Best tablets on sale in 2019: iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface and more

There has never been a better time to dive into the tablet market than now.

All the tech giants, including Apple and Microsoft, have launched cutting-edge models over the past six months and many of these new devices are sophisticated enough to replace your old laptop computer. Even the very cheapest models on offer – the ones under £100 – come with hi-tech software and artificial intelligence (AI) features.

So without further ado, these are the best tablets on sale now, from rangetoppers costing just under £1,000 to bargains that can be snapped up for less than £100:

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iPad Pro 12.9in

If money isn’t an issue, buyers won’t regret buying Apple’s latest and largest iPad Pro.

Launched last November, the new iPad Pro has a new 12.9in display with no physical buttons on the front panel. It’s powerful, too, as Apple has installed its latest A12X processor – the fastest mobile chip it offers – on the new range-topping tablet.

The device is so powerful that Wired says users could replace their conventional laptop with the new iPad Pro if they have “the right kind of occupation, and a lot of patience and determination.”

The snag? The new iPad Pro is by far the most expensive tablet on this list. But if money’s no object, buyers will find the new iPad Pro 12.9in on Apple’s online store for £969.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

The definitive tablet on the market powered by Google’s Android operating system is the Galaxy Tab S4, claims Expert Reviews.

It’s a lightweight tablet equipped with an impressive 10.6in display with a resolution of 2,560x1,600 pixels. It also has a “powerful” quad-core Snapdragon 835 processor, the tech site says. What’s more, it steals a march on the iPad by including the S-Pen styles in the box for free. It’s also capable of being used as a laptop thanks to Samsung’s DeX mode.

The Galaxy Tab S4 can be ordered from Amazon for £474.99.

Microsoft Surface Go

There aren’t many companies capable of merging the performance of a laptop with the portability of a tablet, but Microsoft is certainly one of them.

The tech giant’s new Surface Go is widely referred to as a “2-in-1” device because it blends the Windows 10 computer operating system with the touchscreen functionality of a tablet. Trusted Reviews says that Microsoft’s operating system gives users “far greater freedom” than alternatives from Google and Apple, while the kick-stand and keyboard cover makes it “incredibly versatile.”

The Surface Go can be found on Amazon for £339.99.

iPad Mini 2019

Buyers seeking a high-performance iPad but lacking the budget – or space – to buy the range-topping iPad Pro should consider the latest iPad Mini.

Thanks to a much-needed refresh last month, the new iPad Mini boasts the same A12 processor as Apple’s iPhone XS line-up as well as 3GB of ram. This means the tablet should be capable of handling everything from photo editing to gaming with ease, says Stuff.

“It’s tiny. But it’s powerful”, the tech site adds. “If you want something for games, telly and a bit of reading, it’s a solid bet.”

Buyers can pick up the new iPad Mini at Apple’s online store for £399.

Amazon Fire HD 8

The best device on the market for under £100 is the Amazon Fire HD 8, a budget tablet that “you shouldn’t have to worry about throwing into a bag on the commute”, The Guardian says.

While the 720p display “won’t win any awards on colour accuracy or brightness”, it’s crisp enough to watch videos on a train “with evening sun streaming through the windows or anywhere indoors”, the newspaper says. It’s also one of the cheapest ways to access Amazon’s Alexa AI assistant, which can be used to operate the device through voice commands.

Prices usually start at £79.99, but Amazon has temporarily slashed £20 off the cost.