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These days the number of tablets available for purchase is increasing per minute therefore I decided to bring to you a guide written by someone well experienced in the field. below is his work.




Having more choices is not always a good thing. Take tablets for example: When you could only buy the Apple iPad, it was a clear-cut decision. Now that there are numerous brands, different sizes and multiple platforms, it actually requires some work to find the best device for you. Here are some important points that you should consider when selecting a tablet.


For work or play?

The first question you should really ask: Do you need a tablet? As a device that falls between a full-fledged notebook and a smartphone, it's only natural for some consumers to believe that they can substitute a laptop with a tablet. Now, this could be true for some that mainly use their slates for browsing the Web or playing games, but it's not always the case for heavy users as per flexibility.

For instance, you may be used to transferring files between computers with a USB drive, but few tablets have full-sized USB ports. This could mean adjusting how you do things or even not getting a tablet after all. Others may feel that tablets complement their existing phones and laptops and are worth buying because they are more appropriate for certain scenarios, such as reading ebooks on the couch.

Once you're sure that you need a tablet, you should consider what you're mainly using it for. Is it for work, such as taking notes at meetings and reading documents? Or would you be using it for entertainment, like watching videos and playing games? Most tablets can fulfill both roles pretty well, but there are some which are more suitable than others.

Lenovo's ThinkPad Tablet and the BlackBerry PlayBook are examples of slates that are marketed for the workplace and have additional features for their target audience. Microsoft is also emphasizing the full functionality that you'll get with tablets that run its upcoming Windows 8 operating system. The software company recently unveiled its first
Surface tablets and while they aren't available till later this year, they do show promise for users who want to do more than just consume content on their slates.


What's the right size?

Tablets can start from a modest 5.5-inch display and go up to 13 inches. In-between, you'll find models with screens ranging from 7 inches to 9.7 inches. Obviously, the devices with the larger displays will be heavier and less portable--one can barely hold a 9- or 10-inch tablet for prolonged use with just one hand. A larger screen may also shorten the battery life or require a more powerful battery, which goes back to the issue of weight.

Besides the size of the display, one should also look at the screen resolution. Here's where Apple has continued to lead the market with the Retina display on the latest iPad. Android slates from Acer, Asus and some OEM have also upped the native resolution on their high-end slates to full-HD.


Which is the right platform?

Buying a tablet is similar to getting a mobile phone. You're basically tied to the platform upon purchase, as there's no easy way to change the operating system like you do on a laptop. With this in mind, you should treat a tablet like an appliance. Out of the box, it should have all the features and software that you need.

For most consumers, the number and variety of apps available for their tablets is an important concern. A tablet may have a great operating system with built-in apps that do almost everything that you can think of, but a lack of third-party apps will still affect its viability in the market. This is the big minus for closed-system OS like the Apple iOS. This is because it's no longer just a contest of hardware specs--it's a constant struggle between platforms to attract developers to code apps for them.

Having used Apple iOS, Blackberry OS, Android and Windows, I personally have a thing for the android. Android is a world of unlimited opportunities as it offers an open-system unlike Apple iOS that operates the closed-system which does not allow USB and other connected devices that are not of Apple. Android allows you download millions of free
applications from the playstore. With an Android tab, like the one I am using now, you can turn the device to a tv, modem, flash drive, radio, bible, game etc by downloading the right app.

Currently, Apple's iOS platform continues to lead in the total number of apps, though Google's Android equivalent is rapidly catching up. According to the most recent official statistics from both companies, there are 650,000 apps on iOS compared with 600,000 on Android. Android is one of the problems of Blackberry as it is a strong competitor with its unlimited opportunities. The statistics above shows that Apple is also nearly at a tie with it. This is the best time to get an android tab.

As there are many vendors using the Android OS for their tablets, they have tried to differentiate their products in terms of software enhancements and hardware features. Hence, there are Android slates that come with full-sized USB ports while others have more radical designs, such as my google tab that comes with micro USB, HDMI, SIM, earphone and
micro SD ports.

Some of the hardware features that you should take note of when looking at the specs include:

* Processor (number of cores and clock speed)- atleast 1.2ghz
* Screen resolution - from 800 x 1200
* Camera (rear and front-facing)- from 2mp
* Ports, video outputs, connectors - should have at least a 2.0 USB
* Wireless connectivity (3G/Wi-Fi) - from 2G to wifi hotspot enabled
* Stylus support - from 5 point capacitive
* Internal and expandable storage - from 8GB to 32GB expandable


Is there a right price?

You can get a tablet for as low as $120 but the question is will it suit your age and requirement. When it comes to smaller form factors, such as 7 inches, US$229 appears affordable enough to appeal to most consumers.


Conclusion

In summary, these are 5 questions you should ask yourself when buying a tablet.

What do you need it for?
Do you already have a smartphone or laptop? Do you intend to use it for work or play? Are there some tasks that can only be done with a tablet?

What screen size to get?
Weight, battery life and the apps you intend to run are the factors to consider. Screen resolution and aspect ratio are others.

Which platform?
Apps, apps, and more apps. Does it have the apps you require?

Extra features?
Dual cameras, keyboard dock, stylus input and full-sized USB ports are some features that vendors add to differentiate their products.

What Price?
Price is important. Warranty, track record, as well as service and support are things to consider when picking a tab.

Courtesy: Surveycash on Nairaland.com