Tablet Build Materials: Aluminum, Plastic, and Glass

The short answer

Tablet build materials come down to a three-way trade-off. Aluminum gives you stiffness and a premium feel, plastic keeps weight and cost down, and glass makes the front (and sometimes the back) durable and reflective. The material affects how the tablet feels in your hand, how it slides on a desk, and how it survives a drop.

Most buyers should not overthink this. An aluminum unibody is the safest choice for a general-purpose tablet: it is rigid, resists flex, and feels solid. Plastic is a better fit for kids' tablets and budget models, where weight and impact resistance matter more than surface feel. Glass backs are mostly a design choice; they look clean but can crack if dropped without a case.

Aluminum: stiff, cool, and premium

Aluminum is the most common metal in tablet chassis. It is used for the back panel and the frame, often machined from a single block or pressed into a unibody shell. The main advantages are stiffness and heat conduction. An aluminum tablet does not flex when you hold it, and it can spread heat from the processor across the whole back, which helps sustain performance. It also feels cooler to the touch, which many people associate with a higher-quality device.

The trade-offs are weight and denting. Aluminum is denser than plastic, so an aluminum tablet tends to be heavier at the same size. ENERGY STAR notes that tablets generally weigh from just under a pound to about 1.5 pounds, and aluminum models sit at the heavier end of that range. A sharp corner impact can dent or scratch the metal. Anodized finishes resist scratches better than bare metal, but they are not scratch-proof.

If you plan to hold the tablet for long reading or video sessions, weight matters. See the weight and thickness guide for what to expect from different sizes. Aluminum is also a good heat path, which is relevant for sustained workloads; see thermal management to understand how the chassis interacts with cooling.

Plastic: light, durable, and practical

Plastic (polycarbonate or ABS) is common on budget tablets and kids' models. The advantages are weight, cost, and impact behavior. A plastic back does not dent on impact; it flexes and absorbs energy. Plastic tablets are noticeably lighter than aluminum ones at the same size, which matters for children and for one-handed reading. A plastic back also does not conduct heat, so the tablet stays cool to the touch even under load.

The downsides are flex and scratch resistance. A thin plastic back can flex or creak when you squeeze it. Polycarbonate scratches more easily than anodized aluminum, though textured finishes hide scratches well. On the other hand, plastic is more forgiving when dropped, which is why many kids' tablets use it.

Plastic is also the best choice if you need a rugged tablet. Drop-resistant designs often use a thick plastic bumper or a rubberized coating to absorb impacts. If durability is your priority, see the MIL-STD-810 guide to understand how manufacturers test for drops and vibration.

If you are choosing between an aluminum and a plastic tablet of the same size, weight is usually the deciding factor. A 10-inch plastic tablet can feel much lighter in the hand for long sessions.

Measurements of tablet weight and thickness vary by model. The ENERGY STAR page on computers observes that tablets generally weigh from just under a pound to about 1.5 pounds and have 7- to 10-inch touch screens. That range covers both plastic and aluminum builds, so check the actual spec rather than assuming.

Glass: the display front and the optional back

Glass is not a chassis material; it is the surface that protects the display. Every tablet has a glass front, and some tablets add a glass back for a seamless look. The glass is what you touch, and it defines the feel: smooth, cool, and subject to fingerprints.

The type of glass matters less than its thickness and the design of the frame. A glass front is vulnerable to impact, but a raised bezel or a reinforced frame can protect it. Many tablets use an aluminum frame with a glass front; the metal is the structural element, and the glass is the protective cover. This combination gives you the stiffness of aluminum with the touch quality of glass.

A glass back adds wireless-charging capability and can look premium, but it is fragile. A glass back can crack from a sharp impact even if the front survives, and it adds weight. If you use a case, a glass back is fine; if you carry the tablet naked, an aluminum or plastic back is safer.

To protect the display, check whether the tablet ships with a pre-applied screen protector and whether the glass has an oleophobic coating. See the screen protection guide for what to look for.

How material changes feel and weight

The material affects more than just weight. Aluminum feels cold and rigid; plastic feels warm and slightly flexible. Glass back panels have a smooth, slippery feel, while plastic backs can have a soft-touch or textured finish. The "feel" of a tablet is subjective; some people prefer the heft of aluminum, others prefer the light weight of plastic.

Weight distribution also matters. A tablet that is heavier at one end feels unbalanced in one-handed use. Metal chassis are usually stiffer, so they distribute flex better, but a well-designed plastic chassis can feel solid too. The best way to judge is to look at the thickness and weight numbers, not just the material name.

The ENERGY STAR guidance on computers notes that tablets are small and light, with a wide range of weights, and are made to be carried wherever you go. That is the practical point: choose the material that you can comfortably carry and hold.

Durability and repairability

Durability is not just a material property; it is also a design property. A plastic tablet with a reinforced frame can survive a drop better than an aluminum one with a thin unsupported edge. Aluminum dents, plastic scratches, and glass cracks. The best protection is a case and a screen protector, regardless of the material.

Repairability also varies. A plastic back panel can be pried off with clips, so it is easier to replace a battery or a display. An aluminum unibody requires removing the display first, which is more complex. Glass backs are the most fragile to repair because they can crack during disassembly.

For a device that you plan to keep for years, consider how easy it is to service. Check the warranty guide and see whether the manufacturer offers out-of-warranty repair. A plastic tablet might be easier to fix yourself, but an aluminum one is more likely to survive years of use without needing a repair.

Environmental and certification aspects

Energy efficiency is not a build material, but it affects the device's overall footprint. ENERGY STAR certifies computers (including tablets) that use about 30-40% less energy than standard models. A tablet with an efficient processor and a well-managed power profile uses less energy over its life, regardless of the chassis.

Materials also have environmental implications. Aluminum is recyclable, and many manufacturers use recycled aluminum. Plastic is lighter to ship and can be recycled, but it is less likely to be recovered than metal. Glass is recyclable but is the least common material to be recycled from tablets.

Look for ENERGY STAR certification and check the manufacturer's sustainability page. The ENERGY STAR program provides a product finder to locate certified computers, including tablets, with attributes such as form factor and memory. That is a practical way to find an efficient tablet.

What to pick for your use

The material should follow your use case, not the other way around. The table below gives a starting point.

For a 10 to 11.9 inch tablet that you carry daily, aluminum is the most comfortable all-rounder. For a 12-inch or larger tablet that mostly stays on a desk, aluminum is fine, but the extra weight matters less. For a kids' tablet that will be dropped, choose a plastic or rugged model. For a Windows tablet that you use with a keyboard, aluminum is common, but plastic is lighter.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does an aluminum tablet feel colder than a plastic one?

Yes. Aluminum conducts heat away from your hand, so it feels cooler at room temperature. Plastic is a poor heat conductor, so it warms to your hand temperature quickly. This is a sensory difference, not a performance one.

Is a plastic tablet less durable than an aluminum one?

Not necessarily. Plastic can absorb impacts by flexing, while aluminum can dent or scratch. A well-designed plastic tablet can survive drops better than a thin aluminum one. However, plastic surfaces scratch more easily than anodized aluminum.

Why do some tablets have a glass back?

A glass back is mostly for aesthetics and to enable wireless charging. It gives a seamless, reflective look. The downside is fragility; a glass back can crack from a sharp impact just like the front display. Use a case if you choose a glass-back tablet.

Does the build material affect weight?

Yes. Aluminum is denser than plastic, so at the same size and thickness, an aluminum tablet will be heavier. ENERGY STAR notes that tablets generally weigh from just under a pound to about 1.5 pounds, and aluminum models tend to sit at the upper end of that range.

Can I repair a plastic tablet more easily than an aluminum one?

Usually, yes. Plastic back panels often clip off, allowing access to the battery and other components. Aluminum unibody designs typically require removing the display first, which is more complex. Glass backs are the most fragile to open.

Does the material affect heat and performance?

Yes, to a degree. Aluminum conducts heat, so it can spread processor heat across the back, which may help sustain performance under load. Plastic insulates, so heat stays localized; that can lead to throttling in sustained heavy tasks. For typical tablet use, the difference is minor.