‘Fun’ tablets get more serious

When tablets first emerged as a successful product category about 10 years ago, they were much simpler gadgets than many of the devices on the market today. They were small, relatively light and not overly inexpensive – good for watching TV shows or movies, playing casual games, light web browsing and maybe leafing (or rather swiping) through a good ebook.

In this early heyday, tablets were markedly different from bulkier, costlier notebook PCs, and their convenient, svelte form (and humbler hardware) made them feel better suited to doing “fun” things, rather than for trying to get any serious work done.

Times have changed a bit. While you can still easily find such small, affordable and simple tablets, most of the movement and dynamism in this space is now squarely at the pointy, performancefocused end of the market, where much more powerful and expensive versions now effectively look more like PCs, feel more like PCs, and cost and weigh as much as PCs (if not more). It’s an interesting form of convergent evolution, and one that speaks to the undeniable allure of the touchscreen.

What is it? Lenovo

Tab P11

How much? $499 Pros: The Lenovo is a rare example of a solid Android tablet all-rounder in 2021. For an affordable price, you get an 11-inch IPS display, 128GB storage and 4GB RAM, powered by a Snapdragon 662 CPU. A handy couch companion for everyone in the family.

Cons: None, although Android tablets can be bought for less, if budget is a factor. If Android isn’t a priority, Apple’s well-regarded iPad (8th generation) starts at the same price. lenovo.com

What is it? Apple iPad

Pro (M1)

How much? From $1199 Pros: The Pro has been the dominant force nudging tablets into the “professional” sphere, and the latest models are the most powerful yet, featuring the same M1 chip as in the newest Macs. Truly desktop-class performance in a tablet, but can iPadOS justify it? Time will tell.

Cons:: Pricey upgrades and accessories. A top-ofthe-line 12.9-inch Pro with keyboard and stylus costs over $4000. apple.com/au

What is it? Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

How much? From $1199 Pros: Apart from Microsoft’s Surface, nobody seriously takes it up to Apple in tablets apart from Samsung, and the Galaxy Tab S7+ is the closest Android gets to its own iPad Pro, with a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED (120Hz) display, Snapdragon 865 CPU, optional keyboard and S Pen support.

Cons: Just as iPadOS is limited, Android on tablet is a bit ... unrefined, which isn’t a knock on this impressive hardware (but it is a reality check). samsung.com/au