile tablet like the iPad, Windows tablet PC, or notebook convertible?

Any will do, but I'll be dragging it around with me, so lighter is a plus.

4. What size Tablet PC would you prefer?

Average tablet size - 9-12 inches, but I'm not too picky as long as it's bigger than a phablet (I love that term).


5. Which country do you intent to purchase from [where do you live]?

Canada, but I'm heading down to the States in March.

6. Do you have any preferences to brand loyalty or dislikes?

No. They only love me for my money.

7. How many hours battery life do you require?

Aha. Since I need this for CÉGEP (kinda like College in Québec), I would need a minimum of [B]5-6 hours[/B] of battery. life. I'd prefer to have 7 or more to have it for the bus ride as well.

8. What will be the primary usage scenario of this tablet? (Email/Web Surfing/Drawing/Word Processing/Entertainment/Notetaking etc)

Mostly note-taking and word processing, but I like to have a tablet with games and videos for the bus ride and with which I can sketch.

9. Do you have an OS preference? For example, do you own an iPhone and a Mac, or are you a Windows fan? Do you own an Android device and use Google services frequently?

The only OS that really fits my needs is Windows.

10. What software and tasks do you intend to run? (Microsoft Office or other Word Processing Suite/Photoshop/3D Studio Max/Autocad etc)

Office, Sketchbook and, if specs permit, Inkscape.

11. Do you intend on playing Games? If so please list.

Just little time-wasters like Monopoly, Catan, Phase 10, Solitaire... Nothing taxing.

12. Would you like to stream content through your home theater system?

Nah, not an issue.


Screen Specifics

1. Any preference on screen resolution?

None. It doesn't make a difference to me.

2. Will you be using the tablet outdoors? Do you need to be able to see it through glare from the sun?
See the above linked FAQ for guidance

Not really. I'll probably get a matte screen protector anyways.

3. Do you require a pen? With or without pressure sensitivity? Do you prefer Wacom or N-trig?
See the above linked FAQ for guidance

YES. A pressure-sensitive pen (whichever brand) is a must.


Component Specifics

1. What size Hard Drive and Memory do you require? Would you like expandable memory?

Expandable memory is a big plus. As for a HD, I only need about 32gb of user-accessible space, but I'd prefer to have at least 60.

2. What sort of inputs do you require, if any? Would you like full-sized USB and SD card slots? Are microUSB and microSD ok? Do you require HDMI inputs?

Full-sized USB and SD is a big plus, but I can do without. Their micro cousins and HDMI aren't really useful to me.


Misc
1. Other non specific items ~ please add other items you require not covered above?

...

2. Additional requests ~ anything other you wish to take into consideration?

I'm almost tempted to make capacitive touch a requirement, but post tablets without them and I'll see if it's worth it.​

Thank you in advance for your help!