Choosing the best tablet - What's your pick?

arpan2308 · 2024-06-15T18:13:30+00:00

![](https://s3-nothing-prod.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/2024-06-15/1718475185-104457-incollage-20240615-234231573.jpg "banner") Nothing Tablet (1) wen !!! Till the time Nothing comes with a tablet, I thought of checking which is the community's favorite tablet. As I evaluate buying one soon, I am personally confused between the following options: * Apple iPad 2024 lineup (particularly iPad Air M2) * Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 * OnePlus Pad * Mi Pad 6 * Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Considering a typical user with tablet usage for entertainment, web browsing, productivity, note-taking, gaming, video calls, and basic MS tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), I have the following thoughts on each: **iPad Air M2**: A powerhouse that handles day-to-day tasks along with occasional heavy tasks like video editing. MS Office support is essential and well-handled. Accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard *(or alternatives like Logitech and ESR keyboards)* enhance the experience, making it almost a laptop replacement. The only challenge is adjusting to iPadOS for someone used to Android phones and Windows laptops *(anyways using them in office)*. **Samsung Galaxy Tab S9**: Well-built with the familiar Android ecosystem. Samsung DeX support makes it equivalent to an iPad or a typical laptop, but it still falls short of being a full laptop. The included S Pen and SD card slot are nice differentiators. However, the high pricing and potential for price drops *(as it is samsung)* are concerns. **OnePlus Pad & Mi Pad 6**: Great value for the price but more of a tablet than a laptop replacement. The lack of cellular models is a significant limitation for those who need on-the-go connectivity. Accessory availability *(both first-party and third-party)* is always a challenge. Affordability the only plus *(pun intended)*. **Microsoft Surface Pro 9**: Ideal for Windows users, offering a true 2-in-1 device. It supports all Windows apps with Windows 11. The device is slightly bulky due to its large screen and integrated kickstand but functions well as both a laptop and tablet. High price and concerns about Microsoft's device reputation are key issues. *(As of now not considering the new Qualcomm Surface due to uncertainties about app emulation.)* What's your pick? Share your thoughts. Which tablet do you use or plan to buy? Can tablets really replace laptops?

Ealesy101

arpan2308 - I think my MacBook has too many use cases/apps that go above and beyond my iPad, so for that I couldn’t let it go.

I don’t believe I would ever find myself switching to an iPad, or any tablet for that matter, full time. Certain work related apps and games are only on the desktop/laptop experience.

Derren

Ealesy101 Its a weird place with iPad and Mac. The iPad is so close to being a mac but so far at the same time and i feel like thats intentional. All it takes is for ipad to run mac os or something closer to and it would bridge that gap for a lot of people.

UnknownUser_ZjYrq9onjT

arpan2308 tab s9

arpan2308

UnknownUser_ZjYrq9onjT why so? Already using tab s9?

arpan2308

Alex wow those widgets on tablet homescreen….so much feels like Nothing tablet with those widgets.

Do you use keyboard case also with FE?

Derren apple has intentionally done that. They just want to sell both devices. Given M2 in ipad now, it can anyday be a laptop.

flo_rahil yup reading pdf and marking on the pdf using the pen will be great.

Dont you think FE’s Exynos is unreliable vs s9 snapdragon? I have always stayed away from Exynos

stealth ya thats the issue with Surface pro9, the price. But it is more of a laptop while giving tablet vibes. Standalone laptop somehow feels bulky to me for day to day usage while lying on the bed.

Ealesy101

Derren a thing I doubt Apple shall ever do. They want to protect both product lines, so will try to keep some barrier between them 🥲

stealth

arpan2308 That’s true the line is definitely blurring. For most casual users a tablet could definitely replace a laptop. Like @munim_falcon asked I do believe the two in one products like the microsoft surface is a good example of that line blurring.

But then again the issue comes down to pricing. Why pay $1000 for a tablet when you can built a more powerful pc or buy a powerful laptop.

Alex

Personally, I’m rocking the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and the bookcover keyboard case. It is just enough for me as an artist and student. I don’t do any intensive gaming, only once in a while, or much else on it. Lasts me a pretty good while. is fun and somewhat good customization, I even went as far to use KWGT to make my own styled home screen after my Phone (2a)!

(Using KWGT and Lawnicons on the default OneUI launcher. Handmade widgets, tho too lazy to make a weather widget so I made one for my college classes instead. It isnt perfect, but its good enough for an hour of work.)

flo_rahil

I recommend buying a samsung S9 fe or the fe +. It is cheaper than the S9 variant and still includes the SPen and would easily do all the tasks you mentioned.

One of the best uses for a tablet and one that you will never get from a laptop is potrait orientation - it is perfect for reading mangas or documents/ebooks. Once you experience that you would never want to read anything on a laptop.

If you are big on reading documents, a tablet is really helpful. I would say borderline essential.

flo_rahil

arpan2308 Exynos unfortunately got a bad reputation mostly due to its heating issues and lag after updates during the initial phase. But the current Exynos chipset is fairly stable. I would say it is perfect for a normal everyday user. But yeah obviously it’s nowhere near the efficiency of a snapdragon. The same comparison can be made of the Dimensity chipset. Great and reliable for most users.

Not to mention we have to give credit to samsung here. If they never made the Exynos chip, Qualcomm would charge much higher for their chips.

Arghus

Frankly i will be waiting to upgrade from my ipad 12" to a nothing tablet,

To this day apple still does not allow for split screen video to play landscape when holding tablet in portrait

Splitscreen is only vertical on ios 😤

arpan2308

Arghus earlier this year after this thread, i actually caved in finally bought ipad air with keyboard as my personal laptop/tablet/device. Would love to see a Nothing tablet ❤️

DJ

arpan2308 For the long run, iPads always deliver. When it comes to tablets, my only choice is the iPad.

CMF1_hacker

we're just stopped using as a household, an iPad Air that bought in Japan when I was on holiday.

it is from 2012, but uses and older WiFi that my new router/WiFi repeaters don't support (a/b).

we also use a iPad 6G from 2018 that still works very well.

tons of hard use with the family.

I'm also a governor with several schools in the UK, and it's always iPads for durability.

Ant-e-so-shial

arpan2308 Ipad without even a second thought. For me personally if I need a Tablet, I'll just need it for drawing. I have my phone and laptop for everything else. Ipad + Apple pencil + Procreate is THE STUFF for digital drawing for me. And it's durable, long lasting, powerful, has IOS ( clean and aesthetic) and many more.

So yeah IPad is a no brainer for me.

Edit : for the question If tablets will ever replace a laptop, they can if the companies push it. Apple can if the they want to, but why sell 1 when you can sell 2 is what stopping them I guess.

But Huawei's Matebook Fold ultimate can be the intersection. I know its an impossible dream but Apple should make one like that.

arpan2308

Ant-e-so-shial yup till now based on last few months of usage i feel i took the right decision. The portability and modularity of ipad air is much much superior vs a convertible windows laptop/tablet. MS office apps also working fine.

ESR keyboard case has been a saviour, considering the cost of official magic keyboard 🥺

« Previous Page