How to Choose a Tablet Computer

Choosing Your Operating System

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 10 is currently the main Windows mobile operating system, and some versions are as full-featured as a regular computer.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Looking at Tablets

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.