Tablet Computer Buying Guide

What Is A Tablet Computer?

A tablet computer is a lot like a notebook, that is a portable computer that can be used for entertainment, such as playing music, videos, games, and also allow users to use it for other computer functions, like work, note taking, surfing the web, and also as a book reader as well. The most significant distinction between the laptop and he tablet is the fact that tablets do not come with keyboards or a mouse, and the touch screen is main input device.

These days, tablet computers come with various choices in operating systems, like Android, Apple iOS, Blackerry OS and Windows and this includes the Kindle Fire, Amazon's color book reader. With Android, Blackberry and Apple operating systems enabled tablets, users can expect to enjoy thousands of choices in useful apps that really help too customize and make the tablet that much more useful

Although the iPad is essentially the reason for the spike in popularity of tablet computers, and is quite possibly the only tablet tat many consumers have ever heard of, the reality is that there are many different models of tablet today, including, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Motorola Xoom, new Vizio Wifi tablet, Sony tablets, Toshiba Thrive, Blackberry Playbooks, Superpad, Asus Eee Pad and many more. All of which offer the buyer of tablets various choices in features, uses, benefits and operating systems.

What Apple did do is refine tablet computers, which have existed for some time, by developing an easy-to-use, stylish, classy and trendy sleek gadget that has become huge among the computer buying population. This popularity, along with the rise of the Android operating system propelled other brands to develop their own models of tablets in a huge range of shapes and sizes, which is why we wrote this tablet computer buying guide, because there is a lot of choice and features to understand and siff through in order to make the right decision about tablet purchase. Learn more at Google Android Versus Apple iOS.

General Uses Of Tablet PC's

So, you know that tablet computers are like very compact notebooks, but what are they used for, here are a few uses for tablets.

1) As A Portable Computer

The most obvious reason for buying a tablet is that you need a mobile computer that you can take with you and use on the go. Smaller than notebooks, tablet computers can easily be slipped into a bag or even a large suit pocket so that you're never far from your most essential files, emails, Internet  and apps.

2) Simple At-Home Device

It's important to realize that tablet computers are also commonly used within the home, like surfing the web, checking email, accessing social networks and other uses. Recent research from AdMob shows that a high percentage of iPad users primarily use the device at home, for simpler tasks, to help avoid the need to boot up the main computer.

3) Entertainment

Tablet computers are very useful for entertainment. Devices such as the iPod means you can watch movies and listen to music wherever you are. Tablet computers make this just as easy, but they have a larger screen more features, the Internet, and basically just provide a lot more.

4) Gaming

For gaming lovers tablet computers offer a lot of extra perks in a handy mobile handheld device that fits easily into a pocket.

5) Internet

One of the greatest aspects in uses of the tablet computer that you can just pick it up and browse the web whenever you want and from wherever you want without having to wait for long load times that is so typical was certain laptops and desktops. The Internet is at your fingertips for shopping, e-mail, social networking with friends, sharing pictures and anything else you'd like to do online while either waiting at the doctor's offices, raiding line at the supermarket or just hanging around your house.

6) Tablet Computer Uses For Business

iPads are now becoming a common sight in meetings or at presentations. They can store important notes, display stats, graphics and multimedia, and all this without the need to lug a heavy laptop around.

Main Features Of The Tablet Computer

Design

In general tablet computers are small in size, much smaller than a notebook computer but also larger than the smart phone. Overall most of the LCD screens found on tablets are between 7 to 12 inches in size.

Most tablets feature accelerometer within their design. This device detects the way you're moving to gadget as well as its orientation, which means that you can use either in portrait or landscape mode, and the tablet intuitively knows and this makes them comfortable to use and read from no matter what you're doing.

Touch Screens

Tablet computers are handy because they have a touchscreen, eliminating the need for bulky keyboards that take up space that could otherwise be used for screen space. Both the finger and/or a stylus pen can be used as an input device. Of course an external keyboard can be attached at any time. Multi Touch screens permit users to make use of controls featuring multiple fingers and this helps to make for a much more intuitive tablet. Good example of this is the Apple iPad and iPhone, that allow the use of gestures such as the pinch to zoom in or out of whatever you're viewing on the tablet screen.

Palm recognition in tablet computers help prevent accidental contact from the palm from controlling the device's features. Some tablet computers even make use of pressure sensitivity, especially graphics tablet computers.

Tablet Apps

One thing to keep in mind is the tablet computers do not work like your standard desktop or notebook. It is a much more structured device, and this is where the thousands of available apps come in that allow you to personalize make the tablet your own.

All of the main tablet computers of today can be customized with the use of apps. For example:

• The iPad connects to the Apple App Store.
• Android operating system enabled tablets connects to the Android Market.
• Blackberry tablets connect to the Blackberry app store.

Apps are overall very cool, and there are thousands upon thousands of them available everything from cool news out, to fitness apps, to job-related apps and so on and so on. These apps perform different functions on your tablet and pretty much act the same as software programs you install on your computer, though they are much cheaper and many are free.

At this time the Apple Store really leads the marketplace in terms of our and their availability and variety, though the android market is following close by and is sure to catch up at any time.

Tablet PC Operating Systems

Apple iOS - Apple iPad

The iPad runs on the same operating system as the iPhone: iOS. This provides an easy to use and intuitive interface. One early complaint of iOS was the fact that it didn't include multitasking (the ability to run multiple apps at the same time) but this has now been fixed. The Apple iOS also gives access to the Apple App Store, the largest app store around.

Pros of iOS:

• It's easy to use
• Access to hundreds of thousands of apps,
• It was designed to work seamlessly with the hardware,
• Everything feels great on the iOS system, with great attention to detail.

Cons:

• No flash support, including not flash support online, for videos or games
• Limited to only 1 tablet (iPad), no choice in brands
• Apple controls all of the apps that go into its store,
• Apple controls all of the hardware, meaning there's far less choice and no true budget option available.

Android Operating Systems

Android has really grown in popularity in recent months. This is the first operating system that was developed by a small software company and was later bought out by Google. Android is everywhere now and smart phones adding tablets. Because it's open source and means they can be customized and tweaked by manufacturers that are not limited in any way. And this means great news for the consumer as there are many different brands and models of tablets to choose from that have android, as opposed to the Apple IOS which is limited to the iPad.

Pros of Android:

• Lots and lots of tablets to choose from, with lots of choices in prices, features and models
• The app store is rapidly growing and offers a lot of easily of choice in apps
• Integrates with Google accounts easily
• It is an open platform that many developers are now choosing to work with - some manufacturers have tweaked it very well,
• Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) is now optimized specifically for tablet computers.

Cons of Android:

• The app store still isn't as big as Apple's, and there aren't as many tablet apps,
• Some cheaper Android tablet computers are poorly designed,
• It isn't as intuitive as iOS, but Android smartphone users will already be familiar
• Tablet computers run different versions of Android - some apps may not be available for the version your tablet uses.

Rival Operating Systems: Blackberry, Web OS2 & Windows 7

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry Playbook tablet uses BlackBerry's own operating system, which is known as the rim BlackBerry tablet OS. Generally speaking BlackBerry is not as widely used as mainstream as other operating systems like the android and Apple IOS, the BlackBerry is still the most popular tablet and smart phone for the business professional. Unlike Apple IOS it does support flash and it does it very well. Those that use and love their BlackBerry phones, definitely adore and appreciate the BlackBerry playbook tablet.

webOS

webOS is the offering from Palm/ HP, and will feature in a range of tablet computers such as HP’s TouchPad. One benefit of this operating system is the fact that social networking is built right in (no need to download apps right off the bat). You can view all of your various social accounts, like, LinkedIn and Facebook from one place. It also makes multitasking a lot easier. However, once again the main problem is a lack of apps. This could change as more people choose webOS based tablet computers.

Windows

And of course who can forget Windows, that is included on their own tablet computers as well. Windows 7 now comes on several tablet is great for those that love Windows and want to continue to use it there tablet computers, mainly because of the wide variety of software that is available for this operating system. Keep in mind that Windows tablet computers cost a little more than the android models.

Specs and Features To Look For When Buying A Tablet PC

Size & Weight

The portability and mobility of the tablet computers is one of its biggest selling points, so it is important when you're buying your tablet computer to check the size and weight.

• You want your tablet to be small and light enough to carry around with you if you'll regularly use it on the go,
• But you also want the screen to be big enough to read and type on with ease. Some bigger screens may make the device more bulky, but come with the added benefit of fitting in a full touch screen keyboard.

Most of today's tablets come in at around 7-10 inches in size and 1-2.5lbs in weight.

Price

Of course price will be a major factor for those buying a tablet computer, but it is important to realize that in this case you are getting get which you pay for. There are many ultra cheap tablets available some less than $100, but if you want a long-lasting highly efficient product you might want to look to spend more than.

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