10 tips for choosing a good tablet

The operating system is called utilities on the tablet. It depends on how ordinary applications will use the functions of the gadget, respond to user actions, load, etc. The most popular OS in our time are Android, Windows and iOS. Recently, tablets with two systems appeared at once: Android and Windows. IOS costs separately and does not interact with other OS.

The choice between the three systems depends on the purpose of buying a tablet, each has pros and cons:

1. Android devices are inexpensive devices with good performance and high-quality materials. Users have access to thousands of applications and games from the Android store. Such a tablet can be bought for home and work and set up opportunities for themselves. However, devices on Android are rarely updated, as a result, modern functions come late, many are generally not available.
2. Windows is considered the easiest to use, even a child can understand the settings. Many tablets are inexpensive, all scanners, printers and other equipment supports this OS. Knowledgeable people can customize Windows for themselves, the program code is open. However, the known problem of this OS is viruses. You will have to buy an antivirus, although it does not guarantee data security.
3. IOS is considered a premium system, it has unique features, design and applications. The manufacturer regularly releases updates and improvements, such a tablet will remain relevant in 2-3 years after purchase. However, the price for the device is too high. In addition, the iOS code is closed, changing the functions of the tablet will not work. The system is limited in data exchange with other users.

Manufacturers divide the tablets into categories, focusing on several characteristics, depending on the needs of the buyer:

1. For home and the Internet. The convenience of finding information on a tablet directly depends on its display. The larger the diagonal, the easier it will be to read the small print. Such a device is suitable for work, for example, for reading mail. Performance is not very important, the main thing - support for Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G. The operating system does not play a role, it is quite suitable inexpensive model.
2. For drawing and creativity. Here the operating system is of paramount importance. Windows has many applications for creative people (creating paintings, banners, logos, etc.). In this case, the tablet should be powerful enough to run Photoshop and other programs. IOS has its own applications for digital creativity, but not all extensions are supported (png, jpeg, etc.). Android is more powerful than Windows, but not so well optimized for graphic design and drawing.
3. For games and entertainment. The main thing here is a powerful processor and a large amount of RAM. Many games have high graphics requirements, and to see its beauty, the display should display colors well.An added bonus is a large battery that allows you to play longer than 4 hours.
4. For kids. Many inexpensive tablets have a child mode that will not allow a child to go to adult sites and download inappropriate applications. Such devices have a colorful interface and large buttons. Many models are able to "grow" with the children. Adding accessories and giving access to new sites, it is easy to maintain the interest of the child.

Most tablet buyers probably have heard of such manufacturers as Asus, Google, Apple, Acer and Samsung, which have popular models with a detailed description of features and specifications. However, almost all the devices of these firms are in the middle or high price range.

There are dozens of manufacturers of low-cost tablets, mainly from Asia. They release new models every day at a very attractive price. The difficulty of the choice is that it is not easy to sort out such firms, and the quality of products is unstable. It happens that one customer has a glitch device in a week, and another has been working for years.

The only thing that can protect the user is a good warranty. At least within a year, repair of factory breakdowns should be free, including delivery to the service center and back. Customer reviews can be one of the selection criteria, but it is not recommended to fully rely on them.

It has long been rumored that expensive and cheap tablets are being made at the same Chinese factories, and this is partly so. It will not be possible to assemble the device on the knee in the basement, so you can count on good software, high-quality image and fast response of programs. Prestigio, 3Q, Wexler and Irbis stand out among the low-cost manufacturers. They have not been releasing tablets for the first year and give a good guarantee.

Even those users who do not understand the characteristics of the tablet, notice the difference in the size of the display. There are 3 standard proportions in inches, on which not only the image quality, but also the cost depends:

1. 7-8 inches. Small and inexpensive tablets suitable for work or study, they are easy to throw in a briefcase or bag. From them it is convenient to read books, watch movies and listen to music. Despite its low cost, 7-8 inch tablets are made of quality materials and are able to run undemanding applications. They are suitable for children, weigh a little and keep the battery well. However, 7-8 inches is not enough for games, drawing and any kind of creativity.
2. 10 inches. Such screens are considered the best for the home. Despite the large diagonal, the tablet remains light and thin, it is convenient to hold it in your hands and leave it on the stand. Inside the device is placed a powerful battery and a good speaker system. However, many manufacturers do not add 3G and 4G modules, 10 inch is not suitable for outdoor use. And tablets with more functionality are much more expensive. Some buyers have noted the graininess of the image of inexpensive models, especially in Windows.
3. From 10 inches. Such devices are called tablet computers, the screen diagonal reaches 13 inches. Big gadgets have iOS and Windows, less often appear on Android. They are created for the work of creative people and games, are able to download any application, produce a bright picture and keep the battery. The price of the tablets is appropriate, it is inconvenient to take them with you.

Modern technologies will not save the tablet, which gives a poor-quality image. The final result depends on the type of matrix chosen by the manufacturer:

1. TN. This matrix has appeared long ago and is still present in inexpensive tablets. The technology is considered obsolete, since the viewing angle and color rendering are inferior to modern versions. The only advantage is the price, many Chinese manufacturers offer powerful processors for a low cost due to the average picture.
2. Ips. This matrix can be found in modern tablets of any price category.It offers rich colors, excellent color reproduction and a viewing angle of 180 degrees. There are several ways to choose a high-quality display with this matrix: check the image contrast, the picture should be matte, without gray and purple highlights.
3. Amoled. Unlike IPS, where the entire display area is highlighted, here each pixel gives its own color independently of the neighboring ones. Due to this, some colors are displayed more colorfully, especially the difference is visible in black. However, Amoled LEDs burn out faster, broken pixels appear. The display consumes more battery power to produce a better picture.

The power of the processor is one of the main characteristics of a high-quality tablet, since obsolete hardware does not allow you to quickly load programs, switch between browser tabs and squander movies. In other words, ease of use depends on it.

The most popular among manufacturers have become ARM processors under the license of Cortex. The first place among the companies that produce iron for tablets, is MediaTek. Understanding the speed of processors is easy, since the whole variety of models falls into 3 categories:

1. 2-core. The weakest processors that are able to show movies, open the browser and run 2D games. Two cores are enough to play HD and FullHD, higher quality will be buggy. It is not recommended to take less powerful processors (even at a low price), since they are very outdated and run very slowly, almost all applications run for several minutes.
2. 4-core. Faster processors that can simultaneously support the browser, movie player or music player and most 2D and 3D games. It is recommended to pay attention to the tablets with such a processor, if there is no need to run complex heavy programs.
3. 6-, 7-, 8-nuclear. The most powerful processors that are installed in expensive tablets. They are too strong for watching movies, photos and reading the Internet, most of the possibilities are revealed in 3D games and applications like Photoshop, which are demanding of characteristics.

Despite the number of cores, the final speed depends on the complete equipment of the tablet. Even a powerful processor will not help if there is not enough RAM and a small dim display.

RAM stores information on the tablet and issues it at the request of the user. If the volume is not enough, the gadget will begin to slow down and use internal resources. This leads to rapid wear of the tablet. The more applications and tabs the user is about to open, the larger the RAM should be. It is used when launching the messenger, games, player, social network. All tablets have about the same amount of memory:

1. 1 GB Now this value is a minimum below which it is impossible to fall. This is enough for a couple of simple applications to work. The tablet is suitable for home as an e-book or player. The cost of the device is very low, most often they are released on Android.
2. 2 GB. Standard RAM for many low-cost tablets. They are able to run applications in the background, keep 7-8 open tabs in the browser, show movies and pictures in Full HD format. Complex programs will open if you stop all other processes and wait for a long load. Best of all, iOS tablets do their job; there are decent options for Windows and Android.
3. 3 GB. Users call this memory the most comfortable. 3 gigs is enough to not think about the number of open applications. The main thing - the display with an extension of 2K, otherwise the picture does not have time for the system. There are delays, but rarely, mostly with big games.
4. From 4 GB. It is very rare for quite expensive devices. This volume is enough for any number of applications, movies and music. Speed ​​tablets will give odds to many stationary computers.

In inexpensive tablets the battery of 2000-2500 mAh is usually inserted.It can work up to 4 hours with a small load (listening to music, watching movies or pictures). If WiFi is turned on or the maximum brightness is set, the battery lasts for 60 minutes. This may be enough for a child, but is hardly suitable for work or travel. In addition, the operating time is gradually reduced, as all batteries wear out.

Modern tablets have batteries with a capacity of 4000 mAh. This is enough for 7-10 hours of battery life. In more expensive models the battery is 8000 mAh, it is able to hold a charge for 24 hours. For long trips it is recommended to pay attention to powerful batteries. Opening hours can be extended by not turning on WiFi and lowering the display brightness.

If the battery action interests the customer, it is also important to consider the processor model. Even in an inexpensive tablet, modern iron can stand, which quickly opens applications and requires less battery to work. Technological processes of 14 nm and 16 nm cope best with their task. The maximum value is 28 nm, others quickly spend a charge.

A simple way to determine battery capacity is to take a tablet in your hand. Batteries make up the main weight of the device, the more powerful they are, the heavier the model. A very lightweight, cheap tablet should be suspicious, for sure there is a small, weak battery inside. Many gadgets from Apple and expensive versions of Windows weigh from a kilogram. However, for a child, such a tablet is most likely not suitable, as the hands will quickly tire.

Most users, it is important that the tablet at any time you can access the Internet. To do this, the following modules are installed in the device:

• 3G;
• 4G;
• WiFi;
• Bluetooth

Cheap tablets work only with WiFi, they do not have slots for interaction with mobile networks. More expensive able to connect to 3G. Some find fourth-generation networks, and premium models work with any kind of Internet access.

When buying a tablet, it is important to check the LTE bands with which the device interacts. Many low-cost models understand the B3, B7, B20, B38 and B40. 4G cheap gadgets will not be able to identify.

The last thing you should pay attention to when accessing the Internet is how often the interface works. There are only two popular ones: 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. The second option is better if the tablet is used at home or in large shopping centers / offices. 5 GHz appeared first and is now very overloaded, it is more often interference. Now in this range illegal networks operate, especially often they appear in the regions.

The cost of the tablet depends on the additional features. We considered 4 main parameters that determine the price:

1. Ability to insert microSD. Any tablet has an internal memory for storing information, it is called permanent. It is loaded with the operating system, music, applications, documents and any user files. Memory can be expanded using microSD - a small card with a capacity from 1 GB to 64 GB. However, Apple does not make tablets with such slots, increasing the amount of stored information will not work. Devices on Android and Windows, almost all are friends with memory cards.
2. GPS navigation. Most modern tablets have a GPS function, but some still have a built-in radio module. This means that navigation will be only when there is access to the network.
3. Camera. There are not so many tablets on the market with a decent camera, even expensive options can not be compared in quality with smartphones. The most popular extension is 8 pixels, in cheaper models it is 5-6 pixels. Budget gadgets are not able to make high-quality photos at all, the images have a lot of noise and little sharpness.
4. The ability to connect a keyboard.This feature depends on the Bluetooth module and the availability of the USB port. The first does not require a wire, which is convenient when using the gadget away from home. However, Bluetooth increases power consumption and cannot guarantee a stable pairing. In other words, sometimes the keyboard will disconnect. For typing it is recommended to take the traditional version with a wire or any other mechanical connector.