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If you’re on the hunt for the best tablet for writers, we’ve got you covered right here.
Tablets are an excellent option for writers, thanks to their super portable design, smaller footprint, stylus pen and keyboard compatibility. If we’re honest, many tablets will be more than good enough for writers, but what makes a tablet great is what we’re interested in here.
As writers ourselves, we can tell you that the tablet must be super responsive, as oftentimes you’ll have multiple windows and tabs up as part of your research. That means that you should be looking at tablets with a decent processor and RAM to keep things running fast.
The best tablet for writers also has to have excellent battery life so you can move around and work on the go, in addition to a bright screen for working in daytime conditions.
When it comes to compatibility, most tablets are compatible with various accessories via Bluetooth, but some brands have specific accessories that stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to design. Again, if we’re being honest, there’s nothing better than using a tablet that feels premium to the touch and can even make you want to write more.
There are plenty of other factors that we’ll explore later in the guide, but for now, we’ve gone ahead and selected what we think are the best tablets for writers on the market today, for a variety of different budgets.
Best tablets for writers at a glance
- Best overall tablet for writers – iPad Pro 11-inch (4th Gen)
- Best mid-range tablet for writers – Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- Best budget tablet for writers – Lenovo – IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook
Best tablet for writers overall – iPad Pro 11″ (4th Gen)
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As far as tablets are concerned, going for an iPad Pro is a surefire way of getting something that ticks all the boxes.
For writers, we’d say the standout features of this iPad are its powerful M2 chip, and impressive Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard compatibility.
First off, the M2 chip is powerful enough to handle practically anything you can throw at it. In short, it’s powerful enough to handle gaming, so it will make light work out of opening and editing large files and navigating through various tabs and windows. It’s arguably a little overkill if used just for writing, so don’t think it’s a must-have if that’s the case, as there are different iPads with less powerful chipsets which will more than suffice.
When it comes to the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, you’re getting arguably some of the most premium accessories on the market. The Magic Keyboard (sold separately we might add) has a built-in stand for your iPad as well as a built-in trackpad. If you’re into the minimal aesthetic, this is an absolute no-brainer and a regular feature in some of the most coveted home-office setups, as it ‘floats’ the iPad in position. It’s super portable too, and comes with a built-in case to protect it from wear and tear.
When it comes to the all-important tactile feeling of the keyboard itself, expect something similar to the regular Apple Keyboard. Low-profile keys aren’t for everyone (I like them personally), but if you’ve written on a MacBook before, you’ll be in familiar territory here.
A lot of improvements have been made to the Apple Pencil too, so you’ll find it incredibly responsive should you feel like annotating documents by hand, sketching, or taking notes on the fly. We’d say this is better used for digital art, but it’s not uncommon that writing and art go hand in hand – in which case this tablet has you covered.
The screen itself is always a standout feature with iPads, and here you’re getting another liquid retina display with incredible color, contrast and brightness. That’s great if you’re writing in the daytime or outside.
Battery life is also impressive as is the Wi-Fi 6E compatibility which will make working on the go far better than with a lower-end older alternative.
Overall, it’s an excellent, premium option that’s well worth it if you have the budget and plan on using it for other creative tasks.
Best mid-range tablet for writers – Microsoft Surface Pro 7
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You may not fancy spending upwards of $1000 on a tablet, but you still want something that packs a punch. If that sounds like you, we’d recommend looking into the Microsoft Surface Pro 7.
The Surface Pro line is a solid alternative to an iPad, especially if you’re used to the Windows operating system. It packs a decent 10th Gen Intel Core Processor, which helps to keep things running very smoothly – especially if you have loads of tabs and applications open.
Of course, the main selling point for this tablet is its versatility and the different ‘modes’ it can transform between. For writers, its laptop mode should impress, as the super thin, lightweight keyboard can easily be snapped onto the tablet at any moment.
It does come with its own Surface Pen too, should you wish to make some handwritten notes or annotations, and thanks to its stand it can even be placed flat at an angle comfortable for both writing by hand and for viewing your work on a flat surface too.
It’s ultra-portable as with most tablets on the market, coming in at just 1.70 lbs and having an impressive battery life of up to 10.5 hours. It even reaches 80% in just over an hour of charge, which is seriously impressive and useful for anyone who finds themselves on the go.
Overall, for the price, this is a solid option that will be more than capable of handling any writing tasks you have and we love the overall aesthetic and design of it too.
Best budget tablet for writers – Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook
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Now while there are cheaper tablets than this available that can be used for writers, we think that this tablet is the way to go when it comes to value for money.
Lenovo makes some excellent tablets at reasonable price points, and this is an excellent example. The IdeaPad Duet 3 packs a decent 4GB of RAM and a snapdragon CPU (a processor typically found in more high-end Android phones). This means that, once again, it should feel responsive and fast when writing on it. You may find that it won’t handle super intensive tasks as well, however, so if you’re looking for a tablet for digital art or editing video and photos, you may do better with something more punchy.
This tablet comes with a keyboard that can be easily attached to it. It has a built-in trackpad and isn’t quite as low-profile as some of the other options on the market – which could be a good thing depending on your preferences.
The screen itself is a pleasant surprise, coming in at 2K resolution and 11-inches. This means that on-screen text should look clear even if smaller in size, and you’ll also have something to enjoy higher-resolution content on too.
Overall, in terms of bang for your buck, this is a great table for writers.
How to find the best tablet for writing
There are many things to look for when it comes to finding the best tablet for writers. For this guide, we’re going to focus on specific specs and features to factor in when making your decision, rather than explain everything there is to know about tablets as a whole. Let’s dive in.
Keyboard Connectivity
While on-screen keyboards are pretty decent nowadays, they are still no replacement for a physical keyboard. They may be ok for the odd email, but will quickly become frustrating when typing a longer document. The majority of 2-in-1 tablets or Pro range of tablets now come with a detachable keyboard facility or the option to buy one.
Almost every tablet can connect to a Bluetooth keyboard, assuming they have Bluetooth of course. However, official manufacturer keyboards will often be optimized for the tablet and its apps. The official keyboards will connect via some proprietary connectors and can even be charged from the tablet if they need power.
If a tablet can’t connect to some form of a physical keyboard, it’s probably not a good choice for writing.
Screen Size
If you have ever tried reading a long article or web page on a smartphone, you will instantly recognize the importance of the screen size. Choosing a tablet that has too small a screen can result in you squinting to read back your words.
In general, most tablets come with screen sizes between 7 inches and 12 or 13 inches. The largest screen may be more desirable but can also compromise the portability of the tablet.
A 7-inch screen is likely to be too small for any more serious writing tasks, even though it will be easier to carry around. As a general rule, the best tablet for writers will feature a 9 or 10-inch screen.
Readability of the Screen
There will be times when you need to read competing articles or maybe do just some quick research on the net. While most pure e-readers are not really a good fit for writers, both iOS and Android now allow for access to many of the more popular ebook libraries, like Kindle, Kobo or Barnes & Noble.
Many tablet manufacturers will boast about the Full HD, 2K or even 4K resolution of their displays, which is fine for watching movies or gaming. When looking for a screen which is easier to read on, pixel density is what matters most.
The higher the PPI (pixels per inch), the sharper the text will appear on the screen. Apple developed Retina technology which features more pixels per inch than the human retina can see. Extreme, I know, but many other manufacturers also boast a similar pixel density now.
Apps, OS and Software
A tablet will usually come with a web browser, YouTube, and a few simple note-taking apps, but does it feature any word-processing apps? If not, which apps are available, and can you install your favorite, or required, app?
Microsoft Office is now available across all three of the major platforms, iOS, Android, and, of course, Windows. It even comes pre-installed on Microsoft tablets, with a free trial period. There are also many mobile-optimized apps available in all three app stores.
Storage and Connectivity
Text documents don’t tend to take up too much room, it’s the pictures and videos you add to them that require more space. The tablet you choose may need to have external storage facilities, like an SD card slot or USB for external hard drives, depending on how much storage you require.
For the ultimate convenience with cloud storage or online apps, you will need a decent Wi-Fi connection or cellular connectivity. A 4G LTE SIM can make it much more versatile, allowing you to upload your writing quickly, or carry out quick research and send emails while out and about.
Battery Life
Finally, consider how long the battery life of any potential tablet for writing on the go. It’s no good having all this technology for writing if it’s going to run out mid-article or mid-novel. Fortunately, most tablets have a longer battery life than laptops, often 12 hours or more.
Using text-only documents, on average, uses much less power than heavy-duty tasks, like gaming or streaming HD content. Turning down the contrast on the screen and switching off Wi-Fi can also help extend the life of your battery for longer assignments.
Frequently asked questions
Is a tablet or a laptop better for writing?
In short, a tablet is better for portability as they are lighter weight, but a laptop will generally be more powerful and able to handle more demanding tasks in addition to writing. Both are good options, but we think a tablet takes the win if you’re using it purely for writing.
Editor’s Choice
I’d say the best tablet for writers is the brilliant Microsoft Surface Pro 7, thanks to its impressive CPU, sleek design, and keyboard attachment. It’s an excellent alternative to the likes of the iPad, which can be overkill for people who just want to use a tablet for writing, and thanks to the Windows operating system it should feel very familiar to work and write on.
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