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Tablet hardware requirements

What hardware works, what doesn't, and what to buy.

Tablet hardware requirements

YumKiosk runs as a progressive web app in any modern browser, which means you don't need proprietary hardware. Any tablet that can run Chrome 110+ or Safari 16+ on iPadOS 16+ will work. That said, there are a few practical requirements that come from running a public-facing kiosk 12 hours a day, and a few specific models we recommend because we test on them.

Minimum specs

  • OS: Android 11+ or iPadOS 16+
  • Browser: Chrome 110+ (Android) or Safari 16+ (iPadOS)
  • Screen: 10" or larger (smaller works but is tight for the agent video feed + menu)
  • RAM: 3 GB minimum; 4 GB or more recommended for smoother video
  • Camera: front-facing, 720p minimum, ideally at eye level when the tablet is in landscape
  • Microphone: built-in is fine; external USB lavalier is better in noisy environments
  • Speakers: built-in, loud enough to be heard over ambient restaurant noise
  • Wi-Fi: 2.4 or 5 GHz with a reliable connection back to your router
  • Power: USB-C or barrel jack for always-on operation (no battery reliance)

Recommended models

We've tested and recommend:

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (Android) — $179, 11" screen, 4 GB RAM, excellent price/performance. This is the "just buy it" pick for most operators.
  • Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 4 (Android) — $149, 10" screen, 3 GB RAM. Cheapest viable option, a little slower.
  • iPad 10th gen (iPadOS) — $349, 10.9" screen. Gold-standard for reliability and camera quality, but notably more expensive.

If you're buying in bulk (10+ tablets), contact sales@yumkiosk.com — we have discount codes with Samsung and Lenovo.

Mounting

A loose tablet on a counter gets stolen. We strongly recommend a lockable tablet enclosure mounted to your counter or a stand. Good options:

  • Maclocks Universal Tablet Holder — bolts down, fits most 10" tablets, $89.
  • Armor-X Rugged Case + Counter Mount — $69, simpler.
  • Custom built-in — for chains, we work with a contract manufacturer who builds branded enclosures; ask sales.

The enclosure should leave the camera, speakers, and charging port accessible, and ideally block the home button so customers can't exit the app.

Peripherals

The tablet handles everything needed for a basic YumKiosk deployment. For higher volume or specific needs, you can optionally add:

  • Card reader — Stripe Terminal (BBPOS Chipper, Verifone P400) for chip + tap payments, in addition to the on-screen card entry. YumKiosk supports Stripe Terminal out of the box.
  • Receipt printer — Epson TM-T88VI USB printer. Plug into the tablet via USB-C hub if you want a paper receipt for every order.
  • Scale (for bulk/weight billed items) — not supported in the current version; on the roadmap.

What doesn't work

A few categories of hardware we've seen fail:

  • Amazon Fire tablets — Fire OS restricts the browser and blocks WebRTC in ways we can't work around.
  • Tablets older than Android 10 — Chrome versions are too old for the video stack.
  • Tablets without a front camera — the whole point is live video.
  • Desktop PCs with touchscreens — they can run the kiosk in a pinch, but the attract screen is designed for vertical-handheld ergonomics and looks awkward on a 22" monitor.

Buying in bulk

If you're setting up a new restaurant or a chain, the easiest path is: one 10" Android tablet per register position + one Maclocks enclosure each + a USB-C charger. For a typical single-location restaurant with 2 order positions, you're looking at roughly $500 in hardware total, all in.