5 Key Features to Consider in Your Next Tablet
Tablets have become
a major player in the personal computer market. Ever since the first iPad was
released in 2010, they’ve become a household device almost comparable to Smartphones.
What makes these
nifty devices so in-demand is their compact size. While tablets are larger than
smartphones, they are also smaller than PCs. It means that for tasks where the
PC would have been more appropriate such as watching a video, a tablet can serve
the purpose excellently. But they are also small enough to fit in your pocket,
meaning that they can also be used for smartphone tasks such as checking email
and social media chatting.
This high demand has
resulted in a scramble, with every manufacturer coming out with their range of
tablets. This makes choosing a little difficult. Which one do you go for?
Well, we’ve rounded
up five key features to consider when the time comes to buy your next tablet.
1.
Operating system
Google
Android 6.0 Operating System
Currently, there are
four major tablet operating systems; Apple iOS, Google Android, Microsoft Windows, and the Blackberry Tablet OS.
The Apple iOS is
used exclusively on Apple products. It’s also found on the iPhone, iTouch, and
iPod iTouch. If you’re a fan of Apple and have most of these products, getting
an iPad would allow you seamlessly juggle between you devices. iOS has over two million applications.
Android is a great
option if you combine devices from different manufacturers. Developed by
Google, Android is also the most popular operating system at the moment and
offers far greater customizability than the iOS. It also has the highest number
of application with the Google Play Store boasting over 2.2 million apps.
Microsoft Windows is
not as popular as the first two, but is great if you want compatibility with
your other Microsoft OS devices (desktop, laptop, and even smartphone). Also,
working on Windows 8 from your tablet provides a sense of portability not
possible with PC which would allow you accomplish tasks faster.
Lastly, Blackberry
tablets, just like Blackberry phones, have their own operating system. And the
good news is, the tablet OS is fully compatible with the phone OS meaning that
you can work across your Blackberry tablet and phone like they were a single
device!
2.
Screen size
Next, consider
screen size. Tablets range in size from 5 to 12 inches. Make the choice based on what you intend to
do with the device. Smaller tablets in the 5-inch region are designed to fit in
your pocket while still providing a large enough screen.
They are a good
option if you intend to carry the device along a lot. Larger ones in the range
of 10 or more inches won’t fit in your pocket. But they are much more portable then
15-inch laptops. They are excellent for reading.
3.
Battery life
After screen size,
look for a tablet with reliable battery life. Tablets are supposed to be
portable devices. You should be able to use your tab for possibly a whole day without recharging. Since you won’t be
using the device all the time, find out how long the battery can last while
under heavy use and how long it lasts when in sleep mode.
4.
Memory (RAM)
Tablet games require more RAM than standard tablet apps
This also depends on
what you intend to use the tablet for. If it will be solely for watching movies
and listening to music, then 1to 4 GB of RAM is sufficient. But for tasks such
as editing photos and videos, you need at least 4GB, preferably 8GN of memory.
There are also
people who buy kids tablets for learning purposes. If you’re an app developer looking to use
the device to test your creations, find one with even more memory. Fortunately,
you can find tablets with as much as 32GB of RAM.
5.
Camera
Lastly, consider
camera functionality. First, most tablets come with cameras, but some don’t.
Secondly, a tablet could come with one or two cameras – one at the front and
another at the rear. Make your choice.
Secondly, look at
camera resolution. Typically, 4MP is the minimum if you intend to use your
tablet to print high quality 8x10 images without cropping or distortion. But
you can go as high up as you like.
Summary
There are usually
other features such as speakers, input and output ports, and wireless
connectivity to consider, but these should only come after the five key points
discussed above.
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