Tablets have come a long way since technology giants such as Apple and Samsung launched their first devices of the kind. The sleek designs and high-end technology gathered momentum and today you have tablets that are as fast as a laptop but only less bulky and more portable. The evolution in technology has resulted in scores of tablets, each having its own unique feature. And while this works in your favor, picking the best out of the lot has only become that much more difficult. However, some important features can make a tablet stand apart from the rest.
- Operating system
This is one of the most important features that you should consider while buying a tablet. While Apple offers iOS, which is unique in both user and application interface, Android OS (Operating System) is known for giving their users more freedom in tweaking and customizing the interface. Apart from this, there are other operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Blackberry OS that have their own unique features. So, try using tablets with different OS at first and find which one better suits your usage. - Resolution and screen size
The smallest tablets (measuring 5 inches) are essentially as big as large smartphones. While mid-sized tablets have a screen size of 7-8 inches, the ideal screen-size of a tablet is considered to be 12 inches. Small size and mid-size tablets are ultra-portable and can even fit in your pocket. So, it is recommended to buy large-sized tablets for streaming movies, gaming, creating documents, and presentations. Talking about the resolution, entry-level tablets offer at least 1280 x 800 pixels for a decent experience. Whereas, tablets with 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) and 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) offer an immersive experience. Consider looking at PPI (pixels per inch) value of the screen as it is usually mentioned in the tech specs of the tablet. The top-selling tablets generally have higher PPI value. - Performance
This is the most important aspect that makes a tablet best in its class. A 2GB to 3GB RAM should suffice if you intend to surf the internet, stream movies and edit documents on your tablet. For HD gaming, movies, and using heavy editing software, a tablet with 6GB to 8GB RAM is recommended. Processors play a crucial role when it comes to multitasking and switching between apps. Apple has their signature chipsets like an A8 to A12X Bionic chip with neural engine whereas, Windows and Android tablets pack Intel and Qualcomm chipsets under their hood. It is the number of cores and GHz that decides the efficiency of a gadget. For instance, a 3GB RAM and A8 powered iPad will be less efficient than its 6GB RAM A12 powered counterpart if you intend to buy a tablet for professional use. - Connectivity and upgrades
The top-selling tablets offer both 4G LTE and the latest 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standard Wi-Fi connections for uninterrupted and seamless connectivity. If you travel frequently, make sure that your tablet has both. If you are looking to save some money, then you can always choose to exclude LTE connectivity and use the hotspot of your phone to connect your tablet to the internet. Talking about upgrades, the best and top-selling tablets enable you to download the latest OS as soon as the developers roll out the same. While older OS can limit your use, tablets with the latest upgrades enable you to use every app and all features as included.
