How to buy a tablet device 2011
Tablets are the newest form factor in computing, and many people would love to own one to compliment their smartphone and laptop. But which tablet should you buy at this point in time?
Tablets fit snugly in between smartphones and laptops, being a more stylish, portable, and useful version of the humble netbook. They provide the best of both worlds: Large enough to work on, play on, and host digital content such as movies, but small enough to be completely portable and carried with you wherever you go.
There are a few options open to you, with two main contenders vying for your attention this year. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find a full range of tablets to suit all needs and all budgets.
Apple iPad
The chances are you’ve heard of the iPad. It’s likely to be the reason you’re seriously contemplating buying a tablet. There were tablets before the iPad came along, but they were a different beast and not all that usable.
Apple changed the form factor and potentially the whole field of personal computing when the original iPad was released in April 2010. We’ve since had the only-slightly-improved iPad 2. And an iPad 3 – slightly improved again if Apple follows its usual path – is likely to be released in 2012.
The iPad 2 has a 9.7-inch touchscreen, a dual-core 1GHZ Apple A5 processor, 512MB of RAM, a battery life of around 10 hours (playing video), and cameras front and rear. There are 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB versions available, each of which comes with just Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and 3G. The current version of the operating system is IOS 5.
Buying the iPad would be buying the market leader (by a long way), buying hardware with a guaranteed quality, and in iOS 5 an amazing operating system built with mobile devices in mind. At the time of writing prices start at $499.
Amazon Kindle Fire
The Kindle Fire is the new kid on the block. And thanks to the host of Amazon services it ships with and an unbelievably low price, it’s a big player in a small package.
Released on Nov. 15, and currently available only in the U.S., the Kindle Fire is a tablet on a mission: to host digital content; be it movies, TV shows, music, books, or games. And Amazon is hoping you’ll buy the majority of this content from its online store. There are rumors of a larger, more powerful Kindle Fire on the way but nothing has yet been confirmed.
The Kindle Fire has a 7-inch touchscreen, a dual-core 1GHZ TI OMAP 4 processor, 512MB of RAM, and a battery life of around 8 hours. The Kindle Fire is Wi-Fi-only, has 8GB of storage, and comes with a heavily-customized version of Android 2.3. It’s unclear whether this will be upgradeable.
Buying the Kindle Fire would be buying into Amazon in a big way, with the Android tablet existing mainly to sell Amazon products and services. But it has other uses (including Web Access via the Silk browser) and may prove to be serious competition to the iPad in years to come. At the time of writing prices start at $199.
Alternatives
There are a host of other tablets out there, the vast majority currently powered by Google Android. They range from cheap and cheerful tablets for those on a very tight budget to those which compete with the iPad for features and usability but which cost the same or even more than the iPad.
Cheap Android tablets invariably offer resistive rather than multi-touch capacitive screens, no or very poor cameras, slow processors, and a lack of memory. These elements will seriously limit your enjoyment of using the product, especially when comparing to an iPad. But if you have little money and a serious desire for a tablet they may fill that void in your life. Just be sure to do your homework rather than going for the cheapest option.
There are decent Android tablets out there other than the Kindle Fire, but they don’t come cheap. Recommendations include the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, the Motorola Xoom, and the HTC Flyer. All offer strong hardware coupled with great design, and UIs to rival iOS.
A quick mention for Windows tablets. Although there are none (past the old-style Tablet PCs) available to buy at present, they will be turning up from next year, powered by the new Windows 8 operating system. I wouldn’t advise waiting, unless you’re after a tablet which runs more like a full PC than a cross between a netbook and a smartphone.
Conclusions
The tablet market is currently the Apple iPad followed by everything else. That is just a fact. The Amazon Kindle Fire offers something new, different, and highly affordable, but to compare it to the iPad isn’t fair. These are difference beasts aimed at consumers with different needs and wants from their mobile devices.
Just like smartphones there is no better way to see what tablet is best for you than testing each out for yourself. You can do that with the iPad and the Android tablets in shops, but the Kindle Fire remains, for the time being, an unknown quantity. Buying one before any reviews have even been written would be a gamble.
The iPad it is then, as much as I hate to say it. But in 2012 things may well change, with the iPad 3, a new Kindle Fire, and the first Windows 8 tablets all due to be released.
October 15th, 2011
Tablets as popular as they appear will remain a secondary device to a netbook or laptop for many. The ability to compose a real letter, do a spreadsheet, power point slide and an array of other functions still require a keyboard and other attributes at best awkward on a tablet.
Apple made the device attractive but it remains an attractive gadget that most could live without. The laptop and phone will continue to be an essential modern day device and if you decide to make the leap of reading a book electronically the very inexpensive Kindle cannot be beat.
October 16th, 2011
I have a Kindle for reading purposes and love it, but when it comes to me having to type anything I prefer to have a keyboard. I still haven’t gotten onboard with touch screens and I don’t think I ever will. As much as the tablets look so appealing; I think the laptop and netbook will always be around. If I had to choose a tablet I would probably pick the iPad since it can do so much.
October 29th, 2011
LOL the ipad and kindle will be flops in a couple years. Get a true android, like a xoom or transformer, or any one of the hundreds that will come out in 2012.
December 6th, 2011
Thanks for the information. I love the aplication and the quality of ipad. but the price we have to pay for it is really high.
December 6th, 2011
yeah…Tablet device has really given the major impact in our lives.And seems that life is incomplete without it…This blog really guides me to choose the right one…But i think I prefer Apple ipad…
February 20th, 2012
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March 17th, 2012
Nice tips, The IPAD is still the best with the latest release
May 8th, 2012
GOOD tips.i like the IPAD.
May 27th, 2012
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June 6th, 2012
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July 17th, 2012
The Kindle Fire can be converted to a tablet and it uses the Android 4.1 OS. I had mine converted for 45 dolllars and I love using it as a full blown tablet.
Peace
August 31st, 2012
I’m also preferred Apple ipad at all. I love the exclusive design of it. Anyway, this is really nice blog to help me choose the right one.
September 7th, 2012
I’m going to buy the latest ipad next month. Your tips and information really help me. Thank you..
November 6th, 2012
Hmm~
This information is really useful if I feel like I wanna buy a new ipad..
November 7th, 2012
Which one is better? The new iPad or iPad mini?
November 13th, 2012
Thank you. Your information is really helpful for me.
November 13th, 2012
Thank you for the information. iPad is the best tablet in the world. And i wanna know, any special feature for iPad mini?
November 14th, 2012
Thank you for the information. I think nowadays, at this time, tablet is very popular. Because when we use tablet. We can take anywhere when we go and more easy than laptop. This blog very help me to choose what i want to buy. Maybe i will prefer to buy ipad.
November 15th, 2012
thankyou for give me some review about what best to choose a tablet. Although it isn’t fair to compare ipad with kindle fire but i preferably will choose ipad beacause of its’ well knowing quality.
November 15th, 2012
As we know the tablet is really pretty famous now, and I think this information will help us to choose Ipad that we like.
November 16th, 2012
Nowadays, tablet seems to be popular gadget in our society. By reading this blog, its help others to know more about it.
November 16th, 2012
I’d like the pink one.
November 16th, 2012
Thanks for the information. this really helpful. from there i can know so many information about all the tablets device.
November 17th, 2012
This information is really useful because nowsaday tablets is very important for everyone. Because they can do everything with tablets.
November 17th, 2012
Nice post..:D
November 18th, 2012
Nice post.. Because from here i can know so many information of table, ipad, and the other gadget..
November 18th, 2012
thank you for your important information and some reviews about tablet and the device. this is really helpful for me.
November 19th, 2012
Thank you for the review. It’s true that Ipad have many ‘plus point’ compared to other tablets, but that’s if we really have a specific reason to use it. Why do I say this? Because I’ve seen people around me who use Ipad, but it seem like they only carry it for style and just following trend. I think that’s quite unnecessary.
November 19th, 2012
Great information. Tablets device is my life.
November 20th, 2012
I can’t agree more to this post. I have iPad 2 and as you said, all other brands seemed to be just following Apple’s iPad. Although iPad is the most expensive amongst all, but the device itself offers a user friendly tablet and has the best and fastest internet speed – which is the main reason people using tablet – and my friend ever bought a cheap Android tablet, but it’s too cruel to compare it to iPad,although the price is just as low as 1/5 of iPad but if I was him, I wouldn’t buy it, i better save some many again to buy iPad, the money value one.
November 20th, 2012
Thanks for the information, iPad is very popular. We can take anywhere when we go and more easy than laptop.
Good Job !
November 21st, 2012
Apple is my favorite gadget all over the year. Hope it can be the innovator.
November 21st, 2012
Great
I love apple a lot
it’s quite expensive but the quality is the best overall
November 21st, 2012
Great
I love apple a lot
it’s quite expensive but the quality is the best overall
November 22nd, 2012
Thanks for the information, i love Ipad very much.
November 22nd, 2012
Thanks a lot for your info.
November 22nd, 2012
I’m waiting for Windows 8 tablet, i think i’ll be nice
November 22nd, 2012
Wow fabulous, that’s amazing
November 23rd, 2012
How about posting a new tips on buying a new gadget in 2012… I would like to read the next gadget article from you
November 23rd, 2012
Windows 8 is great anyway…
November 23rd, 2012
Awesome!! Waiting for Windows 8!!
November 23rd, 2012
thank your for the information
i love apple a lot and Windows 8 is great anyway
November 23rd, 2012
i’d like the black one
November 23rd, 2012
thx for the information..i love ipad too
November 23rd, 2012
thanks for the information..
i like the red one.
waiting for new ipad..
November 24th, 2012
Thanks for your information…I like apple so much.
In here,We can know more information about it.
November 24th, 2012
I’d like the pink one.
November 24th, 2012
Really love all apple product. Great!
November 25th, 2012
Nice tips, Thank you. Your information is really helpful.
November 25th, 2012
Nice tips, Thank you. Your information is really helpful.
November 25th, 2012
Thanks for your information. Its really help me too choose the best one.
November 26th, 2012
I was greatly helped by the information that you provide …
ipad is the best choice….
November 26th, 2012
thank you
November 26th, 2012
Tablet has become a trend option nowadays. You really know how to get an up-to-date information for everyone.
November 27th, 2012
That’s Great post !
It’s really helpful…
I love apple products, and I’ll always be loving it !
November 27th, 2012
thankz for sharing
What an awesome information!
^^
November 28th, 2012
thank you for making this helpful blog.
from here i have got a lot of information about tablet pc.
so i can choose the best tablet that suits me the most.
thank you …
November 28th, 2012
thank you for the posting. I’m really interested on it!
November 28th, 2012
Nice post
This information increase my knowledge about gadget, now if i want to buy a gadget i think the fitur is the important thing that i must know…
Keep writing !!
November 28th, 2012
Thanks for sharing !
Oh I love apple products very much !
November 28th, 2012
apple is great products !
i love apple! wait for new apple products
November 29th, 2012
Apple is unstoppable
keep produce the great product!
November 29th, 2012
Thank you for the information. Really helpful ! And I think, iPad is the best one..
November 29th, 2012
thank you for sharing…
this post is very important to me, so now I know the technological developments..
November 29th, 2012
Now Ipad 3 had been released.
it also have retina eye and the front camera better than ipad 2.
Any information for ipad mini????
thanks before
November 29th, 2012
Thank you for your informations.I like it so much..
November 30th, 2012
waiting for the first Windows 8 tablets..
December 1st, 2012
Its a good information for us and must to know. I’d The pink one is looked nice.
December 1st, 2012
It was a good information
thank for sharing to us
Now what tablet i really want to buy now
December 1st, 2012
Thanks for sharing !
Like apple products very much
December 1st, 2012
That’s great post ! Now I am using ipad 2, and that’s great !
December 1st, 2012
apple is a good product. i agree with that, but let see how can windows 8 break the popularity of the apple
December 2nd, 2012
Nice post !!
your information is really useful..
December 2nd, 2012
Apple is always be the best product.
I really like the pink one. =D
December 3rd, 2012
What a lovely post ! I really like your post….
Any other updates ?
Thanks
December 3rd, 2012
Tablet is very important nowadays. It’s more simple brings tablet anywhere than laptop especially iPad. Thanks Apple for launching iPad.
December 4th, 2012
Great ! i love apple’s product..
December 4th, 2012
Nowadays everyone is using tablet as their gadget it’s really useful. Recently apple had just launched their iPad mini it’s a great choice, it smaller n lighter.
Love your post !
December 4th, 2012
thank you for the information you’ve provided. This information is very useful to me when i want to buy iPad…
December 4th, 2012
in modern times, tablets is very useful and simple to carry anywhere. what a tablets is same i’m think. from their product surely launch a good product. this post give me more information. thanks for the information.
December 4th, 2012
Amazing…
This is a very nice article where tell me about tablets…thank you to share it
December 4th, 2012
Thanks for sharing.. Apple will always be the best product ever
December 5th, 2012
thanks for this information..
apple product is the best..
December 6th, 2012
i love all aple product..its so cool!!
December 6th, 2012
Thank you for the information. Its very useful. i agree with your opinion. I Love apple products
)
its very simple and elegant
December 6th, 2012
Thank you for the great information and the sharing. It is really amazing.
December 6th, 2012
I love all products about apple. Awesome!
December 6th, 2012
Thank you for the information. I really love ipad2. It is very great product.
December 7th, 2012
I bought it yesterday and this device very very usefull to me.. Thank you for the information. Keep Posting..
December 8th, 2012
Thank you for the great sharing
December 8th, 2012
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December 9th, 2012
great post
January 26th, 2013
great post! the applications are awesome and i’m really satisfied even the price is quite high.
February 6th, 2013
great post … I love ipad toO..
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April 9th, 2013
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May 19th, 2013
Thanks for the tips, there’s definitely more to choosing a tablet that you might think. As you have shown there are a number of different ones to look at. Ipad, Amazons and others