I definitely recommend having an iPad in PT school. As a first year student, I use it almost every day. I keep all of my textbooks and lecture powerpoints on it, so I can study almost anywhere. It is useful to be able to write notes quickly on lab documents during class. I also like drawing diagrams and being able to easily erase or change colors is a big plus! I hate having a bunch of papers and books around, but if you like more traditional note taking, it may not be worth it for you. I love the Apple pencil, but you could probably get by with a cheaper bluetooth stylus for the same purposes.
Before making a decision, you should also definitely look into your program's specific requirements. At my program, we are required to take all exams using an app called Examplify. During anatomy practicals in the summer, it was much easier to navigate the tables quickly with an iPad compared to having to stop and type with laptop like some of my classmates had to do. While some of my classmates have other brands of tablets, I think you'll find that most of the required or recommended apps are specifically made for iPad and may not work as well on Android devices. I would look into buying a refurbished or used iPad Pro over spending money on a device that might not be compatible.
