The 10 Coolest Tablets Of 2017 (So Far)
Top Tablets
The competition in the tablet market showed signs of heating up during the first half of 2017 — especially in the market for 2-in-1 tablets, which can be paired with detachable keyboards. Major vendors released a slew of new Windows 10 tablets in the 2-in-1 category in the first six months of the year, with new offerings including an update to the Microsoft Surface Pro, the pioneering device in the 2-in-1 sphere. Meanwhile, Apple also updated its own take on the concept, the iPad Pro. Many of the year's tablets have featured spec upgrades such as a move up to Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake line of processors, along with improved battery life and keyboards.
In the following slides, we've rounded up the 10 coolest tablets we've come across so far in 2017.
(For more on the "coolest" of 2017, check out "CRN's Tech Midyear In Review.")
Apple iPad Pro
What it is: 10.5-inch iOS tablet, optional detachable keyboard (sold separately)
Starting price: $649 (Wi-Fi), $779 (Wi-Fi + Cellular); price for tablet only
What's cool about it: After more than a year without an update to the iPad Pro, Apple unveiled a new 10.5-inch model to replace the previous 9.7-inch version. But, the company has minimized the bezels around the display, so the overall size of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro is actually on par with the size of the 9.7-inch edition (and the tablet still weighs just a pound). Apple also released an update to the 12.9-inch model, and both iPad Pro models now come with a speedier processor — the A10X — touted as 40 percent faster than the A9X. Graphics performance has gotten a 40 percent boost as well, Apple said.
Dell Latitude 5285
What it is: 12.3-inch Windows tablet, optional detachable keyboard (sold separately)
Starting price: $899 (tablet only)
What's cool about it: Dell's Latitude 5285 tablet is designed as a 2-in-1 and comes with novel features such as a kickstand that automatically extends when the tablet is placed on a flat surface. The Latitude 5285 also specializes in strong security, with a number of hardware security features (secure smart card reader, fingerprint reader, self-encryption drive) as well as software security (including Dell ControlVault authentication). In addition, the tablet comes with both USB-C and USB-A ports, seventh-gen Intel Core U-series processors, and up to 12.5 hours of battery life.
HP Pro x2 612 G2
What it is: 12-inch Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard
Starting price: $1,049 (tablet and keyboard)
What's cool about it: HP is looking to differentiate the second-generation model of the Pro x2 from other 2-in-1s with features such as a magnetically attached Collaboration Keyboard (containing dedicated keys for launching voice and video calls) and advanced security (smart card reader, removable SSD, HP Client Security Suite Gen3, optional fingerprint sensor). The tablet also features military-standard durability, up to 11 hours of battery life, seventh-gen Intel Core processors and both USB-A and USB-C ports.
HP Spectre x2
What it is: 12.3-inch Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard
Starting price: $1,149 (tablet and keyboard)
What's cool about it: HP says the display on the Spectre x2 is not only ultra-sharp with 3,000 x 2,000 resolution, it's also the company's "brightest display yet." The company contends that the display is ideal for working on with the HP Active Stylus Pen, which is included in the price. The tablet also includes Intel's seventh-gen Core U-series processors (Core i5/i7) and Intel Iris Plus Graphics, and features a stainless steel kickstand for plenty of options around adjustability.
Lenovo Miix 720
What it is: 12-inch Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard
Starting price: $1,030 (tablet and keyboard)
What's cool about it: Lenovo's Miix 720 is especially geared toward use by creative professionals -- it's designed to work with the new Lenovo Active Pen 2, a smart pen with high sensitivity to pressure for drawing and writing on the display. The Miix 720 features a QHD+ display (2,880 x 1,920 resolution), a touchpad-enabled keyboard, and seventh-generation Intel processors. It also gets eight hours of battery life and has an infrared camera for facial recognition (via Windows Hello).
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet
What it is: 12-inch Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard
Starting price: $1,500 (tablet and keyboard)
What's cool about it: Lenovo's second-generation ThinkPad X1 Tablet retains the most unique feature of the first generation -- the ability to attach external modules for additional functionality. One of them is the Presenter Module, which lets you use your tablet as a projector, while the Productivity Module adds five hours of battery life. It also comes with a sturdy detachable keyboard, a variety of port options (including USB-C and USB-A), a fingerprint reader and a bright 2,160 x 1,440 display.
Microsoft Surface Pro
What it is: 12.3-inch Windows tablet, optional detachable keyboard (sold separately)
Starting price: $799 (tablet only)
What's cool about it: The successor to the Surface Pro 4, the Surface Pro tablet retains the same form factor but offers a number of improvements. Most notable perhaps is the battery life; Microsoft is promising 13.5 hours of battery life on a charge for the device, a big leap over the nine hours that the Surface Pro 4 had promised. The new Surface Pro also features Intel's seventh-generation Core i5/i7/m3 processors, and Microsoft has redesigned the Type Cover to contain deeper key travel and Alcantara fabric around the keyboard.
Samsung Galaxy Book
What it is: 12-inch Windows tablet with a detachable keyboard
Starting price: $1,130 (tablet and keyboard)
What's cool about it: The biggest upgrade for the Galaxy Book over past Samsung 2-in-1s (such as the Tab Pro S) is the keyboard cover. The keystrokes are deeper, the key pitch is wider and the keyboard is now backlit. Samsung is known for its excellent displays, and the company stays true to its reputation with the Super AMOLED, FHD+ screen on the Galaxy Book. The tablet also comes with a digital pen, and features plenty of horsepower with a seventh-gen Intel Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM. Along with the 12-inch Galaxy Book, Samsung has released a lower-end, 10.6-inch model.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
What it is: 9.7-inch Android tablet, optional detachable keyboard (sold separately)
Starting price: $600 (tablet only)
What's cool about it: The Galaxy Tab S3 retains the resolution (2,048 x 1,536) of the Tab S2 for its Super AMOLED display, but adds an upgraded S Pen. The Tab S3 also gets a 13-megapixel rear camera, quad-stereo speakers and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. The tablet weighs about a pound and measures just 0.23 of an inch thick.
Xplore Xslate R12
What it is: 12.5-inch rugged Windows tablet with detachable keyboard
Starting price: $3,399 (tablet and keyboard)
What's cool about it: The Xslate R12 features an appealing octagonal design, a sharp and bright FHD display, and a Bluetooth keyboard that magnetically attaches to the tablet for storage. It's fairly light for a rugged tablet at 2.9 pounds, and it includes ruggedness features such as a rubberized enclosure and Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The R12 has also earned an IP54 rating, meaning it will still work after splashes.