Best Tablets For Medical School

Best Tablets For Medical School 2023

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Why do med students need tablets for school?

Personally, it saved me from having to carry heavy books to school, and made researching and preparing for presentations easier.

Yet a tablet can help med students in a lot more ways.

In this article, I’m going to help you understand how it can also assist you in the process. 

Most importantly, I’ll give you my top 4 picks for the best tablets for medical school that are highly recommended by med students and practitioners!

Before that, let’s jump into why you need a tablet for medical school!

[Free Download] Want to have everything you need to be a top student on your medical journey? Get FREE access to our Med School Success Handbook to get 60+ tips including the best study, time management, mindset tips you need to be a top student. Download it here. 

Why Do You Need A Tablet For Medical School?  

Why Do You Need A Tablet For Medical School

As a medical student who constantly battles with a hectic schedule and heavy academic load, you wouldn’t want anything to add up to your stress right?

One tool that could help alleviate your stress is a tablet device

A tablet can aid you in your assignments, presentations and research tasks to ultimately make each day in med school more productive. 

Of course, you can also use it to take breaks from studying whenever you need to.

But there are many ways on how you can benefit from using a tablet as a medical student. 

According to a study conducted at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU-SOM), there is a high prevalence and frequency of tablet device usage to study for board exams, access e-books and medical references, and complete clinical tasks.

Yet another research found that third-year med students in particular use tablets to access resources for learning, to obtain patient data in real-time through the Electronic Health Record (EHR) and to inform patient care.

This goes to show that medical students consider their use of tablet devices as something essential to achieve favorable outcomes in their medical studies. 

But does using a tablet actually give med students an advantage? The following studies will prove so!

Tablet As An Educational Tool

Tablet As An Educational Tool

We are now in the digital era of medicine. In fact, we have been for years and now we are already seeing the results of incorporating technology in the medical field.

Take the University of California in Irvine’s (UCI’s) iMedEd program as a great example.

In 2013, UCI had been awarded the Apple Distinguished Program for building the first all-digital and interactive learning environment in their classroom and clinical training. 

Basically, the school has introduced a tablet-based education and portable ultrasound clinical training as part of their medical school curriculum. 

The program was launched back in 2010 where students received fully-loaded iPads with electronic textbooks, podcast lectures, and many other instructional materials in digital form.

This multimedia approach enabled students to easily access the electronic medical records of patients.

They could also display and record data from digital stethoscopes, diagnostic ultrasound units, and other medical devices.

The best part? Students who participated in the iMedEd program scored 23% higher on average on their national exams!

Because of incorporating tablets in their med school curriculum, student learning was no longer tied to classroom learning.

It became accessible to them 24/7, therefore, fostering an effective learning environment!

That is just one of the plethora of research proving the effectiveness of using tablets in medical school.

Another one that was conducted by the Health Services Research proves that the use of a tablet device is an effective method to collect patient-reported outcomes data in academic oncology.

Yet another study in 2017 reports that a tablet-based clinical practice and integrated training enhances the exam performance of internal medicine students as well as the overall quality of their medical education.

All these lead to one conclusion that medical institutions should consider the use of portable devices such as tablets and multimedia content to their programs in medicine.

So now it’s clear that it is not just about following the trend or keeping up with societal pressures. 

Having the best tablet for med school can help make the process easier for you so you can focus most of your time in becoming an awesome doctor! 

Now let’s head to the centerpiece. Here are the best tablets for medical school!

FYI: If you’re looking for the best laptops for medical school – you can find them here. 

Want Results Like This?

Download The Free Med School Success Handbook For The Best Step-By-Step Tips For Your Medical Journey!

Top 4 Tablets For Medical School

I, as well as many others, recommend these best tablets for students in med school. But you can check out the actual reviews of the products by clicking on the Amazon links below.

2021 Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB)

2021 apple ipad pro

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Display 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
Secure Authentication Face ID
Chip Apple M1 chip
Camera and Video 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
Front Camera TrueDepth camera system featuring Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
Pencil Compatibility Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
Smart Keyboard Compatibility Support for a trackpad, Smart Keyboard Folio, and the Magic Keyboard
Connector USB-C connector
Battery Life “All-day” 10 hour battery life

First on our list of the best tablets for medical school is Apple iPad Pro and for those who have tried it, there’s no asking why.

It comes with the newest 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display equipped with ProMotion and True Tone technologies which makes viewing real and responsive.

But the best feature is probably its Apple M1 8-Core chip which is very powerful. It can run trillions of operations per second so you don’t have to worry about running multiple apps or accessing browsers at the same time. 

If you do a lot of note-taking, iPad Pro can be purchased with a 2nd generation Apple pencil where you can take notes with ease without interrupting your flow. 

Just double-tap the pencil to change brushes or to use the eraser and stick it to the side of the iPad for charging. 

This best tablet for medical students enables you to handle multi-tasking whenever and wherever you have to. 

Check out this super powerful Apple iPad Pro 2021 for medical school on Amazon!

Pros:

    • Faster and more powerful than its predecessors
    • High-resolution screen for true-to-life viewing
    • Face ID for more efficient and secure unlocking
    • USB-C for external or camera display
    • Apple pencil compatible for more efficient note-taking
    • Lightweight and beautiful design

 Cons: 

    • Premium pricing ($1099.99 at the time of writing)
    • You have to buy the apple pencil and keyboard separately

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD)

Microsoft Surface pro 7

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Processor 10th Gen intel Core i5
Screen 12.3” Touchscreen with pen input
Max Screen Resolution 2736 x 1824
Hard Drive Flash Memory Solid State
Modes Laptop, Tablet, Studio
Memory 8 GB RAM
Storage 128 GB SSD
Battery Life Up to 10.5 hours
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is also a top choice for med students for a variety of reasons.

To top it all off, it’s got the latest Intel Core 10th Gen i5 processor which allows you to multitask faster and smoother. It is 2.3 times faster than the previous generations! So opening multiple tabs or running heavy apps isn’t a problem. 

The Surface Pro can adapt to your needs by transforming from a laptop, tablet, or a portable studio.

Lastly, you can enjoy a day-long usage of this tablet as its battery life can last for up to 10 hours depending on usage. 

Can’t choose between iPad Pro and Surface Pro? Check out this blog post: iPad Pro Vs Surface Pro For Medical School (Which Is Better?)

Learn why people take Microsoft Surface Pro 7 as one of the best tablets for medical students here!

 Pros:

    • 80th generation Intel Core processor
    • Brighter and more vibrant screen display
    • Full-day battery life
    • Versatile display modes: laptop, tablet, studio
    • Slim and lightweight
    • with USB-C and USB-A ports

 Cons: 

    • Premium pricing ($699 at the time of writing)

[Free Download] Want to have everything you need to be a top student on your medical journey? Get FREE access to our Med School Success Handbook to get 60+ tips including the best study, time management, mindset tips you need to be a top student. Download it here. 

2021 Apple iPad Mini (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB)

2021 apple ipad mini

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Display 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color
Secure Authentication Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
Chip A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Camera and Video 12MP Wide back camera
Front Camera 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
Battery Life Up to 10 hours
Pencil Compatibility Apple Pencil 2nd Gen
Smart Keyboard Compatibility Compatible with Smart Keyboard Folio and Bluetooth keyboards
Connector USB-C connector for charging and accessories

This is actually the tablet that I used in medical school and I love it!

Note: You can see what else I use in my YouTube video below!   

Probably the fastest small tablet on this list of the best tablets for medical school is Apple’s iPad Mini. Here’s why!

Powered by the A15 Bionic chip equipped with neural engine, you can juggle several applications at once without disrupting your flow. 

One of the best features of this tablet is its battery life which is determined to be around 9-10 hours by the company. But several claims show that it could even go up to 13 hours!

This small iPad for medical school can also be your digital sketchbook.

If you need to do a lot of sketching and note-taking, you can simply purchase the apple pencil with pixel-perfect precision tech so you are always ready when the time comes.  

If you want to know how much the Apple iPad Mini costs now, click here!

Pros:

    • A15 Bionic chip for faster and smoother performance
    • 10+ hours battery life
    • Secure Touch ID fingerprint sensor authentication
    • Small and lightweight

  Cons: 

    • Mid-range pricing
    • Apple pencil is a separate purchase

2020 Apple iPad Air (10.9 inch, Wi-Fi, 64 GB)

2020 apple ipad air

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Display 10.9 inch Retina display
Secure Authentication Touch ID
Chip A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Camera and Video 12MP photos, 4K video recording
Front Camera 7MP TrueDepth front camera with Smart HDR
Battery Life Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi or watching video.; Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network
Pencil Compatibility Apple Pencil 2nd Gen
Smart Keyboard Compatibility Compatible with Smart Keyboard Folio, Magic Keyboard and Bluetooth keyboards
Connector USB-C connector

If the iPad Mini is too small for your med school note-taking and the iPad Pro is just a little too expensive, then you might want to get Apple iPad Air, which has the best of both worlds.

Its 10.9 inch retina display, True Tone and Wide Color, and 2360 x 1640 pixel resolution will make your digital books, videos, and notes look amazing.

Unlike the iPad Pro, which has the Face ID, iPad Air only has the Touch ID. But some features of the iPad Pro are just good to have but may not be necessary for students. 

Some med students prefer the iPad Air screen size of 10.9 inches compared to the iPad Mini’s screen size of 8.3 inches. It just makes note-taking easier with a slightly larger screen.

Given these features, the 2020 Apple iPad Air is the best iPad for med school when it comes to performance and affordability.

If you want to know more about how the Apple iPad Air can keep you productive in med school at a reasonable price, then check it out on Amazon!

Pros:

  • Great performance with the  A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
  • Up to 10 hours battery life
  • Relatively affordable price

Cons:

  • Apple pencil is a separate purchase

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 128 GB) 

Samsung galaxy tab s7

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Display 120Hz display
Pencil S-Pen included, improved 9ms Pen latency
Display Size 11 inches
Display Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) TFT
Audio Quad + AKG + Dolby Atmos
Processor Octa Core (3.09+2.4+1.8GHz)
Internal Memory 6/8GB(RAM) + 128/256/512GB
External Memory microSD up to 1TB

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7’s premium design is reinforced by an octa-core processor for a quick and snappy performance. So, you can pretty much run multiple apps without running into major problems. 

Even its sound quality is superb because of its AKG quad speakers with Dolby Atmos surround sound

Tab S7 has a fast-charging USB-C port and a battery life of about 10 hours.

One advantage of this android tablet over the Apple iPad is the inclusion of the stylus pen. The S-pen has a soft and pointed tip compared to the Apple pencil.

You can use your Tab S7 like a PC with the DeX mode. Just add a few bucks to purchase the keyboard with expanded trackpad.

Want to know more? Check out Samsung Galaxy Tab S7’s other notable features here!

 Pros:

    • Fast performance
    • Super sound quality
    • High-quality camera
    • S-pen included
    • Affordable for its performance

 Cons: 

    • Samsung DeX can still be improved

[Free Download] Want to have everything you need to be a top student on your medical journey? Get FREE access to our Med School Success Handbook to get 60+ tips including the best study, time management, mindset tips you need to be a top student. Download it here. 

Best Tablets For Medical Students On A Budget

On a tight budget? There are best tablets for school on budget options for you that still have the main features you need (much like the best tablets for medical school above).

2021 Fire HD 10 (10.1 inches, 32 GB)

Fire HD 10

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Display Vivid 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display is 10% brighter than the previous generation, with more than 2 million pixels.
Storage 32 or 64 GB (expandable by up to 1 TB)
CPU & RAM Quad-core 2.0 GHz with 2 GB RAM
Battery Life Up to 12 hours
Audio Dolby Atmos, built-in speakers and 2 microphones
Alexa-enabled Yes
Camera 2 MP front-facing camera, 5 MP rear-facing HD camera
Wifi Connectivity Supports 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) wifi networks.
Charge Time 4 hours

If you need a tablet mainly for note-taking, reading and watching videos, Fire HD 10 can be a great choice for you!

This Amazon tablet sports a 10.1” Full HD display on a 1920 x 1200 resolution for vivid image quality.

It’s also powered by Quad-Core processor with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB/ 64 GB of storage ideal for students’ everyday use.

If you need quick and reliable answers, pause videos, or open apps but your hands are full, simply use Alexa-hands free mode to assist.

It’s the best tablet for note-taking and yet a more affordable option for you out there.

Check out the pricing here!

 Pros:

    • Alexa hands-free mode
    • Touchscreen, full HD display
    • Quad-Core processor and large storage
    • 12 hours of battery life
    • Best value for its price

  Cons: 

    • For consuming Amazon content
    • May experience some wifi-connection issues

Apple iPad (10.2 inches, 8th generation, 32GB)

2020 apple ipad 8th gen

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Display 10.2-inch touch screen LED-backlit display and 2160 x 1620 resolution
Secure Authentication Touch ID
Chip A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
Camera 8MP camera
Video 1080p HD video recording
Pencil Compatibility Apple Pencil
Smart Keyboard Compatibility Compatible with Smart Keyboard and Bluetooth keyboards
Connector USB-C connector

Like any Apple iPad version, this 32GB Apple iPad is equipped with a Liquid Retina display, Touch ID and Apple pencil compatibility. 

Its A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine makes it incredibly fast when using various heavy-running apps, video playing, and editing.

With the aid of an Apple pencil, you’ll have a very useful tool for general med school use. Plus, this best iPad for medical school is an affordable option if you want an entry level tablet with good perfomance.

Check out what users say about Apple iPad here!

 Pros:

    • Premium iPad features for a low price
    • Crisp and clear retina display
    • Great for sketching and note-taking
    • USB-C connector

 Cons: 

    • Apple Pencil and keyboard purchased separately
    • No Face ID

Want Results Like This?

Download The Free Med School Success Handbook For The Best Step-By-Step Tips For Your Medical Journey!

VASTKING KingPad K10 Pro (10.1 inches, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage)

Vastking kingpad k10 pro

Technical Specifications from Amazon:

Display 10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200 Full HD screen, 60Hz screen refresh rate
Processor Octa Core (2X1.8Ghz + 6X1.6GHz)
Storage 64GB Internal Storage (Expandable to 512GB)
RAM 4 GB
Camera 13MP Rear & 8MP Front Camera
Stylus Pen Yes
Battery Life 12 Hours
Wireless Communication Bluetooth, 5G WIFI, GPS

The KingPad 10 Pro is one of the best budget laptops for med students because of its performance with its upgraded 12nm chipset (2×1.8GHz +6X1.6GHz) and 4GB RAM, at a price of less than $250!

The 10.1-inch full HD screen and 1920 x 1200 resolution helps you watch educational videos at high quality. Keep your files intact with its 64 GB storage, expandable to 512 GB through an external SD card.

Need a keyboard for typing? The VASTKING KingPad K10 Pro already comes with a keyboard and extended trackpad for a PC experience. What’s more? The stylus pen with a 1.66mm pen tip is also included.

Get a fast-charging USB-C port and use your tablet the whole day with its battery life.

Learn more about this great buy on Amazon!

Pros:

  • Inclusions: keyboard, trackpad, and stylus pen
  • Great front and rear cameras
  • Different modes: laptop, studio, tablet

Cons:

  • Poor sound quality

What’s The Best Tablet For Medical School?

While med school will probably not be very demanding in terms of tablet usage, it’s important to choose one that performs well and is multi-tasking ready. 

All things considered, the best tablet for medical school is Apple iPad Pro which can be purchased here on Amazon!

New Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 512GB) - Space Gray (2nd Generation)

It’s powerful Apple M1 chip will allow for uninterrupted browsing and running of multiple apps.

With its 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display, you can view videos or other materials with true-to-life colors to help you appreciate learning better. 

It may not be the most affordable option now. In fact, the apple pencil and keyboard are sold separately so you’ll have to spend a little more if you want them. 

However, this best iPad for medical students can be another worthwhile investment as the benefits of having a versatile tablet in med school can oftentimes outweigh its cost. 

Check out this powerful Apple iPad Pro medical school ready on Amazon!

Again, here are the runners up! 

And for the budget options…

[Free Download] Want to have everything you need to be a top student on your medical journey? Get FREE access to our Med School Success Handbook to get 60+ tips including the best study, time management, mindset tips you need to be a top student. Download it here. 

FAQs

best tablets for medical school

Should I Get A Tablet Or A Laptop For Medical School?

First of all, you must know your needs and the requirements to be able to make a good choice.

Overall, med students prefer tablets. Tablets may be cheaper compared to laptops but they get a thumbs up for portability and for doing their job. Most of what you can do on a laptop can be done with a tablet!

Tablets can be used for watching your med school videos, accessing Powerpoint presentations, reading online books, taking notes using the stylus, and even for some entertainment during your breaks. Aside from that, tablets have better screen quality, sound quality, camera quality, and longer battery life.

Basically, tablets give you the ease of use and the best value for your money.

And if you’ll be getting a tablet, consider getting an iPad!

Making presentations on a laptop is easier, though. But in this case, you might want to check out these convertible laptops that can transform into a tablet. You can check out the best 2-in-1 laptops here.

Is 64 GB Enough Storage For My Tablet?

Again, check your needs and the requirements first. But unless you are storing a lot of videos and pictures, 64 GB is more than enough.

You can always get a laptop with bigger storage if your budget allows it, but if you have a small one, you can use cloud storage or an external hard disk drive for your med school documents and other files.

Want Results Like This?

Download The Free Med School Success Handbook For The Best Step-By-Step Tips For Your Medical Journey!

Thank you for reading this post on the best tablets for medical school. I hope you found it enjoyable and helpful.

Also, if you’re looking for a new tablet – you may also be interested in checking out our 12 best laptops for med school. Check out my personal daily laptop in med school and residency here. 

Or if you are looking for a hybrid of a laptop and a tablet, then 2-in-1 laptops might be for you.

If you like this post, you may also enjoy the following posts:

Again, thanks for stopping by!

Until next time my friend…

 

4 thoughts on “Best Tablets For Medical School 2023”

  1. Why do you rank the ipad pro above the regular ipad 7? Is the price difference worth it for just a pencil upgrade?

  2. No specific order really. The pencil is very nice for students who like to write out their notes but again – the regular iPad works great 😀

  3. There are a couple new samsung tablets that have come into the limelight. Would you recommend any of them, as alternatives to ipad? Would really like to know if any of them are good!

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