Photography today is more than having the right camera. It is also about having the right gadgets that let you work on these photos to make them better. One of the most loved and commonly used is the lightroom. It lets you work on your photos and edit them in multiple ways to give you a brighter and better outcome.
But to use Lightroom, you need the right gadget. For photo editing purposes tablets are used a lot. They are easy to handle, you can use a stylus for better reach, they give you portability yet pack all the features your phone and laptop have combined.
To buy the best tablet for lightroom, you need to do a little research before you can buy one. You will come across numerous models that look and feel similar, but will carry differences that can make or break your work.
To know more about what qualities to look for and what models are popular right now, check out our article below.
Comparison Chart for Top 10 Tablets for Lightroom
| Image | Name | Display | Screen resolution | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 | 10-inch PixelSense | 2736 x 1824 | 64GB eMMC / 128GB SSD | Check Price |
  | Acer Switch 5 | 12.0-inch QHD Touch | 2160 x 1440 | 8GB | Check Price |
  | Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 | 10.5-inch | 2560×1600 | 64GB/ 256GB | Check Price |
  | Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch | 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display | 2048×2732 | 64GB/ 256GB/ 512GB/ 1TB | Check Price |
  | Apple iPad mini | 7. 9-inch Retina display | 2048×2732 | 64 GB | Check Price |
  | Apple iPad Air | 10.5-inch | 2224 x 1668 | 64GB | Check Price |
  | HP Pro 608 G1 | 7.86-inch | 2048×1536 | 64GB | Check Price |
  | Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 | 9.7-Inch | 2048 x 1536 | 32GB | Check Price |
  | Apple iPad 9.7 inch | 9.7-inch | 2048 x 1536 | 128GB | Check Price |
  | Fire HD 10 Tablet | 10.1-inch | 1080p Full HD | 32GB | Check Price |
Best Tablet for Lightroom Reviews
1.Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is the first on our list and is a fan favorite for all who love to multi-task. This can be converted into a laptop or used in studio mode, and these just give it so much more flexibility.
With these features, this becomes not just the optimum device for editing on Lightroom, but for all kinds of edits. If you want to give the one ultimate device for all your work, this is it.
You get a 12.3-inch display, which is perfect for photo editing because it gives you a wide space to work on. At the same time, it is not too big which would add weight to the device itself. Hence making this portable as well.
Battery life is impressive at 13.5 hours. Meaning you can work, take breaks and watch a video, go to class and do so much more, all with one charge.
While plugging into the charger is not big of a deal, it is simply time-consuming to do. Not to mention it prevents you from moving with your work.
Besides all these, you want your device to be solid, so it can serve you well for years to come. The 8th Generation Intel Core processor is the solution to that which gives you a fast and smooth tablet.
Highlighted Features
- It can be used in a laptop, tablet and studio mode
- 3-inch PixelSense Display provides ample space for editing work
- 5 hours of battery life give you uninterrupted service
- 8th Generation Intel Core processor gives it more power
- Comes with a camera built-in as well
2.Acer Switch 5
The Acer Switch 5 is another tablet that can be converted into a laptop as well. This is a very stylish and slim tablet which once you attach to the backlit keyboard can work as your laptop counterpart. It takes one snap to do this, and it also acts as the screen protector when closed.
With the magnetic backlit keyboard, you can complete all the typing and writing work you have, and open it back up for your photo edits on Lightroom.
You also get the Acer Active Stylus which gives you more control over the work you do.
What we especially love about this one is that both the keyboard and stylus are included with the tablet. You do not have to go out of your way to get them separately, which can really increase your costs.
How the tablet performs from the inside is just as important when it comes to edits. Here you get the 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor that helps to give you a fast running device.
Moreover, the Acer LiquidLoop cooling system ensures that the device does not heat up or collect dust, both of which can be detrimental to your tablet’s health.
Highlighted Features
- Multi-touch IPS display makes it easier to edit
- Comes with a backlit keyboard for working in the dark
- Acer Active Stylus is included to make edits faster
- Can be converted into a laptop with one snap
3.Samsung Electronics Galaxy Tab S4
The Samsung Electronics Galaxy Tab S4 is a fine option for those who want a solid tablet they can carry. This comes with the S Pen included. Using this you can achieve better edits on Lightroom or any other software. Not to mention this also makes it great for taking notes and working on graphics.
This tablet includes far-field mics. Which means that the tablet listens to you. If it is far, and you do not want to get up, you can give voice commands for small tasks such as playing songs, receiving calls, checking your temperature, and similar duties.
The 10.5-inch display reaches all the corners to give you an edge-to-edge display with the thin bezels. This means even though you get 10.5, you feel like there is more to it. a bigger screen is always better for edits, and having smaller bezels simply adds to the comfort of use.
You also get quad speakers with this tablet that help bring sounds to life, perfect for streaming videos when you are taking time off from editing.
If you want, you can get the keyboard cover which is sold separately, and attach the two to form a laptop.
Highlighted Features
- Comes with the S Pen included for more seamless edits
- Super AMOLED display gives you a clear and crisp screen
- Cinematic Dolby Atmos Surround sound takes care of audio
- Tablet can be turned into a PC with keyboard cover
- Slim bezels help to give you a widescreen
4.Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch
This Apple iPad Pro comes with a 12.9-inch display. This is the right kind of size for those who want a device they can edit on, and yet use it for other purposes like reading books or listening to music when on the road. It gives you portability plus function.
Display matters a lot for editing, and here you get the Liquid Retina display that gives you a crystal-clear screen. You get the true color you do on all Apple devices, and this really helps to bring life to your edits and other work.
Besides editing this can also be used as a camera. Although most tablet cameras are not the finest, this will surely stand out with the 12 MP back camera and the 7MP front one. You can use it to take photos and then proceed to edit them on Lightroom if required.
Security is not always looked at, but this one makes it a priority. With the Face ID, you can be sure that no one unauthorized can access your tablet or work. This also helps to prevent theft.
Highlighted Features
- Large 12.9-inch screen gives lots of space to work on
- Liquid Retina display gives the truest colors on screen
- Includes a 12MP back camera and a 7MP front camera
- Tablet has stereo sound with four-speaker audios
- Battery runs for 10 hours straight without disruption
5.Apple iPad mini
The last one is another tablet from Apple, the iPad mini. This is suitable for those who have light-handed work or like to work while traveling because it is smaller than most others in this list. However, despite the size, it still packs a lot of good features which will definitely make you take a second look.
With the 7.9-inch screen, you get the Retina display and True Tone color like most Apple devices. It ensures that colors and textures will resemble reality on screen. This is important because unless you can see your work with the finest detail, you cannot edit it to its finest quality.
The tablet also comes with speakers. You can use this for streaming videos on YouTube or listening to music. Although earphones are used more for these purposes, this is still a good feature to have for when you are sharing your screen with someone else.
Highlighted Features
- Comes with a 7.9-inch display suitable for smaller edits
- Stereo speakers are included to give a complete experience
- Includes an 8MP back camera and a 7MP front camera
- 10 hours of battery life gives you uninterrupted work
- The Touch ID increases the security of the device
Tablet for Lightroom Buying Guide
Screen
For using lightroom, or editing in general, you need to have a large screen that lets you have freedom with your work.
This means you should look towards tablets that have larger screens in general. Of course, these would weigh a little more than smaller ones, but the weight difference is not significant enough to cause trouble with portability.
Screen sizes usually start from around 7 inches when it comes to tablets, but we suggest you avoid these and look at ones above 10 inches. You can even get ones that have a 15-inch big screen. If you work in an office or a fixed table, and portability does not concern you, definitely go for these.
Nonetheless, if you must, opt for medium-sized screens, but definitely not the small ones. With these you will not get enough space to work on, you cannot see your whole picture at a go when you are fixing bits and pieces, you will have trouble accessing multiple features at once as well.
Resolution
Resolution tells you about the details you see on screen. For editing with Lightroom, you want to be able to see every little detail there is. After all, if you cannot see it clearly, how and what do you edit?
We understand that the more you increase the resolution, the higher the costs go as well. But consider this an investment, and if needed save up and then get your tablet. Because you can sacrifice resolution for a lot of work, like taking notes or reading for example. But it will be a disaster if you do that for lightroom editing.
Storage
The best lightroom tablet will be one that has a high storage space. This is because when you edit photos, you have multiple versions of each of them which you must store. You have to keep the raw photos, and a few edited versions too. And of course, there will be a lot of photos, especially if you are a professional.
This makes choosing the right storage so important. Just like resolution, we also want to say that invest in storage and go for the highest your budget lets you. This way you do not have to worry about backup every few days and can download more apps and software to add to your work as well.
Remember if you want to work with freedom, you need more space. Both literally when it comes to the screen, and in terms of storage too.
Processor And RAM
Editing photos require a strong and fast device that promises to deliver at all times. If you are on a deadline you cannot afford a slow tablet that lags. This makes it important to have a high RAM and a good processor that helps the insides of the tablets run smoothly.
Battery Life
Battery life is important because there will be times when you are working without a charging port. For times like these you need to have a good backup, hence a good battery which lets you use the device for long hours.
Ideally, the battery should last you around 5 to 7 hours at one go. But of course, there are models that can work for 10 hours or more too, and those will be priced higher as well.
Conclusion
Editing requires a lot of time and effort, but features like Lightroom can really help you speed up your work. Tablets are amazing partners for such jobs for the ease they provide. In this article, we have covered the topics you need to know before buying the best tablet for lightroom.
We have discussed the qualities you need to look out for, how one model compares to the next, and have provided a list of the products which we think you ought to check out. A few minutes spent here can be considered an investment so you can get your hands on the very finest tablet out there.
Leave a Reply