All tablets, more or less, can accomplish the same tasks. The tablets that have more capabilities can do additional tasks with a sacrifice in battery life and vice versa. For this very reason, the order of my top 5 may differ from yours. Without further ado, let’s get into it. The only reason why this amazing (no pun intended) machine has not placed lower on my list is because it does not include the same features that some of the other models offer. This machine has a 10-hour battery life, which is decent when stacked up against some of the other competitors, but it heavily lacks functionality in my opinion. This tablet is ideal for surfing the web, watching videos, and checking email. The data-intensive applications like games, HBO and Spotify will significantly reduce battery life. However, with full ‘Alexa’ support, managing schedules and events has never been easier. It’s like having your own personal assistant and for that reason alone, this tablet can definitely compete with the high rollers. Pros:
10 Hour battery lifeQuad Core ProcessorHands-free “Alexa” integrationSmart Home voice control
Cons:
Starts at 32 GB of storage Unless purchasing ‘without special offers’ option, your tablet will be riddled with adsPoor camera and sound qualityNeeds More RAM
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab A
8”
One of my favorite parts about this tablet is the size. Most people probably aren’t looking for a small tablet (that isn’t much bigger than the galaxy note smartphone), but the compact size makes it ideal for working on-the-go and is guaranteed to help productivity. Pros: Cons:
Base model comes with only 32 GB of storage space8MP Rear Facing Camera / 5MP Front Facing Camera
3. Lenovo Yoga Book
This tablet is the perfect 2-In-1 tablet and it’s especially helpful for construction, graphic design and art related work. The 360-degree hinge allows for 4 different viewing configurations: Create Mode, Watch Mode, Browse Mode, and Type Mode. My absolute favorite part about this tablet (besides one screen turning into a virtual keyboard) is the 2.4GHz Intel Atom processor and 4GB of dedicated ram (most tablets only come with 2). If you have graphic design work that needs to be done, this is the absolutely the best tablet to use. Pros:
12-hour battery lifeFull HD 10.1’’ display and Dolby Atmos Speakers2.4GHz Intel Atom Processor / 4GB dedicated RAMCan use a REAL PEN when writing on tablet surfaces
Cons:
Rear Camera is only 2MPNo Storage Upgrade Options AvailableAndroid 6.0 MarshmallowOnly one micro-USB and one micro-HDMI port
2. Apple iPad Pro 10.5’’
I bet this pick does not surprise you, but yes, the Apple iPad is definitely one of the best all-around tablets on the market for productivity, and for good reasons. The retail website says the tablet has up to 10 hours of battery life, but personally I’ve watched 12+ hour live streams on it with no problem (brightness reduced). As stated earlier, battery life really just depends on the workload. My favorite part about this machine has to be all of the storage options. 1TB of storage space definitely goes a long way for the type of work that I like to do (Photography and Writing). All around, this is a respectable machine for getting work done. Pros:
12.9’’ Edge-to-Edge Liquid Retina DisplayMultiple Storage Options (64GB/ 256GB/ 512GB/ 1TB)Cameras are amazing (12MP Rear Facing/ 7MP Front Facing)
Cons:
Users have reported system and touch screen crashingCannot copy Microsoft office files through USB-C port (has to be done through the Cloud services)Entire machine is known to bend and warp under strained conditionsVery expensive compared to other tablets on the market
1. Dell Latitude 7000
7202 Rugged 11.6”
The Dell Latitude is one of the best tablets on the market mainly because it is nearly indestructible. With a 26-hour lithium-ion battery, it is one of the longest lasting tablets ever created. This tablet is perfect for outdoor and field work, but has been known to experience battery issues later in its lifespan. This problem is easily countered with the hot-swappable batteries, which allow you to swap batteries without having to shut down the apps you’re running. The primary reason my top pick may differ from yours is because, unless you’re doing extensive field work, a lot of these features might not appeal to the type of work you need complete, nor will they match the environment in which the work will be completed. Overall, it is a fantastic machine. Pros:
Hot-Swappable battery Durable buildExtreme Temperature EnduranceWater ResistantGlove CapableAnti-vibration8GB of ram / 512 GB SSD
Cons:
Resolution problems with the screen when it reaches extreme temperaturesHeavy build
Since everyone has different needs and every work environment is unique, this group of varied tablets should match most people’s needs. Are there any tablets that you think should be on this list? Let me know on social media!
