The Most Powerful Tablet Computers In Each Category In September

September has given us a couple of new powerful tablets in each tablet category, and we will get a few more in October too when the new 10.9-inch iPad Air 4 is launched from $599, as well as the leaked 13-inch Windows 10 Surface Pro X 2 that may be unveiled next week, and possibly released between October – November sometime, likely from $899 – $999 and upwards.

Because of that, I've dropped the previous generation iPad Air and Surface Pro X off the list of the most powerful tablets in September, since I cannot maintain a buying recommendation on tablets that are about to be replaced.

The hottest new tablets in September are the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 tablets and the new iPad 10.2 with its fast processor and low price tag of $299 currently.

This list of the fastest and most powerful tablets of September of all major operating systems is sorted by size of the tablet computer, starting with the largest tablet computer.

Best Tablets in September 2020
Microsoft Surface Book 3
Both some of the newest 2-in-1 tablets in September, as well as the largest two tablets. A popular Windows 10 2-in-1 among professionals, especially engineers, and now offers additional Nvidia GPU options and as much as 32GB RAM.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
13.5 $1599 Windows 10 5,600 18,600
15 $2299 Windows 10 5,600 18,600


Apple iPad Pro 12.9
The new iPad Pro 12.9 may be even more powerful than the top model of the Surface Pro 7, but with a larger screen and a decent price tag considering its performance. Launched in March, now with a slightly more powerful GPU and 6GB LPDDR4X RAM as standard for all models.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
12.9 $999 iPadOS 5,035 18,325


Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Samsung's newest flagship tablet with the best specs and highest performance you can get on any Android tablet in September 2020.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
12.4 $849 Android 10 4,510 12,945

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The much evolved Windows 10 tablet is now better than ever before, and finally has a USB C port as well. It has anything from an award winning display, to snappy performance, a long list of accessories, to good warranties. It's rumored to not be replaced in 2020, though you may still want to wait until Microsoft's October event to find out for sure.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
12.3 $675 Windows 10 4,775 9,265
12.3 $1299 Windows 10 5,710 19,200


Google Pixel Slate
This Chrome OS 2-in-1 tablet is becoming cheap for the Intel Core m3 model, but also has two other processor options for those in need of something more powerful. The least powerful is listed first, and the most powerful last.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
12.3 $445 Chrome 3,230 5,660
12.3 $1129 Chrome 4,155 8,120


Apple iPad Pro 11
The most powerful iPad together with the larger 12.9 model, which has anything from quad speakers to great digitizer feel. Released in March, with a more powerful GPU and 6GB LPDDR4X RAM as standard on all storage models.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
11 $799 iPadOS 5,035 18,325


Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
Samsung's other new flagship tablet with the just as much power as the larger sibling model, just with a few different specs like an LDC display instead of OLED. Still features optional 5G though, and up to 8GB RAM.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
11 $649 Android 10 4,510 12,945


Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
The second most powerful Android tablet on the market in September, with great specs in every area and a functionality that makes Samsung's previous flagship tablet appeal to a wide range of customers with different usage scenarios.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
10.5 $619 Android 10 3,505 10,950

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G
Apple iPad 10.2 (2020)
Released on September 18th with a powerful Apple A12 processor and faster RAM, this upgraded 10.2-inch iPad can perform just as well as some Windows tablets at more than twice the price, and it fits optional keyboards too which will turn it into a cheap 2-in-1 iPad.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
10.2 $299 iPadOS 14 4,790 9,730


Microsoft Surface Go 2
The entry level Surface tablet got a lot more powerful with the new processor options, a larger screen, and generally leads in this class with useful specs and good warranties.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
10.5 $599 Windows 10 4,105 (Core m3) 6,785
10.5 $399 Windows 10 2,210 (Pentium) 4,480


Teclast M40
Teclast is the wildcard here, but the benchmarks demonstrates how far they have come with their tablets. With generally good specs, 6GB RAM, a Full HD display, and low price, this is a very interesting Android 10 tablet this fall.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
10.1 $279 Android 10 1,900 5,790


Chuwi Hi10 X
This 10.1-inch Windows 2-in-1 tablet is a good alternative to the Surface Go 2, with a slightly larger screen, stiffer keyboard, and different performance.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
10.1 $229 Windows 10 1,805 5,240

Chuwi Hi10 X
Lenovo Chromebook Duet
As far as Chromebook tablets goes, this isn't as powerful as Google's Pixel tablet, but it's the leading Chrome tablet in the 10-inch category, and also win's because the keyboard is included in the price.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
10.1 $299 Chrome OS 1,380 5,510

Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen 8.0 (2019)
A very user friendly tablet with Samsung's S Pen digitizer/stylus, and enough power for the tasks that an 8-inch tablet will be put through.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
8 $269 Android 9.0 1,325 4,155

Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen 8.0 (2019) Tablet SM-P200 SM-P205
Apple iPad mini 5
The iPad mini 5 is a pocket rocket that's powerful enough to shame many laptops, a fact that's still lost on many. And now that it has support for the Apple Pencil digitizer, it is even more attractive. Optional keyboards are also available. Launched for $399, its price has been cut to $349 since then.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
7.9 $349 iPadOS 4,810 11,480


Amazon Fire 7
While there are other 7-inch Android 10 tablets on the market today for under $100, they still tend to fail on too short battery life, and as strange as it may seem, the Fire 7 is actually the most powerful 7-inch tablet in September based on the benchmark scores.

Size Price OS Single-Core Multi-Core
7 $49 Fire OS 640 1,810


– Jim Miller