DIY Windows 10 Tablet PC
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Ever wanted to build your own tablet that can run Windows 10?
If so, I have some great news for you! In this instructable I will show you how you can make this tablet! This tablet is perfect for browsing, streaming video and other programs that don’t require a powerful PC. I am personally using this tablet for browsing while doing different projects. The two USB ports can be used to connect a mouse and a keyboard, making it a laptop. Due to the thickness of the tablet, it can stand right up without any help so that is a nice bonus or a down side,depends on how you look at it! Tell me what other uses you could find for this tablet! I’d love to hear them
Step 1: Parts
1x LattePanda(you can also go with the lattepanda alpha if you want to but I chose the 2gb model since I was on a budget)
1x USB Hub with at least 2 USB ports
I recommend getting 2 flat HDMI cables since they are really fragile and you might break them.
-A 3D printer(I use the Tevo Tarantula)
Step 2: Setting Up Everything in Sections
I am going to set up the tablet in sections, so it is easier to build the tablet. After we build all the sections, I am going to combine them all when placing them into the case.This makes it easier to build since you don’t have to worry about the messy wiring getting into the way. It also makes it easier to test thing which I do recomand.
After you assamble the battery,try to power the lattepanda with the battery. After you make the amp and hook it up to the speaker, test it out to make sure it works.
Step 3: Battery BMS
I am going to solder the batteries in parallel and hook them up to the battery charger.
!!Make sure that the batteries have the same voltage!!If the batteries have different voltages,they will discharge in one and another.You should use a BMS(battery managment system) but I didn’t have one at hand and didn’t want to wait for the long shipping times that could take up to two months. I got lucky this time and the parts arrived in 2 weekes, setting a new record for the short shipping time.Also, when soldering the wire to the batteries,make sure that the wire is thick enough and don’t heat up the battery because you can damage the battery this way. Scuff up the surface of the battery before soldering to the battery.I also covered the battery terminals with electrical tape so that nothing gets shorted with the batteries
Step 4: Speaker Amp
I am going to hook up the amplifier to the speaker and solder a audio jack to the amplifier. The audio jack will plug into the lattepanda. I will also solder power wires and connect them to the battery with a switch in between. You can use another tipe of amplifier without the potentiometer because you can set the volume in Windows alredy.
After you assambled it, you can try it out with your mobile phone.
Step 5: The USB Hub
I removed the electronics form the USB hub and also removed the USB ports so I can attach new ones to the side of the tablet. When soldering the wires,make sure that the wire is long enough to reach the USB ports in the case.
The USB hub is glued on top of the battery charger with a plastic in between.
Step 6: LattePandaScreen
I am going to hook up the screen to the lattepanda and make sure that everything works.I also cut the micro USB cable and solderd wires to the connector to save space inside the tablet.
Be careful with the ribbon cable of the HDMI cable because it is very thin and can break very easily. I orderd two HDMI cables but one of them was broken upon arrival. The store refunded the money
Step 7: Time to Mount Everything Inside of the Case
I am going to mount the screen in place with screws and guide the cable trough the top piece. Then I am going to glue the electronics part on top of the screen half. Then I am going to mount the electronics inside of the case.The stl’s are attached to this step. You will have to cut a hole on top of the HDMI port and micro USB for the cables. You will need to cover the HDMI and micro USB port’s shielding so there are no shorts created since the LattePanda will sit on top of it. I wanted to solder wires to the button but it is a smd push button and the solder job is too hard and I did not want to risk damaging my board.
I’ve had some problems with my 3d printer and the screen part was not not printed perfectly. But after many failed attempts, I accepted it. Tried to sand it but didn’t help much
I forgot to add a hole for the power button so I had to make one using the soldering iron and make a “L” shape to press the power button(image attached to this step)
This is the second version of this case, the old case was just one piece and I had to do a lot of modifications to it and in the end it looked ugly so I decided to re-design the case and print it again. If you watched the video, you might have seen that the case is gray. That was the old case!
How to Turn Tablet Mode On and Off on Windows 10
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Benj Edwards
By default, Windows 10 automatically switches to tablet mode when you reconfigure your convertible PC into tablet form. If you’d rather turn on or turn off Tablet mode manually, there are several ways to do it. Here’s how.
How Automatic Tablet Mode Works on Windows 10
If you use a 2-in-1 convertible laptop that can transform from a laptop form factor with a keyboard into a tablet—either by detaching a keyboard, folding the screen backwards, or some other physical action, then Windows 10 tablet mode should trigger automatically when you perform that action.
If you don’t like this behavior and would like to turn it off, it’s easy to change in Windows Settings. Simply open “Settings” and navigate to System Tablet, then select “Don’t switch to tablet mode” in the drop-down menu.
Once automatic tablet mode is disabled, you can trigger tablet mode manually using the methods below.
Toggle Tablet Mode Using Action Center
If you’d like to enable or disable tablet mode manually, the Windows 10 Action Center is probably the quickest way. First, open “Action Center” by tapping or clicking the notifications button in the corner of the taskbar. When the Action Center menu pops up, select the “Tablet Mode” button.
This button works as a toggle: If tablet mode is off when you use it, the button will turn it on. If tablet mode is on, the same button will turn it off.
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Toggle Tablet Mode Using Windows Settings
You can also enable or disable tablet mode using Windows Settings. First, open “Settings,” then navigate to System Tablet.
In “Tablet” settings, click “Change additional tablet settings.”
In “Change additional tablet settings,” you’ll see a switch labeled “Tablet mode.” Turn it “On” to enable tablet mode, and turn it “Off” to disable tablet mode.
After that, exit Settings. And remember that you can always toggle tablet mode much quicker using the Action Center shortcut shown in the previous section. Have fun!
Benj Edwards Benj Edwards is a former Associate Editor for How-To Geek. Now, he is an AI and Machine Learning Reporter for Ars Technica. For over 15 years, he has written about technology and tech history for sites such as The Atlantic, Fast Company, PCMag, PCWorld, Macworld, Ars Technica, and Wired. In 2005, he created Vintage Computing and Gaming, a blog devoted to tech history. He also created The Culture of Tech podcast and regularly contributes to the Retronauts retrogaming podcast. Read Full Bio »
How to Turn Off Tablet Mode in Windows 10
Does your Windows 10 laptop keep switching to Tablet mode? Here’s how you stop it switching automatically.
Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read
Windows 10 comes with a dedicated Tablet Mode, which you can find in your Notification panel on the bottom right of your taskbar or in Settings by searching Tablet Mode. If you have a 2-in-1 device, Windows 10 will by default startup as Tablet Mode.
If you don’t want to use tablet mode or are not familiar with it, you might find this function annoying or face difficulties while using your computer. Luckily, there is an option to turn the tablet mode off.
What Is Tablet Mode?
Tablet mode is a user-friendly feature that optimizes your device for touch. You don’t need a mouse or keyboard after enabling it. When the tablet mode is turned on, all apps open in full-screen mode, and icon size is reduced.
Windows 10 Tablet mode can be very useful if you have a device that can flip or has a 2-in-1 screen. Many users complain that their tablet mode is not working; this is because their device doesn’t support the display’s touch feature.
over, you can also customize the Tablet mode or switch Tablet mode off entirely in the Windows 10 Settings. Here’s how.
How to Disable Tablet Mode in Windows 10
To disable the Windows 10 Tablet mode on your computer, click on the action center on the bottom right of your taskbar. Locate Tablet mode, which will be highlighted in blue, then select to disable.
If you have Tablet Mode switched on, your Windows 10 PC will have tile-based icons known as Live Tiles. To turn it off, just tap on the Tablet mode icon.
This is a simple way to turn the Windows 10 Tablet mode off, but you can also customize it according to your usage. Here’s how to do it.
How to Customize the Tablet Mode in Windows 10
You can also use a virtual keyboard with Tablet Mode. Just tap on the keyboard icon on the taskbar when it’s on, and a keyboard will pop up.
By default, your computer automatically turns on Tablet mode when it detects the notebook in your hand, even if you don’t wish to enable it. To set it manually according to your usage, you can try these settings.
Input Tablet mode in your Start menu search bar and select the Best match to open the Settings app. Once the menu opens, you can choose between Don’t switch, Always switch, or Ask before switching.
If you set it to Don’t switch, your system won’t send a pop-up asking to switch your desktop into Tablet mode. Meanwhile, if you set it to Always switch, it will automatically switch to Tablet mode by default.
Finally, if you choose the Ask me before switching mode, it will always show the pop-up and ask whether to switch to Tablet mode or not.
You can choose any option according to your preference. over, there’s an extra setting available, When I Sign in, which also gives you three options: Always use Tablet Mode, Never Use Tablet Mode, and Keep the mode I last used.
Desktop users (i.e., devices without touch capability) may find the option to Use the appropriate mode for my hardware instead of the option to use the previously selected mode.
Choosing an option sets the default mode when you sign in to your desktop. These options are very similar to the previous ones and function like them as well.
The first option, Always use Tablet mode, will open Windows 10 in tablet mode, no matter what type of device you have. If you choose the second option, the system will never use Tablet Mode unless you change it. The final option will give you a choice to switch between Windows 10 desktop mode or Tablet mode.
How to Make a Gaming Tablet with Lattepanda at home
How Does It Work?
If you are still not clear about how Tablet mode works, here is a detailed example that will clear all your doubts.
Let’s say you have a Flip Notebook that runs on Windows 10 and you have selected Always ask me before switching mode.
Now, when you flip the device or raise it in your hand, the notebook detects that. Based on your choice, it gives you a pop up whether you would like to switch to Tablet mode or not.
Turning Off Additional Settings in Tablet Mode
Windows 10 Tablet mode has some additional features inside it, which you can explore by clicking on Change Additional Tablet Settings from the Windows 10 Tablet Settings menu. This section shows you a Table Mode On/Off toggle button.
After this, it is divided into two categories basis on the usage of Tablet mode. Starting with the When I’m using Tablet mode, it gives you two options: Hide app icons on the taskbar, which is set to on by default, and Automatically hide the taskbar, which is set to off.
When you turn on Tablet mode and choose the Hide app icons on the taskbar mode, it removes all the shortcut icons. The second option will remove the complete taskbar from the bottom if you select it.
The second category, When I’m not using Tablet mode, gives you a load of options to choose from. By default, three options are turned on, and only one option is turned off.
The options that are turned on by default are Make app icons on the taskbar easier to touch, Show the search icon without the search box, and Make buttons in File Explorer easier to touch.
The only turned off option is to Show the touch keyboard when there’s no keyboard attached. All these options are some customization features that you can switch to according to your choices.
Fine-Tuning the Tablet Mode the Way You Want It
It is a user-friendly feature, and one might find this useful. After all, it’s all about your choices. Windows 10 Tablet mode makes more screen space on display. over, you can easily navigate using swipe gestures.
You can even operate two apps at a time just by your fingers. When you enable Tablet mode, you will see the icons similar to the tiles displayed in Windows 8. So it’s kind of an option to go back to Windows 8, even on Windows 10.
The best Windows tablets you can buy right now
Laptops and desktop PCs probably occupy most of your thoughts when considering Windows machines. However, there’s so much more to experience on the Microsoft platform. From responsive touchscreens to full-size apps, Windows can make a case to power your next tablet. Here are our picks for the best Windows tablets you can get right now.
The idea of a Windows-powered tablet probably isn’t too foreign to you. After all, plenty of people are familiar with the Microsoft Surface line. While the Surface devices are great and have appeared on this list a few times, there are more options to choose from. We’ve tried to cover all of the bases and give you the best options to pick from.
Buying the best Windows tablet
Windows tablets haven’t quite taken off, so there aren’t too many options out there that make sense. If you’re in the market for a Windows tablet, you likely have a specific use case for it, and you’re already aware of the experience you’ll get. On the other hand, if you don’t have a specific use case requiring Windows, you might want to get an iPad or an Android tablet instead. Possibly even a Chrome OS tablet.
If you’re set on a Windows tablet, you should consider two main factors — budget and size. Windows tablets today are commonly available in the standard laptop screen sizes that range between 10—15 inches. We used to have smaller sizes more commonly available a few years ago, but those have become less standard now. On the budget side, you will end up spending just as much or more than what you would pay for an equivalent Windows laptop, generally between 400 and 1,500.
Most Windows tablets will have the option to have a detachable keyboard, either bundled with the tablet or sold separately. Regarding the capabilities of these devices, you can expect them to work just fine for most productivity tasks, depending on what kind of hardware you pick. Gaming Windows tablets are not mainstream yet, but we can expect more and more options to show up in the market in the coming months.
Some Windows tablets also come running S Mode, a more restricted mode that only allows you to run apps from the Microsoft Store. However, you can disable S Mode and run your Windows tablet like a regular Windows computer.
The best Windows tablets to buy
Editor’s note: We’ll do our best to update this list of the best Windows tablets as new products launch.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9: The best overall Windows tablet
While the Surface Go series might be your best bet for peak portability, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 might be the best Windows tablet around. It’s larger, packs a more powerful processor, and can make many heavy-duty tasks look easy. It’s an upgrade over the already great Surface Pro 8. Unfortunately, like most Surface devices, the Surface Pro 9 doesn’t include a keyboard or stylus, as they’re sold separately. And they’re pretty expensive. Not to mention the tablet itself is quite pricey, as it starts at 999.99.
As one of the flagship Surface models, the Surface Pro 9 offers plenty of room for customization. You can choose an Intel Core i5 processor or go all-out for the Core i7 or Microsoft SQ3 version. You can also get as much as 32GB of RAM. To back that up, you can select anywhere from 128GB to 1TB of storage, which should be more than enough for work or play. The Surface Pro 9 rounds out the already impressive spec sheet with a 13-inch display with a 2,880 x 1,920 resolution.
If you need mobility, there is also the Microsoft Surface 9 Pro with 5G. It’s slightly less powerful, topping off at 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It has a longer 19-hour battery life, though.
The DIY Windows 10 Gaming Tablet. Nintendo Switch Joycons LattePanda Alpha (Part 1)
We also have lists of the best Microsoft Surface Pro 9 cases and keyboards, in case you need some accessories.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022) is a powerful Windows tablet with detachable keyboard, functional stylus, and a wide variety of accessories.
Microsoft Surface Go 3: The best small Windows tablet
Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 is a follow-up to the Surface Go 2 — a tablet that has popped up on quite a few of our best lists, and for a good reason. Improving upon the Go 2 and being the smallest entry in the Surface lineup, the Surface Go 3 is a great way to take Windows on the go without sacrificing much power. As with most Surface tablets, you’ll have to shell out a bit of extra cash on accessories.
If you’re ready to dive head-on into the Surface ecosystem, Microsoft will set you up with an Intel Pentium Gold chip, or a Core i3 chip, and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 615. As far as options go, you can choose from 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage or double them to 8GB and 128GB SSD, respectively. The handy 10.5-inch screen is easy to stash in a backpack, and the 11-hour battery life should help you stay productive all day long.
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a reliable Windows tablet with a 10.5-inch display. It is light on the power-user specifications, a trade-off to enable greater portability and battery life.
Asus ROG Flow Z13: The best gaming Windows tablet
Windows tablet and gaming in the same sentence sound out of place, but it’s getting closer to becoming a thing, and the Asus Asus ROG Flow Z13 is proof of that. Asus took the wraps off of this one at CES 2022, and while it is pretty much the only contender in this category right now, it’s a pretty solid buy.
There are multiple versions of the device, but you can get specs up to an Intel Core i9 (12th-gen), an NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU, either an FHD or a 4K resolution with as much as 120Hz refresh rate, up to 16GB of RAM, and more. These specs may not sound all that impressive to gamers, but remember, this is a tablet! We still can’t believe you can get such performance from a device this portable. And if you want some more power, you can also connect an external GPU to it.
This is as close as you can get to a gaming desktop replacement, in the world of Windows tablets.
The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a high-resolution gaming tablet that runs Windows. Configure it with the best specs for your needs, including a 4K display, dedicated graphics card, Core i9 processor, and up to 16GB of RAM.
Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED: The largest Windows tablet, and foldable
Now, this is very expensive at 3,500 MSRP, and it’s likely not for everyone, but it is a gem we know many of you will at least be surprised by. That’s not really a small keyboard you’re looking at; it’s the screen that’s oversized.
The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED has two of its most important features in the name. It comes with a massive 17.3-inch display. If you’re wondering how you’re supposed to take such a large Windows tablet around, let us tell you it’s actually just as portable as others on this list. That’s because it features a flexible screen that folds in half.
We loved testing it during our review, as it is really an exciting device. It seamlessly transforms and adapts to your needs. You can use it in tablet mode, use the keyboard detached, or half-fold the screen and put the keyboard on the lower part to use the whole;e machine as a laptop.
Additionally, this is a potent and featureful Windows tablet. We found the OLED screen to be vibrant and overall gorgeous. The 4:3 screen ratio is great for overall navigation. It is very capable in terms of specs, too. You’ll get a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and snappy Wi-Fi 6E.
The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold offers a large 17-inch foldable display powered by a long-lasting battery. The speakers are loud, and the software fits very well every screen mode.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1: The best Windows tablet for business users
Do you have to find the best Windows tablet to take to the office? You’d be hard-pressed to find anything better than the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. It’s not explicitly made for office work, but we feel it’s the one with the best design for professionals. It’s made of aluminum, only measures 0.29 inches thick, and weighs 1.6lbs. The design is simple and elegant, yet very pleasing to the eye. The folio and stylus are also professional-looking.
The device happens to be pretty capable for most office work, too. It can be customized up to a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 chip, up to 16GB of RAM, and as much as 1TB of storage. The 13.3-inch touchscreen is also really nice, featuring a 2,880 x 1,920 resolution.
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is a capable Windows tablet with detachable keyboard cover. It’s available with several processors and storage configurations, but all offer a 13-inch 2880×1920 display and Windows 11.
CHUWI UBook X: The best budget Windows tablet
You may not be as familiar with CHUWI as you are with some of the other options on the list, but the UBook X is one of the most affordable options on this list by a good margin. The budget-friendly price makes the UBook X a solid pick for the all-around good list of specs.
The UBook X doesn’t pack a powerful Intel Core chip. However, the quad-core Intel Celeron N4100 can hold its own for many light tasks. The handy and affordable Windows tablet is also equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. That is more than the Surface Go 3 offers with its entry-level variant. CHUWI built the UBook X with a full-metal body and keyboard, which lends a premium feel. It packs one USB-C port, one USB-A port, and a headphone jack.
There’s a CHUWI UBook X Pro with improved overall specs, but it’s only available in China, Europe, and Japan. Go to the official CHUWI store and check it out if you are in one of those markets.
Windows tablets vs the competition
The tablet market isn’t quite one where Windows is a leading player. For now, Apple iPads have a huge lead, providing the best value for money, an impressive app ecosystem, and a streamlined lineup of models. On the other hand, Android tablets barely exist. A few models are available as alternatives, should you want to move away from Windows. However, Chromebook tablets are more of a proper alternative to Windows tablets, if you’re looking at the Google side of things.
Of course, if you’re looking at a Windows tablet, you likely have a workload that requires you to use Windows. Windows has a unique advantage concerning its software catalog. Traditional computer apps being available on a tablet adds to the functionality, and if that’s what you want, look no further.
On the other hand, if you want a portable computer but Windows apps aren’t a requirement, an Apple iPad would likely serve you better as a tablet. You also get a lot of apps, so finding a replacement for Windows apps you have been using is easy too. On the other hand, if you want a desktop experience, you can opt for a Chromebook tablet. You get support for Android apps and Linux apps, in addition to the suite of Chromebook apps.
Android tablets, as of now, aren’t the best way to go. There are some solid options from some manufacturers like Samsung. That said, Android hasn’t been great on tablets for a long time. Google recently said tablets are the future, but we cannot recommend Android tablets over Windows tablets, iPads, or even Chromebook tablets.
Frequently asked questions
Windows tablets are available in a variety of different specifications. As such, they have a wide range of prices. Most Windows tablets are available between the 400 to 1,500 mark.
Windows tablets run on Windows, while iPads run on iPadOS. They have different sets of compatible apps. iPads run apps off the App Store. Windows tablets run apps from the Microsoft Store if in S Mode, or any Windows apps if they’re not in S Mode.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the latest Microsoft Surface. The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is the latest one in the Go lineup.
Windows tablets can run all Windows apps. Windows tablets in S Mode can only run apps through the Microsoft Store. However, you can easily switch out of S Mode and install any Windows app. Some ARM-based tablets may not run the x86 Windows apps too well. But most run just fine with in-built emulation.
You can connect Airpods to Microsoft Surface, or any other Windows tablet. Although, do note that you will miss out on some exclusive functionality to Apple devices. However, they should work just fine otherwise.
