Are Windows tablets still a thing?

Author: Liang

Mar. 07, 2024

Consumer Electronics

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The best premium Windows tablet

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Asus ROG Flow Z13

The best Windows gaming tablet

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HP Spectre Foldable PC

The best foldable Windows tablet

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Microsoft Surface Go 3

The best budget Windows tablet

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Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

The best dual-screen Windows tablet

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It's been a long time since Windows tablets have been a thing. Today, Windows tablets really aren't meant to be used as standalone devices like iPads or Android tablets. They're meant to be connected to a detachable keyboard as a 2-in-1 laptop, not necessarily just as a touch device.

That being said, there are still a few good options, including the latest development in Windows tablets, which include devices with foldable screens.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The best premium Windows tablet

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Review

Pros

New colors look great
Design and build quality are top notch
SQ3 is a solid alternative
Type Cover keyboard is excellent
High resolution webcam

Cons

No headphone jack
Upgrades still too expensive
Limited performance improvements

If there's one company keeping the Windows tablet ecosystem around, it's Microsoft. The Surface Pro 9 is the latest in the line, despite having come out in 2022 and using an older Intel processor. The good news is it has all the premium goodness that the Surface Pro has always exuded. The display, design, and build quality are all top notch — as is the excellent Type Cover keyboard.

The one change I didn't love in this version is the lack of a headphone jack. Not everyone needs a headphone jack, and perhaps it's understandable on something that's considered a mobile device. But it should be mentioned, as it's likely to be an inconvenience for some.

While we await the Surface Pro 10, hopefully coming early in 2024, the Surface Pro 9 remains one of the best Windows tablets you can buy.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The best premium Windows tablet

Asus ROG Flow Z13

The best Windows gaming tablet

Asus ROG Flow Z13 Review

Pros

Bright, beautiful screen
Amazing portability
Ingenious design
Surprisingly good performance
Comfortable keyboard and touchpad

Cons

Poor battery life
Dorky aesthetic
Mediocre webcam, no Windows Hello

The idea of a Windows gaming tablet might sound silly on the surface. But with the ROG Flow Z13, Asus took the concept totally seriously and came up with something incredibly innovative. It's a 2-in-1, just like a Surface Pro, but this one has a discrete RTX 4060 graphics card inside, ensuring that it can actually game. Throw in a bright, 165Hz screen and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard — and you have the complete package.

One of the most interesting benefits of this design is not only its portability, but also the thermals. Because the guts of the computer is built into screen, the keyboard doesn't get hot like normal gaming laptops do. No sweaty palm rests or vents blowing hot air by your hands.

Asus ROG Flow Z13

The best Windows gaming tablet

HP Spectre Foldable PC

The best foldable Windows tablet

HP Spectre Foldable PC Review

Pros

Exquisite design
Solid build quality
Excellent foldable OLED display
Great keyboard
Plenty of usable formats
Above-average battery life

Cons

Extremely expensive
Tablet mode is overly large
Clamshell display resolution is relatively low

Here is our first example of a Windows tablet with a foldable screen, and the latest and most refined iteration of the form factor. It's a large 17-inch tablet that can be folded in half and used in a variety of different modes. You can use it as a tablet, a laptop — or my favorite, in "desktop" mode, where you can use the large screen with the wireless keyboard detached.

HP has really nailed the design this time around, taking the ThinkPad X1 Fold and Zenbook Fold one step further, while also delivering some solid performance to back it up. If only it wasn't so expensive, the Spectre Foldable would be the premiere example of Windows foldable tablet.

HP Spectre Foldable PC

The best foldable Windows tablet

Microsoft Surface Go 3

The best budget Windows tablet

Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review

Pros

Excellent build quality
Superior display for a budget machine
Great Active Pen support
Small and light
Surprisingly good real-world performance

Cons

Can get expensive
Mediocre battery life
Keyboard and touchpad are cramped

Microsoft is the only company still making a budget-friendly Windows tablet. This compact, 10.5-inch tablet takes what's great about the Surface Pro and shrinks it down. Despite having a cramped keyboard and touchpad, all the hardware here is surprisingly premium, whether that's the screen or the build quality — both punch above their weight for the price.

So, while you probably don't want to buy this and use it as a main work computer, as a student device or a secondary more casual device it's a solid option. In fact, when it comes to Windows tablets, it's really your only option.

Microsoft Surface Go 3

The best budget Windows tablet

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

The best dual-screen Windows tablet

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i Review

Pros

Dual-display flexibility is actually useful
Two superior OLED displays
Origami stand works well
Great external keyboard
Solid and attractive build
Outstanding pen support

Cons

A few glitches
A lot of components to carry around
Battery life could be better

The Yoga Book 9i is a great example of how inventive and experimental Windows tablet designs are getting. This one attaches two OLED tablet together with a stiff hinge that can be leaned up against the foldable "origami" stand. That probably sounds like a lot to conceptualize, but in reality, it functions a lot like a foldable tablet, such as the HP Spectre Foldable. But with the Yoga Book 9i, there are even more modes available, made possible by the two separate screens.

The idea is to make it better at multitasking, whether that's side-by-side or stacked vertically. It's the kind of device that has to be seen to be believed, and a demonstration of the kind of innovation happening in the space.

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

The best dual-screen Windows tablet

Editors' Recommendations

Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

Our Experts Have Tested 16 Products in the Tablets Category in the Past Year

Just as with any system, however, a Windows tablet requires you to make choices. How big and powerful do you want (or need) it to be? What sort of features are you looking for? 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 answer all these questions with our picks for the best Windows tablets for 2024, followed by some brief additional buying advice.

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. But thanks to manufacturers' ability to fit more powerful hardware into ever slimmer and lighter devices, it's now possible to hold a Windows-based tablet that can do almost everything your laptop does—and, in most cases, is even more portable. Think of it as an Apple iPad combined with the power and flexibility of the Windows 11 operating system.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel)

Best Windows Tablet for Most Users

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 is its most polished yet, with unmatched performance, helpful features, and long battery life among high-end 2-in-1 detachable Windows tablets.

PROS

Impressive performance and battery life
Outstanding cameras
Sleek design, with inking-friendly 3:2 screen
Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
User-upgradable storage

CONS

Essential accessories still not included
No more headphone jack
5G only available with SQ3 processor
High starting price

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i7-1255U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 256 GB Screen Size 13 inches Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1920 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2 Dimensions (HWD) 0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches Weight 1.9 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Home Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 13:12 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$872.30 Amazon

$999.99 Microsoft Store

$999.00 Best Buy

Learn More

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel) Review

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Best Budget Windows Tablet

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 is the best budget Windows 2-in-1 tablet, but its performance and value are a bit below expectations for a third-generation product that competes against Chromebooks and the Apple iPad.

PROS

Low starting price
Lightweight
Sunny display with vivid colors
Windows Hello webcam with 1080p video support
Integrated kickstand
SD card reader for easy storage expansion
Long battery life

CONS

Keyboard cover not included
Only one USB-C port
Optional extras pump up price quickly
Disappointing computing performance, even with Core i3 upgrade

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1, Budget Processor Intel Core i3-10100Y Processor Speed 1.6 GHz RAM (as Tested) 8 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 128 GB Screen Size 10.5 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1280 Touch Screen Panel Technology LED Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel UHD Graphics 615 Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.33 by 9.7 by 6.9 inches Weight 1.2 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 11:34 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$322.99 Amazon

$399.99 Microsoft Store

$629.99 Best Buy

Learn More

Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022)

Best High-End Windows Tablet

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Dell's 2022 rework of its XPS 13 2-in-1 is a well-made, broadly useful detachable Windows tablet in the Surface Pro vein, with just a few quibbles keeping it from top marks.

PROS

Lightweight tablet design
Effective and intuitive XPS Folio keyboard accessory
Sharp, bright 3K touch display
1080p user-facing webcam and 2160p rear-facing camera

CONS

$100 XPS Folio keyboard not included
Middling battery life
Limited to just two USB-C ports, with no headphone jack

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i5-1230U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 13 inches Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1920 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.29 by 11.5 by 7.9 inches Weight 1.6 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 6:58 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$1,099.00 Dell

Learn More

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2022) Review

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (SQ3)

Best Windows Tablet for Battery Life

3.5 Good

Bottom Line:

Offering Intel- and Arm-based versions of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 widens both your options and caveats. The Arm-based SQ3 model delivers 5G support and a long-lasting battery at the expense of the overall Windows experience.

PROS

SQ3 model delivers long battery life and 5G connectivity
Premium metal build
Best-in-class kickstand and keyboard cover design
SQ3 supports advanced camera and voice call features
Superior 1080p webcam
User-accessible SSD

CONS

SQ3 processor brings the usual Arm-based drawbacks: lackluster performance and compatibility
Core feature differences between Intel and SQ3 models can be confusing
No headphone jack
Keyboard cover still sold separately
New colors only available on Intel model

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1 Processor Microsoft SQ3 Processor Speed 2.4 GHz RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 256 GB Screen Size 13 inches Native Display Resolution 2880 by 1920 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 120 Hz Graphics Processor Qualcomm Adreno GPU Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, 5G Dimensions (HWD) 0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches Weight 1.95 lbs Operating System Windows 11 Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 21:16 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$1,399.99 Amazon

$1,399.99 Best Buy

$1,249.00 Walmart

Learn More

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (SQ3) Review

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable

Best Windows Tablet for Business Travelers

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

Lenovo's ThinkPad X12 Detachable is an obvious choice for corporate jet-setters who need a Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard, plenty of security and manageability features, and traditional black styling.

PROS

Sturdy construction
Optional Intel vPro
Integrated kickstand
Keyboard cover is reasonably comfortable for typing
Good value
Impressive computing performance

CONS

No 4K display option
Short standard one-year warranty

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i5-1130G7 Processor Speed 1.8 GHz RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 12.3 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 x 1280 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.35 by 11.15 by 8.01 Weight 1.85 lbs Operating System Windows 10 Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 11:30 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$875.40 Lenovo

Learn More

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable Review

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable

Best Windows Tablet for Enterprise

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

The Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable is a well-designed Windows tablet that comes with a keyboard cover and stylus, along with plenty of security and manageability options.

PROS

Included keyboard cover with built-in stylus holder
Integrated kickstand
Roomy 13-inch display
Decent audio volume
Intel Core i7 processor with vPro support
Three-year standard warranty

CONS

No 4K display option
Merely average computing performance
Expensive as configured

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Detachable 2-in-1, Business Processor Intel Core i7-1180G7 Processor Speed 1.3 GHz RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 256 GB Screen Size 13 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 x 1280 Touch Screen Panel Technology LED Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Wireless Networking 802.11ax, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.33 by 11.4 by 8.19 inches Weight 1.7 lbs Operating System Windows 10 Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 12:37 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$1,919.00 Dell

Learn More

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Review

Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet

Best Rugged Windows Tablet Overall

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

It's not the best performer, but Dell's Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet does the job anywhere—whether down a mineshaft, on a construction site, or at the scene of an accident. You'll likely be hard-pressed to find an environment this slate can't survive.

PROS

Rugged design can survive almost anything
Sunlight-ready touch screen works with gloved hands and included pen
Plenty of features, including 4G/5G mobile data
Optional handle for grab-and-go use
Dual hot-swappable batteries with long battery life, too

CONS

Heavy and chunky
Middling performance
Keyboard not included

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Rugged, Detachable 2-in-1 Processor Intel Core i5-1240U Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Screen Size 12 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1080 Touch Screen Panel Technology WVA Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.94 by 11.65 by 8 inches Weight 3.5 pounds Operating System Windows 11 Pro Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 15:34 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$2,745.82 Dell

Learn More

Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet Review

Getac F110 (2022)

Best Rugged Windows Tablet for First Responders

4.0 Excellent

Bottom Line:

With an Intel Core i7 CPU to give it some punch, and a case that can take real abuse, Getac's F110 rugged tablet steps in for first responders, roaming service workers, factory employees, and anyone else whose job needs the extra PC protection.

PROS

Fully rugged, with IP66 rating
Optional keyboard is as rugged as the tablet
Bright touch screen that’s usable with gloves

CONS

Expensive
Heavy

SPECS

Name Value Laptop Class Rugged Processor Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor Speed 3 GHz RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 256 GB Screen Size 11.6 inches Native Display Resolution 1920 by 1080 Touch Screen Panel Technology IPS Variable Refresh Support None Screen Refresh Rate 60 Hz Graphics Processor Intel Iris Xe Graphics Wireless Networking 802.11ax, 4G, Bluetooth Dimensions (HWD) 0.98 by 12.4 by 8.15 inches Weight 3.3 lbs Operating System Windows 10 Pro Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) 14:02 All Specs

GET IT NOW

$2,579.00 GETAC

Learn More

Getac F110 (2022) Review

Buying Guide: The Best Windows Tablets for 2024

Of course, just like the iPad line, with its range of sizes, computing power, and prices, we know of no single Windows tablet that fits everyone's needs. As you begin shopping, you'll note that they fall into a few different categories.

First 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. Because these budget-friendly devices usually rely on low-power processors and minimal storage, you're better off with one as a second or third device to serve alongside your laptop or smartphone. In other words, these aren't the full-powered Windows devices you can rely on to replace a conventional laptop PC.

Then you have larger 12-inch and 13-inch models designed to work in tandem with an included or optional stylus and docking keyboard. These give you a better way to take notes in class or type up an email or a term paper, and they generally provide a well-rounded Windows experience. The best example of this is the iconic Microsoft Surface Pro.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

Finally, you'll find premium and business systems, designed as productivity tools rather than media consumption devices. Dell and Lenovo have dabbled in these, in their Latitude and ThinkPad lines, respectively, and Microsoft's Surface Pros also qualify in this space.

Windows Tablet Processors: Parsing Low-Power CPUs

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.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

Intel's Celeron and Pentium processors include several chips built for low-power usage and passive cooling. These are two necessary attributes for tablets since they house nearly all of their components behind the screen, which itself generates heat. They don't require built-in cooling fans, and they provide 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. Low-power processors like these have limits, though, which make them best suited for inexpensive tablets. 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.

At the other end of the tablet-CPU spectrum are Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors also used to power full-fledged laptops. While these CPUs draw more power and require more cooling hardware, they are much more capable, letting you get real work done. Tablets equipped with these processors are priced more like laptops (usually above $1,000), but you get performance to match the increased cost.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Some Windows tablets have ditched Intel chips in favor of Arm-based alternatives from companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek. They include the earlier Microsoft Surface Pro X and late-2022 Surface Pro 9 (SQ3), tablets with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. We haven't seen any recent tablets that use processors from AMD.

This year, watch out for new AI-ready processors from AMD and Intel. These contain neural processing units, or NPUs, which are core clusters designed to handle AI-specific tasks, like managing chatbots and automatic system optimizations. Windows tablets are ideal candidates for these low-power, high-efficiency chips designed to further spread workloads across three cores.

Windows Tablet Security and Connectivity

Once you've determined which processor will fit your usage pattern, it's time to move on to the features that make handheld PCs far more flexible than conventional laptops. Sensors previously seen in smartphones bring new ways to interact with your PC, with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and e-compasses providing positional awareness for both automatic screen rotation and new immersive applications.

Microsoft even has a Windows tablet version of FaceID, which lets you unlock your Apple iPhone or iPad Pro simply by looking at it. Called Windows Hello, it's also available on laptops and desktops, but it's most useful on tablets that don't have a keyboard handy to enter a complex, secure password.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

And let's not forget touch screens. With capacitive screens that track five or 10 fingertips at a time, you can pinch, swipe, and tap your way through any task, even those that would have required a keyboard and mouse years ago. Many tablets also come with optional digital pens. Some are housed in "garages," tiny holes in the tablet that secure the stylus and charge its battery. Others must be carried separately or attached via magnets to one of the tablet's edges.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

Then you have the question of connectivity. With eminently portable designs, it's only natural that some shoppers will want tablets that feature the same sort of mobile data that they enjoy on their smartphones. A few Windows tablets on the market have 5G and LTE connectivity and can be added to your mobile phone plan.

Don't Overlook the Convertible Hybrid

Finally, what if you simply can't live without a real keyboard, but don't want the hassle of carrying a separate one around? Some convertible laptops have keyboards that fold around the back so you can use them as traditional clamshell laptops, as tablets, or at any position in between. We've only included detachable Windows tablets here; to learn more about screen-rotating convertibles, read our roundup of the best 2-in-1 laptops.

The switch from a laptop to a tablet doesn't come without issues, though. The thin confines of a tablet make worries about heat buildup all the more important—especially when that heat is literally in hand. Touch screens add a new opportunity for frustration when taps and touches won't register properly, and the opportunities provided by docks and accessories also open up the chance to lose a valuable part of your PC while out and about. (Say what you will about tablets, but you'll never misplace your keyboard while using a conventional laptop.)

So, Which Windows Tablet Should I Buy?

We've waded through the current tablets available, and tested and compared dozens of tablet PCs to discover what works and what doesn't. Below are our top picks for Windows tablets. If you're not married to Windows, read our report on the best tablets overall, as well as our roundup of the best Android-based models.

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