4 Best Tablets For Nomad Workers
Are you constantly on the go? Are laptops too heavy, and you’re looking for lighter gadgets like tablets to get work done efficiently? For many nomad workers, tablets have become indispensable. They strike the perfect balance, being more portable than laptops yet offering more screen real estate than smartphones.
Whether you’re handling remote tasks or just unwinding with some entertainment, tablets have you covered. Plus, they open up new avenues for earning extra income. Here are the top tablets that can help you live a productive and rewarding remote work life.
Leveraging Your Tablet for Additional Income
When considering the best tablets for your remote work needs, it’s also crucial to think about how these devices can help you generate additional income. For instance, with the right tablet, you can easily explore opportunities such as how to make money with print-on-demand.
Devices like the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 offer robust graphic design capabilities, making them perfect for designing and selling custom products. This versatility transforms your tablet into more than just a work tool—it’s a potential income booster, helping you to earn on the go.
Tips for Choosing the Right Tablet
Selecting the perfect tablet, especially if you’re using it to make money by drawing or illustrating designs for t-shirts, mugs, or other merchandise, requires careful consideration. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Battery Life
For nomad workers, long battery life is a top priority. You need a tablet that can keep up with your busy schedule and not leave you stranded without power in the middle of a project.
Look for tablets that offer at least 10 hours of battery life. Tablets like the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 excel in this area, ensuring you can work throughout the day without constantly searching for a power outlet.
Screen Size and Quality
A larger, high-quality screen can significantly enhance your productivity, especially if you’re doing detailed work like drawing or illustrating. The Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra with its 14.6-inch display, is ideal for multitasking and working on intricate designs.
Meanwhile, the iPad Pro 12.9 offers a brilliant Retina display that provides exceptional color accuracy and sharpness, which is crucial for design work.
Performance
The performance of your tablet is another critical factor. Look for tablets with powerful processors and ample RAM to handle demanding graphic design applications smoothly.
The iPad Pro 12.9, with its M1 chip, and the Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra, with its robust processor and up to 16 GB of RAM, are excellent choices. These tablets can handle complex tasks without lag, ensuring a seamless workflow.
Brand Reliability
Brand reputation and reliability are important when investing in a tablet. Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft have proven track records for producing high-quality, durable tablets that can withstand the rigors of daily use.
These brands also offer excellent customer support and regular software updates, enhancing the longevity and functionality of your device.
New vs. Used
While buying a new tablet ensures you get the latest features and a warranty, purchasing a used or refurbished tablet can be a cost-effective option. Make sure to buy from reputable sellers who offer certified refurbished devices with warranties. This can save you money while still providing a reliable tool for your work.
Additional Capabilities
Consider additional capabilities that can boost your productivity. For example, the ability to use a stylus, like the Apple Pencil with the iPad Pro or the S Pen with the Samsung Galaxy tablets, can be a game-changer for artists and designers. Detachable keyboards, protective cases, and other accessories can also enhance your tablet’s functionality.
Customization and Modularity
Tablets that allow for customization and modularity can adapt better to your specific needs. The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is highly customizable and can function both as a tablet and a laptop, offering versatility for different tasks.
Adding mods like external storage, specialized keyboards, or drawing pads can further tailor the device to your workflow.
By taking these factors into account, you can choose a tablet that not only meets your immediate needs but also supports your long-term goals, whether you’re illustrating designs for print-on-demand merchandise or managing various aspects of your remote work.
Best Tablets for Nomad Workers
Finding the right tablet can revolutionize your productivity and enhance your remote work experience. Here, we’ve highlighted the top tablets for nomad workers, each offering unique features, outstanding performance, and suitability for various tasks.
Whether you’re designing merchandise, managing your business, or enjoying some downtime, these tablets provide the reliability and functionality essential for a mobile lifestyle.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9
You can choose from an 11-inch or a 13-inch display, and you get access to up to 2 TB of storage. The iPad Pro 12.9 can be paired with a Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro for increased productivity.
We cannot find a better tablet for remote work on the market.
It features several features and a lot of power. It is a great business accessory, and the only problem with it is that you would only be able to use it for work if you did not rely on Windows-only software. If this is not you, the tablet is a solid choice, although it can be a little expensive, especially when factoring in the money you would pay for accessories.
Amazon Fire Max 11
If you mostly do light work on the move and you want a tablet that is also good for entertainment, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is a very solid choice.
You can expand storage up to 1 TB, and the display is of 11 inches. Durability is very high and the battery life is an impressive 14 hours. The only problem with it is that it lacks cellular connectivity.
The Amazon Fire Max 11 is actually marketed as being less powerful than the big competitors. However, the price point is also lower. You will like the strengthened glass used and the many available accessories, like a stylus pen, extra screen protector, and keyboard cases.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra
Do you need a tablet with a large screen since you multitask a lot? The Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra is a solid choice for you with its 14.6-inch display and storage space that can be expanded up to 1 TB.
Cellular connectivity is not available, but there are some pretty interesting extra features perfect when on the move, like a fingerprint scanner and face recognition.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra has a very powerful processor and a lot of RAM included (12 GB or 16 GB versions available). And the tablet is completely compatible with Samsung’s flagship Galaxy AI.
The biggest selling point is the large display. There are no other display sizes available.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Last but not least, we have to also recommend the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 as the very best hybrid on the market (tablet and laptop). It uses Windows as the operating system and has a display of 13 inches. The storage available is up to 1 TB and the tablet can connect to cellular models and WiFi.
Since we are talking about a hybrid, it needs to be highlighted that it is highly customizable. And nomad workers will appreciate the addition of Gorilla Glass 5 for extra security. The battery life can go as high as 19 hours and the only problem is that the tablet hybrid gets pretty expensive when you opt for the best specs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the right tablet is a game-changer for nomad workers who need a reliable, portable, and powerful device to stay productive on the go.
The Apple iPad Pro 12.9, Amazon Fire Max 11, Samsung Galaxy S9 Ultra, and Microsoft Surface Pro 9 each shine in different areas, catering to diverse needs from graphic design and multitasking to affordability and hybrid functionality.
By weighing factors like battery life, screen quality, performance, and additional capabilities, you can select a tablet that not only meets your immediate work needs but also supports your creative and professional growth.
Whether you’re crafting designs for print-on-demand merchandise or juggling various aspects of remote work, these tablets offer the versatility and power essential for thriving in a mobile lifestyle. Choose wisely, and let your tablet become your ultimate tool for success on the move.

Jim’s passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”