The best Windows tablets 2024: all of the top Windows tablets reviewed
Enjoy the best of what the Windows operating system and top-notch tablets can offer with the best Windows tablets. These portable devices allow you to reap the benefits of having a tablet, including portability and touchscreen functionality, while enjoying the functionalities that Windows can offer. And they’re capable enough to see you through most of your day-to-day computing. Some are even powerful enough to handle creative workloads.
The best Windows tablets offer a nice balance between portability and power. So whether you're looking for a more portable alternative to the best laptops – a tablet with a keyboard, perhaps – or something more robust that does more than stream Netflix, play Candy Crush, and connect with friends on social media, they are the best tablets to invest in.
A Windows tablet might be the right device for all your computing needs. Fortunately, we've tested our share of Windows tablets, from the budget models to the more premium ones, putting them through their paces. And we're here to help you find the best ones by gathering them all here. Here are the best Windows tablets right now.
The best Windows tablets 2024
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
The Surface Pro 8 is the best Surface in years, boasting a much-improved design and, of course, more powerful and faster internals. Microsoft also apparently put a lot of effort into re-engineering its internals, so it could configure the processor with a higher TDP than past versions of the tablet.
Granted, the higher price of entry is going to get in the way for some, being higher than its predecessor. However, you're going to get your money's worth as there are other things to love here as well – including its two Thunderbolt 4 ports, 2-in-1 design, and bigger screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
All that allows its to rise above its predecessor, and makes it one of the best Windows tablets for illustrators, graphic artists, other creative professionals, and coders. For professionals and students who can maximize its design and features, it’s well worth the money. This is the best Windows tablet overall.
Read our full Surface Pro 8 review
(Image credit: Microsoft)
The successor to the Surface Go 2 might not be as powerful as many had hoped it would be. However, for fans of the tablet line, the Surface Go 3 is still a capable and affordable prospect.
There are compromises made here, but it also has the best webcam at this price, which makes it great for keeping in touch with family and friends. Video calls are a huge part of all our lives these days to be sure, with a lot of people now working from home, and Microsoft has knocked it out of the park here. This is the one area that the Surface Go 3 truly excels at its price point.
Its performance might not be the most powerful Windows tablet in the world, but again, its price is more than appealing for most people. If you don’t need a whole lot of power anyway, it’s a terrific, money-saving choice.
Read our full Surface Go 3 review
(Image credit: Lenovo)
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet
A versatile Windows 10 tablet that moonlights as a powerful laptop
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Specifications
CPU:
Up to 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8650U
Graphics:
Intel UHD Graphics 620
Screen:
13-inch QHD+ 3k (3,000 x 2,000) IPS multi-touch
Storage:
Up to 1 TB PCIe SSD
Connectivity:
Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 8265 (2 x 2), Up to Bluetooth 4.1 with vPro
Camera:
8MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing
Weight:
1.69 pounds (890g), 2.79 pounds (1.27kg) with keyboard
Size:
11.96 x 8.88 x 0.59 inches with keyboard
View at WalmartView at WalmartCheck AmazonReasons to buy
+
Great design and build quality
+
ThinkPad Pen Pro included
+
Vivid 13-inch 3K touchscreen
Reasons to avoid
-
Battery life is still limiting
-
Bulkier than the Surface Pro
Touted by Lenovo as ‘an IT admin’s dream,’ the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet indeed offers many of the makings of such a device. That includes dual Thunderbolt ports for faster data transfers, Windows Hello login via fingerprint reader, and the optional IR camera for a more secure login and Microsoft AutoPilot readiness.
And, that’s without mentioning the SSD and battery that are field serviceable so that you can get a certified technician to come to you if you need parts replaced. But that’s not all; it’s also got a light and sleek chassis, and it comes with the ThinkPad Pen Pro, which means it’s great value all around.
On test, we found it to be a truly flexible tool for the mobile worker, powerful and fairly robust. Meanwhile, that 3K display is dazzlingly crisp and bright. The battery still struggles to last a full day of intense use, but it's improved over the previous generation.
Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet review
(Image credit: Microsoft)
4. Surface Pro 9 5G
An excellent work companion with day-beating battery life
Our expert review:
Specifications
CPU:
Microsoft SQ 3 CPU
Graphics:
Microsoft SQ® 3 Adreno™ 8CX Gen 3
Screen:
13-inch 2880 X 1920p 10-point multi-touch
Storage:
Up to 512GB SSD
Connectivity:
802.11ax compatible Bluetooth 5.1, NanoSim and eSim support
Camera:
10MP rear-facing, front-facing with 1080p video
Weight:
1.95 pounds (883g)
Size:
11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches
View at AmazonView at WalmartView at Best BuyReasons to buy
+
Excellent design
+
Big, responsive screen
+
Great battery life
Reasons to avoid
-
ARM introduces some system compatibility and stability issues
-
You'll pay extra for the keyboard and pen
The Surface Pro 9 5G moves Microsoft's Surface line in the right direction. During our testing, we found its bigger screen, nested and slim pencil, and day-beating battery life to tick off many things we want from a Windows tablet. Combine those with its well-performing system, and you've got a capable device that will see you through your day-to-day. On top of that, Windows 11 running on the ARM-based SQ3 is mostly good.
There are still hiccups, however, with ARM still seeing system compatibility and stability issues like weird screen glitches, the Edge browser constantly crashing, and the Adobe Creative Cloud bug preventing us to run Adobe Photoshop CC 2023. If you're looking for something for productivity or content creation, we'd go with the Intel-powered model, which we're in the process of reviewing.
If not, this latest addition to the Surface Pro line is pretty great. It's certainly among the best Windows laptops right now.
Read our full Surface Pro 9 5G review
(Image credit: Lenovo)
5. Lenovo Yoga Book C930
An older yet still excellent premium option
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
Specifications
CPU:
Intel Core i5-7Y54
Graphics:
Intel HD Graphics 615
RAM:
4GB
Screen:
10.8” QHD (2560 x 1600) IPS touchscreen – 10.8” FHD (1920 x 1080) Flexible E Ink Mobius touchscreen
Storage:
256 GB SSD
View at Lenovo USACheck AmazonReasons to buy
+
Very thin and light
+
Gorgeous main display
+
E Ink screen works well
Reasons to avoid
-
Very expensive
-
Low on RAM
The Lenovo Yoga Book C930 is a truly innovative 2-in-1 laptop, with a second E Ink display that moonlights as a keyboard, a pad for making notes and drawing, and a traditional E Ink reader for viewing documents. It's perhaps this second stunning screen that's the biggest selling point of the Lenovo Yoga Book C930.
However, it isn’t the only selling point. The fact that it's thin and light makes it an excellent tablet as well. During testing, it performed well for day-to-day tasks. We also found that Windows 10 works great on it on the whole. It also racked up a decent 7 hours and 58 minutes in our battery test
Just keep in mind, however, that this isn’t one of those workhorses for video editing. However, for less demanding creative tasks like sketching, it should work beautifully. If you're looking for a laptop that doubles as a tablet and a drawing pad, this innovative 2-in-1 laptop is an ace in our book.
Read our full Lenovo Yoga Book C930 review
The Windows tablet market is a little bare these days, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. They still offer an interesting niche that doesn't quite qualify a need for a fully-fledged laptop.
We've searched far and wide for the absolute best Windows tablets you can buy this year, ranging from flagships from Microsoft and Dell, down to budget options like the Surface Go 4, and high-end expensive experimental form factors like the HP Spectre Fold.
There's something for everyone in the Windows tablet space, so check out our roundup and let us help you make your choice!
Zac Bowden
Senior EditorZac is a senior editor for Windows Central with expertise in Windows PCs, including laptops, tablets, and desktops. He's the go to guy for information about the latest Windows features, as well as the latest hardware features.
The quick list
The best Windows tablets in 2024
Why you can trust Windows Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Below is my in-depth round up of the best Windows tablets on the market right now. Because of how rare pure Windows tablets are these days, some of the devices in this list might be a year or more older. That's okay, because they are all still sold by their respective OEMs and fully supported by the product maker and Windows!
Best Windows tablet
(Image credit: Windows Central)
The Surface Pro 9 5G is everything we've ever wanted out of a Windows 10 tablet. Rocking a custom-built Microsoft SQ3 ARM processor on the inside, this is a device that has 5G built-in and instantly wakes when you tap the power button, just like a tablet should. It has a huge 13-inch display with a screen resolution of 2880x1920 for crisp and clear image quality and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth animations and playback. It has super thin bezels along the sides and a slim 7.3mm chassis with a built-in kickstand.
Ports include two USB-C and one Surface Connect port for fast charging. It also has an upgradable SSD, so if you ever need to swap out your drive for a new one, you can do just that without having to break open the entire device to do so. Battery life is pretty good, with usage lasting around 7-8 hours on a single charge. Thanks to the ARM processor, it consumes little power when you put it to sleep. So it should get you through a day just fine.
You can get the Surface Pro 9 5G configured with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage out of the box. Like any other Surface Pro, it also has an optional pen and keyboard accessories, with support for wireless charging the pen inside the keyboard cover itself.
If you grab yourself a Surface Slim Pen 2, the Surface Pro 9 5G will support its unique haptic features too, so you'll be able to feel subtle bumps and scratches as you write on the screen. Pretty neat!
This is our pick for the best Windows tablet as it's the closest thing to a real tablet, something that we think can rival the iPad in form factor and functionality.
Best designed Windows tablet
(Image credit: Dell)
The latest Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is quite the departure from previous models, which used to be more like a convertible laptop with a keyboard and trackpad you couldn't detach. The new one is a fully fledged tablet, complete with a keyboard folio accessory that you can buy separately to turn it into a laptop if you wanted.
The best thing about the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is its design. It's an excellent looking tablet, with a crisp 3K 13-inch touchscreen display panel that also supports pen, and a high-quality metal chassis that's cold to the touch. The pen magnetically attaches to the side of the device when not in use, and there's also two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports.
It can be configured with either 8GB or 16GB RAM, and either 512GB or 1TB of SSD storage. For processors, you can get it with an Intel Core i5-1230U or Intel Core i7-1250U, which offer excellent performance in such a thin package. The only downside really is the battery life is only average.
The optional keyboard folio case is a nice addition, but we think the design of the Surface Pro keyboard is a bit better, as it allows for the keyboard to be slightly propped up which makes it easier to use on a lap. The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1's keyboard folio can only lay flat, which is fine when using it on a desk, but a little finicky when using it on a lap.
Best performance Windows tablet
Source: Windows Central
(Image credit: Future)
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Beautiful and incredibly versatile
Our expert review:
Specifications
Processor:
Up to Intel Core i7-1265U
RAM:
Up to 32GB LPDDR5
Storage:
Up to 1TB SSD
Graphics:
Intel Iris Xe
Display:
13-inch 2880x1920 IPS touchscreen
Ports:
2x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1x Surface Connect
View at BHPhotoView at Microsoft USCheck AmazonReasons to buy
+
CPU is substantially more powerful
+
Good battery life
+
Excellent build quality and design
+
Thunderbolt 4
Reasons to avoid
-
Quite expensive
-
No 5G option
-
Last-gen processors
Featuring an incredible 120Hz, 2880 x 1920 3:2 display, 12th Gen U-series Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, up to 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, you can't go wrong with the Surface Pro 9 for photo editing and more, which features the same great design as found on the Surface Pro 9 5G, but with more color choices and power under the hood.
This is the tablet for those who don't just browse social media and check email. It can be obscenely powerful if you configure it to be as such. Even on the entry-level model, you should be able to get by with medium to heavy multitasking, a few light edits in Photoshop, and home video editing at 1080p.
It's considerably more expensive than the Surface Go. Just like the Surface Go, it also doesn't come with the Type Cover bundled at that price. Considering the display's size, you're going to want to buy the Type Cover to take advantage of everything this tablet has to offer.
Battery life on the Surface Pro 9 can depend on the tasks you're doing. It should get you through a workday with ease, however, thanks to the 12th Gen Intel processors that are much more battery efficient in routine tasks. It also has two Thunderbolt 4 enabled USB-C ports, meaning you can charge either with Microsoft's proprietary Surface Connect port or through USB-C. It supports fast charging too!
The Surface Pro 9 features Intel's 12th Gen processors, paired with upgraded Iris Xe graphics for a huge boost in GPU performance. Get this if you need to do video editing or light rendering work while on the go.
You can grab the Surface Pro 9 in a variety of colors, including Platinum, Graphite, Sapphire, and Forest colorways.
Best compact Windows tablet
Source: Windows Central
(Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
4. Microsoft Surface Go 4
A small PC that does it all
Specifications
Processor:
Intel N200
RAM:
8GB LPDDR5 RAM
Storage:
Up to 256GB UFS
Display:
10.5-inch 1920x1280 IPS touchscreen
Ports:
1x USB-C, 1x Surface Connect, 1x microSD
Visit SiteReasons to buy
+
Small form factor
+
Beautiful touch display
+
Surface Pen is a joy
+
Type Cover support
+
Cheap compared to other Surface products
Reasons to avoid
-
Type Cover and pen not included
-
Battery life just OK
-
No Thunderbolt 3
The Surface Go 4 is the successor to 2022's Surface Go 3 and features a 10.5-inch high-quality display in the same magnesium chassis you know and love.
On the inside, it features an Intel N200 processor, paired with 8GB RAM, and it remains quiet while running. It has a great display for the price, and it has support for Surface Pen for all the handwriting and drawing you might want to do. If needed, you can choose a higher-end model with more storage if you need the extra room. There's also a microSD card expansion slot for additional storage when needed.
The best bit about the Surface Go 4 is that it's quite affordable compared to other Surface products on the market. Don't be fooled by its affordable price, though, as this is still one incredibly premium tablet. The price does start to climb if you're interested in the additional accessories for it. The Type Cover will set you back about a hundred bucks, as will the Surface Pen, so costs increase accordingly.
Battery life is okay. It'll get you through a working day, but don't expect any miracles. It gets about 6-7 hours at most, mostly because this isn't a Windows on ARM device, meaning it's using an Intel processor that isn't as battery efficient.
The biggest selling point of the Surface Go 4 is just how portable and light it is. It's a tiny machine, and it weighs almost nothing meaning you can throw it into a bag and not worry about it all day.
Best foldable Windows tablet
Source: HP
(Image credit: HP)
5. HP Spectre Fold
The best foldable tablet on the market
Specifications
Processor:
Intel Core i7-1250U
RAM:
16GB LPDDR5
Storage:
1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe
Graphics:
Intel Iris Xe
Display:
17-inch 1920x2560 OLED touchscreen
Ports:
2x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4
$550 at HP StoreReasons to buy
+
Gorgeous 17-inch foldable screen
+
Keyboard and trackpad accessory included
+
Windows Hello built in
Reasons to avoid
-
Lat-gen processor
-
Incredibly expensive
We're now in an era where Windows tablets can be found in not just traditional slab forrm factors, but also newer and more complex foldable form factors too. The HP Spectre Fold is HP's first foldable, and they've knocked it out of the park with arguably the best Windows foldable hardware on the market currently.
The HP Spectre Fold features a last-gen Intel 12th-Gen processor, paired with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage. It's rocking a 17-innch 2.5K touchscreen, which looks absolutely glorious, thanks in-part to the OLED technology being used here which provides inky deep blacks and excellent contrast.
The device also comes with the keyboard and trackpad accessory, which isn't something you often hear when talking about Windows tablets. With that said, for the price you pay for the HP Spectre Fold, it's no surprise that the keyboard and trackpad are included. This thing will set you back an eyewatering $5,000!
How we test the best Windows tablets
There are many different tablets with Windows out there, but choosing what's best for you can be difficult. We think the Surface Pro 9 5G is the best all-around Windows tablet you can buy right now, featuring the same instant-on and 5G capabilities found in devices like the iPad while still being versatile and productive enough to get work done.
Of course, the Surface Pro 9 5G isn't for everybody, which we why we also recommend the Surface Pro 9 (non-5G) for those who need more power. And if you're looking for something small that doesn't break the budget, the Surface Go 4 is for you. If none of these appeals to you, be sure to check out our picks for best Windows 11 PCs on the market right now too!
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