Tablet Buying Guide

For many people,tablets may be one of those devices that fall into that category of, “I want one, but do I really need it?” As smartphones gradually became smarter and larger, tablets may have started to seem obsolete, but that is far from the truth! Tablets have become incredibly versatile over the years, and a good modern tablet combines the power of a laptop with the portability of a smartphone. If you've been on the fence about getting yourself a tablet, there's never been a better time to pick one up, and we've got you covered when it comes to choosing the right model. Read on to find out what a tablet can do for you, and what to look for when buying one.

Why Do I Need a Tablet?

These days, the main draw for a tablet is for comfy viewing as you enjoy your favorite content. Though you can obviously watch all of your favorite TV shows, movies, or online content on your TV or computer, a tablet gives you the ability to watch it in more comfortable positions since these devices are lightweight and handheld. If you're thinking, “Why wouldn't I just use my phone?” bear in mind the higher-quality image a tablet screen provides, as well as the larger size. Your tablet is also the best device to use for reading. If you don't plan on reading your material physically, whether it be your favorite novels, magazines or even comics, your tablet is the next best way for you to read! A tablet makes it easy to access ebooks with a few taps of a screen, and you'll be comfortably reading in no time. These devices are also easily portable, so you can also watch your content or read anywhere you go, whether it be on a plane or out by the pool. Tablets can also be just as convenient for work as they are with play. Many tablet models can be used with a stylus, making them great for taking notes during work meetings or classes. If you're an artist, they can become your personal digital sketchbook.

What Should I Look For When Buying a Tablet?

Now that we've established why tablets are awesome devices, we should discuss what you should look for when you're shopping for a tablet.

Operating System

When deciding which tablet to pick up, the first thing you'll need to figure out is which operating system you prefer. The operating system will be determined by which brand tablet you choose. Apple iPads run on iPadOS, which is a tablet specific version of their famous iOS. Samsung tablets run on Android OS, Microsoft tablets run on Windows, and Amazon Fire tablets run on Fire OS. To give a brief breakdown, Apple products are famously user friendly and are very easy to navigate, while Android OS offers a little more freedom when it comes to what you can customize on your tablet. Windows is the same operating system you'll find on the average computer that isn't a Mac or Linux device, and it offers an array of customization options as well as a user-friendly interface. Fire OS is a modified version of Android OS, so it operates similarly but is specifically built for Amazon devices. If you're already familiar with any of these operating systems, and you're partial to one over the other, that is something to consider. Bear in mind you may not have access to certain apps depending on which operating system you choose.

Battery Life

Another important thing to check out is the battery life of your desired tablet. If you plan on taking your tablet to work or school, you're going to want a model that can last all day. The same applies if you travel often and know you're going to need your tablet for long plane or car rides. If you know that your tablet is always going to have charger access, you may not need to concern yourself with battery life as much.

Resolution

The resolution on your laptop will determine how clear and detailed everything on screen is. Though your desired resolution will vary depending on how large you want your tablet to be, and what you plan on using your tablet for, ideally your tablet should have a resolution of 1280 x 720 or higher to ensure that it can display HD visuals. Bigger tablets can have higher resolutions, and your screen technology - whether it be LCD or OLED - will also play a role in how everything looks onscreen, even at similar resolutions.

As mentioned, your screen size and your resolution go hand in hand. The larger the screen, the higher the resolution it can have. However, visual quality isn't the only consideration when it comes to screen size. Tablets can vary in size from around eight inches to 12 and even larger. If you plan on doing lots of work, playing demanding games, or watching a ton of movies that you'd like to see in high definition, you will probably want a larger-sized tablet. If you plan on keeping things simple and just want a tablet for reading or watching a YouTube video, you may want to consider keeping things smaller, around 8 inches. Also remember that the larger the tablet, the harder it will be to take it places. If portability is your top priority, keeping it in the range of a smaller or medium size tablet would be best.

Another thing to consider is storage space. If you plan on downloading lots of books or movies, or doing a bunch of work on your tablet, you're going to need the space to store it all. The average tablet might have between 64 and 128GB of storage space, which should be plenty for most users. You would really only need to go higher than that if you also plan on storing a bunch of files and photos on your tablet over a very long time, or if you plan on downloading many apps or large games. If you only want a tablet for basic functionality, the standard storage space should be sufficient. If you're a big gamer, or you want to use the tablet for work or school projects, you may need to get a model with 256GB worth of storage.

There are many tablet accessories out there that can help either protect your device, or add even more functionality to it.

Case

You should try to get a protective case and a screen protector for any mobile electronics you have. Tablet cases can help keep your tablet safe from damage when you're on the go or at home, which could end up sparing you hundreds of dollars in repairs. Tablet screen protectors add another layer of protection by preventing it from getting scratched.

Stylus

Since tablets are touchscreen-enabled devices, a stylus can help you do various tasks on them more efficiently. Primarily, a stylus can help you more easily take notes, and even draw or sketch out digital artwork. Be sure to confirm that your chosen stylus is compatible with your model of tablet.

Keyboard

There are many different keyboards available that can connect to your tablet, either through a wired connection or through Bluetooth, allowing you to type on it as if you were on a laptop. If you want to use a tablet as a substitute for your laptop, this may be an accessory worth taking advantage of.

A tablet can make a great addition to your selection of day-to-day electronics, and it can be a great asset to your work or school life too. We hope this blog has helped you see the merit in owning a tablet, and be aware of the many things to look out for when shopping for one.