6 Best Tablets for AutoCAD and CAD 2024 Reviews

By: Editorial Team

AutoCAD is a very complicated piece of software. With it, you can create 2D and 3D models that help both architects and engineers in their daily work.

However, it is a demanding software, and you can’t run it on any tablet out there.

That’s why, today, we have prepared some of the best tablets for AutoCAD and CAD.


Position
First Place
Runner Up
Best Budget
Snapshot
Microsoft Surface Pro 8-13" Touchscreen - Intel® Evo Platform Core™ i7-16GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) - 13in - Core i7 8650U - 8 GB RAM - 256-13" Touchscreen LCD - 2 in 1 Notebook - Fingerprint Reader - Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (20KJ0017US)
Microsoft Surface Go 3 - 10.5" Touchscreen - Intel® Pentium® Gold - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
What You Need To Know About The Tablet

The most powerful and versatile tablet for AutoCAD.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet is a sleek and powerful device that will get the job done.

A solid budget laptop that comes with a ton of benefits.

Prime
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Rating
-
-
Position
First Place
Snapshot
Microsoft Surface Pro 8-13" Touchscreen - Intel® Evo Platform Core™ i7-16GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
What You Need To Know About The Tablet

The most powerful and versatile tablet for AutoCAD.

Prime
-
Rating
-
Position
Runner Up
Snapshot
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet (3rd Gen) - 13in - Core i7 8650U - 8 GB RAM - 256-13" Touchscreen LCD - 2 in 1 Notebook - Fingerprint Reader - Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (20KJ0017US)
What You Need To Know About The Tablet

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet is a sleek and powerful device that will get the job done.

Prime
-
Rating
-
Position
Best Budget
Snapshot
Microsoft Surface Go 3 - 10.5" Touchscreen - Intel® Pentium® Gold - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Device Only - Platinum (Latest Model)
What You Need To Know About The Tablet

A solid budget laptop that comes with a ton of benefits.

Prime
-
Rating

Last update on 2024-03-29 at 06:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


What Is The Best Tablet For AutoCAD?

Overall, if we were to judge these tablets, our choice would be either the iPad Pro or the Microsoft Surface Pro 8.

However, these are also the priciest choices, so keep that in mind. Budget options can be useful as well, but keep in mind that they might have weaker hardware.

Check the specifications that we suggest.

Can You use AutoCAD On a Tablet?

You definitely can, but the best tablet for CAD work depends on what you need.

You should always aspire to have the hardware that is suggested for this type of software, but you could have less complicated hardware as well if you can deal with lagging.

What To Look For When Getting A Tablet For AutoCAD

Performance

When using AutoCAD, your CPU should work at least 2.5 GHz, although three is preferable. Also, 8 GB of RAM might be enough, but 16 is the way to go to make sure you’re safe. Your GPU should have dedicated memory as well.

It is important to note that MacBooks and Apple devices can deal with AutoCAD a little bit easier due to software.

So you could even go a little bit lower on the specifications. This is how you should pick your AutoCAD tablets.

Software Compatibility

AutoCAD can be used both with Windows, android, iOS and macOS, but keep in mind that you should meet the hardware requirements before installing AutoCAD.


Here Are The Best Tablets For AutoCAD and CAD

Pros

  • Versatile Choice Of Hardware
  • Sleek And Minimalistic
  • Windows Software
  • MicroSD Slot
  • Headphones Compatible

Cons

  • Screen To Body Ratio Is Not-So-Sleek
  • Display Not Compatible With Outside Use
  • Limited Options Without Official Accessories

CPU: Intel Core i5, i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics  | RAM: 16 GB / 8 GB / 4 GB | Screen: 12.3” PixelSense Display (2736 x 1824) | Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB

Our first CAD tablet is the 12.3” Microsoft Surface Pro 8 – a tablet that gets you as close to a laptop experience as possible.

To begin with, this sleek device is very portable and versatile. With added accessories, you can use it as a laptop, and without, it can be a multimedia tablet.

With the pen, you can draw and write, and with the keyboard, you can type and code.

Furthermore, this device gives you very versatile choices when it comes to hardware.

For tablets, AutoCAD requires at least 8 GB of RAM, 1 GB video card, and 2.8 GHz processor, which you can easily choose within the options online.

If you want smooth usage, you can go for an even better combination.

It is important to note that this device comes with Windows 10 Home, and since most people are somewhat familiar with this system, you won’t have to adapt to it.

Also, you can use most software that may not be compatible with Mac.

In addition to that, Microsoft has listened to the words of their customers, and they have included both USB-C and USB-A ports.

This tablet can be used with docking stations, but this depends on your preferences as well.

However, one of the problems with this device is the fact that you have to get accessories if you want to use the full potential of the tablet.

You will at least need the keyboard and the Surface Pen, and you’ll be good to go.

The battery life on this device is one of its best points, right next to the Intel Iris Plus Graphics, that provides you with a smooth experience even with visually complex apps.

The design of this device is minimalistic, so keep in mind that you’re not getting anything extravagant.

All in all, if you pick out the right hardware options, this tablet could completely replace your laptop.

It could provide you with all the right choices for your daily business and private work!  


Pros

  • Thunderbolt 3
  • Fantastic Screen quality
  • Lots of Accessories
  • Powerful hardware

Cons

  • Prone To Scratches And Damage
  • Heavy OS Bloatware

CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620  | RAM: 8 GB | Screen: 13” LED Display (3000 x 2000) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

Lenovo’s ThinkPad series is a well-known one in the world of laptops, so can the ThinkPad X1 Tablet compete?

Keep in mind that we’re talking about the 3rd generation of this model. Firstly, we would like to discuss the specifications.

You’re getting a powerful machine here – the processor, the RAM, and the GPU can handle AutoCAD well. Perfect? No. Well? Yes!

This tablet is a 13” model that has a great 3000 x 2000 pixel display.

In the package, you get the tablet, the battery pack, the keyboard, the pen, the finger reader, as well as the webcam. This should provide you with enough material for work.

This tablet has a Thunderbolt 3 port, which is a fantastic specification we don’t see out there – eGPUs suddenly becomes an option.

However, the screen is very prone to scratches, and protection is advised. The battery life on this device is miserable, and you’ll have to plug it in pretty often.

Moreover, the OS is pretty heavy for the device, and it uses up a large portion of the RAM. Overall, this is a useful device if you want to be stationary, and you don’t need a portable option.

Is it the best tablet for CAD? Yes, especially if you want a lot of power in a tablet.


Pros

  • One of The Most Versatile and Premium Devices
  • Sleek and Professional Design
  • A large Number of Compatible Accessories
  • Display Perfect for Media Creators and Designers
  • Supports LTE

Cons

  • Pricey Option
  • No Expandable Memory
  • The Smaller 12.9” Model Does Not Support 4K Videos

CPU: 64-bit A12Z Bionic + M12 coprocessor | Graphics: Apple GPU (8 cores) | RAM: 6 GB  | Screen: 11-inch (2388 x 1668) or 12-inch (2732 x 2048) Liquid Retina Multi-Touch | Storage: 128 GB – 1 TB (non-expandable)

First and foremost, we have to mention that this is a versatile device on the market. It is a tablet that looks like a professional, sleek, minimalistic companion, but it provides the strength of a laptop.

The name Pro is completely justified, as the hardware gives you an excellent base for your daily use.

Furthermore, this tablet can be used as a tablet or a laptop, depending on whether you get the accessories or not.

The keyboard, the Apple pen, the headphones – all of these create the perfect working environment for those who are always busy.

In addition to that, designers find Display very important, and you want the best accuracy you can get.

The beautiful Liquid Retina Multi-Touch display has been praised as one of the best displays ever created, and many say that you can’t get a better one.

The 600 nits of brightness and technologies such as True Tone and ProMotion will never let you down.

It is vital to note that this device has the famous A12Z Bionic chip accompanied by 8-core graphics. You can expect smooth sailing during the whole use, as well as great multimedia options.

Furthermore, the processor is so great you can even edit 4K videos without any trouble. Speaking of media, the lens that Apple used on this device will result in crisp, clear images.

To conclude, iPad Pro is an excellent device with fantastic battery life, and it will help you during the process of designing.

Smooth graphics, great portability, and a high price point are the things you can expect. This might be one of the best tablets for AutoCAD.


Pros

  • Lots of Accessories
  • Versatile Use
  • Phenomenal Battery Life
  • Vibrant Screen
  • Very Portable

Cons

  • Specific Power Plug
  • Accessories Are Costly

CPU: Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8 GB | Screen:  12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 PixelSense display (10-point multi-touch, 3:2 aspect ratio) | Storage: 256 GB SSD

We’re looking at yet another very versatile and creative gadget, the Microsoft Surface Pro 6.

To begin with, this is a powerful laptop with an Intel Core processor that can handle multitasking pretty well.

This is a slim, light laptop that has an ambient light sensor as well. It also has an accelerometer and a gyroscope, perfect for engineers and designers.

With this machine, you can enjoy up to 14 hours of use and bring it around as a companion. Of course, if you get accessories, this could replace your laptop completely.

Furthermore, most people are already familiar with Windows 10 Home, which makes this the perfect opportunity to switch from your current device easily.

Just like with other Surface Pro models, you have laptop mode, tablet mode, as well as studio mode. When combined with accessories, you have a really good recipe for success.

To conclude, if you’re buying this device for its portability and strength and if you can easily spend a few hundred dollars more, opt for the Pro 8.

If not, this is still an excellent device with the possibility of handling AutoCAD with minimal lag.


Pros

  • Budget Option
  • You Choose The Hardware
  • Lightweight and Portable
  • Stylish Accessories with Several Color Options

Cons

  • Lagging with AutoCAD With Cheaper Hardware
  • Graphics Insufficient For Gaming or Complex Use

CPU: Intel Pentium Gold or Intel Core m3 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615 | RAM: 4 GB or 8 GB | Screen: 10.5” PixelSense Display (1920×1280) | Storage: eMMC 64 GB or SSD 128 GB

First and foremost, this Microsoft Surface model is a great budget option in our race for the best tablets for AutoCAD.

It is perfect for those who cannot afford the Pro 8 we talked about earlier. It has minor flaws, but you get to choose the hardware, which means you can amp the game up.

Moving on, this 1.2-pound tablet has a 10.5” screen you’ll be looking at for up to 10 hours of mixed-use battery life.

It is very portable, and you can use various accessories to make the experience better and more versatile.

This laptop is perfect for media use as well, especially when you want some privacy. It has a headphone jack, and although this is not the device to edit media on, you can still enjoy it through the HD screen.

In addition to that, the camera on the front and the back Is perfect for face calls and meetings, making this a powerful device for business as well.

You can use the tablet in tablet mode, laptop mode (and you’ll need the keyboard for that), as well as studio mode, with an angled view.

All in all, if you don’t have the opportunity to buy a costly device, this is a good alternative.

Still, if you get less than 8 GB of RAM or if you go for the Intel Pentium Gold Processor, you will experience some lagging with AutoCAD.

Best tablet to use AutoCAD with? It depends on how high you want the price to be with the hardware choices.


Pros

  • Minimalistic Design
  • HDR10+ Screen
  • Aluminum, Sturdy Build
  • Wide, High-Quality Camera
  • Solid Performance For a Tablet

Cons

  • Lags When Software Gets Very Demanding
  • Protective Case Recommended

CPU: Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4×1.78 GHz Kryo 485)  | Graphics: Adreno 640  | RAM:  6 GB / 8 GB | Screen: 10.5” Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (1600 x 2560)  | Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB expandable through microSDXC up to 512 GB

Although the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 isn’t the most powerful machine out there, it is still a great budget option perfect for students or those who cannot afford more powerful AutoCAD tablets.

This is a device that you can use as a laptop, tablet, and phone.

To begin with, it is essential to note that using this device on its own isn’t a rewarding experience, and you’ll have to get the keyboard and the S Pen if you want to use all of its features.

This device can multitask but don’t expect to switch between AutoCAD and other apps without minimal lagging. This is because the graphics aren’t as premium as AutoCAD prefers.

In addition to that, we would like to note that this device has excellent build quality.

Although a case is recommended because the device does have a slight flex to it, it is built out of aluminum and is very lightweight.

The battery life of the device is pretty good, as you can get about 14 hours of mixed-use. This makes it the best tablet for construction drawings and similar fieldwork.

Some of the extra features of this tablet are very neat, such as the Bixby Voice Assistant and the camera you can use to capture some great moments.

All in all, those who have other Samsung devices will love this budget option, as they can also control other Samsung gadgets in the house through it.

This is the budget version of the best tablet for engineers.


Final Thoughts

We hope that you found the best tablet for AutoCAD and that you will have a clear decision in mind on the day that you shop for a new tablet.

We hope that we answered the question of which tablet is best for AutoCAD.