Best Tablets for College Students
Soon-to-be-undergraduate, have you got the pre-college jitters and can't think clearly on everything you need? Parents, are you checking off the college buying list carefully to make sure your kiddo feels more secure and leaves home prepared? One of the most important things to consider now is whether to invest in a tablet, desktop or laptop. Which is the best option and then how do you know which one to purchase? There are various benefits to whichever computer option you choose. However, some of the best tablets for college will get your brilliant student by without wasting money on a bulky computer that will be outdated in two years.
Why Tablet Over Laptop or Desktop?
Desktop computers are great for big projects such as music studios. In college, however, your new collegiate free thinkers are going to be on the move all the time. Not only will they be going to class, study groups, the library, different dorm rooms, cafeterias, on or off-campus jobs, coffee shops and outdoor campus benches or lawns to study, but they may move often to different dorm rooms or apartments (each semester or year). A heavy and bulky desktop is a pain to move. Desktop operating systems can also become obsolete much faster than a tablet or laptop.
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If you only buy a desktop computer, chances are you will also need to purchase a laptop or tablet too. College students often have access to desktops in computer labs, at the library and in their dormitories. Buying a desktop for college is often an extra and unneeded expense. It is a better option to check out the best tablets for college and invest in a compact and versatile model that your student son or daughter will use all the time and perhaps for their entire collegiate stretch.
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The Best Tablets for College are Portable and Versatile
Laptops and the best tablets for college are easily portable, tablets even more so. Tablets can be carried easily in a backpack and they do not take up too much space on a table top, desk or on the lap. Laptops are great for writing papers and taking notes, however, the more versatile tablets will also have an attachable keyboard option. Laptops are bigger, heavier and the good ones are more expensive than some of the best tablets for college. Like desktop computers, laptop operating systems often become obsolete and updates and downloads are only available for a limited time.
The Numerous Benefits of the Best Tablets for College
Tablets have a longer battery life than most laptops. This is crucial when your college student has back-to-back classes and doesn't have access to an electrical outlet. An iPad or other tablet brand is a better option for impressive presentations and demonstrations. The best tablets for college are an excellent choice for reading ebooks, PDF files and research articles on the web.
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Tablets are a quieter alternative to note taking during class. They are also great for creating outlines, charts and for mapping out project and assignment ideas. If you need to show photographs during a presentation or you want to share pictures with friends, a tablet is easy to pass around or simply hold up for everyone to view.
Everything You Need In One Place
The best tablets for college not only provide a great solution for studying, note taking and creating projects and presentations, but they do so much more. Your college student will need entertainment options when they take those well deserved breaks. Tablets will allow them to watch their favorite movies, television shows and listen to their favorite music.
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Phone Home and Travel Security
Your hard studying kiddo will be able to Facetime or Skype you on your cell phone and attend webinars and live study groups. Tablets also accept phone calls. They will be able to access the web all the time to look up class assignments, due dates and grades and be able to submit assignments on time. They can also access GPS and Mapping apps to give you a little less to worry about when your new grown up is traveling around a nearby big city or sneaking out on a group vacation between semesters.
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The Best Tablets for College FAQs
Some of us take for granted that everyone will understand exactly what a tablet is and what it can do. Even know your three-year-old may be able to teach you and your college student everything a tablet can do, some of us may need a little more understanding.
1. What exactly is a tablet?
A tablet is a wireless, mobile computer in slate form and uses a touchscreen interface for all input, navigation and viewing. A tablet can access the internet, take and make phone calls or video calls and can take photographs.
2. Do all the best tablets for college act as a phone and have WIFI?
No. It depends on the system you purchase. All tablets have wireless connectivity. However, only the higher-rated tablets include access to cellular data networks. You will need cellular data for incoming and outgoing phone and video calls. There are a few video conferencing apps that will let you get around this issue.
3. Are all tablets the same as far as the screen shape, display and size?
No. You can purchase different types of tablets with various screen sizes and shapes. Usually, the smallest screen size begins at around 7 inches and goes up from there. For the best tablets for college, a bigger screen size (10-11 inches) is ideal for studying and presentations. Some tablets can have a rectangular or square shape and others can have rounder shapes.
4. Is the display the same as the screen?
The display is describing the screen resolution. The best tablets for college will have better resolution meaning the screen is easier to view. The text and images will be sharp and concise and the screen will be anti-reflective and will not hurt the eyes after hours of looking at it.
5. How important is the operating system?
The two operating systems that dominate the best tablets for college are the Apple iOS and Google's Android. Windows also has tablets through Microsoft. The most important thing when considering the operating system of tablets is its ability to upgrade to the newest version. In order for a tablet to have access to the newest apps, it must have the latest or close to latest version of its operating system. This is also crucial for the security of your device.
6. Do you want ports and printing capabilities?
The ports are the slots and holes on around the edges of the tablet that allow you to connect to chargers, USB flash drives, memory cards, adapters and to connect to other devices, printers or instruments. Some tablets will let you print wirelessly, which is ideal for printing out papers or presentations at any location.
7. What kind of App Market is best?
You will want to take a look at what you will be using your tablet for. If you need to use certain word programs or photo apps, for example, then you will need to look at the compatibility of the tablets you consider purchasing. Study the app market availability for each of the tablets you consider and weigh that in before deciding.
How We Reviewed
We scoured the web to find our top 10 best tablets for college list to share with you. This list provides a wide range of features, styles, sizes, shapes and prices.
Overall Price Range
Depending on the product design, features, accessories, dualality and operating systems, the price range of our top 10 best tablets for college ranges between $150 and $1200. With this diverse range, you can choose from basic starter tablets to impressive design tablets that also double as notebooks or laptops.
What We Reviewed
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S
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ASUS Transformer Mini 10.1″
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Microsoft Surface Pro 6
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Lenovo Yoga Book
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Apple iPad Pro 11″
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Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet
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Asus ZenPad S 8
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Fire HD 10
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iRULU Walknbook 2
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Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Samsung Galaxy Tab S
One of the best tablets for college at bargain of a price is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S. This is a great starter option if you want to see if your new college student will actually benefit from a tablet. This Samsung model has a Super AMOLED display that presents vivid and clear graphics ideal for movies, games, ebooks, and projects. The screen is 10.5 inches and has twice the resolution of an HDTV. It has a unique multi window feature that allows you to use two apps side by side at the same time.
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The Galaxy Tab S also features built-in cameras for taking pictures and video chat. It includes both front and rear cameras. It has a sleek, stylish and lightweight design to allow your college student to carry and use it with easy and comfortability. You can purchase this tablet in titanium bronze or dazzling white. It comes with a 16 GB memory and includes a microSD card slot which allows you to add up to 128 GB more memory.
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Other Impressive Galaxy Tab S Features
The battery life will last much longer since this tablet has an Ultra Power Saving Mode. You can use features such as SideSync and Hancom Office to allow you to take and send calls and texts and to access, edit and save your work. Galaxy owners have exclusive access to MilkMusic on your device, allowing you access to over 200 ad-free radio stations. Inside the box, you will find the tablet, USB charging cable, wall adapter and quick start guide.
Pros
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Large 10.5 " display screen with vivid resolution
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Works as a tablet, camera and video phone
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Long battery life
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Lightweight and sleek design
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Inexpensive
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Cons
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Slower system than others
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Has apps included you cannot delete or change
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Doesn't work like a standard phone
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $140 to $160.
Where to Buy
Warranty
The manufacturer warranty is good for one year and covers the tablet, battery and accessories.
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ASUS Transformer Mini 10.1″
The ASUS Transformer Mini 10.1" is on our list for best tablets for college for a few reasons. It rates 3.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, but this little stunner gives you options. First, if you can't decide between a tablet and a laptop, this model gives you both. It's a notebook that can be separated and just used as a tablet. It has a lightweight aluminum body and boasts an Intel Quad Core Processor with 64GB solid state storage It also features 4GB of RAM and an IPS touch display. The ergonomic full-size keyboard has a tactile 62g bounce force for impressive and comfortable performance.
The touchscreen offers a bright, clear and sharp viewing experience with a HD wide viewing display. The Transformer book is slim and light, but it is a rockstar when it comes to connectivity. It has almost all the port types you can think of including USB, micro USB, micro HDMI, micro SD and a headphone jack.
Pros
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Up to 11 hours of battery life
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64GB solid state storage
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Slim and lightweight design with HD wide viewing display
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Crazy amazing connectivity (USB, HDMI, SD)
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Vivid color resolution
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Pen input - great for design
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Cons
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Keyboard is not the best
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Updates and installations take a long time
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No phone data feature
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $280 to $300.
Where to Buy
Warranty
This tablet notebook has a limited one year warranty.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is one of the best tablets for college because of its versatility and capability to create beautiful design projects. This is another tablet/laptop that allows you options of how you want to take advantage of its best features. This is a pricier laptop or tablet, but it is in a whole new generation of processors. It is an ultra slim and lightweight tablet at 1.7 pounds. If you attach the type cover, it weights almost 3 pounds. It has an all- battery life for up to 13.5 hours.
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Traditional Laptop or Innovative Pen and Touchscreen
The signature keyboard or Pro Type Cover is made from Alcantara material and has a couple of color options. The keys are spread out more for a comfortable and efficient typing experience. There is a two button trackpad. You can use the Surface dial to create applaudable work using the office 365 on Surface. The Surface pen allows the student to write and draw on the tablet and has a pen point on one side and rubber eraser on the other end.
Pros
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Can be used as laptop or tablet
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Powerful operating system
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Can use pen to mark up assignments and projects on tablet
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Big, comfortable keyboard
Cons
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Expensive
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Accessories sold separately
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $800 to $1000.
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Where to Buy
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Warranty
It has a limited one year warranty.
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Lenovo Yoga Book
The Lenovo Yoga Book is a good looking unique little tablet that will surprise your student with its capabilities. It weighs less than 2 pounds and it is the world's thinnest and lightest tablet and laptop hybrid. The 10.1" display tablet is sold with the detachable keyboard in the same package. It has a 64GB SSD hard drive with 4 GB of RAM. The battery life is one of the best at 15 hours, which lands it on our list of the best tablets for college.
What Makes It Unique?
The 10 inch tablet boasts full High Definition. The touchscreen display provides a vivid, crystal clear production of all media types. The computer also will display a halo keyboard on the touchscreen when needed. The Real Pen item allows you to digitize your notes instantly. You can also create designs and art. There is full Wifi connectivity capability. This tablet is ideal for creating notes, projects and design assignments. You can also watch videos on the impressive tablet display.
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Pros
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HD touchscreen display with vivid resolution
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2-in-1 Tablet/ Notebook
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15 hour battery life
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64GB SSD hard drive with 4GB RAM
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Design pen
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2 cameras
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Cons
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Pen that comes with it is not all the way compatible
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Not the greatest ports
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Needs tweaks for better performance
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Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $350 to $500.
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Where to Buy
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Warranty
It has a one year warranty with extension options.
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Apple iPad Pro 11″
This is a very fancy updated version of the iPad. It is impossible to leave the latest iPad off of our list for best tablets for college. There are several design and operating function options to choose from. You can choose 11" or 12.9 " sizes. There is now an iPad pencil compatible with this iPad that allows students to take notes, create design projects and more. This iPad does everything you know iPads to do and then some. You can choose Wifi or Wifi and cellular when purchasing. You can also choose 64GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB. (These all affect the cost). This iPad has up to 10 hours of battery life.
Four speakers create a greater sound experience for watching videos, listening to music and for using video calls and mobile options. A new liquid retina display covers the entire touchscreen. The display resolution technology creates a vivid color experience without hurting the eyes. Face ID is also avaolable on this iPad.
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Pros
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Several buying options on size and GB
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Wifi and Wifi with cellular data option
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New iPad pencil for writing and drawing
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10 hour battery life
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Liquid retina display
Cons
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Expensive
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Fragile
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Only apple app compatible
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $750 to $1500 depending on the size and specs you choose.
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Where to Buy
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Warranty
The typical apple warranty (1-3 years) is valid with this item and all its accessories.
Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet
The Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet lands on our top 10 best tablets for college because of its 2 day battery life and its waterproof and weatherproof resiliance. This tablet is also called a phone. It features a 3GB RAM and 32GB flash memory and has a microSD card that can hold a additional 200GB. It has both front and rear facing cameras and is NFC and Bluetooth capable. Snapdragon promotes a superfast performace and the 10.1 inch 2K display screen is ideal for watching movies, taking pictures, listening to music, browsing the web, calling, texting, game playing, studying, reading and social networking
Pros
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2 cameras
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Extra RAM capable through memory cards
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Bluetooth compatible
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Cons
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Is more of a smartphone
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Limited capability
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Light RAM
Price
This product is not available currently on Amazon, but sells for around $400 to $500.
Where to Buy
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Warranty
When available, manufacturer warranty is limited.
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Asus ZenPad S 8
The Asus ZenPad S 8 is a mini tablet with an 8 inch 2K IPS Display with 2048x1536 resolution. It carried 2GB RAM and 32G onboard storage capability. There is a Micro SD card slot for extra storage. The operating system is Android 5.0 Lollipop and one of the best features is the ASUS TruVivid technology. The Bluelight filter technology feature helps reduce blue light in the display, which protects the eyes from getting tired. This tablet is ideal for college students who want to surf the web, watch videos, play games and do basic internet searches and note taking.
Pros
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Great for note taking
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Takes beautiful pictures
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Android Lollipop 5.0 O/S
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TruVivid Technology
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Cons
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Screen is only 8 inches
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Better options in price range
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Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $250 to $300.
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Where to Buy
Warranty
There is a manufacturer's one year limited warranty.
Fire HD 10
The Fire HD 10 is a unique tablet that can be counted as one of the best tablets for college because of its versatility and adaptability. It has a large 10 inch display touchscreen, which is in wide-screen high definition technology with 149 PPI and 1280x800 resolution. The processor is considered as fast with up to 1.5 GHz. It has both rear and front facing cameras. You can use Alexa to access your favorite media by verbal request. The battery life is strong with up to 8 hours and you can listen to music, study on the web, write papers, read ebooks, watch videos and write emails for hours. If you have an Amazon prime account, you get unlimited access to books, magazines, television shows and movies.
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Pros
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8 hours of battery life
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Big beautiful, vivid picture quality with HD resolution
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Read, write, surf the web, play games, study and take pictures
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Prime account gives you full access
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Can call on Alexa to prompt your favorite media or questions
Cons
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Designed for entertainment, so may not be ideal for studies specifically
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Better for people with Prime accounts
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $150 to $170.
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Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0189XYY0Q/?creativeASIN=B0189XYY0Q&linkCode=w61&imprToken=GEaU-
T2q8HKyMdRExqxEgw&slotNum=19&tag=tdgfeature-20
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Warranty
Amazon will replace damaged or corrupt items for up to 30 days and there is a one year limited manufacturer's warranty.
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iRULU Walknbook 2
If you are looking for another tablet on the list of best tablets for college we have compiled that fits the low cost price point, but still performs, the iRULU Walknbook 2 is an excellent choice. This unpretentious tablet has a 6 hour battery life that will run mutiple programs at once with powerful pip and a cool head. It has the Intel Cherry Trail X5-Z8350 processor. It also has 800 X 1280 HD resolution for IPS display that has built-in protect your eyes technology. This tablet is ideal for college students as it includes Windows 10 and Microsoft Mobile Office including Word, Powerpoint and Excel. There are front and rear facing cameras.
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You can use the touchscreen and tablet features alone or attach the keyboard and take advantage of the laptop like features. This versatile tablet weights less the one and a half pounds and is a great option for early undergraduates who need a tablet that will perform like a laptop without costing a fortune. There is also a guaranteed performance or money back deal on this product.
Pros
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Perform well or money-back guarantee
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Tablet or laptop
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Huge processor
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Great price
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Microsoft Office
Cons
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Not as big of storage as competitors
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Limited features for downloads
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $120 to $150.
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Where to Buy
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Warranty
This tablet has a one year limited warranty.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A
One of the best tablets for college is the Samsung Galaxy Tablet A. It is a 10 inch tablet that is available in both white and black. The battery life is about 13 hours, which is one of the longest on the market for similar tablets. The processor is a 1.6 GHz exynos 7870 Octa-Core. This beautiful tablet has a 10.1 inch display with the wuxga technology and two cameras, one 8Mp rear camera and a 2Mp front camera. The 2GB of RAM plus 16 Gb Storage and Bluetooth capability are all commendable features. This Samsung can play music for up to 187 hours.
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Expandable Memory Bonus Feature
You can easily gain extra storage for movies, games, videos, ebooks, photographs and a body of work with the microSD card slot. You can use this to expand the memory of the tablet from 16GB to 200GB.
What's in the Box?
This tablet comes with a travel adapter, MicroUSB cable, Quick start guide, vibrant, high-resolution 10.1 inch display, long lasting battery and additional 200GB of memory with a microSD card.
Pros
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This tablet is excellent or taking pictures
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10.1 inches display
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Equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front camera
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Powerful processor and a long-lasting battery
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Multi window delivers smooth multitasking
Cons
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Memory card sold separately
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No Microsoft office, but large app store
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Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $400 to $500.
Where to Buy
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Warranty
There is a standard one year limited warranty for Samsung tablets and accessories.
The Verdict
If you can afford the iPad Pro, then it is probably the most capable, protected and performance giant out of the bunch. However, you don't have to dish out the bucks for your young college student if you are not ready. Even though this is a compilation of the best tablets for college students, the iPad is a bit advanced over the rest of the list and on the more expensive end. There are some excellent tablet option that are not as fast, but perhaps they have all of Microsoft Office. Don't forget that battery life is extremely important for college students.
Besides a strong and long lasting battery, your college student will need a tablet or laptop/tablet hybrid with a lot of memory, note taking capability, a powerful processor, a large touchscreen display with an eye protection built in and multi-windows for mutii-tasking. Make sure to look check out the camera and warranty. If your new collegiate darlin is in need of a tablet, you may want to try one of the lower cost options if you are not sure they will stick with it.
Which One Do You Choose?
If you think your kiddo will greatly depend on a tablet, then go for a more expensive version, like the iPad that is sure to update easily and last a long time. The iPad and the Samsung options are probably at the top of the list, but this top 10 all fit the list of the best tablets for college.