How to Choose a Tablet Computer
Looking to invest in a new tablet? A
tablet lets you play games, watch video, send email, check Facebook, and even
work on the go. Choosing the right tablet, however, can be a headache. The
electronics store is a sea of competing models, and online stores are like
buying blind. With a little knowledge of what you want and need, you can quickly
narrow down your choices and find the perfect tablet.
Choosing Your Operating System
Look at what you currently use. When
it comes to buying a tablet, the main choice you will need to make is the
operating system. The operating systems for tablets fall into three basic
camps: Apple (iOS), Google (Android), and Microsoft (Windows). The one you pick
will be based a lot on the kind of things you do on your regular computer and
smartphone.[1]
If you already have a smartphone with
one of these operating systems, you may want to consider picking up a tablet
running the same OS. Both Android and iOS behave almost exactly the same across
devices, making getting used to your device much easier. This will also allow
you to connect your devices easier and share things between them.
If you regularly use services provided
by one of these operating systems, (iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), you
may want to pick a tablet from the same OS. This isn't necessary, however, as
there are apps available for all devices that allow you to access other
services.
Consider the pros of iOS. Apple's iOS
is what powers the iPad, the device that kicked the tablet market into
high-gear in 2010. iOS is known for it's intuitive interface, and Apple
products are revered for their construction quality; Seamless integration with OS X and iTunes
purchases; Easy-to-use interface; Tons of apps, usually first to get the
latest and greatest; and iMessage
allows you to send messages for free across all Apple devices.
Consider the pros of Android. Google's
Android operating system is the most popular mobile operating system on the
planet, thanks in large part to the massive number of devices that can run it.
Android used to be a bit more finicky than iOS, but updates have brought a
large number of improvements over the years.
Seamless integration with your Google account
and Play Store purchases; Android
devices can be significantly cheaper than iOS or Windows ; Lots of customization and rooting options
for advanced users ; Large variety of
models and manufacturers to choose from; Android supports multiple user logins for
one device; and The Android operating
system can be modified by the manufacturer to be very customized. For example,
the Amazon Kindle Fire runs a modified version of Android built around the
Amazon ecosystem.
Consider the pros of Windows. Windows
isn't available on as many devices as iOS or Android, but it can be a good
choice if you work heavily with Office and other Microsoft products. Windows 8
is currently the main Windows mobile operating system, and some versions are as
full-featured as a regular computer.
Can run a variety of Windows programs,
including Office. Surface Pros run a full desktop version of Windows 8; Seamless
integration with your Microsoft account and Windows Store purchases.
Pairs well with Xbox. Smartglass
allows you to use your tablet as a secondary interface for many Xbox 360 and
Xbox One games; and Most Windows tablets
come with detachable keyboards.
Set a budget. Low-end tablets start at
around $200 USD, while the highest-priced iPad will set you back $800 USD. A
lower price usually means less processing power and limited storage. The
quality of the display will also suffer on the low-end models.
Look at the app selection. Apps are
the main point of having a tablet, and the selection of apps will dictate a lot
of what your device can do. You can browse each operating system's app stores
using your web browser. Take a look through the app stores and see which operating
system has more apps that appeal to you and your app budget.[2] Not all apps are optimized for tablet
use, but more and more are releasing tablet versions.
Try tablets out in a store first. Even
if you're planning to buy online, see if you can try out a few different
tablets at a retail store. This will give you a basic feel for how the models
perform, and can help drive your purchasing decision. Just don't let the
salespeople try to talk you into something you don't want.
Test to see how the tablet handles
loading and closing apps, as well as switching in between open apps. Try out a
graphically intensive game (if one is available on the demo model) to see how
the tablet handles a high load.
Check out the specifications. There
are a few different specs that you'll want to pay attention to when shopping
for tablets. Different specs will be relevant for different tablets. For
example, if you're deciding between iPads, the processor won't make a
difference since all new iPads share the same processor. When comparing Android
tablets from different manufacturers, however, processor and RAM specifications
become much more important.[3]
Resolution - This is the size of the
display, expressed in the number of pixels shown on the screen. The larger the
resolution, the clearer your image will be.
Processor - This is the chip that
drives the tablet. A tablet with a quad-core processor will generally perform
better than a tablet with a dual-core processor. If you are looking at iPads,
all new iPads share the same processor.[4]
Battery life - The published battery
life can't usually be trusted, since it is measured under the most optimal
conditions set by the manufacturer. Try to find some reviews online to compare
battery life with normal usage.
RAM/Memory - This is the memory that
allows your tablet to multitask and run memory-intensive apps. This
specification is really only apparent if you're comparing Android models.
Storage - This is the amount of space
that the tablet has to store media, apps, and any other files and documents.
Storage is the primary difference between different tablets in the same model
line. Check if the tablet supports SD or MicroSD for storage expansion. As more
and more people store files in the cloud, the need for large amounts of
physical storage has gone down.
Cellular - If you want to use a
cellular data plan to be able to browse the internet anywhere you have a
cellular signal, you'll need a tablet that supports SIM cards. All tablets can
connect to wireless networks that you have access to.
Check out the camera. If you plan on
taking a lot of pictures with the tablet, check out the camera options.
Generally, tablets do not have the best cameras, though some models make a
point of touting powerful cameras. Most tablets have a camera on the back and a
less-powerful camera on the front for video chatting.
Choose a size. Tablets generally come
in two different sizes: 10-inch and 7-inch. Screen size is a personal
preference; larger screens allow for easier video watching and typing, while
smaller tablets will generally be more portable. Apps generally work with both
10-inch and 7-inch tablets, though some are only optimized for one size. Be sure to check out the screen brightness and
clarity as well as the size and Some
tablets offer different sizes (8.9" for example), but most tablets will
fit into one of these two sizes.
- ↑ http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/high-tech-gadgets/5-tips-for-choosing-the-right-tablet.htm#page=1
- ↑ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0%2c2817%2c2402699%2c00.asp
- ↑ http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2382821,00.asp
- ↑ http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/buying-advice/tablets/3317726/how-choose-your-first-tablet/
Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Tablet-Computer
