What Is The Best Computer Tablet To Buy

There are countless tablets on the market, but which one is right for you? Whether you're eyeing an iPad or one of the many Android models available, we detail the key factors you need to consider when shopping, along with some of the top-rated tablets we've tested.

what is the best computer tablet to buy

You should enjoy the Fire HD 8 if you want a budget-friendly device with a larger screen than your phone. It doesn't compete with high-end iPads or Android tablets on performance metrics, but it's more than fast enough for casual use.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus has competitive specs, a roomy display, and every other feature we expect from a high-end tablet. It also offers stellar 5G connectivity, so you don't need to hunt for Wi-Fi.

Broadly, Android tablets make great media players, ebook readers, and kids' devices (if you want a tablet specifically for children, check out our story on the best kids' tablets), but they rarely compete with iPads when it comes to versatility and performance.

Google's Android OS gives you a choice of hardware from several different manufacturers and offers maximum customization, a top-notch notification system, fast and smooth web browsing, and seamless integration with Google applications such as Gmail, Google Maps, and Meet for video chat. Android also includes support for multiple user profiles, so you can share your tablet with a friend or family member. (Apple's Family Sharing works the other way around, giving multiple people access to shared data and services.) That said, most Android tablets ship with an older version of the OS and few get updates.

What's a tablet without quality apps? If you want third-party apps that work with a touch-screen interface, nothing beats the iPad's massive library of programs and games. The App Store is well curated and monitored, offers a deep selection, and includes every popular app in existence. Apple is your best bet if a wide range of compelling apps that look good and work well on your tablet is your main priority. For more, see the best iPad apps and the best Apple Arcade Games.

Android has made great strides in app selection, but it's still not home to as many as Apple offers. It's tough to say exactly how many tablet-optimized Android apps are available, but it's far fewer than on the iPad. You can use Android phone apps of course, which look decent on a 7-inch tablet, but less so on a 9- or 10-inch device. Check out the best Android apps for our top picks.

Amazon tablets don't have access to the Google Play store, so they work with considerably fewer apps. Plenty of people have hacked the Play store onto Amazon tablets, but that violates both Amazon's and Google's terms of service and isn't a reliable solution. With these tablets, you should likely stick with the subset of apps that Amazon considers appropriate.

We consider 7- and 8-inch tablets as small-screen devices and 9-inch tablets as the start of the large-screen category. Apple's iPads, Amazon's Fire tablets, and Samsung's slates all come in small- and large-screen versions. And more than ever, big phones blur the distinction between what is and isn't a tablet. Folding phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 can easily do double duty as tablets if you're willing to pay a hefty premium.

Screen resolution is important, too, especially for ebook reading and web surfing. A sharp, bright display is key. If you're in the market for a 10-inch tablet, look for a display with a resolution of at least 1,280 by 800 pixels.

Cloud (off-device) storage is an option for many tablets (Amazon Cloud Storage for Fire tablets, iCloud for iPads, Google Drive for Android tablets), but when it comes to onboard storage, more is always better. All those apps; your local music, video, and photo libraries; and system updates can take up a lot of space. Some Android tablets feature a microSD slot for additional storage, but it's worth noting some apps won't work from those external cards.

Some tablets can connect only over Wi-Fi, but others can take advantage of always-on cellular service from a wireless provider. Unless you constantly use your tablet in an area without Wi-Fi or are a frequent international traveler, you're probably better off using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and saving the extra money you would spend on an LTE tablet. You can also buy a dedicated mobile hotspot, which won't kill your phone's battery life. Some even double as backup batteries to charge your tablet.

The tablets here represent the best Amazon, Android, and Apple options across a variety of price levels. That said, plenty of other great tablets exist that might be better for you. For the latest lab-tested reviews, check out our tablet product guide. And if you're looking for a good deal, head over to our roundup of the best cheap tablets we've tested.

Right now, we're confident in saying that the absolute best drawing tablet you can buy is the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium Bundle, which comes with some super-cool features and is very affordable. Our second spot goes to the powerful iPad Pro as it's easy to carry around, features Apple's excellent digital art software and has Apple Pencil 2 support. If you want a more well-known name, the Wacom Cintiq 22 comes in next. This provides Wacom's famous quality in a pleasingly large tablet at a surprisingly affordable price.

Our above list is based on a variation of factors. Most of the choices come from personal, hands-on experiences and extensive testing of each tablet. For the few choices that we haven't personally tested, we carefully researched reviews and opinions from other reputable sites and creatives. By considering features like connectivity, pressure sensitivity, operating systems and more, we have made sure to include a wide range of the best drawing tablets that can fit every artist's needs.

Using the best drawing tablets will help you to design beautiful digital artwork with ease. There is a wide range of products when it comes to drawing tablets, from those with their own screens to graphics tablets that have to be hooked up to an external monitor. Whether you're new to the world of digital art, a student heading to school or a seasoned pro: be sure that our below list of the best digital art tablets will have something for you.

Drawing on a tablet feels more natural than ever now thanks to advancing artist tech. There are three main types of graphics tablet: pen display, graphics tablet and tablet computers (and if you're not sure the difference, we have a handy breakdown of each type at the bottom of this page).

This nifty little stylus has a range of compatibility options, meaning you can pair it up with many different tablet models. It features built-in Bluetooth for easy connection and excellent battery life.

Rounding off the list is the Tab A8, the latest addition in the Galaxy Tab range and firmly in the more affordable range alongside the fire HD 10 tablet. The A8 is very similar to its predecessor the A7 in both appearance and functionality, but now featured is slightly better RAM, up to 4GB and a 10.5 inch screen, as opposed to 10.4" one.

But despite the relatively low price point for this tablet, you can still get a good overall experience as the device is light and easy to carry around, it has a vibrant display and is simple to use.

Performance is a particular draw on this tablet. Apple has slung in the laptop-level M1 chip, the same processor from the 2021 iPad Pro series and the MacBook Air (2020). It's a monster of a chip, and you're unlikely to encounter anything that'll slow it down, including video editing. Performance-wise, this is a tablet with enough power to take on a laptop, and it shows.

The design is similarly high level. The slim bezels aren't too small to grab properly, and the weight and comparatively compact 10.9-inch display mean it's still comfortable to hold. Sure, it's the same design as the previous iPad Air, but that's because there's nothing wrong with the look of that tablet. Unfortunately, it does lack the faster 120Hz ProMotion display from the iPad Pro, which you might notice if you're used to using a screen with a higher refresh rate. However, that's not going to bother you if you're accustomed to the much more standard 60Hz found on most tablets and laptops.

The cameras are really quite good for a tablet, and the 12-megapixel front-facing camera particularly stands out. Center Stage keeps you in the middle of the frame, even if you move around, and expands the view when friends and family join you. While you're unlikely to be taking a lot of pictures with the rear camera, it's still got the goods when you need it.

It's certainly not cheap, but if you can stretch to $600, then this is our overall recommendation for a strong tablet that can handle a wide range of tasks and needs. Want an Android-based equivalent, something a bit cheaper, or something even more powerful? Keep reading for more options.

Looking for the best Android tablet out there? Put aside the smaller and larger of its brethren, as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus is the tablet to grab. The 12.4-inch AMOLED display is big and useful, without being as potentially unwieldy as the Tab S8 Ultra's 14.6-inch display, the frame is made from Armor Aluminum and feels great, and it's thin and relatively lightweight as well. It's a premium package, and it certainly won't disappoint every time you pull it out of a bag or case. 041b061a72