The demands of 21st-century college education go beyond the acquisition of pens and books. But instead of acquiring high-end laptops, most students opt to purchase pocket-friendly tablets. That's why we will today take a detailed look at the best tablets for college students. You can't miss this.
While most tablets work pretty much as laptops, they are relatively more affordable than tablets. They are also more compact and lightweight hence easy to carry around.
But despite being extremely affordable and portable, most tablets sleek, stylish, and provide an impressive competition to laptops when it comes to performance. They come in handy for performing a range of coursework applications that involve reading, researching, and notetaking, among others.
At the same time, tablets are perfect gadgets for a variety of entertainment and social tasks. You can take photos, capture screenshots, listen to audio, play games, and watch videos from anywhere.
Contents
| PRODUCT | SCREEN SIZE | OPERATING SYSTEM | INTERNAL MEMORY | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jumper EZbook X3 | 3 Inches | Windows 10 Home | 64 GB. | |
| Lenovo 100E Chromebook | 6/14 Inches. | Chrome OS. | 16 GB eMMC. | |
| ASUS VivoBook L203MA | 6 Inches. | Windows 10 Home S. | 64 GB eMMC. | |
| Lenovo Tab 4 | 8/10.1 Inches. | Android 7.1 Nougat. | 16 GB or 32 GB. | |
| Vankyo MatrixPad Z4 | 1 Inches. | Android 9.0 Pie | 32 GB. | |
| Dragon Touch K10 | 1 Inches. | Android 8.1 Oreo. | 16 GB. | |
| ZONKO Tab | 1 Inches. | Android 9.0 Pie. | 32 GB. | |
| VICTBING Tablet | 1 Inches. | Android 8.1 Oreo | 16 GB. | |
| Lenovo Flex 11 | 6 Inches. | Windows 10 Home. | 64 GB eMMC. | |
| Acer Chromebook R 11 | 6 Inches. | Chrome OS. | 32 GB/64 GB eMMC. |
Looking for good tablets for college students? The Jumper EZbook X3 from the EZbook series has all it takes to satiate you needs.
It is an affordable product that any student shopping for a computing device on a budget will find worthy. But despite the moderate price tag, the X3 is a stellar performer. It features a 13.3-inch HD screen that delivers a sharp and clear display on a slim and trendy profile.
However, the highlight of the device lies in its internal specifications. The gadget is built on a Windows 10 Home Operating System and runs on a powerful Celeron Dual-Core N3350 Apollo Lake processor. Such an interesting combination gives it a competitive speed and power.
Even more, the device takes pride in a 6GB RAM which makes it pretty stable and reliable to run a range of applications or programs. And if storage is a factor that you give priority, X3 provides you with 64GB of internal storage which is pretty sufficient for school work.
Finally, the Jumper EZBook X3 features a full-size keyboard alongside the necessary navigation buttons. These features make the device very easy to use.
Lenovo brings to life the original Chromebook concept that brings together simplicity and absolute beauty to manufacture basic but practical computing toolsfor homes, schools, and students. Thus, the Lenovo 100E Chromebook is a perfect tool for anyone looking for an affordable tablet for students.
With dimensions of 0.75 by 11.8 by 8.2 inches and a considerably lightweight build of 2.64 pounds, the device is one of Lenovo's most compact and lightweight gadgets that come with the reliable ThinkPad keyboard. This makes it pretty portable and easy to carry from one lecture hall to another.
Interestingly, the Lenovo 100E comes with unbeatable versatility in connection. It features an array of ports that include a USB 3.0 port, a USB-C port, a slot for an SD card reader, and a mic/headphone jack. These features ensure that you get the most out of the gadget as it accepts nearly all wired connection interfaces.
But the Lenovo 100E isn't all about the design, build, and hardware interfaces. Instead, there is a lot to write home about the internal specifications of the device too. A 2.1 GHz dual-core Intel processor powers the device. That's considerably fast. Besides, it features a 16GB eMMC ROM with easy upgrade capabilities.
The final characteristic worth talking about is that the company bundles the student-specific G Suite feature into the 100E. This feature contains apps and tools that allow you to share and sync documents securely and effortlessly. It can't get better than that.
ASUS is not a new brand in the tablet and computer market. The company is pretty famous after years of undisputable technological contribution. The ASUS VivoBook L203MA gives students the right features and performance levels to accomplish their coursework and remain entertained wherever they are.
But more importantly, the versatility of the device doesn't necessarily resign it to accomplishing classwork. Instead, the affordable gadget also comes handy for general web browsing, basic media editing, and general blogging.
While the VivoBook L203MA strikes a fantastic balance between build quality, a class-leading design, and incredible portability, the center of the discussion lies in the stable performance. It features a 4GB RAM, which brings stability like in most high-end models.
Moreover, flash storage of 64 GB eMMC allows you to store your work, audios, videos, and other files conveniently. As with most eMMC storage systems, you can always increase the memory capacity to meet the increasing demand for space.
And you shouldn't worry about remaining powered if you are always on the go. The L203MA has a reliable battery that lasts for up to
Connectivity won't be a big problem if you choose to go with the ASUS VivoBook L203MA, thanks to the dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity option. It ensures strong, stable, and fast transmission speeds. This brings convenience in online research, downloading documents, and streaming videos.
Interestingly, the first three tablet models that we reviewed were complete laptop replacements featuring complete keyboards and multiple hardware interfaces. But the Lenovo Tab 4 is pretty different.
It is a standalone model for students looking for a more portable device. However, the standalone feature is not cast on stone as you can conveniently use a Bluetooth keyboard from Lenovo for more efficient typing operations.
The tablet is ultra-portable and will perfectly fit in your pocket without weighing you down with too much weight. It features an 8.5 mm profile and an ultra-lightweight build of just 0.68 pounds. These features make the Tab 4 one of the most portable tablet models in the market.
While USB-C is the only hardware interface that Tab 4 has, the device remains pretty versatile bearing in mind the capabilities of a USB type C port. Even more, you will still enjoy reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options.
The device features a 10.1-inch touchscreen that delivers topnotch display. The screen offers a 1280 x 800 IPS display resolution which is fairly sufficient for any 10.1-inch screen.
Also worth noting is that photo enthusiasts will find the dual cameras in the device pretty perfect for capturing and sharing fun moments with friends and relatives. It features a 2MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls and a rear-facing camera for taking snapshots.
Founded in 2017, VANKYO is relatively a new brand in the tablet manufacturing industry. But that won't make us write off the company. The Vankyo MatrixPad Z4 is one of the company's tablet models that it uses to gain entry into the competitive industry. And it doesn't make an awful entry.
Without being too exorbitantly priced, the tablet brings in a range of premium features in the incredible design. It features a plastic finish that is not only comfortable to hold but also repels fingerprints quite remarkably.
Do you love taking photos? Of course, we believe that nearly all college students like sharing every good moment. The MatrixPad Z4 features a single rear-facing tablet that delivers fairly good photos and videos. You can take photos of your moments and share them with friends on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.
Despite the moderate pricing, the Vankyo MatrixPad Z4 runs on an Android 9.0 Pie, which is one of the latest operating system versions from Android. This is also coupled with a powerful Quad-core 64-bit CPU with processing speeds of an incredible 1.5GHz. Such a combination is no doubt fast, powerful, and stable.
If you are so much into entertainment, the Z4 meets your need to stay entertained without any compromises. The 1280 x 800 IPS screen delivers great detail on videos and photos. But more importantly, it comes with dual speakers to match your need for an impressive audiovisual combination.
Indeed, price becomes the most important factor to look out for when shopping for a pocket-friendly school tablet. But since tablets come in a range of brands and specifications, it is essential to go beyond the consideration for price and look about for the following features.
Well, tablets come in two broad formats; standalone or 2-in1 options. Standalone tablets are your ordinary tablets. They feature a touchscreen and are bigger versions of a standard smartphone. These options are ideal for surfing the web. Besides, they are also pretty perfect for a range of entertainment tasks.
On the other hand, 2-in-1 tablets have a dual input system consisting of a touchscreen and a physical keyboard. The keyboard can either be a detachable one or a non-detachable one. Tablets with physical keyboards make better laptop replacements as you can conveniently type notes with unprecedented ease.
While the market has a range of Windows, Android, Chrome, and Apple tablets, the choice of a tablet based on the operating platform is often a personal preference as well as the intended purpose.
Windows and Chrome tablets are excitingly versatile performers with a range of performance capabilities. Besides surfing the net, they come in handy with a range of professional apps and capabilities. They can allow for typing and editing Word or Excel documents as well as performing a range of graphics tasks.
On the other hand, Android and Apple devices provide unlimited access for entertainment and professional apps.
But beyond the operating platform, you also need to look into the operating system and consider options with advanced operating systems.
As a student, you are going to use the tab to store a lot of media content. These could include classwork and entertainment content such as photos, audios, and videos.
The best tablet for school would be a model with at least 16 GB memory if you are going to use the device for general tablet purposes. But if you intend to use it to accomplish other professional duties such as photo editing and completing class assignments, consider models with storage capacities of 64 GB or more.
Besides, you may need to consider models with considerable expandability features. A tablet with a memory card slot meets your future need for more storage.
This feature is pretty broad, and it involves two perspectives. Therefore, we will look at the tablet size alongside the general dimensions as well as tablet size in relation to the screen size.
The general dimensions of a tab determine its portability. So, if you are looking for an ultra-portable option, consider choosing tabs that are extremely compact and lightweight.
But sometimes the pursuit of an ultra-portable tab may be superseded by the need for a large display area. Of course, tablets come in a range of sizes hence the need to balance your portability needs alongside your screen size requirements.
Ideally, most freshmen or continuing college students do not operate on hefty budgets. Yet, the need for a computing device is inevitable. Tablets provide a perfect replacement for laptops. They are not only fairly priced and compact but also powerful and consistent in performance.
Interestingly, the best tablet for college students on a budget is not only ideal for coursework applications but also comes handy for a range of entertainment purposes.
We believe that you can now find the right tablet that meets your needs. But if you are still yet to decide, you can consider going back to the comparison table above to narrow down on your options.
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 11-inch Android Tablet 128GB Wi-Fi Bluetooth S Pen Fast Charging - Walmart Link
Microsoft Surface Pro X – 13" Touch-Screen – SQ1 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive – - Walmart Link
2020 Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256GB) - Space Gray (4th Generation) - Walmart Link
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3" Touch-Screen - 10th Gen Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - - Walmart Link
Microsoft Surface Go (Intel Pentium Gold, 8GB RAM, 128GB) (MCZ-00001) - Walmart Link
Google Pixel Slate 12.3-Inch 2 in 1 Tablet Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB, Aspect Ratio 3:2 - Walmart Link
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6- 10.5" 128GB, Wifi Tablet - SM-T860NZBAXAR, Cloud Blue - Walmart Link
10.Acer Chromebook R 11 - Walmart Link
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 11-inch Android Tablet 128GB Wi-Fi Bluetooth S Pen Fast Charging - eBay Link
Microsoft Surface Pro X – 13" Touch-Screen – SQ1 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive – - eBay Link
2020 Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256GB) - Space Gray (4th Generation) - eBay Link
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3" Touch-Screen - 10th Gen Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - - eBay Link
Microsoft Surface Go (Intel Pentium Gold, 8GB RAM, 128GB) (MCZ-00001) - eBay Link
Google Pixel Slate 12.3-Inch 2 in 1 Tablet Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB, Aspect Ratio 3:2 - eBay Link
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6- 10.5" 128GB, Wifi Tablet - SM-T860NZBAXAR, Cloud Blue - eBay Link
10.Acer Chromebook R 11 - eBay Link
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About Dror Wettenstein
Dror Wettenstein is a software engineer and entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the founder of TechTreeRepeat, a company that enables technical writers to publish their work faster and share it with readers across the globe. Dror has a master’s degree in computer science from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from UC Irvine.
When he’s not working on software projects, Dror enjoys writing articles and essays on various topics. He also likes playing guitar and spending time with his wife and two young children.
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