Since Apple’s launch of its first consumer-friendly tablet in 2010, the sector has spawned a slew of slate tablets from competing companies. Yep, the word “tablet” no longer simply refers to niche touch-enabled PC’s or drawing tablets. These days, they mostly refer to iPad-style devices with easy-to-learn interfaces for the average consumer.
Given how much the landscape has changed, the rules for tablet buying are now different as well. On that note, this article will mainly tackle consumer tablets such as Apple’s iPad and its competitors. Read on for a list of tablet tips you can chomp on.
THE BIG THREE
When picking a tablet, your decision pretty much rests on three factors: operating system, size and function. Depending on which of the three you consider more important, the rules for picking and choosing a tablet varies. Let’s take a closer look at each one to see where your needs and preferences lie, shall we?.
OPERATING SYSTEM
At this point, there are basically five main tablet operating systems for you to pick from. To minimize the potential grief I might get from fanboys for any perceived slight to their OS, I am listing them in alphabetical order (yeah, don’t hate the player, hate the alphabet system):
- Android (Google)
- BlackBerry Tablet (RIM)
- iOS (Apple)
- webOS (HP/Palm)
- Windows (Microsoft)
If you already have a preference among these five, then the decision gets a lot easier. But if you don’t, here’s a quick rundown for each one.
Android: Google’s open-source baby, this OS has the biggest potential for spreading given its adoption by a wide-range of electronics companies such as Motorola, Samsung and LG. Advantages of the Android OS include great compatibility with Google’s suite of services (or “solutions”) such as Gmail, Google Maps and Google Docs. It’s also a more open system that’s more tinker-friendly and has fewer restrictions. This is a good OS for hackers and tech-savvy folks who like to customize their interface or fiddle around with the OS. It’s also a good OS for non-tech savvy consumers who want an alternative to the iPad. Although the first Android tablets sported the regular Android smartphone OS, newer tablets started featuring the Android “Honeycomb” OS, which is specifically designed for tablets. Ice Cream Sandwich, meanwhile, removes the divide between smartphones and tablets. Note that some tablets like the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet use a skinned custom version of Android and aren't as open as regular Android.
Examples: Motorola Xoom, LG G-Slate, Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Kindle Fire, Nook Tablet
BlackBerry PlayBook: One of the newer operating systems, the BlackBerry Tablet OS got such a positive response that folks griped at Research In Motion for not making it available to replace their suddenly aged OS for their smartphones. Business users who already have adopted the BlackBerry system at work will get the most use out of this. Down sides include a smaller number of apps compared to Apple and Android but BlackBerry will be adding Android app compatibility to its OS. Delays of a promised OS update that adds e-mail and messaging sans the connection to a BlackBerry smartphone, however, have soured much of the good will from the PlayBook's launch.
Example: BlackBerry PlayBook
iOS: As the operating system for the current tablet king — the iPad — the popularity of Apple’s iOS is undeniable. It’s arguably the simplest and most easy-to-learn interface around. While more tech-savvy folks may not like that, average consumers and non-technically oriented folks like grandma and grandpa will. Folks who have already invested a lot of time and resources to their iTunes collection will also prefer the compatibility and convenience iOS provides. Then there’s Apple’s monster selection of apps. Down sides include a more closed system, also known as Apple’s infamous walled garden. Still, enterprising folks have managed to jailbreak this puppy.
Example: iPad and iPad 2, iPod Touch
webOS: Google’s Android Honeycomb tablet OS got plenty of raves when it first got unveiled. But did you know that its main designer also happened to be the main designer for webOS before he left Palm? Unfortunately, Palm’s financial woes really hampered webOS’ progress and Hewlett-Packard's wishy-washy support and eventual fire sale of the once-promising HP TouchPad since acquiring Palm did some serious damage to webOS' viability. Down sides include an unclear future and not as much developer support compared to OS's such as iOS and Android.
Example: HP TouchPad
Windows: Ah, the old gray lady. Some folks might say Windows on a tablet is bloated overkill. But for power users on the go, it’s still nice to have a full-fledged PC operating system to work with. The biggest upside is that it basically does everything a PC does. Downsides include a less simple interface, longer boot times and, typically, shorter battery life for the devices that use it. Windows 8, however, is slated to change that old Windows look and adopts the more modern and tablet friendly design of the Windows Phone OS.
Example: HP Slate, ExoPC Slate
FORM & FUNCTION
If you value features over a specific operating system, then there are several things for you to consider. Will you be using your tablet for business or pleasure? Are you primarily interested in games or movies? Are you interested more in a travel companion? Here’s a closer look at the potential needs you may have.
Apps: When it comes to having a diverse collection of apps specifically for tablets, Apple’s iOS is clearly ahead of the pack. Add the apps for smartphones, however, and Android starts looking like a viable option. In fact, Android accounted for 44 percent of mobile apps downloaded worldwide in Oct. 2011, eclipsing Apple's 31 percent, according to ABI Research.
Since we’re considering tablets of different sizes, including smaller ones like the iPod Touch, then I’ll look at all apps collectively. Apple’s tighter control of its app store makes its app environment feel more stable for consumers who desire a certain level of consistency. Android, however, is steadily closing the gap as Google starts to invest more resources into its app environment. It’s more open approach, while feeling a bit like a free-for-all feel at times, also results in some interesting apps such as video game emulators that don’t require you to jailbreak your phone. It also has a larger percentage of free apps compared to iOS.
Media: When it comes to playing digital music and movies, many of the high-profile tablets basically do a great job. Folks who have their media all set up via iTunes will likely prefer Apple’s tablets. Although the inability to play Flash remains a sticking point for the iPad, Apple’s online store and iTunes combo make it pretty easy to purchase regular movies. The arrival of the Kindle Fire, changes that equation, however, since Amazon offers a nicely curated store as well. Consumers of a more diverse range of media such as Japanese anime also will likely prefer something like Android. Google’s OS gives users more flexibility in playing stuff like MKV files without the need for converting the videos to a different format or jaibreak your device. There also are free Android apps that let you play MKV subtitles. A tablet that runs a full Windows OS, on the other hand, can pretty much play anything.
Business: For pure business use, a full Windows tablet provides the most features hands down. You’re basically taking a portable PC with you on the go. Of the consumer tablets, the BlackBerry PlayBook has the most potential as a business device, simply due to its compatibility with the BlackBerry environment, which is still widely used by business. The addition of native BlackBerry e-mail and messaging with the OS 2.0 update should make it more business-friendly as well.
Travel: Two factors are important when it comes to a travel tablet. One, of course, is how big it is.
As far as size goes, displays pretty much range from something as small as an an iPod Touch, a mid-ranger like the 7-inch Kindle Fire or BlackBerry PlayBook, and larger devices such as the iPad, Xoom and TouchPad. Anything below 7 inches is easy to carry around but the smaller screen also limits your view for things like e-book reading or Web browsing. Conversely, tablets that are 9.7 inches and larger offer the best real estate for reading, browsing and watching movies but are also a bit more challenging to lug around. The 7-inchers can be easily grasped with one hand and provide and excellent compromise between portability and ease of viewing. Regardless, make sure you test the sizes so you know which best works for you.
The other factor is battery life. Something like an iPad, for example, has a 10-hour battery life, which can last you a trans-ocean flight. -- By Jason Hidalgo
Tablet Recommends:
