Android Tablet Buying Advice, Cheaper Alternative to An iPad

Android Tablet Buying Advice, Cheaper Alternative to An iPad

By harmen batubara

Android tablets - which run Google's Android operating system - are the biggest competitor to the iPad, and there are a lot of options. Though Google has made Android available to all tablet makers, the most consistent gadgets will be Google's flagship tablet, the Nexus 9. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab line is also very good. These gadgets run the latest versions of the Android operating system, Lollipop, and are the first to receive updates. They can go neck-and-neck with the power, features and usability you'll find on similarly sized iPads, too. In some ways, the Nexus tablets are actually better.

Android was once harder to use because it lacked a centralized content ecosystem like Apple. Thanks to Google Play, however, all the content you need is at your fingertips. In addition to 1+ million apps, Play includes movies, music and e-books. Of course, you can still download content from multiple app stores and even from individual developer websites. This gives you greater freedom in where you get your apps. You can also find apps that give you more control over your tablet than you can with the iPad.

The drawback is that it's easier to download malicious apps. Additionally, not all apps work on all tablet hardware. Your tablet might not have enough power or a non-standard screen size. If you're new to the mobile gadget market, Androids are a good choice if you like to customize. They give the user a little more options when it comes to tinkering with your gadget.

The Android Operating System Android is an operating system that is not unlike Windows or Mac OS. Google created the Android software, and this means that the options are practically limitless. Android runs a number of applications created by Google, and these programs range from e-readers, which puts millions of books at the user's fingertips, to games and productivity programs such as money managing programs.

With a tablet, a casual use accomplishes the same variety of casual tasks that a person can with a personal computer. Android allows these portable devices to do pretty much anything aside from high-end productivity programs, gaming, or extensive audio and video editing. Yet all of these functions perform on a reasonable scale with an Android tablet.

Beginners should remember is that not all Android tablets are equal. Some versions have more sophistication than others. In addition, a tablet with the latest version of Android may perform slower than a tablet with an earlier version, depending on the processing power.

Specifications Android tablets are just like other tablets when it comes to specifications, you simply want to get as much as you can for your money. The key things to look out for are storage space (GBs); screen resolution; memory (RAM); the latest processors; and also how thin and light the device is. If you see a tablet you like, you should check all of these specs against some other tablets in the same price range to make sure you're getting a good deal. Specs, though, will take you only so far. That's why it's crucial to read our reviews to find out if a tablet's screen is good or bad, how long the battery lasts and whether the cameras are any good.

Android Tablets are capable of connecting users to the world in a number of ways. They fit somewhere between a laptop and a smartphone. A tablet computer is more portable than a laptop, as it takes up less space and does not require a keyboard or mouse. It is slightly more sophisticated than a smartphone, although many new phones can compete with tablets in terms of power, function, and portability. The larger screen, however, greatly enhances the experience and allows the otherwise technologically uninitiated navigate more efficiently.

Android tablet are Cheaper With the exception of a few, Android tablets are a cheaper alternative to an iPad. The Android operating system is open source, which means manufacturers can use Google's software for free. This has led to a very healthy battleground, with manufacturers seemingly racing to the lowest price possible. The result of this influx of low cost tablets has led to traditional hardware manufacturers such as Samsung, Acer and Asus struggling to match the success they've experienced in the smartphone market.  The reason for this is because non-traditional technology hardware manufacturers such as Tesco got in on the game and drove down the price in order to get customers to use built-in software that lets them buy content from the brand's own online stores.

The result is that you can buy an Android tablet with remarkable specs and build quality for a budget price. And you'll notice below that some of the tablets in our list aren't particularly new. However, that doesn't mean they're not good or that you shouldn't buy them.

You'll notice we haven't included Amazon tablets here. That's because they're not Android tablets in the true sense. They do run a heavily customised version of Android, but they don't have any Google apps, so you can't buy apps from the Play store, nor use the official YouTube app, Google Maps, Gmail and more.