Tablet Computers

Buying Guide - Tablet Computers

The year 2010 was most definitely the year when the tablet was born. It has only been two years but somehow, it’s difficult to imagine the world without them. One look at a table is enough to declare that it’s neither a laptop nor a smartphone yet somehow it has caught the fancy of the world. So, what purpose does a tablet serve after all? Strictly speaking, it is not as feature intensive as a laptop and it is difficult to do any work on a tablet which requires intensive typing output. The tablet's USP, however is it’s lightweight and portability. It was specifically designed to serve that particular niche of people now known as digital nomads who need to stay connected to the internet wherever they are.

A tablet is also ideal for watching movies or reading e-books on the go. It is in all senses a lighter version of a laptop- both in terms of weight and otherwise. It is definitely way more convenient to carry around than a heavy laptop and if you are looking to do only lightweight work, it fits your needs perfectly. You can use the Word processor, take quick notes, listen to a few songs, get some work done on the internet and just casually slip it into your bag. It is the comfort that it offers which has made it so popular. Off late, thanks to the impeccable design of the Apple iPad the tablet has become something of a fahion fad. It might not be something you strictly need, but you will still want to have it.

Ever since the Apple iPad came out into the market, several other tablets like Amazon's Kindle Fire, Blackberry’s Play Book, and Dell’s Streak have also been released. There is a whole new market segment which is flooded with tablets while there are many more to come. The sheer variety means both good and bad news- it means you have a lot of options to choose from but the bad news is that the options might just manage to confuse you.

Let's quickly go through the features you must look for while buying a tablet-

1. Operating System

Quite understandably, the operating system used by a tablet make a world of difference in its functioning. For a long time, the choice for the best OS out there was a no brainer. Only one name- the Apple iOS would come to mind. And there was a reason it enjoyed such a stature. The system works wonderfully smoothly on an iPad. It is quick and efficient- exactly what a tablet promises to be.

Recently, Google's Android and Microsoft Windows 7 have been giving the Apple iOS some very decent competition. The huge advantage that Apple has over others is the access to millions of iPad apps. However, many users have experienced problems due to the insulated nature of the OS which restricts any kind of Bluetooth transfers.

The latest version of the Android- the Honeycomb is the first OS designed by Google exclusively for tablets. This OS has its share of benefits- good software integration, compatibility with Adobe flash, something which is missing in Apple iOS and integration with Google apps.

2. Screen

Visually, a screen is all that a laptop has. In fact, it is the area where you will be doing all you work which is why the size matters. A tablet can be anywhere between 5 to 10 inches but ideally, you should like it to be closer to the maximum limit. Remember, you are using the tablet as a lighter version of a laptop not as a bigger version of a phone. The bigger the screen, the more comfortable you would be typing. But again, it can't be very big because then it will become bulky which defies the whole purpose of a tablet again.

Simultaneously, look for an optimum screen resolution. In technical terms, dot pitch is a measure of the screen resolution with respect to its size. Higher pixels per unit area imply sharper pictures and thus, this is what you should ideally look for.

3. Battery Life

Now, if a tablet is designed to be used on the go, the most vital question to ask is how long does the battery last. While all tablet manufacturers make huge claims about battery life, it is always a good idea to inquire people around you and get a better estimate.

4. Storage

Tablets are available with different storage space- right from 16 to 64 GB. When it comes to storage, the bigger the better especially if you are going to store a lot of movies and images on your tablet.

Besides these, also consider other factors related to internet availability (Wi-Fi or 3G), the quality of the camera and speakers, the number of USB slots (the iPad has none) and finally the price. Think about your personal needs and expectation from a tablet, how and when are you going to use it and other priorities.  In the end, it all boils down to personal choice. You might like something the first time you see it and then no one can convince you not to buy it or vice versa.