What are the best tablets for a student and creative who needs to do digital art, take notes, handle productivity tasks, and watch media?

We ask the same underlying question in different ways.

• What are the best tablets for a student and creative who needs to do digital art, take notes, handle productivity tasks, and watch media?
• I need a tablet for school and creative projects. Which models handle digital illustration, note-taking, productivity work, and entertainment well?
• Which tablets are best suited for a creative student who needs a device for drawing, taking notes in class, getting work done, and watching videos?