(Getty)
What’s the best tablet for college? If you’re a student on a tight budget, you might be surprised at just how affordable some of these tablets can be. Read on to see our top picks.
If you are currently a student, you may want to take advantage of Amazon’s Prime Student Free Trial. You’ll get six months of Prime Student for free, which includes perks like free movie streaming, free photo storage, early access to deals, free Audible content, free access to select ebooks, and free two-day shipping on over 50 million eligible items.
1. Acer Iconia 11.6-Inch (128 GB Model)
(Acer)
Amazon has the 128 GB Acer Iconia on sale for around $700. That isn’t exactly cheap, but compared to a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (which retails for $999), it’s quite the bargain. It’s also a pretty fair price for a tablet that has a display that’s almost a foot wide. For students who want a Windows tablet experience, this big tab is a solid choice.
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2. iPad Mini 2
(Getty)
An iPad Mini 2 ($399) is a good option for college students who plan to walk or bike to campus, since it has such a small form factor. The iPad Mini with retina display enables you to have a lightweight device that won’t make you squint, but you can save yourself about a hundred bucks by going for the original iPad Mini ($299) instead of the more recent one.
This 7.9-inch tab benefits from a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, reducing smudges and keeping your iPad Mini looking factory fresh. This tablet would be a good option for anyone who wants to bring a tablet, and not a full-sized laptop, to their lectures.
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3. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (7-Inch)
(Samsung)
Samsung’s tablets are generally pretty solid, and the Galaxy Tab 4 is a great option for anyone who needs a smaller tab. The tab may be on the smaller size, but it comes with about $300 worth of freebies, since Samsung is working aggressively to get your business. These “Galaxy Perks” include three months of SiriusXM Internet Radio, some free audio books, a $10 Google Play credit, and 50 GB of Dropbox space. You can usually find this tab online for under $170.
Buy it here.
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4. Lenovo Yoga Multimode 10-inch Tablet
(Lenovo)
Some students want the portability of a tablet, but the form factor of a laptop. If flexibility is the most important thing for you, this tablet from Lenovo could be perfect. You can use it in tablet mode to take notes during class, then place the tablet in stand mode for when you need a stable screen for writing papers.
This tablet works as a laptop replacement for anyone who needs maximum battery life, or anyone who doesn’t like working in Windows or OS X. Just buy a wireless keyboard and you’re good to go. Even with the added cost of a wireless keyboard, you’ll probably get away without spending more than $300.
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5. YABILA 10-Inch Android Tablet (16GB)
(YABILA)
If price is your primary concern, this ultra-cheap tablet will fit the bill. This tablet runs Android 4.2, and supports HD playback. With the savings you’ll get from buying this cheap tab, you’ll have a ton of money left over for pizza and textbooks. Amazon is currently selling this tablet for over 50 percent off the list price.
Buy it here.
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