Teachers have work needs that may differ from a graphic designer or person in business when buying a tablet. I have created a list of the best tablet for teachers, ensuring they meet their day-to-day requirements in finishing tasks.
As a teacher, I found myself always running out of space. Ample space was always my primary concern. Whenever the school was transitioning from one software or application to another the device would glitch and hang. That doesn’t happen often but then this problem was a menace no less.
Hence I decided to create a list of the best tablet for teachers who need a device that can think and work as fast as them. Here is my humble compilation.
I also reached some colleagues in compiling this review. Their contribution helped me create this list of the best tablet for teachers. Here we go.
Table of Contents
Best Tablet for Teachers
The best tablet for teachers includes some specific aspects and then some more problem areas I feel need addressing. I dissect each tablet of factors such as great battery life, usability, speed, adaptability across various formats, and devices, integration, and price.
Apple iPad Pro
The tablet comes in my list of the best tablet for teachers first due to the brand’s reliability. Apple’s iPad Pro offers powerful performance, speed, and functionality. Here are some of the key features:
- A14 Bionic Chip
- Liquid Retina Display
- Support Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard
- Ample Storage
Performance
It is powered by the A14 Bionic chip to ensure it delivers fast and smooth performance for multitasking, running educational apps, and creating content.
It comes with sufficient storage options, ranging from 128GB to 2TB. It works best for teachers as they have to store tons of classroom materials, documents, or even media files throughout the school year. I always find it hard to delete all those media files of performances and presentations my children did for the first time. It ain’t easy for the teacher at the end of the year.
Display
The tablet features a stunning Liquid Retina display with ProMotion technology. It offers a high refresh rate for uninterrupted scrolling and responsiveness. The display is vibrant, making it ideal for viewing educational content, presenting lessons, or creating visual materials for presentations.
Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard Support
The iPad Pro is compatible with the Apple Pencil, which allows teachers to write, draw, and explain directly on the screen, making it easy to take notes, grade assignments, and create visual aids.
The Magic Keyboard, which is sold separately, can be attached to the iPad Pro, providing a laptop-like typing experience and making it suitable for tasks that need a lot of typing, such as preparing lesson plans or creating documents. If you are developing pain in your upper back, check out these yoga poses for some relief.
Software Ecosystem
The iPad Pro runs on iPadOS, which offers a rich ecosystem of educational apps, productivity tools, teaching aids, multimedia resources, and interactive learning apps.
The App Store provides access to a vast library of educational content, making it easy for teachers to find and download apps for their specific needs.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The iPad Pro has Wi-Fi and optional cellular connectivity, allowing teachers to stay connected without Wi-Fi access. The battery life of the iPad Pro is generally good, lasting around 8-10 hours with regular use, which is suitable for a full day of teaching and lesson planning.
Verdict
I find the Apple iPad Pro is the best tablet for teachers because of its powerful performance, high-quality display, peripherals, rich software, and connectivity options.
The only thing that makes me hesitant is the cost. Apple iPad Pro tablets are on the expensive side. Mainly, when you add the cost of peripherals like Pencil and Keyboard, it adds a lot to the total cost. And “we” teachers are paid that great, just saying.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
The Surface Pro 8 is a versatile tablet since it runs on Windows 11. The great thing about Windows-operated devices is they are compatible with a wide range of educational software. Here are some other features I believe make it the best tablet for teachers:
- Detectable keyboard
- Surface pen
- Windows 11 operating system
- 11th generation
- Intel core processor
- Ample storage
Performance
It is powered by 11th-generation Intel Core processors, providing ample processing power for multitasking, educational software, and content creation.
The tablet comes with options for up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It is idle for teachers as it enables smooth performance and ample storage. Also, teachers need to keep huge sets of educational materials, documents, and media files for the record of the school year.
Display
It has a high-resolution Pixel-Sense display with a 12.3-inch screen size. Hence you get sharp and vibrant visuals for educational content, presentations, and multimedia.
The display also supports touch and pen input. It is instantly an ideal option for teachers to take notes, edit documents, and draw with the Surface Pen. The pen can be bought separately if needed.
Surface Pen and Type Cover support
The Surface Pro 8 supports the Surface Pen, which offers precise stylus input for writing, drawing, and explaining on the screen. The pen makes it ideal for tasks such as grading assignments, taking notes, and creating visual aids.
The tablet has a built-in kickstand. The optional Type Cover can be attached, converting into a laptop-like typing experience for tasks that require extensive typing, such as preparing lesson plans or creating documents.
Software Ecosystem
Surface Pro 8 runs on Windows 11, great for educational software, apps, productivity tools, educational resources, and multimedia content. Teachers can easily access familiar Windows apps, such as Microsoft Office Suite, and utilize the full functionality of a desktop operating system, making it suitable for various educational workflows.
Connectivity and Battery life
The tablet comes with Wi-Fi and optional cellular connectivity, allowing for flexible connectivity options. The battery life is generally good, lasting around 8-10 hours with regular use, which is suitable for a full day of teaching and lesson planning.
Verdict
Overall I see the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 as an excellent choice and the best tablet for teachers who need the versatility of a Windows-based tablet.
The tablet offers robust performance and a high-quality display. Meanwhile, it supports Surface Pen and Type Cover with a wide range of educational software with a cherry on top, spectacular connectivity.
Again, I recommend teachers factor in the additional cost of the Surface Pen and Type Cover which are sold separately. Moreover, you need to check if the Windows operating system is compatible with their preferred educational software in the school system.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
When planning to buy a tablet, Samsung comes very strong with its features and configuration. Here is why I think the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ makes a perfect choice:
- Super AMOLED Display
- Snapdragon 865+ Processor
- Great battery life
- Supports the Samsung S Pen
Performance
The best tablet for teachers is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, which provides strong performance for multitasking, and running all formats of educational apps or content creation.
It comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, ensuring smooth performance and ample storage for documents, and media files.
Display
It features a stunning 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a high resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Hence give teachers the right imagery, vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling.
The large size and high-quality display are a plus, making it ideal for viewing educational content, presenting lessons, and creating visual materials for presentations.
S Pen support
The tablet supports S Pen, which provides a precise stylus input for writing, drawing, and scribbling on the screen. It makes it suitable for tasks such as taking notes, grading assignments, and creating visual aids. The S Pen also gives the best usability with magnetic attachment to the tablet and charges wirelessly.
Software Ecosystem
The Galaxy Tab S7+ operates on the Android operating system. It gives the ease to use a wide range of educational apps on the Google Play Store, consisting of productivity tools, educational resources, and multimedia content.
Teachers get access to familiar Android apps, such as Google Suite, and customize their tablets with their preferred apps to suit their specific needs.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Galaxy Tab S7+ comes with Wi-Fi and optional cellular connectivity, allowing for flexible connectivity options. The battery life is generally good, lasting around 8-10 hours with regular use, which is suitable for a full day of teaching and lesson planning.
Additional features
The Galaxy Tab S7+ also offers additional features, such as DeX mode, which allows for a desktop-like experience with a mouse and keyboard, and Samsung Notes.
It provides a versatile note-taking app that supports handwriting recognition and synchronization with other Samsung devices which is a huge plus!
Verdict
I believe Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ can be a solid choice for teachers who prefer an Android tablet with a powerful performance, high-quality display, S Pen support, and a wide range of educational apps from the Google Play Store.
Now comes the part where I tell the teachers they need to check some things before making the buying decision. They need to see if they are not going to have problems with the Android operating system and compatibility. They need to factor in if Android will not be a hindrance to the system’s preferred educational software.
Check with the school’s IT team because small things can cause problems and ruin the new shiny gadget for you.
Lenovo Tab P11 Pro
Lenovo comes off as an underdog but has a lot to offer. The tablet brings some spectacular features, such as:
- OLED display
- Snapdragon 730G processor
- Lenovo Precision Pen
- Secure Login
- Dolby Atmos
Performance
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor Lenovo Tab P11 offers ample processing power that enables teachers to run a multitude of educational apps without killing speed.
With 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage, it makes room for smooth performance and sufficient storage.
Display
The tablet features an impressive 11.5-inch OLED display with a high resolution. The vibrant display makes it effortless for teachers to create, design and plan lessons. If needed, the tablet can be used for viewing educational content and presenting lessons with its HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
Lenovo Precision Pen Support
The Lenovo Precision Pen gives precision with its stylus input for writing, drawing, and editing on the screen. Uniquely, the pen offers pressure sensitivity and palm rejection, hence the best tablet for teachers in grading assignments, and creating visual material for students.
Software Ecosystem
It runs on the Android operating system. Hence you are in for a multitude of options for educational apps on the Google Play Store. You can find a wide array of applications on the Play Store for educational tools and resources, and multimedia content.
Teachers can also use familiar Android apps, such as Google Suite, and modify with preferred apps to suit their work requirements.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The device comes with Wi-Fi and the option of 4G LTE connectivity. The battery life is generally good, lasting around 8-10 hours with regular use. It works well for teachers as it is good enough to last the school day.
Additional Features
It offers additional features like a fingerprint sensor for secure login, a quad-speaker system with Dolby Atmos, and a dual rear camera.
Verdict
The only hindrance teachers may meet is using the Android operating system for compatibility with educational software in the school system. Otherwise Lenovo Tab P11 Pro makes the best tablet for teachers. The tablet gives powerful performance with a high-quality display.
Having the option of Lenovo Precision Pen is also a useful tool for tasks that require precise stylus input. But you need to factor in the cost that may add when buying the Lenovo precision pen. Android operating system is a bonus to accessing educational apps from the Google Play Store.
Google Pixel Slate
The Google Pixel Slate is one of the premium tablets and is considered one of the best tablet for teachers. It stands out with its unique features such as:
- 12.3-inch Molecular Display
- Ample storage
- Intel processor
Design and Build Quality
The tablet has a sleek and premium design with a magnesium body that gives it a sturdy feel. It features a 12.3-inch Molecular Display with a high resolution, hence giving crisp and vibrant visuals for multimedia.
Performance
Pixel Slate is powered by Intel processors, ranging from an m3 to a Core i7. It provides ample processing power for running several educational apps simultaneously for content creation.
With 16GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage it creates room for smooth performance, leaving space to keep tons of data for the school year.
Chrome OS and Google Ecosystem
The Pixel Slate runs on Chrome OS. It is the best tablet for teachers who work with online-based computing. It provides easy access to an array of educational apps from the Google Play Store along with Chrome Web Store.
It integrates with Google Workspace, formerly known as G Suite, for Education. With the particular software, teachers have access to familiar Google apps such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Classroom, and cloud storage.
Keyboard and Pen Support
The Pixel Slate comes with the option for a detachable Pixel Slate Keyboard and stylus Pixelbook Pen. The keyboard gives a laptop-like typing experience, perfect for extensive typing, and lesson planning.
The stylus is perfect for teachers for writing, and drawing on the screen, taking notes, grading papers, and tasks, and creating visual aids.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Pixel Slate has optional cellular connectivity along with Wi-Fi. The battery life diverges depending on the model and usage. You can expect it to last around 8-10 hours of routine use.
Additional Features
It has a fingerprint sensor for secure login, front and rear cameras for video conferencing, and dual front-facing speakers for immersive audio.
Verdict
Google Pixel Slate makes the best tablet for teachers who need Chrome OS integration with Google’s ecosystem. It offers the flexibility of a separable keyboard and stylus.
Teachers must be wary of the uniqueness of the online-based computing nature of Chrome OS. And check if it sits well with educational software or systems.
How to Identify the Best Tablet for Teachers
Ultimately, the best tablet for teachers will immensely depend on the nature of the work, the system associated, operating system requirements, preferences, and budget.
Broadly, you need to consider processing power, display quality, stylus support, battery life, and compatibility. Only then you can identify the best tablet for teachers.