Choosing the Right Tablet in 2025

By Cale Boniface

The mobile phone is our constant companion, but let’s face it: there’s plenty of times when a smartphone just isn’t the right tool for the job. Reading long articles, watching movies or typing up reports can be awkward if not impossible on a small screen but sometimes a laptop is just too bulky when you’re on the move. So, is there something in between?

Absolutely: the versatile tablet.

While general sales of tablets dipped a few years ago, the rise of remote work, digital note-taking and portable entertainment has brought them back into the spotlight. Today’s tablets are more powerful, lighter and can offer features that often rival laptops. Here’s an updated guide to help you choose the right one for your needs.

Stand-Alone vs Convertible Tablets

Stand-Alone Tablets

These are the classic design, basically a bigger, more capable smartphone. They’re slim, lightweight and feature touchscreens that range from 8 to 13 inches (that is, 20 to 33cm – someone needs to tell these manufacturers to use better scales of measurement). Most premium models also support detachable Bluetooth keyboards that make it easier to type than relying ont he on-screen keyboard. USB-C charging and accessories have now mostly replaced the old proprietary ports and many models include microSD card slots for cheap expandable storage.

Convertible (2-in-1) Tablets

These function more like a hybrid laptop. They come with a detachable or foldable keyboard and are often sporting more powerful, laptop-grade processors. 2-in-1s tend to blur the line between laptop and tablet, such as with Microsoft’s Surface Pro series. They’re quite suited to business users and creatives who want a full desktop experience with the freedom and usability of a portable device with a touchscreen and pen input.

Choosing the Right Size

Most people prefer 10 or 11-inch screens as a sweet spot between portability and productivity, but compact tablets (say, less than 8 inches) can be great for reading and travel. On the other side of the spectrum, we have larger (12 inch and up) tablets – these are good for having multiple apps or windows up at once, drawing and graphic design.

Picking the Right Operating System

Windows Tablets

If you want the full desktop experience in a tablet form factor, or proper versions of software like Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop or CAD tools, a Windows tablet is the way to go. They’re great for work but historically have shorter battery life compared to iPad and Android tablets, though this may change with the advent of Snapdragon X-powered tablets.

Android Tablets

Since 2011, Android has been developed with tablet-use in consideration. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab ‘S’ series and devices like the Lenovo Tab Extreme are good examples of how things have matured since the early days. Features like easy split-screen multitasking, drawing pen support and expandable storage make them excellent all-rounders. Google have their own tablet, the Pixel Tablet, which can magnetically dock and become a smart home device also.

iPadOS

Apple iPads now run ‘iPadOS’, a version of iOS deseigned for multitasking, Apple Pencil support and desktop-like browsing. The App Store offers professional-grade creative, productivity and entertainment applications. Accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil 2 make the iPad a strong laptop alternative, especially for artists and students.

Match the Tablet to Your Use Case

Home Use: A mid-range Android tablet or standard iPad/Air will handle browsing, email, streaming and light gaming with ease.
Work: Consider an iPad Pro or Surface Pro for extra power and screen real-estate, keyboard use and app compatibility.
Creative Work: iPads Pro with Apple Pencil 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra with S-Pen or a Microsoft Surface Pro with the Surface Pen.
Gaming: iPads still lead in mobile gaming performance, but Android tablets such as the Lenovo Legion Tab are catching up.
Kids: These are probably going to take a beating, so look at devices like the Amazon Fire Kids Edition or budget Android tablets with a durable case.
Movies and Media: For the best viewing experience, look for OLED or AMOLED screens with HDR support for the best image and colour – Samsung’s high end Galaxy Tabs do quite well in this regard.

Key Specs to Consider

RAM/Memory: 6GB is good for casual use, but if you’re doing professional work you really want 16GB.
Storage: 128GB at absolute minimum, consider more however as files and apps always get bigger.
Battery Life: Aim for 8-12 hours of ‘real world’ use but don’t take the manufacturer estimates at face value, look for reviews and tests to know for sure.
Connectivity: Wifi 6/6E is standard, as is USB-C for charging and accessories. For internet on the move, look for a tablet that has 5G support, or you could share the internet from your smartphone.

Price Ranges in 2025

Budget: Under $400, sometimes less but at that point you’re ‘getting what you pay for’ so to speak.
Mid-range: $900-$1400, a good balance of things, realistically the price point most people will land in
High-spec/pro: $1600 upwards, a professional device for professionals or enthusiasts with cash to burn.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a student, business professional, creative or just looking for an entertainment device, there’s a tablet out there for your needs. They’ve long since evolved far beyond simple media consumption devices. These days a tablet can be your workhub, sketchpad or day to day video conference device.

If you’re in the Richmond area and want help choosing the right tablet for you, our computer technicians can help you compare models, set it up and get it ready for what you need.