Asking this in the Parents forum in case there’s any sage advice from some veteran parents out there. 
D24 will be a college freshman this fall. We’re considering whether she should head off to college with an Apple ipad+keyboard or a Microsoft Surface Pro. She’ll be a bio major, in case that helps at all. Would prefer not to use a Google tablet.
Suggestions? Thoughts?
It depends. She should stay in whatever ecosystem she is already using. Does she have a mac or a windows computer? Iphone or android? Each piece of tech will work better with others from the same company.
My son waited until he started the semester, so that he could see what other students were using in his school and department.
I told my son not to buy anything until he gets to school. Then buy whatever everyone else is using.
Also most companies offer Educational Discounts. Apple historically included a free gift with purchase for summer/Fall.
She currently has a Windows computer, an iphone, and a super old (like 6 yr old) ipad mini. She really only uses the ipad right now for playing simple games and watching videos. We thought that something with note-taking and drawing/annotating capabilities could be useful with studying.
If she ends up getting a new ipad, I will say that both my kids (S23 and D26) really like the largest size.
I made a point to show my kid a “typical” college classroom when we toured UCLA. The small folding desk is way too small for anything that he can type on. He realized it will likely be paper and pencils for many of his classes like he does now doing math at the local CC.
Hand writing notes on a tablet works well on these small tables though. Easier than juggling a pile of paper 
Many also think that hand written note taking in class is better for learning, compared to typing.
If she’s already used to using a Windows-based laptop and doesn’t use her current iPad for any real work, my guess is the Surface will be more useful than the iPad.
I personally use an Ipad Pro with keyboard but I’m all Mac in my other devices. I’m happy with it, but it does have limited utility. I would only use it for productivity apps like Word or Excel if I had no alternative.
My S23 requested a Surface Studio Laptop in HS that he still uses (instead of refreshing his 5 year old MacBook). He still uses an iPhone but has preferred the versatility of the all-in-one laptop and tablet device and hasn’t had any issues with the mixed-platform between those and the phone. We’re all a little jealous of his Surface Laptop in fact. He uses it for everything, even taking hand written notes in class or completing math and physics problem sets, etc. When he’s performing, he scans his sheet music and uses it on a stand too to easily swipe between pages. Truly living up to its versatility.
On the Apple side, there’s is still more of an awkward/incomplete gap between files and programs on the iPad versus the mac laptop. Whereas with the surface it’s truly a touch-based PC.
My son has trouble recognizing his own writing, so I don’t know if Ipad will register what he scribbles. He does type 150 words a minute, so he was sad to know he may not be able to type.
You have no clue if all her professors will allow her to type in class - at one of my child’s schools - several classes are no keyboard and some won’t allow IPad with pen either. I would see if the school has a recommendation for her major or wait like other posters recommended.
My exercise science major had a MacBook in undergrad, and then got an iPad with pencil for her DPT program, she said is was a game changer with notes. She used both a lot, wished she also had the iPad in undergrad.
My kid has a Windows laptop - we got at Costco for like $500 - an LG. It broke (she treats it like crap) and the school gave her a laptop to use while it was being repaired - which was months.
So we had neither an iPad or Surface but an actual laptop (windows based).
Usually the schools will give you a recommendation of both Windows / Mac or a minimal spec for each.
Good luck.
There are numerous scientific studies showing that physically writing on paper activates far more areas of the brain than typing or drawing on a tablet, with a concurrent effect on memory and retention.
It seems a lot of the college push to assign and collect homework electronically is for the convenience of the school and the instructors, not for the benefit of the students.
That said, I’d recommend iPad for ease of use.
Our D is a rising junior BME student. She uses an iPad with pencil and I’m amazed at how detailed and clear her notes are. Her orgo notes with all the diagrams just amaze me. She also has a MacBook Air, but for class notes it’s primary iPad