The Best Tablets For Nursing School In 2023

Last updated: Today

Erin Carpenter

Top 5 Best Tablets For Nursing School 2023:

  1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1″ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 128 GB
  2. All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet 10.1″ 1080p full HD display, Wi-Fi, 32 GB
  3. New Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3″ 10th Gen Intel Core i5, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
  4. Apple iPad Pro 11″ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1st Generation, 64GB
  5. New Microsoft Surface Go Intel Pentium Gold, 10″ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 8GB RAM, 128GB

Being a nursing student is a full-time commitment.

In case you are unaware, you are going to have a lot of coursework to accomplish.

You need to be able to download documents, create reports, and share information with your patients, digitally and on the go.

That excludes your laptop right on the spot. Now what?

Well, in this case, a good tablet can be a lifesaver. There is a wide variety of tablets nowadays, and finding the right one can be challenging. You need a model that is optimized for work; therefore, we made this list to help you find the best tablet for nursing school that will meet all your requirements.

Related: The Best Laptops For Nursing Students


5 Best Tablets For Nursing School In 2023: Detailed Reviews

1. New Microsoft Surface Go Intel Pentium Gold, 10″ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 8GB RAM, 128GB – Not Just An Average Tablet

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Microsoft Surface series of tablets have received a lot of high praise for their impeccable performance and versatile use.

This lightweight 10-inch tablet can conveniently be converted to a laptop in just a few steps. Both surface signature type and surface mobile mouse are not included in the package. If you want to draw and write, you can even switch to studio mode for which you need a surface pen that comes with an eraser on the other end. The pen is not included in the package also. 

It comes with a Full HD display with a resolution of 1800 x 1200 pixels. The graphic is pretty good, thanks to Intel Integrated HD 615 graphics. The tablet is powered by Intel Pentium Gold Processor that allows you to handle all the operations hassle-free. If you love to multitask, you will be glad to hear that 8 GB RAM backs the device, and the storage on the tablet is supported by 128 GB storage.

The Surface Go runs operating system Windows 10 in S mode and Office 365. Microsoft Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook will help you to complete all the required coursework quickly and efficiently.

The Microsoft Surface Go uses a standard USB port for charging, and the battery life is only 9 hours, which can be a problem sometimes.

Pros

  • Convertible tablet/laptop
  • Lightweight
  • 8 GB RAM
  • Intel Pentium Gold Processor
  • Intel Integrated HD 615 graphics
  • Windows 10 S mode

Cons

  • Battery life
  • Keyboard, pen, and mouse not included
  • Price

2. New Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3″ 10th Gen Intel Core i5, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD – Beastly Specifications For Portable Multitasker

Image Credit: Amazon.com

This is another Microsoft hybrid of tablet/laptop, yet this one is improved to be a beast. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 features powerful specifications paired with a very compact and ergonomic form.

Just like the previous model, it can be turned into a laptop in a few simple steps. But the good news is that this model comes with the keyboard included in the pack, so you only need to purchase a stylus pen and a surface arc mode mouse if you want, of course.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen features 2736 x 1824 resolution, and it is very sharp and responsive to the touch. The Intel Iris Plus Graphics i5 is in charge of the vibrant color experience. The tablet is powered by the 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, backed with an 8GB of RAM. The storage on the tablet is supported by a 256 GB SSD.

The only innovation is that the Pro 7 model finally includes a USB-C port, but you can’t charge your device through it in case you lose your surface connect charger. Also, the port is standard USB 3.1, so there is no fast 40 GB/s transfer.

The Surface Pro 7 tablet runs on Windows 10 Home and features Office 365 so you can be sure your homework or presentations will look flawless. Finally, battery life is 10 hours on a single charge, which is a bit disappointing since this model is quite expensive.

Pros

  • Powerful tablet/laptop hybrid
  • Keyboard included
  • 8 GB RAM
  • 10th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor
  • Intel Iris Plus Graphics i5
  • Windows 10 Home

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Battery life
  • USB-C is standard USB 3.1

3. All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet 10.1″ 1080p full HD display, Wi-Fi, 32 GB – Stay On The Budget

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Amazon scored well with this multipurpose tablet. So if you need a device for reading and studying that is also straightforward to use, portable and affordable, the Fire HD, 10.1-inch tablet, is a good option for you. On the other hand, this tablet is not suitable if you need to create any kind of content for your homework. The Fire HD 10 is lightweight, compact, and features a soft-touch finish.

The device is equipped with a 10.1-inch HD IPS LCD with an anti-glare coating on top for better eye protection. Unlike most of the other tablets in this price range, the display is sharp thanks to the Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels.

This device is powered by a 2.0 GHz Octa-Core processor paired with 2 GB of RAM for smooth performance and better multitasking. Storage varies from 32GB to 64GB, and it can be expanded up to 512GB via a micro SD card.

The tablet runs Fire OS 5.5 that is based on Android, and it runs Android apps, but it can’t use Google Play store only Amazon store. The Fire HD 10 might be a bit complicated for you if you never used Amazon’s devices, but it comes with a personalized voice assistance system named Alexa, to help you with all your questions and give you quick and reliable answers.

This model uses a USB C port for charging, and it will take 3 hours to fully charge, but the battery life span is 12 hours.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • 2 GB RAM
  • 2.0 GHz Octa-Core Processor
  • Fire OS 5.5
  • Great battery life

Cons

  • Not suitable for creating content

4. Apple iPad Pro 11″ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1st Generation, 64GB – Delivers Real-Life Colors

Image Credit: Amazon.com

The new iPad Pro delivers incredible responsiveness to the touch thanks to the ProMotion technology, and it is powerful enough to handle complex actions like editing 4K videos.

This tablet comes with a large 11-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2388 x 1668 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. Apple’s 7-core graphics provide vibrant life-like colors and sharp details from edge to edge.

This model is packed with a powerful A12X Bionic processor with Neural Engine paired with 4GB RAM. Storage varies from 64GB up to massive 1TB. The tablet runs on the iOS 12.1 that can be updated to iPadOS 13.4.

The tablet comes with a single USB C port, and unfortunately, it does not come with a headphone jack. The FaceID safety feature for secure unlocking, and it works great in both portrait and landscape. You can use this feature to log in to the apps or pay with just one glance.

This tablet is great for note-taking. The iPad Pro comes with a 2nd Generation Apple Pencil, which is very practical and easy-to-use, unlike the previous models. It charges wirelessly when not in use. When you want to switch between pen and eraser, just tap on the Apple Pencil.

The battery life is not so great considering how much money you need to spend on this device, and it can hold in a range from 8 to 10 hours.

Pros

  • Liquid Retina display
  • 4 GB RAM
  • A12X Bionic processor with Neural Engine
  • iOS 12.1 that can be upgraded
  • FaceID
  • 2nd Generation Apple Pencil

Cons

  • Price
  • No headphone jack
  • Battery life

5. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1″ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 128 GB – Great Battery Life

Image Credit: Amazon.com

Samsung Galaxy Tab A is the perfect all-purpose tablet that can come in handy, especially to students. The design changed a lot compared to previous models. 

This model is mostly made from aluminum, and there are no more buttons underneath the screen. It features a lot of unique and useful features for enhanced productivity as well as multimedia-based usage.

It comes with a large color-rich 10.1-inch IPS display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. It is powered by Samsung’s proprietary 1.8Hz Exynos 7940 Octa-Core Chipset paired with 3GB RAM for efficient multitasking. The inbuilt storage provides 128 GB, and it features a microSD card slot for additional expansion up to 512GB.

This device runs on Android 9.0 Pie, and it is in the queue to receive the latest Android updates. This OS allows you to hide the navigation bar, operate Android with gestures, split screen mode to open two different apps at the same time one next to another.

What disappointed us is that there are no safety features like a fingerprint scan or face unlock, so you need to use a password or swipe pattern. Also, the bad news is that this model does not support S-Pen. It uses a USB C port for charging, and it can stay juiced up for 13 hours of continuous usage.

Pros

  • Aluminum case
  • Color-rich IPS LCD with Full HD resolution
  • 3 GB RAM
  • 1.8Hz Exynos 7940 Octa-Core Chipset processor
  • Android 9.0 Pie
  • Split screen

Cons

  • No safety features like fingerprint scan
  • Does not support S-Pen

Factors To Consider Before Purchasing A Tablet For Nursing School

There are a few factors you must consider when buying a tablet since they will affect your budget. As long as you know the main purpose of your tablet, it should not be so challenging to pick the right one.

1. Convertible Or Standard Tablet

You can go with a standard tablet or with a convertible tablet; the choice is yours.

  • Standard tablets take the form of oversize smartphones. They have a large touch screen, a few buttons on the case. They usually weigh around 1 to 2 lbs, so they are compact and portable. To control them, you use the touch screen, but you can pair them with a Bluetooth keyboard too.
  • Convertible devices combine the flexibility of the laptop and the convenience of a tablet. They either come with a detachable keyboard, or they are really just a full-size laptop equipped with a touch screen. Some detachable keyboards must be purchased separately.

See Also: The Best Bluetooth Adapter

2. Size

The screen sizes range from 6 inches all the way up to 18.4 inches on some models. But most of them fall in a range from 7 to 10 inches.  While laptop/tablet hybrids typically feature screen sizes around 11 to 13 inches, and they tend to be bulkier, so they are more difficult to carry.

See Also: The Best Wireless Charger

3. Operating System

This factor solely depends on your preferences.

Apple iOS

iOS as an operating system is more suitable for tablets since it is better optimized for larger screens. iOS is very clean and intuitive. It offers you a wide selection of apps that you can buy; however, you should be aware that the iPad is not compatible with Adobe Flash, which may limit usability.

Android

Android is the Google operating system and the most popular mobile interface in the world.  Also, Android tablets also tend to be the most affordable. The great thing is that the company releases a new update to the OS every year, so some tablets can be updated while others do not. Android devices are compatible with over 2.2 million apps, so you can, for sure, always find the right app for any situation.

Windows 10

Microsoft Surface devices are as we said hybrids of tablets and laptops. That means they offer access to the Windows 10 that can run full programs like Photoshop and Office. Also, these devices are fitted with a range of powerful processors and offer large storage space of up to 1TB.

They offer fewer apps than Android and iOS devices.

See Also: The Best Screen Protector For Nintendo Switch

4. Specs

Tablet specs are an important factor to consider, and they can be tricky to discern, especially if you are not a gadget geek. The processor and RAM dictate how quickly and efficiently your tablet will process information.

Processor

Apple iPads are fitted with AX chips. This means the higher the chip number, the better the performance is. For example, Apple’s A9X and A12X chips are powerful enough to edit 4K video.

Most Android tablets feature a quad-core processor, which is more than enough for everyday school tasks. Android tablets are powered with processors from a wide variety of manufacturers.

On the Windows tablet, you’ll find Intel processors, including the Core m3, i5, and i7 processors enough to rival any desktop. Tablets based on Intel Core processors tend to be higher-end devices, and they cost a lot more.  If you want a lower-cost Windows tablet, look for the ones that use Intel Atom processors.

RAM Memory

RAM is not such an important feature in tablets because of the way how iOS and Android manage memory. 

On most tablets nowadays, you can usually expect anywhere between 1GB and 4GB of memory, but it tends to go up. Laptop/tablet hybrids typically offer more memory, usually up to 16GB of RAM.

Storage

The amount of storage space is important, and it depends on how you use your tablet. We recommend you to choose a tablet with as much storage space as you can afford just in case. Or opt for a tablet that allows you to expand storage capacity. 

The 16 or 32GB hard drive is more suitable for some basic use like browsing the internet and storing pictures. If you need a tablet for school purposes, make sure it has at least 64 GB.

5. Battery Life

Tablet battery life can vary greatly. Some can last 9 hours, while others can go up to 15 hours on a single charge. On average, the devices usually ran for 8 to 9 hours continuously before their batteries ran dry. Pick the model that can last at least 8 hours.

See Also: The Best Laptop For Medical School; The Best Chromebox


The Verdict

Now that we take a careful look at all our candidates, it is only up to you to decide which one will suit your needs best. In case you already have a laptop at home, you can opt for a standard tablet that is more affordable. On the other hand, if you are in search of both laptop and tablet, the hybrid model will save you some money too.

Best Overall Value: Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1″ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 128 GB

  • This tablet looks great, it is equipped with a fantastic display, long battery life, and it performs all the usual tablet jobs perfectly thanks to the powerful processor. The great thing is that it comes for a price that is easy to handle.

Best Budget Option: All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet 10.1″ 1080p full HD display, Wi-Fi, 32 GB

  • Amazon’s budget tablets have always been the right choice. The screen is fair, the build quality is good, and there is plenty of storage available. It is not the fastest one, but it has enough power to do everything you need. Plus, Alexa, as a help, is a nice touch.

Premium Pick: New Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3″ 10th Gen Intel Core i5, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD

  • We all know a nursing student has a lot of work to do. But it is a hassle to carry around a full-sized laptop, but it’s a hassle to write an essay on a tablet as well. That leads us to the conclusion that you really do need a keyboard sometimes. A tablet/laptop hybrid might sound expensive, but you killed two birds with one stone with this purchase.

About Erin Carpenter

Erin Carpenter has over 15 years experience in the diamond industry working with Artic Canadian Diamonds, Anglo-American Diamonds. She is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as USA Today, Forbes, The New York Times and more.