Updated April 30, 2026 · 2 min read
Tablet selection is overwhelmingly about software ecosystem. iPadOS leads polish + apps; Android has caught up with OneUI for Tab + DeX; Surface gives full Windows but with desktop-app friction.
iPadOS = best app catalog + Pencil polish. Android = open + best with multi-window. Windows on Surface = full apps + friction.
iPadOS for creative + most users. Android (OneUI for Tab) for enterprise + DeX. Surface only if you must run desktop Windows apps.
Tandem OLED on iPad Pro M5 is best. ProMotion 120Hz on iPad Pro / Pixel Tablet. LCD on iPad Air + entry tablets.
Tandem OLED for premium. 120Hz on any creative tablet. 60Hz LCD is fine for content consumption.
Apple Pencil Pro is the reference — squeeze + barrel-roll + haptic feedback. S Pen + Boox markers also good.
Pencil Pro on iPad Pro / Air. S Pen is included on Galaxy Tab S Ultra; sold separately on others.
Adds laptop-class typing for tablet-as-laptop scenarios. Pricing varies $200-$400.
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro / Air. Book Cover Keyboard for Galaxy Tab. Surface Type Cover for Pro.
Most modern tablets cap at 1-2 TB. RAM affects multi-tasking smoothness.
8 GB RAM minimum for productivity. 256 GB+ if you store local creative files.
5G adds $150-200 + monthly plan. Tethering off your phone costs nothing.
Wi-Fi only is the right pick for most. Cellular if you genuinely use the tablet on flights / trains where phone tethering fails.
iPad Air 11 M3 ($599) for most users. iPad Pro M5 13 ($1299) for creators. Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra ($1199) on Android.
