After Apple entered the Tablet market with the iPad and iPad2, Tablets are gaining widespread acceptance and popularity in the gadget world. One must consider several things before buying a Tablet, as a wrong choice would make the device redundant. The deciding factors towards purchase of a Tablet are highly personal and depend on how the buyer would use the device. Here are some significant elements that one must keep in mind before zeroing-in on a Tablet:
1. Screen size
Tablets are portable, yes, but their size depends on their application. If the primary reason for the purchase of the device is to use it as an e-book reader with some light browsing, opt for a 7” screen. Watching videos and gaming would be more comfortable on a slightly larger screen, say 10”, while composing documents and other general work can be carried out on a screen size that the user is comfortable with. Note that the size of the touch keypad depends on the screen and the level of comfort while typing increases with the size.
2. Operating system
Those who have used Apple devices before have a high level of comfort with iPad. The Apple OS also supports virtually infinite apps and one would never run out of things to do with the iPad. However, Google’s up-and-coming Android is also a great bet with a good level of comfort for new users. Android apps will be on par with Apple apps soon and most Tablets now come with this OS. It is wise to go in for the newest version of Android.
3. Connectivity
An ideal Tablet should be able to access all networks. If the 3G technology has not gained pace around your location or you do not plan to switch to 3G anytime soon, it still is a good idea to opt for a Tablet, which supports 3G as you may switch to it someday. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LAN connectivity are mandatory, most Tablets have them anyway. Check for USB ports (the iPad doesn’t have any but offers an extension port for USB). For some Tablets, you may have to buy the USB extensions and respective drivers from a different brand. If the device cannot support USB, there is no point in buying it.
4. General hardware
Users who interact over webcam need a Tablet with a minimum of 2 MP camera on the front of the device. Test the volume of the speaker and clarity of the microphone at the store. See if the tablet has a 3.2 mm universal dock to connect earphones or headset. Charging options and battery life need to be determined before purchase. Some manufacturers do not have a user-replaceable battery, which might make things tricky when travelling with the Tablet. Most Tablets have a processor of about 1 GHz clock frequency and a few MHz here and there will not make a significant difference. Tablets do not come with a CD drive so those who extensively use DVDs or CDs may want to buy a USB DVD read-write unit. Promised battery-life of most Tablets is about 8-10 hours. Getting a scratch resistant cover or back panel would be a great idea. This would eliminate the need for a specific carry case and the Tablet can be carried in a handbag.
Conclusion
The key to finding the perfect Tablet is knowing what it will be used for and purchasing accordingly. Although Tablets will not replace PCs anytime soon, they are more than just eye-candy and the new generation of these flat computers provide much more than portable entertainment.
About the author: Samantha Harper is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of gadgets. Recently an article top ten music players on attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on flying cars.
