I need to get a tablet to use with Zwift. What’s the best low cost option with least faff? Ideally I’d be looking for something that could be used out of the box without having to download extra software etc.
Am using a wahoo kikr snap, Garmin HRM pro, & wahoo cadence.
Anyone got some reliable go to’s? It doesn’t have to do much else other than zwift, maybe occasional Netflix etc but doesn’t need massive capacity!
Thanks, currently using an iPad as well but won’t have access to that soon. May go second hand iPad, but new is a bit out of budget! Agre, it just worked with zero faff!
I would stick with the iPad and get one that is no more than a few years old. Maybe the 8th gen 2020 model or newer? Older will work as well if newer is beyond budget. The iPad Mini doesn’t get the custom workout creation feature so if you care about that I would get one of the full size models. Example:
I checked this post, and I want to contribute, please make sure that the device that you purchase reaches at least the minimal requirements to run Zwift, you might find this article Supported Devices to Run Zwift useful for this.
We just got the Zwift Ride. I continue to use my laptop for Zwifting, but my wife uses her tablet. She has a SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A8, 10.5" Tablet 32GB (Wi-Fi) and it seems to work just fine.
If I were to purchase a laptop, I’d choose a gaming one. However, just for the fun of it, I asked AI to suggest the most cost-effective options that meet the minimum requirements to run Zwift.
When looking for a cost-effective laptop to run Zwift, it’s important to prioritize good CPU and GPU performance, sufficient RAM, and a decent display. Here’s a list of options that strike a good balance between performance and price:
1. Acer Aspire 5 (A515-56-73AP)
Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (integrated, works well with Zwift)
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920x1080)
Price: Around $600
Why it’s good: This laptop offers a great balance of power for Zwift at an affordable price. It can handle the game on moderate settings well.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (15ADA6)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Display: 15.6" Full HD
Price: Around $450
Why it’s good: Offers solid performance for the price, especially for those on a tighter budget. It can handle Zwift at lower settings with smooth performance.
3. HP Pavilion x360 (14-dw1024nr)
Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 14" Full HD Touchscreen
Price: Around $650
Why it’s good: A versatile option with a touchscreen, offering a solid gaming experience and portability. The Intel Iris Xe graphics can handle Zwift quite effectively at moderate settings.
4. ASUS VivoBook 15
Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6" Full HD
Price: Around $500
Why it’s good: A very affordable option with a good display and decent power for running Zwift. It’s a great budget option if you’re looking to keep costs low while still playing smoothly.
5. Dell Inspiron 14 5000
Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB SSD
Display: 14" Full HD
Price: Around $600
Why it’s good: Known for being reliable, the Inspiron series provides solid performance for Zwift and multitasking, at a reasonable price.
Minimum Specs for Zwift:
CPU: Intel Core i5 (or equivalent) or AMD Ryzen 5
GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe or dedicated NVIDIA/AMD graphics
RAM: At least 8GB
Storage: 256GB SSD or more
Display: 1080p (Full HD) for a better visual experience
These options provide good performance for Zwift without breaking the bank, and they are capable of handling other tasks as well. Keep an eye out for sales to get the best deal!
Out of curiosity, why a tablet? Are you planning to use it for other purposes, also? I ask because I wonder if Apple TV might be an option. You won’t able to pair all three of your devices directly, but can use the Companion app as a bridge (or maybe skip the cadence sensor).
The gaming laptops are much more expensive than what is needed. If a desktop PC is an option, you can put one together for around $250 - $300 with used parts and get ultra graphics and much better performance than the integrated graphics of those $500 - $650 laptops.
I often see posts about making a PC for a couple hundred dollars but is the cost of Windows included in that? From what I can see, you still have to pay for a Windows license unless you upgrade from an earlier version.
Heres one for $65, put in a used graphics card like a 1050 ti for another $80 or so and you have ultra graphics. Might need a few other odds and ends like wifi if you cant hard wire it, bluetooth dongle, keyboard/mouse… there you go for less than an Apple TV
Thanks, a tablet is what I need for the area I have available to turbo in. I watch whatever I’m us using to distract me on my laptop, then tablet rests on a music stand. It works perfectly in the space I use, so I’m looking for another tablet
Also, I don’t have funds to burn on an Apple TV that i don’t need just to turbo train from it!
Since you have a laptop, if Zwift runs well on it, you could also consider getting a tablet sized portable monitor to put on the music stand and cable it to the laptop. Those are cheaper than tablets. That also assumes the laptop has some kind of external video port you can use, which it most likely does. You would perhaps still need to reach the laptop if you need to access game controls, but as a display that would work.
In addition to this, my iPad has suddenly stopped picking up the hrm (Garmin). I’ve done a software update, re installed Zwift, nd tried with two different hrm’s (pro and whichever the blue one is!) and zippo!