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A tablet is a personal, handheld computer that's larger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop. These wireless devices feature a touchscreen and a variety of software applications, and they're designed to be portable, convenient and easy to use.
In terms of what it can do and how it works, a tablet is somewhere between your phone and your desktop computer. Like your phone, tablets use mobile operating systems and are built for mobility. However, they can also be used like a desktop PC or laptop to type longer documents, store files and stream videos.
With their touch-sensitive screens, tablets allow you to interact with the information on the screen using your finger or a stylus. You can also wirelessly connect a keyboard or mouse to the tablet.
Tablets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can generally be split into a few separate categories:
Much like smartphones, tablets don't all run in the same way. The operating system can sometimes be the most important consideration when browsing for a device, as, after all, it's the interface you'll have to interact with all the time.
For the most part, tablets run one of three operating systems: Apple iOS, Google Android and Microsoft Windows
The operating system that your smartphone runs should play a role in which one you end up choosing. For example, if you're already an iPhone user, you'll get better value from an iPad as you're already part of the Apple ecosystem. This means you'll already have all of your Apple accounts set up and ready to go. It also means you'd have all of the apps, movies and music you've already purchased ready to go straight away, and existing gear and cables (like chargers) will work between your devices. The story is much the same for Android phones and tablets.
If you're considering a switch from Apple to Android (or vice versa), make sure you've weighed everything up first. The process of migrating all of your data can be time-consuming and nightmarish.
When shopping around for a tablet, you should consider the following factors:
Prices range from less than $100 up to $1,500 or more. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line device, you can expect it to set you back at least a thousand dollars. If you're just looking to grab something to watch Netflix on occasionally, you can pick up a device for less than $300.
Larger screens can make for a better viewing experience while on the go and can help with productivity if you're looking to use your tablet for school or work. Smaller screens often come paired with a lower price and are more convenient to haul around.
Resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen. Tablets with higher resolution have a higher picture quality than one with less. Choosing a budget device with low resolution can make watching content on the device less enjoyable.
Make sure you check how long each tablet lasts between charges to get a general indication of battery life. Also, check how long the device takes to fully charge.
Some tablets feature all-plastic shells and screens, while others sport premium aluminium builds with glass displays. The build quality of a tablet should roughly reflect the price tag associated with it. Cheaper devices are often less durable.
If you're only going to use your tablet to surf the web, stream videos and other basic tasks, 16GB or 32GB of storage space may be enough. However, if you're using the device for professional purposes or to store videos, you may need more space. Many Android and Windows devices also have microSD memory card slots so you can expand your storage.
The processing power of a tablet isn't likely to be much of a factor unless you're looking to play graphically-intensive games or run heavy-duty apps on it.
Most tablets come bearing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity. Some devices use a SIM card to connect to your mobile network but they usually cost a lot more.
If you'll be using the it to take still photos or for video chatting, check the quality of the front- and rear-facing cameras. Can you record videos in HD?
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