Table of Contents
Last Updated on February 9, 2021
Online education is now a hot trend that is increasingly being adopted by schools and colleges across the world thanks to a certain, ongoing global pandemic. Yes, we are absolutely looking at you Covid-19! In light of this, a question most asked. What better way to complement such a drastic change than to take advantage of technology?
Technology absolutely has the chance to enhance a student’s learning experience through access to recorded lectures, search engines, educational apps, and a whole host of other relevant things. Better yet, when the time to take a break comes, technology can absolutely entertain through movies, games, photography, music, and more. What we’re saying is simple – technology if used properly and correctly can improve education overall.
This is where tablets come in. With more power being packed into them as the years go on and with more weight being shed off newer models, tablets can rival even the thinnest of laptops when it comes to functionality and raw processing power.
So, if you’re in the market for a solid tablet to boost your online learning experience, read on and check our take on the most popular options out there in the market right now!
Best Tablet for Online Classes of 2020
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 Tablet Black
A powerful punch is packed into the Samsung Galaxy Tab A which features not just a slick design, but a jaw dropping screen that’ll offer lighting fast performance on anything you might use it for. We’re talking about running software like Final Cut and games like PUBG and Fortnite without a single hitch.
Across its 10.1-inch full HD screen that maximizes its workable surface area with minimal bezels coupled with its display resolution of 1920 x 1200, you can rest assured that any picture or video you view will be brought to their highest potential.
Every color and detail will be brought out with such a tablet. Crispness is the name of the game here. It’s so much more than a pretty looker too. Not only is it lightweight sitting at just 1.03 lbs., but it features an Octa-core processor on its inside. This means that even the most technically demanding of applications will run smoothly here.
We’re talking things like heavy video editing and gaming! Storage is also a non-issue as it features a variety of models based on your needs starting at 32 GB and going all the way to 128 GB. Its 8MP rear camera also compliments online classes as you’ll be able to show whatever you need to on your end with crystal clear clarity.
You can even take your pick of its trio of colors (black, silver, gold) and better yet, its high-quality Dolby Atmos sound system will rival even external standalone Bluetooth speakers. With all this combined, you may be worried about its battery life but trust us, you don’t need to. Not only is charging this tablet lightning quick, you’ll find that it’ll last for 10 hours on full charge.
This should be more than enough for a day of online classes and then more.
New Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB)
Apple produces quality products that are built to last. Just look at the huge resale value that gets slapped onto any Apple product if you don’t trust us on this one. Likewise, their iPad Pro is no exception to this general rule of thumb.
Coming with its signature design, this slick and stylish tablet is composed out of the highest-quality aluminum out there so you can rest assured that it’ll survive the occasional drop or two. Though that being said, we don’t guarantee that it’ll get out of sticky situations without leaving a dent at the very least.
It also is equipped with a unique liquid retina display across its 12.9 inch screen that’ll provide the most vibrant and beautiful viewing experiences technologically possible that is only complimented with its stellar audio system.
So, whether you’re watching your teacher talk about mathematical formulae or the latest episode of Stranger Things, your eyes are in for a sweet treat.
A quick look inside reveals a powerful A12Z bionic chip and an embedded M12 coprocessor that easily props this tablet up as one of the most powerful in the market right now as well. Its cameras are also top-notch, featuring 12MP photos and 4K video recording capabilities but it doesn’t just stop there.
This tablet is fully compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) – though this is a separate buy – which you can use to take down notes and draw diagrams with during any online class. Let’s not forget about its battery though. On full charge, you’ll easily get up to 10 hours plus of moderate usage (e.g. using the internet or listening to your favorite songs) and you can even opt to use cellular data if you don’t have access to Wi-Fi.
So, if you’re a student and you’re looking at the iPad, trust us on this one: you can’t go wrong with Apple.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB)
If you’re planning on using your tablet for far more than just watching lectures and taking notes during your online classes and think you need something with a huge amount of power, consider the Surface Pro 6. It certainly is no stretch to claim that the Surface Pro is basically a full laptop in the form of a tablet.
This is made obvious once you notice its i5 (or i7) Intel Core processor that’ll let you do anything from gaming to video editing with Final Cut Pro and Photoshop.
Needless to say, when it comes to online classes, it’ll more than do the trick for the average student. Its screen is also a great looker too thanks to its resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels across a 12.3-inch display.
Much like the iPad, you’ll be able to use a surface pen with this though it does come as a separate buy. And don’t forget – it’s a two in one device so you can freely switch between laptop and tablet mode at any time by a single flick of the wrist. Now if we had to pick a fault it would be concerning its battery life.
On full charge, it’ll only last for around 5 hours. This isn’t bad by any means and should last you through your classes but if you anticipate longer sessions, make sure you’re near a charging point or at least have a charged up power bank and cord at hand.
ASUS ZenPad 3S 10 9.7″
If you’re looking for a tablet that’s a portable and compact in size yet still has that elegant style modern tablets are designed with, the Asus ZenPad should be high on your list.
Weighing at just under a single pound and with an ultra-thin body, bringing a tablet like this around will be akin to bringing a light pad of paper. You could practically slip this into your backpack and not even notice its presence.
Yet don’t let its size fool you – it still comes equipped with all sorts of neat tricks. Its 2k IPS display offers crisp and clear viewing from just about any angle and paired with its HD 7.1 virtual surround sound system makes watching anything – lectures or movies – a great experience bordering on realistic.
Performance-wise, this thing packs a hexa-core processor along with 4 GB of RAM so nothing should be off the table with the Asus from the most demanding of games to editing to drawing and more. Its camera is also more than solid. It’s not the best on our list with its 8MP/5MP dual camera system but it’ll more than do the trick for daily life and your online classes.
It’s also usable with the ZenStylus should you find it up to your alley. Its battery is also high-capacity, meaning you’ll get 10 hours of solid usage before needing to recharge, more than enough for even a day on campus.
Huawei MediaPad M5 Tablet
HuaWei offers a range of products beyond tablets, such as phones and laptops, that have garnered international repute for good reason: they produce quality devices. The Mediapad M5 is only testament to this.
Featuring a unique glass display with its .5 curved glass panel, even the most intricate and minute of details will be brought to the forefront through its 10.8-inch display that manages to cram a whopping 2560 x 1600 resolution in it. It also comes with minimal bezels, so your view won’t ever be obstructed by annoying necks and borders.
The quad speakers that comes fitted with the MediaPad also do the display justice – thanks to Harman/Kardon of course – and if you own a pair of high-end earphones, its HiFi headphone support will do whatever you watch, justice.
Of course, in the hands, it feels light and sturdy due to its metal build but cracks it open and you’ll find where the magic begins. With an M5 Android Processor that comes with a HiSilicon processor along with 64 GB of storage, dealing with online classes will be a walk in the park. Further, doing even the most technical of courses will not be an issue – you can draw, sketch, and even program on this tablet without issue.
Though you might want to opt for a remote desktop if you’re doing professional-level coding with countless of tabs open at the same time. It might come with some of the best battery life we’ve seen in high-end tablets thanks to its 7500 mAh battery that’ll let you use this tablet uninterrupted for up to 11 hours.
Let’s not forget about the camera though. With its 13 MP Rear Camera, any image or video you take with a tablet like this is bound to be confused with an actual camera.
VANKYO MatrixPad S30 10 inch
No products found.
No products found.
A relative newcomer to the tablet market, the VANKYO MatrixPad might be what you call a wild card on our list but don’t get us wrong – it’s on here for a good reason. Tablets are expensive and don’t come cheap and often, finding a great device that balances affordability with functionality is a challenge.
This is where the MatrixPad shines. Sitting as the cheapest option on our list, you’ll be surprised at what it has to offer. Not only does it look just as good as any other premium product, but you’ll find its processing speed and power to be more than decent.
With an octa-core that boasts 3 GB of RAM, you’ll be able to do anything related to online learning – from note taking, to video watching, to even gaming during downtime, even all at once!
Sure, it’s not as fast as say the iPad and you won’t be able to do things like video editing without much lag and delay, but as far as education goes, the MatrixPad is more than adequate. Its battery is surprisingly solid as well.
With a 6000mAh capacity, we’ve seen reports for this go up as high as 15 hours on moderate usage (e.g. reading and writing). Storage may be a bit of an issue as it only comes with 32 GB but don’t worry. It comes fitted with a microSD slot that can let you store an additional 128 GB for whatever you may need – videos, notes, pictures and more. Its camera is also excellent.
With a 13 MP rear and an 8MP front facing camera, you can be assured that whatever image you take, or share will turn up clear and visible to any viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn’t I just use a laptop?
Laptops are solid devices but tablets for education are better for a variety of reasons. The displays on tablets often offer better visuals than similarly priced laptops, batteries on tablets tend to last longer on average, tablets are far more intuitive to use with their touch-screen operation, and overall, should have just the right amount of power for any online course, regardless of subject area.
This means that the money you spend on a tablet is often just the right amount for online classes.
Which brand is best for me?
Each brand produces different tablets and though they may look almost identical and seem to do the same things, each comes with a unique set of nuances that may or may not work for you.
For instance, if you’re a teacher who plans on lecturing via a tablet, you have to ensure the tablet you choose has a solid camera. Likewise, if you’re a graphics design student and plan on studying online, you would do well to ensure your tablet comes fitted with drawing-capabilities like the iPad with its Apple Pencil.
There is no one size fits all answer here. Just make sure you look to your needs first and then make a purchase to avoid any form of disappointment!