8 Things to Consider When Buying a Tablet

There's more to think about than just the price and size. Figure out the features you need in a tablet before you buy

Tablets bridge the gap between laptop computers and smartphones in size and functionality. They're great for email, web browsing, and travel. Many people also use tablets as a portable gaming platform. These devices substitute for many laptop tasks when high performance isn't required. This guide looks at the key specs and features you should consider before buying a tablet.

8 Things to Consider When Buying a Tablet

With so much variation, it's hard to narrow down what's most important, but here are the main things to look at when shopping for tablets:

  • How much should you spend on a tablet?
  • What is the size and weight of the tablet?
  • What types of displays do tablets offer?
  • Which operating system (OS) is best?
  • What are the connectivity and networking options?
  • How long is the tablet's battery life?
  • What type of processors do tablets have?
  • How much storage space do you need?

How Much Should You Spend on a Tablet?

The old maxim “you get what you pay for” applies here. So, first, decide what you require out of a tablet, then see if you can afford it. If what you want is out of your price range, there are plenty of budget models.

Price Range What You Can Expect
<$100 Amazon Fire HD 8 (10th Generation), Amazon Fire 7, Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition, Amazon Kindle (2019), Lenovo Tab M8
$100-$300 Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition (2023), Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2019), Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021), Amazon Fire Max 11 (2023), VANKYO MatrixPad S10
$300-$500 Apple iPad Mini (2019), Microsoft Surface Go 2, Apple iPad (2020), Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Lenovo P11 Pro Gen 2
$500-600 Apple iPad Air (2020), Google Pixel Tablet
$600-800 Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+, Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
$800-$1000 Microsoft Surface Pro 7+, Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (2022)
$1000-$2000 Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022), Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022)
$2000+ Microsoft Surface Book 3 15-Inch

What Is the Size and Weight of the Tablet?

Tablets are designed to be mobile. Accordingly, you should consider the tablet size and weight. In some cases, you will be holding the tablet for long periods, so you don't want the device to be too cumbersome. The lighter, the better. Still, it should be durable enough to survive a drop.

The dimensions are also key measures, as the size determines how the device fits in your hands. For example, a top-heavy, wide tablet may be challenging to hold in portrait mode.

A woman is shopping for electronics and looking at a tablet.

97 / Getty Images

What Types of Displays Do Tablets Offer?

Since the tablet's display is also its main interface, it plays a vital role in your buying decision. Consider size, resolution, viewing angle, brightness, and coating. The size determines how big the tablet is. The screen's size and resolution determine how easy or difficult it is to read text.

The resolution matters if you watch Full HD (1080p) media on the device. A minimum of 720 lines (720p) is required in portrait orientation. Viewing angles are important when the device is viewed by more than one person or at odd angles.

Brightness is something to consider if the tablet will be used outdoors frequently. The brighter the screen, the easier it is to see when there is a lot of glare. Coatings should be durable so they won't show scratches and will be easy to clean.

Which Operating System (OS) Is Best?

The tablet market has more operating systems (OS) than the smartphone or laptop market. In addition to iOS and Android, there's Amazon Fire OS and Microsoft Windows.

Each OS has benefits and drawbacks. The key is to look at how you will use it to determine which OS best suits your needs.

  • Windows may be best if you want it to be like a traditional PC. Still, this may have issues.
  • Media watching and gaming are probably best served by iOS, though iPads tend to be pricier.
  • If you want a more open platform with better multitasking, Android might be the best choice.

Beyond the OS, you should also consider the types and number of applications available for each platform.

What Are the Connectivity and Networking Options?

As tablets are mobile devices, their ability to connect to the internet is critical. There are two types of connectivity found in tablets: Wi-Fi and cellular.

Wi-Fi is a default for all tablets. This is used to access the Wi-Fi network in your home and other places with wireless internet access. What matters here is which forms of Wi-Fi the tablet supports. Any tablet should support 802.11n. The best option is to support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands.

Cellular is a bit more complicated. You must consider carriers, coverage, contract rates, and whether it is compatible with cellular networks.

Bluetooth may be used for local peer-to-peer connections between tablets or for peripherals, such as a keyboard.

How Long Is the Tablet's Battery Life?

If you carry a tablet throughout the day, battery life is important. This spec is hard to judge for tablets as different applications can draw different power loads.

There are two standard methods for measuring battery life. The first is through consistent web browsing, while the other is based on watching videos. Video streaming tends to draw more power. If you multitask heavily or play games, expect battery life to be shorter than advertised. Good running time should be at least eight hours of web browsing or video playback.

What Type of Processors Do Tablets Have?

The processors used in tablets can vary. It has to do with how the processors in most tablets are designed and licensed. Most companies only list the clock speed and the number of cores. You often need to know more than this, as the chip architecture can have implications on the performance, battery life, and size of the tablet PC.

How Much Storage Space Do You Need?

While you may not carry around as much data on a tablet as you would on a laptop, the amount of space on the tablet is a significant feature to consider. All tablets use solid-state storage because of their low power draw, small size, and durability. The downside is the limited storage space.

Most tablets come with between 8 GB and 64 GB of space, which is small compared to laptops. If you only browse the web, stream videos, and read books, storage space isn't critical. If, on the other hand, you store high-definition movies or lots of games, consider getting a higher-capacity model. This way, you won't have to shuffle data between your devices.

Tablets with flash memory slots can expand their storage space. You can also supplement storage with cloud storage, but this is only accessible when the tablet is connected to the internet.

Who Should Buy a Tablet?

Tablets are a great alternative to laptops for kids or anyone who needs a portable device primarily for media consumption. If you spend a lot of time on the go, using a tablet to watch movies and play games is preferable to lugging a heavy laptop. Tablets also double as e-readers. People who could most benefit from a tablet include:

  • Casual gamers
  • International travelers
  • Avid readers
  • Bored kids or adults

Tablets can also be helpful for school and work, but most students and professionals will also need a computer for typing and running specific productivity software. If you want a lightweight alternative to a PC, consider a Chromebook.

What Should I Do After I Buy a Tablet?

You must connect your new tablet to a Wi-Fi network to set it up. Once that's taken care of, here are the next steps you should take:

  • Secure your tablet. Be sure to password-protect your device after setting it up.
  • Access your data. If you already use services like Google Drive or iCloud, you can connect to those accounts using mobile apps to access your saved files, photos, music, etc.
  • Connect to your computer. Transfer files between your computer and tablet via a USB cable. Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.
  • Buy tablet peripherals. Look for Bluetooth headphones, a screen protector, and a compatible stylus.
Was this page helpful?