Best Tablet for Nursing School: How to Choose

Best Tablet for Nursing School – Nursing school is a challenging and rewarding journey that requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and study. As a nursing student, you need to keep up with your classes, assignments, exams, clinicals, and more. Having a reliable and versatile device that can help you access information, take notes, create flashcards, and review content is essential for your success.

But with so many options available in the market, how do you choose the best tablet for nursing school? What are the features and factors that you should consider before buying one? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with a list of the top 10 tablets for nursing students in 2023.

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What to Look for in a Tablet for Nursing School?

When choosing a tablet for nursing school, there are several aspects that you should pay attention to. Here are some of the most important ones:

Size and Weight

You want a tablet that is easy to carry around and fits in your backpack or purse. A tablet that is too big or heavy can be cumbersome and inconvenient. Ideally, you should look for a tablet that has a screen size between 8 and 12 inches and weighs less than 2 pounds.

Performance and Battery Life

You want a tablet that can run smoothly and handle multiple tasks without lagging or crashing. A tablet that has a fast processor, ample memory, and sufficient storage space can ensure that you can access your apps, files, and online resources without any hassle. You also want a tablet that has a long battery life that can last for at least 8 hours on a single charge. A tablet that dies in the middle of a lecture or an exam can be very frustrating and stressful.

Operating System and Compatibility

You want a tablet that has an operating system that suits your preferences and needs. There are three main types of operating systems for tablets: iOS, Android, and Windows. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your personal taste and usage. You also want a tablet that is compatible with your other devices, such as your laptop, smartphone, or smartwatch. This can make it easier to sync your data, transfer files, and share content across different platforms.

Display and Sound Quality

You want a tablet that has a high-resolution display that can show clear and vivid images and text. A tablet that has a low-quality display can strain your eyes and affect your learning experience. You also want a tablet that has a good sound quality that can deliver crisp and loud audio. A tablet that has poor sound quality can make it hard to hear lectures, videos, or podcasts.

Accessories and Features

You want a tablet that has some useful accessories and features that can enhance your productivity and creativity. Some of the accessories and features that you might want to look for are:

- A stylus or pen that can allow you to write or draw on the screen
- A keyboard or case that can transform your tablet into a laptop-like device
- A camera or microphone that can enable you to take photos, record videos, or make calls
- A fingerprint scanner or face recognition that can provide security and privacy
- A headphone jack or Bluetooth connection that can connect your tablet to external speakers or headphones

Top 10 Tablets for Nursing Students in 2023

Based on the criteria mentioned above, we have selected the following 10 tablets as the best options for nursing students in 2023. We have also included some pros and cons for each one to help you make an informed decision.

Apple iPad Pro: The Apple iPad Pro is the best iPad for nursing school. It has a stunning 11-inch Retina display, a powerful A12Z Bionic chip, up to 1TB of storage space, and up to 10 hours of battery life. It also supports the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard Folio, which can make note-taking and typing easier. The iPad Pro also has a front and rear camera, Face ID, four speakers, and a USB-C port. It runs on iOS, which is compatible with many nursing apps, such as NCLEX study guides, pharmacology flashcards, nursing videos, etc.
Pros:
- Beautiful Retina display
- Fast performance
- Lots of storage space
- Supports Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio
- Compatible with many nursing apps
Cons:
- Expensive
- No headphone jack
- Requires adapters for some accessories
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the best Windows tablet for nursing school. It has a 12.3-inch PixelSense display, an Intel Core processor, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and up to 10.5 hours of battery life. It also supports the Surface Pen and the Type Cover, which can turn your tablet into a laptop-like device. The Surface Pro 7 also has a front and rear camera, Windows Hello, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack. It runs on Windows 10, which is compatible with many nursing software, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Medscape, etc.
Pros:
- Sharp PixelSense display
- Versatile performance
- Supports Surface Pen and Type Cover
- Compatible with many nursing software
Cons:
- Expensive
- Surface Pen and Type Cover are sold separately
- Battery life could be better
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is the best Android tablet for nursing school. It has an 11-inch LTPS TFT display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, up to 512GB of storage space, and up to 15 hours of battery life. It also comes with the S Pen, which can allow you to write or draw on the screen. The Galaxy Tab S7 also has a front and rear camera, a fingerprint scanner, four speakers, and a USB-C port. It runs on Android 10, which is compatible with many nursing apps, such as NCLEX RN Mastery, Nursing Central, NurseGrid, etc.
Pros:
- Bright LTPS TFT display
- Smooth performance
- Comes with S Pen
- Compatible with many nursing apps
Cons:
- Expensive
- No headphone jack
- Keyboard cover sold separately
Apple iPad Air: The Apple iPad Air is a more affordable alternative to the iPad Pro. It has a 10.9-inch Retina display, an A14 Bionic chip, up to 256GB of storage space, and up to 10 hours of battery life. It also supports the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard Folio, which can make note-taking and typing easier. The iPad Air also has a front and rear camera, Touch ID, two speakers, and a USB-C port. It runs on iOS, which is compatible with many nursing apps.
Pros:
- Gorgeous Retina display
- Fast performance
- Supports Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio
- Compatible with many nursing apps
Cons:
- Expensive
- No headphone jack
- Requires adapters for some accessories
Apple iPad: The Apple iPad is the best budget tablet for nursing school. It has a 10.2-inch Retina display, an A12 Bionic chip, up to 128GB of storage space, and up to 10 hours of battery life. It also supports the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard, which can make note-taking and typing easier. The iPad also has a front and rear camera, Touch ID, two speakers, and a Lightning port. It runs on iOS, which is compatible with many nursing apps.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Good performance
- Supports Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard
- Compatible with many nursing apps
Cons:
- Low storage space
- No USB-C port
- Requires adapters for some accessories
Microsoft Surface Go: The Microsoft Surface Go is the best compact tablet for nursing note-taking. It has a 10-inch PixelSense display, an Intel Pentium Gold processor, up to 128GB of SSD storage, and up to 9 hours of battery life. It also supports the Surface Pen and the Type Cover, which can turn your tablet into a laptop-like device. The Surface Go also has a front and rear camera, Windows Hello, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack.

Pros:
– Portable size
– Supports Surface Pen and Type Cover
– Compatible with many nursing software
Cons:
– Low performance
– Surface Pen and Type Cover sold separately
– Windows 10 in S mode has some limitations

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a more affordable alternative to the Galaxy Tab S7. It has a 10.4-inch TFT display, an Exynos 9611 processor, up to 128GB of storage space, and up to 12 hours of battery life. It also comes with the S Pen, which can allow you to write or draw on the screen. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite also has a front and rear camera, a headphone jack, two speakers, and a USB-C port. It runs on Android 10, which is compatible with many nursing apps.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Comes with S Pen
- Compatible with many nursing apps
Cons:
- Low-quality display
- Mediocre performance
- Keyboard cover sold separately
Amazon Fire HD 10: The Amazon Fire HD 10 is the best cheap tablet for nursing school. It has a 10.1-inch HD display, an octa-core processor, up to 64GB of storage space, and up to 12 hours of battery life. It also supports the Amazon Fire Keyboard and the Amazon Fire Stylus, which can make note-taking and typing easier. The Fire HD 10 also has a front and rear camera, Alexa voice assistant, two speakers, and a USB-C port. It runs on Fire OS, which is based on Android but has its own app store.
Pros:
- Cheap price
- Good battery life
- Supports Amazon Fire Keyboard and Amazon Fire Stylus
Cons:
- Low-resolution display
- Limited app selection
- Ads on the lock screen
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus: The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus is the best mid-range tablet for nursing school. It has a 10.3-inch FHD display, a MediaTek Helio P22T processor, up to 128GB of storage space, and up to 8 hours of battery life. It also supports the Lenovo Active Pen and the Lenovo Smart Dock, which can make note-taking and typing easier. The Tab M10 Plus also has a front and rear camera, a fingerprint scanner, two speakers, and a USB-C port. It runs on Android 9, which is compatible with many nursing apps.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- High-quality display
- Supports Lenovo Active Pen and Lenovo Smart Dock
Cons:
- Average performance
- Short battery life
- Lenovo Active Pen and Lenovo Smart Dock are sold separately
Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite: The Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite is the best value tablet for nursing school. It has a 10.1-inch FHD display, a Kirin 659 processor, up to 64GB of storage space, and up to 13 hours of battery life. It also comes with the Huawei M-Pen Lite stylus, which can allow you to write or draw on the screen. The MediaPad M5 Lite also has a front and rear camera, a fingerprint scanner, four speakers, and a USB-C port. It runs on Android 8 with EMUI 8, which is compatible with many nursing apps.
Pros:
- Great value
- Long battery life
- Comes with Huawei M-Pen Lite stylus
Cons:
- Outdated Android version
- Low storage space
- No keyboard support

In conclusion, Choosing the best tablet for nursing school can be a daunting task, but it can also be a rewarding one. A tablet can be a great tool that can help you study better, learn faster, and achieve more. By considering the features and factors that we have discussed in this article, you can narrow down your options and find the tablet that suits your needs and budget.

Best Tablet for Nursing School: Frequently Asked Questions (F&Qs)

Is a tablet good for nursing school?

Yes, a tablet can be very beneficial for nursing school. Here are some of the ways you can use a tablet in nursing school:

Maintaining a calendar of classes, assignments, papers, clinicals, labs, and exams.
Recording video of procedures in the skills lab for easy review.
Creating digital flashcards for pharmacology, med-surg, and the NCLEX.
Reading the digital versions of NCLEX review books.
Taking notes in class.
Storing and reading digital textbooks.
Watching video content for class.

Additionally, tablets are lightweight and portable, making them easy to carry around. They don’t add much weight to your backpack and you can use them anywhere. They also allow you to buy digital textbooks and keep your notes and documents organized. Plus, you never have to worry about losing anything.