How Do I choose the Best Tablet to Buy in 2023

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Over the years, sales of tablet computers have overtaken sales of laptops, the former kings of portable computing. They are designed to handle common tasks like web browsing, reading eBooks, playing music and video games, and video calling with ease. They are lightweight, easy to use and also highly portable.

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There is a lot of hype around the different models and brands available. So how do you make sure you buy the right tablet for your needs? Before buying a tablet, knowing what features you want can save you money in the long run. Important: Branded or plain links without anchor text are our preference.

When choosing the best tablet to buy in 2023, consider the following factors:

Operating system: Decide whether you want an iPad (iOS), Android, or Windows tablet. Each OS has its own set of features and apps.
Screen size and resolution: Consider the size and resolution of the screen, as this will affect the overall viewing experience.
Hardware: Look for a tablet with at least 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Also, consider the processor, as a faster one will provide a better overall performance.
Battery life: Check the battery life of the tablet and make sure it can last for at least 8 hours of continuous use.
Camera: If you plan to take photos or videos with the tablet, make sure it has a good quality camera.
Connectivity: Check if the tablet has Wi-Fi, cellular connectivity and USB ports, and consider whether you need these features.
Price: Determine your budget and look for a tablet that offers the best value for your money.

Is a tablet right for you?

You can skip this section if you already have your heart set on a tablet. If not, you should know that there are other alternatives that look like pills:

Ultrabook’s: These are highly portable, affordable, and designed to last a long time on a single charge. However, they have most of the speed and features of a full-size laptop.
E-Reader: If you primarily read on your tablet, a Kindle eReader or Kobo may be an option for you.
A tablet that converts: Also known as a “two-in-one” or “hybrid laptop.” By using a keyboard that can be removed or removed, it combines the functionality of a laptop with the ease of use and adaptability of a touchscreen tablet.

How do I choose the best tablet to buy in 2023?

Android, Apple, or Microsoft?

The content ecosystem you’re connected to – Google Play for Android, iTunes for Apple, or Windows for Microsoft – is affected by the operating system. While they may all have some apps that are similar, they are not interchangeable between platforms and their respective app stores. So, for the same app to work on Windows, Apple, or Android devices, you may need to purchase it three times.

The Macintosh’s iOS Mac application store has more than 1,000,000 applications, almost all of which have iPad-specific variants.
Android, the operating system developed by Google, is compatible with a wide variety of tablets made by different manufacturers. As a result, you now have access to a wider variety of hardware and apps.
Most Microsoft tablets and two-in-ones come with a full Windows 10 environment, making it easy to use existing Windows applications. You can also use a smaller version-in Windows 10 S Mode-and upgrade to the full version just once.

What to look for in screen size

As with workstations, screen sizes on tablets are measured from corner to corner and are usually reported in inches. There are generally three types of tablets: medium (11 inches by 8 inches), large (over 11 inches) and compact (8 inches by 5 inches).

A compact tablet is usually cheap, lightweight, portable and easy to carry.
Mid- or large-sized tablets have a large screen area, making them ideal for web browsing, games, and productivity apps.

Screen resolution

The sharpness of text and images is reflected in the display resolution, which is measured in pixels per inch (PPI). Display sizes typically range from 1024 x 600 pixels to 2560 x 1700 pixels. To manipulate all those extra pixels, higher-resolution screens require faster processors and use more power, reducing the device’s battery life.

Storage space

Most tablets have capacities ranging from 16GB to 128GB. Depending on how you plan to use the tablet, you’ll need a specific place. Because not much information actually needs to be stored on the tablet itself, all tablets are fine for general use such as checking email, browsing the web, and streaming video and other content on the Internet.

Unlike the majority of Microsoft and Google tablets, the Apple iPad cannot use an expandable microSD card to expand its storage capacity.

In the event that you want to carry your music, recordings, and many applications with you, nevertheless, capacity limit will be an important consideration on a tablet. For light use, 16GB might be enough, but remember that the tablet’s working framework and core applications will take up a decent chunk of that space before you can put your stuff on it. When you consider that many games can now exceed 1GB in size, 32GB is becoming the starting point for many.

Tip: You can get away with having less internal storage if your tablet has external connections like an SD card slot or USB slot, as most Android and Windows tablets do. Memory cards, USB flash drives, and even external hard drives are all options for adding additional storage. For tablets that don’t require a hardware connection, such as the iPad, there are also wireless storage devices.

Online access

Wi-Fi is already included in most tablets, and many offer a data version with 3G or 4G mobile broadband, but that requires a different plan. A tablet that uses Wi-Fi is another option. They can be used over a Wi-Fi connection, as the name suggests, but they can also use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot (on the latest models). However, if your phone plan only covers 3G, a 4G tablet with its own plan may be worth it.

Hardware connection

Most tablets use a combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and apps for storage and transfer, while for PCs and laptops the connection is critical. Although some devices can be connected wirelessly through specially designed devices or through an adapter to the tablet’s dock port, Apple tablets lack a hardware connection. Android tablets typically have a USB port, HDMI output, or a memory card slot for additional storage, offering a wide variety of hardware connections.

Battery life

The tablet’s ultraportability makes battery life important. They should last a full day of normal use before needing to be recharged.

Processing Speed (GHz)

Your tablet’s processing speed, measured in gigahertz (GHz), is not as important when choosing a tablet as it is when choosing a desktop or laptop computer. This is due to the limited number of processor options. Despite the fact that each generation of iPad models uses the same processor, it is extremely difficult to compare speeds between models due to the different processors used in Android-based tablets.

Have you considered a convertible?

If you want to work on the go, obviously your first option is a tablet or laptop. However, convertible laptops are a third option that promises the best of both worlds. This versatile combo computer, also called a two-in-one or hybrid laptop, looks like a laptop but quickly transforms into a touchscreen tablet without a keyboard.

But is a dual-function computer better? Is it a “jack of all trades, master of none” or do you get the best of both worlds? The tablet has one notable advantage: it can be used to view photos in portrait mode, which is especially useful for reading magazines and books. Additionally, they are typically the lightest and thinnest mobile computing solutions.

A laptop can only be used in landscape mode, but they are usually more powerful, can run all your desktop applications, and their only advantage is that they have a built-in hardware keyboard. And equipped with a trackpad.

All these features and the ability to quickly switch between tablet and laptop modes should be included in a portable convertible laptop.

Cost Depending on size, capacity, and connectivity options, a tablet can cost anywhere from $150 to more than $2000. The convertibles we tested cost between $500 and $1,700.