7 Best Tablets For Medical School in 2023 [Expert Choices]

Are you a devout medical student who prefers a tablet for researching over the distressing barrage of books? Or, do you simply want to keep a computing device handy in your final sprint to being a doctor, so as to refresh your hold of human anatomy? Irrespective of what you seek in an electronic device, having a relevant tablet can help you during your medical studies.

But then, usual tablets won’t cut it if you seek something good enough to see you through the grueling medical coursework. You should seek a lightweight tablet that boasts exceptional display, multi-mode operability, stylus support, powerful hardware setup, long battery life, and enviably fast wireless connectivity, considering your willingness to head online for journals.

The path to identifying an ideal tablet for medical school needs is laden with several pain points, including questionable sunlight visibility, subpar battery, lesser RAM, middling storage, dated Wi-Fi standard, restricted provisions for accommodating an external keyboard.

I’ve prepared this list, keeping diverse requirements in mind and steering clear of every pain point a medical student might encounter.

7 Best Tablets For Medical School in 2023

You might never know that the tablet that would help you sail through the rigors of medical school might be at an arm’s length. But then, how to find the one that suits you the best, especially in a market that is increasing with hundreds of tablets.

I shall make it easier for you by enlisting 7 of the best tablets for med school. But then, you must know that these selections aren’t random, and each tablet has made it to the list after being tested extensively for power, performance, and pocket-friendliness— the last point might not hold for the first few premium variants.

1. Best Overall: Apple iPad Air

As a medical school student interested in pursuing radiology and anesthetics, you cannot go wrong with the Apple iPad Air. This iPad trumps the older, 3^rd Gen variant with a slightly advanced processor, better camera, and a bigger yet brighter screen. However, if you aren’t willing to pay such a hefty amount, the 64GB variant is also good enough to be purchased.

I feel that this iPad is an excellent choice for final year students who have already made up their mind about pursuing a specific specialization and would prefer a tablet with class-leading hardware and stylus support to manage relevant illustrations, demanding references, etc.

Display

The 2020-launched iPad Air features a standard, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina screen, fortified with an overall resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels. What works well for the student in you is the 81 percent screen-to-chassis ratio, leading to better visuals and an unhindered viewing experience.

The stylus compatibility is worth investing in, provided you are ready to invest in the 2^nd Gen Apple Pencil. Also, if you are into learning from detailed journals and videos, the true-tone display is one of the better features to work with.

Hardware & Performance

Apple houses the A14 Bionic chipset, boasting 6 cores and a maximum single-core clock speed of up to 3GHz. The 5nm architecture of the concerned processor is ably assisted by the quad-core GPU, 4GB RAM, and 256GB of storage space.

Starting from storing multiple files, videos, images, and other resources to running relevant academia-specific applications, the iPad Air 2020 can handle almost every task you throw at it with absolute precision. Also, Apple steers clear of an upgradable storage slot.

Design & Build

Inclusion of the premium-grade, metal-clad chassis is a head-turner. However, Apple takes great care of the aesthetics by keeping the weight restricted to 1.01 pounds and dimensions fixed at 9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 inches. 

Other structural features include a top-mounted fingerprint scanner for added security, a 12MP front shooter for keeping images handy, and a 7MP front shooter for attending online lectures.

Connectivity & Other Features

The iPad Air comes loaded with a wide range of connectivity-specific features, including a Type-C port, Wi-Fi 6 standard for fast internet connections, and BT 5.0. Also, if you do not have a magnetic earphone with you, the stereo speakers can be pretty handy for letting you enjoy videos and relevant content with clarity.

Battery & Conclusion

Apple makes room for a 7606mAh battery unit that can offer 10 hours of standard battery backup. Plus, if you are in the market for an all-inclusive tablet that has the best response to a stylus, the Apple iPad Air 2020 is the one to put your money on.

As compared to other products on the list, this tablet comes equipped with a well-rounded specs sheet, and more importantly, a brilliant processing setup to manage several herculean tasks without a snag.

2. Best Runner Up: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

As a medical school student looking to ditch all the books for a combined resource, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is worth the effort. While the iPad Air is still one of the better options, Samsung lets you explore the familiar perks of the Android ecosystem.

This tablet is an excellent bet if you aspire to be a hospital doctor or even a general physician, as it has adequate storage space and processing firepower to manage multiple tasks. Compared to the Tab S6, this tablet showcases a bigger screen, making life easier for med-school students.

Display

Illustrative eBooks and journals look exceptionally good when viewing over the 11-inch screen. While the tablet persists with a TFT panel, which Samsung never ceases to include on mid-range tablets, the visual experience is still top-notch. What works is the resolution of 2560x 1600 pixels followed by edge-to-edge paneling and 120Hz refresh rate.

Hardware & Performance

The Galaxy Tab S7 fits in the Snapdragon 865 processor, best known for handling almost every game, task, and application that you could imagine. The 3.1GHz clock speed is complemented by the Adreno 650 as the graphics ally and 6GB of integrated RAM.

As prospective doctors prefer reading and researching a lot, the existing RAM allotment would help further their profoundness. The 128GB storage space is adequate enough for most files, images, and documents. Still, you can upgrade the same by an additional 1TB, if needed.

Design & Build

The Galaxy Tab S7, indeed, is one of the better-looking tablets on the list. While it’s still quite portable at 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches, the standard weight of 1.10 pounds makes it good enough for traveling. Also, if you prefer carrying the tablet along to lectures, the aluminum-clad chassis seems like a good bet, considering the durability quotient.

Connectivity & Other Features

As a mid-range tablet, the Galaxy Tab S7 comes with a vast array of standards and ports, including the Type-C 3.2 slot, magnetic connector, and Wi-Fi 6 support. The 3.5mm jack is given a miss, much like the iPad.

In addition to these specs, Samsung also incorporates a pretty interactive UI with Android 10 leading the way, a dual rear camera setup for occasional photography, an exceptional front camera, a quad-speaker setup, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for added security.

Battery & Conclusion

The massive battery lasts close to 15 hours and can be refilled in a heartbeat with fast charging support. This trait, along with the ones mentioned previously, qualifies the Samsung Tab S7 as one of the best Android tablets for medical school students. Also, compared to other products on the list, the bundled, responsive stylus sets it apart.

3. Best Windows Tablet: Microsoft Surface Go 2

If you prefer a Windows-powered machine by your side during med-school lectures and tutoring, it is best to invest in the Microsoft Surface Go 2. As a Windows-based tablet, it entertains the proclivities of a standard laptop user.

Plus, if you have already been using the older version, the Go 2 seems like a fitting upgrade, especially for the prospective surgeons, courtesy of a faster wireless standard. Seemingly, students who prefer surgeries over general medicine need to follow up practical learning with illustrative insights, acquiring which is a lot faster with Wi-Fi 6 on-board.

Display

The 10.5-inch screen is good enough for most students. Plus, the full HD screen strengthens the visual presence immensely. Not to mention the protective Gorilla Glass panel that immunizes the screen against drops.

Hardware & Performance

The Intel-powered chipset is meant for low-end, portable laptops. However, the Intel Pentium 4425Y works just fine, coupled with the UHD 615 GPU. Assisting the processor through multi-tab browsing and endless stretches of research is 8GB RAM.

Storage-wise, the Go 2 is quite generous, with a 128GB of SSD module soldered into the circuitry. However, you can upgrade the storage by 512GB via the microSD slot.

Design & Build

Made out of magnesium, the Surface Go 2 is as light as it is durable. The 1.2-pound form factor measures 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches, which is still entirely appropriate considering your school-specific needs!

Connectivity & Other Features

Microsoft recommends using a Type-Cover keyboard with the same to make use of the several ports on offer. Still, the tablet gets you a Type-C port followed by the 3.5mm jack, Surface Connect Port, and the Wi-Fi 6 support.

The Windows 10 S OS is power-efficient and complements the processor. Plus, this tablet offers access to a resourceful 5MP front camera unit followed by powerful speakers for video conferencing on Zoom, Skype, etc.

Battery & Conclusion

The 10-hour battery backup is appropriate considering the reputation. Also, this is one of the most secured Windows tablets to have in your repertoire as it trumps literally every product on this list when multi-mode operability is concerned.

4. Best Display Quality: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

Mid-range tablets are hard to come by, especially if you are a medical student looking for them. But then, you need not search any further as the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus comes forth as one of the better bets for aspiring doctors, radiologists, and clinical therapists, owing to its ability to offer the best resource-consuming experience, both visually and acoustically.

Also, if you have been using the Tab M10 Plus, you would love the bigger and brighter 2K screen offered by the Tab P11 Plus. Not just that, the company has improved this new version in several departments.

Display

Lenovo features an 11-inch 2K screen, which is bright enough and exhibits an overall resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. Plus, the TDDI visual technology ensures that the screen is bright and can be viewed across diverse angles.

Hardware & Performance

The Helio G90T leads the charge as the existing processor. The SoC can handle literally any task you throw at it and is precisely beneficial for reading explanatory journals at length. Not to mention the Mali G76 GPU and 4GB RAM that further the visuals and multitasking capabilities of the same.

The reviewed variant comes with 128GB of storage space. You can expand the same by an additional 1TB if needed.

Design & Build

This tablet strikes the perfect balance between plastic and metallic undertones, best led by the metallic rear. The dimensions read 10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 inches, whereas the weight is fixed at 1.08 lbs. These traits make it one of the more accessible tablets to carry for med-school students.

Connectivity & Other Features

Lenovo addresses connectivity with a Type-C port and the 3.5mm audio jack. Corresponding to the same is the dual-band wireless support and Bluetooth 5.0.

If you want to click images on the tablet for future reference, the new 13MP rear snapper and a 5MP front snapper are reliable inclusions. Plus, you get access to Face Unlocking feature and powerful quad speakers that might make you ditch the headphone once and for all. Finally, the Android 11 skin is quite interactive and adds to the screen responsiveness.

Battery & Conclusion

The P11 Plus brings in a 7700mAh battery unit, capable of lasting for up to 15 hours. Regardless of the diverse bells and whistles, the tablet is best known for its 2K display, improved processor, quad speakers, and top-shelf acoustic arrangement, something that separates it from other tablets under the $300 price tag.

5. Best Under $200: Vastking Kingpad M10

Medical students who prefer cellular connectivity can invest in the Vastking Kingpad M10. While it is still a good enough tablet even without considering the LTE connectivity, its 2K display, efficient processor, support for an external keyboard, and metal unibody design make it a suitable tablet for aspiring cardiologists or neurologists.

Also, as compared to the similarly priced Kingpad K10 Pro, this tablet packs in a better display, bigger storage unit, an upgraded processor, and SIM support, thereby allowing you to make calls or access the internet with considerable ease.

Display

The 10.3-inch full HD screen is sharp and color accurate. The high-resolution 2K screen is responsive and ensures that using the stylus feels like putting pen to paper. Plus, the narrow bezels help increase the reading surface quite significantly.

Hardware & Performance

The Kingpad M10 is built to perform, courtesy of the Octa-Core T618 processor. The mid-range processor gets the ARM Mali G52 GPU and 4GB RAM support. Following this up is the 128GB storage space that one can expand by 2TB via the microSD slot.

Design & Build

Despite being primarily made of plastic, the Kingpad M10 offers a metal unibody and is highly durable than some of the other sub $200 tablets. The tablet, however, weighs close to a pound. The dimensions read 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches, which is in line with some of the other premium products on the list.

Connectivity & Other Features

You also get a Type-C port followed by the standard Bluetooth and wireless support. There are two powerful speakers in play followed by an extraordinarily functional camera setup, comprising an 8MP front and a 13MP rear shooter for shooting videos and clicking pictures.

Battery & Conclusion

Overall, the Kingpad M10 is one of the better Android tablets to purchase for under $200. It offers a 12-hour long battery and a decent specs sheet to rely on. Apart from the 2K display, it is the 4G LTE connectivity that makes it a better buy than others in its price range.

6. Best for MS1 Students: Samsung Tab S6 Lite

Believe it when I say that the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite offers the best value if you’re more inclined towards Samsung-made tablets. I would recommend this for the first-year medical school students, who are more reliant on learning the basics of anatomy. The bundled S-Pen would come in handy in this regard.

Display

The 10.4-inch display exhibits 2000 x 1200 pixels as the cumulative resolution. Plus, the TFT panel seems commonplace on Samsung tablets. The 5:3 aspect ratio seems like a handy bet for reading comics, subject books, even on the move.

Hardware & Performance

The Exynos 9611 is as resilient as it is powerful. With a significant clock speed of up to 2.3GHz, it can easily handle longish stretches of work and research with relative ease. Plus, there is 4GB RAM to assist with 128GB of storage for keeping files, books, and documents intact. Also, if you ever run short of space, upgrading the same to up to 1TB is an option.

Design & Build

The Tab S6 Lite is strictly aluminum and measures 9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 inches. This makes it slimmer as compared to the likes of Surface Go 2. Plus, this tablet weighs 1.03 pounds, which is quite manageable by a med-school student. Not to mention the S-pen bundled with the product for a change.

Connectivity & Other Features

Samsung lets you enjoy the perks of a full-fledged tablet with the Type-C port and dual-band wireless support on offer. Plus, this is one of the few tablets on the list to showcase a 3.5m audio jack. Other fruitful inclusions range from an 8MP rear shooter and 5MP front shooter to AKG-tuned stereo speakers.

Plus, this tablet runs Android 10 right out of the box, making it one of the more interactive products to look for.

Battery & Conclusion

The existing battery lasts for up to 12 hours. Plus, the 15W fast charging support is helpful to a medical student. Overall, if you aspire to be a doctor but find books way too overwhelming, the Tab S6 Lite is one of the more resourceful tablets to buy for under $400. Also, when compared to other products, it is the bundled S-pen that makes it more credible.

7. Best With Chrome OS: Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Chrome OS-powered tablets can be quite a handful if you are more into online resource viewing. This is why the slim, durable, and flexible Lenovo Chromebook Duet makes it to the list as one of the more dependable 2-in-1 tablets for med-school students and every aspiring doctor there is.

I even compared this variant with the predecessor, only to find that the new Chromebook Duet comes equipped with additional, in-device storage space, which is a rarity on Chrome-powered tablets.

Display

When it comes to the display, you get a standard 10.1-inch screen to work with. While the display is vivid enough, courtesy of the 1920 x 1200 pixels, I wasn’t pleased about the sunlight visibility, even at the maximum brightness level.

Hardware & Performance

The Helio P60T might be a tad slower than the Helio G90T but is still a good enough chipset to have on a Chrome tablet. Plus, the performances are duly supported by 4GB RAM. You get 128GB of eMMC storage space, which is quite adequate for sheltering offline resources and the Chrome operating system, in general.

Design & Build

When it comes to the build quality, the Chromebook Duet is all plastic and weighs a mere 1 pound. As far as the dimensions are concerned, this slim tablet measures 9.44 x 6.29 x 0.29 inches, making it one of the more portable ones on the list.

Connectivity & Other Features

Lenovo accommodates the Type-C port, port for pairing the detachable keyboard, and a 3.5mm jack. You also get dual-band wireless support followed by one 8MP rear shooter and a standard 2MP front camera unit.

Battery & Conclusion

The 8-hour battery backup, as exhibited by the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, is more than adequate for moderate usage. Overall, if you seek a device with multi-mode functionality, this is the perfect tablet to consider, which is also way faster than some of the other products on the list, owing to the Bloatware-free OS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Verdict

As a medical school student, you can pick any tablet from the aforementioned list, depending on your targeted preferences and budget. However, I have enlisted some exclusive tablets as per specific use cases to simplify tablet selection.

• Grab the Apple iPad Air with 256GB storage space if you want a tablet that covers all the bases.
• It is advisable to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 if you are seeking a hardware setup as good as a computer
• The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is a great option for student looking for an exception display, good hardware setup, and powerful speakers.
• The Vastking Kingpad M10 seems like a great pick if you are more into reading directly from the tablet. It offers a high-resolution 2K display and cellular connectivity at an affordable price.

Apart from these selections, you can get any other tablet from the list, provided your requirements extend beyond mere reading and researching.