Not all devices should be small and ultra-portable. Samsung, Microsoft, and Apple offer some of the best large tablets that boast big screens and ample storage.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
Big, vibrant display
iPadOS 16.1’s new multitasking feature Strong performance thanks to M2 chip
Cons
Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are extra
A fully loaded iPad Pro can get expensive
Pros
Big, vibrant display
iPadOS 16.1’s new multitasking feature Strong performance thanks to M2 chip
Cons
Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are extra
A fully loaded iPad Pro can get expensive
More Details
Tech specs: Display: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion and True Tone | Processor: Apple Silicon M2 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB | Biometrics: Face ID | Colors: Silver, space gray | Cameras: 12MP wide, 10MP ultrawide rear and 12MP TrueDepth FaceTime front | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Dimensions: 12.9-inches: 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25-inches | Connections: USB-C Thunderbolt/USB-4 | Battery life: 10 hours
Apple’s 2022 iPad Pro lineup is by far the most capable and impressive iPad lineup we’ve seen, making it our best overall pick. It’s also the most expensive, by a long shot. The design hasn’t changed all that much on the outside, but on the inside, you’ll find Apple’s M2 processor which consists of 20 billion transistors — 25 percent more than M1. It’s the same exact processor that Apple is using in the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
We spent some time with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and found it to be faster and more capable than any other iPad model we’ve tested to date. You can expect downloads up to 2.4Gbps, twice as fast as the previous model, 15 percent faster performance, and up to 35 percent faster graphics performance.
Read the review: iPad Pro (2022) review: I’m cautiously optimistic. Or foolish
The Pro also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, and there’s a new hover feature thanks to the M2 chip. The feature works like this: once the tip of the Apple Pencil gets near the iPad Pro’s display, and when it’s within 12 millimeters, parts of the interface come to life in apps that support the new feature.The Smart Connector is on the back of the iPad Pro, giving you the option to use it with the Magic Keyboard that includes backlit keys and trackpad, or Apple’s Smart Keyboard.
And, although the differences between the fifth generation and this sixth generation model are more subtle, the M2 chip is really what shines here, making it a powerhouse tablet. The iPad Pro, combined with iPadOS and the M2 chip, is as close as you can get to a laptop without actually buying a laptop.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Giant display
It comes with an S Pen
Battery life
5G option
Cons
A keyboard accessory isn’t included
Pricey
Pros
Giant display
It comes with an S Pen
Battery life
5G option
Cons
A keyboard accessory isn’t included
Pricey
More Details
Tech specs: Display: 14.6-inch, 120Hz, Super AMOLED 2,960×1,848 display | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, microSD up to 1TB | Memory: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB | Colors: Graphite | Cameras: 13MP and 6MP rear. 12MP and 12MP ultra-wide front camera | Weight: 1.6lb | Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: 11,200mAh
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is by and large (pun intended) the tablet with biggest display on our list. With a 14.6-inch AMOLED display, you’re sure to have enough room for work and play on the Tab S8 Ultra. Included in the box is Samsung’s S Pen stylus that can be used for drawing out ideas or writing notes, or you can use it to navigate the tablet’s Android 12 interface — and even write in any text field and have it automatically converted to digital text.
What’s not included in the box is Samsung’s $349 Book Cover Keyboard.
