Tablets are prevalent across the world as they are great for playing games, watching movies and even surfing the web. They also make it easy to do work on the go; no need to carry around those bulky laptops when you can just bring a tablet.
For those who aren’t familiar with tablets, they come in different sizes and contain touch screens which allow the user to navigate through different applications and features by swiping across the screen, tapping on apps or pressing buttons.
There are many types of tablets available in the market but today we will focus on Android tablets because they offer a wider variety of options to choose from when compared to other operating systems. However, there are also some iOS (Apple) tablets that can compete with the best Android devices out there; it all comes down to preference at the end of the day.
To help you find your ideal tablet, we have compiled a list of tips and tricks that should steer you in the right direction when choosing which tablet is best for you. The main aim here is not just to suggest a random tablet but rather one that fits your exact needs; therefore, feel free to pick and choose whichever points suit your requirements.
While buying a tablet under budget can be a great way to get something cheap for casual use, there are some things you should take into consideration or you might end up with a device that won’t suit your requirements.
1. Screen Quality & Resolutions:
The screen is often the most important factor when it comes to tablets because this is where you will spend most of your time interacting with so if it’s not up to standard then everything else about the tablet becomes irrelevant; however, we would also recommend taking into account other factors such as build quality and design in order to complete an overall picture of the product in question.
For example, if a tablet has really low resolutions (e.g., below 200pixels-per-inch) then this usually means that text will appear really small which can be problematic for people who have poor eyesight; but on the other hand, if a tablet has high resolutions (e.g., 300+ pixels-per-inch) then it will most likely look great when viewing HD content or playing games with sharp graphics so it’s always worth checking this information before making a purchase.
2. Memory:
The amount of memory in your tablet is very important because it determines how well the device will perform in multitasking scenarios and what its limitations are.
For example, some budget tablets only come with 1GB of RAM which means that you will experience some slowdowns while doing more resource intensive tasks like watching HD videos or browsing the web with multiple tabs open at once; but having more RAM allows you to do all of these things without worrying about memory limits.
3. Processor & Performance:
Processor speed is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a tablet because this determines how fast your apps will load and other quick actions that you might take while using your device; however, it’s worth noting that some tablets only have slower ARM processors which are designed for lower power applications so they won’t be able to handle resource intensive tasks as well as an Atom or Core i3 processor would.
4. Operating System:
This basically comes down to what version of Android or Windows 8/RT you want to use on your tablet because if you opt for anything less than the latest version then you might experience some software compatibility issues; although, using an older version of Android or Windows can be helpful when trying to save money because you will get all of the features included in the latest update but with less system requirements.
5. Connectivity:
Tablets often come with different types of connectivity options (e.g., Bluetooth, wifi, cellular data) that allow you to connect them to external devices like speakers or mice; however, some budget tablets only have basic wireless capabilities which means they will be compatible with fewer things than a tablet that has more advanced hardware built-in.
For example, tablets with cellular data can be extremely useful for staying connected when on the move but they usually cost more money to maintain compared to a regular tablet that only has wifi capabilities.
6. Storage:
The amount of internal storage in your tablet is related to how many apps you will be able to install before running out of space because some budget models might only have 8GB or 16GB which isn’t enough for storing lots of big apps.
However, if you are mainly going to use your tablet for streaming content then this will rarely become an issue because services like Youtube and Netflix allow you to download videos which means you won’t need much internal storage at all.
7. Cameras & Audio:
Cameras aren’t as important as some of the other features on this list because they only work with certain apps and don’t provide any additional functionality apart from letting you take pictures and record videos; however, tablet cameras which use the rear-facing camera might be useful for taking high quality photos or recording professional looking video footage.
8. Screen Size:
Tablet screen size is an important factor to consider because it determines how portable your device will be and also affects portability because bigger screens tend to make tablets heavier (e.g., 10 inch tablets can often weigh around 600 grams).
However, bigger screen sizes are more beneficial when watching TV content or playing games because these types of activities require a larger viewing area; but if you mainly plan on using your tablet for reading content on the move then a smaller screen size might be more practical because they are lighter and take up less space in your bag.
9. Physical Device Cost:
It’s worth noting that some tablets like the Microsoft Surface RT only come with one version (i.e., there is no cheaper alternative) while others like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 have different versions, but these differences don’t affect performance or functionality so you can just pick the cheapest model and it will work exactly the same as its more expensive counterpart.
10. Tablet Operating Temperature:
Some budget tablets might get too hot during use which means you need to keep them out of direct sunlight when they are plugged in otherwise this could cause irreversible damage; however, this usually only affects the cheapest models because they tend to have less effective cooling systems.
11. Tablet Screen Type:
Tablet screen type is an important factor to consider because some budget tablets only have LCD screens which use up more power and suffer from a limited viewing angle compared to tablets with OLED screens that don’t need backlighting and provide better contrast between light and dark colors.
12. Processor Brand & Speed:
The processor brand will affect how fast your tablet runs but the speed of a budget device isn’t as significant because it’s difficult to measure performance in real world contexts (e.g., benchmarks can differ from what you experience once you’ve been using your tablet for a few months).
13. Operating System:
Most budget tablets use the Android operating system (OS) because it is open source and free to license; however, some cheaper models will only provide you with an outdated version of this OS which means you won’t be able to run all of the latest apps until you manually update your device by installing new software.
14. Tablet Cell Phone Plan Compatibility:
Although tablet cellular data plans usually cost extra money per month, they can be extremely useful for staying connected on the move; but if your main method of getting online is through wifi then having a cellular contract might not provide any significant benefits.
15. Number Of Cameras On Device:
Tablet cameras are rarely important factors when choosing a model because they only work with certain apps and the quality of tablet cameras is usually too low for taking high quality photos; but they can be useful for capturing important moments or running special augmented reality (AR) apps.
16. Tablet Storage Type:
Tablets use either eMMC memory or Solid-state drive (SSD) storage depending on how much you’re willing to spend; however, both of these types provide better performance compared to a tablet that uses an HDD.
What to look for when buying tablet for a specific purpose?
Each tablet is designed for different use cases, make sure to take into account what you primarily want to do with the device before buying it.
For example, if you plan on using your tablet primarily as a gaming device or an educational tool, look for specific types of tablets that have been optimized to better deliver those experiences. For most people, a standard tablet is usually sufficient for working, relaxing or watching videos.
How to buy tablet for watching videos?
For people primarily using their tablets to watch movies or television shows, look for a high-resolution screen. This will ensure that the images are clear even when the tablet is held at an angle.
Also, it’s important to find a model with speakers that are placed on either side of the screen so that the sound doesn’t get muffled when you hold it in your hands while lying down or sitting on a couch.
Some models come with video conferencing capabilities via front-facing cameras and microphones. If this is something you plan on using often, make sure to go with a model that has these features.
Also make sure to consider processing power which affects how quickly content loads onto the screen. You can consider our recommendations as well.
How to buy tablet for gaming?
For people who mainly plan on using their tablet as a gaming device, look for models that are designed specifically to offer better game play.
Most models that are marketed as “gaming” tablets will come with an attached gamepad controller and higher performance hardware under the hood, like more powerful processors and larger batteries (which allow longer playing time).
Many of these tablets also come with additional features like styluses or physical controllers that attach to the sides of the screen for more accurate gameplay. If you plan on taking your games on-the-go frequently, consider buying a slightly smaller model so it is easier to carry around.
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How to buy tablet for learning?
Learning tablets often include stylus pens that can be used to write, draw or interact with on-screen elements directly. These devices are generally larger than standard iPads and similar tablets to accommodate a dedicated space for touch interaction.
Many models come with an attachable keyboard so you don’t have to switch between the physical keyboard and the software keyboard constantly while writing or reading documents. Some also come with an additional slot designed specifically to hold a stylus pen so it is always at your disposal when you need to take notes using a digital pen and paper.
There are even some models that can support double screens which allow students to keep their notes separate from whatever they may be working on in-class.
How to buy tablet for Drawing?
For users who plan on using their tablet primarily as an artistic tool, look for models that are easy to grip and control. Consider buying a model with a larger screen size since it will require more movement to perfect the art you’re drawing on-screen.
Also make sure your model is light enough to hold easily while working for extended periods of time. Some models come with a special stylus pen designed to be more responsive for drawing arcs and curves, which is useful for artistic professionals looking to catch finer details in their art.
You may also want to find a model that supports multiple simultaneous touches so you can use your other hand as a palette while working on a particularly large project.
Some learning tablets are good at this as well because they have the capabilities of supporting double screens which allow students to keep their notes separate from whatever they may be working on in-class.
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