Things to Keep in Mind

USAGE:

A tablet, in all probability, will be your second or third screen. Therefore, you need to figure out what you want it for – entertainment, gaming, reading or work. Will it be your grab-and-go travel buddy or a sedate stayat-home gadget, which is only used when you give your laptop a break? Unless you are looking for an efficient workhorse or a gaming device, you need not buy the latest and most powerful processor.

SIZE:

Tablets come in various sizes, ranging between 7 and 12.9 inch. While 7-8 inch devices are easy to carry and use, the 8-10 inch tabs offer the ideal screen size for all kinds of usage. The larger 12.9 inch displays are considered as laptop replacements and work that way when paired with keyboards.

OS AND APPS:

Apple’s iOS is the most popular operating system, followed by Android, and both boast numerous apps across categories. The Windows tablets will make you happy if your focus is productivity. Consider the device ecosystem. Go for an iPad if you already have an iPhone and/ or a MacBook as syncing data across devices will be seamless.

STORAGE:

Onboard storage is crucial. Unlike smartphones, you do not end up upgrading tablets every year or two. But movies, music, books, videos or apps are space guzzlers and once you run out of space, the device will slow down. So go for a higher capacity if the tablet does not support expandable memory.

CONNECTIVITY:

Apple tabs come in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi-plus-cellular versions, and there is a price difference of around 10,000. Some other brands also offer both options. If you need connectivity on the go, consider the cellular version. Otherwise, use your smartphone to create a mobile hotspot and connect your tab to the Internet.