Tablets have found new life in our homes than that Coronavirus The pandemic has increased the need for a device that can handle entertainment, education, and even some work. In 2020 Apple updated almost its entire product range: The high-end iPad Pro models were freshened up in the spring while a new one 10.2-inch basic iPad and mainly refurbished iPad Air arrived this fall. The Pro and Air models have extremely powerful processors that enable functions previously only available to computers and laptops, such as: B. Photo editing. And while we're not retiring our laptops just yet, the new features hold more promise for the future of the iPad as a productivity device than anything Apple has added in recent years.
Elsewhere in tablet land, Microsoft introduced new Surface models in May, including the 15-inch model Microsoft Surface Book 3 and the Microsoft Surface Go 2, a refresher on its smallest tablet. Android tablet The options, meanwhile, remain limited by the phone-centric operating system for mobile devices. However, that hasn't stopped Samsung from testing Apple's iPad Pro in terms of productivity with the new Tab S7 Plus. And in the value segment, Amazon remains the best option for cheap, child-friendly and cheap tablet models with its Fire tablet. App stores offer all of these options. However, you should check that your must-have apps are available on potential devices before buying (don't look for them) Fortnite on the iPad right now for example).
Cut the chatter
Subscribe to CNET's Mobile Newsletter for the latest phone news and reviews.
Here are our tips for the best tablet right now. We offered affordable tablet and premium tablet options and laptop replacements at prices in between, including options for Android tablets and Apple iPad. As a bonus, we even used a tablet PC. All of these products (or previous versions of them) have been fully reviewed or anecdotally tested by CNET editors. We considered various factors including pressure sensitivity, screen size, integration of a front camera, internal storage, the option to add a microSD card and whether or not the tablet has a headphone jack. This story was published earlier and will continue to be updated as new products become available.
Note: The 2020 iPad Air was released in October. You can Read our iPad Air test here.
Scott Stein / CNET
The latest version of the Apple iPad Pro was updated in 2020 and features a fancier rear-view camera array and even a lidar sensor for cutting-edge AR functionality. However, Apple's biggest Ipad Pro upgrade comes through the software, which now supports laptop-style trackpads. However, to take advantage of this, you'll need something like Apple's Magic Keyboard Case for Apple iPad Pro, which is an expensive add-on.
Still, this great tablet finally makes us more excited about this top-of-the-line Apple iPad, which is otherwise a performance monster, with Face ID, USB Type C, great battery life, a killer retina screen, and the best processor and design in Apple's line . This Apple tablet can also be counted among the best drawing tablet options, especially when paired with the 2018 Apple Pencil. (If you already have the previous iPad Pro, there's little reason to go for this 2020 model Update.) Note that the iPad Pro is available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch models.
Anyone looking at the 11-inch Apple iPad Pro should seriously consider the 2020 iPad Air - which has a similar design and a newer processor. Read our iPad Pro 2020 review.
