The 6 best large tablets of 2023

By Tech-News Team
1 year Ago

The best tablets have traditionally been a large-screened alternative to smartphones. But just as the display sizes of phones continue to grow, tablets have seen their screen size increase as well. This is a welcomed trend for those who do a lot of work on a tablet, including students or those who work remotely and want something thin and lightweight, but with a large screen.

Also: Want to gift someone a tablet? Here are 12 great options, starting at $89

Here’s a perfect example: Samsung has been selling tablets for years, usually in two different sizes, with a “Plus” model being the biggest. However, earlier this year, Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra with a 14.6-inch display — the largest Samsung has used in a tablet.

So it begs the question — who else makes tablets with large displays? It turns out, there are more options than you’d think. Not all of them approach 15 inches, but there’s more than enough screen real estate in the picks below.

More:

The best small tablets
The best cheap tablets
The best rugged tablets
The best Android tablets
The best note-taking tablets
The best tablet for kids
The best stylus tablets

Pros

Big, vibrant display
iPadOS 16.1’s new multitasking feature Strong performance thanks to M2 chip

Cons

Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are extra
A fully loaded iPad Pro can get expensive

Tech specs: Display: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion and True Tone | Processor: Apple Silicon M2 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB | Biometrics: Face ID | Colors: Silver, space gray | Cameras: 12MP wide, 10MP ultrawide rear and 12MP TrueDepth FaceTime front | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Dimensions: 12.9-inches: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25-inches | Connections: USB-C Thunderbolt/USB-4 | Battery life: 10 hours

Apple’s 2022 iPad Pro lineup is by far the most capable and impressive iPad lineup we’ve seen, making it our best overall pick. It’s also the most expensive, by a long shot. The design hasn’t changed all that much on the outside, but on the inside, you’ll find Apple’s M2 processor which consists of 20 billion transistors — 25 percent more than M1. It’s the same exact processor that Apple is using in the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

We spent some time with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and found it to be faster and more capable than any other iPad model we’ve tested to date. You can expect downloads up to 2.4Gbps, twice as fast as the previous model, 15 percent faster performance, and up to 35 percent faster graphics performance.

Read the review: iPad Pro (2022) review: I’m cautiously optimistic. Or foolish

The Pro also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, and there’s a new hover feature thanks to the M2 chip. The feature works like this: once the tip of the Apple Pencil gets near the iPad Pro’s display, and when it’s within 12 millimeters, parts of the interface come to life in apps that support the new feature.The Smart Connector is on the back of the iPad Pro, giving you the option to use it with the Magic Keyboard that includes backlit keys and trackpad, or Apple’s Smart Keyboard.

And, although the differences between the fifth generation and this sixth generation model are more subtle, the M2 chip is really what shines here, making it a powerhouse tablet. The iPad Pro, combined with iPadOS and the M2 chip, is as close as you can get to a laptop without actually buying a laptop.

Pros

Giant display
It comes with an S Pen
Battery life
5G option

Cons

A keyboard accessory isn’t included
Pricey

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is by and large (pun intended) the tablet with biggest display on our list. With a 14.6-inch AMOLED display, you’re sure to have enough room for work and play on the Tab S8 Ultra. Included in the box is Samsung’s S Pen stylus that can be used for drawing out ideas or writing notes, or you can use it to navigate the tablet’s Android 12 interface — and even write in any text field and have it automatically converted to digital text.

What’s not included in the box is Samsung’s $349 Book Cover Keyboard. The keyboard is a must-have accessory if you plan on doing any work on the Tab S8 Ultra, not only because it provides a physical keyboard and trackpad, but it’s also the best way to take advantage of Samsung’s DeX platform. When docked in the keyboard the standard Android 12 interface changes to something that looks and works like a regular computer with a desktop and windowed apps.

Read the review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review: Stunning hardware, but Android holds it back

Outside of gaining extra memory, don’t upgrade from the base model just to gain extra storage. The Tab S8 Ultra has a microSD card slot that will accept up to 1TB of additional storage. If you’re invested in the Samsung or Android ecosystem of products, the Tab S8 Ultra will fit your workflow setup without much tinkering, if any, on your part.

Pros

Great display
Runs Windows 11
Battery life
Performance

Cons

You’ll pay extra for a keyboard
Need a stylus? That’s going to cost you

Microsoft’s Surface lineup helped usher in the 2-in-1 detachable computer market, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t include it on this list. It is sold as a stand-alone tablet, after all. Microsoft redesigned the Surface Pro 8, shrinking the bezels around the 13-inch display and giving it the same basic design as the Surface Pro X.

With the Surface Pro 8, you’re getting a tablet that runs Windows 11 out of the box, instead of a mobile operating system like Android or iPadOS. That means you’re not going to have to worry about finding apps or workarounds for your workflows.

Read the review: Microsoft Surface Pro 8 for Business review: Still in love

Of course, if you want to use the Surface Pro 8 as a laptop you’ll need to buy a Surface Pro Signature Keyboard or you can opt to get the combo that includes the keyboard and Microsoft’s Slim Pen 2 stylus. There’s even a handy compartment on the keyboard itself that stores the pen and charges it at the same time.

Pros

A ChromeOS option
Routine update schedule
Battery life

Cons

You can either survive using ChromeOS or you can’t
Performance may not be all that impressive

Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 5 is a perfect option for someone who lives and works inside Google’s ecosystem of services and products. It’s a full-fledged ChromeOS device, but instead of having a permanently attached keyboard, it’s a tablet that docks into the keyboard that comes in the box. Finally, there’s a tablet that comes with a keyboard.

When it’s docked, you’ll get a standard Chromebook layout and interface. You can access all of your Chrome apps, visit websites, and the like. You can also install Android apps directly from the Google Play Store. These are the same apps you can install on your phone, some of which are optimized for tablets.

Read the review: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5: Great Chromebook, great tablet

When you disconnect the keyboard from the Duet 5, the interface will slightly adjust and adapt to a touch-first approach, ideal for a tablet. If you live and work in Google’s ecosystem, then the Chromebook Duet 5 makes a lot of sense.

Pros

Classic Surface design
LTE connectivity in a Windows 11 device
Runs Windows 11

Cons

App compatibility remains an issue
You will need to splurge on a keyboard and stylus

Tech specs: Display: 13-inch PixelSense display | Processor: Microsoft SQ 1 or SQ 2 | Storage:128GB SSD | Memory: 8GB LPDDR4x | Cameras: 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video, 10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4k video | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Dimensions: 11.3″ x 8.2″ x 0.28″ | Connections: 2 USB-C, Surface Connect port, Surface Keyboard port, nano SIM | Battery: 15 hours

I already included the Surface Pro 8 on this list, but the Surface Pro X deserves its own callout. The Pro 8 and Pro X share the same design along with keyboard and stylus support. What makes the Pro X different is that it’s powered by Microsoft’s SQ1 or SQ2 ARM-based processor. That’s the same kind of processor architecture that’s used by Apple in its Apple Silicon chips currently found in the iPad Pro and several Macs.

The benefits of moving to an ARM processor are seen in battery life and, in the case of the Pro X at least, the addition of LTE connectivity. However, there are some downsides. One of which is that apps need to be rebuilt to support ARM processors, instead of the tried and true Intel or AMD processors Microsoft uses in the rest of its Surface products.

Read the review: Microsoft Surface Pro X review: Desirable but expensive hardware, work-in-progress software

I’ve used a Surface Pro X since it first launched and while the app compatibility issue has gotten a lot better, there’s still some work left to do before I’m not able to tell the difference between an app that’s been updated and one that hasn’t.

All of that to say — if you’re someone who likes living on the bleeding edge of technology and wants a tablet that has LTE connectivity so you can work from anywhere, the Pro X is worth considering.

Pros

More affordable than the S8 Plus
Expandable storage
Good battery life

Cons

Display could be better

If you want to spend less on a big tablet, Samsung’s “FE” series of devices are designed with Samsung fans in mind. That is, the company takes the best features of its high-end devices, trims some of them down, and releases a more affordable product.

The Tab S7 FE has a large 12.4-inch display, a snappy processor, as well as multiple storage and memory options. The device, which comes in various colors, also has a 5G version available if you want to use it while on the go.

Some standout features include face recognition technology, two stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and multi-device connectivity. It also has a great battery life that will last you through at least 12 hours.

While the display on the S7 FE isn’t as nice as the S8 Ultra, it’s still more than suitable for streaming or playing games, and it also comes with an S Pen, adding even more to its affordability.

The best large tablet is the iPad Pro (2021), thanks to its powerful Apple M1 chip, impressive cameras, and optional 5G support.

Large tablet	Price	Display	Storage
iPad Pro 6th generation	Starting at $1,099	12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	Starting at $960	14.6-inch, 120Hz, Super AMOLED 2,960×1,848 display	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, microSD up to 1TB
Microsoft Surface Pro 8	Starting at $1,100	13-inch PixelSense Flow display	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5	$475	13.3-inch OLED display	128GB eMMC SSD
Microsoft Surface Pro X	Starting at $600	13-inch PixelSense display	128GB SSD
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE	$400	12.4-inch, 2560×1600 display	64GB, 128GB, 256GB

When trying to decide between one of these tablets, the biggest question to ask yourself is what operating system do you want. Once you figure out if you need a full computer experience or if a mobile-centric operating system is enough, you can narrow it down from there. If you’re stuck deciding between the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro X, I’d recommend going with the Pro 8 only because you don’t have to worry about app compatibility like you do on the Pro X.

Choose this large tablet…	If you want…
iPad Pro 6th generation	The best overall option.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	To stay in the Android ecosystem.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8	A large tablet that can replace the need for a desktop computer.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5	A tablet that uses ChromeOS.
Microsoft Surface Pro X	A large tablet to take with you on-the-go.
Samsung Galaxy S7 FE	A super affordable tablet with a large display.

There aren’t many options when it comes to tablets with large displays, so we stuck with tablets that have 12-inch displays or higher. We considered renowned brands, products that we have used ourselves, reviews (both good and bad), and pricing when making out final picks.

Tablets range in size from small to large. Small tablets are usually five to seven inches. Mid-size tablets have a screen ranging from nine to 11 inches. Then, there are large tablets with screen sizes from 12-14 inches.

Keep in mind that the larger the tablet, the heavier it will usually weigh.

Neither accessory is a requirement. It all depends on how you plan to use the tablet. If you’re going to use it for watching movies, playing games or reading books — no keyboard is required. However, if you plan on using it as a weekend replacement for your laptop or for school, then, yea, you’ll need to spend the extra money on one.

There is a big difference in terms of quantity and quality of apps that are available for iPadOS over Android. Apple and third-party developers have spent years fine-tuning the experience on the larger display device. All the while Google has all but admitted it gave up on making Android tablets, and developers have taken the company’s lead. You’ll find a lot of apps you can install and use, but ultimately they’re nothing more than the phone version of the app and it just doesn’t work like it should.

Here are a few other options to look into:

…. to be continued
Read the Original Article
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : ZDNet – https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-large-tablet/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

Categories: Tech News
Tags: large tablets

Related Content

Coup de vieux : Microsoft et IBM libèrent le code de MS-DOS 4.0

ChromeOS M124 : une mise à jour qui améliore le multitâche, le Wi-Fi et le support Fast Pair

13 important Windows settings to change immediately

Get these bone conduction headphones for just $40

Headline