Tablet vs. Laptop: Which One Should Students Buy?

Every student faces the same big question before school starts: Should I buy a laptop or a tablet?

In 2025, this decision is harder than ever. Tablets like the iPad Pro are now very powerful, and laptops are becoming thinner and lighter. Some students think a tablet can do everything. Others say a laptop is the only tool for “real work.”

If you choose the wrong one, you might waste hundreds of dollars. You might even struggle to finish your homework.

This guide will explain the truth in simple English. We will look at the cost, the software, and which device is best for your specific college major.

The Big Difference: Power vs. Portability

First, let’s look at the basic differences.

Laptops are built for productivity. They have a physical keyboard, a trackpad (mouse), and a desktop operating system (like Windows or macOS). This makes them perfect for writing long essays, researching with many tabs open, and managing files.

Tablets are built for simplicity and portability. They are thin, light, and use a touchscreen. They are amazing for reading textbooks, watching videos, and drawing diagrams. They turn on instantly, so you don’t have to wait for them to “boot up” in class.

• Portability Winner: Tablet. A tablet usually weighs under 1.5 pounds. A laptop usually weighs 3 to 5 pounds.
• Battery Life Winner: Tablet. Tablets often last all day (10-15 hours) on a single charge. Powerful laptops might run out of battery during a long day of classes.
• Typing Winner: Laptop. You can type much faster on a real laptop keyboard. Tablet keyboards are often small and cramped.

The “Hidden” Cost of Tablets

Many students think tablets are cheaper. You might see an iPad for $349 and think, “That is a great deal!” But there is a catch.

A tablet by itself is just a big screen. To use it for school, you need accessories.

• Keyboard Case: If you want to type papers, you need a keyboard. A good one, like the Apple Magic Keyboard, can cost nearly $300.
• Stylus (Pen): If you want to take handwritten notes, you need a digital pen. The Apple Pencil Pro costs around $129.

The Math:

• Budget Laptop: A decent student laptop might cost $500 to $600. It comes with a keyboard and trackpad included.
• Student Tablet Setup: A mid-range tablet ($500) + Keyboard ($200) + Pen ($100) = $800.

So, a “cheap” tablet can actually be more expensive than a laptop once you buy the gear you need to do actual work.

Software: The Deal Breaker

This is the most important part of this article. Hardware is fast, but software is what matters.

A laptop runs “Desktop” apps. A tablet runs “Mobile” apps. Mobile apps are often “watered down” versions of the real thing. Depending on your major, this can be a disaster.

1. For Engineering and Computer Science Students

Do not buy a tablet as your main device.

• Coding: Popular coding tools like VS Code do not run natively on an iPad. You cannot easily compile code or run complex programs.
• 3D Design (CAD): Software like SolidWorks or full AutoCAD is essential for engineers. These programs do not run on iPadOS or Android tablets. There are mobile viewer apps, but you cannot do your full homework assignments on them.

2. For Business and Finance Students

Be careful with tablets.

• Excel: You will use Microsoft Excel a lot. The tablet version of Excel is missing key features. You cannot create Pivot Tables from scratch, and you cannot run Macros (advanced automation tools). If your professor asks you to run a complex data model, you might not be able to do it on a tablet.

3. For Arts, Humanities, and Biology Students

A tablet is a great choice.

• If your classes involve reading many PDFs (like History or Law) or drawing diagrams (like Anatomy or Art), a tablet is superior. You can write directly on the screen.
• Writing essays on a tablet is fine, as long as you have a keyboard.

The Best Middle Ground: 2-in-1 Laptops

If you cannot decide, there is a third option: the 2-in-1 Laptop.

These are laptops that have a touchscreen and can fold backwards to turn into a thick tablet. Or, they are tablets that come with a really good detachable keyboard.

• Best Budget Option: Lenovo Chromebook Duet. It is cheap (often under $400), includes a keyboard, and is great for basic school work.
• Best Premium Option: Microsoft Surface Pro 11. It is as thin as an iPad but runs full Windows 11. You can run full Excel and coding apps on it.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

Use this checklist to make your final decision.

Buy a Laptop If:

• You are studying Engineering, Computer Science, or Accounting.
• You are on a tight budget and need one device that does everything.
• You hate charging your accessories (keyboard, mouse, pen).
• You do a lot of file management (saving files to folders, USB drives, etc.).

Buy a Tablet If:

• You are studying Art, Design, or History.
• You already have a laptop or desktop computer at home.
• You learn better by handwriting your notes with a stylus.
• You want something very light to carry around campus for reading.

Conclusion

For most students in 2025, a laptop is still the safer choice. It guarantees that you can run every piece of software your professors require. It offers better value for money because you don’t need to buy an expensive keyboard separately.

However, if you have the budget, the perfect setup is actually using both. A cheap, reliable laptop for writing papers and a basic tablet (like the base model iPad) for taking notes and reading is the ultimate combination for college success.