HP's Tablet Offerings Today
HP does make tablets, but their lineup is smaller than it was ten years ago. The company currently sells the HP OmniPad line for general consumers and the HP Elite Dragonfly series for business users. Both run on Android or Windows depending on the model, and both are positioned as mid-range devices rather than budget or premium options.
HP stopped making their consumer-focused tablet line several years ago and shifted focus toward business and professional tablets. This means if you are shopping for an HP tablet today, you are looking at devices designed for work — note-taking, document editing, video calls — rather than entertainment or gaming as the primary use case.
The availability of HP tablets varies by region and retailer. Some models sell mainly through Best Buy or Amazon, while others are available directly from HP's website. Pricing typically ranges from $300 to $800 depending on screen size, storage, and whether you add a stylus or keyboard case.
Key Takeaways
- HP currently makes tablets under the OmniPad and Elite Dragonfly brands, both aimed at productivity and work rather than entertainment.
- HP discontinued its consumer tablet line and now focuses on business-oriented models with stylus support and keyboard compatibility.
- Most HP tablets run either Android or Windows, so your choice depends on which operating system you already use on your phone or computer.
- HP tablets typically cost between $300 and $800, placing them in the mid-range rather than budget or premium categories.
HP OmniPad: The General-Purpose Option
The HP OmniPad is HP's main tablet for everyday users. It comes in 10-inch and 12-inch screen sizes, with the larger model better for reading documents or watching video. The tablet runs Android, so it works with the Google Play Store and any app you already use on an Android phone.
The OmniPad includes a stylus in the box on most models, which makes it useful for note-taking, sketching, or marking up PDFs. The stylus pressure sensitivity is adequate for casual drawing but not professional-grade. Battery life is typically eight to ten hours of mixed use, which covers a full workday without needing to charge.
Storage options usually start at 64 GB and go up to 256 GB. The 64 GB model is tight if you store many apps and photos locally, but fine if you use cloud storage for documents and media. The 256 GB version gives you room to work without constantly managing space.
HP Elite Dragonfly: The Business Tablet
The Elite Dragonfly is built for office work, remote meetings, and field professionals. It runs Windows 11, which means it can run desktop software like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, or industry-specific programs that Android cannot handle. This makes it the choice if your work requires Windows-only tools.
The Dragonfly comes with a stylus and keyboard case as standard, so you get a complete package out of the box. The keyboard is full-sized and detachable, turning the tablet into a laptop-like device when you need to type long documents or emails. The stylus has higher pressure sensitivity than the OmniPad, useful if you work with design software or take handwritten notes you plan to convert to text.
The screen is typically 13 inches, larger than most consumer tablets, and the device weighs around 1.5 pounds with the keyboard attached. It is heavier than a tablet alone but lighter than most laptops. Battery life is six to eight hours, shorter than the OmniPad, because Windows and the larger screen draw more power.
Android vs. Windows: Which Operating System Matters
HP tablets come in both Android and Windows versions, and the choice matters more than the brand. Android tablets are lighter, have longer battery life, and work with apps designed for phones. Windows tablets can run desktop software, connect to corporate networks, and feel more like a laptop shrunk down.
Choose Android if you use Google services (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Workspace), watch streaming video, read books, or take notes with apps like OneNote or Notion. Choose Windows if your workplace uses Microsoft Active Directory, you need to run desktop software, or you already own Windows software licenses you want to reuse.
Android tablets are also simpler to set up and maintain. Windows tablets require more storage space, update more frequently, and can slow down over time if you install many programs. For casual use, Android is the easier path; for professional work, Windows often makes sense.
HP Tablet Pricing and Where to Buy
HP OmniPad tablets typically cost $350 to $550 depending on screen size and storage. The 10-inch model with 64 GB storage usually starts around $350, while the 12-inch with 256 GB can reach $550. Adding a keyboard case or extra stylus adds $100 to $200 more.
The Elite Dragonfly costs $600 to $800 because it includes the keyboard and stylus in the base price and runs Windows. The 13-inch screen and business-grade build quality account for the higher price. If you buy the keyboard and stylus separately for an OmniPad, the total cost approaches Dragonfly pricing, so the choice becomes about operating system rather than price.
You can buy HP tablets directly from HP.com, Best Buy, Amazon, or through business resellers if you are buying for a company. Prices sometimes drop during sales events like back-to-school season or Black Friday, though discounts are usually 10 to 20 percent rather than deeper cuts. Refurbished models from HP's official refurbished store cost 20 to 30 percent less than new and come with the same warranty.
How HP Tablets Compare to iPad and Samsung
iPad dominates the tablet market and has more apps designed specifically for tablets than any other platform. If you use other Apple devices or want the widest selection of tablet-optimized apps, iPad is the safer choice. HP tablets cost less than comparable iPads but have fewer tablet-specific apps.
Samsung Galaxy tablets run Android like HP OmniPad models, so the app selection is similar. Samsung tablets often have better screens and faster processors at the same price point, but HP tablets include a stylus more often as standard. If stylus support matters to you, HP's inclusion of the stylus in the box saves you $100 to $150 compared to buying a Samsung tablet and stylus separately.
Windows tablets are rare outside of HP and Microsoft's own Surface line. If you need Windows specifically, HP Elite Dragonfly is cheaper than Surface Pro models and includes the keyboard and stylus, making it better value for business users who need Windows but do not need the premium build quality of a Surface.
Durability and Support for HP Tablets
HP tablets have plastic backs and aluminum frames, which is standard for mid-range tablets. They are less durable than iPad's glass and aluminum construction but more durable than budget tablets made entirely of plastic. A drop from waist height onto hard flooring can crack the screen, so a case is worth the cost.
HP offers one-year hardware warranty on all tablets, covering defects in manufacturing but not accidental damage. You can extend the warranty to two or three years through HP's website at purchase, which costs $50 to $100 depending on the model. AppleCare+ for iPad costs more but covers accidental damage; HP's extended warranty does not.
Software updates for Android tablets come from Google and HP, usually for three to four years after release. Windows tablets receive updates from Microsoft for as long as Windows 11 is supported, which is at least five years. Older HP tablets may become slow after several years of updates, particularly Windows models, because the hardware was not designed for newer software versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an HP tablet with an iPhone or Mac?
Yes, but with limits. Android and Windows tablets work with iCloud and iMessage through web browsers, and you can use Apple apps like Pages or Numbers on Android tablets. However, you lose the seamless handoff and continuity features that work between Apple devices. If you own an iPhone and Mac, an iPad integrates more smoothly.
Do HP tablets come with a keyboard?
The Elite Dragonfly includes a keyboard and stylus in the box. The OmniPad includes a stylus but not a keyboard; you can buy a keyboard case separately for $100 to $150. Some retailers bundle the keyboard with the OmniPad at purchase, so check what is included before you buy.
How long do HP tablets last before they become too slow?
Android tablets usually stay usable for four to five years. Windows tablets can slow down after three to four years because Windows updates grow larger and more demanding. Battery life degrades after two to three years of daily charging, so you may need a replacement battery or case with built-in power before the tablet itself fails.
Can I return an HP tablet if I do not like it?
Return policies depend on where you buy. Best Buy and Amazon typically allow returns within 15 to 30 days. HP's direct website allows 30-day returns. If you buy from a business reseller, the return window may be shorter. Check the retailer's policy before you buy, not after.
Are HP tablets good for drawing or design work?
The OmniPad stylus is adequate for note-taking and casual sketching but not professional design. The Elite Dragonfly stylus is better and can run professional design software because it uses Windows, but it is still not as precise as an iPad Pro or Wacom tablet. If design is your main use, iPad Pro or a dedicated Wacom tablet is the better choice.