6 Essential Tips on How to Buy a Tablet

Buying a tablet is a great adventure. The large number of choices shouldn't overwhelm you; it is, in fact, a chance to find the one that fits right into your budget and need.

So we can figure out the best for you, let's dive in.

What is a tablet?

You've got your laptops and smartphones. The missing piece? The tablet.

One immediately thinks of an invention in technology bridging the functionality of a laptop and the portability of a smartphone.

Hold yourself, though, before you think that it is a replacement for either: it is not.

Stick, read on below, and we shall see why as we dissect six must-avail tips on buying a tablet:

1. Define its purpose for you and be keen on its hardware.

What role will the tablet play in your life? How will you use it?

It is very important that before you get your hands into anything, you have a great idea of its purpose to you.

You can use tablets for entertainment or to supplement your career or studies. Ask yourself questions like, "Will you be using it to listen to podcasts, play games, read articles?" On a rather serious side, do you need it for your studying, reviewing, reading, or taking down notes?

Not all of them are created with equal strengths. Some entry-level types will do well, not more than a repository of document and media files. Flagship ones, on the other hand, are powerful and will let you do most of the things in a much more efficient manner than when you do them on entry-level or mid-range desktops or laptops.

If you are buying because you want it to entertain, then basic types will do for it. It is a whole different story if you want it to make you more productive, depending on your profession – or if you are on a collegiate level, your concentration.

2. Be mindful of the screen resolution and size.

Gone are the days when size means display. What really measures the quality of the device's screen is its resolution. To go for gold, aim for a higher pixel density. The higher it is, the better is the visual quality. Images are more precise and eye-friendlier.

Resolution: 180-300 PPI

Standard: 200 PPI

Portability comes to mind too, when as far as the size of the tablet is concerned. And like the rest of the technological devices, its size varies too either because of function or – again – portability.

Size range: 8-13 inches

Standard: 9-11 inches

If you are the type of person who prefers things minimal and compact, you'd better put your bet on the smaller ones. This is very true when you can compromise on other things for the sake of lightness.

3. Battery life and charging time before the battery run out come in very handy

Battery life : 4-10 hours

Charging length is a tad variable depending on the wattage of the charger that you’re using. So, to simplify this, the charging range is the estimated time that the charger can fully charge the tablet.

The battery under the hood is another competitive area, giving a tablet an upper hand over its close competitors. The longer the time it can put up with being used, the better. It's no-easy feat, as it is only in the case of the most expensive models that they will last for more than eight hours on continuous use with moderate intensity.

Length of Charge: 1.5 – 3 hours

Please note that the length of the battery also changes. High-end ones might take a couple of hours to fill since they have more significant batteries. So it's pretty logical that you tie the speed that the tablet refills its energy by how long it can last without being on the power grid. To put things in perspective for you, an impressive build is one which can survive for over eight hours on a single charge of two hours. 

4. Accessories to Consider

Wireless keyboard  

Wireless mouse, Trackpads

Cases, stands, and screen protectors

Stylus  

Cords and Connectors

So you can get the most out of your device, you will surely be wanting to buy third-party or in-house accessories. As convenient as tablets are, by themselves, paying for an added premium to really milk the extra functionality that these devices offer is normally worth it. This especially comes into play when you factor in aspects like convenience and efficiency.

Take, for example, wireless keyboards that make it easier to type. On the other hand, Styluses will enable you to jot down notes, scribble, or even doodle like you will do on a notebook. Other connectors allow making a screen extension to other devices like LCD screens. If you would like to make the most out of your devices, accessories will play a huge role. The above is just a mention of some of them. There are more of them that you can explore. 5. Think about the design.

Now, let's come to the design, for it counts too. The greatest designs usually come at a hefty price tag. You can splash more if you'd like to get one that looks and feels premium. The amazing thing is, design is merely a representative of what's inside. So, whenever you think that 'this one looks expensive,' most of the time, it is because it has better specs and top-notch hardware.