The iPad Pro 2021 is one of the most powerful tablets we can currently find on the market. However, it comes at a very high price. While it has very interesting features, such as the ability to use the Apple Pencil or the LiDAR sensor, it is possible to find some cheaper but equally powerful alternatives. Here we review 5 of them.
iPad Air 2020
You don’t have to leave Apple’s iPad catalog to find a cheaper alternative to the iPad Pro 2021. The iPad Air 2020, is, without any doubt, the best option. Especially if we consider that it has iPadOS as an operating system and is compatible with the same accessories as the new iPad Pro. All this at a more affordable price from $550.
The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch Retina display, a panel with a resolution of 360 x 1,640 pixels with hardly any bezels. In terms of performance, it includes an A14 Bionic chip. While it is not as powerful as the M1 chip that the iPad Pro 2021 has, it does offer excellent performance, and it is going to be able to perform any type of task without any problem. On the other hand, the iPad Air has configurations of 64 or 256 GB of memory, and it is also possible to buy it in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and Cellular version.
The iPad Air 2020 is compatible with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, as well as the Magic Keyboard. Two accessories that are also compatible with the iPad Pro 2021, and which offer greater possibilities when working.
The iPad Air 2020 is priced at $550 for the 64 GB version with WiFi and $719 for the same version with Wifi + Cellular. You can buy it on Amazon.
- Buy iPad Air 2020
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Possibly the best alternative on Android. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is a powerful tablet with a 12.4-inch screen and QHD+ resolution. Inside we find a Snapdragon 855 processor, which has support for 5G connectivity, just like the iPad Pro 2021. On the other hand, the Galaxy Tab S7+ has several RAM and storage configurations: 6 and 8 GB of RAM with 128, 256, or 512 GB of internal memory.
Like the new iPad Pro, the Galaxy Tab S7+ has a dual camera, with a 13-megapixel resolution main sensor and a 5-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. Mind you, we don’t have a LiDAR sensor for augmented reality here.
As for accessories, the Galaxy Tab S7+ is compatible with S-Pen, Samsung’s digital pen. It comes included in the box. It is also compatible with a keyboard case that must be purchased separately.
The Galaxy Tab S7+ is priced at $749 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB internal memory version with Wi-Fi. The variant with 256GB and 512GB and of the same RAM costs $799 and $879 respectively. It is a very similar price to the 11-inch iPad Pro, but it should be noted that the Galaxy Tab S7+ arrives with S Pen, you do not have to buy it separately.
Surface Pro 7
12.3-inch display with 2736 x 1824 pixel resolution, up to 16 GB of RAM, and SSD configurations up to 1 TB. The Surface Pro 7 is a very interesting alternative to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Microsoft’s convertible laptop features Windows, allowing you to download applications and programs for video editing, images, Office pack, etc, just like on the iPad Pro. This computer has a keyboard included for use as a laptop and can be removed for use as a tablet. It also includes a digital pen for writing.
In terms of performance, we can configure it with different processors, from a tenth-generation Intel Core i3 to a tenth-generation Intel Core i7 with 4, 8, or up to 16 GB of RAM. Four storage versions are available: 128, 256, 512, or up to 1 TB of SSD.
An interesting detail of the Surface Pro is that it not only has a USB C but also includes a USB A port for connecting other accessories.
The Surface Pro 7 is available in two color variants: silver and black, at a price, starting at $620. You can buy it from Amazon.
- Buy Surface Pro 7
MacBook Air 2020
Yes, the MacBook Air is also an equally powerful, but cheaper alternative to the iPad Pro. It is exactly as powerful because it has the same processor, the M1 Chip. Moreover, if we compare the 512 GB Air model with the 12.9-inch 512 GB iPad Pro.
It has a 13.3-inch Retina display. It includes an Apple M1 chip with an 8 GB RAM configuration and 256 or 512 GB storage versions, which are configurable with up to 2 TB of memory.
The MacBook Air is Apple’s laptop, so it includes macOS, a somewhat different operating system than iPadOS. However, thanks to the M1 processor, the device can install applications that are originally available on iOS and iPadOS.
The 13-inch MacBook Air can be purchased for $744. However, the version that competes with the iPad Pro in terms of performance is priced at $1,399. It is available on the Apple website.
- Buy MacBook Air 2020
Huawei MatePad Pro
Huawei’s Tablet is also an interesting alternative, especially if you are looking for a powerful tablet at an affordable price. This device has a 10.8-inch screen with QHD+ resolution. Inside we find a Kirin 990 processor, the latest from the company. It is accompanied by 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, although there are also versions with 8 GB of RAM and 512 GB of internal memory.
The Huawei MatePad Pro is also compatible with accessories, such as a digital pen and a keyboard case for typing. It arrives with Android 10 (without Google apps) and the latest version of EMUI. The company’s customization layer does not include Google services, but it does have some features very similar to iPadOS. Among them, is the ability to use split-screen or floating windows.
This high-end tablet from Huawei has a 13-megapixel main camera, as well as an 8-megapixel selfie lens.
It can be purchased at a price of about $799 on the Amazon store.
- Buy Huawei MatePad Pro
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