Buyers Guide: Tablet Computer

Tablet computers are the craze nowadays. They are compact, light, and easy to use; they have cool touch-screen features and are generally more affordable than their full laptop counterparts.

Types

There are three main types of tablet computers available in the market: convertible, slate, and rugged.

Convertible-type tablet computers closely resemble notebook computers. The big difference is that their screen swivels, or flips to 180 degrees, and can be laid flat to rest on the keyboard.

Slate-type tablet computers are the more popular type of tablets. The best-selling iPad and Galaxy tablets belong to this type. They don't have a physical keyboard, although one can be bought as an accessory and connected to the tablet via USB. Because of their compactness - due largely to the omission of the keyboard - slate-type tablets are easier to carry around and use on the go than laptops, netbooks, and convertible-type tablet computers. Prices can be as low as below $100. The iPad2 sells at around $600.

Rugged-type tablet computers look like regular slate tablets but are designed to be more rugged. These tablets can be used in places where your regular tablets - or any other gadgets, for that matter - dare not to go. These rugged tablets are usually used in mining areas, construction sites, ambulances, etc. Prices can be as high as $6,000.

What to look for

• Operating system. Each operating system (OS) has its own advantages and disadvantages, but the one thing that will most greatly affect how easily you use it is your own familiarity with its user interface. While a huge bulk of the tablets shipped worldwide [ARD8]run on the iOS (the iPad OS), there are also the Google-made Android, Blackberry, Windows, webOS, and eReaders operating systems; generally, they are packaged right along with the unit that you choose.
• Size. Tablet sizes range from slightly-bigger-than-a-PDA to almost-as-big-as-a-laptop. The smaller kinds will satisfy your obsession for small-but-powerful gadgets, but they can be less easy to navigate, and those tiny touch screens mean you are a slave to your stylus. The bigger ones are a bit less portable - they certainly cannot fit into a regular pocket or clutch bag - but they can be used without a stylus, and they are useful for conducting tabletop presentations as well.
• Battery life. How long will it take before your tablet's battery dies on you? Four hours? Twelve? While many of us are used to using our laptops with the power supply attached, nobody does the same thing with tablets, so you want one with batteries that really last a long time.
• Connectivity. Does your tablet have Wi-Fi connectivity, so that you can make use of the free Wi-Fi available practically everywhere these days? Does it have infrared so that you can send your phone images to it wirelessly? Does it support Bluetooth devices? Sometimes, Wi-Fi connectivity is all you need; determine how much and what type of connectivity you need before you choose your gadget.
• Processor speed. As in all things today, the name of the game is speed. The speed of your processor will determine how fast your applications will run. You definitely do not want to wait two seconds for your tablet to respond every time you press on an icon. Newer models normally offer 1 GHz speed.
• Memory. The thing that makes tablets fun and useful are the apps, songs, movies, books, business files, and games they hold within. Given that some models only have 512 MB capacity, expandable memory slots are a must.

Other features

• Weight. While size preferences may vary, we all want the lightest device possible. If you use your tablet a lot, you will find that a few grams can make a difference in how long you can carry and use your device without your arm muscles getting tired.
• 3G support. While this is not a staple in all models, you might want to get a table with 3G connectivity so that you can stay in touch with the rest of the world even when you're not in a Wi-Fi spot.

Summary

• Tablet computers come in three main types: convertible, slate, and rugged.
• Convertible tablets feature a keyboard, just like regular laptops, but they feature touch screens that can be swiveled and laid face up on the keyboard.
• Slate tablets are thin and light devices that don't have a keyboard but rely solely on its touch screen instead for input.
• Rugged tablets look like slate tablets but have greater resistance to impact, moisture, heat, etc.
• Choose a tablet with an OS you are comfortable with.
• Small tablets can be inconspicuously carried anywhere. Larger tablets can be used to conduct tabletop presentations.
• Check how long the tablet's battery lasts, how fast its processor is, how much its memory will hold, and what modes of connectivity it has (Wi-Fi, infrared, Bluetooth, 3G).