Thanks to its Retina Display and powerful processor, the iPad Pro 12.9 is one of the best tablets for college students right now. Apple has also worked extensively on the latest iteration of iPadOS to accommodate the new iPad Pro’s hardware features.
| Product | Brand | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Amazon | All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet (10.1" 1080p full HD display, 32 GB) - Black | Check Price on Amazon |
 | SAMSUNG | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 10.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Microsoft | NEW Microsoft Surface Pro 7 - 12.3 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Microsoft | NEW Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model) | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Apple | Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) - Space Gray (4th Generation) | Check Price on Amazon |
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Any student will need to consider factors like display size, accessories, and in some cases, even the processor used to understand what kind of applications or tasks they can run on them. Keeping this in mind, let’s have a closer look at some of the best tablets for college students.
Best Tablets for College Students
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is one of the best tablets you can get ahead of college thanks to the wide range of features it brings to the table. Primarily, the Tab S6 comes with a Super AMOLED display spanning across 10.5-inches with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels.
As most users are probably aware at this point, the Tab S6 also comes with a stylus of its own, known as S Pen. This works on Bluetooth and performs seamlessly with the tablet. Further, this tablet is packed with an octa-core Snapdragon 855 octa-core processor, 6 or 8GB of RAM, 128/256GB of expandable storage, and 13MP + 5MP dual rear cameras. The front has a single 8MP sensor.
The stereo speakers on the Tab S6 are tuned by AKG and perform fairly well for any function. The Tab S6 keeps on ticking thanks to the 7,040 mAh battery. The company mentions that the tablet can offer up to 15 hours of battery life. It launched with Android 9.0 and is upgradable to the Android 10 operating system with One UI 2. The Tab S6 is available in colors like Rose Blush, Mountain Gray, and Cloud Blue. The inclusion of a stylus makes this one of the best tablets for note-taking.
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Samsung Tab S6 Book Cover Keyboard
One of the key features of the Tab S6 is its ability to function as a laptop thanks to the inclusion of Samsung’s specially designed keyboard. However, this is an accessory that is bought separately and not bundled with the Tab S6 unless specified by the seller. Among a large number of Bluetooth keyboards available out there, we highly recommend Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard for the Tab S6.
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2. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020)
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 was refreshed recently, making it one of the most powerful tablets going around right now. This is thanks to the A12Z octa-core processor used in its making which is accompanied by 6GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of internal storage. However, there are no storage expansion options available.
In terms of the display quality, Apple is using a 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display with ProMotion which is significantly improved over older Retina Display iPads. The display also has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, making it one of the most powerful tablets going around. However, unlike Samsung’s Tab S6, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 uses an LCD screen and not an OLED panel.
This model launched with iPadOS 13.4 and is compatible with the most recent iteration of the software. The tablet also has a triple camera on the back, consisting of a 10MP sensor, a 12MP sensor, and a TOF 3D sensor for depth. The front has a single 7MP camera for FaceTime and selfies. Using the Apple Pencil (bought separately), creative students can leverage their artistic skills on a highly interactive canvas while in college. This tablet can run for 10 hours on a single charge, though we’ve seen tablets with better battery life in the market.
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Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro
As with the Tab S6, Apple also has a uniquely designed accessory meant to work only with the iPad Pro models. The Magic Keyboard completely transforms the way you operate, and the bonus aspect of flexibility. The Magic Keyboard also comes with backlit keys, a USB C port for convenient charging, as well as complete protection for the front and back of the iPad Pro.
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3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Now that we’ve spoken about Android and iPadOS offerings for college students, let’s take a look at one of the best Windows 10 tablet-laptop hybrids available right now. Thanks to access to a wide range of software and apps like MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and so on. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 has robust hardware backed by a solid-looking display. It uses a 12.3-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels.
In terms of processing power, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 comes with choices between Intel Core i3, i5, and the i7 processor. This particular variant of the tablet comes with 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. The limited storage options shouldn’t concern the users too much, though given that the tablet also has a microSDXC card slot in addition to one USB A port and a one USB Type C port for charging or high-speed data transfer.
There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack available on the tablet, something that’s lacking on the Samsung and Apple offerings we mentioned above. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 can last for up to 10.5 hours on a single charge, which is marginally better than the Apple iPad Pro’s battery backup, though significantly behind the Tab S6.
Naturally, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 also works with Microsoft’s Surface Pen stylus, making this among the best tablet for note-taking, particularly for college students.
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Microsoft Surface Pro Signature Type Cover
This is Microsoft’s default solution for all your typing woes on the Surface Pro 7. Though the Type Cover has been around for a while, this particular variant is designed specifically for the Surface Pro 7 tablet. The keys are backlit, allowing you to type perfectly even in the dark. Additionally, the default kickstand on the Surface Pro 7 complements the use of this keyboard nicely on flat surfaces. Certainly a must-buy for college students who intend to get the Surface Pro 7.
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4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e tablet was launched in 2019 as a slightly lower-end version of the Tab S flagship. However, the company didn’t launch a standard Tab S5 to begin with, making this a rather odd addition in the market. However, Samsung has ensured that the tablet is packed with the best hardware to make it relevant even today, over a year after its initial release.
The Tab S5e comes with a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display bearing a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. It is also packing the Snapdragon 670 octa-core processor accompanied by 64 or 128GB of internal storage as well as 4/6 GB RAM. There’s a microSD card slot for storage expansion here.
This is a media powerhouse thanks to the four stereo speakers located at the bottom of the tablet. On the software front, the Tab S5e runs the Android 9.0 Pie operating system, although the Android 10 update is slowly rolling out to device owners. There’s a 7,040 mAh battery underneath the Tab S5e which Samsung claims can offer 15 hours of battery life, making this a truly impressive tablet.
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5. Apple iPad (10.2-inch)
Late last year, Apple upgraded the basic iPad model to now offer a 10.2-inch Retina Display as compared to 9.7-inches of display real estate. This is a more basic version of the iPad, however, and lacks some of the features that we saw on the Pro model. To start with, the 10.2 inch iPad is available in 64 or 128GB of storage variants (non-expandable) along with 3GB of RAM on both variants.
It runs on Apple A10 Fusion quad-core processor and has a front-mounted fingerprint scanner known as the Touch ID sensor for authentication and device unlock. It is also compatible with the early variants of the Apple Pencil, letting you take this to college for taking notes.
In the camera department, the Apple iPad 10.2 has a single 1.2MP front camera, while the back has an 8MP sensor. Clearly not the best cameras you’ll find on a tablet, though it will get the job done.
Apple mentions that the Apple iPad 10.2 can offer battery life of around 10 hours on a single charge, which is on par with the Pro variants. Additionally, this iPad runs on iPadOS 13. and is compatible with all subsequent updates including iPadOS 14 slated to release in fall this year. This iPad is available in colors like Gold, Silver, and Space Gray. Given the size as well as the set of features onboard, this would make a great tablet for any college student.
Buy It Now: Amazon
6. Amazon Fire HD 10
Amazon is another brand synonymous with making budget-friendly tablets for students. The Fire HD 10 is an excellent example of this. The refreshed model is running on a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor accompanied by 2 GB of RAM. In terms of storage, users get options between 32 and 64GB while both models come with a microSD card slot for storage expansion.
There are 2MP cameras on the front and back respectively, which should be adequate for video calling with your friends and family. Amazon has also made changes in terms of charging technology with the Fire HD 10 now coming with a USB C port. This is accompanied by a 9W USB adapter and a USB Type C charging cable in the retail packaging. The company mentions that the Fire HD 10 can last for up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is pretty decent for a budget offering.
The Fire HD 10 comes with a 10.1-inch display as the name suggests, though the display is capped to Full HD. The tablet is also equipped with dual-band WiFi and dual speakers for quality audio performance. With this in mind, this tablet ranks among the best for college students.
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7. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
This is a handy Android tablet that comes with a 10.3-inch Full HD display on board. Underneath, the Tab M10 Plus by Lenovo offers a snappy 2.3 GHz octa-core processor along with 2 or GB of RAM, and 32, 64, or 128GB of internal storage. Lenovo mentions that the storage can be expanded by up to 256GB with the help of the microSD slot.
In the audio department, the Tab M10 Plus comes with dual side facing speakers with Dolby Atmos. In terms of software, users get Android 9 Pie by default with Lenovo’s custom UI overlay. However, there’s no info from the company on when the Android 10 update will be sent over to the tablet.
The manufacturer has also included a decent 8MP camera on the back, while the front has a 5MP sensor. The Tab M10 Plus also comes with dual-microphones to make sure there’s enough background noise isolation while in noisy environments. If you’re considering a budget-ranged Android tablet for taking notes while in college. Lenovo mentions that this tablet ha a battery life of around 7-8 hours depending on your usage.
Though the tablet doesn’t come with a stylus of its own, it works perfectly well with any third-party stylus you can find online, including this one.
Buy It Now: Amazon
8. Microsoft Surface Go 2
If you’re considering a powerful yet portable tablet for college, the Surface Go 2 by Microsoft is your best bet. This tablet comes with a 10.5-inch LCD screen with a Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) which offers a pixel density of 220 ppi. Other features of the Surface Go 2 include 4/8GB of RAM, 64, or 128GB of internal storage with a wide range of connectivity ports.
This includes a solitary USB C port, a microSD card slot at the bottom, and the default Surface Connect Port for a wide range of Microsoft accessories including the Surface Go Signature Type Cover. Much like the Pro models, the Surface Go 2 has a built-in kickstand, allowing users to keep the tablet upright on flat surfaces. Naturally, the Surface Go 2 is also compatible with the Microsoft Surface Pen, making this one of the best tablets for taking notes.
In the CPU department, the Surface Go 2 comes with the Intel Core m3 processor promising decent CPU performance by default. Microsoft mentions that this tablet offers 10 hours of battery life, and it doesn’t take too long to charge the Surface Go 2 either. This device runs Windows 10 Home by default.
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9. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1
Samsung’s tablet industry is heavily dominated by the mid-range offerings, while the high-end models like the Tab S6 we mentioned above only make for a fraction of the company’s overall tablet sales. The Tab A 10.1 by Samsung was refreshed in 2019, though its hardware is relevant even today, making it the best mid-range tablet available today. It comes with a 10.1-inch display panel that is complemented by an aluminum back panel and frame.
This tablet runs on the Exynos 7904 octa-core processor and has 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage which is expandable via microSD. The Tab A 10.1 has an 8MP camera on the back, while the front has a decent 5MP snapper.
The tablet runs Android 9.0 Pie with One UI, while it is also getting the Android 10 update with the latest iteration of Samsung’s One UI. This tablet comes with a stellar battery life of 11 hours thanks to the 6,150 mAh unit used underneath.
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10. ASUS Transformer Mini
If you were looking for the best tablet and laptop hybrid for college, the Transformer Mini surely has to be on top of your list. It comes with a 10.1-inch HD (1280 x 800) display, while there’s an onboard kickstand present here as well, allowing users to keep it upright on a surface.
The company mentions that this tablet runs on the Intel Atom x5-Z8350 quad-core CPU and has 4GB of RAM capacity. So as far as multitasking is concerned, this is the best one can ask for. The highlight here is the presence of a physical keyboard, turning this into a proper Windows 10 laptop with touchscreen features.
It also comes with 128GB of internal storage and a microSD slot for storage expansion. Other ports on this ASUS tablet-hybrid include micro USB, standard USB, micro HDMI, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. This makes it one of the complete tablets we’ve discussed so far, and the fact that it runs Windows 10 Home by default is simply the icing on the cake.
As a bonus, ASUS also offers a stylus pen with the Transformer Mini, making it the best tablet to take notes. In terms of battery life, ASUS mentions that this device can run for 12 hours on a single charge, which is very impressive. Thanks to the magnesium alloy body used in its making, the Transformer Mini is very light, even with the keyboard attached, making this an excellent choice for students.
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11. Google Pixel Slate 12.3
This is one of those tablets that often gets ignored, though it’s definitely one of the top tablet-laptop hybrids out there. The Pixel Slate comes with a 12.3 inch LCD screen with a resolution of 3000 x 2000. Despite the Pixel name, this tablet runs Chrome OS by default, though you can also run Android apps on this tablet with relative ease, so it offers the best of both worlds to college students.
The tablet is powered by the Intel Core m3 processor (quad-core) and is accompanied by 8GB of RAM. However, Google also offers other CPU and RAM configurations of the Pixel Slate. Google mentions that the battery life of this tablet is rated at around 10 hours, though it may depend on the tasks you’re operating.
The tablet also comes with two USB C ports for additional connectivity options, which also makes the lack of enough internal storage a non-issue. Google is also offering dual front-facing speakers with stereo capabilities while there are two microphones on board as well. There’s a front-facing single 8MP camera that is optimized for video calls while the back also has an 8MP sensor that can do a decent job.
The combination of Chrome OS and the ability to use Android apps puts this among the best tablets on our list. Be sure to check it out.
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12. Lenovo Yoga Book 10.1
Lenovo makes some of the best Windows notebooks out there as many students are already aware. The company also makes some pretty decent hybrids, particularly the Yoga Book series. This tablet comes with a bright 10.1-inch 1080p display and a secondary panel that acts as a multifunctional surface. It can be used to scribble notes while users can also sketch on the touch surface faced opposite the display.
This tablet also uses a hinge mechanism that makes it extremely flexible, allowing you to improvise on its positioning. The best feature of the Yoga Book 10.1, however, is the inclusion of something known as the Halo Keyboard, which simply appears whenever required on the aforementioned touch panel.
Internally, the tablet runs on the Intel Atom x5-Z8550 processor, which is meant for Windows devices, though works just as well with Android tablets too. It runs a relatively older version of Android (Marshmallow), so you may find that some newer software features won’t be present.
Lenovo promises 12 hours of battery life with this flexible tablet/notebook hybrid, making this a suitable offering for any college student. This tablet is available in Carbon Black, Gunmetal Grey, and Champagne Gold.
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13. CHUWI UBook Tablet
This is a pretty versatile tablet thanks largely to the accessories provided by the manufacturer with the device. Though this brand may not ring a bell on students’ minds, the UBook Tablet is a stellar offering with the best hardware onboard. To start off, the tablet comes with an 11.6-inch IPS LCD screen packing a resolution of 1920 x 1280 and a 16:9 aspect ratio. This tablet runs on the Intel N4100 processor which has a quad-core architecture.
This tablet runs Windows 10 by default, enabling you to use a large number of Microsoft apps and software that may not be available on Android or iPadOS. As for the accessories we spoke about above, the company offers a Bluetooth keyboard that can be used or stoved away when not required. It’s an excellent way to type a few documents or type your important emails without switching over to a bigger screen.
Further, the tablet comes with 5MP cameras on the front and back respectively. Other specs of this Windows tablet include 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage (expandable via microSD), as well as a wide range of connectivity ports including two USB A, one USB C, one micro HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The tablet has a battery life of only 6 hours, which is understandable given the hardware it’s packing.
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14. Dragon Touch Notepad K10
Dragon Touch has several tablets available in the market with each serving a specific purpose. The Notepad K10 comes with a 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. There’s also a 64-bit processor with a clock speed of 1.3 GHz running on four cores along with 2GB of RAM. The Notepad K10 offers 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with the help of the microSD slot.
The rear has an 8MP single camera while the front has a 2MP selfie camera sensor. Though not the best, these sensors do a decent job at video calls and videos or photos in general. The tablet runs on the Android 9 operating system, which is the predecessor to Android 10, the latest version of Android available today.
This tablet reportedly has a battery life of ten hours, which is fairly decent for an Android tablet of this size. There are currently no color options available for the Notepad K10. Though the seller doesn’t bundle a stylus with this tablet, it can work with any third-party capacitive stylus that you can find online, making this a must-buy for students.
Buy It Now: Amazon
15. Vankyo MatrixPad Z4
This is yet another tablet that comes in a budget while offering most of the features you see on a more expensive tablet. To start with, the Vankyo MatrixPad Z4 has a 10.1-inch HD display with features like Eye Health that automatically optimizes the content on the screen to reduce strain on your eyes.
The tablet is powered by a processor (quad-core) while there’s 2GB of RAM and only 32GB of internal storage. However, the company has been mindful enough to offer a microSD slot on the tablet. The tablet runs on Android 9.0 Pie, which isn’t particularly the latest Android operating system, but will still work decently enough for almost every purpose, including reading or writing notes. This aspect puts it on the list of the best tablet for college students.
The tablet has an 8MP camera on the back which is complemented by a 2MP selfie camera. The manufacturer mentions that the MatrixPad Z4 can provide 8 hours of battery life with moderate usage. With all these factors in mind, it’s safe to say that this is among the best tablets for college students.
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16. Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
The Fire HD 8 Plus by Amazon is a recent addition to its lineup of tablets and is an excellent offering for students who don’t want the burden of a large tablet, yet don’t want it to be too small. The tablet comes with an 8-inch HD display accompanied by a 2.0 GHz processor (quad-core). Amazon claims that the processor onboard is 30 percent faster than previous iterations, making this among of the best offerings for students.
The Fire HD 8 Plus is available in 32 and 64GB storage configurations with both variants packing 3GB of RAM. The company is also offering a microSD slot with the tablet, allowing storage expansion by up to 1TB. The tablet also comes with dual speakers, making this a proper media/work device.
One of the other big features on this device is the addition of a USB C port, something that we don’t see a lot of among budget tablets. Amazon mentions that the Fire HD 8 Plus can run for 12 hours on a single charge.
So for students who don’t want to compromise on the features yet want a portable and easy to use tablet, the Fire HD 8 Plus is certainly right up there with the best in the business.
Buy It Now: Amazon
| Product | Brand | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet (10.1" 1080p full HD display, 32 GB) - Black | Check Price on Amazon |
| SAMSUNG | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 10.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Microsoft | NEW Microsoft Surface Pro 7 - 12.3 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Microsoft | NEW Microsoft Surface Go 2 - 10.5" Touch-Screen - Intel Pentium - 4GB Memory - 64GB - Wifi - Platinum (Latest Model) | Check Price on Amazon |
| Apple | Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB) - Space Gray (4th Generation) | Check Price on Amazon |
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Best Tablets For Students Overview
Tablets are pretty much like computers today thanks to the significant improvements made to the hardware and software aspects. However, not everyone has the same requirements. This is particularly the case with college students. If you’re joining or resume college soon and are looking for a suitable tablet for note-taking or video calling with your loved ones, the options are plenty.
However, thanks to some research, we’ve managed to come up with a few of the best tablets for college students. The list contains a wide range of tablets, including those that come with a keyboard to turn it into a laptop as well as a stylus for sketching or doodling.