We haven't seen any recent tablets that use processors from AMD.
They include the Microsoft Surface Pro X, a tablet with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
There are a few Windows tablets that don't use Intel chips, but they're rare. Tablets equipped with these processors are priced more like laptops (usually above $1,000), but you get performance to match the increased cost.
While these CPUs draw more power and require more cooling hardware, they offer a much higher level of capability, letting you get real work done. They lack the processing oomph you might want for applications like Photoshop, but they are ideal if you want to check Facebook and Twitter, then kick back with some YouTube videos or an episode of a Netflix show.Īt the other end of the tablet-CPU spectrum are Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors that are also used to power full-fledged laptops. They don't require built-in cooling fans, and they offer usable performance that lasts for several hours on a single charge, or even a day or two of light use without visiting a power outlet. These are sometimes designated with a "Y" somewhere in the chip's model name, and they're best suited for inexpensive tablets. These are two necessary attributes for tablets, since they house nearly all of their components behind the screen, which itself generates heat. Intel's Celeron and Pentium processors include several chips built for low power usage and passive cooling. With Windows tablets running the gamut from low-power entertainment devices to potent tools for productivity, how do you know which one to buy if you plan to use your device for both types of tasks? As with conventional laptops, a lot comes down to the processor. Windows Tablet Processors: Parsing Low-Power CPUs Dell and Lenovo have dabbled in these, in their Latitude and ThinkPad lines, respectively, and Microsoft's Surface Pros also qualify in this space. The best example of these is the iconic Microsoft Surface Pro.įinally, there are premium and business systems, designed as productivity tools rather than media consumption devices. These give you a better way to take notes in class or type up an email or a term paper, and generally provide a well-rounded Windows experience. Then there are larger 12-inch and 13-inch models designed to work in tandem with an included or optional stylus and docking keyboard. In other words, these aren't the full-powered Windows devices that you might long for after seeing Westworld or another Hollywood fantasy. Because these budget-friendly devices usually rely on low-power processors and minimal storage, you're better off getting one as a second or third device to serve alongside your laptop or smartphone.
As you begin shopping, you'll note that they fall into a few different categories.įirst are the inexpensive models with 10-inch screens, designed to let you browse the Web and enjoy streaming a movie from Netflix or Amazon Prime. Of course, just like the iPad line, with its range of sizes, computing power, and prices, there's no single Windows tablet that fits everyone's needs. How Big Should Your Windows Tablet's Screen Be? How big and powerful do you want (or need) it to be? What sort of features are you looking for? And do you care about using it on the road, or will you only need it while you're near a Wi-Fi connection? We'll help you answer all these questions and more, and tell you which of the Windows tablets on the market are our favorites. Just as with any system, however, a Windows tablet requires you to make choices. (The first Windows 11-based tablets, in Microsoft's latest Surface line, were just hitting the market at the time of this update.)
Think of it as an Apple iPad combined with the power and flexibility of the Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating system. But thanks to manufacturers' ability to fit more powerful hardware into ever slimmer and lighter devices, it's now possible to hold in your hand a Windows-based tablet that can do almost everything your laptop does-and, in most cases, is even more portable. A tablet that's as powerful as a conventional laptop but still slim and light enough to hold and tap with one hand was once the exclusive province of Hollywood's imagination.