Tablet PCs have been around since the late 1950s, but it wasn’t until the Apple iPad arrived in April last year that the tablet market really took off. Inspired by the success of the iPad, a multitude of companies have come up with their own take at the tablet design.
Given the multitude of tablet PCs that have cropped up in the last few months, choosing the best tablet PC can be confusing. What features should consumers consider before purchasing their own tablet device?
Screen Size of Tablet PC
The bigger the screen, the better the viewing experience. The standard screen size, particular among Android tablets, is 7 inches. Some devices offer more screen real estate. The iPad, for instance, sports a 9.7-inch screen display. Tablets with 7-inch screen, though, tend to be cheaper, are more comfortable to carry around, and fit easily into a handbag.
Tablet Touch Experience
There are two types of touch technology used in tablets today: resistive and capacitive. Resistive touchscreens detect location of a touch by pressure.Since resistive touchscreens require more pressure to enable commands, the touch experience is not as smooth or fast as that of capacitive touchscreens’. Also, resistive screens have no multi-touch function. On the other hand, they might appeal to consumers with smaller budgets as they are twice less expensive than capacitive screens.
RAM Size
How well a computer performs depends on RAM size of a tablet PC. As such, RAM is one of the most important considerations when choosing the right tablet. The more powerful the processor, the better the device performance.To ensure reliable and stable performance, look for a tablet PC that has a minimum memory space of 2GB.
Hard Drive Size of Tablet Computer
The larger the storage space, the more music, video, book, and other files it can accommodate without needing an external storage device.
Battery Life of Tablet Device
The longer the battery life and the less the need to charge regularly, the more convenient the mobile computing experience. Most models last 5 to 8 hours of use; some can give up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, some offer less.
Weight of the Tablet Computer
One of the main draws of tablet PCs is ultra portability. Tablet devices are considerably lighter than netbooks and laptops. There are some models on the market, however, that are as heavy as netbooks that holding them with one hand for a long time is a muscle strain. The best tablet PC is suitable for long hours of couch surfing.
WiFi vs 3G
For consumers who want to stay connected to the Internet 24/7, a model with built-in 3G modem is the better option. You might also want to consider the cost of the 3G data plan and how much you're willing to spend each month. Those who have WiFi network at home or who don’t need to stay connected to the web at all times, then a model with built-in WiFi will do. People who don't want to pay monthly 3G bills may also consider getting a WiFi model.
Operating System of Tablet PC
Some users are more familiar with Windows, while some prefer Linux because it is faster. Choose the the OS you are most comfortable using.
Tablet PC App Store
A number of tablets on the market don't have a built-in app store. The Nook Color is an example. This low-cost Android tablet doesn't have an access to the Android Marketplace. Consumers who want to be able to customize their device with apps must take this factor into consideration.
Tablets are the latest craze in the technology world. They offer sleeker, lighter, more stylish, and more portable design than netbooks or laptops. Before getting their own tablet PC, consumers should know what they want and how much they are willing to pay for it. That will help them get the best tablet PC.
Cecille de la Cruz - Cecille is a health-oriented individual, and love sharing with other people the results of her research about health and wellness. You can ...
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