The most suitable tablets for students offer an excellent balance of portability and performance, featuring a commendable display and extensive application capabilities.
Equipped with integrated cameras and audio, tablets are ideal for classroom activities as well as for video conferencing and remote education. Additionally, their generally lower price point compared to laptops is an advantageous factor.
Before making a decision on a tablet, there are several considerations to keep in mind: What is the necessary screen size in relation to the desired portability? Is long-lasting battery life essential, or is processing power more critical? Will the tablet need to be compatible with a stylus? Does the operating system integrate effectively with your educational institution’s infrastructure? If the purchase is being made by parents, are there any restrictions that need to be implemented on the device?
Given the numerous factors to evaluate, we have simplified the process by presenting a selection of the top tablets currently available for students.
Best Tablet For Students Reviews
1. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7
A brand that consistently prioritizes innovation is Samsung. The array of tablets introduced by Samsung has successfully captured a significant user base, particularly among college students. The Galaxy Tab S7 has emerged as a preferred choice for many students who appreciate the blend of portability and performance it offers.
Upon examining the tablet’s elegant design, one can appreciate its sturdy construction, crafted from aluminum and polycarbonate materials. The detachable keyboard features a magnetic flap, enabling the tablet to be positioned in notebook mode.
The Galaxy Tab S7’s smooth finish is appealing, and its lightweight design, at just 1.1 pounds, makes it an ideal option for college students. However, it is worth noting that the device is equipped with a limited selection of ports, including only a USB Type C 3.1 port (not Thunderbolt 3) and a headphone jack.
In contrast to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+, this model does not feature a Super AMOLED display; however, the TFT WQXGA panel offers a vibrant and immersive viewing experience. Whether for attending video conferences or streaming films, the 11-inch screen delivers vivid detail. With a resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels, the touchscreen provides satisfactory brightness.
Regarding the detachable keyboard, the Tab S7 offers a reasonable typing experience for short to medium-length written tasks. The keys may feel somewhat shallow and are closely spaced, which could impede typing efficiency during extended use.
The touchpad, though compact, provides excellent accuracy for navigation and gesture control. Additionally, the Tab S7 includes a Stylus, which is beneficial for taking notes in class and for drawing purposes.
The device is also equipped with an 8MP front camera and dual rear cameras, featuring a 13MP main sensor and a 5MP ultra-wide lens, delivering impressive results in color vibrancy and enabling 1080p video recording at 30 fps.
In summary, the specifications of the Galaxy Tab S7 render it a long-term student-friendly device, capable of handling basic tasks effectively.
2. Google Pixel Tablet
Google’s flagship tablet distinguishes itself from others on this list by including a dock in the package, allowing users to position the tablet in communal areas such as the kitchen or living room. This feature enhances its functionality, making it an excellent choice as a home hub for the entire family.
When detached from the dock, the tablet continues to provide impressive battery life and the robust performance associated with Google’s Tensor chipset. The 11-inch display offers ample screen space with a satisfactory resolution, although its refresh rate may not be the best in its class, and some users may prefer a tablet that is not primarily designed for docking.
Google’s hardware is exceptional, its offering is unique, and the company is capable of producing an outstanding tablet. However, as a potential central hub for your home, it remains unclear who this new device is truly intended for, particularly given its price point.
The Pixel Tablet represents a compelling reimagining of Google’s vision for tablets. Unlike its predecessor, the Pixel Slate, which was primarily designed for productivity, the Pixel Tablet aspires to be the central hub of your home while still providing excellent battery life for handheld content consumption.
However, it remains unclear who the target audience for the Pixel Tablet is. Its dual functionality, enhanced by the inclusion of a dock, positions it as both a home hub and a tablet. This raises the question of whether such a hybrid device is appealing to consumers, particularly given its price point.
Moreover, with Android still not fully optimized for larger screens, the Pixel Tablet’s specifications—such as a 60Hz refresh rate, a resolution that falls short of Google’s flagship smartphones, and the absence of an OLED display—leave lingering doubts about the role of Android tablets in the market.
While Google’s hardware quality is commendable and the concept is innovative, it is uncertain who would find a compelling reason to purchase the Pixel Tablet.
3. Microsoft Surface Go 2
What are the current essential requirements for a college student? There is a clear demand for a tablet that combines durability, affordability, and high performance. Microsoft has addressed these needs with the introduction of the Surface Go 2, a device that promises to meet all three criteria effectively.
The Surface Go 2 is meticulously crafted, drawing inspiration from the design of the Surface Pro 3, featuring a robust magnesium chassis. Weighing just 1.2 pounds, this tablet offers remarkable versatility in its configurations. Its rounded edges and compact radial vents enhance its portability.
Equipped with a 10.5-inch IPS LCD touchscreen, this tablet delivers a color-accurate display capable of producing nearly HDR-quality images. The vibrant PixelSense display enhances the experience for drawing, note-taking, and video watching, making it a significant advantage for Microsoft.
The Alcantara-covered Type Cover adds a stylish and comfortable keyboard option for the tablet, facilitating ease of use during transport. The backlit keyboard offers satisfactory key travel, contributing positively to typing speed. Additionally, the device includes a USB Type-C port and a headphone jack, although it lacks a USB Type-A port.
Whether watching movies, participating in live academic sessions, or engaging in video calls, users will encounter no audio issues. The tablet boasts a battery life of up to 8 hours when in use, although there is room for improvement in this area.
Lastly, the camera specifications of the Surface Go 2 include a 5MP front camera and an 8MP rear camera, both capable of producing 1080p resolution images. This feature is particularly useful for quickly capturing notes from classroom boards, whether in photo or video format.
Through the Surface Go 2, Microsoft has ensured that students can find comprehensive solutions to their educational needs without the hassle of complicated technology.
4. Apple iPad Air 5th Generation
The device is lauded for its premium design that mimics ceramic on the rear. When paired with a Bluetooth keyboard, it transforms into a laptop-like apparatus. The impressive Touch ID feature facilitates mobile payments, particularly useful when a credit card is not at hand. The touchscreen offers excellent responsiveness, enhancing the web browsing experience.
This tablet, ideal for college students, operates efficiently due to the A8X chip and 64-bit architecture combined with the M8 motion coprocessor. Students will find the Split View feature particularly beneficial, allowing them to use two applications on a single screen concurrently. The 9.7-inch display employs IPS technology with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels and supports multi-touch functionality.
If you are torn between the iPad 9.7 and the Air model, it is advisable to choose the latter, as it fully accommodates the Apple Smart Keyboard, a feature not supported by the former. For those prioritizing the iPad’s 2-in-1 productivity capabilities, this distinction is crucial.
At present, there is no more affordable iPad equipped with the Apple Smart Connector, which magnetically attaches the fabric tri-fold keyboard cover to the tablet’s base in landscape mode. This eliminates the need to rely on potentially unreliable Bluetooth keyboards from third-party manufacturers.
This tablet stands out as the premier choice for college students due to its outstanding display, overall performance, and robust battery life, which is adequate for everyday users. In the Android market, this model faces no competition. However, within the iPad category, the Air version falls short compared to the Pro model, which features larger and more advanced screens.
5. Google Pixel Slate
This model is rightly regarded as the premier tablet for college students, primarily due to its exceptional screen quality. The 12.3-inch Molecular display boasts a resolution of 3,000 by 2,000 pixels, resulting in approximately 230 pixels per inch. Furthermore, it features dual coil front-facing speakers, enhancing the overall experience. These attributes make the Pixel Slate an excellent option for both academic pursuits and leisure activities.
In the realm of 2-in-1 devices, many users envision a product that leans more towards a laptop than a tablet. However, this note-taking tablet specifically designed for college students defies that expectation. It is evident that the design prioritizes tablet functionality, with the laptop capabilities being secondary.
This emphasis on tablet features has enabled the manufacturer to create a model that is more portable than many of the leading tablets available for students. Additionally, it ranks among the thinnest and lightest options on the market, making it convenient to transport in a bag or backpack.
The processing speed and overall performance are commendable, while the touchscreen controls have been thoughtfully designed, benefiting from the latest operating system updates. The preinstalled Chrome OS allows users to operate the device in either tablet or desktop mode, with the tablet automatically transitioning between the two modes upon connecting or disconnecting the keyboard. In tablet mode, the interface resembles that of a standard Android tablet, enhanced with multi-window support.
The Pixel Slate is equipped with a 45W charger, which provides approximately 2 hours of battery life after just 15 minutes of charging. Its USB-C compatibility also allows for charging the tablet using a smartphone or other chargers.
Final Word
A tablet that effectively integrates both academic and recreational pursuits is essential. Therefore, it is important to explore the key factors to consider when selecting a tablet for purposes such as note-taking, attending lectures, organizing schedules, and, of course, indulging in much-needed leisure time.
