Tablets have become an essential tool for both work and entertainment in recent years, offering portability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re using a tablet for productivity, creativity, or leisure, choosing the right one can be overwhelming due to the numerous options available in the market. In 2021, the tablet market saw some significant improvements in design, performance, and functionality. This article highlights the top 5 tablets that stood out in 2021, providing an overview of their features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed purchasing decision.
1. Apple iPad Pro (2021)
Overview:
The 2021 Apple iPad Pro has solidified its place as one of the most powerful tablets on the market. With impressive hardware upgrades and a stunning display, the iPad Pro is perfect for professionals, creatives, and casual users alike.
Key Features:
- Display: The iPad Pro comes with a Liquid Retina XDR display (in the 12.9-inch model) that delivers exceptional brightness and contrast, making it ideal for watching movies, editing photos, and gaming. The 11-inch model features a Liquid Retina display.
- Processor: Powered by the Apple M1 chip, the iPad Pro is faster and more efficient than its predecessors, offering smooth multitasking and better graphics performance.
- Storage Options: Available in configurations of up to 1TB, providing ample space for apps, games, and media files.
- Connectivity: The iPad Pro supports 5G, making it future-proof for fast internet speeds.
- Accessories: Compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) and Magic Keyboard, which are sold separately. The addition of these accessories expands the iPad Pro’s potential as a productivity tool.
Pros:
- Exceptional performance due to the M1 chip.
- Incredible display quality.
- Wide range of professional-grade apps.
- Supports Apple Pencil for creative work and note-taking.
Cons:
- Expensive, especially when adding accessories.
- The iPadOS system is still limited compared to macOS in terms of multitasking.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Overview:
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7+ is a top contender for Android tablet enthusiasts, combining powerful specs with a sleek design. It’s an excellent choice for productivity and media consumption, offering a premium experience at a slightly lower price point than the iPad Pro.
Key Features:
- Display: The Galaxy Tab S7+ has a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for gaming, watching videos, and even drawing.
- Processor: Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, the Tab S7+ ensures smooth performance, even when running demanding apps and multitasking.
- Storage Options: The tablet comes with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage options, which are expandable via a microSD card slot.
- S Pen Support: The tablet comes with the S Pen, which is great for note-taking, sketching, and creative tasks.
- DeX Mode: Samsung’s DeX mode allows the tablet to transform into a desktop-like experience when connected to a keyboard or monitor, making it suitable for work on the go.
Pros:
- Stunning Super AMOLED display with a high refresh rate.
- Solid performance with the Snapdragon 865+ chipset.
- S Pen included for enhanced productivity.
- DeX mode turns the tablet into a pseudo laptop.
Cons:
- No headphone jack.
- The software experience is not as refined as iPadOS for some users.
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Overview:
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 stands out as one of the best tablets for productivity, offering a hybrid experience with its detachable keyboard and Windows 10 operating system. It’s perfect for users who want a full laptop experience in tablet form.
Key Features:
- Display: The Surface Pro 7 features a 12.3-inch PixelSense display, which provides sharp and vibrant visuals. While not as impressive as the OLED displays of some competitors, it still offers excellent viewing angles.
- Processor: Powered by Intel’s 10th-generation Core i3, i5, or i7 processors, the Surface Pro 7 provides solid performance for most tasks, including work, media consumption, and light gaming.
- Storage Options: Available with up to 1TB SSD storage, ensuring that you have plenty of space for files, apps, and media.
- Ports: The Surface Pro 7 is equipped with a USB-A port, USB-C, and a Surface Connect port, which is perfect for users who need more than just wireless connectivity.
- Windows 10: With the full Windows 10 experience, the Surface Pro 7 supports all the traditional desktop software, making it one of the most versatile tablets for work and play.
Pros:
- Full Windows 10 experience.
- Excellent keyboard and Surface Pen support for productivity.
- Wide range of ports for connectivity.
- Solid performance for work-related tasks.
Cons:
- The tablet’s design is a bit bulky compared to others.
- Accessories like the keyboard and Surface Pen are sold separately, adding to the cost.
- Shorter battery life compared to other tablets.
4. Apple iPad Air (2020)
Overview:
The iPad Air (2020) is the perfect balance of performance and affordability, delivering many features of the higher-end iPad Pro at a significantly lower price. It’s an excellent choice for users who need an iPad but don’t want to spend a fortune.
Key Features:
- Display: The iPad Air features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, which offers great color accuracy and sharpness, similar to the iPad Pro.
- Processor: Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, the iPad Air performs nearly as well as the iPad Pro in terms of speed and power, making it an excellent tablet for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Storage Options: Available in 64GB and 256GB storage options, which may be enough for most users but lacks the expandability seen in some Android tablets.
- Design: The iPad Air features a sleek, lightweight design with thin bezels and comes in several attractive colors.
- Apple Pencil Support: The iPad Air supports the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, which is a great tool for drawing, writing, and editing.
Pros:
- Powerful A14 Bionic chip offers great performance.
- Gorgeous display with accurate colors.
- Affordable compared to the iPad Pro.
- Sleek design and color options.
Cons:
- No Face ID (uses Touch ID instead).
- Limited storage options without the ability to expand via SD card.
- Accessories sold separately.
5. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
Overview:
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a budget-friendly option that offers solid performance for media consumption, reading, and light browsing. While it doesn’t have the high-end specs of other tablets, it’s a great choice for those on a budget.
Key Features:
- Display: The Fire HD 10 features a 10.1-inch Full HD display, which provides clear visuals, but lacks the sharpness and color vibrancy of higher-end models.
- Processor: Powered by a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor, it handles basic tasks like browsing, streaming, and reading with ease.
- Storage Options: Available with 32GB or 64GB of storage, expandable with a microSD card up to 1TB.
- Alexa Integration: The tablet comes with Alexa, which allows users to control smart devices, make purchases, and interact with the device hands-free.
- Battery Life: The Fire HD 10 offers up to 12 hours of battery life, which is great for a tablet in this price range.
Pros:
- Affordable price point.
- Solid battery life.
- Expandable storage via microSD card.
- Alexa integration for hands-free control.
Cons:
- Display is not as vibrant as premium tablets.
- Limited app selection compared to iOS and Android tablets.
- Not ideal for intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
Conclusion:
The tablet market in 2021 offered a wide range of options, catering to different needs and preferences. The iPad Pro (2021) stands out for its unmatched performance and display quality, while the Galaxy Tab S7+ offers great value for those who prefer Android. If you’re looking for a full Windows experience, the Surface Pro 7 is a top choice, and for those seeking a more affordable option, the iPad Air (2020) provides excellent performance at a lower price. Lastly, the Amazon Fire HD 10 remains the best budget option for media consumption and light use.