If you’re thinking about investing in a tablet for you or a family member or friend, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to choosing one, as there are so many different varieties on the market today.
You’re likely to have heard the most buzz surrounding Apple iPads (the Apple’s version of a personal tablet) as they were one of the first available, and as they’re such a giant company, no doubt generate such excitement around each product. However, there are a number of other choices out there.
We’ve taken a look at the key elements to think about when purchasing a tablet to hopefully help make your decision a little easier, and to ensure you get the best item for your money.
Tablet size
There are a range of different tablet sizes, with most available in the standard 7” or 10” options. There are obvious pros and cons to each and it’s a good idea to think about what you’ll be using your tablet for when choosing which size to opt for. There’s a good buying guide here which looks at both options to help you decide which one is for you.
Resolution
The higher the resolution of the tablet you choose, the sharper the image on your screen will be. Depending on what you want the tablet for and how much you intend to use it, it may justify the extra expense on a tablet with a higher resolution, especially if you intend to watch lots of movies or shows on it, for example.
Operating system
There are three main types of tablet to choose from, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. These include iOS, Android and Windows. The price will vary between each model, but they are all great and have lots to offer. Shop online at sites like hispek.com to get the best deals on the latest models, too.
Storage size
Going for the lowest priced tablet can seem really appealing at the time, as you can always think that you can worry about storage options later. However, if you do just automatically go for the lowest priced tablet with the lowest storage size, you could end up spending loads to bump up the size further down the line. Things like games and movies can use up loads of space before you know it, so opting for at least a 16GB space is a good idea. You could also look for ones with a microSD slot for removable storage which can work out a bit cheaper.
Processing speed
Usually, the higher the processing speed and the RAM, the better. These can have an impact on battery life though, however, so it’s important to consider charging options, especially if you intend to take your tablet on the go a lot. Likewise, the internet connection options you go for will have an impact on the processing speed. Think about whether you’re travelling a lot with your tablet or whether you’ll be using it in areas with a WIFI connection when making the decision of whether to opt for a WIFI enabled tablet or one with a cellular connection.