Best Cheap Windows Tablets

Updated on January 5, 2024
Best Cheap Windows Tablets

When jumping into the expanding world of mobile devices, not all users are ready to give up the Microsoft experience they already know and love. We’ve searched every last inch of the Internet to find the best Windows 10 tablets currently available!

Need a highly portable device with a touch screen, but want to stick with Windows programs instead of moving over to Android or iOS apps?

Below we’ve ranked those choices according to budget and features. Whether you need a cheap model to write up emails or a high end unit for graphic design, we’ve got a perfect option to meet your needs.

Recommendation for March 2024

Best Cheap Windows Tablets Of 2024

Fusion5 – Best Budget Windows Tablet

Fusion5
Not quite ready to drop several hundred dollars on a tablet, but still need the full Microsoft OS? Fusion5 easily has the best cheap Windows tablet that costs less than buying a full laptop.

As tablets, laptops, netbooks, and 2-in-1s all start to bleed together, we’ve reached a point where you don’t need a full notebook to get the full Windows 10 experience.

If you prefer a handheld device in the 10-inch range but want Windows 10 Home instead of Android, this is the model to pick.

At under $200, this is easily the most affordable Windows tablet. It doesn’t skimp on the specs either, sporting enough RAM and CPU speed to make Windows run smoothly.

While several of our other models feature larger storage capacities, this is still an excellent way to get both a tablet and a Windows PC without spending much money.

The only real downside to going this cheap is in the display quality. While some users won’t notice the difference, with this level of resolution you won’t get full 1080p HD streaming quality.

Recommended Configuration For Fusion5

CPU: Quad-Core AtomTM x5-Z835| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 4GB RAM | Screen: 10-inch Touchscreen display| Storage: 64GB eMMC| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 6 hours | Weight: 1.52 lbs

Chuwi UBook Tablet – Top Pick With Keyboard

Chuwi UBook Tablet
If you are the type that sways between using a Windows or an Android operating system, the Chuwi HI10 tablet helps you solve it in one affordable package.

With a weight of 1.67lbs, the Chuwi UBook tablet has a great build and form. The satin finish and metal exterior give it a high-end look.

The tablet’s operating system is a remix of both Windows 1 and Android 5.1. To boot the Android OS, it takes half a minute while the Windows OS needs 15 seconds to load. The booting time for the operating systems is relatively faster than others in the same market and this is due to the Intel N4100 processor.

Chuwi UBook has a slot for SD card thereby making it possible to increase its storage capacity to 128GB. The RAM size is 8GB and it has a 256GB SSD.

Luckily, the tab has several ports which include a micro USB, HDMI port, audio, and USB-C port. The audio port helps in producing nice enough sound but the speakers do not project well.

The battery of the tablet lasts up to 6hours due to its 8400mAH capacity. Therefore, with a good quality power bank, you can get up to 3 full charges.

The camera quality of the tablet is not so great due to the 5MP rear and front camera. So, if you need a device for picture taking or video recording, this is not an option for you.

Perhaps the best qualities of the tablet are its detachable keyboard and the stylus pen that makes it stylish.

Recommended Configuration For Chuwi UBook

CPU: Intel Core N4100| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 8GB RAM | Screen: 11.6-inch Touchscreen IPS display| Storage: 256GB SSD| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 6 hours | Weight: 1.67lbs

Microsoft Surface Pro – Cheapest Surface Model

Microsoft Surface Pro
Prefer to go straight to the manufacturer for a top of the line Windows experience? If you want the single best Surface Pro tablet available on the market today, the Surface 6 is your best bet.

When you need a sleek, lightweight device that packs a punch, the Surface Pro perfectly fits the bill.

For business users who need to mark up documents or scribble designs, there isn’t a better Windows 10 pick out there.

While the stylus must be bought separately, the Microsoft Pen glides incredibly smoothly across this touch screen display.

There’s no shortage of entertainment options here, either. With an extremely high-end display, you get crystal clear video streaming even at very high resolutions.

In terms of high performance and quality build for a sturdy, attractive device, you won’t find a better option at this price point.

Note that we went with the i5 version featuring a 128GB SSD for a lower price since those specs will meet the needs of most buyers.

You can bump the Surface pro up to an i7 and 256GB SSD to future proof your tablet, although the price more than doubles.

Recommended Configuration For Microsoft Surface Pro

CPU: Intel Core i5-7300U| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 8GB RAM | Screen: 12.3-inch 2736×1824 Touchscreen HD display| Storage: 128GB SSD| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 13 hours | Weight: 2lbs

Asus VivoBook Flip – With Office Pre-Installed

Asus VivoBook Flip
Need to ensure you get the right productivity tools right out of the box? If you mostly need a tablet for word processing, this is our top pick for the best Windows tablet with Office already included.

While there is plenty of word processing and spreadsheet apps out there for free, some buyers prefer the layout of the full Microsoft Office suite.

If you’re in that boat, you can buy a Windows tablet and get Office included in the purchase price.

This is a perfect solution for users who mostly just need to type up documents or share spreadsheets with coworkers, but aren’t obsessed with high-end specs.

As a bonus, this model has a much higher screen resolution than the Fusion5 listed above, so it’s a great option for budget buyers.

Note that the FlipBook starts with the S version of Windows 10, which offers more security by only allowing you to download apps from the Microsoft store.

Don’t let that scare you off though, as it only takes a few minutes to upgrade (for free) to the full Home version of Windows 10 if you need that functionality.

Recommended Configuration For Asus VivoBook Flip

CPU: Intel Celeron N3350| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 4GB RAM | Screen: 11.6-inch 1366×768 Touchscreen HD display| Storage: 64GB eMMC| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 8 hours | Weight: 2.8lbs

Microsoft Surface Pro LTE – LTE Enabled

Microsoft Surface Pro LTE
A great portable option for professionals who find themselves constantly working in odd places without a Wi-Fi connection.

The Microsoft Pro LTE may not be a computer, but it works well enough like one. This is due to the fact that it has its limitations which slows users down from doing too much with it.

Microsoft Pro LTE has the same features as the Wi-Fi model but without the option for a Core i7 processor.

According to the manufacturer Microsoft, battery life is up to 24 hours but this is based on video watching alone. Optimal use of the system revealed that the battery life is more or less 15 hours. 

The front camera is 5Mp which produces sharp images and allows users to enable the face authentication feature. The tablet also has an 8MP rear-facing camera that is serviceable enough.

The presence of a quick stand means you can go hands-free and prop the tab on various angles. However, the keyboard and pen of the tablet is something that has to be purchased separately. But, attaching the keyboard to the tablet is relatively easy due to the magnetic connector. The keyboard is backlit ensuring continuous use even in dimly lit places.

Recommended Configuration For Microsoft Surface Pro LTE

CPU: Intel Core i5| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 8GB RAM | Screen: 12.3-inch 2736×1824 Touchscreen HD display| Storage: 256GB SSD| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 24 hours | Weight: 1.79lbs

MobileDemand Flex – Durable Option

MobileDemand Flex
If your first and foremost concern is the durability of tablets that you might want to use go for MobileDemand Flex that has a military-grade performance, rugged tablet for everyday rough use!

When durability is what you are looking for, your best choice is the MobileDemand Flex tablet that is built to conquer.

This tablet is just like any other tablet on the list but with a buffed durability feature, it is recommended for field workers that use a tablet or any windows based software while working outside.

Powered by Intel Celeron N4100 and 4GB of RAM this tablet is ready to be your day to day computing device, the massive 128GB storage is big enough to store files for entertainment or work.

The 10.1-inch display features a capacitive multi-touch touchscreen that is thin and lightweight enclosed in an extremely protective case with protective corner bumpers and scratch-resistant screen protector.

Definitely a great tablet for filed workers on the go!

Recommended Configuration For MobileDemand Flex

CPU: Intel Celeron N4100| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 4GB RAM | Screen: 10.1-inch 1280×800 Touchscreen display| Storage: 128GB eMMC| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 6 hours | Weight: 2.07lbs

Acer Spin 1 – Cheapest IPS Display

Acer Spin 1
Want your windows tablet to have a beautiful display but still at an affordable price? Acer Spin 1 offers an IPS display and classy look for a very affordable price!

One of the disadvantages of cheap tablets is a mediocre display, but not in Acer Spin. you get a beautiful IPS HD display in a low price tag.

The Acer Spin 1 is powered by a powerful Intel Pentium and 4GB RAM to ensure you can achieve your day to day computing needs.

The best feature on this tablet is the IPS HD display which is rarely present in budget-friendly tablets, the 11.6-inch IPS display is perfect for visuals and other media-related tasks.

It comes with a 64GB SSD to ensure fast boot on the device and for basic storage needs if you find it too little you can always use cloud-based storage to declutter some files and free some space.

Aside from the beautiful display, the Acer Spin 1 features many ports and one of them is an HDMI port if you want to have a bigger display you can always connect it to an external monitor.

For price and configuration, this tablet is a great deal.

Recommended Configuration For Acer Spin 1

CPU: Intel Pentium N5000| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 4GB RAM | Screen: 11.6-inch 1366×768 Touchscreen IPS HD display| Storage: 64GB SSD| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 12 hours | Weight: 4.19lbs

HP Elite X2 – With Active Pen

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Affordable yet capable? Just take a look at HP Elite X2 and we’re pretty sure you’ll fall in love with its robust features yet come with an affordable price tag. 

It sports a powerful Intel m7 processor and massive 8GB RAM, a perfect combination for intensive tasks like basic graphics designing and media rendering.

It comes with 512GB SSD to ensure fast boot and provide enough storage for your basic files or you can even store games with it, and it won’t run out of storage. You can also expand the storage to whatever size you like.

The keyboard is very comfortable making it ideal for writers and any other people who type a lot, while the IPS display makes sure you get stunning visuals and eye-soothing experience when working for long hours.

This tablet is gorgeous and classy looking, powerful enough, and capable. Definitely a great find if you’re on the hunt for an affordable Windows tablet that can do more.

Recommended Configuration For HP Elite X2

CPU: Intel m7-6y75| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 8GB RAM | Screen: 12-inch 1920×1280 Touchscreen IPS HD display| Storage: 512GB SSD| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 10 hours | Weight: 1.8lbs

Picking The Best Cheap Windows Tablets In 2024

Design

Since you will hold a tablet directly in your hands most of the time, your top concern should be comfortable design with a low overall weight.

For the most comfort when holding a tablet (or viewing it in tent mode on a table), we recommend sticking between 10 – 13 inches in the vast majority of cases.

If at all possible, look for a Windows tablet that’s in the 1.5 – 2 pound range so the unit doesn’t become uncomfortable to hold.

The only reason to go above 2 pounds is to get a 2-in-1 device with an included keyboard, but even then be on the lookout for the lightest models available.

Features

While most users look at the RAM and CPU first, your next priority should be to ensure a Windows tablet has the specific extra features you need before making a buying decision.

When picking a tablet, some of your top priorities should be finding high end screen resolution, innovative designs, and extra bells and whistles that make a unit better than the competition.

We recommend a minimum of 1920 x 1080 resolution for a Windows tablet, unless you are picking an extreme budget model under $200.

Be sure to also consider if you need extra features like a detachable keyboard, 2-in-1 design with a permanent keyboard that flips back, or even an included stylus.

Finally, consider that many Windows machines come with different port configurations. You may want certain types of ports for connecting external drives or hooking up to a monitor for presentations.

Performance

Tablets will typically lag behind full laptops in terms of hardware, but if you carefully compare specs you can still get a fast unit that loads apps quickly.

Tablets will typically lag behind full laptops in terms of hardware, but if you carefully compare specs you can still get a fast unit that loads apps quickly.

Due to the extensive nature of the OS, Windows tablets need different minimum specs than their Android or Apple counterparts. If you go too low on the RAM and CPU, you will end up with a very unsatisfactory experience with super slow load times.

We recommend a bare minimum of 4GB of RAM for any Windows based tablet. Because Windows takes up so much space, don’t settle for less than 64GB of storage capacity, either.

For the best speeds, don’t ever pick a Windows tablet with an HDD. Make sure the unit features an eMMC or SSD rather than a standard hard disk drive.

Battery

When browsing through user reviews, you will consistently notice the biggest complaints from angry buyers tend to deal with low battery life, so don’t skimp out on this important feature!

Windows tablets will generally use power at a higher rate than Android models due to the hardware involved, but there are still plenty of models that can give you all day battery life.

In general, we recommend picking a unit with at least 6 hours of battery life, but 8 – 10 is better if you don’t want to frequently plug into an outlet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a tablet better than a laptop?

For multitasking and high performance, laptops are generally better. The focus of tablets is on portability and ease of use.

What is the difference between a tablet and a phone?

The tablet performs better than a smartphone but not as well as a laptop. Therefore, it is more or less in the middle as it merges the best features from a laptop and phone together.

Resources

  1. Eric Grevstad, Asus ZenBook Flip 14 Review: A Convertible 2–in-1 Worth Checking Out, PC Mag
  2. Mark Spoonauer, Surface Pro 6 Review: The Best 2-in-1 Just Got Better, Laptop Mag
  3. Allen Ngo, Asus VivoBook Flip 14 TP412UA Convertible Review, Notebook Check
  4. Lori Grunin, Acer Aspire Switch Alpha 12 review: A hybrid for all reasons, CNET
Anh Kenny Trinh

Kenny Trinh is a seasoned expert in the field of laptops and technology, boasting an extensive background enriched by years of hands-on experience and in-depth research. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for staying ahead of the technological curve, Kenny has established himself as a trusted voice in the tech community. Holding a prestigious degree in Computer Science, he combines his academic insights with practical expertise to deliver valuable insights and recommendations to his readers and followers. Through his work, Kenny aims to demystify complex tech concepts, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and optimize their digital experiences.

Article by:
Kenny Trinh
Kenny Trinh is a seasoned expert in the field of laptops and technology, boasting an extensive background enriched by years of hands-on experience and in-depth research. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for staying ahead of the technological curve, Kenny has established himself as a trusted voice in the tech community. Holding a prestigious degree in Computer Science, he combines his academic insights with practical expertise to deliver valuable insights and recommendations to his readers and followers. Through his work, Kenny aims to demystify complex tech concepts, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and optimize their digital experiences.

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