Home and office are different beasts. When you’re shopping for home, you’re thinking of what will be the most fun and entertaining. For the office, you’ve got work and productivity on your mind. This list rounds up the best tablets for the office of 2014.
Apple iPad Air 2 – Starting $499
Of course, right? This Apple tablet has been a popular choice for years. There’s even a copy of Microsoft Office’s Suite available. They come in a variety of models that give them a flexible price point. The larger hard drive units are more expensive and if you get a 4G enabled device, expect the price to jump again.
Since they are so popular, there are more accessories available than you can count. Actually, iPads have the best selection of accessories on the market, hands down. There are cases, Bluetooth keyboards, and other add-ons that are perfect for the office.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 – Starting at $499
If your go-to operating system of choice is Android, then the Galaxy Note Pro is a great option. It starts at the same price point as the iPad Air 2, but it comes with Samsung’s finely tuned S Pen technology. At first glance, the S Pen is just a stylus, but it’s actually the best stylus technology on the market. It’s so precise that you can use your tablet as a notepad and then convert your handwritten notes to text. The precision also helps you use spreadsheets and even creative software with ease. Like all of the devices in the Galaxy Note line-up, the Note 10.1 has a housing slot for the S-Pen for easy, convenient storage
The Note is packed with great features, and if you’re willing to splurge a little, you can purchase 4G editions to get internet connectivity directly to your tablet when you’re on the go. The Samsung tablets are pretty popular, so Samsung isn’t your only source for accessories. Not only that, but the charger is your run-of-the-mill Micro USB—not a proprietary cable, so it’s easy and cheap to replace.
Microsoft Surface Pro 3 – Starting $799
This is one of the pricier options on the list, but it is a true laptop-tablet hybrid. If you can’t compromise laptop functionality but need a portable option, the Surface Pro 3 is the way to go. Without getting into all of the technical specs, the processor in the Surface Pro can go head-to-head with most laptops on the market and can handle multitasking as well as running large software suites like Adobe.
Although there isn’t a large selection of accessories, Microsoft offers a TypeCover, which is a 2-in-1 keyboard and case that also has a place to hold the stylus. The downside is that it will set you back at least another $100. When you factor in the weight of the keyboard, the Surface Pro 3 is still lighter than even a MacBook Air, but heavier than most tablets, so much so that it is difficult to operate with one hand.
Any of these tablets will handle your average office responsibilities and throw in some fun in case you’re bored on a long layover. To pick the best one for your office, look at the devices you already have first. If your office is filled with MacBooks, then an iPad is the natural continuation. If that doesn’t narrow it down, check out your budget and your needs to see what will take you to 2014 and beyond.
