Tablets are useful devices, but some are limited by their operating system. That isn’t the case with Windows however as today’s slates can hang with laptops. If you’re looking for the best Windows tablet, you’ve come to the right place.
After careful consideration, our experts picked through dozens of tablets to find the top options that run Windows. We’ve included a price point for everyone along with a buying guide to help you find the perfect choice.
Top Picks
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How to Choose The Best Windows Tablet
The Display and Durability
Most tablets in this range sport QHD or FHD displays although the former will give you more battery life – something to keep in mind. If you game or plan to use your tablet for modeling or artwork, you may want to learn a bit more about resolution. All our choices are convertible as well, which means you need to consider the build quality, color depth and sensitivity of the display if you plan on using a stylus.
If you’re looking for the best 2-in-1 laptops, it’s always a wise idea to check out the keyboard beforehand. The same rule applies here as many machines have similar specifications so little things can make a huge difference. Aluminum is obviously your best option if you want durability, but plastic tablets are cheaper and can still take a beating if built well. With the display, Gorilla Glass will be your best friend but is no substitute for a good screen protector.
Size
Most tablets stick to two standard sizes with slates around 8-inches and ones that clock in around 10. That rule applies to devices running Android, iOS, and Windows, and there are 12-inch slates available as well. While iOS and Android tablets stick to that formula for the most part, the best Windows tablet may buck that trend.
It’s not uncommon to find a Windows tablet in the 10 or 12-inch class, but you can go larger. There are a handful of 15-inch slates which blur the lines between portable PC and tablet, just like phablets did with smartphones years ago. If you do go big, keep the battery life in mind as more pixels require more power.
Power
As we’re dealing with tech that runs Windows, every tablet on our list will have a processor from AMD or Intel. To keep things simple, if you want the fastest processor, look for an 8th generation chip from Intel. AMD does have comparable options, but they aren’t as prevalent in this range.
A laptop with an Intel Core i7 will absolutely fly, especially if you’ve got an ample amount of RAM under the hood. We recommend at least 4GB of memory at a minimum although you can get by with less if you only plan to browse the web or use light-duty applications.
The other type of power you need to think about is battery life. A large QHD panel will draw more juice than an 8-inch display, but so will games and certain applications. How you use your tablet plays a large part with battery life although 8-hours is around the average in most cases.
Other things to consider
Hard drives usually get their own section in a tablet buying guide, but Windows-based slates use solid-state drives which are speedy and efficient. They usually have microSD card slots and at least one USB port, which allows you to expand when things get tight. That said, 256GB is the minimum amount of storage we would recommend. You can get by with 128GB but will need a USB stick or memory card sooner than later.
On that note, the type of port matters and USB Type-C or 3.1 ports are the best option for speed. You’ll find many of the top Windows tablets have one, but you could be limited to a single port instead of two. 3.5mm jacks are still common, and you won’t find any slate that lacks dual-band Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Want an iris or fingerprint scanner? Well, that’s a different story…
The last thing we want to touch on is accessories. Convertible tablets are still considered 2-in-1’s if they have a stand built-in, but a keyboard is what you’ll want for true productivity. Some models will include one out of the box, and the same goes for an active stylus.
Both of these items can set you back a considerable amount of coin when purchased separately, so the “extras” are a bit more important in the tablet world than with other mobile gadgets.
5 Best Windows Tablets
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Best for Office Work
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is not really a tablet per se, nor it is a laptop, it is something in-between. And it’s what makes it so interesting.
It features the 10th generation of intel i5 processors, as well as 8GB of RAM memory, making it quite a powerful machine in its class.
This laptop is quite thin, weighing only 1.70 pounds, allowing you to carry it around with you to your office or town.
Also, there are several different ways to connect it to the power supply and other devices, including two types of USB ports, USB-C, as well as USB-A, which you can use to connect to the docking stations and possibly display. Apart from that, there is a Bluetooth 5.0.
The battery can last up to 10.5 hours of constant use, and Pro 7 comes with fast-charge technology, allowing you to charge up from 0 to 80% in a bit more than 1 hour.
Pros:
- Great i5 processor
- Lightweight
- Decent battery
- Good connectivity
Cons:
- It is quite expensive
CHUWI Hi10 X
Best for Photo Editing
CHUWI Hi10 X features an amazing quad-core Intel Gemini-Lake N4100 processor, with the working tact of 2.4GHz and 4M Cache. Along with that comes integrated GPU from Intel’s 600 series, for great video experience.
To prolong the working time, there is a quite good 24.05Wh battery, which allows you to play the games, watch movies, do photo editing, etc. without holdup.
With integrated LPDDR4 6GB ROM memory, you can open as many tabs as you want, without experiencing any lags whatsoever.
The storage is pretty good, offering you 128GB of internal memory, which you can further increase with the MicroSD card up to another 128GB.
Apart from that, there is a full HD display with a 16:10 screen ration, and 1920×1080 resolution, allowing you to experience the photos and videos to their full limits. What’s even better is that you can connect this device to your TV, by using a Micro HDMI port.
It features a dual-band connection, for the stable experience, without lags. The camera is not ideal, but not terrible either. The main camera on the back is 5MP, and there is also a front one, which is 2MP.
The keyboard on this tablet can be detached, allowing you to use it as a tablet alone while keeping the keyboard for more serious work.
Pros:
- Excellent performance
- Good battery
- Decent storage space
- Amazing display
- Detachable keyboard
Cons:
- It warms up too fast
Microsoft Surface Book 3
Best for High Speed and Performance
Microsoft Surface Book 3 is technically a laptop, with a detachable keyboard, so you can use it as a tablet when you want to.
It comes with quite a powerful i7 processor from the 10th generation of Intel processors, which makes it about 50% quicker than its predecessor, Surface Book 2.
As for the GPU, this laptop also shines, with the NVIDIA GTX graphic card, allowing it to improve the performance for 40%, compared to Surface Book 2.
When it comes to battery life, this laptop can work up to 15.5 hours, without the need to be charged. To help with power saving, there is a specialized standby system, which will preserve the power, while you are away from the device.
This 3-in-1 device comes with a couple of connection options, such as two USB ports, one type A and C each, as well as a slot for an SD card.
Pros:
- Strong processor
- Excellent GPU
- Great battery life
- Good connectivity
Cons:
- Price is extremely high
Microsoft Surface Go 2
Best for Regular Use
Microsoft Surface Go 2 is extremely light, with only 1.2 pounds, without Type Cover, of course, making it extremely portable.
It features a high resolution touchscreen 10.5” display, for maximum enjoyment, while watching your favorite movies and videos.
To further enhance the portability, you can adjust the kickstand, as well as utilize the Signature Type Cover.
Also, in order to let you comfortably enjoy this device, the battery life of this pretty good device is about 10 hours of constant work, which is great for conducting simple every-day tasks, such as sending emails, internet browsing, and working in Microsoft Office.
When it comes to connectivity, Surface Go 2 comes with the USB-C port, as well as a jack for your headphones.
Apart from that, there are two cameras, one on the back, and one on the front, allowing your friends to have a crystal-clear view of you, while on the video call.
Pros:
- Extremely light
- Quite portable
- Very good battery
- Elegant design
Cons:
- The adapter could cause some issues
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen)
The Best Professional High-End Tablet
Lenovo created a beast! This 3rd gen tablet is a miniature gaming pc – at least compared to specs that an average gaming PC has.
It can easily be attached to (included) keyboard, and you can easily turn it into a desktop PC. The processor is Intel Core i7, which makes every operation flawless and instant. Moreover, it has 8 GB of ram and a super-fast SSD of 256 GB.
Can you imagine how this beast works? Everything opens and operates faster than your thoughts!
With intel UHD Graphics 620, graphics are simply amazing. It has a Micro SD reader, so you can transfer your data much faster (in case you are reading the images, the quality will be astonishing).
Ultimately, it would be a shame that this Tablet lacks an awesome battery, right? So, Lenovo added a lithium polymer battery that’ll improve the overall experience without unpleasantness. Finally, it’s operating on Windows 10 pro! A high-end device, but quite worth.
Pros:
- 256 GB SSD for faster operating
- A lot of RAM memory
- Graphics that excel with the resolution of 3000 x 2000
- Easily attachable to a keyboard – transforms into PC in seconds
- Micro SD reader for easier data transfer
Cons:
- A bit pricey, not for beginners