There are some great inexpensive tablets on the market—but, then again, there are some not-so-great options. Don't risk buying a dud. Before you go shopping, take a look at guide to choosing a budget tablet that will suit your needs.
Think about your usage. How will you be using the tablet? A larger tablet, perhaps with an external keyboard, may be ideal for business and productivity. Gamers will want a tablet with powerful graphics and a fast, responsive touchscreen. And for families sharing a tablet, sophisticated parental controls are a must.
Check out the apps. You'll get the most selection from the iTunes App store with its over 675,000 iPad apps. The Google Play market for Android has over 1 million apps; however, many of them are not optimized for tablets. The Windows Store has just over 300,000 apps, but is steadily growing. The bottom line? Check to make sure that the tablet you choose has access to the apps you need.
Think about your usage. How will you be using the tablet? A larger tablet, perhaps with an external keyboard, may be ideal for business and productivity. Gamers will want a tablet with powerful graphics and a fast, responsive touchscreen. And for families sharing a tablet, sophisticated parental controls are a must.
Check out the apps. You'll get the most selection from the iTunes App store with its over 675,000 iPad apps. The Google Play market for Android has over 1 million apps; however, many of them are not optimized for tablets. The Windows Store has just over 300,000 apps, but is steadily growing. The bottom line? Check to make sure that the tablet you choose has access to the apps you need.
Consider the specs. Here's the information you will need to find out before choosing a tablet:
· Processor: The type and speed of the processor have a huge effect on a tablet's overall functionality. Look for a fast speed with multiple cores to boost performance.
· RAM: The more RAM, the more responsive a tablet will be on tasks. Opt for a tablet with at least 1GB; higher is better.
· Internal Storage and Expandability: For internal storage, you want at least 16 GB, but 32GB or higher would be ideal if you intend to download a lot of apps and games. Some tablets have a micro SD card slot to expand storage; look for this feature if more space is essential to you.
· Connectivity: Wi-Fi only capability is a good choice if you plan to use the tablet at home or at Wi-Fi hotspots. If you choose a tablet with 4G connectivity you will pay more, but you will be able to hook up to a data network from anywhere.
· Battery Life: This can range anywhere from 3 hours to 14 hours, depending upon the tablet. Aim for battery life of at least 7 hours or you'll constantly have your tablet on the charger.
Take a look at tablet reviews. Check trusted sources (such as Upbeat Electronics and Consumer Reports) for factual, impartial reviews of tablets. Reading information on a manufacturer's website can be helpful, but reviews can be helpful in explaining the qualities of a tablet.
· Processor: The type and speed of the processor have a huge effect on a tablet's overall functionality. Look for a fast speed with multiple cores to boost performance.
· RAM: The more RAM, the more responsive a tablet will be on tasks. Opt for a tablet with at least 1GB; higher is better.
· Internal Storage and Expandability: For internal storage, you want at least 16 GB, but 32GB or higher would be ideal if you intend to download a lot of apps and games. Some tablets have a micro SD card slot to expand storage; look for this feature if more space is essential to you.
· Connectivity: Wi-Fi only capability is a good choice if you plan to use the tablet at home or at Wi-Fi hotspots. If you choose a tablet with 4G connectivity you will pay more, but you will be able to hook up to a data network from anywhere.
· Battery Life: This can range anywhere from 3 hours to 14 hours, depending upon the tablet. Aim for battery life of at least 7 hours or you'll constantly have your tablet on the charger.
Take a look at tablet reviews. Check trusted sources (such as Upbeat Electronics and Consumer Reports) for factual, impartial reviews of tablets. Reading information on a manufacturer's website can be helpful, but reviews can be helpful in explaining the qualities of a tablet.
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