7 Best Tablets For College Students in 2022 [Expert Reviews]

With so many options available in the market, finding a reliable tablet for college use could be a daunting task. However, picking a random device can do more bad than good. It doesn’t matter what your needs are, whether you want to read eBooks, make notes, watch videos, attend online classes, etc, the models in this list are going to help you do all.

As a student or a guardian, you must’ve realized the exemplary contribution that digital advancement has made to enhance the educational systems around the world over the past few years and continues to do so at a remarkable rate. It is thus significant to understand how to optimally invest in the technology that helps you focus, learn, and grow holistically.

Although desktops and laptops have had their times in terms of providing top-notch technology, but due to the evolution of online classes on apps like Zoom and e-learning using educational videos, tablets have become quite common among college students. How so?

Many colleges and professors have shifted their teaching methodology towards being more e-friendly, meaning that they now ensure that the old-school textbook education can be integrated seamlessly into portable devices like tablets that allow students to study anytime, anywhere (even when they’re lying on a bed.)

College students find it more effective than hefty books and laptops because using a tablet they can access limitless information with regards to their subject and that too in a highly interactive and engaging manner.

7 Best Tablets for College Students in 2022

Although these are the 7 best tablets for students to use for different purposes such as making notes, watching lectures, taking pictures, making group video calls, etc. However, you’ll have to pick the right one for your needs (as no expert knows about your usage, but pick from these.)

Be it classroom, home, in transit, or during vacation, these portable devices can be carried around by students to access a variety of courses and assignments. Thus, being a one-stop solution to learning needs provides edutainment like never before!

1. Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

One brand that continues to put innovation above everything else is none other than Samsung. The range of tablets launched by Samsung has retained so many users, especially attracting college students. The Galaxy Tab S7 seems to be the latest favorite of many such students who realize the power of combined portability and performance.

Design & Build

Observing the stylish design on this tablet, you will witness a robust structure built out of aluminum and polycarbonate material. The keyboard is detachable, and a magnetic flap allows the tablet to rest in notebook mode.

The smooth finish on the Galaxy Tab S7 is a charm, and it weighs only 1.1 pounds, making it a good tablet for college students. However, the port assortment is limited to only a USB Type C 3.1 port (not a Thunderbolt 3) and a headphone jack.

Processor & Performance

The performance of the Galaxy Tab S7 makes up for it really well. The 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 CPU powerfully runs the tablet to support multitasking. This is of interest to students who can continue work and leisure at the same time.

This is further accompanied by the Adreno 650 graphics configuration, which provides a great screen experience. You can rest assured of a smooth and quick process on the tablet because it comes with 6GB RAM and an internal storage capacity of 128GB, highly compatible with the Android 10.

The Display

Unlike Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+, this tablet doesn’t come with a Super AMOLED display, however, the TFT WQXGA panel provides you with a vibrant, immersive viewing experience. Be it class video conferences or streaming movies, the 11-inch screen keeps you covered with vivid detail. With a resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels, the touchscreen offers decent brightness.

Keyboard & Inputs

As for the detachable keyboard, the Tab S7 gives you a good typing opportunity for short to medium-length written communication. The keys might feel a bit shallow and they are close-spaced, which can result in hindered typing during long sessions.

The touchpad is short yet delivers excellent accuracy concerning navigation and gesture response. The Tab S7 comes with a Stylus allowing you to take important notes in your college and is also helpful when you want to draw.

Speakers & Audio

The stereo speakers on the tablet are tiny and very powerful. They provide excellent bass reverberation, and the voice is crystal clear on the speakers. As for the battery life, the device has surpassed expectations with a longevity of up to 15 hours with continuous tasks like taking notes, browsing, and streaming videos.

Camera Features

The Tab S7 also boasts 8MP front and dual rear cameras with a 13MP main sensor and 5MP ultra-wide shooter, producing quite accurate results in terms of color vibrancy and utilizing the lens for recording 1080p videos at 30 fps.

Final Thoughts!

Overall, the specifications of the Galaxy Tab S7 allow the device to be student-friendly in the long term, providing basic tasking ability to the user in a hassle-free manner and within range.

2. Best Windows Tablet: Microsoft Surface Go 2

What is the need of the hour for a college student? They demand a tablet with versatile features catering to their requirement of durability, affordability, and effective performance. With Surface Go 2, Microsoft launched a device that targeted all three needs with utmost promise.

Design & Build

The Surface Go 2 has been carefully designed to follow the structure of Surface Pro 3, with a sturdy magnesium chassis. The 1.2 pounds tablet is as versatile as Microsoft could get in terms of configuration. The edges have been rounded and the radial-vent size is small to make this tablet easy to carry around.

Processor & Performance

The tablet comes with impressive specifications that enhance its performance to the next level. With the 1.7GHz Pentium Gold 4425Y CPU, you get to work interrupted on your college projects. It further gets better with the 8GB RAM and 128GB of SSD. You get to make the most of this tablet through its speedy switch between apps and a simultaneous accomplishment of a variety of tasks on the Windows 10 Home in S-Mode.

The Display

With the 10.5-inch IPS LCD touchscreen, this tablet provides you with a color-accurate display that can produce almost HDR-like images. The enhanced vividness on this PixelSense display will help you draw, write notes, and watch videos with an immersive experience. The screen definitely is a huge win for Microsoft.

An interesting factor to notice, apart from the impressive display, is the Surface Pen’s tilt and rotation support that you get to avail of when working on the Surface Go 2. This means that college students will find it easier and quicker to take notes during live classroom sessions without facing any lag.

Keyboard & Inputs

The Alcantara-decked Type Cover makes the addition of a keyboard to the tablet as a style affair with a layer of comfort during portability. The backlit keyboard provides you with a good key-travel thereby reflecting in the typing speed. You will witness a USB Type-C port and a headphone jack. However, it misses out on the USB Type-A port.

Speakers & Audio

Be it a movie, live academic sessions, or video calls, you will face no issue on the audio front. As for the battery life on this tablet, you get to utilize longevity up to 8 hours when working on the Surface Pro which could be improved.

Camera Features

The final element to discuss is the camera specification on the Surface Go 2. A 5MP front camera and 8MP rear camera can produce good results with a resolution of 1080p. This can help you capture notes on boards in the classroom in a snap or a video format.

Final Thoughts!

Microsoft has ensured that through the SurfaceGo 2, you can find all the solutions to your learning needs without fretting about friendly technology any more.

3. Best iPad for College: Apple iPad Pro

With the new M1-powered iPad Pro, Apple claims that they have come up with a tablet that is so fast, most laptops can’t keep up. In functionality, this seems to stand true since the upgrades on this iPad Pro are evidently better than the previous iPad versions. Let us have a look at what makes this device stand out for college students in detail.

Design & Build

First off, the signature Apple design holds for iPad Pro M1 in that it boasts an aluminum slate with the brand logo boldly placed at the back. You will also witness the square-housed rear camera with dual lenses placed towards the top, left-hand corner. Weighing just 1 pound, the iPad Pro becomes one of the lightest tablets for college use.

Or college students specializing in arts or simply heavy on taking notes, the device serves the purpose pretty well. Speakers are available on the top and bottom panels of the tablet. Plus, iPad Pro provides you with one USB-C port on the bottom panel. The one unexpected setback is that it doesn’t come with an audio/headphone jack.

Processor & Performance

So how does the configuration on Apple iPad Pro fare? As expected, the 8-Core based M1 chip and internal storage of 128GB allow the tablet to perform at skyrocketing speed and deliver powerful processing. You get to enjoy great graphics performance as well, as the CPU adds a GPU core.

College students will find this particularly useful as the 11-inch iPad Pro doesn’t lag or glitch at all while the user multitasks on the tablet. You can browse, edit, write, draw, and even do occasional gaming in a hassle-free manner.

The Display

The iPad Pro comes with an 11-inch screen that boasts Retina technology. It’s a very powerful & bright panel as the vividness in colors is outstanding, to say the least. The resolution of 2388 x 1668 pixels allows the iPad Pro to hold on to minute details effortlessly. This will definitely interest students who need to work on projects every now and then.

Keyboard & Inputs

Before I forget to mention, the Type Cover/Keyboard on the iPad Pro needs to be purchased separately. While the keyboard itself doesn’t include a touchpad, you get to accessorize the tablet with a Trackpad. That’s right.

Also, the Apple Pencil (Gen 2) will provide you with the best stylus experience. Although an expensive accessory, you can add it to draw and write down notes accurately. While you can magnetically attach the Pencil to the tablet, it also charges effectively in the position.

Speakers & Audio

As for the audio, the quad speakers on the Apple iPad Pro are astounding. It is surprising how extraordinary speakers are accustomed to a tablet. So you can continue to take notes, work on projects, and let the music keep you motivated. To top that, you also get to work without interruption for long hours, thanks to the battery life of up to 10 hours.

Camera Features

An ultimate feat is achieved with the banging camera quality! With a 7MP front camera, a 12MP main camera, and a 10MP secondary ultrawide camera, the tablet clicks sharp, vivid pictures. Interestingly, you get to work with the lidar sensor on the rear cameras which is compatible with AR apps. So, if you are studying the development of artificial reality, this tool will help you learn how to create immersive content and applications.

Final Thoughts!

Hands down, the 11-inch iPad Pro M1 is an iconic deal when it comes to purchasing a tablet that fulfills almost all of your requirements, given that you can make peace with the price point. It sure is a value-for-money product.

4. Best with 2K Display: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus can put a smile on the face of any college student with the loaded specs sheet and top-shelf display. Plus, the functional aspects of this tablet are also worth mentioning as they support peripheral additions, immersive streaming, and even high-level gameplay.

Also, as fate would have it, I bumped into the Lenovo M10 Plus i.e. a slightly older variant, all of a sudden, and ended up comparing it with the P11 Plus. Upon collating the features, I identified the P11 Plus as a much better option, courtesy of a high-resolution display, improved speaker setup, an upgraded chipset, and much more.

Design & Build

As you’d expect, the aluminum-alloy chassis is pretty durable and weighs slightly north of the 1 pound mark. Hence, the overall build quality feels premium. Plus, the power tab and volume rockers are aesthetically placed, making it one of the more sought-after tablets. As far as the dimensions are concerned, the iron-grey P11 Plus measures ‎10.17 x 6.42 x 0.3 inches, which is pretty sleek for an 11-inch tablet.

Processor & Performance

Tab P11 Plus is equipped with an Helio G90T chipset. This MediaTek SoC assumes a 12nm architecture, which in turn heats a fair bit upon extended usage. Needless to say, the featured chipset allows you to handle most games and video editing tasks without breaking a sweat.

Also, there is a Mali G76 MC4 GPU in place that takes good care of the visual autonomy and the game-specific frame rates. The processing performances are backed by 4GB RAM, which complements the processor to the best of its abilities. Storage-wise, there is a 128GB unit in place. However, you can always rely on the upgradeable micro-SDXC slot to ramp up space.

As far as the interface and gadget usage is concerned, the Android 11 is a pretty intuitive OS to consider. Also, it helps you procure the Face Unlock biometric support, in case you want to safeguard the device, beyond the usual standards.

The Display

The 11-inch screen is one of the brightest, courtesy of the overall display resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. Plus, the 2K IPS screen boasts exceptional viewing angles and decent sunlight visibility, thereby allowing you to take the tablet out in the open. The screen isn’t all about the bezels as you get to experience a decent screen-to-display ratio.

Keyboard & Inputs

Although the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus doesn’t come with a dedicated stylus or external keyboard, you can consider pairing these peripherals via Bluetooth or the existing Type-C port. If you are confused as to which options might work, any active stylus pen with lower latency could do the trick.

Speakers & Audio

This tablet comes with four stereo speakers, which are more than capable of providing a decent acoustic ambiance. In case you are interested in the positioning of the speakers, the side adhering units are pretty loud and boast Dolby Atmos technology for a more beguiling effect.

Camera Features

Here is a pretty thoughtful tablet when camera support and video-specific capabilities are concerned. For starters, there is an inventive 13MP rear shooter in place followed by the 8MP selfie unit with full HD video recording support.

Final Thoughts!

Overall, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is one of the more reliable tablets for college students, owing to the massive 7700mAh battery support that is capable of lasting for up to 15 hours, on normal usage. Apart from that, the AF camera, upgradeable storage unit, and a decent connectivity suite led by dual-band Wi-Fi support sweeten the pot further for college-goers.

5. Best Budget 2-in-1: CHUWI Hi10 X

If you’re more inclined towards a Windows tablet but do not want to invest a lot in it, the CHUWI Hi10 X is the perfect budget 2-in-1 to rely on.

As a creative student, you cannot get hold of a better budget 2-in-1 tablet PC than the CHUWI Hi10 X. Here is a device that scores additional brownie points when it comes to structural layout, aesthetics, and versatility.

Design & Build

The CHUWI Hi10 X is a slim tablet, boasting a plastic-clad chassis and metallic undertones. As far as the heft is concerned, the tablet alone weighs close to 1.15 pounds. Pairing a bundled keyboard adds to the heft, but the overall arrangement is still on the lighter side.

Processor & Performance

The Intel Celeron N4100 processor is a credible addition, courtesy of 4 cores and a burst clock speed of up to 2.4GHz. Despite missing out on HyperThreading support, the chipset is more than capable of running demanding tablet games, MS Office apps, and other resources without breaking a sweat.

Not to mention the Intel UHD 600 graphics coprocessor that allows you to run 4K videos at 60Hz whilst lending support to 4K hard-decoding for a more versatile experience. The device also makes room for 6GB RAM, which lends the required speed to the detachable without overheating. Next, the 128GB eMMC loads most apps in virtually no time.

The Display

There is a 10-inch screen in play that adheres to the IPS technology. The Hi10 X exhibits an overall resolution of 1920 x 1200, which is good enough for most video editing apps and games. Plus, the touchscreen is completely stylus sensitive and also boasts excellent outdoor visibility.

Keyboard & Inputs

When it comes to stylus and keyboard, the Hi10 X offers adequate hardware-specific support but also bundles both the peripherals. Despite being a part sub $300 tablets, you don’t need to purchase them separately.

The port arrangement is pretty extensive with CHUWI making room for 2 Type-C, 2 USB 3.0, and HDMI port followed by the micro-SD slot, headphone jack, dual-band wireless support, and a dedicated port for docking in the keyboard.

Speakers & Audio

The Hi10 X comes equipped with dual, front-firing speakers that are loud enough and perfectly complemented by the standalone headphone jack and dual microphones. As far as the acoustic technology is concerned, CHUWI makes room for the DTS:X support, which lends heft to the overall output.

Camera Features

This tablet comes equipped with a 5MP rear shooter and a 2MP front camera unit. While these shooters aren’t exactly top-shelf, they are still good enough for video conferencing and recording videos in 1080p.

Final Thoughts!

Overall, the CHUWI Hi10 X is easily the best budget 2-in-1 device for college students. Plus, the exceptionally sharp screen is certainly worth investing in. With a battery backup of almost 9 hours, this 2-in-1 tablet PC is an extremely dependable option.

6. Best for Note-Taking: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Back in 2020, many Android tablets were utilizing the Chrome OS. Samsung, however, decided to go with Android, and with the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, it launched a productivity-focused system for under $400. Since then, this tablet has become a top choice for college students who would want to make the most of tablet technology.

Design & Build

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite comes with a metal finish on the back. The design is elegant and rather simple, with enough screen space and slightly thick bezels. Unfortunately, this 1.1-pound weighing tablet doesn’t come with a fingerprint sensor, which I think should have been there.

Processor & Performance

This tablet boasts Samsung’s own Exynos 9611 CPU, providing you with a sharp space for multitasking like a boss. Furthermore, working on this tablet is fun and easy, thanks to the Android 10 operating system based on One UI.

With the Mali-G72 MP3 graphics, 4GB RAM, and an internal storage capacity of 128GB, the performance of this tablet lets you browse material online, work on offline assignments, run background music and be active without facing any lags.

The Display

The 10.4-inch TFT WUXGA+ display is vivid, bright, and immersive, to say the least. Moreover, the resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels does justice to this touch screen panel, wherein the details are so well-read without straining your eyes.

Keyboard & Inputs

As for the keyboard, you can add the tiny Book Cover Keyboard to the tablet. However, the keys are small and spaced closely. Also, there is no Touchpad available on the keyboard, which would prompt the addition of a Bluetooth mouse if needed.

Fortunately, this Samsung tablet comes with a Samsung S Pen, which provides you with a writing experience similar to a real pen. The ink range changes with varying pressure on the pen’s tip while drawing or writing on the screen. A screen-off memo feature allows you to take thoughts anytime, anywhere, with the Pen producing ink on an all-black screen.

You get to use the USB Type C port and headphone jack placed on the bottom, a Pogo connector on the left side to connect the external keyboard, and the power button along with volume buttons on the right side of the tablet.

Speakes & Audio

The keyboard discrepancy aside, you get to experience ambient sound with the dual speakers of Tab S6 Lite. The vocals, rhythm, and bass combine well thanks to the AKG sound technology to produce an amazing experience. But what will get college students more excited about this tablet is that they enjoy a battery life of up to 12 long hours.

Camera Features

As for the camera configuration, the tablet provides you with a 5MP front camera and an 8MP rear camera, wherein both click accurate and vivid pictures indoors as well as outdoors.

Final Thoughts!

Overall, you get a tablet with an S-Pen included in the price, falling under a decent budget with this Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. As a result, the portable tablet is a steal deal.

7. Best with Chrome OS: Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Lenovo has taken the market by storm with its range of Chromebooks when they realized the significance of notebooks for the young population. But with the Chromebook Duet, Lenovo has leveraged the power of customization and necessary upgrades to suit the needs of college students and young professionals.

Design & Build

The Lenovo Duet is one of the finest designed Chrome OS based tablets in the market. Its durable and aluminum alloy finish makes it feel sturdy. The bezels are slightly thick for a tablet but they help you with the grip. The tablet weighs 2.02 pounds, is light and portable friendly, especially for students commuting to college and from one class to another.

Processor & Performance

The performance on the Chromebook tablet is something to look forward to. With a MediaTek Helio P60T octa-core processor, the tablet is powerful enough to provide you with multitasking and lag-less performance. In addition, 4GB RAM and 128GB eMMC storage allow you to work offline, write short notes, and browse study material online in Google Chrome.

The Display

Let’s talk about the display. The device comes with an FHD display that loves to boast about detail on the screen. The 10.1-inch screen is vivid, vibrant and provides you with a viewing experience at the resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. A wide color gamut and balanced brightness make it easy on your eyes for as long as you need to study on the tablet.

Keyboard & Inputs

There are no additional expenses in the form of a keyboard. It comes with an excellent typing experience. To top it, the touchpad is accurate and scrolls comfortably while responding well to the multitouch gestures. However, there is only one USB Type-C port on this device, along with a 3.5 mm audio jack.

Speakers & Audio

As for the audio, the built-in speakers on this tablet are okayish. They are not too loud or too low either. So after you are done with your scheduled study session, you can jam to your favorite band and unwind with the Lenovo Duet. That the battery life can last up to 10 hours strengthens the reason to believe in this tablet.

Camera Features

Before I forget, let me quickly take a look at the camera configuration. The front-facing camera results in good pictures for a tablet, focusing on textures in selfies quite vividly. The rear camera with 8MP clicks pretty detailed pictures both outdoors and indoors amidst good lighting.

Final Thoughts!

Having mentioned all of the above specifications, the Lenovo Duet truly feels like a machine worth considering to meet your college requirements.

Things to Consider When Getting A Tablet for College Use

Having said that, it becomes important to consider key factors that make a tablet the best-suited option for a college student. Since you are planning to practically invest in your education, you must identify your important requirements and match those standards with a viable tablet’s configuration.

The top factors that must be thoroughly analyzed while buying a tablet include the weight of the device, display type & strength, performance, connectivity, storage capacity, and battery life. 

Since the easy portability of tablets makes it a preferred device over laptops, their weight becomes a significant factor to look at. As a student, you don’t want to carry around a heavy device throughout the day to fulfill your course goals. Also, it must provide you with a vivid and easy-on-eye display configuration so that you are able to read/watch on the device without straining your eyes and while receiving accurate information in terms of screen resolution.

More importantly, the processor, memory, and internal storage of the tablet must be configured in a manner that enhances the speed of the device and prevents lags/glitches so as to provide you with a seamless learning experience.

Another factor to consider is the connectivity of the tablet including USB ports, Bluetooth, WiFi compatibility, Card reader and Headphone jack to ensure that you stay up-to-date with the latest curriculum and are able to stay in touch with your colleagues for group study sessions.

Furthermore, ensure that the tablet you purchase comes with long battery life so that you can make the most use of it throughout the day or night without having to stress about finding a charging slot even when you are on the go. 

With the aforementioned brief, let us move towards listing the minimum system requirements and the recommended system requirements for a college student to consider so as to purchase the best tablet. This is then followed by a thorough review of the best options that are suitable for college students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

The aforementioned tablets have been studied judiciously and picked in sequence to ensure that they cater to the everyday needs of college students effectively. Therefore, if you go through the product descriptions thoroughly, you will find specific configurations that will lead you to make an informed buying decision for your college requirements.

If you’re still confused and unsure what to pick, here are my top picks:

• If you need the absolute best option that doesn’t compromise on performance and looks, look no further and get yourself the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7.
• If you need a high-end tablet but don’t prefer Android, the Windows-powered Microsoft Surface Pro 7 or Apple iPad Pro should be your go-to option. They’re very powerful and lightweight at the same time!
• If you’re a student who takes a lot of notes or prefer word processing on a tablet, the CHUWI Hi10 X is truly affordable 2-in-1 that bundles the Stylus and Keyboard in the package.

The tablets listed here are based on their relevancy and many positive, critical as well as customer reviews. I hope you find the best-suited tablet for your college use here and power up your productivity.