Sometimes to play an older game or use dedicated software, a specific device is required. An emulation is a great option since buying all devices is very expensive. Basically, emulators are an imitation of software or hardware from another platform.
Tablet is often used for emulation due to its high performance, portability and flexibility. That said, this is a low-level emulation, more suitable for inexperienced users. Low-level emulation is possible with a tablet, which is not the same for high-level emulation.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best tablets for emulation.
Our Picks for 2023
1. Apple iPad Pro – Top Premium Choice
Those who prefer to use an Apple device should consider the iPad Pro since it is the best option for durability, reliability and performance.
The New M1 chip provides an amazing speed for every task, whether for a console-level game or demanding professional software. Aside from the high performance, this tablet is also known for superior wireless and wired connection due to the 5G.
With two display options, users can choose between a larger display with realistic details or a smaller version with high pixel density and more portability.
The Center Stage feature is introduced for the front camera. This camera can match the professional cameras for photos and videos.
Like any other premium tablet, it provides an ultimate user experience with the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
As for the operating system, the iPadOS is intuitive and well optimized for every activity.
Specifications
| Display | 11-inch Liquid Retina |
| Processor | Apple M1 |
| Operating system | IPadOS |
| Dimensions | 9.74 x 7.02 x 0.23 inches |
| Weight | 1.00 lbs |
2. Microsoft Surface Go2 – Best Performance for the Price
This highly portable tablet is well-known for its high versatility and amazing emulation for any game.
Even though casual users don’t need such an expensive tablet, it works great for presentations, homework and web browsing. Additionally, the PixelSense display comes with a touchscreen which is quite useful for quick access to files and settings.
Surface Go2 is an ideal option for advanced security and parental control. The content filtering can be managed as well as the screen time for every user.
The Kickstand is available, so it is a lot easier to find the perfect angle for drawing or sketching while using the Surface Pen. That said, the Surface Pen comes with high sensitivity enabling smooth movement and advanced shading.
Featuring the Surface Mobile Mouse, there is no better option for accuracy and connectivity.
Altogether this is a great tablet to emulate any application on the Windows operating system.
Specifications
| Display | 10.5 inches |
| Processor | i9-7740x |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
| Dimensions | 0.33 x 9.65 x 6.9 inches |
| Weight | 1.20 lbs |
3. TECLAST M40 Gaming Tablet – Best Budget Pick
TECLAST M40 Gaming is perfect for emulating older games and playing any modern game without any performance drops.
Since this tablet comes with the Android operating system, it can be used for any modern mobile game. With the wide viewing angles and AI optimization, a great gaming experience is guaranteed.
The best thing about this product is the battery life. Combined use will drain the battery in about 8 hours, although intensive use will drain the 6000 mAh battery in just 4 hours.
TECLAST M40 is a lightweight tablet with a very thin metal body that is more durable than most tablets on the market.
Bluetooth 5.0 is included as well as the 2.4G and 5G WiFi for fast data transfer and stable connection.
The 8MP camera with advanced focus makes a huge difference for photos. That said, the 5MP front camera provides a high detail video.
Specifications
| Display | UNISOC T618 |
| Processor | i9-7740x |
| Operating system | Android 10 |
| Dimensions | 9.56 x 6.4 x 0.37 inches |
| Weight | 2.05 lbs |
4. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
SAMSUNG’s latest Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is among the best tablets on the market for entertainment and professional emulation.
The slim, lightweight design makes it portable, stylish and it is available in many different colors. S Pen might be the main reason to get this product since it is perfect for writing and editing.
Aside from high efficiency, the battery life goes up to 13 hours of casual use. Even if the battery is drained faster by gaming, the USB-C port enables ultra-fast charging.
The storage choice is 64 GB or 128 GB, but the upgrade is possible with the microSD card. The maximum storage that can be upgraded with the microSD card is 1TB.
This tablet is also well-known for high-quality audio. With the dual AKG speakers, an amazing user experience is guaranteed while playing games or watching movies.
Although the front camera provides a high level of detail, the most important feature is face recognition, which allows fast and safe unlocking.
Compared to the most expensive tablets on the market, it might lack performance for professional emulation, but that is the only downside.
Specifications
| Display | 10.4 inches |
| Processor | Cortex-A73 & Cortex-A53 |
| Operating system | Android |
| Dimensions | 0.28 x 6.07 x 9.63 inches |
| Weight | 1.03 lbs |
5. ASUS ZenPad Z301M-A2-GR
Stylish design and unique display followed by the latest features provide users with amazing emulation options and performance for casual gaming.
The display is optimized to achieve the perfect contrast, color, and brightness featuring the ASUS visual enhancement technologies. ZenPad is suitable for casual gaming. It comes with small bezels for batter view and acceptable performance for most games.
Another great feature is the Bluelight Filter. This filter reduces eye strain and provides the most comfortable viewing experience, especially for longer use.
The PixelMaster camera is well optimized for photos with pixel-merging technology. Using pixel-merging is the most important for taking photos at night and in low-light scenes.
With the intuitive ZenUI personal assistant, the most basic actions are simplified, such as unlocking, content filtering and private communication.
The lack of performance is notable, but it is important to remember this is not a premium tablet.
Specifications
| Display | 10.1 inches |
| Processor | MediaTek MTK-8163B |
| Operating system | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Dimensions | 9.9 x 6.8 x 0.35 inches |
| Weight | 1.04 lbs |
6. Microsoft Surface Pro
Those who are looking for performance, mobility and advanced personalization should definitely consider buying this tablet.
Surface Pro provides a great user experience with Windows operating system with the 3d creation tools, Surface Pen and Surface Dial.
The Surface Dial might be the best feature since it allows users to achieve ideal personalization for every activity. These tools are unlocked simply by pressing and holding until the radial menu appears on the screen.
Also, the Surface Arc Mouse delivers an amazing user experience since it is designed for comfort. That said, the movement is smooth and it is connected via Bluetooth.
Surface Pro is a versatile tablet. The studio mode is unlocked by opening the Kickstand. The laptop mode is also available with the Signature Type Cover.
Even though this is a great tablet, the only downside is the price since there are a few better options within the price range.
Specifications
| Display | 12.3 inches |
| Processor | i5-8032 |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Professional |
| Dimensions | 12.72 x 9.07 x 1.91 inches |
| Weight | 1.70 lbs |
7. Fire HD 8
The Fire HD 8 is an affordable and portable tablet. It is quite efficient, which makes it ideal for casual use.
The Game Mode provides a great gaming experience. Still, the Fire HD 8 is also amazing for movies, eBooks, and other entertainment activities.
Adequate control for settings and personalization is available with Alexa. By connecting the basic information, playing music, watching videos and voice calls are simplified for every user.
Another great thing about this tablet is the Amazon Kids. This is quite useful to control the child profiles to control the screen time and manage content.
This tablet is designed to provide easy access to every button and port, which is significant for longer use.
Efficiency is very high since the high optimization provides about 12 hours of battery life. Considering that the Fire HD 8 is not used for high-performance tasks, the minimum is 10 hours of battery life.
Overall, professional emulation is not possible, but casual users will find great value from this product.
Specifications
| Display | 7.0 inches |
| Processor | Cortex-A53 |
| Operating system | Amazon Fire OS |
| Dimensions | 8.0 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches |
| Weight | 0.63 lbs |
Buyer’s Guide While Buying Tablet for Emulation
Processor
ProcessorThe most important thing for proper emulation is to meet the performance requirements. In other words, the processor must provide enough performance for emulation software.
The best option is to go for the Apple tablet with the M1 chip for high performance. This is not the only option since there are many great high-performance tablets on the market.
It all depends on the user’s needs considering that inexperienced users should go for a more affordable tablet.
Battery
Whether the tablet is used for emulation or any other activity, good battery life will make a huge difference in every case. Some low-quality tablets only provide about 4-5 hours of effective use, which is insufficient for an intensive user.
The tablet for emulation should be able to provide at least 8 hours of battery life. That said, gaming and running emulators will drain the battery life faster.
Many great tablets on the market provide about 10 hours of combined use, which is ideal for most users.
Display
The screen size and display quality are very important to get the best user experience. Those who prefer to play games or watch movies should go for a bigger screen with a higher resolution.
One thing to remember is that a higher resolution and a bigger screen will drain the battery faster, which is a huge factor. On the other hand, smaller tablets are more portable and provide longer battery life. Both sides have pros and cons, but there is also an option to get a mid-end tablet to find the sweet spot.
Storage
Considering that playing games require at least decent storage, it is important to consider the storage before buying a specific tablet.
Recommended storage for casual users is 32 GB, although 64 GB will be the proper amount for gamers. If the storage is near the limit, it is possible to upgrade with the microSD card.
FAQ
Which is the best tablet for emulation?
Those who are looking for a premium tablet for emulation should consider the Apple iPad Pro. This tablet delivers ultra-high performance for every emulation software and comes with advanced features. Altogether the premium experience also includes a premium price.
Which is the most ideal screen size for emulation?
The screen size is important, but it mostly depends on personal preference. As there is no perfect answer, the 10-inch screen is recommended for most users. To get the best gaming experience getting a tablet with a larger screen is the best option.
Will 64 GB storage be enough for emulation on a tablet?
Definitely yes. The 64 GB is actually recommended for most users, even though the 128 GB might be the best for experienced users. The storage choice is important, but it is possible to get a microSD card. Getting the microSD card to expand the storage is a lot cheaper than buying a new tablet with more storage.
Can I run PUBG and Fortnite on the SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 tablet?
The SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 provides more than enough performance for both games. Without any question, these games can be played on a lot cheaper tablets. That said, the gaming experience won’t match the SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6.
Which is the best operating system for tablet emulators?
Emulators are supported by almost every operating system available. That said, there are slight differences between the operating systems. For example, the most simple and intuitive operating system for emulators is the Android OS.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect tablet for emulation might not be simple for every user. Still, little online research is required to get more familiar with the latest tablet improvements.
Performance, features and other important factors are important to get the best user experience. This article should be a starting point to help both new and experienced users find the most ideal tablet for emulation.
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