WORKING & CREATING
Tablets can now be much more than just toys for the kids or media consumption devices – the best tablets are genuine laptop replacements (depending on exactly what it is you want out of a laptop). You might have noticed Apple and Microsoft in particular pushing their devices as tablet-laptop hybrids, complete with clip-on keyboards and even the option of using a mouse or a trackpad.
The Microsoft Surface devices definitely have an advantage in this category, because they run the full version of Windows – that means you’re able to run Photoshop, Office and anything else you like, as well as accessing everything on the web as normal. Apple is trying its best to keep up with iPadOS, though you’re still going to be stuck with limited versions of tools like spreadsheet programs and video editors.
Where iPadOS has come on a lot in recent years is in window management and task management. You can now get two apps up side by side very easily, float some on top of others, and even drag files between different apps. Add in the dock and widget support and a strong App Store, and the top-end iPads are very capable devices when it comes to working and creating.
Android lags behind in terms of how powerful it is for getting work done on the go, though you’ll still find a wealth of image editors here, as well as very competent versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint (plus Google Docs, Sheets and Slides of course). Don’t discount Android tablets completely if they give you the features that you need (easy integration with other Android devices and Google services, for example).
While you’re looking for a tablet focused on productivity, look at the accessories available as well. The iPad Pros have both the basic Smart Keyboard Folio and the more expensive Magic Keyboard (complete with trackpad) available, for example, while all four tablets that we’ve picked out support their own dedicated stylus accessory – though only Samsung includes it in the box.
For this particular category, you do need to take a look at internal component specs such as processor speed and memory, just as you would if you were choosing a laptop. Better specs mean more apps (and browser tabs) open at once, and the capacity to handle bigger files, without your tablet crawling to a halt.
This all pushes the price up, but in return you’ll get a tablet that’s much more capable and much faster. It also means that your purchase will be future-proofed for years to come – so you can take advantage of apps and OSes that are likely to get even more capable over time.
1 LENOVO TAB P11 PRO
Lenovo is putting out some seriously top- end Android tablets that have the necessary style and the performance to take on the top- end iPads that Apple releases. The P11 Pro brings with it some very capable internal components, a bright and sharp 11.5-inch display, and the option of a keyboard case and stylus.
Around £623, lenovo.com
2 iPAD PRO
Just about the best tablet on the planet: the iPad Pro is ridiculously fast, it has a huge, gorgeous screen and, thanks to a concerted effort from Apple, it has an OS that lets you multitask with ease. It also ticks the right boxes in terms of accessories like keyboards – you can even attach external drives to it.
From £769, apple.com
3 MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7
The Surface Pro 7 can do anything a laptop can do – but you can also use it as a perfectly good tablet on the go. It runs the full version of Windows, it has a super-sharp 12.3inch display, it’s packed with power, and Microsoft makes some very useful accessories for it too, though they will push the price up.
From £699, microsoft.com
4 SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7
If you’re in the market for the best Android tablet that money can buy, the Galaxy Tab S7 is it. As usual for Samsung devices, it has a fantastic display – 12.4 inches corner to corner – and you get the S Pen stylus in the box. The internal specs are impressive too, and there’s even the option of 5G.
From £619, samsung.com