Top 5 Best Tablets For Design Students (2023)
The performance and capabilities of tablets have come a long way since the original iPad was first introduced in 2010. From being touted as a “larger smartphone” that is mainly used for web browsing and media consumption, tablets today have grown to be more versatile and powerful, and serve as great productivity machines.
The past few years especially have seen tablets move closer and closer into PC replacement territory with its powerful hardware, as well as a push by companies to build tablets that cater to the more creative and artistic individuals.
If you are a student that is currently pursuing a course in design, it may make sense to consider using a tablet given its versatility and portability.
With so many options in the market, it can get difficult to pick the right one, so look no further to this article where we rank the Top 5 best tablets out right now for designer students!
1. iPad Pro
Standard Price: From RM3,899 (11 inch), From RM5,399 (12.9 inch)
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The iPad has always been viewed as the gold standard for tablets since its inception in 2010. So ubiquitous did the general public revere the iPad that the entire category of tablets itself is pretty much referred to as an “iPad” rather than a “tablet”.
The iPad Pro was first announced in 2015 and has since taken the position of the best that Apple has to offer for tablets. The 2023 iPad Pro continues this trend, with the tablet not only being the best tablet that Apple offers but is also widely seen as the best tablet outright.
Apple’s M2 CPU chip provides desktop level performance in a tablet, and its build quality is second to none. The Liquid Retina XDR Display is one of the best screens on a mobile device outright, and its integration with its own Apple Pencil offers extremely precise and accurate drawings.
The speakers are also one of the best in a mobile device, especially one this slim, and this device ensures that both productivity and entertainment needs will be handled flawlessly.
Wanting the best does come at a cost however, as the iPad Pro is priced at a premium, even at the base level. And coupled with the fact that you’ll need to pay extra for the Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard, the total investment can get really expensive really quickly.
Still, if you are looking for the best of the best, the iPad Pro is still in a league of its own.
2. iPad Air
Standard Price: From RM2,899
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For a more affordable option from Apple that still offers most of the premium experience, look no further than the iPad Air.
Now in its 5th generation, the iPad Air is seriously quick and powerful, and it has most of the features of the iPad Pro, including its premium build quality and design, but at a much cheaper price point.
The iPad Air starts at around a thousand less than the cheapest iPad Pro, however despite its lower price tag it is still able to offer a premium tablet experience with a fast processor (the M1 chip, though a little dated these days still outperforms some laptops released this year), and the same Apple Pencil experience.
Most importantly, you’ll basically have the same software experience as the iPad Pro given that both run iPad OS. Hence, the iPad Air is the best all rounder tablet from Apple, with a middle ground price point and enough premium features and experience for its price.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Standard Price: RM2,999 (S8), RM3,999 (S8+), RM5,099 (S8 Ultra)
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For those that are looking for an Android alternative, Samsung’s tablets have always been at the top of the pile amongst Android tablets to choose from, and their current Galaxy Tab S8 line of tablets are no different.
Available in 3 different models, the current Tab S8 lineup comes with all the top performance benchmarks and premium design expected from a top of the line tablet, as well as Samsung’s own S Pen and software which are built specifically for artistic work and productivity.
Where Samsung’s tablets differ from Apple’s offerings would be Samsung deX, a specialised software created by Samsung that allows for the tablet to essentially act like a desktop with its own special interface that mimics a PC, which significantly increases its usefulness for productivity.
That being said, the Tab lineup is available in 3 different models and sizes and the regular Tab S8 is definitely the recommended one to go for.
4. Xiaomi Pad 5
Standard Price: From RM1,399
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Now for something that is more in the affordable range. The Xiaomi Pad 5 was launched way back in September 2021, and a refresh is expected sooner rather than later. However, despite being more dated as compared to the other options on this list, the Pad 5 still packs a punch, and for an affordable price to boot.
Available for a price of RM1,399 for the 128GB variant and RM1,599 for the 256GB option, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is an excellent choice for students on a budget. Despite its relatively low price point, it still offers an amazing list of premium features, such as a 120Hz display and a quad speaker setup.
It also runs on a still respectable Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor, with 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM on both configurations. As with the other options on this list, pen input is available, via Xiaomi’s own Smart Pen.
For a sub RM1,500 option, you can’t really go wrong with the Xiaomi Pad 5!
5. realme PAD X
Standard Price: From RM1,699
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The realme PAD X is another budget alternative worth considering, costing RM1,699 at launch back in August 2022. Besides being about a year newer than the Xiaomi Pad 5, realme PAD X’s claim to fame is that it is also the cheapest 5G ready tablet available in our market.
The PAD X however, has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor which is more of a mid range CPU as opposed to the Snapdragon 860 on the Xiaomi which provides near flagship levels of performance.
If having a top of the line processor isn’t the priority however, then the PAD X will definitely serve well too, given that it has most of the features needed, including its own smart pen.
The tablet does have a larger than usual 8,340mAh battery and supports 33W fast charging though, so this tablet will definitely be perfect for those that will be away from charging ports for large parts of the day!
(Bonus 1) Wacom Intuos
Standard Price: From RM399
For a truly different (and significantly cheaper) option, look no further than to Wacom and their lineup of drawing tablets.
Wacom is no stranger to the digital creative space, as they have been producing products specifically catering to artists and designers for a while now, with their range of drawing tablets by far the most popular products from the company.
Where Wacom differs from a regular tablet is that they have an affordable range of drawing pads which is referred to as “Pen Tablet”, which works by having said drawing pad connected to a regular PC for the drawing inputs.
Due to the affordable price point (starts at RM399), the Wacom Intuos is an extremely popular choice for both amateur and professional digital artists alike.
(Bonus 2) OnePlus Pad
Standard Price: TBC
Finally, there is the OnePlus Pad, which has just been launched in the USA and will be expected here in Malaysia sometime this year.
What truly sets the OnePlus Pad apart from the iPad Pro or even the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is its price, selling for USD479 (RM2,220) currently whilst providing many features that are more associated with a premium tablet, including a premium pen and drawing experience.
With its touted performance capabilities and affordability, the OnePlus Pad will surely be worth some consideration when it finally gets its release here.
Take your artistic talents and let your imagination come to life with these tablets!
