Tablets Got Good When I Wasn’t Paying Attention
I’ll be honest - I ignored tablets for years. Seemed like a weird middle ground between phones and laptops that didn’t do either job well. Then my laptop died during a work trip and I borrowed a friend’s iPad Pro to get through presentations. That thing ran circles around my old MacBook.
Now I use a tablet daily. Still mostly for YouTube in bed, not gonna lie, but it’s also replaced my laptop for a lot of things. Here’s what’s actually worth buying in 2026.
The Main Options
iPad Pro 13” M4
Apple went hard on this one. The M4 chip is genuinely faster than most laptops - I’ve edited 4K video on it without any lag. The OLED display is gorgeous, noticeably better than anything else I’ve used.
If you do creative work - design, video editing, illustration - this is probably the one. The Apple Pencil Pro is excellent for drawing and the Thunderbolt port means you can connect basically anything.
The catch is you’ll pay for it. The tablet alone is expensive, then you probably want the keyboard, the pencil, maybe a case… it adds up fast. And iPadOS still has some frustrating limitations compared to a real computer. File management in particular drives me crazy sometimes.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
I borrowed one of these for a month and the screen is enormous. Like, maybe too big? It’s basically a small TV. 14.6 inches of AMOLED.
For productivity it’s genuinely useful - the S Pen comes included (unlike Apple making you buy the Pencil separately) and DeX mode turns it into a decent laptop replacement. It’s also waterproof which I discovered when I accidentally left it in the bathroom during a shower.
Main downside is the size makes it awkward to hold for casual use. It’s heavy and if you’re reading in bed, your arms get tired. Android tablet apps are also still hit or miss - some are great, some are just stretched phone apps.
iPad Air M2
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: most people don’t need the iPad Pro.
The Air does like 90% of the same stuff for significantly less money. M2 chip handles everything I throw at it, works with the Magic Keyboard, supports Apple Pencil Pro now. I actually recommended this to my mom over the Pro and she’s perfectly happy.
No OLED display and the refresh rate is only 60Hz which you’ll notice if you’re used to something smoother. But for normal use - notes, browsing, Netflix, light creative work - it’s plenty.
Amazon Fire Max 11
Let me just be direct about what this is: it’s for watching stuff. If you want a Netflix/Prime Video/YouTube machine that doesn’t cost much, this is it.
I keep one in the kitchen for recipes and background shows while cooking. Build quality is better than I expected, battery lasts forever, and the price is hard to argue with.
Don’t expect it to replace a proper tablet though. Amazon’s app store is limited and productivity apps are basically nonexistent. It’s a consumption device and that’s fine if that’s what you want.
iPad Mini 7
Some people just want something small. My dad has one and loves it because it fits in his jacket pocket and he can read on it one-handed.
The A17 Pro chip means it’s actually powerful despite the size. Good for reading, portable gaming, taking notes on the go. If you travel a lot and want something more capable than a phone but don’t want to lug around a full-size tablet, this makes sense.
The screen does feel cramped for actual work though, and you’re paying more per inch of display than larger tablets.
Quick Comparison
| Tablet | Display | Chip | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 13” | 13” OLED | M4 | Pro users | [Check Price] |
| Tab S9 Ultra | 14.6” AMOLED | SD 8 Gen 2 | Big screen fans | [Check Price] |
| iPad Air | 10.9/13” LCD | M2 | Most people | [Check Price] |
| Fire Max 11 | 11” 2K | MediaTek | Budget | [Check Price] |
| iPad Mini | 8.3” LCD | A17 Pro | Portability | [Check Price] |
How to Actually Decide
Be honest about what you’ll realistically use it for:
- Mostly streaming shows and movies? Fire Max 11. Save your money.
- Notes, browsing, some light work? iPad Air. Best balance of price and capability.
- Serious creative work? iPad Pro. It’s worth the investment if you’ll actually use the power.
- Need something truly portable? iPad Mini.
- Committed to Android? Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is finally competitive with iPads.
My Take
Most people should get the iPad Air M2. It does everything well without the Pro tax.
If money’s tight and you mainly want to watch things, the Fire Max 11 is genuinely fine for that.
If you need the absolute best and budget isn’t a concern, iPad Pro M4. But be prepared for that credit card hit.
Prices change frequently - worth checking for deals before you buy.