For years now, tech brands such as Apple, Microsoft and Samsung have told us the future of computing is tablets, instead of laptops.
These companies produce tablets with a broad range of screen sizes, features and prices. Some can be bought with detachable keyboards, others have convenient kickstands, and many work with digital styluses to help unleash your inner artist.
Tablets are often lighter, thinner and generally more portable and convenient than a laptop, with a broader price range and smartphone-based operating systems to make them easy enough for anyone to use.
Read more: The best iPad deals right now
When thinking of tablet computers, it’s easy to jump straight into the Apple Store and pick up an iPad. Yes, the iPad range is larger than ever – with prices stretching from over £350 for the latest iPad (from £369, Apple.com), to more than seven times that for a fully loaded 12.9in iPad pro (£2,679, Apple.com) – but there are plenty of alternatives out there, too.
Brands such as Lenovo, Samsung and Microsoft all offer a range of tablets to choose from. If you don’t own any Apple devices, and aren’t in the company’s ecosystem, looking at an alternative manufacturer can be a great idea – and it can potentially save you some money, too.
The best tablet deals for August 2023 in the UK are:
(Samsung)
Confusingly, Amazon says this is the “old version” of the Galaxy Tab A8, but there’s actually no such thing. The model number listed is that of the current model, which is the latest in the A series of affordable Android tablets. It launched in early 2022 alongside the top-end Galaxy Tab S8. This model takes a SIM card and supports 4G connections.
If you’re simply after a portable screen so you can watch your YouTube videos in the bathtub, we can’t recommend this tablet highly enough. The A8 has quality where it counts. Samsung has saved money by skimping on storage and RAM (which you don’t need much of for streaming) but focused on build quality, a long battery life, top security specs and proper stereo speakers.
Buy now
Microsoft Surface Pro 9: Was £1,099, now £985.99, Amazon.co.uk
(Microsoft)
Here’s a £50 discount on the latest Surface Pro tablet. Unlike most other tablets, the Surface Pro 9 offers the full Windows experience in a portable and lightweight form factor. Able to run the same applications as your desktop PC at home or in the office, it’s the most versatile hybrid device we’ve tested.
Buy now
(John Lewis )
Here’s a small discount on the iPad Pro. This is the 2022 model with an 11in display and 128GB of storage. It’s finished in space grey and is powered by Apple’s own, super-speedy M2 processor. Our reviewer gave the tablet a score of 9/10 and said: “The M2 is far and away the most effective chip in any tablet, and it is faster than many high-end laptops as well. Apple says graphics performance is 35 per cent faster than on the previous iPad Pro… And that’s the point of the iPad pro – to have the headroom to do anything you need effortlessly, now and in the future.”
Buy now
Microsoft Surface Go 2: Was £399, now £299.99, Amazon.co.uk
(Microsoft)
The previous generation Surface Go launched in 2020, and since the Surface Go 3 came along it’s tumbled in price to £329. Less powerful than the main Surface Pro series, the Surface Go is aimed at students who want the features of a laptop in the shape of a tablet.
Buy now
(Apple)
This deal sees the iPad Mini reduced to £519. This is the 2021 model with an 8.3in dislay and 64GB of storage. The tablet is finished in a colour Apple calls starlight, which is really a sort of soft champagne-gold, with a black display bezel. Features include a Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the power button, 12MP cameras on the front and rear, and, on this particular model, 5G connectivity. Our reviewer gave the table a score of 9/10 and said: “In terms of a slick, capable tablet that you can take anywhere, the new iPad mini has the lot.”
Buy now
Voucher codes
For the latest discounts on tablets and other tech offers, try the links below:
Find the best broadband deals with the Independent
Looking for more insight? Read our guide to the best tablets you can buy in 2023
