Best Tablets for Coding and Light Development on the Go

Let’s cut the fluff: if you’re coding *on the go* — debugging Python on a train, reviewing PRs in a café, or prototyping a React Native UI between meetings — your tablet isn’t just a media slab. It’s your lightweight dev station. As a full-stack dev who’s shipped 12+ apps *exclusively* from tablets (yes, really), I’ve stress-tested 9 devices over 3 years — and here’s what actually works.

Spoiler: iPadOS and Windows ARM still lead — but Android? Surprisingly capable with Termux + VS Code Server. macOS tablets don’t exist (yet), so we’ll skip that rabbit hole.

✅ Key non-negotiables I tested: - Minimum 8GB RAM (6GB chokes on Docker-in-WSL2 or multi-tab VS Code) - USB-C + display-out support (for dual-monitor setups) - Keyboard & stylus latency < 25ms (measured via [Input Lag Test](https://www.inputlagtest.com)) - Linux terminal compatibility (via native SSH, Termux, or WSL)

Here’s how top contenders stack up (real-world dev workflow scores, 10-point scale):

\*Measured running `npm run dev`, 2 Chrome tabs (GitHub + docs), Slack, and VS Code Web — screen at 50% brightness, Wi-Fi active.

Real talk: the best tablets for coding and light development on the go aren’t about raw specs — they’re about *workflow continuity*. Can you jump from mobile Safari dev tools → local Node server → GitHub CLI — without rebooting or losing context? That’s where iPad Pro + best tablets for coding and light development on the go shines.

Pro tip: Skip the $329 Apple Pencil — use a $69 Logitech Crayon instead. Same latency, no pairing headaches.

Bottom line? If you're serious about mobile dev, prioritize RAM > screen size, latency > resolution, and ecosystem support > brand hype. And yes — you *can* ship production code from a tablet. I did. Twice last month.

(Stats sourced from my [public benchmark repo](https://github.com/devtablet/benchmarks), updated weekly.)