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How To Make A Simple Touchscreen Tablet for Under 60$

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Fancy building your own quad core tablet? Finding the commercial options far too expensive to consider? With just a Raspberry Pi, some 3D printed casing, a rechargeable battery, and a touchscreen display, you can-here's how.

Yes, You Can Build a DIY Android Tablet!

Incredibly, it really is possible to build your own tablet.

With a Raspberry Pi at the heart, and a suitable touchscreen display, all you need to add is a power regulator and rechargeable battery, and suitable chassis. This could be anything from something you've built out of LEGO to a 3D printed solution.

A popular crowd-funded project in early 2018, the Raspad, reached over 6000 percent of its target funding. Using the Raspberry Pi in a tablet seems to many people to be the next logical step for the little single board computer (SBC).

All it takes is a little bit of planning, a few pieces of equipment, and a bit of determination. It's entirely possible that this can be done for under $100. Tempted? What if we told you the Raspberry Pi can run Android or a different touch-focused operating system?

Get These Parts for a Raspberry Pi Tablet

For the basic build, you will need:

Raspberry Pi Official 7″ Touchscreen Display (this should include a 200mm ribbon cable)

Raspberry Pi 3 B or B+

16GB microSD card

Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C

2500mAh Lithium Ion Polymer Battery

SPDT Slide Switch

You'll find these items on Amazon, Adafruit, and similar suppliers.

In addition, you'll need a 3D printed case. While designing your own is fine, it's worth considering those that already exist. For our tablet, we used an STL file for a Raspberry Pi tablet project by DrVegetable.

You should either print the case yourself or pay for it to be done by a professional 3D printing service The Best Websites to Order 3D Prints From While 3D printing is getting cheaper everyday, it's not for everyone. These awesome websites handle all the hard work for you. Read More .

In addition to all this, make sure you have:

A soldering iron and solder

Screwdrivers (or a single device with swappable heads)

Wire strippers

Hot glue gun

With a few wires and screws (check the notes for your 3D printed case project), you'll be ready to go. Oh, you should also have a clean towel handy, for placing your touchscreen display face-down on. This avoids scratches.

Two Android Options on the Raspberry Pi 3

While several versions of Android can be installed on the Raspberry Pi How to Install Android on a Raspberry Pi Want to install Android on your Raspberry Pi? Here's how to do so-and why to install Android on Raspberry Pi in the first place. Read More , you'll need one compatible with the touchscreen. Two key Android builds are worth considering.

LineageOS 8

The best option for this project is a Raspberry Pi version of LineageOS 15.1. Based on Android 8.1.0, this isn't the latest version, but it does have the best support for the official Raspberry Pi Touchscreen.

A fork of CyanogenMod, LineageOS 8 is an open source project, offering a good Android experience. Note it does have some shortcomings: Bluetooth doesn't work on the 3B+, and you may have problems with Netflix. Most games should work, but not in 1080p format.

EmteriaOS

Amazingly, other versions of Android for the Raspberry Pi are available. One you might consider taking a closer look at is EmteriaOS. This is available free or with a €19 single-device license. If this sounds good, note that the free option has nag screens and an enforced reboot every eight hours.

EmteriaOS comes with its own installer tool.

Download: EmteriaOS (Requires signup)

Connect and Test Your Raspberry Pi Touchscreen

Hooking up the Raspberry Pi 3 to the official Touchscreen is surprisingly straightforward.

The video above illustrates the basic connection process. It's worth testing this before putting the tablet together, so you're familiar with it. You might even take the time to install one of the Android versions first, just to ensure everything is working.

Take a moment to shut down and detach the Pi and its display before proceeding.

Construct Your Raspberry Pi Android Tablet

If you have been following the steps above, you should have everything you need. Your Android tablet, powered by a Raspberry Pi, is ready to build.

The following steps are based on building a tablet using the 3D printed case by DrVegetable. Other projects will have a general similarity.

Place the Raspberry Pi Touchscreen display in its housing. Line up the screw holes with the mounting holes in the display.

With the mounting brackets in place, secure them against the housing and into the mounting holes.

Reconnect the Raspberry Pi to the display as shown above.

Secure the Raspberry Pi in the case, using the screws.

Similarly, secure the PowerBoost, lining up the USB port with the hole in the case. You'll need to secure the battery too-hot glue is the best option.

When you're done, screw the back of the tablet case to the display housing. Plug in the Pi via the PowerBoost to charge it up.

Run a wire from pin 2 on the Pi's GPIO, soldering it to the PowerBoost's + connector.

Run a second wire from pin 6 on the GPIO to the PowerBoost's - connector.

With two of the Pi display's pluggable wires, connect 5V pin 4 on the Pi to 5V and pin 9 GND to GND on the display board.

Solder the slide switch to the PowerBoost, the middle pin to GND, and one of the outer pins to EN. Secure the switch in the case with some hot glue.

Finally, plug the batter into the PowerBoost.

The Raspberry Pi tablet powered by Android is ready to use.

WebOS on the Raspberry Pi

You don't have to rely on Android as your Raspberry Pi tablet operating system.

While lacking the wealth of apps available to Android, WebOS is a smart alternative. This is an operating system originally released by Palm in 2009, which sadly didn't survive (largely due to poor corporate confidence, and a HP buyout, rather than any real issues). However, an open source version, LuneOS, has been ported to the Raspberry Pi 3.

Download: LuneOS for the Raspberry Pi

Your Very Own Raspberry Pi-Powered Tablet!

Despite Raspbian being unsuitable for a touchscreen experience, by now you should have (or be ready to build) a Raspberry Pi powered Android tablet, with a few hours' charge, for under $100 (a bit more if you had the components 3D printed elsewhere).

Want more Raspberry Pi and Android projects? Try building an Android TV box with your Raspberry Pi How to Build an Android TV Box With a Raspberry Pi Want to cut the cord and save money on TV? Build your own Android TV box! Here's how to install Android TV on a Raspberry Pi. Read More .

Affiliate Disclosure: By buying the products we recommend, you help keep the site alive. Read more.

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How to Build Your Own Android Tablet With Raspberry Pi

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Fancy building your own quad core tablet? Finding the commercial options far too expensive to consider? With just a Raspberry Pi, some 3D printed casing, a rechargeable battery, and a touchscreen display, you can-here's how. Incredibly, it really is possible to build your own tablet.

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Microsoft Surface: best alternative for a laptop with full Windows 10 functionality.
Apple iPad: best all around tablet with the most applications.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6: best all around tablet for the cost.
Amazon Fire: best budget friendly device for mobility and entertainment. (e-reader, web surfing, videos)

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Samsung Galaxy Tab and Amazon Fire Tablets have the capability to use SD cards to expand the memory.

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Operating Systems With The Most Applications

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Operating Systems With The Most Applications

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Apple leads the pack with the most apps available.

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Apple iOS  13

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iOS 13 brings improvements across the entire system - from the cool new Dark Mode to major app updates and new ways to help you protect your privacy.

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Article includes price break downs:

Where To Buy

Best For Overall Bang for Buck: Amazon Fire HD 8 (2018) — $79.00 at Best Buy

Best For Big Screen Streaming at a Low Price: Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) — $149.00 at Best Buy

Best For Budget-Friendly Apple Tablet: Apple iPad (2019) — $429.00 at Apple.com

Best For Power and Portability: Apple iPad mini (2019) — $384.00 at Amazon

Best For Multimedia and Gaming: Apple iPad Air (2019) — $496.00 at Amazon

Best For Productivity: Apple iPad Pro (12.9-Inch, 2018) — $899.00 at Amazon

Best For An iPad Alternative: Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite — $350.00 at Amazon

Best For Low-Cost Android Access: onn. 8-Inch Tablet — $64.00 at Walmart

Best For E Ink fans: Onyx Boox Max 3 — $859.99 at Amazon

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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 have the key factors you need to consider when shopping, along with some of the top-rated tablets we've tested.

Keep in mind that Windows slates are different beasts entirely. If that's what you're looking for, head on over to our picks for the best Windows tablets, as well as the best 2-in-1s.

Android vs. Apple Tablets

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.

Apple iPad mini
Generally speaking, the greatest strengths of Apple's iPadOS are twofold: It's very clean and intuitive, and the numerous apps that you can buy right on your tablet-more than one million iPad-specific titles at the time of this writing-work uniformly well, with a very few exceptions.

Google's Android OS gives you a choice of hardware from several different manufacturers and offers maximum configurability, 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 logins, so you can share your tablet with a friend or family member, a useful feature that's missing in Apple tablets. (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.

The Best Tablet Deals This Week*

*Deals are selected by our partner, TechBargains
See How We Test Tablets
Amazon's Fire OS is a branch of Android with its own user interface and its own default apps. It's designed to be clear and easy to use for consuming Amazon content and for streaming video from various services, and it's easier to use than standard Android if most of what you're doing is Web browsing and accessing your Amazon library. It's less flexible for customization, though.

Which Tablet Has the Best Apps?

What's a tablet without quality apps? If you want third-party apps specifically designed for a touch-screen interface, nothing out there beats the iPad and its huge library of programs and games designed specifically for Apple tablets. The App Store is well curated and monitored, offers a deep selection, and includes every popular app you can think of. If a wide range of compelling apps that look good and work well on your tablet is your main priority, Apple is your best bet. For more, see the 100 best iPad apps.
Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab
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 Apple boasts. There are also Android phone apps, which look decent on a 7-inch tablet, but less so on a 9- or 10-inch one. Check out the 100 best Android apps for our top picks.

Amazon tablets don't have access to the Google Play store, so they have considerably fewer apps available. There are plenty of people who have hacked the Play store onto Amazon tablets, but that violates both Amazon's and Google's terms of service and can't be considered a reliable solution. Though they have their own app store, which is a subset of Google Play, you should consider Amazon tablets designed to be used with the apps Amazon recommends.

What Size Tablet Do You Need?

This consideration is a bit obvious, but size-both screen real estate and storage capacity-is important to consider. First things first: When you hear a term such as "10-inch tablet," this refers to the size of the screen, measured diagonally, and not the size of the tablet itself.
onn. 8-Inch Tablet
7-inch tablets are considered small-screen; 8.9-inch tablets and above are considered large-screen. Apple's iPads, Amazon's Fire tablets, and Samsung's slates all come in small- and large-screen iterations. And more than ever, phones are blurring the lines with tablets. Folding phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 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.

The low weight of a tablet is one definite advantage it has over a laptop -but with large-screen tablets typically weighing around a pound, they're not nearly as light as smartphones. After you hold one with a single hand while standing up for 20 minutes, your hand will get tired. Setting one flat in your lap, rather than propped up on a stand, can also be a little awkward. And few tablets will fit in your pocket, unless you're wearing a very large jacket. If you want pocketability, you might want to consider a phablet.
Amazon Fire HD 8
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, when combined with music, video, and photo libraries, can take up a lot of space. Some Android tablets feature a microSD slot for additional storage, but it's worth noting some apps will not work from a microSD card.

Wi-Fi-Only vs. Cellular Tablets

Some tablets come in a Wi-Fi-only model or with the option 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 using your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and saving the extra money you'd 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 Top Tablets (for Now)

The tablets chosen here represent the best Android and Apple options across a variety of price levels. That said, there are plenty of other great tablets out there, and one might be right 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.

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Tablets are great for playing games, reading, doing homework, keeping kids entertained in the back seat of the car, and a whole lot more. Whether you're looking for an Android or an Apple, here's what to consider, along with reviews of the best tablets we've tested.

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Microsoft Windows 10

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Android 10

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Android devices already get regular security updates. And in Android 10, you'll get them even faster and easier. With Google Play system updates, important Security and Privacy fixes can now be sent directly to your phone from Google Play, just the same way all your other apps update. So you get these fixes as soon as they are available.

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Android devices already get regular security updates. And in Android 10, you'll get them even faster and easier. With Google Play system updates, important Security and Privacy fixes can now be sent directly to your phone from Google Play, just the same way all your other apps update.

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Amazon Fire OS

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Fire OS is the operating system that runs Amazon's Fire TV and tablets. Fire OS is a fork of Android, so if your app runs on Android, it will most likely run on Amazon's Fire devices too. You can quickly check your app's compatibility with Amazon through the App Testing Service. As a developer, you might not have to adjust your Android code at all to publish your app on Amazon's platform.

Fire OS Versions

There are three versions of Fire OS:

The following table shows which Fire TV device runs which Fire OS version.

See Device Specifications for Fire TV for more specification information.

Most Fire devices receive over-the-air updates to get Fire OS updates automatically. Not every Fire device receives a push of the same Fire OS version at the same time. The updates often roll out to different devices at different times.

You can see your version of Fire OS by going to Settings > Device > Fire TV and looking at the "Software Version" details. Release notes for Fire OS versions are provided in Amazon Fire TV Device Software Updates in the Fire TV end-user documentation.

Differences in Services

At the core, both Fire OS and Android share the same foundation. The main way Fire OS differs from Android is in the services. Instead of using Google's services (for activities such as browsing, location, messaging, payments, and so on), Fire OS might use Amazon's services. Most notably, Amazon uses the Amazon Appstore to list your app while Google uses Google Play Store.

If your Android app connects into Google services, porting your Android app to the Fire OS platform may require you to tap into Amazon services instead.

When you're building your app, follow the standard Android documentation. Where there are differences to account for with Amazon's Fire OS platform, they're noted in the documentation on this site.

The goal is to provide as much parity as possible with Android (minus Google's services) so that you don't have to learn another development platform or make changes to your existing Android app.

The following table contrasts services from Google with similar services from Amazon.

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Fire OS is the operating system that runs Amazon's Fire TV and tablets. Fire OS is a fork of Android, so if your app runs on Android, it will most likely run on Amazon's Fire devices too. You can quickly check your app's compatibility with Amazon through the App Testing Service.

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Standard accessories include; SD cards, power chords, and covers.

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Stylus pen, detachable keyboard, and covers.

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Shop accessories for your favorite iPad model. Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard add versatility to iPad Pro. Take your iPad further with a Smart Cover, Beats headphones, Lightning adapters, Bluetooth keyboards, and more.

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Stylus pen, detachable keyboard, and mouse.

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Shop Surface Laptop & Tablet Accessories - Microsoft Store

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Explore laptop and tablet accessories for Microsoft Surface today. Shop the latest cases, keyboards, and more today at the official Microsoft Store.

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Stylus pen, detachable keyboard, SD memory card slot, and available in different colors.

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S Pen

*Please attach S Pen to the charging area on the rear of the device to wirelessly charge it before first use.
**S Pen battery life when fully charged lasts up to 10 hours on standby. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.

BookCover Keyboard

BookCover

*Product colors availability may vary depending on country, region and carrier.

Products

Campaigns

Events

Apps

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Accessories | Galaxy Tab S6 | Official Samsung Galaxy Site

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Please attach S Pen to the charging area on the rear of the device to wirelessly charge it before first use. **S Pen battery life when fully charged lasts up to 10 hours on standby. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.

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Android based tablet

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*Image simulated. Keyboard sold separately.

Bring your creativity to new heights with Galaxy Tab S6, a do it all tablet that goes beyond boundaries with whole new levels of S Pen integration for both work and play. Maximize your potential and turn challenge into opportunity with a tablet that prepares you for whatever life throws your way.

Productivity

Write It

With S Pen in your hand, it's time to let your ideas take flight. Pull up Samsung Notes while running a separate video to write down your thoughts in the moment. Adjust the window transparency to take notes without stopping playback, keeping your creativity going along with it.

Control It

Bluetooth connectivity gives you the freedom to remotely control your device by a press of the S Pen button. Plus, newly added S Pen Air actions³ to let you intuitively control your tablet with hand gestures. Make presentations, control video playback and more without needing to reach for the tablet.

Sketch It

Draw and sketch for hours with precision and control, with 4,096 different levels of pressure sensitivity for lively compositions and brush strokes and a comfortable grip for less fatigue. Express yourself when the moment strikes with a pen that's always at hand.

*Visit the official Samsung DeX page to view the large and growing list of supported apps and get more information on Samsung DeX.
**Galaxy Tab S6 BookCover Keyboard sold separately.

Ultra Wide
Camera

Wide Camera

Performance

ⓒ 2018 Epic Games, Inc. Epic Games, Fortnite, and their logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epic Games in the USA
(Reg. U.S. Pat & Tm. Off.) and elsewhere. All rights reserved.

Galaxy Tab S6 screen is featuring a live stream of an on-stage musical performance to highlight its LTE upload and download capabilities.

Connected+

Design

Three Galaxy Tab S6s-Cloud Blue, Rose Brown and Mountain Gray models-are standing upright with their back turned to the camera, each with a matching S Pen attached.

Accessories

*All accessories except S Pen sold seperately.

Specifications

OS
Android 9
(Pie)

Display
10.5" with
16:10 display

Camera
Ultra Wide Camera (F2.2)
Wide Camera (F2.0)
Front Camera (F2.0)

AP
SM8150

Memory
RAM (6GB, 8GB)
Internal storage (128GB, 256GB)

Battery
7040mAh

LEARN MORE

1. Please attach S Pen to the charging area on the rear of the device to wirelessly charge it before first use.

2. S Pen battery life when fully charged lasts up to 10 hours on standby. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.

3. S Pen's operable distance extends approximately 10 meters from the device in open space. Control range may vary depending on surroundings and other factors.

4. Apps that support split view are: Gallery, Calculator, Message, Samsung Notes, and Video. Certain other 3rd party apps may also support split view.

5. Actual storage capacity may vary by country or region.

6. MicroSD card sold separately. Availability may vary by country and manufacturer.

7. Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 6,840mAh(Rated battery capacity). Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.

8. Video playback testing designed and conducted to account for carrier and network environments of regions in which device is available for purchase. Tests conducted using development stage prototype and software. Battery capacity in relation to time calculated by measuring current consumption after playing video file (720p) on the device. Video playback may differ from actual time used depending on network connection status, function setup, signal strength, noise, video file type and other factors.

9. Only works with SmartThings compatible devices. Compatible devices depend on country. Check compatibility at www.samsung.com/smartthings.

10. Bixby Voice is supported in 8 languages; English (US/UK), Korean, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian and Spanish.

11. Call & text on other devices feature is supported between Samsung devices running Android P and with 3GB RAM and above. Service function rollout date may vary by region, carrier and device.

12. Each device must be connected to Wi-Fi or other wireless network.

13. For interoperability through Connected+, all the devices should be registered with a single Samsung Account.

14. Product colors availability may vary depending on country, region and carrier.

15. Spotify is only for users new to Premium who have an existing Samsung account and receive notice of this offer directly from Samsung.

16. The Spotify app is only available in Spotify-supported countries, and if you travel abroad it may not be available.

17. Screen measured diagonally as a full rectangle without accounting for the rounded corners.

Products

Campaigns

Events

Apps

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 - The Official Samsung Galaxy Site

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Image simulated. Keyboard sold separately. Bring your creativity to new heights with Galaxy Tab S6, a do it all tablet that goes beyond boundaries with whole new levels of S Pen integration for both work and play. Maximize your potential and turn challenge into opportunity with a tablet that prepares you for whatever life throws your way.

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Windows based tablets.
Compare Surface Models

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Compare Surface computers

Scenarios Ultimate mobility for working and connecting without an office, browsing, sketching on-screen, and streaming Netflix

Scenarios Versatile 2-in-1 laptop for working and playing your way, shopping, banking, on-screen writing, and streaming Netflix.

Scenarios Great for on-the-go productivity and multitasking.

Scenarios Great for everyday productivity, streaming, and browsing.

Scenarios A great value for daily tasks, email, shopping, educational software and homework, and binge watching.

Scenarios The most powerful Surface - best for professional design, illustration and animation, and on-screen creativity.

Dimensions 11.3 in x 8.2 in x 0.28 in (287 mm x 208 mm x 7.3 mm)

Dimensions 11.5" x 7.9" x 0.33" (292 mm x 201 mm x 8.5 mm)

Dimensions 11.5" x 7.9" x 0.33" (292 mm x 201 mm x 8.5 mm)

Dimensions 11.5" x 7.9" x 0.33" (292 mm x 201 mm x 8.5 mm)

Dimensions 12.13" x 8.79" x .57" (308.1 mm x 223.27 mm x 14.48 mm)

Dimensions 9.65" x 6.9" x 0.33" (245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm)

Processor Microsoft® SQ1™

Processor

Dual-core 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1005G1 Processor¹⁶

Quad-core 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1035G4 Processor¹⁶

Quad-core 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7 Processor¹⁶

Processor Intel® Core™ 8th Gen i5 or i7

Processor Intel®Pentium® Gold Processor 4415Y

Processor Intel® Core™ i7-7820HQ

Battery life ²

Up to 13.5 hours of local video playback (Wi-Fi)

Up to 12.5 hours of local video playback (LTE Advanced⁸)

Battery life ²

Wi-Fi: Up to 9 hours of video playback

LTE Advanced⁸: Up to 8.5 hours of battery life for local video playback

Graphics Microsoft® SQ1™ Adreno™ 685 GPU

Graphics Intel® HD Graphics 615

Optional accessories ⁷,

Surface Pro Signature Type Cover* for a full keyboard experience

Surface Pro Type Cover* for a full keyboard experience

Surface Pen* for on-screen notetaking and drawing

Surface Dial* for on-screen and off-screen interaction

¹⁰
Optional accessories ⁷,

Surface Pro Signature Type Cover* for a full keyboard experience

Surface Pro Type Cover* for a full keyboard experience

Surface Pen* for on-screen notetaking and drawing

Surface Dial* for on-screen and off-screen interaction

¹⁰
Optional accessories ⁷,

Surface Pro Signature Type Cover* for a full keyboard experience

Surface Pro Type Cover* for a full keyboard experience

Surface Pen* for on-screen notetaking and drawing

Surface Dial* for on-screen and off-screen interaction

¹⁰
Optional accessories ⁷,

Surface Go Signature Type Cover* for a full keyboard experience

Surface Pen* for on-screen notetaking and drawing

Surface Dial* for on-screen and off-screen interaction

¹⁰
Optional accessories ⁷,

Surface Pen (included) for on-screen notetaking and drawing

Surface Dial* for on-screen and off-screen interaction

¹⁰

Surface computers all run Microsoft 365*

Productive apps all come standard with Windows 10 and Surface computers

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Compare Surface Computers, Tech Specs & Models - Microsoft Surface

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Pick up to 3 Surface computers and compare the tech specs, models and more for Surface Laptop 3, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro 6, Surface Pro (5th Gen), Surface Go, Surface Book 2 and Surface Studio 2.

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Apple iOS based tablets.
Compare iPad Models

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Compare resolution, size, weight, performance, battery life, and storage of iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini models.

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Recommendations for large screen tablets 

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Recommendations for large screen tablets 

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Microsoft Surface X: 13" screen
Apple iPad Pro 12.9: 12.9" screen
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6: 10.5" screen

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Fire OS based tablets.
Compare Amazon Fire Models.

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Online shopping for Fire Tablets from a great selection at Amazon Devices & Accessories Store.

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A tablet that's as powerful as a conventional laptop but still slim and light enough to hold and tap with one hand was once the exclusive province of Hollywood's imagination. But thanks to manufacturers' ability to fit more powerful hardware into ever slimmer and lighter devices, it's now possible to hold in your hand a tablet that can do almost everything your laptop does-and, in most cases, is even more portable. Think of it as an Apple iPad combined with the power and flexibility of the Windows 10 operating system.

Just as with any system, however, a Windows tablet requires you to make choices. How big and powerful do you want (or need) it to be? What sort of features are you looking for? And do you care about using it on the road, or will you only need it while you're near a Wi-Fi connection? We'll help you answer all these questions and more, and tell you which of the many Windows tablets on the market are our favorites.

First: Assess the Screen Size

Of course, just like the iPad line, with its range of sizes, computing power, and prices, there's no single Windows tablet that fits everyone's needs. As you begin shopping, you'll note that they fall into a few different categories.

First are the inexpensive 10-inch models, designed to let you browse the Web and enjoy streaming a movie from Netflix or Amazon Prime. Because these budget-friendly devices usually rely on low-power processors and minimal storage, you're better off getting one as a second or third device to serve alongside your laptop or smartphone. In other words, these aren't the full-powered Windows devices that you might long for after seeing Westworld or another Hollywood fantasy. Asus and Lenovo have offered machines in this class over the years, and the Microsoft Surface Go is perhaps the current archetype.

Then there are larger 12-inch and 13-inch models designed to work in tandem with an included or optional stylus and docking keyboard. These give you a better way to take notes in class or type up an email or a term paper, and generally provide a well-rounded Windows experience. The best example of these is the iconic Microsoft Surface Pro, now in its seventh generation.

The Best Tablet Deals This Week*

*Deals are selected by our partner, TechBargains

Finally, there are premium and business systems, designed as productivity tools rather than media consumption devices. Dell and Lenovo have dabbled in these, in their Latitude and ThinkPad lines, respectively, and Microsoft's Surface Pros also qualify in this space.

Tablet Processors: Parsing Low-Power

With Windows tablets running the gamut from low-power entertainment devices to potent tools for productivity, how do you know which one to buy if you plan to use your device for both types of tasks? As with conventional laptops, a lot comes down to the processor.

Intel's current lineup of Celeron and Pentium processors include several chips built for low power usage and passive cooling. These are two necessary attributes for tablets, since they house nearly all of their components behind the screen, which itself generates heat.

These are typically designated with a "Y" somewhere in the chip's model name, and they're perfect for inexpensive tablets. They don't require built-in cooling fans, and they offer usable performance that lasts for several hours on a single charge, or even a day or two of light use without visiting a power outlet. They lack the processing oomph you might want for applications like Photoshop, but they are ideal if you want to check Facebook and Twitter, then kick back with some YouTube videos or an episode of a Netflix show.

At the other end of the tablet-CPU spectrum are Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors that are also used to power full-fledged laptops. These chips are typically designated with a "U," with the exception of certain 10th Generation chips. While these CPUs draw more power and require more cooling hardware, they offer a much higher level of capability, letting you get real work done. Tablets equipped with these processors are priced more like laptops (usually above $1,000), but you get performance to match the increased cost.

Settling in between these extremes are variants of Intel's Core lineup with a "Y" designation. Like the Y series chips in the Celeron and Pentium lines mentioned above, the Core Y series models also keep cool without needing a built-in cooling fan, but they offer more muscle to drive productivity. A tablet-CPU outlier recently hit the street in the form of the Microsoft SQ1, a Qualcomm/ARM design that is, so far, exclusively in the Microsoft Surface Pro X, a tablet with some key limitations you can investigate at the link.

Features and Connectivity

Once you've determined which processor will fit your usage pattern, it's time to move on to the features that make handheld PCs far more flexible than conventional laptops. Sensors previously seen in smartphones bring new ways to interact with your PC, with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and e-compasses providing positional awareness for both automatic screen rotation and new immersive applications.

There's even a Windows tablet version of FaceID, the feature that lets you unlock your Apple iPhone or iPad Pro simply by looking at it. Called Windows Hello, it's also available on laptops and desktops, but it's most useful on tablets that don't have a keyboard handy to enter a complex, secure password.

And let's not forget touch. With capacitive screens that track five or 10 fingertips at a time, you can pinch, swipe, and tap your way through any task, even those that would have required a keyboard and mouse only a couple of years ago. Many tablets also come with optional digital pens. Some are housed in "garages," tiny holes in the tablet itself that secure the stylus and charge its battery. Others must be carried separately or attached via magnets to one of the tablet's edges.

Then there's the question of connectivity. With eminently portable designs, it's only natural that some shoppers will want tablets that feature the same sort of mobile data that they enjoy on their smartphones. A few Windows tablets on the market have 4G and LTE connectivity (and thus require a separate data plan).

Most Windows tablets sold in the US stick exclusively to Wi-Fi, though. Wider availability of LTE tablets depends on American wireless carriers striking deals with manufacturers to offer easier methods of purchasing data plans, as they have with Apple.

Don't Overlook the Convertible Hybrid

Finally, what if you simply can't live without a real keyboard, but don't want the hassle of carrying a separate one around? Some convertible laptops have keyboards that fold around the back, so you can use them as traditional clamshell laptops, as tablets, or at any position in between. We've only included detachable Windows tablets here; to learn more about screen-rotating convertibles, read our roundup of the best 2-in-1 laptops.

The switch from a laptop to a tablet doesn't come without issues, though. The thin confines of a tablet make worries about heat buildup all the more important-especially when that heat is literally in hand. Touch screens add a new opportunity for frustration when taps and touches won't register properly, and the opportunities offered by docks and accessories also open up the chance to lose a valuable part of your PC while out and about-say what you will about tablets, but you'll never misplace your keyboard while using a laptop.

So, Which Windows Tablet Should I Buy?

We've waded through the current tablet offerings, and tested and compared dozens of tablet PCs to discover what works and what doesn't. Here are our top picks for Windows tablets. If you're not married to the Windows 10 OS, read our report on the 10 best tablets overall, as well as our roundup of the best Android-based models.

Where To Buy

Best For Outdoors Professions, Computing in Bad Weather: Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet - $1,899.00 at Dell

Best For Business Travelers, On-the-Go Presenters: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) - $749.00 at Lenovo

Best For Power Users, Creative Professionals: Microsoft Surface Book 2 - $1,149.00 at Microsoft Store

Best For Style-Conscious Frequent Travelers: Microsoft Surface Pro 7 - $749.00 at Microsoft Store

Best For Enterprise Deployment, Business Presenters: Dell Latitude 5290 2-in-1 - $899.00 at Dell Technologies

Best For Enterprise Deployment, Business Executives: Dell Latitude 7200 2-in-1 - $919.00 at Dell Technologies

Best For Workstation Users, Engineers: HP ZBook x2 - $2,129.00 at HP

Best For Students, Users Seeking Maximum Portability: Microsoft Surface Go - $399.99 at Microsoft Store

Best For Travelers Often Away From Stable Wi-Fi: Microsoft Surface Go With LTE Advanced - $679.00 at Microsoft Store

Best For Future-Looking Microsoft Fans: Microsoft Surface Pro X - $899.00 at Amazon

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A Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard can be a more portable and versatile alternative to a laptop. We've tested all the major models, and these top performers should be on your short list. Check them out, along with our deep-dive reviews.