Your Quick-Fire Guide to Finding the Right Tablet in 2019

Tablets are everywhere. As laptops lured users from their desktop ties, tablets are racing to replace laptops. Desktops and laptops still serve a purpose with mega storage and gaming capabilities. But you can’t beat tablets for their portability and convenience.

They are not standing still, competing with new features and attractions to get and keep your business.

The “right tablet”? Here’s your guide:

• Size: Tablets also compete with the most sophisticated smartphones, and sometimes it’s difficult to differentiate one from the other. Tablets come with larger screens, but buying beyond 8-inches puts you back in laptop territory.

Size does not guarantee top screen resolution, but it provides enough display area for most uses from office work to streaming movies or football games. Eight-inches offers a dynamic step-up from phone viewing even on the most sophisticated smartphone.

• Resolution:You want to stay within budget, but the market offers tablets with competitive screen resolution. The richer the resolution, the more vivid the display of photos, videos, and office documents. Time says, “The bottom line is that most tablets will be easier on the eyes, and thus, better for extended viewing.”

High resolution lets you stream HD (High Definition) images from daily news to NBA games. The latest tablets are packing larger resolution demands into smaller spaces, so you want to shop for a crisp, color-rich resolution.

• OS (Operating System): Apple iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems have tried to stake out market segments. Each has virtues, but there is little compatibility among the systems. So, your purchase is a commitment to one system and what it offers.

You must shop for the 8” tablet system that best supports the things you want to do. For instance, if you have an Apple laptop and their iPhone, you probably want an Apple-built tablet to assure your continuity.

• Connectivity: Most tablets come with Wi-Fi connectivity, and many feature Bluetooth technology. A few utilize your cell network, but you will pay for the service. Your choice depends on where you intend to use your tablet.

If you expect to use your tablet where they have wireless networks, all you need is Wi-Fi connectivity. If you travel a lot, you’ll need internet access with unpredictable support, for the best results you’ll need 4G service and a smartphone you can use as a hot spot.

• Life:Owners use their tablets heavily, and this makes memory and battery life important. People also tend to store high-volume folders of photos, music, and apps. Even if you offload much to the Cloud, you need healthy storage and memory on yours. So, you’ll want to shop for as much space as 64 GB with SD card expandability.

Heavy and frequent use also will consume your battery. You’ll need the longest battery life your budget can afford and carry a supplemental battery pack with you when you expect to be away from home for a while.

Shop for features within budget!

According to the IDC, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon remain the leading providers in a niche market that has seen a slight decline in sales as it levels out following its capture of much of the laptop market.

However, that has only encouraged innovation and competition among the leaders. You’ll see options with larger screens, detachable screens, manual and touchscreen keyboards, and other beneficial features. The best advice is to start with a budget with little flexibility and shop for features within the budget.