Do you want to boost your academic performance? You have come to the right place! In this article, we will explore the best tablets for students, tools that will allow you to study efficiently and at your own pace.
10 Best Tablets for Students
For students, technological devices have become essential tools. Whether it's to do homework, interact with colleagues in group projects, take notes, prepare for exams or attend virtual classes. In this context, tablets for students emerge as an optimal solution, providing all the necessary functionalities in a portable device that can be taken to the library, to the classroom or even used during the journey on public transport.
However, the variety of tablets available can make choosing the best one for students a challenge. With our guide, you will understand more clearly what are the characteristics to consider and what are the brands and models that best suit the academic demands.
Huawei MediaPad T5
This device offers excellent value for money, qualities that make it especially attractive to students. It is fast, light and has a 10.1 inch, so it is not surprising that it is one of the most purchased in Spain and appears as a favorite on platforms such as Amazon.
It can be purchased in different versions: with WiFi+Bluetooth connection, or with WiFi+LTE(4G)+Bluetooth that allows the use of a SIM card to enjoy internet connection anywhere thanks to a mobile data rate. The most basic models can be obtained from around €150 or even less. While those that include LTE and 32 GB of capacity can reach more than €200, a price that is still competitive for this type of device.
This tablet is characterized by its FullHD screen with IPS panel, the custom Android operating system with EMUI, Histen stereo speakers, 2 GB of RAM, a microSD card reader to expand storage if you wish, and the powerful HiSilicon Kirin 659 8-core Cortex-A53 processor, four of which run at 2.36 Ghz and the other four at 1.7 Ghz to optimize efficiency.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
If you are looking for a tablet that outperforms Huawei models, this device could be the perfect choice. It offers very balanced features, according to its average price. It stands out for its elegant design and for operating with the Android system modified with OneUI, with the advantage of being able to update via OTA.
This model incorporates an 8-core SoC with speeds of 2Ghz and 1.8Ghz, along with 3GB of RAM and internal storage of up to 32GB, which can be expanded to 1TB via a microSD card. Its screen is 10.4 inches with a WUXGA+ resolution (2000×1200 px). Besides, it includes a built-in microphone, high-quality speakers, and 8 MP rear and 5 MP front cameras. To guarantee hours of use without interruptions, it is powered by a Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 7040 mAh.
Lenovo M10Plus
The M10 Plus model offers remarkable specifications at extremely competitive prices. This device is available in WiFi or LTE versions, allowing you to select the one that best suits your needs.
The M10 Plus features a 10.3-inch FullHD screen, powered by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 chip, 4 GB of RAM, and internal storage that goes up to 64 GB. It has a 9300 mAh battery, one of the largest in the sector, offering up to 18 hours of autonomy. Of course, it also includes all the features expected in a tablet, such as a microphone, speakers, cameras, and so on, standing out particularly for the quality of its sound.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The Galaxy Tab A8 is positioned as one of the most affordable and recommended tablets for students. This brand is characterized by its quality and offers all the advantages and facilities that students need. With it, you will have an excellent tool for your studies or to attend classes online.
equipped with a 10.5-inch screen, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot and a powerful processor, this tablet presents itself as a great value option for its price.
Apple iPad Air
The iPad Air stands out as one of the most desired tablets, thanks to Apple's ability to integrate into it all the aspects that have made its products famous: innovation, attractive design, reliability, superior quality, and unique features. The best thing is that they have managed to do it at a more affordable price compared to other models of the brand.
This tablet is light and thin, with a 10.9-inch Retina display, giving you not only unmatched image quality, but also visual comfort that you'll appreciate after long days of study. Besides, Its long-lasting battery will allow you to study or work with it for hours without interruptions. And if you add accessories like the Pencil or the MagicKeyboard, you can greatly simplify your student life.
As for its internal components, it incorporates a powerful m1 chip, 6 GB of RAM, internal storage ranging from 64 to 256 GB, excellent quality speakers, integrated dual microphone, and WiFi 6 connectivity for ultra-fast browsing, Bluetooth 5.0 , in addition to the option of choose a version with 4G LTE. It has a 12 MP wide-angle rear camera with f/1.8 aperture and a five-element lens, as well as a 7 MP f/2.2 FaceTimeHD front camera.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
This other device stands out as one of the best, offering impressive performance for those willing to make a bigger investment. You will receive an 11-inch tablet with an IPS FullHD screen, a powerful 8-core chip, 6 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of flash storage, which can be easily expanded using microSD memory cards.
The image quality, along with that of its cameras, its microphone and speaker system, is remarkable. This Android 12 tablet is also very versatile for moments of fun beyond the academic field. In addition, it has a 7040 mAh battery.
Amazon Fire HD 8
An inexpensive option for students is Amazon's 8-inch Fire HD tablet. Although the hardware of this device is not the best, its FireOS operating system, based on Android (and compatible with its applications), offers an efficient performance.
The appeal of this tablet lies not only in its competitive price, but also in its 10 hours of battery life, the option to select between different connectivity and storage models, such as 32 and 64 GB flash. In addition, if you are a regular user, you can enjoy Amazon's integrated services, such as Prime Video, Music, among others.
Xiaomi pad 5
The 11-inch screen has a specific ambient light sensor that ensures the adjustment of the image to any lighting condition. This visual area is enhanced by the firm's smart pen, the Xiaomi Smart Pen, which offers 4096-level pressure sensitivity and wireless magnetic charging (capable of fully charging in 18 minutes).
Its battery, with a capacity of 8720 mAh, provides a duration of up to 5 days if it is only used to play music, more than 16 hours if it is used to watch videos and more than 10 hours to play video games.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
La 14,6-inch AMOLED screen that this model has, is the most extensive that the brand has launched to date, and provides an ideal platform to write, draw or sketch with total precision using the S Pen, a digital pen that stores and charges magnetically on the back back of the tablet.
It has a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle front camera, complemented by two other 13- and 6-megapixel rear cameras, which offer automatic framing and 4K video recording functions. In addition, it comes with a 45W charger that allows reach the maximum battery level in the shortest possible time.
Microsoft Surface Go 3
This tablet has two versions, one that includes an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space, and another with a Core i5, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of capacity. A distinctive aspect is its 13 inch, which features a resolution of 2.880 x 1.920 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. In order to optimize video conferencing experiences, it is equipped with two 2W stereo speakers compatible with Dolby Atmos, as well as a front-facing camera and built-in microphones. .
The cheapest tablet for students
If you're a student looking for affordable devices without sacrificing quality and functionality, here's another highly recommended option: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
This Samsung model has all the features you would expect from a high-quality tablet. However, its cost is considerably lower than other models of the same brand. It is a compact device, with a high-resolution 8.7″ screen, a 5100 mAh battery that provides several hours of autonomy, an efficient ARM-based processor, Android operating system, 3 GB of RAM and the option to choose between 32 and 64 GB of internal flash storage.
In addition, you can select between models with WiFi and also models with 4G LTE connectivity, which allow you to add a SIM card with a mobile data plan to stay connected to the Internet wherever you are. It includes a built-in microphone, stereo speakers and two cameras, one front and one rear.
Types of tablets for students
Here are some of the main types of student tablets that could suit various study needs.
- Tablets with digital pen: These tablets are ideal for students and professionals who need to take notes by hand, draw, design or perform similar tasks.
- tablets to study: Many tablets can be effective for studying, but some have specific features that can be particularly useful.
- Tablets to work: For professionals and those who need to do more intensive work on their tablet, high-end models like Apple's iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro are great options. These devices offer high performance, high-resolution displays, and support for keyboards and digital pens.
- high-end tablets: These tablets often have great processing power, excellent screens, and additional functionality that can be very useful for students.
- Mid-range tablets: This type of tablet offers a balance between performance and price. They offer robust features at a more affordable cost.
- Low-end or cheap tablets: For students on a budget, there are more affordable tablets that can still handle many common student tasks.
Remember, the perfect tablet for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. It is essential to compare the different options available and read user reviews to make an informed decision.
Laptop or tablet to study? what is better
When choosing the right technology tool for studies, two main options often arise: a laptop or a tablet. Both devices have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice will largely depend on individual needs, the type of studies and personal preferences.
For starters, laptops are great for typing-intensive jobs and tasks that require specialized software. They generally have more processing power than tablets, making them better suited for graphic design programs, software development, and similar computing-intensive tasks. Plus, they feature physical keyboards, making it easy to write long documents, program, and do other jobs that require a lot of typing.
On the other hand, tablets are lighter and more portable devices, making them ideal for studying on the go. They're great for reading documents, watching videos, browsing the internet, and doing other basic tasks. Tablets also stand out for their versatility. Many of them allow the installation of external keyboards.
The choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Remember, technology is a tool to facilitate your studies, so the best option will always be the one that best suits your academic needs.
How to choose the best tablet for students
Most of the students do not have sources of income and, if they do work, it is usually part-time jobs or during vacations that do not provide much income. In this way, the budget available for the purchase of these devices is usually somewhat tight, which greatly reduces the options. However, there are some essential specifications to consider in order to get the best equipment at the most affordable cost.
Battery duration
Classes usually last around 6 hours a day, so you should think about tablets with autonomy that exceeds that time to avoid running out of charge in the middle of the day.
It is advisable to opt for tablets with a battery of at least 6000 mAh, and the bigger the screen and the more powerful the hardware, the greater the battery capacity should be to support all those hours. Some of the tablets mentioned above fully comply with this feature, so they are ideal.
Local
Most of the tablets include WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, which will allow you to connect it to the network of your study center, home, library, etc., as well as to external keyboards, digital pens, wireless headphones, among others. In addition, they usually have other ports such as USB-C / microUSB for charging and data transfer, or the 3.5 mm jack for wired headphones or external speakers.
But if you want a tablet that allows you to access the Internet anywhere, just like your smartphone, you should consider buying one with LTE connectivity so that you can access the 4G or 5G network.
Option to add keyboards or a pen for tablet annotations for schoolchildren
Considering the option of purchasing a tablet with a keyboard, a 2-in-1 device, or purchasing a stand-alone keyboard is a smart move. This keyboard will allow you to interact with your applications more efficiently, and write long texts more quickly.
The same situation occurs with digital pens, which also connect via Bluetooth and allow you to take handwritten notes directly on the tablet screen, or draw, color, among others.
desktop mode
Many Android tablets offer a feature known as PC Mode, Desktop Mode, or similar. This can be useful when you connect an external keyboard and the tablet becomes a kind of "laptop", quickly switching from one mode to another.
Screen quality and resolution
It is always advisable to select sizes of 10″ or more, to be able to read and work comfortably without straining your eyes on a screen that is too small. But not only the size is important here, but also the type of panel.
The most recommended is an IPS LED panel, which offers a very balanced performance in all aspects. OLED screens can also be a good option, with more intense black colors and lower consumption, although in some aspects they lag behind IPS panels.
Minimum RAM
To support the processing units of the SoC, it is recommended to have enough memory to power these processors so that the software runs quickly and smoothly. Tablets with at least 3 or 4 GB of RAM are the best option. If they have more than that, even better.
Internal storage
As for the internal storage, it is important that it is at least 64 GB minimum, or more if possible, since this way you will be able to download and store all the files you need, as well as install a large number of applications and updates without being lack of space
Benefits of using a tablet to study
- Portability: They are lightweight and compact devices, making them incredibly portable. You can take them with you to the library, to the cafeteria, to the park, or even use them in the comfort of your bed.
- Access to learning resources: With a tablet, you have a multitude of educational resources at your fingertips. From eBooks and video tutorials to educational apps and online learning platforms, it's all accessible from your device.
- Tablets are also great organization tools. You can store all your textbooks, notes, homework, and other study materials in one place. Additionally, many study apps allow you to sort and search your study material, which can save you time and effort.
Disadvantages of using a tablet to study
- Although many devices now include low blue light modes to mitigate this issue, prolonged use of a tablet can cause eye strain. It is important to take frequent breaks and adjust the brightness and contrast of the screen to take care of your eyes.
- It needs to be charged regularly. If you forget to charge your device or if you don't have access to a power source when the battery runs out, you won't be able to continue your studies.
- Although there are tablets of different price ranges, the initial cost can be higher than that of traditional study materials. Also, you may need to purchase additional accessories, such as a stylus or a protective case.
Best apps for students with tablets
Pro Planner: This application, available for Android, makes it easy for you to organize your classes and schedules intuitively, allowing you to keep a detailed track of your homework and exams.
Noteshelf: This app offers you the possibility of taking notes in a very practical way, as well as completing digital forms in a simple way.
Wolfram Alpha: With this application you can access information of all kinds very quickly, such as calculations, measurements, graphs and functions. It is an invaluable support for science students.
Quote This For Me: This application makes it easy to create bibliographic citations, an essential element in carrying out academic work. You can scan the code from a book or enter the information manually.
Google Drive: This is a must-have cloud storage tool, allowing you to share documents with classmates and teachers, as well as keeping all your files secure.
Google translate: This application is especially useful for language students or for those who need to quickly translate documents and texts. In addition, it allows you to read and listen to the pronunciation in several languages.
RAE Dictionary: For careers that require frequent use of dictionaries to look up terms, the official app of the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy) offers you all the definitions you need at your fingertips.