Tablets are everywhere these days, and for good reason. They are lighter and easier to transport than laptops; many would argue they are easier to use as well.
More and more young professionals are opting for a tablet for daily use. Carrying around a personal laptop in addition to a work laptop can be burdensome; throwing a laptop in your work bag hardly adds much weight and allows young professionals to have a personal device with them at all times.
Tablets also are starting to replace laptops. They are becoming just as powerful as laptops.
I’ve been keeping tabs on the tablet market for the past couple years. Tablets have always been great as entertainment devices but recently have become practical for young professionals who would otherwise have to lug around their personal laptop.
Here are my picks for the best tablets for young professionals.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Cost: $899 (128 GB, Intel Core i5)
Operating System: Windows 8.1 Pro
If price wasn’t a factor, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is hands-down the best tablet for young professionals. The slogan for the Surface Pro 3 is “the tablet that can replace your laptop,” and I have to agree. It goes above and beyond the typical functionality of tablets and is perfect for users who want (or need) to get work done.
With a 12″ screen and a multi-position kickstand, the Surface Pro 3 is ideal for both entertainment and productivity. Utilizing the Windows 8.1 Pro operating system, the Surface Pro 3 runs both apps as well as the full Microsoft Office suite. My favorite features, though, are the USB 3.0 port and touch-screen functionality.
While the Surface Pro 3 sells at a higher price point than other tablets, it also comes in a variety of models and price points. At the low end you have the Intel Core i3 processor with 64 GB for $699 and at the high end the Intel Core i7 processor with 512 GB for $1,716.
You can check out the Surface Pro 3 at Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S
Cost: $449.99
Operating System: Android 4.4 Kit Kat
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S is another great tablet for young professionals, especially those who are looking for a high-performance Android tablet.
The Tab S boasts a 10.5 inch screen and 16GB of storage. If you want additional storage you can utilize the microSD port to gain up to an additional 128GB.
Despite the relatively large screen, the tablet is only 0.26 inches and weighs just one pound. With an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2.1MP front camera, this tablet is up to par from a camera standpoint with comparable tablets.
Weighing in at just 12 ounces this tablet is not only one of the lightest tablets you’ll find but is also lighter than the Fire HDX 8.9 and the iPad Air 2. This tablet is packed with useful features such as fingerprint security, multiple user accounts, and even a “kids mode.” It also allows the use of two apps side-by-side, which is also a feature of the Surface Pro 3.
You can check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S at Amazon.
Fire HDX 8.9
Cost: $379 (16GB)
Operating System: Fire OS 4 Sangria
The Fire HDX 8.9 tablet is a great option for young professionals that are looking for an affordable tablet that still can perform at a relatively high level. While it may not boast the storage and screen size of a Surface Pro 3, it does boast an 8.9 inch screen and various storage options (16, 32, and 64GB).
Weighing in at just 13.2 ounces the Fire HDX 8.9 is the lightest option of the four tablets featured in this post. Similar to the Samsung Tab S, the Fire HDX 8.9 has an 8MP rear-facing camera as well as a front-facing camera.
Other unique features of the Fire HDX 8.9 is the on-demand help and optional 4G connectivity. The 8.9 inch, 2560 x 1600 display also boasts over 4 million pixels. Don’t forget about another great perk of this tablet: free, unlimited cloud storage for all Amazon content and photos. Finally it’s worth noting that this is the most affordable of the top-tier tablets.
You can check out the Fire HDX 8.9 and other Amazon Fire tablets at Amazon.
Apple iPad Air 2
Cost: $599.99 (64GB)
Operating System: Apple iOS 8
If you’re a young professional and love Apple products the Apple iPad Air 2 is a no-brainer.
Boasting a 9.7 inch screen, 2048 x 1536 display, and an 8MP iSight camera as well as a front-facing FaceTime HD camera, the iPad Air 2 is a perfect complement to an iPhone.
Living up to it’s name, the iPad Air 2 weighs just under a pound. It also is compatible with wireless carriers for those who need a device that is always connected.
Additionally there are various storage sizes and price points. The 16GB version costs $499, the 64GB $599, and the 128GB $699. While the iPad Air 2 isn’t the cheapest tablet around, it does offer the Apple operating system that people have come to know and love.
You can check out the iPad Air 2 at Best Buy.
What is your favorite tablet? Are there any tablets I didn’t mention that you would recommend for young professionals?
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Photo by frankieleon
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Nice roundup of tablets! Definitely a lighter and less expensive alternative to carrying around a laptop, and just as easy to use if a keyboard is involved.
I’m an Apple fan myself, so I’d have to say that the iPad is my favorite, but I’ve heard great things about the others you’ve mentioned as well.
I love tablets! I have a Surface Pro that I got for a steal on Black Friday 2013 for only $179 with a keyboard and Microsoft Office already installed. The surface is my favorite because it’s just like a laptop but better. I really want the Surface Pro 3 but I’m going to have to wait until the price goes down.
Tablets are great! I personally own an iPad, but I find myself wanting a Galaxy Tab now and then. I think it’s because I’ve been told that the battery life is so much better. But I’m going to stick with apple for now since their apps are better optimized for larger screens. Unfortunately android still needs a lot of catching up to do in that department.
Christina@EmbracingSimple Thanks! I agree that tablets are a great alternative to laptops. It’s crazy how similar the two are becoming and I’m loving the trend towards lighter hardware.
I’m not a huge Apple fan so it really opens up the options for me. I think the iPad is great but I’ve become so unfamiliar with the OS for Apple products that I can’t help but rule it out for me personally.
Chonce Oh wow $179 is extremely cheap! The keyboard alone on the Surface Pro 3 is close to that price. The Surface is my favorite as well and I can’t wait to see what they come out with for the Surface Pro 4.
Anum In certain situations battery life is extremely important. When I flew to Hawaii in January I would have given anything to have a longer battery life on my laptop. If I flew more often I would definitely invest in a tablet.
Everyone bags on microsoft, but I have been seriously eyeing the surface for a few years now. It seem very versatile, and I haven’t taken the time to adjust to apple.
DC @ Young Adult Money It really was a great price. I wouldn’t recommend standing out in the cold for an hour for it like I did though. Best Buy tends to have some pretty good sales on the Surface around the holidays and there’s always some good online deals.
We are an apple household so we have iPads but I love the concept of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3. I am just scared to buy anything Microsoft since it would just give us compatibility issues with the rest of the technology in our home.
I have an iPad and I love it! Tablets are so convenient and I couldn’t do without mine. Okay, I’m sure I could but I’m grateful that I don’t need to. :) Have a great weekend, DC!
Chonce DC @ Young Adult Money Yeah I actually went to Best Buy on Black Friday but didn’t wait outside. I suppose if you want a REALLY good deal like the Surface deal you got the only way to get it is to wait in the cold. I will probably hold off until I see what the Surface Pro 4 has to offer and if it’s not that different I will just wait for the 3 to go on sale.
Mark@BareBudgetGuy I used to have iPods a few years back and used it regularly. I never got a Macbook, though, and haven’t had an Apple product for years. I don’t plan on going back anytime soon.
I agree the Surface is an incredible product. I just hope they keep improving. They could easily dominate the tablet market if they continue the way they have.
blonde_finance I think that’s how many people feel. It’s a big reason I wouldn’t even consider buying an Apple product. I’m all Windows and my phones have been Android for years now, so I have no motivation to change.
ShannonRyan Great to hear Shannon! The nice thing about tablets is there are so many options out there. I almost feel bad for people who use Apple, though, because you don’t have any other options besides the iPad. But like you said, you love your iPad so it sounds like it worked out pretty well!