Welcome to our list of the best business tablets of 2018. These mobile wonders are powerful, yet portable, and they can help you keep productive while out on the road, without having to lug around a big laptop.
Android and Apple tablets have a host of apps that allow you to work on them, and of course, with Windows 10-powered business tablets, you can run any app or program you’d usually run on a traditional laptop or desktop PC.
Add a Bluetooth keyboard, and you’ll be able to work comfortably on these best business tablets for hours on end.
For the sake of clarity, we will only look at pure tablets, and detachables when it comes to convertibles. 2-in-1 hybrid models are closer to traditional laptops as their keyboard can’t be totally detached.
- Also have a read of our guide on how to choose a tablet for work
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1. Microsoft Surface Pro
New and improved
CPU: Intel Core m7, i5 or i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615/620/ Iris Plus 640 | RAM: 4 – 16GB | Screen: 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 | Storage: 128GB – 1TB | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 8MP rear, 5MP front | Weight: 1.69 pounds | Dimensions: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33-inch
While Microsoft didn’t call this year’s tablet the Surface Pro 5, in many ways it’s a sequel to the Surface Pro 4 (which also features on our list of the best business tablets), with a 32% increase in battery life – according to our benchmarks – as well as a refined design that remains thin and light, while also providing plenty of power. The new and improved Surface Pen and Type Cover makes this a brilliant business tablet that can be used as a laptop replacement, and it comes in a range of specifications, which makes choosing the right model for your business (and personal) needs easy.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro
2. Apple iPad Pro
The biggest tablet Apple’s ever made
CPU: Apple A9X | Graphics: Integrated | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 12.9-inch, 2,732 x 2,048 | Storage: 32GB | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 | Camera: 8MP iSight (1080p HD), 5MP FaceTime (720p) | Weight: 1.57 pounds | Dimensions: 8.68 x 12 x 0.27-inch
Apple took the iPad into uncharted territory here. The iPad Pro’s optional accessories add to the cost of the tablet, but the keyboard cover and Apple Pencil stylus make the iPad even more suited for business and creative users. The iPad Pro also debuted Apple’s new split-screen multitasking. It is, quite simply, a massively powerful tablet which can certainly turbocharge your productivity away from the desk thanks to a wide array of business apps – although we’d like to see more in the way of battery life.
Read the full review: Apple iPad Pro
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet
For diehards of the Big Blue era
CPU: Intel Core m7-6Y75 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12-inch, 2,160 x 1,440 | Storage: 256GB | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 8MP rear, 2MP front | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Dimensions: 11.45 x 8.97 x 0.20-inch
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet is probably one of the best designed convertible devices on the market, and one where engineers clearly had a great time building a slate that crams in so many features that it’s hard to believe that the X1 is so thin and portable. It bears all the hallmarks of a signature ThinkPad device: the finish, the red colour scheme, the Trackpoint, the shape of the Accutype keys, everything down to the ThinkPad logo at the back. Aficionados will love it while others might balk at the price – this is vintage ThinkPad at its finest.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 4
The tablet that can replace your laptop
CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-6300U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824, 3:2 aspect ratio | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 8MP rear-facing (1080p HD), 5MP front-facing (1080p) | Weight: 1.73 pounds | Dimensions: 11.5 x 7.93 x 0.36-inch
A higher resolution screen, a thinner design and a move to Intel’s more powerful Skylake processors all help to make this portable tablet a capable replacement for your laptop. Sadly, the Type Cover keyboard is still optional, but in reality it’s a necessity for this laptop replacement; come on Microsoft, bundle it already. The good news with the Type Cover in this fourth iteration of the Surface Pro is that it’s much improved this time around.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro 4
5. Lenovo Miix 510
A 2-in-1 Surface competitor
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-7200U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.2-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 | Storage: 128GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 5MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing | Weight: 1.94 pounds | Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.07 x 0.39-inch
Lenovo shows it is just as good at making 2-in-1 devices that are excellent business tablets with the Lenovo Miix 510, a follow up to the Miix 700 (yes, we know, confusing) with a new latest-gen Kaby Lake version of the Core i5 and a strong central pairing of 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD. It comes with a detachable keyboard and costs a lot less than Microsoft’s Surface Pro line of business tablets, and for the most part it offers similar functionality. This is definitely a business tablet worth considering if your budget doesn’t stretch to a Microsoft (or Apple) device.
Read the full review: Lenovo Miix 510
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
The best Android tablet to date
Weight: 429g | Dimensions: 237.3 x 169 x 6mm | OS: Android 7 | Screen size: 9.7-inch | Resolution: 1536 x 2048 | CPU: Snapdragon 820 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 32GB | Battery: 6,000mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 5MP
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is one of the best Android tablets you can buy right now, and it proves that you don’t need a tablet that runs Windows to be one of the best business tablets money can buy.
It’s stuffed full of power, has an excellent display and features an iPad-Pro rivaling S-Pen stylus and optional keyboard.
The price tag could be a stumbling block, but if you’re looking for the best Android has to offer in tablet form the Galaxy Tab S3 is the slate for you.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
7. Asus Transformer 3 Pro
A better value proposition than the Surface Pro 4
CPU: Intel Core i5-6200U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 12.6-inch, 2,880 x 1,920 | Storage: 256GB | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 13MP rear, 2MP front | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Dimensions: 11.7 by 8.3 by 0.3-inch
Asus threw down the gauntlet to Microsoft with the launch of the Transformer 3 Pro. The device, which is the only tablet we know of that comes with 16GB of RAM as standard, easily surpasses the Surface Pro 4 in terms of sheer value for money although Microsoft’s flagship tablet remains the better known (and probably more trusted) of the two. Other than the standard keyboard, the Transformer also has a docking station, a stylus and even a trusted platform module (TPM) for improved security within an enterprise setting.
Read the full review: Asus Transformer 3 Pro
8. Getac RX10
A tough tablet that fears nothing
CPU: Intel Core m-5Y10C | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5300 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 10.1-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 | Storage: 256GB | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 8MP rear, 2MP front | Weight: 2.65 pounds | Dimensions: 11 x 9.65 x 0.74-inch
Getac’s RX10 dares to go where no other tablet can thanks to its rugged design and bright screen. If your work takes you into the field, you’ll be thankful that Getac equipped this slate with a screen that’s readable even under direct sunlight. This slate will sustain a fair amount of hardship including being dropped, or assaulted with dust, water and much more. Plus it’s also light and very portable, despite being such a tough customer. As expected on such a device, there are also plenty of expansion options including hot-swappable batteries as well as a barcode scanner and an NFC/RFID card reader.
Read the full review: Getac RX10
9. Fujitsu Stylistic R726
A worthy Surface Pro 4 competitor with plenty of options
CPU: Intel Core i7-6600U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 | Storage: 256GB | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 5MP rear, 2MP front | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Dimensions: 12.55 x 7.91 x 0.37-inch
Fujitsu certainly used the Surface range from Microsoft as its inspiration for the Stylistic R726, but then applied its own spin by making this convertible far more enterprise-friendly with a surprisingly (relatively) low price tag. An impressive range of accessories? Check. Extreme serviceability backed by a top notch aftersales warranty? Check. A plethora of ports and connection options? Check. Active stylus? Wouldn’t you know, that’s here as well. The R726 also has a first-class docking station and its detachable keyboard is a rather good one, and quality accessories certainly don’t do its case any harm.
Read the full review: Fujitsu Stylistic R726
10. HP Elite x2 1012 G1
This slate is impressive in the usability stakes
CPU: Intel Core m7-6Y75 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12-inch, 1,920 x 1,280 | Storage: 256GB | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 5MP rear, 2MP front | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.4 x 0.3-inch
Just like the rest of the competition, HP took inspiration from Microsoft’s playbook when building the Elite x2 1012, which clearly targets the business market. Like Fujitsu, HP made sure that its product was designed with enterprise users in mind. It is sturdy, undergoing a 12-point stress test, is very easy to upgrade and comes with a number of security features. There’s an active pen and a keyboard, and our reviewer said that typing on the latter was “as comfortable as it is on a real notebook”. Not everything about the design is perfect – such as the hinge – but overall this is a tempter with a great keyboard and screen.
Read the full review: HP Elite x2 1012 G1
Chuong Nguyen, John McCann, Matt Hanson and Henry Casey also contributed to this article
[“Source-techradar”]
