What Compares To An Ipad? The Microsoft Surface Pro 11, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, and Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display are leading iPad alternatives. COMPARE.EDU.VN offers a comprehensive comparison, outlining the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision. Discover cost-effective options and drawing-specific devices, perfect for various needs and budgets.
1. The Best iPad Alternatives In Full
Whether you’re seeking a Windows-based powerhouse, an Android-driven entertainment hub, or a budget-friendly companion, the following sections will guide you through the best iPad alternatives available today.
2. The Best Ipad Alternative Overall
2.1 Microsoft Surface Pro 11
The best alternative to an iPad overall.
Specifications:
- Screen: 13in LCD/OLED
- Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB
- Weight: 895g
- Dimensions: 287 x 209 x 9.3mm
Reasons to Buy:
- Detachable keyboard
- Powerful processors
- AI capabilities
Reasons to Avoid:
- Some configurations get pricey
Buy it if:
- ✅ You Need Windows: Full versions of most desktop software won’t run on Android or Apple tablets.
- ✅ You Want a Powerful Tablet: This device can handle complex creative and AI tasks.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You’re on a Budget: This isn’t the most affordable tablet on the market.
- ❌ You Don’t Want to Do Creative Work: If you just want to check emails or watch content, it’s probably overkill.
The Bottom Line:
🔎 Surface Pro 11 offers a compelling Windows tablet experience thanks to a great keyboard, powerful processors, and AI capabilities. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:
If you need a tablet that can function as a laptop, capable of running full versions of creative software, a Windows tablet is essential. The Surface Pro 11, the latest in Microsoft’s hybrid tablet-laptop series, stands out as the premier choice in the market today.
Design and Build:
Available in four colors – black, sapphire, platinum, and dune – the Surface Pro 11 boasts a stylish and professional design. Weighing under 1kg, it’s notably lightweight. The new Surface Pro Flex Keyboard (sold separately) is a standout feature, offering detached use for enhanced versatility.
Display:
Microsoft provides both LCD and optional OLED screens for the Surface Pro 11, with the OLED version offering improved contrast. The display supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate, making it responsive for drawing and creative tasks. While it doesn’t surpass the iPad Pro’s display technology, it still delivers a high-quality visual experience.
Performance:
Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or Elite processors, the Surface Pro 11 ensures fast performance, even with demanding design software. It also features a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for on-device AI tasks, positioning it as a top contender for creative and computational work. This laptop truly shines for professionals needing full desktop applications like Adobe Photoshop, providing a genuine laptop-replacement experience unmatched by the iPad Pro. The stylus and full keyboard functionality offer additional creative benefits.
Pricing:
Starting at $999, the Surface Pro 11 is competitively priced in the premium tablet market. The base model includes 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, with top-spec configurations reaching $2,100. The Flex Keyboard, priced at $450, now includes the Slim Pen.
Test Results:
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Expensive | ★★★ |
| Design | Stylish and professional | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Fast and smooth | ★★★★★ |
3. The Best Ipad Alternative Running Android
3.1 Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
The best iPad alternative running Android.
Specifications:
- Screen: 14.6in Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Storage: 128GB/512GB/1TB
- Weight: 718g
- Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.4mm
Reasons to Buy:
- Vibrant large display
- Bundled S Pen with low latency
- Galaxy AI features
Reasons to Avoid:
- Not the most portable
Buy it if:
- ✅ You Want a Large-Screen Android Tablet: This generous display is perfect for enjoying multimedia content.
- ✅ You Want AI Features: This tablet’s AI capabilities make it future-proof.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You Need to Run Windows or macOS Software: It will only cope with Android apps.
- ❌ You’re on a Tight Budget: It’s quite expensive for a tablet.
The Bottom Line:
🔎 Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers a premium Android tablet experience with a stunning display and innovative AI features. ★★★★★
What You Need to Know:
Released in October 2024, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra continues Samsung’s tradition of creating high-end, feature-packed tablets for discerning users. While it can’t run Windows or macOS software, there are many Android art and design apps available for creatives who want to work on the move.
Design and Build:
Slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor, this tablet features Enhanced Armor Aluminum for enhanced durability. IP68 water and dust resistance distinguishes it from competitors. The S Pen attaches magnetically to the rear, providing 2.8ms latency for a near-natural writing experience.
Display:
The 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is the tablet’s standout feature. With a 16:10 aspect ratio ideal for movies, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 930 nits peak brightness, it delivers exceptional visual quality. Anti-reflective technology minimizes glare in bright conditions.
Performance:
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor, the Samsung Tab S10 Ultra handles everything swiftly and smoothly. Galaxy AI features, such as Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Sketch-to-image, enhance the tablet’s capabilities, making it particularly appealing for creative professionals and tech enthusiasts. Ecosystem integration enables seamless connectivity with other Samsung devices, including Second Screen functionality and App Continuity. However, it doesn’t match the iPad Pro’s M4 chip in raw power, scoring about half the multi-core benchmarks.
Pricing:
Starting at $1,200, this tablet is positioned as a premium device that competes directly with the iPad Pro.
Test Results:
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium pricing | ★★★ |
| Design | Thin and light | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | Lots of raw power | ★★★★★ |
4. The Best Budget Ipad Alternative
4.1 Lenovo Tab P12 With Matte Display
The best budget iPad alternative.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 12.7-inch
- Storage: 128GB
- Weight: 610g
- Dimensions: 190.7 x 293.3 x 6.9mm
Reasons to Buy:
- Well-priced iPad alternative
- Impressive large 3K display
- Supports the Lenovo Keyboard
Reasons to Avoid:
- Budget-specced processor
Buy it if:
- ✅ You Want to Limit Your Spend: This budget-beater is ideal for light creative work.
- ✅ You Want a Tablet Primarily for Note-Taking and Drawing: In that case, why spend more on a powerful processor?
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You Need High-Performance Computing: This isn’t up to tasks like image and video editing.
- ❌ You Use Professional-Grade Creative Tools: The Android operating system limits the software it can run.
The Bottom Line:
🔎 Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display offers a budget-friendly option for students and casual users, providing a paper-like drawing experience. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:
Launched in June 2024, the Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display targets budget-conscious users looking for a versatile Android tablet for creative and casual tasks. Impressive battery life, offering nearly 10 hours of streaming and exceptional standby performance, is also a plus. While it’s not a powerhouse, the Lenovo Tab P12 with Matte Display delivers remarkable value for casual creative use.
Design and Build:
Exceptionally thin at 6.9mm, the tablet features a sage green casing with curved edges. Despite its large 12.7-inch form factor, it remains relatively lightweight at 610g. The magnetic stylus attachment and optional detachable keyboard ($130) enhance its versatility.
Display:
The 3K (2944 x 1840) matte display stands out for note-taking and drawing. Limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and 400 nits brightness, the paper-like finish provides an excellent surface for stylus work. The included Tab Pen Plus offers 4,096 pressure levels and tilt detection.
Performance:
Powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor with 8GB RAM, the Tab P12 is best suited for low-intensity tasks. It excels at web browsing, note-taking, streaming, and light drawing but struggles with demanding creative applications. The Android operating system limits software compatibility. However, it offers excellent value for students, casual users, and those seeking a portable drawing and note-taking device.
Pricing:
Priced at $450 for the matte display version, this tablet is an affordable alternative to more expensive rivals, especially with the included stylus and optional keyboard.
Test Results:
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Nicely affordable | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Relatively lightweight | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Good for low-intensity tasks | ★★★ |
5. The Best Ipad Alternative For Drawing
5.1 XPPen Magic Drawing Pad
The best iPad alternative for drawing.
Specifications:
- Active drawing area: 12.2-inch, 3:2 ratio
- Resolution: 2160 x 1440
- Pen pressure sensitivity: 6,384 levels of pen pressure, EMR tech
- Connections: Bluetooth 5.1, WiFi, USB-C 2.0
- OS: Android
Reasons to Buy:
- Specifically designed for drawing with a great stylus included
- Light and easy to use
- Good value
Reasons to Avoid:
- Lacks the other features and functions of an iPad
Buy it if:
- ✅ You Want the Best Drawing Experience: This tablet is designed specifically for outdoor art.
- ✅ You’re Looking for Value: This tablet offers impressive capabilities for an affordable price.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ Procreate is Essential to Your Workflow: The popular drawing app isn’t available for Android devices.
- ❌ You Need a High-Performance Tablet for Complex Tasks: This isn’t a great choice for 3D modeling or video editing.
The Bottom Line:
🔎 XPPen Magic Drawing Pad offers an excellent, affordable drawing experience for artists wanting a mobile creative tool. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:
Released in 2024, the Magic Drawing Pad is an Android tablet purpose-built for digital artists who want to draw on the go. It provides a valuable alternative to more expensive tablets like the iPad. While not perfect, it’s a compelling option for artists seeking an affordable, lightweight tablet designed specifically for digital art.
Design and Build:
The tablet features a solid metal chassis with a 3:2 display ratio, making it comfortable to hold and draw on. Weighing just 599g, it’s remarkably light, and its slim 6.9mm profile makes it easy to carry. The included flexible case offers basic protection and includes a stylus holder.
Display:
The 12.2-inch matte anti-glare screen is a standout feature. With a resolution of 2160 x 1440 and support for 109% sRGB, 82% Adobe RGB, the display is vibrant and color-accurate. The micro-textured surface provides a paper-like drawing experience that many artists will appreciate, with minimal glare even in bright outdoor conditions.
Performance:
Powered by an eight-core MT8771 processor and 8GB RAM, the Magic Drawing Pad handles Android drawing apps smoothly and responsively. The included X3 Pro Pencil offers 16,384 levels of pressure sensitivity, providing nuanced line work. While it may struggle with complex brush simulations, it performs excellently for sketching, inking, and basic painting.
Pricing:
Starting at $499.99, this is significantly cheaper than iPad and Samsung alternatives. The package includes the stylus, multiple nibs, and a protective case, offering good value for artists on a budget.
Test Results:
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Cheaper than an iPad | ★★★★ |
| Design | Portable and solid | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Excellent for drawing | ★★★★ |
6. The Best 2-In-1 Ipad Alternative
6.1 ASUS ProArt PZ13
The best 2-in-1 iPad alternative.
Specifications:
- Screen: 13.3in OLED touchscreen
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Weight: 850g
- Dimensions: 297.7 x 202.9 x 90mm
Reasons to Buy:
- Comprehensive creative software suite
- Exceptional battery life
- Includes keyboard, stylus, and sleeve
Reasons to Avoid:
- Limited graphics performance
Buy it if:
- ✅ You Want a Tablet/Laptop Hybrid for Less: With its included stylus and keyboard, this offers excellent value.
- ✅ Battery Life Is Your Top Priority: One reviewer got 20 hours and 12 minutes of life in tests.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You Require High-End Graphics Processing: This doesn’t have the most powerful specs on the list.
- ❌ You Need to Run Specialized Software: As an Android tablet, your choice of creative apps is limited.
The Bottom Line:
🔎 ASUS ProArt PZ13 offers a compelling 2-in-1 solution for mobile creators with impressive battery life and comprehensive accessories. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:
Launched in late 2024, the ProArt PZ13 is ASUS’s most compact creative professional tablet, targeting artists, photographers, and content creators needing portability and versatility.
Design and Build:
A sleek 2-in-1 device with a robust build, the PZ13 comes with a protective camo-green sleeve and keyboard. The tablet weighs just 850g, making it relatively lightweight for its capabilities. Its refined design combines portability with durability.
Display:
The 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen is a standout feature, offering 2880 x 1800 resolution with 100% P3 color gamut. PANTONE-validated and incredibly color-accurate, the display is exceptional for creative work, with 502 nits brightness and HDR support.
Performance:
Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor with a 45TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU), the PZ13 excels in efficiency. While not a powerhouse for 3D rendering, it’s excellent for photo editing, light graphic design, and video content creation. The most impressive feature is its extraordinary battery life, reaching over 20 hours in testing.
Pricing:
Retailing at $1,099, the ProArt PZ13 offers exceptional value. It includes a stylus, keyboard, stand, and protective sleeve, a significant advantage over competitors like iPad Pro.
Test Results:
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Excellent value | ★★★★ |
| Design | Refined and robust | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Great battery life | ★★★★ |
7. The Best Cheap Ipad Alternative
7.1 RedMagic Nova Gaming Tablet
The best cheap tablet.
Specifications:
- Screen: 10.9in 2.8K LCD
- Storage: 256GB/512GB
- Weight: 530g
- Dimensions: 253.3 x 164.6 x 7.3mm
Reasons to Buy:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Lightweight and portable
Reasons to Avoid:
- Limited productivity software
Buy it if:
- ✅ You Want a High-Performance Android Tablet: Reviewers were impressed with its capabilities.
- ✅ You Need a Budget-Friendly Creative Device: This is one of the most affordable iPad alternatives.
Don’t buy it if:
- ❌ You Require a Full Creative Ecosystem: An Apple or Windows tablet will run more software.
- ❌ You Want Dedicated Drawing Features: We’d recommend the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad instead.
The Bottom Line:
🔎 RedMagic Nova offers remarkable performance and value, making it an attractive alternative for budget-conscious creatives. ★★★★
What You Need to Know:
Looking to save cash? The RedMagic Nova Gaming Tablet offers an affordable solution for creatives seeking a powerful Android tablet. Primarily marketed as a gaming device, its specifications make it surprisingly suitable for creative tasks.
Design and Build:
The Nova impressed with its sleek 7.3mm thin metal construction. Weighing just 530g, it’s incredibly portable. A unique transparent back strip with RGB lights adds a distinctive flair, setting it apart from traditional tablets.
Display:
The 10.9-inch 2.8K resolution display with a 144Hz refresh rate provides crisp, smooth visuals. At 550 nits brightness, it offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it suitable for light creative work, photo editing, and media consumption.
Performance:
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 16GB RAM, the Nova delivers impressive performance. Its dedicated cooling system ensures sustained performance, making it capable of handling graphic design apps, light video editing, and multitasking.
Pricing:
Starting at $439 for the 12GB/256GB model and $559 for the 16GB/512GB version, the RedMagic Nova offers exceptional value compared to more expensive creative tablets.
Test Results:
| Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Value for money | ★★★★★ |
| Design | Distinctive flair | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Strong performer | ★★★★ |
8. How To Choose The Best Ipad Alternatives
When choosing the best iPad alternatives, first establish how you’re going to use it, as this will determine which features you need. If you’re just going to be using the tablet for light browsing and maybe some streaming, your needs will differ if you plan on using the tablet as your main work tool and need to run resource-intensive apps. Once that’s established, here are some criteria to consider.
- Screen size: The size of a tablet’s screen is expressed in inches, referring to the diagonal distance between two corners. So, a 14-inch tablet means a tablet with 14 inches between the top left and the bottom right of the screen. A larger screen gives you more space to work with, useful for creative work and great for watching movies. However, it also means the tablet is physically larger and heavier, impacting portability.
- Screen resolution: The higher the screen resolution, the more detail it can display, and the better your content will look.
- Screen brightness/color: A higher brightness level, expressed in nits, will make your screen easier to see in various conditions. Generally, 300 nits is acceptable, 400 nits is good, and anything above 500 is excellent. You may also see reference to a screen’s coverage of various color gamuts, such as sRGB, DCI P3, and Adobe RGB, etc. The higher the percentage of these spaces, the richer and more accurate colors a screen can display.
- Stylus compatibility: If you’re planning on drawing or doing other creative work on a tablet, having a compatible active stylus like the Apple Pencil is a must.
9. How We Test The Best Ipad Alternatives
At Creative Bloq, we regularly review tablets from different manufacturers. We spend a significant amount of time with any tablet we review and test it against benchmarks designed to assess how well it performs.
We run different productivity apps, creative programs, browsers, and games on the tablet (where possible) to see how well it can cope with such tasks. We look at screen quality, measuring brightness and refresh rate. We try out any compatible accessories available to us, such as styluses and stands, and we also look at the physical design of the tablet to assess whether it is convenient to use, easy to carry, and robustly constructed.
10. Faqs
10.1 What Are The Best Ipad Alternatives For Drawing?
iPads have gained popularity as drawing tablets for amateurs and professionals, but many are understandably put off by the cost, especially with the extra $100 or so for an Apple Pencil.
There are many tablets that can work as iPad alternatives for drawing. The key is to ensure you get one with an active stylus. This means a stylus that can communicate with the tablet electronically (rather than essentially being a pointed stick) and can offer vital artistic features like pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and tilt sensitivity.
If you can afford them, Microsoft’s Surface range and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab range are good places to start. We also like the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad since this was made specifically with drawing in mind. If you specifically want a device for drawing, see our guide to the best drawing tablets.
10.2 What Is A Good Ipad Alternative For Toddlers?
Kids love tablets, but you may not want to give them something as expensive and breakable as an iPad. There are many kid-friendly tablets that offer parental control settings and content restrictions. Amazon’s Fire Kids range is a great place to start, offering several tablets specifically designed for little ones.
10.3 Are Android Tablets A Good Alternative To Ipads?
Absolutely! While the Android interface still isn’t as smooth and well-integrated on tablets as Apple’s iOS, the Android ecosystem offers a level of choice and customizability that Apple simply can’t match.
11. Make The Right Choice With Compare.Edu.Vn
Choosing the right tablet can be daunting, but with the detailed comparisons available at COMPARE.EDU.VN, you can easily find the device that best fits your needs and budget. From the powerful Microsoft Surface Pro 11 to the budget-friendly RedMagic Nova Gaming Tablet, there’s an alternative for everyone.
Ready to make an informed decision? Visit COMPARE.EDU.VN today to explore detailed comparisons, user reviews, and expert insights. Don’t settle for less – find your perfect tablet match with us!
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