JUNE 2013: Tablet Computers

Do You Even Need One?

Simply put, tablets aren't really filling any true need.  They're neither replacements for computers nor smartphones. While you can tackle productivity tasks on a tablet, you won't get the desktop-grade operating system or the keyboard that you find on a PC.   Add-on keyboards are available to supplement the on-screen virtual keyboard, but few will provide the same comfort you'll experience with a laptop or a desktop. The main focus of the tablets is media consumption, not productivity.

Tablets do have advantages over both laptops and phones, offering a more portable way to check email, browse the Web, video chat, watch movies, listen to music, and play games than your laptop can provide, but with a bigger screen than on your smartphone.   Tablets by design are comparatively lightweight and relatively easy to carry around; they're great in your lap or on a surface. Reaching for a tablet to browse the Web during TV commercials is much easier than getting up, going to your desk, and booting up your computer. Even laptops can take a while to start, and they often get uncomfortably hot after a short period of use. As for using a smartphone, you do have easy access and instant-on, but it's nice to be able to view an entire Web page as opposed to the mobile site or an oddly rendered version on a smartphone's much smaller screen

Even so, you probably don't need one.  But, if you want one, here are the key factors to consider while shopping for a tablet.

Choose Your Operating System

The top contenders are Apple with its iPads and iPad mini, Android with its many hardware choices from the likes of Acer, Amazon, Asus, Barnes & Noble, Google, Samsung, and others and Microsoft with its Windows RT, a slimmed-down version of Windows 8, which runs on the Microsoft Surface and tablets from Asus, Dell, and Lenovo.  Each has its benefits and drawbacks and the final choice is mostly dependent on your preference.

Screen Size and Portability

When you hear the term "10-inch or 7-inch tablet", this refers to the size of the screen, measured diagonally, and not the size of the tablet itself. 7-inch tablets are considered small-screen, while 8.9- to 10-inch tablets are considered large screen. Tablets with 8-inch or smaller displays mostly weigh less than a pound. Most manufacturers offer tablets in both small and large screen sizes.

Screen resolution is important too, especially for ebook reading, playing games, watching movies and Web surfing. A sharp, bright display is key. Look for high resolution such as 1280x800 or above.  High definition is also becoming a common feature.

 The weight of a tablet is one definite advantage—but at around 1.44 pounds, it's not cell-phone light. This is true for small-screen tablets as well.  Holding it in one hand for a while will be tiring. Setting it flat in your lap can also be a little awkward. And few tablets will fit in your pocket.

Apps

Apps are small specialized software programs – applications – that can be downloaded from the Internet for your tablet.  Some apps are free, while others must be bought.  Many app developers create new apps for the Apple App Store first, and often exclusively. And because of the large user base, apps in the Apple store are more likely to get bugs fixed first.

The major app stores from Apple, Google, and Microsoft have specific developer requirements that make their apps more reliable and less likely to be vulnerable to malware. But Android devices (only) let you opt to install non-vetted apps from the Internet, so be careful about allowing that.

If you choose a tablet with the Android OS, make sure it has access to Google's "genuine" Google Play market and not just a third-party app market such as GetJar. You'll get a wider variety of popular apps there, and gain some security against potentially malicious "rogue" apps.

You get many fewer Android apps on Barnes & Noble and Kindle tablets because those companies select the apps they want to provide. But there's still a large number available on both of those tablets as well.

Microsoft's Windows Store is brand new and so far relatively sparse, but we expect the number of available apps to continue to increase.

Storage and Ports

Cloud (online) storage is an option for many tablets but for on-board storage, more is always better. All those apps, when combined with a typical music, video, and photo library, can take up a lot of space. Right now storage on most tablets tops out at 64GB of flash-based memory. Larger capacity models can get as expensive as full-featured laptops.  A few Android tablets have microSD memory card slots that let you expand storage; the Surface has one as well. Storage in many tablets can be expanded using USB ports as they can read USB flash drives. The iPad has no memory-card slot or USB port.

Wi-Fi-Only vs. Cellular Models

A Wi-Fi-only model is the most economical choice. Tablets with cellular service cost more, plus you'll have to pay for the service. Choose a broadband model only if "everywhere access" to the Net is critical. If it is, 4G capability, or at least the ability to upgrade to it, is a plus.

Battery Life

Having a razor-sharp screen and thousands of apps won’t matter much if your tablet dies while you’re in the middle of a game or watching a movie.  The average battery life of a tablet is approximately 8 hours, but can vary widely.  Check the manufacturer’s information and online reviews to find out the expected battery life of any tablet you are considering.

Other Features

Most new tablet models offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a front-facing webcam and rear-facing camera, and GPS capability.

Finally, before you buy, if you can, head to your local electronics store to get hands-on time with some different tablets, so you can see which feels and works best for you.