Microsoft windows tablets: Shop all Windows 2-in-1 Laptops or Tablet Computers

Aug 6, 2023 alexxlab

The best Windows tablets you can buy right now

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Laptops and desktop PCs probably occupy most of your thoughts when considering Windows machines. However, there’s so much more to experience on the Microsoft platform. From responsive touchscreens to full-size apps, Windows can make a case to power your next tablet. Here are our picks for the best Windows tablets you can get right now.

The idea of a Windows-powered tablet probably isn’t too foreign to you. After all, plenty of people are familiar with the Microsoft Surface line. While the Surface devices are great and have appeared on this list a few times, there are more options to choose from. We’ve tried to cover all of the bases and give you the best options to pick from.

Buying the best Windows tablet

Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority

Windows tablets haven’t quite taken off, so there aren’t too many options out there that make sense. If you’re in the market for a Windows tablet, you likely have a specific use case for it, and you’re already aware of the experience you’ll get. On the other hand, if you don’t have a specific use case requiring Windows, you might want to get an iPad or an Android tablet instead. Possibly even a Chrome OS tablet.

If you’re set on a Windows tablet, you should consider two main factors — budget and size. Windows tablets today are commonly available in the standard laptop screen sizes that range between 10—15 inches. We used to have smaller sizes more commonly available a few years ago, but those have become less standard now. On the budget side, you will end up spending just as much or more than what you would pay for an equivalent Windows laptop, generally between $400 and $1,500.

Most Windows tablets will have the option to have a detachable keyboard, either bundled with the tablet or sold separately. Regarding the capabilities of these devices, you can expect them to work just fine for most productivity tasks, depending on what kind of hardware you pick. Gaming Windows tablets are not mainstream yet, but we can expect more and more options to show up in the market in the coming months.

Some Windows tablets also come running S Mode, a more restricted mode that only allows you to run apps from the Microsoft Store. However, you can disable S Mode and run your Windows tablet like a regular Windows computer.

The best Windows tablets to buy

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is the best overall Windows tablet, packing in the perfect blend of performance and portability.
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is the best small Windows tablet, offering the Surface experience in a compact package at an affordable price.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is the best gaming Windows tablet you can get, offering an RTX 3050 Ti GPU with support for an external GPU.
The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is the Windows tablet with the largest display, and it’s also foldable. It has plenty of power too, but it’s also mighty pricey.
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is the best business Windows tablet, featuring a 3:2 aspect ratio screen in a great detachable design.
The Chuwi UBook X is the best budget Windows tablet you can get, providing great value for money with sufficient hardware power and a full metal body.

Editor’s note: We’ll do our best to update this list of the best Windows tablets as new products launch.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9: The best overall Windows tablet

Microsoft

While the Surface Go series might be your best bet for peak portability, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 might be the best Windows tablet around. It’s larger, packs a more powerful processor, and can make many heavy-duty tasks look easy. It’s an upgrade over the already great Surface Pro 8. Unfortunately, like most Surface devices, the Surface Pro 9 doesn’t include a keyboard or stylus, as they’re sold separately. And they’re pretty expensive. Not to mention the tablet itself is quite pricey, as it starts at $999.99.

As one of the flagship Surface models, the Surface Pro 9 offers plenty of room for customization. You can choose an Intel Core i5 processor or go all-out for the Core i7 or Microsoft SQ3 version. You can also get as much as 32GB of RAM. To back that up, you can select anywhere from 128GB to 1TB of storage, which should be more than enough for work or play. The Surface Pro 9 rounds out the already impressive spec sheet with a 13-inch display with a 2,880 x 1,920 resolution.

If you need mobility, there is also the Microsoft Surface 9 Pro with 5G. It’s slightly less powerful, topping off at 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It has a longer 19-hour battery life, though.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022)

High resolution display • Good battery life • Many accessories

Powerful Windows tablet with extensive accessories

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022) is a powerful Windows tablet with detachable keyboard, functional stylus, and a wide variety of accessories.

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Microsoft Surface Go 3: The best small Windows tablet

Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 is a follow-up to the Surface Go 2 — a tablet that has popped up on quite a few of our best lists, and for a good reason. Improving upon the Go 2 and being the smallest entry in the Surface lineup, the Surface Go 3 is a great way to take Windows on the go without sacrificing much power. As with most Surface tablets, you’ll have to shell out a bit of extra cash on accessories.

If you’re ready to dive head-on into the Surface ecosystem, Microsoft will set you up with an Intel Pentium Gold chip, or a Core i3 chip, and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 615. As far as options go, you can choose from 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage or double them to 8GB and 128GB SSD, respectively. The handy 10.5-inch screen is easy to stash in a backpack, and the 11-hour battery life should help you stay productive all day long.

Microsoft Surface Go 3 (2022)

Compact tablet • Stylus support • Built-in kickstand

An entry-level Windows tablet from Microsoft

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a reliable Windows tablet with a 10.5-inch display. It is light on the power-user specifications, a trade-off to enable greater portability and battery life.

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ASUS ROG Flow Z13: The best gaming Windows tablet

Windows tablet and gaming in the same sentence sound out of place, but it’s getting closer to becoming a thing, and the ASUS ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is proof of that. ASUS took the wraps off of this one at CES 2022, and while it is pretty much the only contender in this category right now, it’s a pretty solid buy.

There are multiple versions of the device, but you can get specs up to an Intel Core i9 (12th-gen), an NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU, either an FHD+ or a 4K resolution with as much as 120Hz refresh rate, up to 16GB of RAM, and more. These specs may not sound all that impressive to gamers, but remember, this is a tablet! We still can’t believe you can get such performance from a device this portable. And if you want some more power, you can also connect an external GPU to it.

This is as close as you can get to a gaming desktop replacement, in the world of Windows tablets.

ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2022)

Gaming tablet • Trusted ROG series • Many configurations

A powerful ROG gaming tablet

The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is a high-resolution gaming tablet that runs Windows. Configure it with the best specs for your needs, including a 4K display, dedicated graphics card, Core i9 processor, and up to 16GB of RAM.

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ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED: The largest Windows tablet, and foldable

Bogdan Petrovan / Android Authority

Now, this is very expensive at $3,500 MSRP, and it’s likely not for everyone, but it is a gem we know many of you will at least be surprised by. That’s not really a small keyboard you’re looking at; it’s the screen that’s oversized.

The ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED has two of its most important features in the name. It comes with a massive 17.3-inch display. If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to take such a large Windows tablet around, let us tell you it’s actually just as portable as others on this list. That’s because it features a flexible screen that folds in half.

We loved testing it during our review, as it is really an exciting device. It seamlessly transforms and adapts to your needs. You can use it in tablet mode, use the keyboard detached, or half-fold the screen and put the keyboard on the lower part to use the whole;e machine as a laptop.

Additionally, this is a potent and featureful Windows tablet. We found the OLED screen to be vibrant and overall gorgeous. The 4:3 screen ratio is great for overall navigation. It is very capable in terms of specs, too. You’ll get a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and snappy Wi-Fi 6E.

Asus Zenbook 17 Fold

Expansive display • Solid battery • Seemless mode transitions

The Zenbook 17 Fold is a massive foldable display

The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold offers a large 17-inch foldable display powered by a long-lasting battery. The speakers are loud, and the software fits very well every screen mode.

See price at Asus

Check out our full review to learn more about the ASUS Zenbook 17 Fold OLED.

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1: The best Windows tablet for business users

Do you have to find the best Windows tablet to take to the office? You’d be hard-pressed to find anything better than the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. It’s not explicitly made for office work, but we feel it’s the one with the best design for professionals. It’s made of aluminum, only measures 0.29 inches thick, and weighs 1.6lbs. The design is simple and elegant, yet very pleasing to the eye. The folio and stylus are also professional-looking.

The device happens to be pretty capable for most office work, too. It can be customized up to a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 chip, up to 16GB of RAM, and as much as 1TB of storage. The 13.3-inch touchscreen is also really nice, featuring a 2,880 x 1,920 resolution.

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1

Solid portability • Good build

A capable 2-in-1 Windows tablet

The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is a capable Windows tablet with detachable keyboard cover. It’s available with several processors and storage configurations, but all offer a 13-inch 2880×1920 display and Windows 11.

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Refurbished

CHUWI UBook X: The best budget Windows tablet

You may not be as familiar with CHUWI as you are with some of the other options on the list, but the UBook X is one of the most affordable options on this list by a good margin. The budget-friendly price makes the UBook X a solid pick for the all-around good list of specs.

The UBook X doesn’t pack a powerful Intel Core chip. However, the quad-core Intel Celeron N4100 can hold its own for many light tasks. The handy and affordable Windows tablet is also equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. That is more than the Surface Go 3 offers with its entry-level variant. CHUWI built the UBook X with a full-metal body and keyboard, which lends a premium feel. It packs one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a headphone jack.

There’s a CHUWI UBook X Pro with improved overall specs, but it’s only available in China, Europe, and Japan. Go to the official CHUWI store and check it out if you are in one of those markets.

Chuwi UBook X

Flexible 2-in-1 design • Windows • Stylus and keyboard included

Well-built Windows tablet

A capable Windows tablet with built-in stand, detachable keyboard, and included stylus.

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Save $78.00

Windows tablets vs the competition

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

The tablet market isn’t quite one where Windows is a leading player. For now, Apple iPads have a huge lead, providing the best value for money, an impressive app ecosystem, and a streamlined lineup of models. On the other hand, Android tablets barely exist. A few models are available as alternatives, should you want to move away from Windows. However, Chromebook tablets are more of a proper alternative to Windows tablets, if you’re looking at the Google side of things.

Of course, if you’re looking at a Windows tablet, you likely have a workload that requires you to use Windows. Windows has a unique advantage concerning its software catalog. Traditional computer apps being available on a tablet adds to the functionality, and if that’s what you want, look no further.

On the other hand, if you want a portable computer but Windows apps aren’t a requirement, an Apple iPad would likely serve you better as a tablet. You also get a lot of apps, so finding a replacement for Windows apps you have been using is easy too. On the other hand, if you want a desktop experience, you can opt for a Chromebook tablet. You get support for Android apps and Linux apps, in addition to the suite of Chromebook apps.

Android tablets, as of now, aren’t the best way to go. There are some solid options from some manufacturers like Samsung. That said, Android hasn’t been great on tablets for a long time. Google recently said tablets are the future, but we cannot recommend Android tablets over Windows tablets, iPads, or even Chromebook tablets.

Frequently asked questions

Windows tablets are available in a variety of different specifications. As such, they have a wide range of prices. Most Windows tablets are available between the $400 to $1,500 mark.

Windows tablets run on Windows, while iPads run on iPadOS. They have different sets of compatible apps. iPads run apps off the App Store. Windows tablets run apps from the Microsoft Store if in S Mode, or any Windows apps if they’re not in S Mode.

Windows tablets and touchscreen Windows laptops will provide similar software experiences. However, touchscreen Windows laptops are more common and mostly come with the full power of a laptop. These can include dedicated GPU options. You can make your pick according to your usage preferences.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the latest Microsoft Surface. The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is the latest one in the Go lineup.

Windows tablets can run all Windows apps. Windows tablets in S Mode can only run apps through the Microsoft Store. However, you can easily switch out of S Mode and install any Windows app. Some ARM-based tablets may not run the x86 Windows apps too well. But most run just fine with in-built emulation.

You can connect AirPods to Microsoft Surface, or any other Windows tablet. Although, do note that you will miss out on some exclusive functionality to Apple devices. However, they should work just fine otherwise.

Staples® Official Online Store

School supplies, made easy

The success of your students starts with the right supplies. Whether you’re a parent or caregiver with one or more kids in school, or a teacher responsible for an entire classroom, Staples is a one-stop shop for all the school supplies you need. From writing supplies and paper to school tech and furniture, we have everything on your back-to-school list.

Shop by grade

Staples makes it easy to get exactly what your students need by organizing all the essentials by grade. Shop for preschool supplies like learning toys and rest mats, or elementary school supplies for everything your kids need from kindergarten through 5th grade. Our selection of middle school supplies includes more advanced items like planners and scientific calculators, and you can find everything you need for high school in our high school supplies section. Getting ready for college? From dorm essentials to laptops, get everything you need from our selection of college supplies.

All the essentials for school

Whether you want to shop by subject or are looking for furniture and supplies for learning at home, we’ve got the right selection. Browse classroom essentials including cleaning supplies, storage, classroom décor, snacks, and teacher supplies. For everything from school art supplies to calculators, binders, school backpacks, lunch boxes and more, we’ve got what your students need to succeed.

Take a seat

Whether you’re working from home or outfitting a space for gaming, your comfort is dependent on finding the best chair. At Staples, we provide a broad range of office chairs and seating, so you can find the right fit for you. Select from multifunctional task chairs, computer & desk chairs, drafting stools and more. If you will be using your new chair for multiple hours a day, make sure to get an ergonomic office chair to prevent unnecessary strain.

Comfort, all day long

Office furniture that is the proper size and height makes a big difference. When shopping for chairs, the height of the seat should be adjustable so that the user’s feet can sit flat on the floor with their knees at right angles. Likewise, the accompanying office desk should be at a height where the users’ elbows can sit comfortably at right angles at their sides while typing or writing. Browse our selection to find the combination that’s right for you. If size if a concern, check out our big & tall chairs which can support up to 500lbs.

Game on

If you’re a gamer, you know that a single gaming session can last all day or night. For the best and most comfortable gaming setup, Staples has gaming chairs in colors and styles for everyone. Make sure to match your new chair to an ergonomic gaming desk, the perfect complement for the high-tech gaming computer and accessories you’ve invested in.

Show seasonal allergies who’s boss

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, now is when they are at their worst. Stock up on allergy season’s most important products to keep your home, classroom, and office allergen-free. Start with an air purifier to strip the air of allergens like pollen and pet dander and replace existing air filters for improved air quality. Frequently dust, wipe down hard surfaces, and vacuum carpets and furniture to help eliminate pollen tracked in from outside and dander left behind by pets. When leaving the house, check the pollen count and bring a face mask to help filter the air you breath outside.

No matter what you do, it’s unlikely that the symptoms of seasonal allergies can be avoided entirely. Make sure to have over-the-counter cold and allergy medications on hand to battle symptoms, and stock up on facial tissues so you’ll always have one available when you need them.

Spring (Cleaning) is in the air

Spring cleaning and decluttering is a tradition meant to refresh our spaces for the year ahead. Staples has everything you need to clear out the clutter, store and organize your belongings, and all the right cleaning supplies.

Clear out the clutter

Start by preparing a checklist and make sure you have all the necessary supplies. Use storage bins and a label maker to make sorting and organizing easier. Prepare extra boxes for donations and trash bags for the things you no longer need. Look for decorative boxes & baskets that will compliment your home’s décor and use them to organize. You can also use closet organizers and storage drawers anywhere they are needed.

Start with the basics

An all-purpose cleaner, cleaning brush and microfiber cloths will clean most surfaces. Use a duster to remove unwanted dirt and furniture polish to revitalize wood surfaces. Upgrade your broom, dustpan, wet mop, and vacuum to make cleaning any type of flooring a breeze.

The nitty gritty

Spring cleaning doesn’t stop there. There’s so much you can do to reset your home:

Improve air quality and eliminate pollen and pet dander with a new air purifier and an air freshener with a scent you love.
On a sunny day, take the opportunity to clean your windows – you’ll need glass cleaner, a bucket, a squeegee, and paper towels.
Have a step stool or ladder on hand to access hard-to-reach places like the tops of cabinets and overhead lighting.
Replace broken light bulbs and check the batteries in your smoke detectors.
Use drain cleaner to clear up sink and bathtub drains.

Up your printing game with a Supertank Printer

Looking for a printer with more print capacity that’s better for the environment and your wallet? Shop Staples selection of Supertank Printers for all the benefits of an inkjet printer with the convenience and savings of replacement ink bottles that last longer and cost less per page than standard inkjet printer cartridges.

Find a Supertank printer from your favorite top printer brand including:

HP Smart Tank & Neverstop Printers
Brother INKVestment Tank Printers
Canon MegaTank Printers
Epson EcoTank Printers

And don’t forget to browse Staples Ink and Toner Finder to find the right replacement ink for your new printer. No matter what printer you have, enter the brand, cartridge or printer model into the easy-to-use Ink and Toner Finder, and browse for compatible ink.

Rest assured it arrives safely & securely

Whether you are sending business documents or customer products, shipping and mailroom supplies from Staples make the process seamless.

Keep packing supplies ready for easy shipping. Padded envelopes and bubble mailers are perfect for shipping small, non-fragile items. Pack larger items in shipping boxes that are slightly larger than the item, and use packing peanuts, bubble roll, or other packing materials to keep objects from moving in the box during transport. Choose the right packing tape to ensure your packages will stay sealed. Staples carries clear acrylic packing tape for everyday shipping and reinforced or water activated tape for packages that require a heavier duty seal.

Manage the day-to-day office correspondence smoothly with a wide selection of business envelopes, inter-office envelopes, and catalog envelopes in the mailroom. Have finger pads and envelope moisteners on hand for speedy document collation and a quick seal. Choose security envelopes for confidential office correspondence and inter-office communications. If your office or organization sends out large mailings, consider a paper folding machine and self-sealing envelopes to increase efficiency.

Surface Tablet Setup – Microsoft Support

Note: Some products may not be available in your country or region.

Ready to get started with your new Surface tablet? Grab your device and get started!

Note

We recommend that you connect to a wireless network when setting up your Surface.

Setting up the Surface

Attach the Surface keyboard cover (if any) to your tablet by snapping it into place.

If you have a Surface Book, make sure the tablet is securely attached to the keyboard.
If you have a Surface Pro or Surface 3, fold out the kickstand on the back of the tablet.
Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet or surge protector.
Connect the power cable connector to the charging port on your Surface device.
- On Surface Pro tablets, the power cord connector clicks into place (works in any position).
- On the Surface Book, connect the power cable connector on the side of the keyboard with a click.
  
  Note
  
  When the tablet is disconnected from the keyboard, the power cable connector can be connected directly to the bottom of the tablet to charge it.
- On Surface 3, connect the micro USB plug to the micro USB charging port with the cord pointing down and the indicator on the plug facing you. Connect the full size USB plug to the power supply.
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Press and release the power button on your Surface.
The Surface will turn on and Windows setup will begin.

Windows setup

Windows setup is done the first time you turn on your Surface. Here’s what needs to be done.

Select a language, color scheme, and assign a name to the Surface

Choose a language, color scheme, and name your Surface. You can change them later if you wish. To continue, you must also accept the license terms.

Surface handle binding

Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book: During setup, Windows will prompt you to pair your Bluetooth®-enabled Surface Pen with your Surface.

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Press and hold the top button on the handle until the light located in the middle of the handle clip starts flashing.
When pairing is completed successfully, you will see the message Your device is connected on the screen.

Surface 3: During setup, Windows will not prompt you to pair your Surface Pen with Surface 3. You will need to manually pair them after setup. See Use the Surface Pen for instructions.

Note

Surface Pen only works with Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, and Surface 3.

Connecting to a wireless network

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Press and hold the top button on the handle until the light on the handle flashes.
When prompted, enter your wireless network password and select Connect . If you don’t know the password, see How to find your wireless network password.

Note.

If your wireless network is not listed or you cannot connect to it, select Connect to a wireless network later than and follow the appropriate steps to set up a local account. You can switch from a local account to a Microsoft account later.

Standard parameter selection

On the Settings screen, select Use default settings to use the default settings, or click the Customize button to select the desired settings. These settings can be changed later.

Create an account on Surface and sign in

For full cloud connectivity, we recommend that you sign in with your Microsoft account with an appropriate email address and password. When you use a Microsoft account to sign in to your Surface tablet, you get access to free online storage, mobile entertainment, tons of apps in the Microsoft Store, an online password reset, and more.

Not sure if you have a Microsoft account? A Microsoft account is an email address and password that you can use to sign in to Microsoft services such as Outlook.com, OneDrive, and Xbox. If you’ve already used these services, it means you have a Microsoft account.

Passed the previous steps? Now let’s create an account on the Surface device and sign in.

If you have a Microsoft account

Excellent! Do this.

Enter the email address associated with your Microsoft account and select Next .
Enter your Microsoft account password, select Next , and then follow the on-screen instructions to add or change security information.

Note

If you forget your Microsoft account password, you can reset your password online.

If you don’t have a Microsoft account

No problem. During the setup process, you can create a Microsoft account using a new or existing email address in Outlook.com.

To create a Microsoft account using an existing email address, follow these steps.

Enter the selected email address, and then select Next .
Enter your new Microsoft account password, select Next , and then follow the on-screen instructions to add or change your security information.

To create a Microsoft account using your new Outlook.com email address, follow these steps.

Select Register a new email address at the bottom of the screen Login .
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Enter your email address, enter the information required to create a Microsoft account, and then select Next .
Add security check information, and then select Next .
Surface will quickly complete the setup. When it’s done, you’ll be returned to the Start menu.

Windows Hello

If you have a Surface Pro 4 or Surface Book, you can set up Windows Hello, a more personalized way to sign in to your Surface with a look or a touch. For more information, see Windows Hello.

Apply settings from another computer

If you already have a Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows RT 8.1 Surface PC or tablet, you can apply your settings to your new Surface by simply signing in with the same Microsoft account. For more information, see Sign in with your Microsoft account.

Surface App

After you’re done setting up, access the free Surface app for quick access to Surface help, instructions, helpful settings, and more. Use the app to provide feedback so we can improve Surface.

The Surface app is pre-installed on Surface 3 tablets. For Surface Pro models, go to the Microsoft Store, type surface in the search box and select Surface from the search results.

For more information, see Install and use the Surface app.