Are you thinking of buying a tablet? With this device you can play games, watch videos, send e-mails, use Facebook, and even work while on the go. Choosing the right tablet, however, can give you a headache. Electronics stores are an ocean of competing models, and buying from an online store is like going blind. But if you think about what you really need, you may be able to narrow down your choice and find the perfect tablet for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Choose the Operating System
Step 1. Check which system you usually use
When it comes to buying a tablet, the most important choice is the operating system. You can basically choose between three systems: Apple (iOS), Google (Android) and Microsoft (Windows). The choice will be dictated by the use you make of your computer and your smartphone.
- If you already have a phone with one of these operating systems, you will probably want a tablet with the same system. Both Android and iOS work the same on any device, so you wouldn't have much difficulty learning to use a new tablet. You can also connect all your devices to be able to share data between them more easily.
- If you often use one of the services provided by these operating systems (iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), you may want a tablet with the same system. However, it is not necessary, as there are corresponding apps for each of the various operating systems.
Step 2. Consider the pros of iOS
You can find iOS on the iPad, the device that launched the tablet market in 2010. It is famous for having an intuitive interface, and Apple products are usually praised for the quality of the materials.
- Seamless integration with OS X and iTunes purchases.
- Easy to use interface.
- Many apps, usually the newer ones, are released earlier for iOS than for other systems.
- iMessage allows you to send free messages to all Apple devices.
Step 3. Consider the pros of Android
Google's operating system is the most widespread in the world, thanks also to the great variety of devices that use it. Android used to be more complicated than iOS, but it has improved a lot over the years.
- Seamless integration with your Google account and Play Store purchases.
- Devices with Android can be significantly cheaper than those with iOS or Windows.
- It is very customizable, and if you are an advanced user you can get root permissions.
- You can choose from a large variety of manufacturers and models.
- Android allows you to have multiple accounts on the same device.
- The Android operating system can also be customized by the device manufacturer. For example, Amazon's Kindle Fire uses a modified version of Android built around the Amazon ecosystem.
Step 4. Consider the Windows Pros
Windows isn't available on many devices like iOS or Android, but it can be a good choice if you use a lot of Office or Microsoft products. Windows 8 is the system used for portable devices, and some versions are virtually identical to what you can find installed on computers.
- It can run many Windows programs, including Office. Surface Pros use the same version of Windows 8 as computers.
- Seamless integration with your Microsoft account and Windows Store purchases.
- It integrates well with the Xbox. Smartglass allows you to use your tablet as a secondary interface in many Xbox 360 and Xbox One games.
- Many Windows tablets have optional keyboards.
Step 5. Establish a budget
You can find cheap tablets for as little as $ 150, while the latest iPad can cost over $ 800. A lower price usually indicates less internal memory and a less powerful processor. Screen quality will be lower in lower priced models.
Step 6. Take a look at the available apps
Apps are the most important part of a tablet, and based on which ones are available you can get an idea of what you can do with your tablet. You can look at the stores of each operating system using your browser. Try to figure out which system has the apps you need or like the most.
Not all apps are optimized for use with tablets, but things are improving fast
Method 2 of 2: Look at the tablets
Step 1. Test the tablets in a shop
Even if you plan to shop online, try to try a few tablets at a store. You will be able to get an idea of how it works and therefore make a more informed choice. But don't let the shop assistants persuade you to buy something you don't need.
Step 2. Test the responsiveness of tablets to open and close apps, and to switch between apps
If possible, try a few games that challenge the tablet's graphics.
Step 3. Check the specifications of the tablet
There are several specifications you should pay attention to, also based on the operating system you choose. For example, if you want to choose an iPad model, the processor is not important because they all fit the same. But if you are aiming for an Android model, pay close attention to the processor and RAM, because they can vary a lot between the many models of the various manufacturers.
- Resolution: it is the size of the display, expressed in pixels. The higher it is, the better the image will be.
- Processor: is the chip that makes the tablet work. A tablet with a quad-core processor will be better than one with a dual-core processor. All iPads have the same processor.
- Battery life: The battery life that is advertised is usually not reliable, as it was probably measured under optimal conditions by the manufacturer. Look for some reviews online to get a more realistic idea.
- RAM: is the memory that allows the tablet to run the heaviest apps and to work in a multitasking way. It's a feature to look out for only if you want to compare different Android models.
- Memory: this is the space that the tablet has to save files, documents and apps. Memory is the feature that varies the most between different tablets of the same line. Also check if the tablet supports memory expansion via SD or MicroSD cards. If you're used to saving your files to a cloud service, you probably won't need a particularly large memory.
- Mobile: If you want to use a data plan to be able to use your tablet while you are away from home, make sure you get a tablet that supports the use of a SIM card. All tablets can connect to a wireless network.
Step 4. Check the camera
If you plan to take a lot of photos, check out the camera options. Tablets generally don't have excellent cameras, but there are some models that make them a strong point. Most tablets have a camera on the back and a less powerful one on the front for video calling.
Step 5. Choose a size
You can find tablets mainly in two sizes: 10 "and 7". The screen size is a personal preference only; Larger screens make it easier to write and watch videos, while smaller tablets are typically easier to carry around. The apps usually work on both versions, although some may only be optimized for one.
- Also check the brightness and clarity of the screen.
- Some tablets may have different sizes (for example 8, 9 "), but most are divided between 10" and 7 ".
