Best Tablets

Apple, Microsoft or Android tablet?

The first thing you need to consider is which brand ecosystem you want to tie yourself to. This is because they each contain unique operating systems (OS) that contains different apps and cloud services, often not interchangeable between platforms.

In terms of the different app stores, Android uses Google Play, Apple uses iTunes and Microsoft uses Windows. Having compatible operating systems across your devices leads to a much more convenient experience for the user rather than buying devices with different OS. Otherwise, you’d have to purchase the same apps, songs and books on each device.

Google Play has the highest amount of apps with 3.4 million as opposed to Apple’s 2.2 million, followed by Window’s 669 thousand apps.

Both the iTunes store and Google Play store sell music, movies, TV shows and apps, however, the iTunes store also sells audiobooks, podcast and music videos.

Google Play distinguishes itself from the iTunes store by offering ebooks, magazine subscriptions, web feeds and more. It also offers Google-branded gear and accessories such as Nexus, Chromebooks, Chromecast and other Google-branded gadgets. Google Play Books is the world's largest eBookstore with over 5 million volumes while the Play Newsstand has about 1,900 free and paid publications.

On Windows 10 devices, you can purchase apps, music and movies through the Windows Store as well as other app stores. Certain software titles may be exclusively available via the Windows Store, however.

What is the best tablet to buy?

Those looking to buy a tablet tend to fall into one of the following categories, and each will require a different tablet to tackle different functions.

• Casual Users: Children and those who are less techy.
• Mid-range users: Students or remote workers for notetaking and reporting purposes.
• Heavy-duty users: Content creators, graphic designers, gamers and techies.

Casual users

If you’re a casual user or you’re purchasing a tablet for a casual user, choosing a table with a friendly user interface is the most important thing. One of the easiest to use operating system is the iPad’s iOS. It comes with handy pre-installed apps and easy-to-learn shortcuts.

Depending on the intended use, for instance, scrolling through social media and streaming videos and movies, you may want to opt for a small-medium sized tablet with enough memory storage to download any movies and songs.

Mid-range users

Those who study or have office jobs naturally need to surf the web more often and require apps in order to do research and complete reports. Tablets like the Samsung Galaxy or Lenovo Yoga pad provide easy Google Drive integration, providing easier access to the necessary apps across devices.

Heavy-duty users

Heavy-duty users including those who do photo or video editing, graphic design and heavy gaming will want to opt for a high-end tablet such as the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 or Apple iPad Pro. They will contain onboard graphics processing units to run graphic-intensive applications.

The iPad is at the top of the list in terms of popularity due to its sleek design, iCloud features and easy user interface. However, Windows is the most powerful in terms of functionality and cross-device compatibility. Android’s Google Play offers the most apps along with great functionality and affordability compared to the other two brands.

What to look for

Screen size

Tablet measurements are given in inches and refer to the size of the screen (measured diagonally from corner to corner). They tend to fall into three sizes:

• Compact (5-8 inches)
• Medium (8-11 inches)
• Large (11+ inches)

Each size comes with its pros and cons. A compact tablet is portable, lighter and easier to carry and cheaper. Travellers and light users may benefit from a tablet such as the iPad mini or 7-inch Amazon Fire.

Tablets that are medium in size can be excellent for those who use productivity programmes, games and movie downloading. Tablets in the 10-inch category, such as the iPad Air 2, strike an excellent balance between portability and productivity.

Larger tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy View or the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, are less portable, but they can serve as an excellent laptop substitute. Notebook-tablet hybrids often have screen sizes ranging from 11 to 13 inches, but may not be suitable for those who want something cheap and lightweight.

Screen display resolution

The resolution of a screen display is measured in pixels per inch (PPI), and the greater the resolution, the sharper the text and graphics will seem. They range in resolution from 1,024 x 600 pixels to 2,560 x 1,700 pixels. Higher-resolution screens demand quicker CPUs to operate extra pixels which consume more power and reduce the device's battery life.

Storage space

Most tablets vary in capacity from 8GB to 1TB. How much space you'll need depends on how you intend to use the tablet. All tablets can handle tasks such as checking emails, browsing the web and streaming videos over the internet since that doesn’t require downloading.

However, if you’re known for your array of music, photos, videos and apps, you’ll require a larger storage capacity. Light users can get away with 16GB, but for most people, 32GB is a comfortable storage size to handle music and games.

Unlike most tablets from Microsoft and Google, Apple tablets cannot be upgraded using an expandable microSD card. To make up for this, Apple’s iPad Pro offers a whopping 1TB of storage. There are also wireless storage solutions for tablets without hardware connections, like the iPad, which offers extra storage through the iCloud.

If your tablet does have external connections like an SD card or USB slot, then you can get away with less storage internally. Expandable storage can be added via a memory card, USB flash drive or even an external hard drive.

Online access

Tablets tend to come in a WiFi-only model or with a mobile broadband plan for 4G data which will cost extra. Many of the newest tablets are capable of 5G network compatibility. You can also use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot which is available on most recent models.

Battery life

Because of the ultra-portability of tablets, battery life is a critical feature to consider. Ideally, they should be able to last a full day of normal use before needing to be recharged.

Value for money

Prices for tablets range from below $150 to more than $2,000 depending on the size, capacity and connectivity features.

There are many different types of tablets on the market today, each catering to a different demographic and price range. There are low-cost tablets that can perform all of the functions of a laptop, making them ideal for students and professionals. Even tablets on the lower end of the price scale are capable of light to medium-heavy computing tasks and cost up to $399.

At the same time, pro-grade tablets for digital designers and engineers are available for upwards of $1,000. They are more powerful devices with top-of-the-line processors, ample storage and memory, and support for a stylus and a smart keyboard.

Camera quality

Front and rear cameras on tablets can range from 5-12 MP and may be important if you’ll be using it as your main source of capturing memories.

Colour/finish

The look and feel of your tablet can be an important factor to consider when choosing one. Tablets tend to come in a variety of colours and finishes including silver, grey, black, gold, blue and more.

Features to consider

Additional features you should keep in mind when shopping for your perfect tablet include stereo speakers, a stylus, a 3.5mm headphone jack, wireless charging and waterproof features.

Convertible tablets

Convertible devices attempt to combine the power of a PC with the portability of a tablet. These 2-in-1 devices either have a detachable keyboard or are essentially a full-size laptop with a touch screen. They tend to be in the higher price ranges as a result of this adaptability.

Tablets for children

When buying a tablet for a child, consider the size, price, durability and whether it has parental-control features. A 7-inch tablet is the most comfortable size for small hands, and given the risk of a broken tablet, you'll want to stay on the low end of the price spectrum — spending no more than $200. With rubber bumpers, a compact size, parental controls and a kid-friendly interface, the $99 Fire Kids Edition is a good choice. It also comes with a 2 year warranty in the case of any accidental damage.

You can read reviews on the best tablets on the market on our website today to help you make up your mind.