Your tablet options and 5 things to know
There are plenty of compelling reasons that explain why you should buy a tablet. They're portable, they start up instantly, they're easy to use, and they feature an ever-expanding eco-system of apps, not to mention access to a world of entertainment.
If you want something for web browsing, email, and a spot of casual gaming, then you want a tablet.
Once you've decided to bag yourself a tablet you'll be wondering how to choose the right one. That's where this guide comes in.
We'll cut through the jargon and explain what to look out for, which specs count, and how much you can expect to spend. Pour yourself a coffee, get comfortable, and let us help you find your ideal tablet.
What types of tablet are there?
The tablet market has exploded over the last couple of years, but all of the choice out there can be broken down into three main categories - the larger 10-inch brigade, the 7-8 inch and the 'for kids' models.
12-inch tablets are starting to appear, but these are heavily aimed at the business market.
10 inch
Large tablets are ideal for use around the home. The extra screen real estate is great for watching movies, reading magazines, browsing the web. A 10-inch tablet with a keyboard accessory can realistically serve as a laptop replacement.
7 inch – 8 inch
If you want something to accompany you on your travels then you'll find small tablets are ideal. They can be held comfortably one-handed, and you can even slip one into a large pocket.
They're a great size for reading books, but the smaller screen and generally weaker speakers makes for a less satisfying movie watching experience.
Best tablet for kids
There are a few tablets out there aimed squarely at kids. They generally have a limited user interface that allows you to easily restrict content for suitability. They also tend to be a bit more rugged.
Unfortunately labelling a tablet as "for kids" can be an excuse to stitch together a bunch of disappointing specs in a brightly colored plastic frame. It's always worth considering buying a decent tablet and just installing the right apps and a sturdy case on your own - plus most allow you to lock down the OS to just the activities you think they should be looking at.
Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX even has a setting that lets you specify the amount of time spent on the tablet... good for both kids and adults who are getting slowly more addicted to staring at the screen.
If you're willing to invest the time you can often squeeze a bit more value for money from the DIY approach, and you'll have a tablet that the adults won't mind using when the kids are tucked up in bed.
Five key elements for buying a tablet
When you're thinking about buying a new tablet, the spec list can be daunting to some. Here are a few common areas of consternation, and our handy tips on what's right for you:
Resolution
The higher the resolution, the sharper your screen will be. The amount of time you'll spend staring at that screen justifies the extra expense.
If you're not really used to HD screens then economizing with a low resolution might be tempting. Just remember that it will impact on everything. Reading, watching movies and gaming, are all significantly nicer on higher resolutions screens.
Storage
The bumps in storage can be outrageously expensive at first glance. The truth is they still look expensive at second glance, but don't be too tempted to go for the lowest priced model.
If you short change yourself in the storage stakes you're in for a frustrating time. You need enough room for all your files, media, and apps.
The latest games can eat up huge swathes of space and cloud storage or other external solutions are still no substitute for internal storage.
Put simply: aim for at least 16GB of internal storage to be safe, even if you don't think you'll be downloading a lot of content. You'll thank us later.
If you can find a model with a microSD slot, all the better, as this is a great silo for photos, movies and other media that won't take up valuable space for apps.
Platform
We can't recommend that you consider BlackBerry, so you've got a choice of Android, iOS, or Windows as the platform on your tablet.
In the tablet world the iPad claims the most tablet-optimized, quality apps. Android has an extensive choice with a high proportion of free apps, but many are designed for phones, so they can't boast the same level of polish.
Microsoft offers full-fat Windows 8.1, which brings a consistency across devices and should appeal to business users, or the cut down Windows RT, which looks weak in terms of function next to Android and iOS, although neither have a particularly comprehensive apps library.
Wireless Connectivity
Do you go for Wi-Fi or cellular? If you're mainly using your tablet around the home then the extra expense of a cellular connection is not worth it.
You only need cellular if you know you'll be using your tablet to venture online somewhere you can't get access to Wi-Fi. Bear in mind that you'll need a data plan as well.
Processor and RAM
This will have a big impact on the speed of your tablet and its ability to handle multiple tasks. Generally speaking, the higher the processor speed and RAM the better. Quad core tablets perform better, dual core options are kinder to the battery.
It's not a direct relationship, because manufacturers like Apple are able to squeeze impressive performance out of ostensibly lower specs because of the system architecture, but it's a measure worth watching in the Android line-up.
You need to pay special attention to this if you want to play the latest graphically intensive games.
Cost, our recommendations and jargon explained
How much will I need to spend?
You'll find a few tablets for less than £100 now, but you'll realise why they're so cheap as soon as you lay hands on one. For really tight budgets, you can get a decent 7-inch Android tablet for less than £150, but we wouldn't recommend going below the Tesco Hudl at £120.
Spend around £200 and you'll get something really good in this size category: the 16GB Nexus 7. You'll need to spend at least £250 if you're after that Apple logo, and that'll only secure you the older version of the iPad mini. If you want the iPad mini 2 you'll have to pay at least £320.
In the larger tablet category you're going to have to spend over £200. If you want something really impressive then you'll spend closer to the £400 mark and if you need a lot of storage and cellular service then you could end up north of £600.
For example, the iPad Air starts at £399, but at the absolute top end, you'll find the 128GB version with 4G connectivity for £739. Alternatively you can check out something like the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet, which is the best the Android world has to offer right now.
What tablet does TechRadar recommend?
Our favorite all-round tablet right now is the iPad Air; it offers the complete package and should suit everyone. People on a budget will struggle to find anything better than the Nexus 7.
Here's a look at the top ten best tablets of 2014 comparison. If you can't find something tempting in amongst that lot, then we question your tablet desire. You'll find the cream of the current crop and all the details on why we chose them.
Alternatively, the small tablet market is really competitive and there are lots of great options for people on a budget. Our best cheap tablets roundup talks you through the main contenders.
What else should I consider?
Most people don't buy a tablet for the camera, but if it's important to you check the rear-facing camera specs for photos and the front-facing camera specs if you're interested in video calls.
Not all tablets were made equal. Some last a lot longer than others. If you don't want to be reaching for that charger all the time, do your homework on battery life.
You should also pay attention to the available ports and extra connectivity. Do you want to be able plug your tablet into your TV via HDMI?
Most tablets have a wireless streaming option, but you'll need to make sure that your TV supports it. Do you expect to find a microSD card? Will you need GPS so you can use your tablet for navigation?
Assume nothing, make a list of what you want and make sure your chosen tablet covers all the bases.
Tablet jargon explained
Operating System, OS, or Platform: refers to the software running on your tablet, so either Android, iOS, or Windows 8.
Resolution and PPI: resolution dictates how sharp the screen is as a measure of the pixels. Full high definition (HD) is 1920 x 1080 pixels, but size factors in too, so you'll often see PPI, which stands for pixels per inch. The higher it is, the sharper the screen will appear.
Processor, GPU or CPU: dictates the hardware that runs the system. The more powerful it is, the faster your tablet will be able to run.
Apps: software programs that run on your tablet, they can be anything from Twitter to Angry Birds.
RAM: Random Access Memory enables you to switch in and out of apps more quickly. The higher it is the better your tablet will handle multitasking.
Internal storage: how much room you have for files, apps and movies. It's always measured in GB and the higher the number is, the more room you'll have.
3G and 4G: every tablet has Wi-Fi for connecting to your home or work router and other hotspots. 3G and 4G is cellular network technology, like your phone uses, that enables you to connect to the Internet when you're not in range of Wi-Fi.
Aspect ratio: this determines your screen layout and it's generally 16:9, 16:10 or 4:3.
OK, I'm ready, let me at the reviews!
Consider yourself suitably armed for the quest ahead. Now it's time to enter the wonderful world of tablet reviews and find your perfect device.
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