Finding a Tablet That’s Right For You

The way we compute is continually evolving. First, desktops became laptops, which transformed into smartphones. It was at the junctions of one of those evolutionary branches that the tablet computer was born.

Today’s tablets are formidable competitors in the computing device market, boasting screens large enough to tackle serious projects, the ability to connect with keyboards and externals like a keyboard and mouse and full Wi-Fi Internet capability. However, the big corporate players in the market, Microsoft, Android and Apple, continue to carve out their respective niches in a market that seems to change more than it remains the same.

Wanting a tablet and knowing which one to buy are two different things. This article will help guide you to a decision by asking yourself what you want to do with your tablet.

Tablet Features

A tablet is what’s known as a “light” computing device. The term “light” refers to the fact that a large hard drive is unnecessary when the device stays connected to the Internet. It’s fascinating that we can carry around the world’s computing power with us in a small zippered case.

Light devices have to have a way to get information into and out of them: input and output. The screen and speakers are the typical output devices on a tablet. Usually, the user can opt to connect external audio through a line out or wireless port. While you can type on an onscreen keyboard, attachable keyboards, mice and other accessories are becoming more available for tablets.

You can group tablets by their most prominent feature to help you categorize them based on planned usage. For instance, if you plan to do a lot of photo editing, you will opt for a tablet with a larger screen and higher resolution. Avid readers, on the other hand, will appreciate a screen optimized for reading text.

You can generally classify tablet features into three categories:

• Display: The size of the screen and its resolution are the most critical factors here. Also, particular types of displays such as e-readers and high-speed gaming displays.
• Storage: In the age of “Ubiquitous Computing,” with the “always-on” Internet, the need for onboard storage is becoming minimal. Tablets fill this niche nicely.
• Connectivity: Modern tablets all have Wi-Fi, hotspot connectivity and Bluetooth. The little boxes are just right for this age of computing on the cloud while on the go.

Imagine yourself with your new tablet and all the tasks you will accomplish. Then, when you are looking at tablet features, ask yourself how each one would benefit you in the way you plan to use your tablet.

Planned Uses

The things you can do on a tablet these days are practically unlimited. Whether you want to do some light web browsing or you plan to run a business empire from your lounge chair on the beach, a tablet can make life easier.

As networking technology improves, tablets and other light devices become more valuable in our everyday work. They unfetter us from our office chairs but offer us the power to perform almost any computing task. Moreover, with the addition of wireless connectivity technology like Bluetooth and features like docking stations for peripherals, you can use your tablet as a full-fledged business computer.

At the other end of the spectrum, tablets are also ideal for casual computer users. They are perfect for tasks like checking email, browsing and shopping online, listening to your favorite music, watching movies and more.

Here are some possible areas where you could put a tablet to work.

• Gaming
• Reading ebooks
• Working from home
• Creative work
• Viewing/editing photos
• Writing word processing
• Podcasting/music mixing

The above list only begins to scratch the surface of what you can do with a tablet. The thing you have to understand is that tablets are, at best, merely transitional devices. The real star here is the Internet and the growing wireless interconnectivity in the world. As we use devices like tablets to explore the possibilities, new ideas for devices will likely replace tablets.

But for right now, they are one of the best tools we have to interact with the global wireless network. So as you shop for a tablet, think of it as your portal to a brand new world of possibilities. So now, what do you need from your tablet?

Gaming? You will need a fast display and some extra onboard memory.

Photo editing? Opt for the biggest display size and screen resolution you can afford. Your eyes will thank you.

Are you working a home business? You will likely need all the options since you will be using your tablet as a computer. Check out docking stations and wireless peripherals like keyboards, mice and printers.

Get the idea? You can find a tablet that contains one or two prominent design features that will suit your needs best. From that point, it is up to you to explore what is available.

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