Graphics and images are the most interactive elements of any website or application. They not only enhance the overall look of a page or screen but also help the users understand things well and quickly. It may seem like a cakewalk to make these graphics and images, but it is actually not. Designing graphics and editing images take a great amount of time, strong software support, and a powerful device.
Whether you are a designer or a photoshop artist, you must be having a high-end laptop or PC for your jobs. At times, these devices may become a bit inconvenient to work on due to their weight and handling.
So, to make things easy and convenient for yourself, it is best to opt for a tablet. And when it comes to tablets fit for your creative graphics designing work, there are many of them. They include some remarkable features that make your designing work super smooth and quick.
What can you expect from these tablets?
As there are countless choices in the case of graphics tablets, it can become a bit tricky to choose one. Hence, it is necessary to know what to expect and look for. Here are some critical factors that you need to look for:
- Screen size: As most of the tablets come with a display, you can expect a display of over 10 inches in almost all tablets. Some may even have a display of 14 inches for an enhanced drawing experience.
- Pressure-sensitive trackpads: If you are interested in a screen-less graphics tablet, it is necessary to check for pressure-sensitive trackpads. All screenless tablets come with a pressure-sensitive trackpad where you can run your pen and see the drawing appearing on the connected screen. These tablets are not standalone tablets.
- Stylus: If you are buying a tablet specifically for graphics and drawing purposes, it will surely come with a stylus. However, if it doesn’t, you need to purchase one as it helps in making sharper sketches as compared to the finger movement. Moreover, a stylus meant for making graphics comes with various unique features like:
- Buttons: For quick undo.
- Touch gestures: For zooming.
- Slider: For size adjustment, flow, opacity, etc.
- Powerful processor and RAM: As Photoshop, Illustrator, and other graphics software are usually of bigger size, these tablets come with powerful processors like i5 or i7. Moreover, the RAM of these tablets is also high as 8 or 6 GB for faster operation.
Top Tablet Picks for Photoshop & Lightroom
Here are some cool tablets that can make your graphics creation faster and enjoyable!
1. Apple iPad Pro (12.9 Inch)
No matter for what reason one needs a tablet, Apple never fails to impress its users. For all the graphics designers out there, Apple has the new iPad Pro 2020. It is a powerful tablet that offers remarkable performance with its Apple A12Z Bionic chipset and a neural engine.
The chipset is backed by 6GB of RAM that ensures swift operation no matter which photoshop version you are using. It helps you take care of every little detail of your graphics on its super-wide 12.9-inch crystal clear display. On top of all, you can bring out the required precision in your creative graphics using the Apple Pencil.
Secure your drawings from unauthorized access via the Face ID feature. Moreover, keep your work going without a glitch for as long as 10 hours.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The scratch-resistant, pixel-perfect display ensures a smooth working experience. | The device is a bit pricey. |
| A high refresh rate (120 Hz) makes sure you get the required vision. | |
| Extended battery life |
Specifications
| Operating System | iPadOS 13.4 |
| Resolution | 2732 x 2048 pixels |
| Storage | 128/256/512 GB, 1 TB |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Camera | Front: 7MP, Rear: 12MP, 10MP |
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Screen size | 12.9 inch |
| CPU | Octa-core |
| Weight | 1.41 lbs |
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Another tech brand that always stays in the game to amaze its users. It is the first Android tablet in the U.S. with 5G connectivity. The tab dominates with the 11-inch screen that makes it enough for photoshop lovers, even for small detailings.
Thanks to the aluminum back, this tablet has one of the best looks in the segment. It is available in various color variants like Black, Silver, and Bronze, but the 5G model of the device is only available in black color.
It supports 45W fast charging through any external adapter and 15W charging speed with the adapter that comes in the packaging of the device. So, no more worry about power.
To make the job of graphics designers easy, the tablet can be used with the S Pen. The S pen allows for smooth and precise sketch creation.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Solid performance due to its strong processor | The fingerprint sensor becomes fussy |
| S Pen has a softer tip than the one that comes with Apple devices. | |
| High-quality camera good for document scans |
Specifications
| Operating System | Android 10 |
| Resolution | 1752 x 2800 pixels |
| Storage | 128/256/512 GB |
| RAM | 6/8 GB |
| Camera | Front: 8 MP, Rear: 13, and 5 MP |
| Battery | Support Fast 45W Charging |
| Screen size | 12.4 inch |
| CPU | Octa-core |
| Weight | 1.26766 lbs |
3. Apple iPad Air 4 (2020)
Apple has always managed to surprise its users by bringing in some advanced innovations to their devices. This time the 2020 iPad Air 4 version comes with a sleeker and modern look. Also, its large 10.9-inches screen makes it an ideal device for photoshop enthusiasts.
Backed by the A14 Bionic chip, the iPad Air 4 performs much better than third-generation devices. It has a pixel density of 264 bits and 500 nits of maximum brightness with true-color that makes it ideal for your upcoming graphics projects. The major advantage of this device is that it is made from a 5-nanometer manufacturing process.
The aluminum back and frame of the iPad Air 4 (2020) offers a high building quality guarantee. Also, the reversible 1.0 Type-C USB port provides the support option for dongles and external storage via a USB flash drive or solid-state drive. Hence, a great tablet for Photoshop.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| HDR picture quality works best for photoshop lover | No Flash in the back camera |
| Li-ion battery provides up to 10 hours of talking time. | |
| Oleophobic coating and scratch-resistant glass protect it from damage. |
Specifications
| Operating System | iPadOS 14.1, upgradable to iPadOS 14.4 |
| Resolution | 1640 x 2360 pixels |
| Storage | 64/256 GB |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Camera | Front: 7 MP, Rear: 12 MP |
| Battery life | 10 hours |
| Screen size | 10.9 inch |
| CPU | Hexa-core |
| Weight | 1.00972 lbs |
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Talking about the Microsoft Surface Pro 7, its magnetic screen size of 12.3-inches makes it the most liable choice for any person intending to use photoshop. It is loaded with all the features that can handle your photo editing applications with ease.
The improved efficiency level of the intel core processor makes it a leading choice for those who love quicker response to their actions. It is the best tab for those who were restlessly looking for a new device worth the application and cost.
The most-awaited USB C-Type feature is included in the 7 pro model, along with a USB-A type port. Another cool thing is the 10.5 hours battery life so that you can work even when you are on a commute.
An ideal device to handle all your graphics and drawing multitasking without sweat and major slowdown. With this amazing device, you’ll not have to worry about the performance as it is a winner in all terms due to its core features.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Access to Wi-Fi 6 feature for better connectivity | Still, it does not have Thunderbolt 3 |
| Faster CPU processor to provide seamless performance | |
| Long battery life with dual far-field mics |
Specifications
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Resolution | 2736 X 1824 pixels |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Camera | Front: 5 MP, Rear: 8 MP |
| Battery Life | 10.5 hours |
| Screen size | 12.30 inch |
| CPU | Quad-core and Dual-core |
| Weight | 1.70 lb |
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Samsung is the tech titan that started the wave of smartphones with its S-series. Right now, it has hundreds of smart devices in the market that offer tough competition to other brands. One of those devices is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6. The tablet is a high-end device and a perfect fit for those who love to bring their artistic vision to life.
The 10.5 inches wide AMOLED screen of the tablet makes it extremely easy for you to create super precise graphics, no matter for what purpose they are. If they are big in size, it will not be an issue for you as the tablet has 128GB storage. It is packed with a powerful Octa-core processor and 6GB RAM that delivers lightning-fast performance. To help you make your drawings perfect and edgy, an S Pen is included with it.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| More power of around 15 hours | The apps may not fit as per the aspect ratio |
| Beautiful S-Pen for perfection | |
| High-resolution screen for crystal clear view |
Specifications
| Operating System | Android 9.0, upgradable to 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels |
| Storage | 128/256GB |
| RAM | 6/8GB |
| Camera | Rear: 13MP, 5MP
Front: 8MP |
| Battery life | 15 hours |
| Screen size | 10.5 inch |
| CPU | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (Octa-core) |
| Weight | 0.92 lbs |
6. Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The maker of Windows OS is no way less than its competitors. Microsoft has a plethora of tablet devices in the market. One of the prime series of Microsoft tablets is the Microsoft Surface. There are a bunch of tablets that are fit for photoshop artists in this lineage. One of them is Microsoft Surface Pro 6.
Backed by the Intel Core i5 processor, the Surface Pro 6 offers you optimum and speedy performance. It has a studio mode that allows you to create drawings and illustrations as per your requirements. The large 12.3-inch screen offers enough area to create each of your drawings with superior accuracy.
The lightweight design can be easily carried along if required. And there is no need to worry about power as it has a battery backup of around 13.5 hours. Make your drawing experience smoother with the help of a surface pen.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Studio mode enhances the drawing experience | The size of the device is a bit large |
| The pixel-perfect screen makes graphics look amazing. | |
| 8GB RAM for super-fast operation |
Specifications
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Resolution | 1824 x 2736 pixels |
| Storage | 128GB |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Camera | Rear: 8MP |
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours |
| Screen size | 12.3 inch |
| CPU | Intel Core 8th Gen i5 |
| Weight | 3.53 lbs |
7. Wacom One
Not a known brand, but it has risen to the limelight via its portfolio of tablets specifically for graphics designing purposes. One of those masterpiece devices is the Wacom One. The aesthetic tablet has a wide 13.3-inch screen that offers the required friction for making impressive drawings on the screen.
A cherry on the cake is the pressure-sensitive pen that comes with it. The pen features software that makes it fit to be used as multiple pens and brushes. You can even change the colors of these brushes. And the best thing is that it does not need any batteries.
With all of these, when you buy and register your Wacom One, you get access to software like Clip Studio Paint Pro for three months, Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom for two months, Adobe Fresco for six months, and many others. You need to connect this to a phone, PC, or laptop for working on your designs and drawings.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Sketch everything directly on the screen with ease | The brightness of the tablet is less. |
| Get limited-time access to some of the best graphic design software. | |
| No need for batteries for using the pen |
Specifications
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, or Android |
| Pen | Yes, pressure-sensitive |
| Color | Black and White |
| Connectivity | USB-C, HDMI |
| Screen size | 13.3 inch |
| Weight | 0.26 lbs |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
8. Microsoft Surface Go 2
The first one on this list is the Microsoft Surface Go 2. As you are a graphics designer, let us talk about the screen first.
The tablet has a wide 10.5-inch PixelSense Display that offers superior picture quality. You can see every detail perfectly and design the best graphic images. To help you with it, the tablet comes with a Mytrix Digital Pen. It will help you make minor and precise tuning to your sketches with ease.
Apart from this, the tablet is powered by an Intel Pentium Gold Dual-Core Processor that helps you multitask. Moreover, the processor is coupled with an 8GB RAM that offers lightning-fast operation. You can store all of your precious work in the 128 SSD storage.
There is nothing to worry about power when you have this tablet. It can easily run for 10 hours in one charge, which makes it ideal if you have to work while traveling.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide display for a seamless designing experience | Display size is a bit less than other tablets |
| Speedy performance backed by 128GB SSD and 8GB RAM. | |
| Mytrix Digital Pen makes it easy to design sketches. |
Specifications
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home in S mode |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1280 |
| Storage | 128 GB |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Camera | Rear: 8MP, Front: 5MP |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
| Screen size | 10.5 inch |
| CPU | Intel Pentium 4425Y Dual-Core Processor |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs |
9. CHUWI UBook Pro Tablet
You may not be impressed by the name, but yes, you will be with the features of this awesome product. The tablet device has a sleek and dazzling look that will surely glue your eyes to it. It has a wide 12 inch IPS screen that ensures a pixel-perfect look while doing your work.
On top of everything, the device comes with an H6 or H7 stylus pen that has 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. It comes with a super slim and rounded nib that can help you achieve the required level of fineness in your sketches.
The CHUWI UBook Pro Tablet has an Intel N4100 Quad-Core Processor and 8GB RAM. The combination of both helps you make the required graphics in minimum time. Along with marvelous speed, it also offers you 256GB SSD space for storing your unique creations.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| It comes packed with a stylus and a keyboard | Pen pressure is not that intuitive |
| The laminated screen prevents scratches. | |
| Easy to carry lightweight design |
Specifications
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Resolution | 2160 x 1440 pixels |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Screen size | 12 inch |
| CPU | Intel N4100 Quad-Core Processor |
| Battery life | 5 hours |
| Number of cores | 4 |
| Weight | 1.71 lbs |
Verdict
When it comes to choosing the best tablet for photoshop, there are countless things to keep in checks, such as screen size, stylus, RAM, processing speed, weight, and even storage. As these factors may confuse you at times, here are some key insights that will help you shortlist the best one:
If you have no limits on the budget we recommend iPad Pro, it’s the best in all the fields – photoshop, video editing, movies, writing(with the Magic Keyboard), etc. Another great pick would be Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ it’s the newest edition from Samsung Tablets. They have improved their screen significantly, the colors are very vivid and it just magnificent to work on, especially when it comes to pictures and videos.
FAQs
- Can you use Photoshop on tablets?
If your tablet has an Apple Store or Play store, then you can also download photoshop on it, the other question you should be keeping in mind – is your tablet powerful enough to run this application? Photoshop requires a lot of processing power, meaning you will need a high-end tablet to do your work properly.
- Do you need a graphics tablet for Photoshop?
If you already have a tablet on which you run Photoshop, there is no need for a graphics tablet. Graphics tablets are exclusively for professional and dedicated use, which is both a pro and a con. With most of the graphic tablets, you will also need a dedicated computer, they are not standalone tablets such as Apple iPad Pro/Air or Samsung Galaxy Tab.
- How much do graphics tablets cost?
As such, there is no specific value that we can arrive at. As the requirements and preferences of different users will be different, so will be the cost of a photoshop tablet. The products on the list lie in the range of $300 to $1600. So, it will depend on you how much you want to spend.
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