In today’s tech-driven world, tablets have become versatile companions for work and leisure. Choosing the best tablet can be daunting, with many available options.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone who enjoys multimedia and entertainment, finding the tablet that suits your needs requires careful consideration. Various factors come into play, from operating systems and specifications to design and price.
By understanding your specific requirements and evaluating key features, you can make an informed decision to ensure you select the best tablet that seamlessly integrates into your lifestyle. In this comprehensive guide about How to choose the best tablet for your needs, we will explore the essential factors to consider when choosing a tablet, empowering you to make a confident and well-informed purchase decision.
How to choose the best tablet? Complete Guide
At a Glance
You first need to decide what you want to use your tablet for. Different tablets have different strengths and weaknesses depending on their features, performance, and compatibility. Here are some everyday use cases and the best tablets for them:
- Gamers need a tablet with a strong processor, a sharp screen, and a long-lasting battery. They also need a tablet with controllers, keyboards, and mice. The best gaming tablets are the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. They have impressive displays, fast speeds, and 5G support. The iPad Pro has more games and accessories, while the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a bigger screen and a pen.
- Students need a tight, rugged, cheap, and flexible tablet. They also need a tablet to run apps like Office, Docs, and Zoom. The best student tablets are the Apple iPad Air (2022) and the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus1. They have lovely designs, good speeds, and keyboards and pens. The iPad Air has better software and security, while the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus has a lower cost and a bigger screen.
- Artists and designers need a tablet with a great screen, a fine pen, and a strong processor. They also need a tablet to run apps like Photoshop, Procreate, and Sketchbook. The best art and design tablets are the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus. They have superb displays, smooth pens, and fast speeds. The iPad Pro has more apps and Apple compatibility, while the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus has a bigger screen and extended battery.
- For a tablet that can do creative and productive work, you need a combination of features, speed, and price. You also need a tablet that can run many apps, switch modes, and connect to devices. The best creative and productive tablets are the Apple iPad Air (2020) and the Google Pixel tablet. They have lovely designs, good speeds, and keyboards and pens. The iPad Air has better software and security, while the Google Pixel tablet has a better display and Google Assistant.
How do I decide what tablet to buy?
The first thing to think about is your favorite system. There are three main choices: iOS, Android, and Windows. Each has pros and cons, depending on what you want and like.
- iOS is Apple’s system for iPads. It is smooth, easy, secure, and works well with other Apple products and services. But, it is also pricey, rigid, and limited compared to other systems.
- Android is the system for most other tablets, like Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, and Google. It is flexible, customizable, varied, and cheap. But, it is also riskier, infected, and uneven than other systems.
- Windows is the system for some tablets that act as laptops, like Microsoft Surface and Lenovo Yoga. It is productive, PC-friendly, and multitasking. But, it is also more complicated, heavy, and power-consuming than other systems.
How much should I spend?
Tablets come in different price ranges, from under $100 to over $1000. The price depends on size, performance, features, and tablet brand. Generally, you get what you pay for, so if you want a high-end tablet with a large screen, powerful processor, and premium design, you will have to pay more.
However, if you are on a tight budget or just need a basic tablet for casual use, you can find some fantastic deals on cheaper tablets that still offer decent performance and functionality.
What tablet size should I choose?
The next thing to think about is your tablet size. Tablets have different sizes, from 7 to 13 inches or more. The size affects how easy, long, clear, and pricey the tablet is.
- Small tablets (7 to 8 inches) are suitable for reading, browsing, casual gaming, and traveling. They are easy to hold and carry. They also last longer and cost less than bigger tablets. But, they may need to be better for watching or working.
- Medium tablets (9 to 10 inches) are suitable for watching, gaming, drawing, and multitasking. They balance portability and performance. They have more giant screens and faster processors than small tablets but are still light and compact. They also have sharper resolution and better sound than smaller tablets. But smaller tablets may be portable and more handy.
- Large tablets (11 inches or more) are suitable for productivity, creativity, and entertainment. They have the most immersive view of movies or games. They also have the best features and accessories, like keyboards, pens, cameras, and ports. They can do some laptop tasks or work with PCs. But they are also the heaviest, most significant, and priciest tablets.
What is an exemplary screen resolution for a tablet?
A tablet’s screen resolution shows how crisp and clear the pictures and text are. More resolution means better quality. But, more resolution uses more battery and may not matter on small screens. A tablet’s screen resolution is in pixels per inch (PPI), the pixels in an inch of the screen. More PPI means more resolution.
- Below 200 ppi is considered low resolution and may look pixelated or blurry on larger screens.
- Between 200 ppi and 300 ppi is considered medium resolution and may look decent on most screens.
- Above 300 ppi is considered high resolution and may look crisp and detailed on any screen.
How much storage do I need for a tablet?
More storage means more content you can keep on your tablet without running low or using cloud services. The storage of a tablet is in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB), units of digital data. One GB is 1,000 megabytes (MB), and one TB is 1,000 GB.
- Below 32 GB is considered low storage and may need more storage for storing many apps or media files. You may need to delete or transfer files frequently or use cloud services to free up space.
- Between 32 GB and 128 GB is considered medium storage and may be enough for storing most apps and some media files. You may still need to manage your storage occasionally or use cloud services for backup or extra space.
- Above 128 GB is considered high storage and may be enough for storing many apps and media files. You may be okay with running out of space or using cloud services as much.
Connectivity: Do I need 5G on my Tablet?
The connectivity of a tablet is how you can go online and connect to other devices on your tablet. There are two main types: Wi-Fi and cellular.
- Wi-Fi is the standard and cheap way to connect your tablet to the internet. It uses wireless networks at home, work, school, or public places. But, it also depends on the Wi-Fi network, which may change depending on the place and traffic.
- Cellular is the other way to connect your tablet to the internet. It uses mobile networks from carT, Verizon, and T-Mand T-Mobilet lets you go online anywhere you have cellular coverage, which may be more stable and steady than Wi-Fi. But it also needs your carrier’s plan and SIM card, which may cost more than Wi-Fi.
5G is the newest cellular technology that offers faster speeds, lower latency, and higher capacity than older ones, like 4G LTE. It can improve your online experience on your tablet, especially for streaming, gaming, downloading, and uploading. But it also depends on the 5G network in your area, which may be limited.
Wi-Fi-only tablets are suitable for users at home or with good Wi-Fi networks. They are cheaper and more straightforward than cellular tablets.
- Wi-Fi + Cellular tablets are suitable for users who use them on the move or with bad Wi-Fi networks. The Wi-Fi-only tablets are pricier and more complex.
- Wi-Fi + Cellular + 5G tablets are suitable for users who want to enjoy 5G technology on their tablets. They are the priciest and most advanced of all tablets.
What is the best battery life for a tablet?
The battery life of a tablet is how long you can use it without charging it. It depends on the screen size, resolution, brightness, and usage; the device processor, memory, and storage; the system connectivity, settings, and apps; and the battery capacity, age, and health.
The battery life of a tablet is in hours (h) or milliampere-hours (mAh), which are units of electric charge. One hour is 3,600 seconds, and one mAh is one milliampere of current for one hour.
- Below 8 hours is poor battery life and may last only a few days. You may charge your tablet a lot or use a power bank.
- Between 8 and 12 hours is good battery life and may last a day. You may charge your tablet once a day or less.
- Above 12 hours is excellent battery life and may last more than a day. You may charge your tablet infrequently.
Conclusion
Choosing the best tablet can be a daunting task, but it can also be a rewarding one. By considering the factors, we discussed, such as the operating system, size, resolution, storage, connectivity, and battery life of the tablet, you can narrow down your options and find the one that suits your needs and preferences. Whether you want a tablet for work, entertainment, education, or anything else, there is one for you.