Tired of struggling with a bulkier laptop when traveling on a plane, train, or coach? A business tablet is a valuable, liberating tool and a must-have for any digital nomad office setup.
Pioneering the tablet as we know it today, the answer to the best tablet has long been the iPad. Depending on who you ask, no other tablet exists. But does Apple still hold the keys to the tablet kingdom?
In this article, we’ll examine what to look for in a business tablet and cover the top tablet picks for remote workers. We’ll discuss the best from Apple, Samsung, and Amazon before diving into the best value tablets.
Best Tablets for Remote Workers: Our Top Picks
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9
Best for Apple Users
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The latest iteration of the iPad Pro is without a doubt the overall best tablet for working remotely. With plenty of power and a plethora of features - the tablet can be used either as a handy business accessory or a standalone piece of productivity tech.
The Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard are both compatible with the tablet and, although the price can creep up (especially when speccing up the tablet), it’s the best tablet on the market for most digital nomads.
The exception lies in those with specific software requirements. For example, engineers who require Windows-only software packages are unlikely to benefit from the iPad Pro.
2. Amazon Fire Max 11
Best Tablet for Entertainment and Light Work
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A real work-from-anywhere tablet, the Amazon Fire 11 is our pick for the best tablet from the online giant.
The Fire 11 makes no secret of being less powerful than its tech-focused competitors, but at a much lower price point, it’s tailored to a different type of user. If you’re looking for a tablet for light work, entertainment (Netflix, streaming), and games on the go - this is it.
Additional features include a lengthy 14-hour battery life, strengthened glass, and a range of available accessories including keyboard cases, stylus pens, and screen protectors.
3. Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra
Best for Big-Screen Multitasking
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra is our pick for the best portable tablet for business from the South Korean tech behemoth.
At 14.6” and with a resolution of 2960 x 1848 at 239 PPI, the display is a huge selling point of the S9 Ultra. It’s the biggest of our tablet featured - great if you prefer to have virtual space as you work.
One major downside is the lack of cellular connectivity options - a pain if you’re hoping to use the tablet on the go. It’s not the end of the world - especially with a wide range of Wi-Fi options for remote work - but it’s a shame to not have the option available from new.
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Best Tablet-Laptop Hybrid
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The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a fantastic tablet for digital nomads and our top pick from the much-loved Microsoft brand.
The Surface Pro 9 blurs the gap between tablet and laptop - it offers the best of both worlds and is a fantastic solution for digital nomads. There’s an ultra crispy 13” display with a 2880 x 1920 resolution at 267 PPI. A powerful choice of either 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1235U or i7-1255U processor and up to 1 TB of internal storage.
The Wi-Fi model offers a huge battery life of up to 15.5 hours whilst the pricier cellular version boasts a battery life of up to 19 hours. It’s perfect for those long travel days and intense work schedules.
5. Apple iPad
Best Value iPad for Most Users
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It should come as no surprise that the original Apple iPad still wears its crown and offers the best tablet for remote work on a budget.
At a fraction of the cost of the iPad Pro, nomads will get a highly capable tablet with almost all of the bells and whistles. The display is a stunning 10.9” screen with a resolution of 2360x1640 at 264 PPI, 500 nits - one of the best on the market.
You’ll get all of the benefits of iPadOS - the ability to run multiple apps at once, use the Apple pencil to draw and take notes, and a well-oiled user interface that’s super intuitive. It’s everything great about Apple crammed into less than 11”.
Other remote work gear you may also be interested in:
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What Should You Look For in a Business Tablet for Remote Work?
Display
The display of a business tablet is one of the most important factors to consider before purchasing.
Different brands and models will provide options in size, resolution, support for styluses, etc. We have included a range of different display options, starting at the top level and moving down to more affordable business tablets.
Keyboard & Accessories
Standalone tablets are a thing of the past and although the large onscreen keyboard may be of plenty of use for some, an external keyboard may be best for others.
As a content writer, I use my portable keyboard more than anyone I know. If I switched to a business tablet for a portion of my working day, I would absolutely invest in an external tablet keyboard to boost the typing experience.
Operating System
The operating system can be a deal maker or a deal breaker for digital nomads searching for a business tablet for remote work.
Ultimately, possible operating systems boil down to what apps/software you use daily. If, for example, you’re a remote engineer who requires specific, Windows-only software, your tablet choices are limited to Windows devices.
Battery Life
Working remotely comes with a unique set of challenges - one of which is the battery life of our devices.
The claimed battery life is the first thing we look for on any spec sheet, and for good reason. It’s hard work constantly juggling a charger between your laptop, tablet, and phone. If you’re working from a cafe or new coworking space, finding a suitable outlet can be a nightmare.
Sure, portable power banks are a great way to recharge in times of necessity - but they absolutely shouldn’t be the first port of call. Look for devices with all-day power to put any worries to bed.
Cellular Connectivity (for working without Wi-Fi)
Cellular connectivity can usually be selected as an option, if not included as standard, for many quality business tablets.
This is a great option for real remote working - the kind where you’re away from public Wi-Fi. A train, city park, or beach lounger - where you choose to work from should never be a problem. With cellular connectivity, it never will be.
Storage Capacity
The amount of storage capacity required by digital nomads is very much down to the unique needs of each user.
Where one remote worker may use a handful of simple programs, another may quickly use up their device memory on files, pictures, and applications. Chances are that you’ll immediately know which camp you’ll be in here. If not, always opt for a slightly larger capacity than you think you’ll need - memory can fill up quickly!
Budget
Since the release of the original iPad (back in 2010), the entry-level cost for quality tablets has dropped dramatically with the technology developments.
We’ve included a range of price points in our list of business tablets, catering to different nomads’ budgets and requirements.
Hybrid tablets
Hybrid devices blur the lines between tablets and laptops. This creates the best of both worlds and an optimal solution for many digital nomads.
These devices are often provided with detachable keyboards and styluses, removing barriers and providing additional functionality to the user.
Ready to Add a Business Tablet to Your Portable Office While Traveling?
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We'll see you there, Freaking Nomads!
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