It does not need rocket science to determine that Apple is one of the best brands today when it comes to mobile devices. Apart from smartphones, the iPad is among the brand’s most notable products.
The iPad is the best choice for many people because it is easy to use and has excellent in-breed software. However, not all people prefer to have it. Some think it is too expensive, while others simply do not want it. But whatever your reason is, it is good to know that there are cheaper and practical iPad alternatives in the market.
What Qualities Make a Good Tablet?
Right now, the market holds many tablet models from different manufacturers. Each of those has varying features. For this reason, choosing the right one to suit your needs seem like a task impossible to fulfill. With all these choices, features, and price ranges, how do you pick the perfect tablet? Well, read on so you can find out.
Set the price range
Before anything else, make sure that you set a budget for your tablet. This way, you can narrow down your choices to the ones that fall within that price range. However, you will sometimes find yourself contemplating between one that falls within your budget and a pricier yet higher quality one. Before finally deciding, it is worth noting that you should not compare Apple to Android as they have entirely different features. For instance, the two operating systems have different storage spaces, size, and interface etc. So, comparing them is not advisable.
Choose your tablet’s specs
Think of the features that you want your tablet to have. If you want a larger screen, it is worth noting that your device will be significantly heavier. That said, you need to compromise with the screen size if you want a portable tablet.
If you like watching videos using your device, a tablet with a screen that lets you see huge details is ideal. That said, it is also crucial that you consider the screen’s resolution. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image on the tablet’s screen will be.
Moreover, the battery life of a tablet is also crucial. If you often need to bring your device when you go outside, pick one with a battery life lasting long. Take note of how long the battery lasts when you check out the specs of the device you chose. But such is not the sole indicator that you need to check. The overall performance, the screen size, and the device’s brightness also play a role in the length of the battery’s life.
Pick your preferred operating system
Tablets have three primary OS or operating systems. Choosing which of them you want is among the most significant decisions you need to make when you are on your buying journey.
Apple has its own operating system for iPad called iPad OS. Meanwhile, its alternatives either have Android or Windows 10 operating systems. Tablets with an Android OS have fewer apps optimized specifically for the device. But this factor is gradually improving since you can now find apps in the Google Play Store that you can install on your tablet.
Finally, Microsoft developed Windows 10 in a way that it could work as an operating system for tablets. That means you can have an entire desktop experience using your device. Microsoft’s OS is a great choice, especially if you always need to access Microsoft’s applications.
| Apple iPad Alternatives | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
Lenovo Tab M10 Tablet | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 | |
Amazon Fire HD 10 | |
Lenovo Tab M8 8” | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite |
5 Cheaper Alternatives to the Apple iPad
Lenovo Tab M10 Tablet
The Lenovo Tab M10 Tablet is an affordable yet feature-rich alternative to the Apple iPad. This device is an excellent entry-level tablet that does not come with a heavy price tag. The case is made from plastic, making it thin and lightweight. It even comes with a speaker dock and equipped with Amazon Alexa. For this reason, it makes the price worth it.
In addition, it has a 5MP rear camera, while the front one is 2MP. While the cameras are not the best, the solid 1920 x 1200 resolution of the 10.1-inch screen is great.
The device comes with 32GB of storage, making enough space for all your media. Both the operating system and applications perform excellently. As a result, this Lenovo tablet runs smoothly.
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Learn more: Best Alternatives Wireless Chargers to Apple MagSafe Charger
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S4
If you are looking for a tablet with long battery life, the Galaxy Tab S4 by Samsung is a great choice. With a 7,300mAh battery, it can last for up to 16 hours of a movie marathon. It even has a fast-charging ability, making it even more efficient.
This high-quality tablet also has a high-quality display. The screen is 10.5 inches in size and has a 2,560 x 1,600-pixel Super AMOLED display. What even makes it better for video playback is its 4 AKG-tuned speakers equipped with Dolby Atmos sound.
Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 offers a desktop-like experience, thanks to its Dex interface. It also comes with an S Pen stylus for better value. You can also purchase a Samsung Book Keyboard Cover and connect the tablet to it whenever you need to type long documents.
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3. Amazon Fire HD 10
The Fire HD 10 by Amazon does not have the highest quality. However, it has a solid set of features despite its price that is almost half the price of Apple’s iPad.
One of the best features that this tablet has is its Show Mode. Such a feature allows you to use the device as a smart display. To enable the Show Mode, Amazon attached a dock to the tablet, making it compatible with the Alexa digital assistant while charging and showing information simultaneously.
In addition, this device has an octa-core chipset that powers everything up. A 2GB RAM accompanies the chipset, which is a bare minimum for today’s tablets. Despite this fact, the Amazon Fire HD 10 still runs smoothly.
The design of this tablet is pretty plain but its durability compensates for this plainness. In terms of the 10.1-inch screen, this tablet gets fairly bright. With 1920 x 1200-pixel resolution, it works excellently for video playback.
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4. Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet
Sometimes, the size of your smartphone always feels inadequate. For this reason, getting a device that is bigger yet still portable is ideal. This quality is something that the Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet can offer.
For a mid-range tablet, this one by Lenovo is worth having. It has a Snapdragon 625 chipset combined with 4GB RAM. The screen is 8 inches in size with 1200 x 1920 resolution, making it bright enough for watching movies. It even comes with two front-facing speakers that make your music experience great. However, the 4850 mAh battery life lasts shorter than the other tablets in this review.
In addition, the Snapdragon 625 chipset allows the device to access 5GHz Wi-Fi. That means when you pair it with a compatible router, it can reach great internet speeds.
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5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is an affordable tablet with a sleek design and amazing features. One of the best features that it has is the S Pen stylus, which works perfectly for taking notes, drawing, and annotating.
Additionally, this device feels quite sturdy, thanks to its metal frame. It also has small bezels that maximize the 10.4-inch LCD screen size.
With a resolution of 2000 x 1200 and a 5:3 aspect ratio, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is great for watching your favorite movies and TV shows. What is even better is that the screen quality does not disappoint in terms of brightness. For this reason, you can easily see the screen display even when you are outside your home.
Thanks to the high quality of the screen display, the device shows black brightly. The reason is that the LCD can create more shade by displaying every color all at once.
Moreover, this tablet runs on the Exynos 9611 chipset — something made by Samsung itself. The 4GB RAM pairs with this chipset perfectly.
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Guide to Cheap iPad Alternatives
What other devices are comparable to an iPad?
There are several other devices out there that can be compared to an iPad. One of the most popular alternatives is the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which offers similar features and functionality.
Another option is the Microsoft Surface Pro, which is great for productivity with its detachable keyboard. The Amazon Fire tablets are also worth mentioning, as they are more affordable but still provide decent performance.
Google also has its own line of tablets called Pixel Slate, which run on their Chrome OS.
These are just a few examples, but there are plenty more tech choices available depending on your specific needs and preferences.
Why do I need an iPad if I have a laptop?
Having an iPad in addition to a laptop can greatly enhance your overall digital experience. While laptops offer extensive functionality and power, iPads are smaller, lighter, and more portable, making them convenient for on-the-go use.
The iPad’s touchscreen interface provides a more intuitive and tactile experience, especially when it comes to tasks like browsing the web, reading eBooks, or playing games.
Furthermore, iPads have a vast array of apps designed specifically for their platform, giving you access to a plethora of specialized tools and entertainment options.
Whether you need to take quick notes, watch videos, or enjoy casual gaming, an iPad can complement your laptop by offering a unique and versatile device tailored to your specific needs.
The best iPad alternatives
A device that has an affordable price does not make it any less than the expensive ones. However, it is important to note that you may not find some of the features of expensive tablets like the Apple iPad on cheaper ones.
Yet, if you don’t think you need those features, then going for budget-friendly alternatives is worth considering. But it is important to make sure that your chosen tablet suits your needs and requirements for you to experience its best quality.
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