Here are four tablets that could seamlessly replace your PC

By Rafi Letzter

A look at the four most serious tablet contenders to boot your laptop out of your bag.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro

The first iOS device to try to replace your laptop, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (starting at $799) shares most of the same challenges as its 9.7-inch sibling, with a few key differences. First, its larger size means a larger, less unwieldy keyboard. It’s somewhat less of a pain to type on, but still not that much fun for extended writing sessions. Second, there are still only really two good reasons to make an iOS device your primary computer — if you only really need a device for web browsing and streaming, or if you’re a serious illustrator. If you’re a casual internet user, a bigger screen is just going to make the experience better.


The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S

The Samsung Galaxy TabPro S ($899) is a fanless Windows 10 device. It’s the best of the bunch because it’s a laptop replacement tablet that doesn’t try to do too much or too little. And it’s the best designed. The TabPro S comes with an Intel M3 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage, meaning it is fast for game streaming computer, but isn’t trying to compete with more powerful laptops. The keyboard is wide and comfortable to use and forms a single, wide point of contact with your lap and table when deployed. The only minor issues some people might have with this tablet are its lack of a stylus and that the keyboard ends close enough to the touchscreen that you might occasionally tap by accident while you’re typing.



The 9.7-inch iPad Pro

Apple’s latest attempt at the laptop-replacement tablet, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro (starting at $599) is a beautiful, yet incredibly frustrating machine. It’s small enough to stow in a purse and cheaper than its older, bigger sibling while still incredibly zippy and powerful. Plus it comes with features like the True Tone adaptive display that the 12.9-incher doesn’t have. The 9.7-inch iPad has a serious drawing and photo-editing system with its stylus (or ‘Pencil’) and suite of specialised Photoshop apps. But it’s too small to do either of those things comfortably. Apple offers a folding keyboard case, but the cramped little keys are diffi cult and uncomfortable to press. And most irritatingly, it runs iOS. The inability to run desktop applications like the Adobe Creative Suite, or full versions of Offi ce, make it an inferior replacement for the laptop.



The Microsoft Surface Pro 4

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is a delightful is a delightful machine to work with. Its type cover is the best in the market, with wide keys, a responsive touchpad, and plenty of breathing room where you can rest your hands. Most importantly, the Surface Pro 4 runs apps like the full versions of Photoshop and Lightroom because it runs a Windows 10 operating system. Windows 10’s app store lacks the breadth and variety of tablet-specifi c apps that the iOS App Store does, but more than makes up for it by running every Windows productivity application wonderfully on its good-sized 12.3-inch touchscreen. Its cheapest version will cost you $899, has 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, and runs with a fanless Intel Core M processor. The complaints about the Surface Pro 4 come down to design and cost.