Tablet PCs review. The best budget tablets. Typical use cases

We figure out how to choose a good, high-quality and inexpensive tablet

Consumer electronics stores are filled with a variety of tablets. At first it seems that they all differ only in size and price tag. Even externally the devices are very similar! How to choose the right model for yourself? The answer is simple - read this article. We promise that after reading the material you will easily choose the most suitable tablet for yourself.

Judging by the generalized data of numerous market analysts, last year there was only one tablet for every 10 smartphones sold. Moreover, a permanent decline in interest in “pills” has been observed for five years now, and we allow ourselves to assume that disappointment due to the discrepancy between expectations and reality is not the least important reason for the decline in their popularity. In other words, the wrong choice of tablet. We hope that after reading this article you will have a better idea of ​​what kind of tablet you need.

Choosing an operating system

An operating system is a collection of utility programs found on any fairly complex electronic device. It is its presence that allows “regular” applications to use the hardware capabilities of the gadget, ensures interaction with the user, etc. Modern tablets are equipped with one of three popular operating systems: iOS, Android or Windows. There are also “tablets” on store shelves that have a couple of operating systems installed at once. But this is more of an exception to the rule and concerns the Android/Windows combination. Note that the Fire OS operating system, which Amazon installs on its mobile devices, is a clone of Android, so we do not consider it separately.

iOS

The most stable operating system is iOS. and in 2019, Apple literally made a small revolution by dividing it into versions for smartphones and tablets. Moreover, in the latter case, not only the user interface was adapted, but also many fundamental software restrictions were removed. For example, there are mouse controls, advanced multi-windows, full-fledged work with files and archives, support for external drives, desktop browser mode, etc. Now no one is stopping the owner of an iPad from copying a movie or document to a flash drive, connecting it via an adapter or directly (for USB Type-C) and watching the first one or editing the second one without any problems. The best part is that iPadOS is backwards compatible with most tablets from previous years. It is maximally optimized, due to which it does not require a large amount of RAM.

When choosing an iOS tablet, you get a user interface thought out in detail and a huge number of diverse applications. But be prepared for the fact that many of them will be paid. This OS is the property of Apple, so it is installed only on its iPad tablets, the cost of which is higher than devices with Android or Windows on board. But Cupertino products have the longest technical support, and the performance of even outdated generations of Apple gadgets is not inferior to competing offerings built on modern hardware platforms.

A huge advantage of the entire family of iOS devices is the presence of a convenient ecosystem. Of course, to take full advantage of it, you need to be the owner of more than one device with an apple on the lid. The downside of the closed nature of iOS is the difficulty of directly exchanging user files and the limited ability to customize the interface. Well, the inability to expand the available memory capacity scares off many potential buyers.

Pros: stable in operation, easy to use, easy to learn, has a developed and convenient ecosystem.

Cons: closed platform, few free applications, impossibility of customization (installing themes and other utilities that change the interface).

Android

The Android operating system is open and free, which is why most tablet manufacturers choose it. The software is developed by Google. The system is regularly updated, but owners of budget devices may not feel this. Some manufacturers are simply too lazy to update the firmware for those tablet computers that have been replaced by new models. Others, on the contrary, are trying to provide Android with functionality not provided by “native” developers. The most significant example is Samsung's DeX mode, which turns the tablet into a vague resemblance to a laptop.

The openness of Android means for users the ease of replacing “standard” applications: player, browser, keyboard, dialer, etc. Another thing is that changing really fundamental things requires the presence of “direct” hands and often entails a loss of warranty.

The most unpleasant feature of this operating system is the growing appetite for system resources and the tendency to become overgrown with digital “garbage”. If a few generations of Android ago a whole gigabyte was considered a sufficient amount of RAM, then in 2020 they are talking about only 3 GB. As for “garbage,” the built-in OS tools have not yet learned how to deal with it reliably. In particularly advanced cases, only a complete reset with the loss of ALL user data allows the tablet to return to a comfortable operating speed. Fortunately, such a radical method is required extremely rarely.

Pros: rich functionality, the ability to change the interface at your discretion, a large number of free applications for every taste.

Cons: rare system updates on budget tablets, increased resource requirements for stable operation, relatively poor energy efficiency, the risk of viruses and an abundance of advertising.

Windows

Tablet computers with Windows on board have existed for a long time. But it was only a few years ago that they started getting rid of fans and processors that drain battery power. And with the release of the tenth version of this operating system, the interface of such tablets has become much more user-friendly. On the one hand, Microsoft programmers creatively adapted many necessary things, for example, quick display of active applications, implemented a back button and a notification center. On the other hand, Windows 10 has learned to automatically switch to a more convenient mode when working with the keyboard, and the corresponding algorithm is configured. At the same time, the previous version of Windows was initially focused on touch control, and the “ten” looks like a compromise against its background.

Compared to Android, this system is better optimized for low-power hardware platforms. But this same feature has become an indirect reason that current Windows tablets are either high-performance solutions or downright weak, but with a keyboard.

The main advantage of the Microsoft operating system is the ability to use almost any “adult” applications on the tablet. Some of them don’t even have a keyboard, as long as the hardware capacity allows it. But due to poor scalability, the convenience of such work is at a very low level. Well, the number of purely tablet applications for Windows is simply not comparable with the available range for competing systems.

Pros: the most convenient environment for full-fledged work with a variety of content, the ability to use desktop programs, ease of integration with corporate networks, support for all kinds of office peripherals.

Cons: difficulties with scaling, few mobile applications, almost complete absence of tablets with average performance levels on sale, risk of viruses and other information security problems.

Conclusion

Thus, we recommend focusing on Windows tablets only in exceptional cases. For example, if you plan to regularly use software that is best implemented specifically for this operating system. Or based on corporate requirements. For classic content consumption, Android is preferable. Firstly, powerful hardware is not required for such tasks and suitable tablets are cheaper. Secondly, they are initially more omnivorous in terms of audio and video formats. With games, the situation is the opposite; here iPadOS is more interesting due to the new Apple Arcade online service and the high-performance platform in any Apple tablet. The same operating system should be chosen for serious matters. But lovers of “freebies” (in a good way) and alterations of everything to suit their taste will have to stick to Android.

Let's figure out what size tablet to choose

Photo: planshetclub.ru

7-8 inches

One of the objective reasons for the decline in demand for tablets is the constant increase in the screen diagonal of smartphones. Nevertheless, compact “tablets” still remain in demand. Models of this “caliber” are preferred by taxi drivers. They are more comfortable for children's hands. Whatever you say, 8-inch gadgets are more ergonomic than others in the gaming sense.

Pros: compact dimensions, minimal weight, low cost.

Cons: The resolution most often turns out to be low, and the filling is not powerful enough.

10 inches

The best choice of tablet for home use. At the same time, modern tablet models have become so thin and light that no difficulties arise when transporting them. Large dimensions allow you to place a better acoustic system and a higher-capacity battery in the body of such a device. At the same time, many manufacturers believe that such a large tablet does not need a conversational GSM module, even if the circuit design provides support for 3G technology.

Pros: The display size is suitable for solving a large number of tasks. Both in mobile and stationary use cases.

Cons: in budget models, graininess is noticeable due to insufficient screen resolution, many tablets lack a telephone module, and Windows devices do not have high-performance hardware.

11 inches or more

Larger tablet computers are now available. They are equipped with a screen with a diagonal of 11 to 13 inches. Usually these are “tablets” with iOS or Windows installed; equally large devices with Android are produced much less frequently. It is clear that such devices are not very mobile and, as a rule, they are aimed at professional use.

Pros: the best size for comfortable work with both the keyboard and the stylus. Good for watching movies.

Cons: too large dimensions and considerable weight.

Conclusion

Obviously, for surfing the Internet, watching videos, simple typing, simple data processing or creating graphics with a stylus, a large diagonal is preferable and portability can be sacrificed. If the tablet is purchased for a child, gaming, or as an analogue of the head unit in a car, portability and light weight come to the fore.

Choosing the best processor for a tablet

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Strictly speaking, the “motor” of most tablets consists of several specialized nodes, technologically combined on a single substrate, and it is called a single-chip system (System-on-a-Chip or SoC). The only exceptions here are high-performance professional-level solutions built on Intel Core M or ULV processors, but we will not consider the features of the latter.

Number of cores

So, a typical SoC contains a number of computing units (cores) that have an ARM architecture. Again, the exception is single-chip systems of the Intel Atom family that work with x86/x64 instructions. Cores can be combined into so-called clusters and this is done to optimize energy consumption. Let's say, half of them operate at high frequencies and are turned on when necessary to service requests for greater computing power. The second “works” the rest of the time, and since the nuclei in it are relatively low-frequency, significantly less energy is consumed. It is impossible to give unambiguous advice on what number of cores is optimal in a particular case. For example, the 6-core A11 Bionic chip (from Apple) will tear the 8-core Helio P40 (from Mediatek), as they say, to shreds. The most we can recommend here when choosing a tablet is to pay attention to the “freshness” of the kernels.

Video subsystem

The second component of the mobile processor is an accelerator - a kind of built-in video card. If the tablet is not intended to be used for gaming or working with complex graphics, you don’t need to pay much attention to the performance of this unit. Otherwise, you have to take into account the speed at which the video accelerator is capable of performing floating point operations (Flops). In addition, screen resolution also matters here. Everyone has their own idea of ​​a comfortable refresh rate, as well as requirements for graphics quality settings. However, we would venture to say that tablets with SoCs delivering about 100 GFlops have sufficient gaming performance.

SoCs and their manufacturers

The development of the ARM architecture itself was carried out by a company of the same name, which licensed its solutions to everyone. Currently, the rights to this intellectual property have been acquired by the Japanese corporation SoftBank. There are about one and a half thousand licensees in total, but we are interested in the following products:

APPLE Ax

Based on the licensed ones, the Cupertino team is developing their own versions of fast and energy-saving cores. PowerVR accelerators from Imagination Technologies were previously used as the graphics subsystem, but now an unnamed GPU designed by Apple itself is responsible for working with video. It should be noted that Apple engineers know their job very well. Even the fairly outdated dual-core A9 chip is still quite good and is not much inferior to modern mid-range processors, and the newest A13 Bionic simply does not leave its competitors any chance for leadership. Apple doesn’t bother with the special production of lower-power processors and simply uses Ax chips of previous generations in “budget” tablets.

Pros: Apple tablets have truly high gaming and general performance, and also support all the most advanced features.

Cons: overpriced.

Samsung also prefers to modify stock cores. At least, this was the case at the time of the announcement of the top Exynos 990 chip in the fall of 2019, but there are already rumors about the South Koreans’ intention to curtail the production of their own SoCs due to the desire to increase the competitiveness of the tablets and smartphones they produce. Be that as it may, processors from Samsung are inferior to single-chip systems from Apple and Qualcomm, although they outperform the products of all other chipmakers. For graphics output in EXYNOS, modified Mali accelerators are responsible, which are also inferior to the solutions of the above-mentioned companies. Samsung has a fairly large range of processors, however, the company prefers to install third-party SoCs in tablets.

Pros: Samsung processors are characterized by good performance and support for all modern technologies.

Cons: inferior to the main competitors.

INTEL ATOM

The feature of this single-chip system is its extremely low power consumption. The company managed to “shrink” its thermal package to a couple of watts, and Intel now does not want to change this situation. Accordingly, we are not even talking about any performance records. Unfortunately, low-budget Windows tablets are based on the Atom platform.

Pros: Tablets based on Intel Atom chips are affordable and have decent battery life.

Cons: The power of a single-chip system is only enough to perform simple tasks.

This SoC family is produced by a subsidiary of Huawei for some mobile devices of the parent brand. The Chinese do not bother with upgrading stock ARM cores, so their single-chip systems usually work a little slower than their classmates. Just like Exynos, Kirin chips have Mali graphics accelerators. The trouble is that HiSilicon engineers (or management) like to save money. Where Samsung's SoC uses a 12-core version of Mali, Huawei mobile processors often make do with 4-core ones. With all the ensuing consequences. But, unlike South Korean products, tablets from this manufacturer are equipped primarily with “native” SoCs. Affordable ones are Kirin six hundredth series, modern mid-budget ones are seven hundredth, flagships are nine hundredth.

Pros: a brand with very decent flagship-level chips and quite decent ones for other price categories.

Cons: mediocre gaming performance.

MEDIATEK

The brand of the same name is more fully represented than all its competitors in the segment of low-cost solutions. The company uses ready-made cores and graphics (PowerVR and Mali). It does not engage in optimization, does not have its own production, and its financial capabilities do not allow it to invest in partners. As a result, MediaTek single-chip systems lag behind alternative offerings because they are manufactured according to outdated technological standards. On paper, such SoCs may look great, but in real life, not so much. But the company’s chips simply work perfectly with GPS. Of the noteworthy ones, many budget Lenovo tablets run on MediaTek processors.

Pros: a huge range of entry-level and mid-level single-chip systems.

Cons: noticeably inferior to industry leaders in technological terms.

SNAPDRAGON

The most popular and most widespread single-chip systems. They are developed by Qualcomm based on deeply redesigned licensed cores and its own Adreno accelerators. Such SoCs are characterized by excellent general and gaming performance, good energy efficiency, and other goodies. The main disadvantage is the increased cost.

Pros: Snapdragon chips make excellent tablets of various levels.

Cons: They are relatively expensive, and the most affordable solutions are inferior to their direct competitors on other platforms.

RockChip, Spreadtrum and the like

They specialize in ultra-budget solutions. Stock cores and accelerators, the most “rough” technological standards possible at the time of production—no miracles can be expected from such single-chip systems.

Pros: the corresponding tablets have tempting price tags.

Cons: tablets based on such SoCs are suitable for the most undemanding users. As a rule, they have an outdated set of wireless interfaces and are not at all impressive in terms of autonomy.

Process

We have already mentioned this term several times, it remains to explain what the standards used to create the SoC influence. Everything is very simple, the smaller the chip topology, the higher its operating frequencies (performance) and the lower the power consumption. The most technologically advanced mobile crystals are now manufactured according to 7 nm standards. In the current 2020, a transition to a topology with a resolution of 5 nm is expected. The 10-12 nm process technology is also still quite modern.

Conclusion

Choosing a tablet based only on the “motor” installed in it is pointless. All top solutions are capable of giving such a device really high performance; with mid-class chips it will be quite comfortable, but the owner of a “tablet” will have to put up with the slowness of inexpensive SoCs. Actually, the most useful practical advice has already been given above - focus on new processors or at least lower technological standards.

RAM

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It is a storage device with quick access to content that requires constant “maintenance” of the stored information. When the power is turned off, the latter simply disappears. While the tablet is operating, the RAM contains the operating system kernel, various services, running applications, as well as most of the data they use. If there is not enough space for a priority task, some user programs running in the background may stop and move to the so-called cache. With a more rigid option, only important data remains there, and the applications themselves are completely “unloaded”. The bad thing is that a significant lack of RAM leads not only to slower operation of the device, but also to active use of the built-in memory, i.e. its accelerated wear. The more applications you plan to use simultaneously (for example, a social network client, instant messenger, music player, game), the more impressive your tablet should be in terms of this characteristic. For hardcore gamers, we generally recommend focusing on the amount of memory with an “extra” gigabyte. At the same time, a clear excess of this resource entails increased battery consumption.

1 GB

A critical minimum, sufficient for the system to operate and one or two simple user applications. In principle, such a volume is provided by low-power devices that are not suitable for anything else. It is best if the operating system of a tablet of this class is lightweight, such as Go Edition.

Pros: low cost tablet.

Cons: serious restrictions on the number of programs running in the background.

2 GB

An acceptable amount of memory for most applications with a moderate appetite for system resources. It is enough for several background applications, five open tabs in the browser and displaying images on the screen with a resolution no higher than HD. “Heavy” games will run with lighter graphics settings, but almost all other tasks will have to be stopped. This applies to Android and Windows. The iPadOS operating system will not experience any special problems with 2 GB of memory.

Pros: In typical tablet use scenarios, there will be no shortage of memory.

Cons: insufficient volume for demanding games and applications, especially at Full HD resolution and higher.

3 GB

A comfortable amount of RAM for the vast majority of situations and scenarios for using the tablet. Guarantees stable operation of the system with a screen with Full HD resolution. Noticeable delays can only be observed when running two resource-intensive applications in parallel.

Pros: There will always be enough memory, with the exception of specific cases.

Cons: practically none.

4 GB or more

The optimal amount of RAM for mid-budget and high-end tablets. Most likely, the owner of such a device will not experience significant problems with its shortage in a couple of years.

Pros: absence of any restrictions.

Cons: high cost.

Conclusion

Recommendations for the amount of RAM are quite obvious. When choosing a tablet for business or gaming use, you should focus on 4 or 3 GB, for Android and iPadOS systems, respectively. If the “tablet” will be used exclusively as a bedside reader-watcher, 2 GB will be enough. We do not recommend buying frankly ultra-budget models with 1 GB of RAM for any scenario.

Non-volatile memory, how much do we need?

The hardware of an electronic device designed for long-term storage of programs and data. It provides a significantly lower access speed to the information stored in it (compared to RAM), but it is cheaper and practically does not consume energy in the absence of access. Currently, the capacity of the built-in storage is not decisive when choosing a tablet. Firstly, gadgets running the Android operating system almost always have a slot for a memory card and the standard ability to connect its capacity to its own resource. In this sense, Apple's current ideologists continue to fulfill Jobs' behests, but in a compromise version. With the release of iPadOS, Apple tablets now have support for external storage devices - flash drives and the same memory cards, only through an adapter. Secondly, it is now more practical to store many things in the cloud. For example, music, photo and video archives, as well as electronic versions of books and magazines.

Choosing the best tablet screen

In addition to the already mentioned diagonal, the tablet screen has other important characteristics that affect the comfort and expediency of using this device. Let's take energy consumption. The larger the area of ​​the display part, the more powerful power it requires - the dependence is quite obvious. On the other hand, the demands of different types of screens are different; the same AMOLED matrices “eat” noticeably less than IPS. Thirdly, there are factors that make the choice in favor of the first technology not so clear.

AMOLED

Pros: moderate power consumption, high maximum brightness, high contrast.

IPS (LCD)

For objective reasons, tablets based on matrices of this type are most widely used. The operating principles of the latter provide for the presence of a constantly switched backlight, i.e. IPS screens use energy less efficiently. But they are much more accurate in terms of rendering shades, including pure white. But there is a problem with black, as well as with the contrast of the generated image. You should also take into account the significant difference between the quality of pictures obtained using premium and budget IPS matrices.

Pros: realistic color rendition, correct white color, complete absence or very high flicker frequency, long service life.

Cons: relatively low contrast, high power consumption (compared to AMOLED), gray color instead of black, glare at the edges of the screen.

Resolution

The higher it is, the better the clarity of the displayed image and the legibility of its small components. For example, if a tablet is actively used for working with technical or scientific literature (which often uses microfonts, and which itself is traditionally digitized in PDF format), a low screen resolution will harm readability due to the “looseness” of contour borders. On the other hand, the more pixels a display matrix contains, the higher the power it consumes, since each of them must be controlled either directly (AMOLED) or through a polarizing filter (IPS). In this regard, the first technology is preferable to the second, but OLED screens have a specific pixel structure, due to which their actual resolution is approximately one and a half times lower than the declared one (calculated by green subpixels).

Conclusion

In principle, choosing a good tablet based on screen type is now very simple - either older tablets from Samsung with Super AMOLED matrices, or all the others (including affordable South Korean “tablets”), but equipped with liquid crystal displays. We simply do not consider ultra-budget models with TN or STN screens and categorically do not recommend purchasing them. Please note that, as a rule, their manufacturers avoid direct references to this fairly outdated technology and indicate the general name TFT. As for resolution, for tablets with a screen diagonal of 7-8 inches, we consider HD matrices optimal, and for models from 9" - Full HD and higher.

Additional tablet functionality

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Wi-Fi, 3G or LTE

Almost all tablets are now blue-toothed, but for a number of applications the version of this interface and the available set of profiles matter. First about the first one. Devices running Bluetooth v5 can be briefly described as faster, longer-range, economical and noise-resistant compared to devices equipped with corresponding fourth-generation wireless modules. For example, connecting via Bluetooth v4 indoors is possible at a distance of up to 10 m, and via v5 - up to 40. When choosing a tablet based on this criterion, you need to take into account the partial incompatibility of the “new” and “old” exchange protocols. The functional component of Bluetooth is determined by profiles. Their complete list is quite large, but for most scenarios, A2DP (for transmitting an audio stream to headphones or speakers), EDR (for backward compatibility with old accessories), HID (if you plan to connect a mouse, keyboard or game controllers via BT) and HSP will be enough /HFP (if you want to use a wireless headset for communication). The nuances of sound quality are determined within the A2DP profile by the codecs involved (SBC, aptX, LDAC, etc.). According to unbiased experts, they do not provide radical differences in the final results.

Before buying a tablet, be sure to familiarize yourself with what modules are used to connect to the Internet. Budget tablets offer data transfer only via Wi-Fi. Slightly more expensive devices have a SIM card slot. In this case, you can connect to 3G networks. Modern models are capable of working with fourth generation mobile networks. It would be a good idea for you to clarify which LTE bands the tablet supports. Domestic operators can exchange data on the bands B3, B7, B20, B38 and B40. But there is no particular variety in high-speed Internet connection capabilities among 4G tablets yet. Returning to Wi-Fi, let us recall that this wireless interface can operate at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz. If you frequently use your tablet in an apartment building or a large business center, you should opt for a dual-band model.

GPS navigation

Most tablets can successfully perform the functions of a navigator, but there are some models built using a universal radio module. Those. The device supports cellular networks - there is GPS. An example would be the “simply” Wi-Fi and Cellular versions of the iPad.

Cameras

The last thing you should pay attention to when choosing a tablet is the camera. Nowadays, it’s a rare manufacturer that integrates decent optics and a sensor into a tablet. The resolution of the main module matrix is ​​most often five or eight megapixels. The photo quality does not exceed that obtained when using a mid-price smartphone. There is nothing to say about budget tablets - they produce blurry or too noisy pictures.

Keyboard support

In general, there are no fundamental restrictions for using a Bluetooth keyboard in any tablet. And many models with the Windows operating system have full-size USB ports, which makes it possible to connect a manipulator or input device via a radio channel through an appropriate adapter. The peculiarity of the listed options is that such methods do not guarantee the stability of the pairing, and they are also accompanied by increased energy consumption. If you plan to use the tablet for active work with text, choose a tablet with a bundled or optional keyboard connected via a mechanical connector.

Stylus support

In fact, this feature of tablets should be considered together with other properties of screens, since the ability of the former to work with a stylus is ensured by the presence of an additional sensitive layer on the displays. But this is a classic option, which Samsung has creatively improved by implementing a dual interaction scheme between the “tablet” and the electronic pen. Now, in addition to their direct functions for handwriting input, South Korean styluses are suitable for remote control of applications using gestures. Why not a magic wand?

Conclusion

The summary for this section is as follows. If the tablet is planned to be used completely autonomously (a house in a village without local providers; an age group of owners with minimal needs for the Internet, as such; business use “in the field”), the presence of a cellular module in it is highly desirable. Naturally, this option also includes a dedicated SIM card along with the cost of servicing it. For other scenarios, a model with Wi-Fi is sufficient, unless we are talking about satellite navigation and Apple tablets. New versions of Bluetooth are more interesting from all points of view, but only for those users who are going to connect something to their “tablet” using this interface. Keyboard and stylus - as needed. We don't really count on tablet cameras.

Typical use cases

Drawing tablets

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If this definition means children's creativity or simple graphics, the choice of a suitable device is limited only by the availability of stylus support and your financial capabilities. For relatively affordable lines, we can recommend the Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite or iPad (2019). For computer graphics professionals, it is better to focus on older Apple tablets (Air and Pro), whose displays have an increased color gamut and correct color rendition.

Tablet computer for the Internet

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The choice depends on the place of use. When sailing autonomously, it is necessary to have a 3G/LTE module and support the required bands. The power of the hardware and the type of operating system do not play a key role. It is more convenient to actively work with information on a large display. Of course, if it doesn’t happen in crowded public transport. Those who like to keep many tabs open in the browser should focus on tablets with sufficient RAM.

Tablet computer for games

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Before the release of iPadOS and the advent of support for popular game controllers, the best choice here was considered a medium-sized tablet (8-9 inches), with an HD screen, running on a powerful processor, equipped with a large amount of RAM and a capacious battery. Now larger models with similar filling may be of interest if they are supplemented with a gamepad and a docking station. A strong argument in favor of Apple tablets can be the presence of a special online service, Arcade.

Tablet computer for a child

Photo: gursesintour.com

If you are going to give a tablet to a small child, then pay attention to the presence of a children's mode in it - the child has absolutely no need to go to “adult” sites, and the user interface of the device should be colorful and extremely simple. Keep in mind that the device will have to withstand increased loads, so a thick protective bumper will be very useful. It would be nice to provide for the possibility of the tablet “growing” along with the child’s development, as well as the presence of a parental control function. Unfortunately, specialized models are good in terms of ease of access to children's content, but do not have much potential. We recommend looking towards Lenovo tablets.

For work and travel. We understand the characteristics and functions of high-quality tablets.

Analysts and other experts have been saying for years that the tablet market is inexorably declining. Meanwhile, in any electronics store you can see many models of tablet computers and customers interested in them. Let's figure out what details you need to pay attention to if you are planning to purchase a worthwhile tablet.

Deciding on functionality: what is a tablet for?

Everything is simple here - think about what purpose you are buying a tablet for? Its characteristics will depend on this. If you plan to use the tablet for games, especially “heavy” ones, you will need a device with powerful hardware and a good battery. If you are going to take your tablet with you when traveling, it is better to purchase a protected device that can withstand a fall from a small height or an encounter with water or sand. If you need a tablet for work, choose a device with a capacious battery and support for LTE networks - you will probably have to use the tablet not only at work, but also on the road.

Perhaps you are looking for a good tablet for your child - in this case, you should choose models with high-quality screens. A children's gadget should have a bright high-resolution display, good viewing angles, natural color reproduction and anti-glare coating. If you have a blue filter, great! A high-quality screen will protect your child’s eyes from strain.

Don’t forget about the weight of the device - a heavy device will be difficult for your baby to hold in his hands. Choose models with durable polycarbonate housings. Color, bright stickers and other “decorations” are not as important as a good screen and light weight of the device.

operating system

We continue to figure out how to choose a quality tablet. So, you decide what you need it for. Now you need to decide which operating system is preferable.

They make up a large part of the market, among them you can find high-quality and inexpensive models. This operating system allows you to fine-tune the system for yourself. The downside of the Android OS is that manufacturers, having released the next batch of tablets, immediately forget about them and only in rare cases continue to support the operating system, releasing updates and fixing software errors.

Devices running on iOS belong to the premium segment. The advantage of this operating system is that it has been supported by the manufacturer for several years. iOS devices receive regular updates.

There are not many applications and games available for tablets running the Windows operating system, but desktop programs, such as Microsoft Office, can be installed on them. For those who use the tablet primarily for work, this will be a big plus. If the user has experience working with Windows on a laptop or desktop computer, it will not be difficult for him to understand the tablet on this operating system.

Screen size and resolution

When deciding which tablet to choose, you need to decide on the display size. Tablet computers are divided according to screen diagonal into compact, medium and large.

Compact models (7-8 inches) are universal. They even fit into a small handbag, are light enough to be carried around and are suitable for web surfing, reading books, gaming and communication. But a small screen also has its drawbacks - viewing movies and documents on it is uncomfortable.

Medium-sized devices (9-10 inches) allow you to use them for games, viewing multimedia content and work. The downside is that such a tablet will not fit in your pocket, and it weighs more than its younger brothers.

Large tablets (from 11 inches) are quite rare. They are more powerful than compact devices, and therefore more expensive. They cannot be called portable, since they are close in size to laptops. Carrying them with you is not always convenient; most often they are used at home.

As for screen resolution, it is better not to skimp on it. Any computer has a negative impact on eye health, and it is better to purchase a device with a high-quality screen to reduce eye strain.

I advise you to choose compact models with a display resolution of at least pixels. If you want to buy a device with a medium-sized screen, its resolution should be even higher.

When thinking about how to choose a good tablet, users often do not pay attention to such an important detail as the screen matrix.

The following types of matrices are usually used in tablet computers:

TN TFT is a cheap matrix that can be found in the cheapest devices. It has one plus - it's cheap, but there are many disadvantages: low color rendition, low contrast, and when viewing angles change, the image quality noticeably decreases.

IPS is the most common type of matrix today. Advantages: excellent color rendition, high contrast and wide viewing angles.

PLS is a type of matrix developed by Samsung based on IPS exclusively for its devices. Features of the matrix: low power consumption, high pixel density and good screen readability under sunlight. However, an inexperienced user will not notice the difference between IPS and PLS matrices.

AMOLED and Super AMOLED matrices are the best option for tablet computers. This type of matrix is ​​characterized by rich brightness, contrast and high image quality.

Super Clear LCD matrix is ​​another development from Samsung. The advantages of the matrix are undeniable: high pixel density, the image does not change in the sun, natural color rendition, rich and bright colors. At the same time, the Super Clear LCD matrix costs less than AMOLED. Minus - it is used only in devices of the South Korean manufacturer.

Advice: if you can’t decide which tablet is better to choose - with an IPS, AMOLED or PLS matrix, ask the seller to turn on the screens of the selected models and compare the displays visually on the same images. This way you can understand which type of matrix copes better with the task.

When deciding which tablet to choose - high-quality or inexpensive, do not forget that cheap models are rarely equipped with good screens, and you should not skimp on your health.

Form factor

Most tablets are monolithic devices. Many of them allow you to connect a keyboard and mouse to them. There are more interesting options - those that combine the properties of tablets and laptops. The screen of such devices either rotates or detaches, turning the laptop into a tablet. A typical representative of transformers is the Lenovo Yoga 920.

The advantage of a hybrid tablet is that it easily turns from a work tool into an entertainment device. The downside is that transformers are significantly more expensive than classic monolithic tablets. For example, the Lenovo Yoga 920 costs more than 100 thousand rubles - more expensive than the average gaming laptop.

Memory capacity

We continue to tell you how to choose a tablet so that you don’t regret the purchase later.

The amount of data that the user can store in the device depends on the amount of memory. If you need a tablet for communicating on social networks, watching movies and surfing the web, 16 GB of RAM will be enough. Ultra-budget models cannot boast of a large amount of flash storage - tablets with 4 and 8 GB of storage are usually found.

If you plan to use the tablet to store photos, movies, music, games and programs, you need a lot of free space - 32 GB or more. If this is not enough, you can use microSD cards to expand the memory capacity. They are convenient for storing multimedia content, photos, applications and games. But not all tablet computers are equipped with memory card slots. A number of manufacturers do not give users the opportunity to increase the built-in memory. Their position is fundamental - if you want more memory, buy a more expensive modification.

The cost of the device depends on the storage capacity, but you can save money by purchasing a tablet with a small amount of storage and then purchasing a memory card.

In addition to the amount of built-in memory, you need to pay attention to the amount of RAM of the device. The performance and speed of the device directly depend on this. The cheapest devices are equipped with only 512 MB of internal memory. About seven years ago this volume was more than enough for tablets. Now this amount of memory seems ridiculous, but devices with 512 MB of RAM are still on sale. The average amount of RAM in modern tablets is 2 GB. There are more expensive models with 3 and 4 GB of RAM.

For fast and smooth operation of the interface, comfortable work with several applications at the same time and launching resource-intensive games, 2-3 GB of internal memory is enough.

Hardware platform

When choosing a model, few users pay attention to the “heart” of the tablet, but in vain. As with RAM, the speed of the device depends on the processor.

Choose a processor based on the tasks that the tablet will solve. To run low-resource games, surf the web and view multimedia content, a single-core or dual-core processor will be enough. If you are a fan of “heavy” games, you will need a device with a powerful processor and a good graphics accelerator.

In general, the average hardware base is sufficient for fast and stable operation of the tablet and solving most problems. We recommend that before purchasing the model you like, launch the game on your gadget, open websites and look at the speed of the interface.

Autonomy

Long battery life is one of the important parameters when choosing a tablet computer. If you don’t want to constantly recharge the device, when deciding how to choose an inexpensive tablet, pay attention to the battery capacity. Without testing, it is difficult to judge how long the device will work in real conditions. Before purchasing the model you like, we advise you to look at the manufacturer’s website for information about the capabilities of the device’s battery in different operating modes and compare this information with the test results made by the authors of independent reviews. This way you will get more accurate information about the battery life of the tablet you like.

Cameras

Few people use a tablet as a camera or video camera due to its size. The number of megapixels of the main camera is therefore not so important; the main thing is that the device is equipped with a front camera necessary for video communication. To evaluate the quality of the pictures, you can find examples of photographs taken by this model on the Internet.

Wireless technologies

If you plan to use the tablet only at home or at work, a Wi-Fi module will be enough - all models have it. If you take it with you on the road, then choose a device that supports LTE networks. You will need to connect accessories to the tablet (keyboard, headphones, mouse) - look for a device that supports Bluetooth version 4.0 and higher.

Plastic or metal?

The tablet body is made of plastic or metal. Both materials have both advantages and disadvantages. The plastic is light, but fragile; the risk of scratches and abrasions on such a case is high. Metal is more resistant to damage, but greatly increases the already considerable weight of the tablet. Which case to choose - metal or plastic - depends entirely on the user's preferences. Compare models in the store and choose the option that will be more comfortable for you to use.

Which tablet computer to choose - budget or expensive?

Based on cost, tablets are divided into inexpensive, mid-range and premium models.

Budget devices are limited in functionality and are equipped with modest hardware. Inexpensive 7-inch models cost from 5 to 8,000 rubles, the price of devices with a screen diagonal of more than 9 inches averages from 9,000 to 12,000 rubles.

Mid-price tablets offer good characteristics: 3-4 GB of RAM, a large battery, a screen with a good matrix, a fast processor and a full set of wireless interfaces. The cost of tablet computers in the mid-price category starts from 15,000 rubles.

Expensive models cost from 25,000 rubles and above. The price of premium devices from Apple and Samsung reaches 90,000 rubles.

Results

We hope our article helped you answer the question of how to choose an inexpensive but high-quality tablet. If we forgot to talk about something important, write about it in the comments. If you have experience in choosing tablet computers, share it, our readers may find your opinion useful.

With sales of desktop PCs on the decline, tablet computers are becoming a popular gadget for daily use. And this is understandable, because the ability to use a computer at any time and anywhere, access the Internet to communicate on social networks or read the latest news is increasingly valued.

Since 2010, there has been a rapid rise in the popularity of tablets on the market, which are distinguished by their compactness, mobility and sufficient performance. With the advent of Apple's first iPad, it became clear that the future belonged to such portable and mobile devices.

Advantages of tablet computers and their prospects in the market

If we compare tablets with traditional laptops, they are distinguished by their thinner and lighter body, which allows you to always carry such a device with you and comfortably work with it, simply holding it in your hands. If in order to use a laptop you must first place it on some flat horizontal surface, then it is convenient to use a tablet when suspended.

In addition, all tablet computers, without exception, have touch screens, which also increases the level of comfort when using the device. Tablets are powerful enough to act as a multimedia center and work with a variety of applications. Using your tablet, you can access your favorite websites, communicate on social networks, listen to music, watch videos and read books in electronic format.

Although sales figures for tablet computers are constantly growing, which would seem to indicate their cloudless prospects, nevertheless, the cream of the crop here is taken by Apple with its iPad. Many eminent smartphone and computer brands have rushed to the race for Apple, but they have not yet been able to create a tablet model comparable in its technical capabilities and price to the iPad or iPad 2. As a result, the initial forecasts of many companies for tablet computer sales volumes for 2011 are still are not justified. For example, Acer has lowered its forecast for 2011 regarding tablet shipments from 10 - 7.5 to 5 million units.

As for the Russian market, there is no rapid replacement of netbooks with tablets yet. Despite the fact that in our country there are models of tablet computers from several manufacturers, only tablets from the same company Apple are widely popular. At the same time, tablet computers are increasingly used in professional fields. For example, tablets are often used by builders, architects and restorers to create detailed designs, sketches or plan work. They are also more convenient for medical workers, since it is much more convenient for a doctor to use a tablet rather than a laptop when doing rounds.

It is expected that the next generation of tablet computers will be more integrated with the global network, which will allow them to be used as Internet video phones and Internet television broadcasters. Thanks to the development of public Wi-Fi hotspots and cheaper 3G communications, tablets will be able to provide instant access to any content and continuous communication through social networks.

Thus, a tablet computer will eventually turn into a device as everyday and necessary for human life as a mobile phone. But unlike a mobile phone, a tablet will perform a wide variety of tasks, becoming a kind of “personal computer” for everyone.

Popular Tablet PCs

Let us dwell in more detail on the models of tablet computers that are quite popular today. Here, first of all, it is impossible not to mention products from Apple. The iPad 2 tablet is an improved version of the first iPad, released by Apple in the spring of 2010. What are the main differences between the new tablet and the previous model? There really aren't that many of them.

First, iPad 2 features a dual-core ARM A5 processor for faster performance and responsiveness. Secondly, the overall dimensions and weight of the tablet were slightly reduced, making it more comfortable to hold in your hands. Instead of 700 gr. iPad 2 already weighs only 590 grams, while the thickness of the device has decreased to 8.8 mm. In the field of design, Apple has envisaged the release of special “covers” made of leather and polyurethane, having a fixed folding shape and several colors.

Thirdly, along with the iPad 2, a new version of the mobile operating system was released - iOS 4.3. Among the features of the new OS are the faster Nitro JavaScript engine for the Safari browser, the AirPlay function for comfortable work with multimedia, camera support in relevant applications and the function of creating a mobile hotspot when connected to the iPhone 4.

If anyone was expecting revolutionary improvements in the iPad 2 compared to the first version of the tablet, then they obviously did not happen. However, hardware performance has improved thanks to a new dual-core processor and increased RAM. The design has changed, a gyroscope and several useful software features have appeared. Apparently, this is quite enough for the commercial success of the new tablet from Apple, given that the company has already secured leadership in this market segment.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 tablet boasts the Google Android 3.0 operating system and a fairly attractive price compared to the same iPad 2. It is equipped with a 10.1-inch multi-touch screen with a resolution of 1280×800 with good color reproduction and viewing angles. The Iconia Tab A500 has an NVIDIA Tegra 2 chip with a 1 GHz dual-core processor and hardware support for high-definition video playback in Full HD resolution (1920×1080 pixels).

The Acer tablet is capable of providing a fairly high level of performance when working with resource-intensive programs, running multimedia applications and 3D games. Among other things, the tablet has a gyroscope for precise positioning when controlling movements and an HDMI output. The weight of the tablet including the battery is 765 grams, which is more than similar products from Apple or Samsung.

The Acer Iconia Tab A501 tablet computer is a version of the previous model. It also has a 10-inch display and a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 processor. Its main feature is the new Google Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system, specially optimized for tablets. In addition to the new OS, the manufacturer offers the use of its own Acer UI shell with four thematic sections - games, multimedia, reading and working on social networks. The Tab A500 and Tab A501 feature Acer's clear.fi media sharing system, which allows you to play and share multimedia content within your home network.

Another popular tablet is the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 from ASUS. It has a 1280 x 800 pixel IPS touchscreen that offers good color depth and excellent viewing angles. The ASUS Eee PAD TF101 tablet computer runs on a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor clocked at 1 GHz and also has a built-in graphics processor.

The tablet is equipped with the Google Android 3.2 Honeycomb operating system with an additional software shell Asus Launcher, which makes it easy to launch programs, manage data and access online services. The Asus Waveshare user interface has a set of unique applications, such as the MyCloud program, which provides access to digital content on the Internet.

The main difference between the Eee Pad Transformer TF101 and all other tablets on the market is the QWERTY keyboard, designed in the format of a plug-in docking station. By connecting such a keyboard to a tablet, the user gets an almost full-fledged laptop. The docking station itself is additionally equipped with a touchpad, two USB ports, a built-in card reader and increases the battery life of the tablet from 9.5 to 16 hours.

Future-proof tablet computers

Speaking about promising tablet computers that may gain mass popularity in the near future, we note two interesting models - the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and the Lenovo IdeaPad K1. The latest model is the first such experience from the famous computer manufacturer Lenovo.

The IdeaPad K1 tablet computer is an entry-level Android tablet that impresses, first of all, with its good technical characteristics and a fairly attractive price. The tablet is equipped with a 10.1-inch capacitive multi-touch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and LED backlight, a dual-core processor and 1 GB of RAM.

In addition, the device has a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash on the rear panel and a 2-megapixel camera on the front panel, two speakers, a built-in microphone, a Wi-Fi wireless network adapter and a Bluetooth 2.1 module. The design of the tablet is somewhat reminiscent of the iPad, and the weight of the device is 750 grams. The Lenovo IdeaPad K1 is equipped with the Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) operating system with some additions that make it easier for the user to work with the tablet.

The thin and compact tablet computer Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is built on the NVIDIA Tegra 2 platform, already classic for this form factor, with a dual-core processor with a frequency of 1 GHz and 1 GB of RAM. The tablet is equipped with a bright 8.9-inch touch display with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels based on a PLS matrix.

Also, the Samsung tablet computer has a gyroscope, a Wi-Fi module, a 3-megapixel camera with autofocus, a 2-megapixel camera for video telephony, a GPS receiver, and a light sensor. The tablet runs Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) operating system and is additionally equipped with Samsung's own TouchWiz 4.0 user interface. The weight of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is only 453 grams, and the body thickness of this portable device is 8.6 mm.

No one will argue that the future belongs to tablet computers with mobility in use and good performance. However, the growing popularity of tablet computers should be facilitated by an increase in the number of specialized applications optimized for use on tablets, as well as a reduction in the cost of the devices themselves.

Probably, everyone who reads this article understands the advantages of a tablet, which give it a special place among mobile gadgets. Not a single large smartphone can compare with a good tablet in terms of screen size, and therefore the ease of viewing images and video content. If we compare a tablet and a laptop, then, despite the lower performance, the undeniable advantages of the first are a convenient touch screen, small size and weight, as well as a more affordable price. With its unique qualities, a wonderful gadget can perfectly complement both a smartphone and a laptop, and in this article we will talk about how to choose a tablet so that it can serve its new owner for many years, causing extremely positive emotions.

What is a tablet for?

In order to decide on the choice of tablet, it is important to have a clear idea of ​​what purposes you need it for. The tablet is convenient for viewing the content of Internet pages - and this includes reading books, Youtube videos, streaming videos and movies.

Thanks to the large touch screen of the tablet, it is comfortable to play computer games on it, the gadget can be a communicator for communicating on social networks or video calls, serve as a wonderful family photo album, or an excellent office tool that works with Word and Excel documents.

From this follows the rule that The best tablet should meet your preferences, and let other buyers get the extra features.

Choosing an operating system

Android

Advantages of gadgets using an operating system Android, lie in the abundance of programs and applications created for it, moreover, both paid and free. A powerful and functional tablet will cost you much less than its analogue, but with a different OS. This operating system allows you to keep several programs open at the same time, which is very convenient. Although the downside of multitasking is that programs cannot turn off on their own, and each one will have to be turned off manually so as not to load the processor and drain the battery. OS updates are delayed, and you often have to wait months for a new firmware version.

iOS

operating system iOS is used by all devices manufactured by Apple, and all these gadgets, including premium tablets, cost a lot of money. Updates for all iOS devices arrive regularly, and continue to arrive for several years after purchasing the gadget, but with programs, everything is much more complicated: there are very few applications for tablets on the iOS platform and they are all paid.

Tablets for iOS are perfectly optimized and work quickly - but they are expensive, and the few programs for them are paid.

Windows 10

operating system Windows on a tablet is very convenient for those of us who are familiar with it from a personal computer. A familiar menu, convenient tools - everything an office worker needs, including working with documents using the Microsoft Office software package. Not many applications have been released for it, but For office work, a tablet with Windows OS is ideal.

Android plus Windows 10

Relatively recently, tablets appeared on store shelves that have two operating systems: Android and Windows, and if we consider the purchase of a gadget as an office tool and at the same time a device for household use, then this is a good option.

Screen diagonal

Based on screen size, tablets are divided into three groups: compact with display diagonal 7-8 inches, average – 9-10 inches and finally large ones, the screen diagonal of which 11-12 inches.

• Compact tablets good for viewing Internet content away from home, and in this regard, much more convenient than the largest smartphones. These small devices are easy to carry, and at the same time - with the help of a small tablet you can read books, communicate online and play your favorite toys.
• Medium screen tablets more powerful than its younger brothers, and on such a gadget you can already comfortably view PDF files and this is - great format for office work. In addition, on a 9-10 inch display it is more convenient to browse the Internet, watch videos and read books.
• Large tablets They are still rare and expensive here. They have the most powerful hardware, and, thanks to increased performance, can compete with many laptops in speed. Of course, a large touch screen is incredibly convenient in everyday life, and in order to fully meet the requirements of a laptop-level working tool, a large tablet requires a keyboard.

Tablet form factor

A regular tablet looks like a touchscreen panel, which is enough functionality to solve the vast majority of tasks. Many of the classic tablets can be equipped with a keyboard and a computer mouse as additional accessories. But there is an interesting variety of tablets - the so-called transformers, vaguely reminiscent of laptops, with a hinged keyboard, which, when rotated 180°, we again get a tablet familiar to the eye. Such a hybrid device with the movement of a hand turns from a work tool into an entertainment gadget and vice versa, which is very convenient, although expensive.

The transformer is very convenient to use - but its cost is much higher than that of a regular tablet.

Basic parameters

Display type and resolution

The screens of good modern tablets are made using AMOLED and IPS technologies. Both options are good in their own way, but AMOLED displays have richer colors and deeper blacks; They are economical - but also more expensive. IPS screens also have a bright color gamut, and in order to see the differences between these types of matrices, you can compare the quality of the same picture displayed on the screens of tablets lying next to each other with these matrices. The cheap tablet has a screen with a TFT matrix that fades in the sun and has small viewing angles.

Tablet screen resolution is the ratio of luminous elements - pixels along the length and width of the display. It is worth buying a tablet with a screen resolution of at least 1920x1200 pixels, at which the image on the display will be quite clear. But if you are planning to purchase a model with a large screen, then to maintain a high level of clarity, the resolution should be proportionally higher, although this leads to an increase in the price of the gadget.

A good tablet screen has an IPS or AMOLED matrix and a resolution of at least 1920x1200 pixels.

Performance

The fast operation of the tablet is largely due to the power of its processor, which in turn depends on the number of its cores and the chipset architecture. Although the performance of modern tablets is quite sufficient for solving most tasks, not counting “heavy” 3D games, working with Adobe Photoshop and watching streaming video in 4K resolution with several programs open. And if you need a powerful model, choose a tablet that has already received good reviews regarding its performance, or try running games or applications in the store. In this case, you should not rely on the performance figures, since even a good processor, if the tablet software is not optimized, will not deliver its full potential.

When choosing a tablet for gaming, test its performance on a 3D game right in the store.

Reception and transmission of data

Data exchange is one of the most important capabilities of a tablet, and the rule here is that the more wireless technologies implemented in the tablet, the better. Of course, to be able to access the Internet, the gadget must first of all be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network, although this will no longer be enough when away from home and work, and in this case a 4G LTE module or at least 3G is already needed. In addition, to connect various wireless devices such as a keyboard, mouse or headphones to your tablet, you will need a Bluetooth radio module of at least class 4.0.

A good tablet should have 4G LTE or 3G modules, and Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher.

Memory capacity

The tablet's built-in memory is necessary to store downloaded files, and the more it is, the better. Memory is measured in gigabytes and the device can have 4, 8, 16, 32, or more GB. If you are choosing a tablet for communicating on the Internet and browsing the Internet, without planning to store a large amount of information, then 16 GB of memory will be enough for you. The memory capacity can be expanded with memory cards if the gadget has a slot for it; By the way, Apple tablets do not have such a component, so music lovers and video shooters have to make do with the volume of their internal storage to store their favorite files.

The amount of internal memory significantly affects the overall cost of the tablet, and if you want to store a lot of information, but at the same time save on purchases, choose a model with the ability to install a high-capacity memory card.

Battery capacity

The larger the tablet’s battery capacity, the longer it will work when away from a power outlet.. In the characteristics of gadgets, this parameter is written as (for example) 4000 mAh, and there you can also find the operating time of the tablet on one charge in various modes, by which you can determine whether the device is suitable for you or not. More accurate information about the autonomy of the selected model can be found in the reviews of its owners on the Internet.

Camera

The high resolution of a camera does not always guarantee the quality of its photos and videos; In a tablet camera, the size of the sensor or matrix, as well as the quality of its optics, are no less important. Therefore, do not pay much attention to the seller’s assurances about the exclusivity of his photo module, but rather, at home, look on the Internet for information from users or video reviews of the model to get the most objective opinion. The camera in a tablet is not as important as in a smartphone, and therefore there is no point in focusing particularly on its quality.

It is important that the selected gadget has a good front camera for making video calls.

Useful and relevant video about choosing a tablet:

And in conclusion, we present to our readers a rating of the best budget tablets of 2018, with an optimal price-quality ratio, each of which is worthy of special attention.

The best budget tablets with a 7-inch screen

This tablet is not much larger than a 6-inch smartphone, but its main advantages are its low price with a screen larger than that of a phablet.

And the first in the TOP 5 smallest tablets of 2018 was a well-built model with a good IPS screen – Lenovo Tab 4 TB-7504X 16Gb. A small and lightweight gadget with two SIM card slots and support for high-speed 4G data exchange, can be used as a phone, which is very convenient. This inexpensive and convenient tablet has 2 cameras, the older of which with a resolution of 5 megapixels has autofocus and HDR shooting mode, and FM radio. The device features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless communication modules, a GPS navigator and a good battery with autonomy within its class. And the Lenovo Tab 4 looks like a very large phone, and it is also convenient to carry with you.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.0;
• Processor – 2 cores, MediaTek MT8735 1300 MHz;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB, memory cards up to 128 GB;
• Screen – IPS, glossy, 7″, 1280×720 pixels;
• Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G, 4G LTE;
• Battery – 3500 mAh.

Pros:

1. Good screen and sound;
2. High-quality assembly, fits comfortably in the hand;
3. Fast GPS navigator.

Cons:

1. Simple cameras without flash, one speaker;
2. As many as 8 of the 16 GB of memory are occupied by the system;
3. Micro-lags or freezes for a split second.

In fourth position in the rating is a Russian-made model - Irbis TZ753, which can make calls and is equipped with a good 7-inch IPS display and two slots for SIM cards. The compact tablet has a 3G high-speed data exchange module and a GPS navigator. In addition, it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity with triple EDR acceleration, two cameras with flash, FM radio and a good battery. And all this for a symbolic price of 3,500 rubles.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.0;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB and memory cards up to 32 GB;
• Communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR; two SIM cards, high-speed Internet 3G;
• Cameras – front – 0.3 MP, rear – 2 MP;
• Battery – 2800 mAh.

Pros:

1. High-quality display;
2. Two SIM card slots and a memory card slot;
3. Productive processor.

Cons:

1. Weak cameras;
2. Low screen resolution and sensitivity;
3. Low version of Bluetooth.

Third place in the TOP 5 best 7-inch tablets of 2018 is occupied by a small gadget - Prestigio Grace PMT3257 with an IPS display, a 4-core processor and the ability to work in 3G and 4G LTE networks. The model has two slots for SIM cards and a slot for memory cards, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. Its multimedia part is represented by two cameras and FM radio, and the battery has a capacity of 2800 mAh. Prestigio Grace works quickly on the Internet, and since the voice of the interlocutor is clearly heard during calls, it is suitable as not the most cumbersome and very cheap means of communication.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.0;
• Processor – 4 cores 1100 MHz;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB plus a slot with a memory card up to 64 GB;
• Display – IPS, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
• Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; 2 SIM cards, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
• Battery – 2800 mAh.

Pros:

1. Two SIM card slots and IPS screen;
2. Availability of Bluetooth 4.0 and 4G support;

Cons:

1. Weak cameras;
2. Quiet speaker sound;

Another inexpensive but good Russian-made tablet, the BQ 7083G has a 4-core processor with 1 GB of RAM, and the gadget’s 8 GB file storage can be increased with memory cards up to 32 GB. The BQ 7083G has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules, a GPS navigator and two cameras, and Internet data transfer using this gadget is possible using the high-speed 3G protocol. Since the gadget is equipped with an auditory speaker, it can be used as a means of communication, and its low price is a strong argument for buying an inexpensive but good tablet.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.0;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + memory cards up to 32 GB;
• Display – TFT, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
• Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G module;
• Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
• Battery – 2400 mAh.

Pros:

1. Two SIM card slots;
2. Low price
3. Fast 4-core processor.

Cons:

1. TFT screen;
2. No 4G module;
3. Weak cameras.

Ginzzu GT-7210 is an excellent 7-inch tablet in a metal case with an IPS display. This attractive gadget, equipped with a 4-core processor, has 2 SIM card slots and a memory card slot with a capacity of up to 128 GB, solving the problem of storing files with 8 GB of its own memory. The model has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 modules, works in LTE networks and is equipped with cameras with a resolution of 5 and 2 megapixels. It has a good 3000 mAh battery and a GPS navigator, which will be useful for car enthusiasts.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.0;
• Processor – 4 cores 1300 MHz;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + memory cards up to 128 GB;
• Display – TFT IPS, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
• Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
• Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP;
• Battery – 3000 mAh.

Pros:

1. Metal body and IPS screen;
2. Support for LTE networks;
3. Two SIM card slots and a fast processor.

Cons:

1. Inconvenient SIM card slots;
2. Quiet sound from external speaker.

The best budget tablets with a screen of 8-9 inches

Tablets with this screen size are still easy to carry, but they have a more comfortable screen for viewing content.

Model – Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM-T385 16Gb is assembled in a metal case and is equipped with an 8-inch TFT display. Inside the tablet, running Android 7.0 Nougat OS, there is a 4-core processor, which is allocated 2 GB of RAM. Thanks to the presence of a SIM card slot, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 can make calls, and the gadget’s support for high-speed 3G and 4G LTE networks expands the possibilities for exchanging information. The tablet has Wi-Fi, A2DP, Bluetooth 4.0 modules, a GPS navigator and cameras with a resolution of 8 and 5 megapixels, and the main photo module is equipped with a flash and has an autofocus function. And on top of that, it has an excellent 5000 mAh battery.

• OS – Android 7.1;
• Processor – 4 cores, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 1400 MHz;
• Memory – RAM – 2 GB, built-in – 16 GB plus memory card capacity;
• Display – TFT, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP;
• Mobile communications – SIM card, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
• Cameras – front 5 MP, rear 8 MP (with autofocus);
• Battery – 5000 mAh.

Pros:

1. Metal body and good cameras;
2. A2DP and 4G LTE modules;
3. SIM card slot and large battery.

Cons:

1. Overpriced, quiet sound;
2. Not all applications are adapted for this resolution and not every application is saved to the memory card;
3. There is no backlight or vibration response of the back and home keys.

A real gaming tablet - Teclast T8 in a durable metal case, equipped with a bright JDI IPS screen from Japan Display Inc. with high definition and good oleophobic coating. The device has a 6-core MTK chip with a frequency of up to 2.1 GHz, which develops good information processing speed thanks to the support of the Power VR GX6250 graphics coprocessor and 4 GB of RAM. A productive and energy-efficient processor allows the device to comfortably play even 3D games, for which the company released a joystick - Teclast Master T8 Bluetooth Wireless Joystick Gamepad. The tablet's cameras are also excellent: a 13 megapixel front sensor with an HDR shooting function takes good photos and videos during daylight hours, but the main camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels shoots much weaker. Teclast T8 has stereo speakers and an A2DP module for transmitting audio to Bluetooth headphones. And this technical device is powered by a powerful battery with a USB Type-C connector.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 6 cores, MediaTek MT8176, up to 2.1 GHz;
• Memory – RAM – 4 GB, built-in – 64 GB plus memory cards;
• Display – IPS, glossy, 8.4 inches, 2560×1600 pixels;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP;
• Cameras – front 8 MP, rear 13 MP (autofocus);
• Battery – 5400 mAh.

Pros:

1. Metal body and excellent JDI IPS display;
2. Powerful gaming processor and good sound;
3. A2DP module and USB-C connector.

Cons:

1. There is no slot for a SIM card, the screen glares;
2. Wi-Fi reception is weak, the battery lasts for 4 hours of video.

The ultra-budget smartphone – Ginzzu GT-8105, despite its positioning, is well equipped. The gadget has a metal body, an 8-inch IPS screen and a 4-core processor with a clock frequency of 1.3 GHz. The model has 2 slots for SIM cards and can be used as a phone, works in 3G networks and connects to the network via Wi-Fi; equipped with a Bluetooth 4.0 module and two cameras with a resolution of 5 megapixels. And the battery of this high-quality tablet, priced at about 4,500 rubles, has a capacity of 4,000 mAh.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 4 cores, Spreadtrum SC7731G 1300 MHz;
• Cameras – front 5 MP, rear 5 MP (flash);
• Battery – 4000 mAh.

Pros:

1. Metal body and Android 7.1 Nougat OS;
2. Capacious battery and two cameras;
3. Two SIM card slots and a memory card slot.

Cons:

1. Low screen resolution;
2. Does not support 4G;
3. Weak processor.

Digma Plane 8558 4G

The remarkable ratio between price and functionality highlighted this inexpensive but good tablet in our 2018 rating. Digma Plane 8558 4G attracts with its high-quality body assembly with a bright IPS display, 4-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and the ability to work in LTE networks. In addition, at its low price, the tablet is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 modules, has two cameras with a resolution of 2 and 0.3 megapixels, a slot for memory cards up to 128 GB and a good battery with a capacity of 3500 mAh. The tablet will be an excellent tool for surfing the Internet and watching videos in high definition 720p format.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 4 cores 1500 MHz;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB + memory card capacity;
• Display – IPS, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
• High-speed networks – 3G, 4G LTE;
• Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
• Battery – 3500 mAh.

Pros:

1. High-quality build and good screen;
2. Android 7, 4G LTE and powerful processor;
3. Capacious memory card.

Cons:

1. No SIM card.
2. High defect rate.

Ultra-budget tablet - Irbis TZ885, in addition to its low price, attracts with good build quality and a bright 8-inch IPS display. The model has a 4-core processor and 1 GB of RAM for its operation; The internal memory is 16 GB, which, together with the capacity of a 32 GB memory card, is quite enough to store a sufficient number of files. The gadget can make calls, supports high-speed 4G LTE connections, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connections. It can work as a GPS navigator in a car with A-GPS support, and also has an FM radio and two simple cameras. The Irbis TZ885 battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh lasts more than 5 days in standby mode.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 4 cores, Spreadtrum SC9832 1300 MHz;
• GPU – Mali-400 MP2;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB plus memory card;
• Display – IPS, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
• Communications – 2 SIM card slots, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0;
• Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP (flash);
• Battery – 4000 mAh.

Pros:

1. High-quality IPS screen;
2. Can make calls, has a 4G module and a 4-core processor;
3. Good battery capacity and comfortable price.

Cons:

1. Weak cameras, the front camera protrudes noticeably beyond the boundaries of the body;
2. Flimsy and awkwardly made cover for SIM cards and memory cards;
3. Not very responsive screen sensor.

The best budget tablets with a 10-inch screen

Here are the best representatives of inexpensive tablets of 2018, the large screen diagonal of which allows you to view content in the most comfortable mode.

A very good budget tablet - Asus Zenpad 10 Z301MFL 16 GB is equipped with a high-quality IPS screen with good resolution for its price. In the depths of the plastic body of the gadget there is a fairly productive 4-core MTK chip with a frequency of 1.45 GHz, hence the vivacity of the Asus Zenpad 10 when surfing the Internet and working with applications, adding comfort when using it. There is 2 GB of RAM, which is also not bad for a budget device, and 16 GB of file storage expandable with microSD cards with a capacity of up to 128 GB is a very good indicator for a device in this price segment. The smartphone has a SIM card slot and operates in 4G LTE networks, supports Miracast, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 wireless multimedia signal transmission standards. It is equipped with two simple cameras and a 4680 mAh battery with a USB Type-C connector.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8735 1450 MHz;
• Memory – RAM 2 GB, ROM 16 GB + microSDXC;
• Display – IPS, glossy, 10.1″, 1920×1200;
• Communication – SIM card slot, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Miracast, Bluetooth 4.2;
• Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP (flash);
• Battery – 4680 mAh.

Pros:

1. Excellent IPS, Full HD screen, stereo sound;
2. Fast processor operation;
3. Good battery life, 4G and a lot of memory.

Cons:

1. Low screen sensitivity;
2. The back of the lid gets dirty very easily;
3. Weak cameras and slow Wi-Fi.

A light and thin budget tablet in a silver metal casing, the Teclast Master T10 received from the manufacturer an excellent high-resolution IPS screen with an oleophobic coating manufactured by Sharp. The information in the gadget is processed by a 6-core processor with a clock frequency of 2.1 GHz, which is allocated as much as 4 GB of RAM. With the built-in memory, everything is also more than good - 64 GB plus 32 GB of memory card resource will allow you to save a lot of photos and video files. The model has stereo speakers, as well as the ability to transfer music to a Bluetooth headset using the A2DP wireless protocol. In addition, the device has 3.5 mm mini-jack and micro HDMI connectors for connecting to a TV and monitor. Teclast Master T10 is equipped with good cameras: a main sensor with a resolution of 8 megapixels, which has autofocus, panoramic and HDR shooting functions, a front sensor of 13 megapixels with f/2 aperture and a viewing angle of 82°. Also, the best tablet in all respects has a fingerprint scanner and a large battery with fast charging function.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 6 cores, MediaTek MT8176;
• GPU – PowerVR GX6250;
• Memory – RAM – 4 GB, built-in – 64 GB + microSDXC;
• Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1 inches, 2560×1600 pixels;
• Communication – 3G, 4G LTE;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, A2DP, Bluetooth 4.0;
• Cameras – front 8 MP, rear 13 MP;
• Battery – 8100 mAh.

Pros:

1. High-quality screen from Sharp;
2. Fast 6-core chip, large battery with fast charging;
3. A2DP, 4G and fingerprint scanner.

Cons:

1. There is no GPS module and no option with a mobile modem;
2. Sometimes it throws you out of some software (toys);
3. Mediocre sound (loud, but not cool).

An inexpensive but good tablet, the Teclast P10 has many of the same features found in similar devices with a higher price tag. The model, assembled in a metal case, has a 10-inch IPS screen with Full HD resolution and an 8-core processor with a clock frequency of 1500 MHz and 2 GB of RAM. The built-in storage allows you to save up to 32 GB of information on the Teclast P10, and if this is not enough, a memory card of up to 64 GB will solve the problem. The tablet has 2 cameras and a large 6000 mAh battery with fast charging function, which holds a charge for 3 hours of continuous video viewing at maximum display brightness. In addition, the owner of Teclast P10 will have access to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless networks.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 8 cores, Rockchip RK3368, 1.5 GHz;
• Memory – RAM – 2 GB, built-in – 32 GB + microSDXC;
• Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1″, 1920×1200;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
• Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP;
• Battery – 6000 mAh.

Pros:

1. Android 7.1 and bright Full HD screen;
2. Large battery and 8-core processor;
3. Metal body.

Cons:

1. No SIM card slot, no power supply included;
2. Weak cameras, cannot cope with 3D games;
3. Unstable screen scrolling.

The next 10-inch tablet belongs to the ultra-budget segment of gadgets, and accordingly its filling is simpler. Its screen with a TFT matrix has a resolution of 1280×800 pixels, and the resolution of the device’s cameras is only 2 and 0.3 megapixels. Inside the Digma CITI 1544 3G there is a 4-core MediaTek MT8321 processor with a clock frequency of 1300 MHz and 1 GB of RAM. Its internal memory of 8 GB can be expanded with microSD cards up to 128 GB. The large device can make calls, and for this it has 2 slots where SIM cards are inserted. The tablet supports high-speed data exchange 3G, wireless data transfer – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Moreover, the gadget has a GPS navigator and a good 5000 mAh battery.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + microSDXC;
• Communication – 2 SIM cards, 3G module;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
• Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
• Battery – 5000 mAh.

Pros:

1. Cheap, light and compact;
2. Android 7.1 and 4-core processor;
3. Powerful battery, you can make calls.

Cons:

1. Low display resolution, quiet speaker sound;
2. Weak cameras, no accessories for sale;
3. Fragile, creaks.

Budget tablet – Archos 101c Xenon is equipped with a good IPS display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The information in the gadget is processed by a 4-core chipset from MTK with 1 GB of RAM. The model has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless modules, as well as a 3G module, and drivers will certainly be interested in the presence of a good GPS navigator with A-GPS in an inexpensive device. Although both of its cameras are simple, they are quite sufficient for video calls and urgent recording of events. The model with 2 SIM card slots and a memory card slot has a fairly powerful 4500 mAh battery.

Brief characteristics:

• Operating system – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8321 1300 MHz;
• Memory – RAM 1 GB, ROM 32 GB + microSDXC;
• Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1″, 1280×800;
• Communication – 2 SIM cards, 3G;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
• Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
• Battery – 4500 mAh.

Pros:

1. Android 7.1 and IPS screen;
2. Affordable price and good performance.
3. Two SIM card slots, 3G and loud sound.

Cons:

1. Low display resolution;
2. Weak cameras;
3. It often slows down.

An analogue of the previous model from the same manufacturer, a tablet with a large battery is Archos 116 Neon 16Gb, but with a screen having a diagonal of 11.6 inches. Drivers will be interested in the presence of a GPS navigator with A-GPS support in the Archos 116 Neon, and music lovers will like the ability to output stereo music or surround sound from films to its owner’s Bluetooth headset thanks to the A2DP module. The chipset architecture is built on a 4-core MediaTek processor, which demonstrates reliable performance when performing most tasks. A tablet with a large screen will be a good buy and a convenient tool for viewing Internet content.

Brief characteristics:

• OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
• Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8163 1300 MHz;
• GPU – Mali-T720 MP2;
• Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB and memory card resource;
• Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 11.6 inches, 1366×768 pixels;
• Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP;
• Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
• Battery – 6000 mAh.

Pros:

1. Android 7.1 Nougat, A2DP, USB 2.0 Type A;
2. Large and bright display;
3. Fast operation and high autonomy.

Cons:

1. P bulky - there are thick frames around the screen;
2. Non-standard screen, some applications have black frames around the edges;
3. Not suitable for games, many fakes for the model.

Conclusion

As you can see, choosing a tablet is not so difficult; it is important to decide what you need it for most, and look for a model in which the most necessary function would be well implemented. And the rating of the best budget tablets of 2018 without further ado shows that even for little money you can choose a functional device with a good screen and a capacious battery. Beware of fakes, and buy or order a tablet only from a trusted seller, and the result of caution will be a great mood from using a high-quality gadget.

Choosing a tablet is no easier than choosing a smartphone. The leaders in the tablet market are also 2 “giants” and Apple - while there are a lot of companies from Asia that do not lay claim to the throne, but produce high-quality products worthy of the attention of buyers.

Which tablet should you choose and what should you look at first? You will learn about this by reading this article to the end.

The choice of a tablet must be approached somewhat differently than the choice of a smartphone - nevertheless, these 2 devices have different purposes. A smartphone is needed primarily for calls; The main function of the tablet is to provide the user with access to the Internet. Therefore, when choosing a tablet, priority should be given to those criteria that affect the convenience of Internet surfing - overall performance and display size.

Performance

The performance of the tablet when searching for information on the Internet, watching movies and, especially, gameplay depends on the chipset model, number of cores, clock frequency, graphics accelerator, and amount of RAM. An ordinary user who does not expect “miracles” from a tablet should purchase a device with the following minimum performance characteristics:

• Number of cores – from 4. 2 cores are now only enough for Apple tablets, which use processors of their own production. Buying a 2-core device with Android OS is only worth it if there is an acute shortage of money.
• Clock frequency – from 1.4 GHz. You can watch movies and surf the Internet at 600 MHz, but for resource-intensive games and applications this frequency will clearly not be enough.
• RAM capacity – from 2 GB. The buyer needs to remember that when starting the tablet, installed processes instantly take up about 600 MB of RAM. If the tablet has 1 GB of RAM, then only 400 MB is left for user processes - this is only enough to solve the simplest tasks.

For games, it is best to take a gadget with an NVIDIA Tegra processor - for example, Transformer Prime.

Display: size and resolution

Tablets are available in the following form factors: 7 inches, 8 inches and 10 inches. The device with a 7-inch screen is compact in size and can even fit into the lining of a jacket. It is convenient to use as an e-reader, but not so much for watching movies.

A 10-inch tablet is more suitable for working with multimedia files. However, it is not recommended to buy a budget gadget with a large screen - for 2 reasons: Firstly, such a tablet can be quite bulky and heavy, secondly, the display of a cheap device will probably show graininess.

8-inch gadgets are not very common. This is a borderline option, which in fact lacks the advantages of both of the above. You should refrain from purchasing an 8-inch gadget, especially since there are a lot of accessories for this form factor.

As for the screen resolution, the best option for a 7-inch device is HD (1280×720), for a 10-inch device FullHD (1920×1080). Buy tablets with used O A higher resolution is pointless: the user will not notice the difference in picture quality, but will suffer from the fact that the gadget quickly discharges.

If the tablet screen is made using OGS technology (that is, without an air gap), this is an additional bonus. OGS screens are notable for their wide viewing angles and excellent color rendition.

Availability of 3G

You won’t be able to install a SIM card in a tablet that doesn’t support 3G; you can only access the Internet from such a gadget if you have a Wi-Fi connection. As a rule, Wi-Fi tablets are much cheaper than their 3G counterparts. Therefore, for a buyer who intends to use the device primarily at home, it is more profitable to purchase a device without a SIM slot.

If you can put a SIM card in a tablet, this does not mean that you can make calls from it - iPad devices, for example, do not have a call function. Whether a specific tablet model supports the call function should be checked immediately before purchasing.

operating system

The following operating systems are installed on modern tablets:

• iOS. The iOS operating system can only be found on gadgets manufactured by Apple. Its main advantages are stability and high speed. The operating system is simplified as much as possible, and therefore does not require many processor cores and an impressive amount of RAM for correct operation. iOS users can download games and programs from the AppStore - in 2016, the number of applications in the store exceeded 2 million. The key disadvantage of iOS is its closed nature, due to which a novice user may have problems mastering the gadget.
• Android. This operating system is open. It's easy to deal with; Data from a PC to an Android phone can be transferred without using additional software - like iTunes for iOS or Zune for Windows Phone 7. The Android application store is called Google Play. It has even more programs and games than the AppStore, but not all of them can boast of decent quality; This is because only authorized Apple developers can post applications on the AppStore, and ordinary programmers can post applications on Google Play. Unlike iOS, Android is considered a vulnerable operating system and requires an antivirus.
• Windows. Our site recently wrote that the mobile operating system has lost support. However, there are a lot of good tablets with Windows 10 in 2017 - gadgets based on the Microsoft OS are produced by such large companies as Asus. The advantages of the Windows mobile operating system are a convenient “tiled” interface, a pre-installed package of full-fledged Office programs and undemanding requirements for the gadget’s hardware. The key disadvantage is the “poverty” of the official Windows Store application store. The latest measurement, which took place in the fall of 2015, showed that there were only 669 thousand programs in the Windows Store; by that time, the AppStore and Google Play already had 1.5 million applications each.

Buyers who have experience using Apple technology should prefer a gadget with iOS; for beginners, it is better to take a device with a “green robot”. A tablet with Windows 10 is still an option for everyone; Such a device can be recommended to “hardened” geeks - to broaden their horizons.

Battery

How long the tablet will last without recharging depends on the battery capacity. This parameter should only be considered in conjunction with the performance and display characteristics of the device. A gadget with premium hardware and a FullHD display will, of course, consume energy much faster than a budget model. For an inexpensive gadget, on the contrary, a large battery is an unnecessary luxury.

For those who are waiting for specifics, let us clarify: a gadget with a 7-inch screen will need a battery with a capacity of 3,500 - 4,000 mAh, a 10-inch tablet needs 5,000 - 7,000 mAh. The 7,340 mAh battery of the iPad Air 2 tablet was enough for 10 hours of continuous Internet surfing.

Cameras

It is naive to expect professional-quality pictures from a tablet. Tablets take photos worse than smartphones - after all, this is not their main function. The peculiarity of tablets is that their front cameras are, as a rule, no worse than the rear ones. The quality of the image from the front camera is important - because the user, due to the possible lack of a call function on the tablet, will probably chat on Skype.

If the back and front cameras of the tablet can boast a resolution of 5 megapixels, this is more than enough.

What else is worth paying attention to?

When choosing a tablet, the buyer should also pay attention to the following minor points:

• Housing material. Metal tablets are considered more reliable and look much more solid than plastic ones, but they receive Wi-Fi worse. Therefore, if a buyer intends to buy a metal tablet, he should take care of 3G support.
• Support. If the tablet is equipped with the On-The-Go (OTG) function, the user will be able to connect a USB flash drive to it and import / export documents literally on the go.
• Support. Using a stylus will make it much more convenient and enjoyable for the user to work with graphics. This material talks about the best tablets with a stylus.
• Memory expandability. The amount of built-in memory of a device is not so important if the memory can be expanded using a flash drive. Buying such a flash drive now is not difficult - they are sold for next to nothing.
• GPS support/. If the tablet is capable of receiving information from satellite systems, it’s time to upload the car navigator to Avito - the mobile device will cope with route planning just as well.

Conclusion

When going to the store to buy a tablet, the buyer must have a clear idea of ​​how he will use the mobile device. To check email and VK at home, a Wi-Fi option is suitable, but for work it is better to take a gadget that supports 3G. A Wi-Fi tablet is cheaper, but once it is outside the signal range, many of its useful features become unavailable.

Answering the question for yourself Wi-Fi or 3G, the buyer should pay attention to the performance and display characteristics of the device. By purchasing a quad-core device with 2 GB of RAM and a FullHD display, the user is unlikely to experience any inconvenience while surfing the Internet.