In 2024, the realm of tablets continues to evolve with cutting-edge technology and innovative design, offering users a diverse selection of devices tailored to their needs. With advancements in processing power, display technology, and software integration, the best tablet of the year stands as a testament to the ongoing pursuit of excellence in portable computing. Whether for productivity, creativity, or entertainment, the top tablet of 2024 sets a new standard for performance, versatility, and user experience, catering to the demands of modern consumers in an increasingly digital world.
Best Tablet Tips: Top 10 Cutting-Edge Technologies in 2024!
iPad Air 2024
The iPad Air 2024 earns its position as our top recommendation for most users. It boasts a potent Apple M2 chip that delivers robust performance capable of seamlessly handling web browsing and a plethora of applications from the App Store. Furthermore, its impressive battery life, lasting over 11 hours in our testing, ensures uninterrupted productivity and entertainment. Notably, the iPad Air 2024 offers versatility with its Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support, enhancing user experience and productivity.
However, potential buyers should consider the absence of Face ID and Thunderbolt support as notable drawbacks of the iPad Air 2024. Despite these limitations, the device excels in other areas, including its exquisite display and robust audio quality. Additionally, with the option to choose between the classic 11-inch and larger 13-inch sizes, users can select the ideal model based on their preferences and usage requirements, making the iPad Air 2024 a compelling choice for those seeking a lightweight, powerful, and versatile tablet experience.
Amazon Fire 7
Priced at just $59, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet stands out as an incredibly affordable option in the tablet market, offering remarkable value for budget-conscious consumers. Despite its low price, the Fire 7 tablet boasts a fast quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, providing snappy performance for everyday tasks. Additionally, its lightweight plastic frame, weighing only 0.6 pounds, enhances portability, making it ideal for on-the-go use.
However, potential buyers should consider some drawbacks of the Amazon Fire 7 tablet, such as Amazon ads on the lock screen and its low-resolution display. While these limitations may deter users accustomed to higher-end tablets, the Fire 7 tablet remains a practical choice, especially for those seeking an affordable device for casual use or as a budget-friendly option for children.
OnePlus Pad
Boasting remarkable features like incredible battery life, comfortable curved edges, and sharp front and rear cameras, the OnePlus Pad emerges as a standout option in the Android tablet market. Its unique 7:5 aspect ratio display, paired with vivid visuals on the 11.6-inch 144Hz screen, offers an immersive experience for watching videos and reading ebooks. Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 CPU and running on Android 13 OS, the Pad delivers smooth and fast performance, ensuring seamless multitasking and gaming.
Despite its impressive attributes, potential buyers should note the OnePlus Pad’s mediocre speaker quality as a drawback. However, considering its lightweight design, exceptional battery longevity of over 13 hours, and affordability, priced at under $500, the Pad remains a compelling choice for users searching for a high-performing Android tablet that doesn’t break the bank.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 maintains its predecessor’s familiar slim and lightweight design, making it a versatile option for users seeking a device that seamlessly transitions between laptop and tablet modes. While the responsive touchscreen enhances usability, the availability of 12th-gen Intel Core CPU or Microsoft SQ3 ARM processor options caters to different performance needs. Introducing 5G connectivity, exclusive to the ARM model, marks a significant advancement for the Surface line, promising faster data speeds and optimized neural processing unit (NPU) features.
However, despite these updates, the Surface Pro 9’s unremarkable display and lack of significant design changes may disappoint those expecting a more innovative iteration. Additionally, the separate purchase requirement for the Slim Pen 2 and Signature keyboard detracts from its appeal, especially considering its premium price point. Nonetheless, as a capable Windows 11 tablet with sufficient speed for daily tasks, the Surface Pro 9 remains a viable option for professionals seeking productivity, particularly when bundled with accessories or purchased during promotional offers.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, starting at $1,199, boasts a stunning 14.6-inch OLED display, making it the go-to choice for users prioritizing screen size. With its sleek and lightweight design reminiscent of its predecessor, the Tab S9 Ultra offers a blend of elegance and performance, powered by a speedy Snapdragon 8 processor. However, despite its impressive features, the tablet’s hefty price tag may deter budget-conscious consumers, especially considering the additional cost of accessories like the Samsung Book Cover Keyboard, further elevating the total expense.
While the Tab S9 Ultra excels in delivering an immersive viewing experience and fast performance, its attempt to mimic Windows 11 with DeX mode falls short, detracting from its overall appeal. Moreover, the high cost of accessories adds to the premium price, making it less competitive than other devices in its category. Nonetheless, for users seeking a premium tablet experience focusing on display quality and performance, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra remains a top contender, albeit at a premium price point.
Apple’s iPad Pro
Apple’s iPad Pro 2024 is the tablet to buy if you prioritize power above all else. It is driven by the impressive M4 chip, which elevates its performance to new heights. According to our iPad Pro 2024 benchmark breakdown, this new tablet outpaces every other slate in raw speed and boasts remarkable battery life, lasting 13-15 hours in our tests before running out of juice.
Beyond its powerful internals, the iPad Pro 2024 offers more to love with its superb cameras and upgraded OLED displays on both sizes, ensuring one of the best tablet screens available. Its super thin and light design adds to its appeal, making it a premium device. Although peripherals and upgrades can be pricey, the investment is worth it for those seeking the ultimate tablet performance and display quality.
iPad 2022
The iPad 2022 has a higher price tag than its predecessors. Still, Apple has justified this with a sleek new design featuring slimmer bezels, a slightly expanded display, and the removal of the Home button. Enhancements include a Touch ID-supported power button, USB-C charging, and a fast A14 Bionic processor while offering an impressive 11-hour battery life. Adding a comfy Magic Keyboard with a touchpad and upgrading to 5G cellular connectivity further add to its appeal.
However, the iPad 2022 has some notable limitations. It doesn’t support the new Apple Pencil Pro, and charging the 1st-generation Apple Pencil is awkward. Storage starts at just 64GB, and it lacks support for the Stage Manager feature in iPadOS 16. Despite these drawbacks, it remains an attractive option at a starting price of $349, especially when compared to the $599 starting price of the iPad Air. The redesign brings it closer to the iPad Air regarding features, making it a solid choice for those who want an Apple tablet without the higher expense.
Google Pixel Tablet
The Google Pixel Tablet stands out by being the only one with its own speaker/charging dock, which can be a game-changer for those looking to integrate with a Google smart home. This feature allows the tablet to double as a smart home hub, making it a unique and valuable option in the market.
The tablet’s dock delivers impressive sound quality with solid bass, enhancing the audio experience. In terms of performance, the Google Pixel Tablet offers good photo quality and robust photo editing features, comparable to the Apple iPad 2022 but at a lower price. However, its average performance and limited productivity accessories might not satisfy all users, particularly those seeking a more powerful or versatile smart home hub.
iPad mini 6
The iPad mini 6 (2021) takes everything we love about the iPad Air and compresses it into a super-portable, lightweight design that’s easy to use with one hand. It features support for the Apple Pencil 2, a flat-edged design, and much smaller bezels, making it a high-quality alternative to Amazon’s sub-10-inch Fire tablets. The new iPad mini is worth the investment for those who value quality over price.
Powered by the speedy A15 Bionic chip, the iPad mini 6 outperforms the iPad Air and other non-Pro iPads. Its display is sharp and bright, boasting over 500 nits of brightness, and the device delivers surprisingly good sound for its size. Additionally, the iPad mini 6 has impressive battery life, lasting longer than expected for a compact device. While its $499 price tag is higher than the standard iPad’s, the superior performance and features justify the cost.
Remarkable 2
If you’re a writer who loves the feel of pen and paper, the reMarkable two tablet offers a superior alternative to the iPad and Apple Pencil. With its unique digital paper screen and marker stylus, the reMarkable 2 delivers an authentic writing experience. It features an amazingly slim design at just 0.2 inches thick and has transitioned to a sleeker metallic chassis, making it a more seductive and premium device.
Beyond being a digital notebook, the reMarkable Two allows your documents to sync to the cloud, accessible on iPhones, iPads, PCs, Macs, and Android devices. It can also convert your handwriting into editable text, making it easy to share notes with your team or transform drafts into manuscripts. With up to two weeks of battery life, you can leave it on your coffee table for spontaneous inspiration without constantly needing to recharge. While it is more expensive than an iPad and lacks app functionality, its dedicated focus on writing and reading makes it a standout tool for writers.
Conclusion:
In 2024, the tablet market showcases impressive advancements in technology and design, offering options like the powerful iPad Pro 2024 and the budget-friendly Amazon Fire 7. The iPad Air 2024 is our top recommendation for most users due to its M2 chip, long battery life, and versatile accessory support. Meanwhile, the reMarkable 2 stands out for its exceptional writing experience. This year’s tablets cater to diverse needs, ensuring a suitable device for every user.
