0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and b… Discover it® Cash Back Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Buy a High-End Photo Editing Tablet

How to · Tech

How to Buy a High-End Photo Editing Tablet

Get a professional tablet for photo editing without the upfront sting by timing the release cycle and using a smart payment plan.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,300 before anything else
Across the 0% window $72.22/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,300 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

A professional photo editing tablet needs to last you at least four to five years. If you buy cheap, you buy twice because color accuracy and processing power degrade quickly. The trick is timing. New models usually drop in the spring or fall, which is exactly when last year's perfectly capable model gets a massive discount.

If you want the top-tier $1300 setup, you do not have to drop all that cash at once. We can split this purchase into manageable chunks. By using the right card, you can pay it off slowly while you use the tablet to make money.

Remember, this is a deadline, not free money. If you have a balance left when the 18 months are up, you will start paying the regular variable interest rate on whatever is left, which defeats the whole purpose of this plan.

The steps

  1. 01

    Time the release cycle

    Major tech brands announce new tablets like clockwork every year. Wait for the press event. Once the new model is announced, retailers instantly slash prices on the previous generation, which is usually 95% as good.

  2. 02

    Spread the cost

    Buy the tablet with the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. It gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This means you can take home a $1300 tablet today and pay it off over a year and a half.

  3. 03

    Set up your autopay

    To clear the $1300 balance before the interest kicks in, you need to pay exactly $72.22 every month. Set up automatic payments for this amount the day you get the card. Do not pay just the minimum, or you will get hit with a bill at the end.

  4. 04

    Check refurbished stock

    Before buying brand new, check the manufacturer's official refurbished store. These are returned tablets that have been rebuilt, tested, and repackaged with a full warranty. You can easily save 15% to 20% this way.

  5. 05

    Skip the overpriced accessories

    Brand-name keyboards and styluses are notoriously expensive. Look for highly rated third-party alternatives online. You can often get the same drawing precision and typing feel for a third of the price of the official gear.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Is last year's tablet model still good enough for Photoshop?

Yes. Tablet processors have plateaued in recent years. A one-year-old high-end model will easily run Lightroom and Photoshop without any noticeable lag.

Do I need the cellular version of the tablet?

Probably not. Cellular models cost more upfront and require a monthly data plan. Just tether the tablet to your phone's hotspot when you are working on location.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

You might lose your promotional interest rate and get hit with a late fee. Always set up autopay for at least the minimum, though we recommend paying the full $72.22 each month.

How much storage space do I actually need?

Do not pay for the highest storage tier. Get the base or mid-tier model and use a fast external SSD or cloud storage to archive your heavy RAW photo files.