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College can be one of the most exciting, and one of the most exhausting periods in any person’s life. In addition to challenging coursework, tons of extracurricular activities to try, and energy-consuming social engagements, college students must learn to manage their time and finances to be the most productive and successful young adult they can be.
An easy and practical way to assist college students in keeping up with their new responsibilities is to invest in a tablet. Tablets function as small computers, alarms, calendars, phones, cameras, and so much more. They can be used to write a paper, say hello to your family, or wake up on time in the morning.
As such, a decent tablet is a college necessity. But there are hundreds of tablets from which to choose! We sifted through them all, finding the best of the best so that you can make an informed decision before you go back-to-school shopping this semester!
Comparison Data
Product Name | Display Size | Resolution | Storage | Battery Life | Dimension | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apple iPad Pro  Image via Amazon | 11 inches | 2224 x 1668 | 256GB | 10 hours | 9.74 inches x 7.02 inches x .23 inches | One Year | |
Fire HD 8 Tablet  Image via Amazon | 8 inches | 1280 x 800 | 32GB | 10 hours | 8.4 inches x 5 inches | 90-day limited warranty | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4  Image via Amazon | 10.5 inches | 2560 x 1600 | 256GB | 16 hours | 9.8 inches x 6.5 inches x .3 inches | One year | |
Apple iPad  Image via Amazon | 9.7 inches | 2048 x 1536 | 128GB | 10 hours | 9.4 inches x 6.6 inches x .29 inches | One year | |
Microsoft Surface Pro 6  Image via Amazon | 12.3 inches | 2736 x 1824 | 128GB | | 12.7 inches x 9.1 inches x 1.9 inches | One year | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A  Image via Amazon | 8 inches | 1024 x 768 | 16GB | 6 hours | 6 inches x 8 inches x 2 inches | One year | |
Huawei MediaPad M5  Image via Amazon | 10.8 inches | 2560 x 1600 | 64GB | 10.5 hours | 10.2 inches x 6.8 inches x .3 inches | One year | |
Hoozo 10-inch Tablet  Image via Amazon | 10.1 inches | 1280 x 800 | 16GB | 5 hours | 9.5 inches x 6.6 inches x .3 inches | N/A | |
Apple iPad Mini  Image via Amazon | 7.9 inches | 2048 x 1536 | 256GB | 10 hours | 8 inches x 5.3 inches x .24 inches | One Year | |
Microsoft Surface Go  Image via Amazon | 10.1 inches | 1800x 1200 | 128GB | 9 hours | 10.9 inches x 7.8 inches x 2.8 inches | One year |
Tablet FAQs
We’ve compiled the most generally and frequently asked questions about tablets, to help you explore your options when it comes to the best tablets for college.
1. What Is A Tablet?
A tablet is a portable computer that features components from both laptops and smartphones. Tablets are operated by touch screen, and the user chooses between lists of apps to run on their device. They typically do not feature keyboards, and they do not typically fold, unlike a laptop. And tablets are too large to fit into your pants pocket, unlike a smartphone. They are a happy medium of the two devices.
2. What Does a Tablet Do?
A tablet can perform nearly all the same functions of a laptop computer, with only a few restrictions. Tablets are used as a camera, a library, a phone, a book, and a key to the world! Tablets can be essential in keeping notes during class, remembering fun times with peers, finding the nearest pizza place, and making sure your bank account isn't in the negative!
Tablets can do so many things; it would be simpler to ask what they can't do!
3. Where Can You Buy a Tablet?
Tablets are available at most department stores, like Walmart and Target. They can also be found at specialty department stores like Best Buy. Online, Tablets are available from most major retailers and marketplaces, such as Amazon.
4. How Much Does a Tablet Cost?
The average price for a tablet is approximately $500, though the cost varies depending on the brand, size, storage capacity, and many other factors.
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Our Review Process
To find the best tablets for college, we not only scoured the internet to amass a database of all currently available tablets, but we also factored in several vital aspects that every college student needs to consider. These factors include price, display screen size, battery life, and warranty.
College students don't tend to have thousands of dollars sitting around. Instead, they tend to live off cafeteria food, pizza, and ramen noodles. Thus, we recognized that the price of a tablet is an essential factor in decision making.
Staring into a small lit screen can be tiring on the eyes, especially eyes that have only been shut for a few hours. College students are notorious for their terrible sleeping habits. A tablet with an alarm and an adequately sized display can help remedy the eye strain that results from lack of sleep and a tiny screen.
No one wants their device to die right as they're about to finish their work! What if you're taking an exam online and your device shuts off? Some professors are not very empathetic to technical issues. Therefore, battery life is a hugely important factor when deciding on a tablet. The longer the battery life, the longer you can use your tablet while out and about on campus!
Lastly, we recognize that college students can be forgetful, and clumsy at times. Also, most students are paired with other peers in dorms or shared living situations. A bad roommate can quickly destroy your beloved tablet without a second thought. So, obtaining a tablet that comes with a warranty is highly recommended.
Overall Price Range For Tablets
Tablets usually go for between $ and $$$, depending on the display screen size, operating system, storage size, and general quality of the tablet.
Lower prices can be found on lower-end tablets, and many high-end tablets such as the Apple iPad often go on sale, especially when a newer model is released.
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Top Ten Tablets For College
1. Apple iPad Pro
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$$ on Amazon.
Where To Buy
Available on Amazon, the Apple website, and in-store at various Apple Store locations.
Warranty
Each iPad comes with a one-year limited AppleCare warranty which covers necessary hardware repair. Also, consumers get up to 90 days of complimentary support from the AppleCare team.
2. Fire HD 8 Tablet
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon.
Warranty
The Fire HD 8 Tablet comes with a 90-day limited warranty.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon and the Samsung website.
Warranty
Samsung offers a 12-month warranty for all its mobile devices, including tablets.
4. Apple iPad
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon, the Apple website, and in-store at various Apple Store locations.
Warranty
Each iPad comes with a one-year limited AppleCare warranty which covers necessary hardware repair. Also, consumers get up to 90 days of complimentary support from the AppleCare team.
5. Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon, and the Microsoft website.
Warranty
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 comes with a one-year limited warranty and 90 days of technical support.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon and the Samsung website.
Warranty
Samsung offers a 12-month warranty for all its tablets.
7. Huawei MediaPad M5
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon.
Warranty
Huawei offers its customers a one-year warranty on their tablets.
8. Hoozo 10-inch Tablet
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon.
Warranty
Hoozo is a company based in China. They do not offer any apparent warranties on their tablets.
9. Apple iPad Mini
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon, the Apple website, and in-store at various Apple Store locations.
Warranty
Each iPad comes with a one-year limited AppleCare warranty which covers necessary hardware repair. Also, consumers get up to 90 days of complimentary support from the AppleCare team.
10. Microsoft Surface Go
Image via Amazon
Best Features
Price
$$$ on Amazon.
Where to Buy
Available on Amazon and the Microsoft website.
Warranty
Every Microsoft tablet comes with a 12-month, one-year limited warranty.
The Final Verdict
The best of the best when it comes to the best tablets for college, is one that is priced decently, has an easy-to-read display screen, a long-lasting battery, and a warranty to cover any potential accidents!
With these four critical factors in mind, it becomes evident that the best tablet is the Apple iPad! At less than the average $$, 10 hours of battery life, a one-year warranty, 128GB of storage, and a well-lit, beautiful display screen, there can be no other – or better – choice!
