Finding a tablet that comes with a keyboard isn’t a difficult task, but picking the perfect device for your needs can be daunting. There are so many 2-in-1 tablets in the market, each of them has some unique things to offer, and each seems a really lucrative product in its own right.
One of the best ways to find the perfect tablet is by ascertaining your needs. Since you’re here, you primarily want a tablet with a detachable keyboard. But that’s just one aspect, there are many other things such as operating system, RAM, storage, camera quality, app compatibility, etc., that you should consider.
Imagine purchasing a tablet with a detachable keyboard but cannot do other tasks such as playing medium-end games. That’s why I always advise my readers to make sure that they get a device with all the features they’ll need.
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7 Best Tablets with Keyboard in 2023
Be it writing journals, articles, taking college notes, performing mathematical calculations, having a tablet with a keyboard can make things easier. Also, there are a lot of other things to consider that depend on your usage. For instance, if you’re a journalist, you’ll need a sturdy, easy-to-carry, and long battery life tablet.
If you’re working on the go or are working from home, you’ll need a tablet with a bright display, decent battery life, and good multitasking capabilities. But if you’re looking to run a specific software/application, then you’ll need a device that is compatible with it. Rest assured, you’ll find all of them here.
1. Best Overall: Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Microsoft makes some of the best tablets these days, and there are just too many good ones to choose from. The Surface Pro 7 is a really powerful device, and you’re likely to have seen all the industry hotshots using it already.
Display
It’s one of the largest tablets with a 12.3-inch display with a native resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels. However, what really seems odd is that the bezels on the sides are quite thick, and we’re not used to seeing them this big in most modern-day tablets. Nonetheless, the visual output is pretty impressive, and you can use it for watching as well as for editing content.
Performance
This tablet is powered by Intel’s Core i5 processor and features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage. Other variants include an i7 processor and combinations of 16GB RAM and storage of 256GB and 512GB. While this model runs on Windows 10 Home OS, there’s one variant that offers the Windows 10 Pro OS.
Keyboard
The keyboard attaches to the tablet magnetically, and this is what truly converts it into a 2-in-1 tablet. It is perhaps the best 2-in-1 keyboard out there for anyone who wants to type a lot. It can be angled as per your needs which is a feature exclusive to Surface devices for now.
Design
Microsoft presents this as a business tablet that can also double up as a studio! The tablet can be tilted at a 15-degree angle by using the kickstand, and you can then use the Surface Pen to draw and write on it with ease. This is great if you work in design and regularly use tools like Cricut, Photoshop, etc., or for someone who wants to highlight or edit documents, or even to take down a few quick notes.
Camera
There’s a 5MP front camera and an 8MP camera on the back of the Surface Pro 7. While both these cameras perform well when you use them in well-lit conditions, the low-light performance is subpar. However, it’s still well-suited for Zoom meetings.
Battery & Conclusion
To conclude, this is indeed a great product. While it doesn’t cost a bomb, it can still be quite expensive for some buyers. Lastly, you get about 10.5 hours of battery life while using this tablet from Microsoft. For anyone who wants similar features but doesn’t wish to spend too much on a tablet, you might also want to check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 6.
- Great visual processing
- One of the best keyboards for typing
- Elegantly designed
- Trustworthy and powerful Intel processor
- Regular security updates from Microsoft
- Cameras don’t perform well in low-light conditions
- Tends to heat up sometimes
2. Best for Gaming: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
If you’re particularly looking for an Android tablet that can aid your gaming or high-end performance needs, the Tab Galaxy S7 from Samsung offers you the ultimate experience.
Display
A large 11-inch 2560 x 1600 WQXGA TFT display makes sure you are getting great visuals from the tablet. Having such a large edge-to-edge, the screen also gives you a larger space to work on, especially if you’re into stock trading, accounting, video editing, where you’re required to analyze multiple aspects at a time.
Performance
Fuelled by the extremely efficient Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+ processor, this tablet is an absolute powerhouse that allows you to get a lot done. Samsung also boasts of its “PC Performance” packed in the portability of a tablet. There’s also a powerful GPU – the Adreno 650, which also adds to the overall gaming and twitch streaming performance of the device.
This Samsung tablet carries a storage space of 128GB along with 6GB RAM. However, if you need a little extra punch, you can get the 256GB/8GB or the 512GB/8GB variants as well. The tablet runs on Android 10.0 and is certain to get multiple future updates.
Keyboard
When you plug your keyboard into the tablet, you can actually use it like a small-sized laptop! It’s not only the size that gets smaller, the weight too drops as this tablet weighs only 1.1 pounds.
Camera
Any good modern-day tablet needs to have a great camera. This device from Samsung doesn’t let you down on that front as well. A 5MP dual camera on the back and an 8MP front camera ensure that you get the best video communication possible. So, if you’re into YouTube or Instagram Reels, this is a great tablet for recording videos.
Other Features
One of the key highlights of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is the DeX mode. This allows you to switch tasks between your tablet, phone and PC quickly. It also allows quick transfer of files and a seamless transition from device to device, ensuring you can truly work on the go. Lastly, the S-Pen adds to your overall productivity and allows you to control presentations, etc.
Battery & Conclusion
Coming to the battery, Tab S7 provides 15 hours long battery life. Samsung has never really let anyone down when it comes to making the best Android tablets! While the Galaxy Tab S7 is a flagship-grade device, you might also want to consider their Galaxy Tab S6 as a cheaper alternative.
- DeX mode is great for transitioning between devices
- Great camera for video calls
- S-Pen gives you a classier way to control presentations
- Bound to get all the latest security updates
- Light in weight and easy to carry around
- Expensive
- No 3.5mm port for headphones
3. Best from Apple: Apple iPad Pro
While iPads were traditionally seen as more of an entertainment device, their purpose has drastically changed over the past few years. These devices are truly in a complete league of their own, and with this 11-inch iPad Pro, you’ll never need a laptop around! However, if you find this tablet expensive, you might want to consider getting more affordable Apple iPad Air.
Display
The 11-inch liquid retina display with 2388 x 1668p resolution is magnificent. It uses top-notch tech such as ProMotion and TrueTone to provide you with the best visual output, making it a great tablet for designers and editors.
Performance
Fuelled by Apple’s M1 chip, which comes with eight cores, this iPad is a beast of a performer. There’s also an eight-core GPU from Apple inside the tablet, which helps give you a really strong graphic performance. The iPad Pro is powered by 8GB of RAM and carries 128GB of storage. 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and even 2TB storage variants are also available.
Keyboard
Support for the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil and the keyboard gives you even better control over your iPad Pro. However, both these accessories need to be purchased separately. The pencil can attach magnetically to the tablet and charges wirelessly. If you casually use the keyboard for writing documents, taking notes, etc., there’s a budget-friendly third-party keyboard cover that I’d recommend investing in.
Camera
There are just so many things that make this tablet a great professional and study tool. However, one of the key highlights here is the pro cameras which are really clear and provide a great video conferencing experience. You can edit and record 4K videos on this tablet. Besides that, there’s a LiDAR scanner that gives you an accurate distance between the iPad and an object you want to measure.
Other Features
Besides the great hardware, you also get additional benefits in the form of a one-year Apple TV+ subscription. Furthermore, you also get a subscription to Apple Arcade, making sure you’ve always got a ton of games to keep you entertained. iPad Pro offers a 10-hour battery life which is sufficient for most users.
Battery & Conclusion
Lastly, this 11-inch Apple iPad Pro offers 10 hours of battery life, which is pretty decent considering the high-resolution display and performance. All said and done, this is as good as it can get!
- Incredible camera quality
- Great for designers and editors
- Powerful processing with M1 chip
- Display brings out the best of the colors
- Good battery life of 10 hours
- Keyboard need to be purchased separately
- Expensive
4. Best for Students: Microsoft Surface Go 2
The Surface Go 2 thankfully comes at a pocket-friendly price point which makes it one of the most successful tablets for college students in recent years.
Display
A display of 10.51-inch is larger than the predecessor (Microsoft Surface Go). The display is quite bright and vivid without taking too much space. The PixelSense technology ensures you get all the right colors. Besides this, full-HD cameras on the front and the back make it a great tool for attending online classes.
Performance
The Surface Go 2 runs on an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor and offers 8GB of RAM along with 128GB of SSD storage. Other variants include the same processor with a 4GB RAM and 64GB storage combination and a more powerful one featuring the Intel Core m3 processor and 8GB RAM/128GB storage. They all run on Windows 10 Home on the S-Mode.
Keyboard
Much like any other Surface tablet, you can use it as a tablet and a laptop by connecting a keyboard with it (which needs to be purchased separately from here). The tablet also supports the Microsoft Surface Pen and the Surface Mobile Mouse. Together, these three hardware elements make the Surface Go 2 one of the best Windows tablets of 2023.
Battery & Conclusion
Given that most tablets at this price point tend to compromise battery life, Microsoft has bucked this unfortunate trend and offers you up to 10.5 hours of battery life on the Surface Go 2. To sum it all up, Microsoft Surface Go 2 is just the right option for you if you want to buy a reliable device from a major brand but don’t want to end up paying too much for it.
- Cost-effective tablet
- Great cameras for video calling
- Great for multitasking and doesn’t lag/hang at all
- Portable, lightweight and easy to carry around
- Supports the 3.5mm headphone jack
- Keyboard, pen and mouse need to be bought separately
- Thick bezels on the display
5. Best With Chrome OS: Lenovo Chromebook Duet
If you’re looking forward to getting hold of a tablet from a good brand that covers just the basics but doesn’t cost too much, you might want to consider Lenovo's Chromebook Duet. It’s got the specs as well as the price in just the right place.
Display
The 10.1-inch Full HD IPS display is slightly smaller than most other 11-inch devices here but is just the right size to get work done. The WUXGA display offers you a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. While you get great video on this tablet, you also get great audio, thanks to the two Dolby speakers in it.
Performance
This Chrome OS tablet from Lenovo runs on the MediaTek Helio P60T processor, which isn’t necessarily the most powerful chipset out there but is certainly one which can get all your basic work done. The processor is pretty good for basic multitasking and switching between browsing, writing, and mailing. You can also be on a video call at the same time as you do all of this.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of eMCP storage. You also get 100GB of storage on Google Drive along with a free 12-month Google One membership. Surprisingly, there is no expandable storage on this device.
Keyboard
Coming to the keyboard now, it is included in the package and is a pretty good one. There’s a five-point pogo pin, and it attaches itself to the tablet magnetically. Just like everything else on this device, there’s nothing extraordinary about the keyboard, too, but it is good enough for all your basic office typing work. Besides that, it also supports a USI pen – but you will need to buy it separately.
Camera
There’s an 8MP camera on the back and a 2MP camera on the front. This sub $300 tablet is great for shooting videos, as well as for making video calls. However, I’d best suggest you use it only for shooting and not for editing purposes.
Battery & Conclusion
Lastly, when you look at the battery life of this device, you can get up to 10 hours of work done here, which is more than enough for most users. To sum it up, we’d suggest you don’t expect too much from it – this is a device for an average user to get the basics done. At that, it fares pretty well.
- Doesn’t cost too much
- Comes with a detachable keyboard
- Free 12-month Google One Subscription
- Very good and bright display
- Long lasting battery life
- Can’t perform high-end tasks
- No expandable storage
6. Best for Business: CHUWI UBook X
CHUWI is a brand that most of you are unlikely to have heard of. However, the point of this list is to introduce you to all the best devices in the markets and not just the ones from the top brands! CHUWI UBook X offers the perfect price and performance equation and is something you must consider if you run a small business.
Display
A 12-inch IPS display is also a key component here. It offers a resolution of 2160 x 1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 3:2. The CHUWI UBook X has been designed really well too. This is quite a delightfully looking budget laptop as it measures just 9mm and weighs in at 1.70 pounds.
Performance
Powered by an Intel N4100 quad-core processor, this tablet runs on the Windows 10 Home OS and can do pretty much everything that a laptop can. CHUWI UBook X takes care of all your documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Besides that, it can also help you with video-intensive work as well. The graphic processing is handled by Intel’s UHD Graphics 600 GPU.
You get 8GB of RAM along with 256GB SSD storage on this tablet. The storage is expandable up to 128GB by using a MicroSD card.
Keyboard
A docking keyboard and a stylus pen (with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity) are also packed in along with the tablet, which is another major plus point as you won’t need to purchase them separately. The keyboard is decent for typing but doesn’t expect too much out of it.
Camera
There’s a 5MP camera on the back and a 2MP camera on the front. The camera quality could have been better, as it doesn’t really provide anything exceptional, but it is good enough for a quick video call.
Battery & Conclusion
CHUWI UBook X claims to offer a battery life of up to 9 hours when using it for the most basic purposes. However, when you stream videos, it can last you for only about 4 hours. This is another front in which major improvements are needed. But at this price point, we can’t really complain.
To sum it all up, tablets with a keyboard usually tend to be quite expensive. However, if you are looking forward to buying a moderately-priced yet great performing tablet with some excellent specs but aren’t too concerned about the brand label on it, CHUWI UBook X is the right choice for you.
- Doesn’t cost a lot
- Keyboard and pen are bundled with the tablet
- Decent Processor for multitasking
- Display is bright and large enough for most office work
- Runs on Windows 10 Home and gets all the security updates timely
- Camera needs major improvements
- Battery life is quite unreliable
7. Best Under Budget: VASTKING KingPad K10 Pro
When it comes to getting a budget-friendly tablet with a keyboard, it doesn’t get any cheaper than this! Priced a little above $200, this is a very well-balanced device. So, if affordability is a concern, you must get hold of the VASTKING KingPad K10 Pro.
Display
A 10-inch IPS display sits on the front. The bezels don’t intrude too much, and it is overall quite a pleasant-looking display. You also get a high-resolution output here with 1920 x 1200 pixels. A 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera are pretty good for making video calls.
Performance
The company uses a UNISOC Tiger T618 processor to power this device. It is an octa-core processor that clocks at a 1.6GHz frequency. This seems shady at first, but the performance is alright too. The device carries 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage which can be upgraded up to 512GB using a MicroSD card. It runs on the Android 10 OS.
Keyboard
One of the key highlights of the KingPad K10 Pro is the fact that it comes with essential accessories bundled with it. You get a detachable keyboard, a stylus pen, and a case to keep the tablet in at an affordable price point. The keyboard has nothing special about it but provides you with well-spaced keys.
Other Features
Given the affordability factor, this is impressive. There’s a Type-C USB port and a 3.5mm jack present on the sides, both of which are major plus points. The company also touts its customer support service to be pretty good.
Battery & Conclusion
The battery life here is about 12 long hours, but you can expect it to last for 8 hours at peak performance. To sum this up, the KingPad K10 Pro is a great tablet for college students, interns, or people with fundamental needs who are looking for a 2-in-1 tablet.
- Affordable price
- Comes with a keyboard & stylus
- Expandable storage up to 512GB
- Good quality display
- High-resolution cameras
- Long battery life
- Not a popular brand
Frequently Asked Questions
Users usually tend to have needs where they require higher processing power along with good keyboard support. This is due to multitasking between apps and certain high-performance apps like those of video rendering or 3D modeling, etc. Hence, these tablets need the best processor/RAM/display combinations and are expensive.
You need to identify your needs – do you need a tablet for document work? Do you need it for 3D rendering or video editing? Or do you need one for making video calls and connecting with colleagues? Or is it all of them? Based on these decisions, you should choose a tablet of your choice.
A pen allows you to take notes, sketch, underline, annotate, etc. However, most modern-day pens also allow you to control your tablets in a certain manner. For instance, you can assign the buttons on a pen to perform tasks like moving between slides or switching between applications.
This is a tricky question because you don’t want anything too big, but you also don’t want anything too small. An ideal screen should therefore be somewhere between about 10.5 to 12.6 inches. However, you may go for a larger or a smaller tablet based on your needs or budget.
When it comes to video editing or any graphic work in general, we strongly recommend you to go with Apple iPad Pro. There’s simply no other tablet in comparison to this one when it comes to editing purposes.
Verdict
Tablets with keyboards are essential for all workplaces in 2023! Not only do they help you get the job done more efficiently, but they also let you do it from anywhere and at any time! Here are my top picks:
- Looking for a tablet that offers you pretty much everything from processing and storage to performance and visuals? Look no further than the Microsoft Surface Pro 7.
- Are you a power user who needs a high-performing, high-specs gaming tablet which runs on the Android OS? Go for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and that’s all you’ll ever need.
- Are you into Apple’s ecosystem? You can bring your home the Apple iPad Pro.
- Are you seeking a tablet but don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket? The VASTKING KingPad K10 Pro might be the one for you!
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