Tablet buying tips

How to pick a new tablet

So you need a tablet, and you need it now. Maybe this is your first tablet or maybe you've already owned a few. Perhaps you are looking to replace your laptop, or maybe you're just looking for an extra screen to use when you're on the toilet or sitting on the couch. Whatever the reason, fear not. There are a lot of good options out there. Below is a quick (very quick) guide to help you navigate the basics of tablet purchasing.

Step 1: Figure out what your needs are

What do you need to do on this tablet? Are you hoping to watch movies? Store it in your purse? Type documents? Read articles? Use Photoshop? Does it need a keyboard? A stylus? A webcam? Much like smartphones and laptops, there are a ton of different-sized tablets on the market with a varying set of capabilities. Figure out what matters most to you and write it down. What you need your tablet to do will entirely determine what model you buy. Your decisions here will affect everything that is to come.

Step 2: Choose an operating system

There are two main tablet OS choices today: Android and iPad, though a third budget category is emerging.

Android 4.0: Developed by Google, Android is an open source operating system that is on the majority of new phones and tablets today outside of the iPad. Android has a robust apps and content market called Google Play and comes with a huge suite of services from Google including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, free turn-by-turn navigation (our favorite), YouTube, Google+, Chrome Browser, Google Wallet, and Google Talk. Basically, if you like Google services, Android is good option for you. Visually, it's a bit of a hybrid between the design of the iPad and older operating systems like Windows and Mac, though it's actually the same operating system that's running on new Android phones as well, so it's all new. Unfortunately, the selection of apps made to take advantage of tablets is lacking. 

iPad: The iPad runs on iOS. The iPad has more than 200,000 apps custom built for it and is currently the market leader in every way. It is the tablet to beat and unlike Android phones, which are doing quite well, Android tablets just haven't been able to compete with Apple's device. If you own other Apple devices or enjoy services like iTunes, the iPad may be a good option for you. If you don't, well, it may still be the best option for you. The third-generation iPad is currently the device to beat.

Budget tablets: There is a bourgeoning category of devices by e-reader manufacturers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The Nook Tablet and Kindle Fire are both small 7-inch devices that run heavily modified versions of Android, but do not give access to Google services, instead each offering their own app and content stores for things like books, magazines, music, movies, TV, games, apps, and other types of content. These are typically the cheapest tablets on the market at $200 to $300, due to their small size and limited feature set and processing power. If you have light ambitions for your tablet, this may be the way to go.

Step 3: Features you'll want in your tablet

When you get down to choosing your tablet, there is no shortage of choices, but you cannot trust store employees to know what they're talking about. Here are some features that you should look for in your next tablet. 

Screen size: There are a wide variety of sizes for tablets, from 7 inches all the way up to 13 inches. The iPad and Asus Transformer are both 10-inch tablets while devices like the Kindle Fire are 7 inches. Our favorite devices use 8- to 9-inch screens like the Motorola Xyboard 8.2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 and 8.9. Everyone is different, but to us, 7 inches is a bit too small to not really be just a bigger smartphone, and 10 inches can be a bit uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. Try a few out though. The choice is yours.

HD screen: If you can find a Super AMOLED screen, those are preferable, but LCD will work as well. Pay close attention to the resolution (you want at least 1280 x 800 pixels for a great experience). If you have the money, tablets with 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) or higher resolution are the best. 

Dual-core processor: We recommend a tablet with at least a dual-core processor, as those with a single-core CPU typically can't keep up when you start multitasking or use demanding apps (like Netflix). If you have the option, or want to play games, kick it up a notch and go with quad-core tablets based on Nvidia's Tegra 3 (like the Asus Transformer Prime). The more horsepower your tablet has now, the longer it will last before it gets outdated and won’t run the most modern apps.

Wi-Fi only: If you can afford the premium for a 3G or 4G LTE connection and the monthly data bill to a wireless carrier, then, by all means, purchase a tablet with a data connection (we recommend 4G). If you need to use your tablet outside of your home a lot, there's a good reason right there. However, for the rest of you, opting for a Wi-Fi only model will save you a lot of money. You'll just have to find a Wi-Fi hotspot when you're outside of your house. (Not really a problem.)

Upgrades: If you're buying an Android tablet, you want one with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or a clear date when an upgrade will arrive. If you're buying an iPad, make sure it's at least a second-generation model (if it doesn't have a camera, steer clear). Unlike phones, tablets tend to get upgrades, so make sure your new tablet is at least on the current operating system when you buy it. 

Battery life: Ask about this or look it up. The difference between a tablet with great battery life and a tablet with poor battery life is night and day. The iPad gets 10 hours of battery life, so that is the benchmark you're looking for in any other device. Remember that battery life gets worse with use. If your tablet cannot hold a charge for a few days when you buy it, it's going to be much worse in a year. 

Ports: Unlike a phone, your tablet is going to be a bigger part of your life. The more ports and ways to connect it has, the better. Make sure it has Bluetooth, an SD card slot (or microSD), and USB (or micro USB), HDMI (or micro HDMI) is nice as well. 

Webcam: Only you know if a rear camera is important to you. If it is, you'll probably want to get an iPad. We only recommend that you make sure it has a webcam. You never know when Grandma will learn how to Skype.

Keyboard: The Asus Transformers are the hottest Android tablets out there, partially because they allow you to dock your tablet into a keyboard that doubles battery life and lets you type more easily. If typing is something you plan to do, then make sure the tablet you choose has a good option for an external keyboard. Few do.

Step 4: Enjoy!