This year, the total number of global tablet users is expected to reach 1.28 billion. More and more people are realizing that they want a bigger screen size than their smartphone can provide, but that they don’t need the capacity of a desktop or laptop, so tablets are the perfect solution.
If you’re thinking about buying new tablets for your family this year, you’ll quickly realize that there are plenty of options available. So, how do you choose the best one for your needs?
You’ve come to the right place for help.
Keep reading to learn more about your options for tablets and the most important things to consider before making a purchase.
- How You Plan to Use It
Before you do anything else, take a few moments to think about how you plan to use your new tablet.
Do you plan to use it as a replacement for a laptop, using it for hours a day to get work done? Or, will it be something that you use occasionally to surf the internet and play fun games? Or, maybe you’re looking for a home automation tablet to turn your house into a 21st century smart home? The possibilities are endless.
Of course, there are different types of tablets on the market that are best for different types of needs. Once you decide how you want to use it, you can start narrowing down which type makes the most sense for you.
- Operating System
Once you have a better idea of what you plan to do with your new tablet, think about the different operating systems out there. The most common ones are:
- Apple iOS
- Android
- Amazon Fire OS
- Microsoft Windows
Do you have a preference over which operating system your tablet should have? A lot of people prefer to use an operating system that they already know and love. For example, if you have an iPhone, then you might want to get an iPad since they both have the same iOS interface.
However, it’s worth exploring the different operating systems before making a purchase. You might realize that even if you love your iPhone, a Windows tablet better suits your needs.
- Size and Weight
One reason so many people love tablets is that they’re easy to take on the go. Before deciding which model to buy, take a look at small and large tablets to see which size you’d prefer. Pay attention to screen size and think about how much you need to get the most use out of your tablet.
If possible, go look at a few different tablet models in person so you can hold them in your hands to get a feel for their weight as well. You want something that will be comfortable for your wrists if you’re using it for an extended period of time. You want to find something that is lightweight, yet still durable, in case you drop it.
- Budget
Next, think about how much you’re comfortable spending on your new tablet. Fortunately, there are options available to fit nearly any budget. Depending on the brand and processor, you can find tablets anywhere from $200 to upwards of $500.
If you’ve found that you need a higher-end tablet, like an iPad Pro, but you don’t have the budget for it, you still have options. You can look online for refurbished tablets that are in like new condition to save a few hundred dollars. Or, you might get an older version of a tablet to help save some cash.
With a little bit of planning, you should be able to get the tablet you want at the right price.
- Connectivity
As we mentioned briefly above, tablets are great because they’re designed to be taken on the go. Of course, when you’re out and about, you might not always have access to internet, which means you can’t use your tablet to its full abilities.
Fortunately, there are networking options to help you stay connected wherever you go. When you’re shopping for a tablet, you’ll see that some are only made for Wi-Fi connectivity, while others have wireless or cellular plans, just like a smartphone.
If you think you’ll need to use your tablet when you won’t always have reliable internet access, opt for a model with cellular connectivity for peace of mind. Otherwise, a Wi-Fi connected tablet is probably all you need.
- Storage Space
Have you ever gotten an alert on your smartphone that you’re close to running out of space? We’ve all been there! This is something you’ll also need to keep in mind when trying to decide which tablet to buy.
Generally, tablets come with storage space ranging between 8 GB and 64 GB. If you only want to use your tablet to surf the internet and read ebooks, then you won’t need much storage space to do so. But, if you want to play HD movies and games on your tablet, or use it to store photos and videos, then get more storage space to be on the safe side.
- Battery Life
There’s nothing worse than going to use your mobile device, only to notice that the battery is nearly dead. Once again, think about how you plan to use your tablet. Some things require more battery life than others, so your use is the biggest factor that will impact how long the battery lasts.
For example, streaming videos goes through battery life much faster than simple web browsing does. The good news, however, is that tablets tend to charge quickly, and you can even charge then while on the go by using a portable charger.
Buying New Tablets, Made Easy
After reading through this guide about the most important things to consider when buying new tablets, you should have the information you need to make the right decision for your needs. Now, the fun part can begin! Start shopping for your new tablet and you’ll be ready to make a purchase in no time.
Looking for more tech help like this? Check out our other articles for all the latest from the tech world.
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