Compare Samsung tablets by characteristics. How to choose a tablet: basic criteria

Choosing a tablet is no easier than choosing a smartphone. The leaders in the tablet market are also two “giants”, Samsung and Apple - at the same time, 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. It’s worth buying a dual-core device with Android OS only in case of 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, Asus 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 the summer of 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 Windows Phone 8.1 was officially “recognized dead” - the mobile operating system lost support from Microsoft. However, there are a lot of good tablets with Windows 10 in 2017 - gadgets on the Microsoft OS are produced by such large companies as Lenovo, Huawei, 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; beginners should choose 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 rear 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 catch Wi-Fi worse. Therefore, if a buyer intends to buy a metal tablet, he should take care of 3G support.
• OTG 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.
• Stylus 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 MicroSD flash drive. Buying such a flash drive now is not difficult - they are sold for next to nothing.
• GPS support/GLONASS. 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.

Having answered the question for yourself Wi-Fi or 3G, the buyer should pay attention to the performance and display characteristics of the device. Having purchased a 4-core device with 2 GB of RAM and a FullHD display, the user is unlikely to experience any inconvenience while surfing the Internet.

We continue our series of guides on choosing mobile devices. After articles about fitness bracelets and smart watches, we decided to summarize our experience in testing tablets in one material. We will periodically update the article and re-publish it, so you can always find here up-to-date information, a description of the best models at the moment and current prices for them.

The fashion for tablets revolutionized the IT industry in 2010 thanks to the appearance of the Apple iPad (everything that was before cannot be called a mass phenomenon), reached its peak in 2012-2013 and has since begun to fade away. Already in 2015, there was a clear feeling that everyone was tired of tablets - both manufacturers and the public. And even the release of the iPad Pro could not reverse the trend.

However, fashion is fashion, and no one has canceled everyday needs and tasks. Over the few years during which almost all families acquired tablets, users have become accustomed to the fact that such devices are convenient for reading books, surfing the Internet, scrolling through social networks and email (especially while lying on the sofa or in bed), watching videos and films, playing games. some types of games... It is worth noting that tablets turned out to be an ideal device for children: it is with them that the majority of those born at the end of the 2000s begin their acquaintance with technology.

In general, whatever one may say, the tablet is a useful and pleasant thing. It may not be as necessary as a smartphone, and not as versatile as a laptop, but if you can get at least one tablet for your family, it’s worth doing. And therefore, the question of choice arises. Yes, and existing tablet users sooner or later find themselves faced with the need to update the device - either due to the breakdown of the old one, or due to its obsolescence (which, however, occurs more slowly than in the case of smartphones).

So, if you decide to buy a tablet, you need to answer the main question: what and where will you use it first (or are these two questions?..). The answer depends on the answer to two other fundamental questions: what operating system will the tablet be on and with what screen diagonal.

Separate large articles could be written about the nuances of choosing between different operating systems and screen diagonals, but we will not go into detail here and will try to highlight the main thing. With operating systems, it all comes down to whether you plan to use the tablet as a full-featured laptop replacement or not. That is, if you are going to go on business trips with it, open and edit MS Office documents, run some professional programs like Adobe Photoshop or 1C Accounting (at least occasionally), then it makes sense to purchase a Windows tablet.

But if the tablet is intended to be used for entertainment (games, especially for children, videos, reading books and magazines, social networks...), then in this case you should look towards iOS/Android devices.

As for the diagonal, the key point here is the place of use. For home use, especially if the tablet is purchased for children or elderly people, a diagonal of about 10 inches is optimal. For constantly carrying with you, smaller devices are more convenient (for example, if you get to work by train or travel for a long time by subway, then it is most convenient to read from a tablet with a screen diagonal of about 8 inches). Well, diagonals of more than 11 inches are designed for that rather narrow category of users who use the tablet for professional tasks, but need a tablet rather than a laptop. These could be artists, lecturers, etc. Finally, if you buy a tablet on the principle of “let it be, but a use will be found” and cannot decide in advance on the format of use, then take a device with a diagonal of about 10 inches, this is the most universal option.

Now, having decided on the diagonal and the operating system, we can proceed directly to the choice. We decided to categorize it precisely along the diagonal, while placing Windows tablets in a separate category, since it has its own specifics, which are even more significant than the diagonal itself.

Let us immediately warn you that we did not include in the article the products of little-known Chinese brands and their Russian “avatars”, because we cannot vouch for their reliability and durability, and, besides, there are a huge number of them, and they replace each other rapidly, so if you really want to save money, choose at your own risk, based on the characteristics and reviews.

Tablets 8 inches or smaller

The most famous compact tablet is, of course, the iPad mini. Although Apple for quite a long time did not recognize diagonals smaller than 9.7 inches (it was what Jobs considered ideal), Tim Cook did not want to hand over the market for compact tablets to competitors. This is how the iPad mini appeared, and if the first model turned out to be inferior in all respects to the large iPad, then already in the second generation the iPad mini acquired a Retina screen and very powerful hardware.

Since then, two more updates have been released: one is cosmetic (iPad mini 3), and the second (that is, iPad mini 4) is more serious. But still, the iPad mini 2 remains a completely relevant option, optimal in terms of price and quality. So, the cheapest version (with 16 GB of internal memory and without LTE) can be found for less than 20 thousand rubles.

Of course, if you plan to actively use the tablet for taking photos/videos, then 16 GB is not enough, but as a portable e-reader and a compact gaming console, this is enough (again, if the games are not several gigabytes or tens, but smaller). The best option is perhaps 64 GB. But in the case of the iPad mini 2, a 32-gigabyte version could be a good compromise (newer generations no longer have this option).

Among Apple's competitors, Samsung has the widest range of compact tablets. There are models for every taste and budget, although most of them, of course, occupy the lower segment. In this article, we will not recommend tablets with screen resolutions lower than Full HD, since, in our opinion, in 2016 you can only give up normal image clarity if you simply cannot afford to buy more expensive models. And if, in principle, you have money and you want to choose some reasonable option, then you can save on everything except the quality of the screen. And although a high resolution does not always mean that the screen is really good, the inverse relationship is undeniable: 1280x800 or 1024x768 clearly indicate that they saved money on the screen.

So, coming back to Samsung models, we would recommend the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. The option is not the cheapest, but interesting, first of all, with a Super AMOLED screen (which means that there will be bright rich colors and high energy efficiency when reading on a black background), which competitors cannot boast of, as well as a fingerprint scanner and the current version of Android ( 6.0 Marshmallow).

Another interesting alternative to the iPad mini is the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. What attracts attention here is its water resistance (of course, we don’t recommend using it underwater, but lying on the beach with it without fear of sand and sea spray is quite possible. Let’s add to this the minimum weight (270 grams) and a fairly powerful filling (Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 3 GB of RAM) - and we’ll get an excellent option, especially for fans of the Sony brand.

By the way, an important nuance: the iPad mini and Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 have a 4:3 aspect ratio screen. And the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has 16:9. The first is more convenient for the Internet, the second for watching movies.

An interesting solution (primarily in the field of design) is the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 2. This tablet has a stand along the long side of the body, and the center of gravity of the device is shifted towards it. Therefore, without additional accessories, you can install the tablet in a comfortable position for watching movies or reading, or place it on the table so that its side farthest from you rises slightly above the table. This is a convenient option for typing on the virtual keyboard.

The technical characteristics of the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 2 are not bad, but the Android version is old (4.4), and this, of course, is a minus. But the price is low.

As you have already noticed, all the models that we talked about in this section have a screen diagonal of about 8 inches. What about the seven-inch models? Of course, they are also on the market, especially in the budget segment. But today it seems to us inappropriate to purchase them, since their display is not much larger than that of tablet phones with a 5.5-5.7-inch screen, but using them as a smartphone is no longer convenient. That is, neither here nor there.

Tablets with a diagonal of 9 to 10 inches

Of course, we start with the iPad - over the six years since the release of the first iPad, Apple has never relinquished its leadership in the tablet market (as opposed to the smartphone market). And the 9.7″ iPad remains the de facto standard.

True, among the current models, Apple has two options: iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro 9.7″. The Pro's trump cards include support for a keyboard cover and a stylus (but they must be purchased additionally, and they are expensive), a more powerful SoC, stereo speakers and a better camera.

But the iPad Air 2 remains an excellent choice even without all this, while its price is significantly lower. Overall, we recommend the iPad Air 2, and only if you firmly believe that you need the above features, then go for the iPad Pro. In our opinion, the price/feature ratio of the iPad Air 2 is significantly better.

The competitors are the same: Sony, Samsung, Lenovo, as well as Huawei, whose MediaPad M2 10.0 seemed to us a good alternative to the iPad Pro 9.7″. Let's start with it. Like the iPad Pro, the Huawei tablet allows you to use a pressure-sensitive stylus (there are versions of the tablet available with and without a stylus). In addition, the tablet has a fingerprint scanner and stereo speakers. And in general the design is very decent.

We can’t say that the Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 surprised us with anything; it doesn’t have any unique or outstanding features, but the balance of features and price is quite good.

The flagship solutions from Sony and Samsung are somewhat more expensive, but they are also more interesting. In principle, their key features are identical to the eight-inch models described above: Samsung has a Super AMOLED Plus display, and Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet has water resistance.

The Sony, however, has a higher resolution (2560x1600) and a better aspect ratio for watching movies (16:9). And both tablets are very thin and light.

Lenovo offers a very interesting model. Yoga Tablet 3 Pro has not only an original design, similar in concept to the Yoga Tablet 8 2 described above, but also a built-in projector, four JBL speakers and a very capacious battery (10200 mAh).

The tablet's screen has a resolution of 2560×1600, and an Intel Atom x5 Z8500 processor is installed inside. True, the dimensions and weight of the Yoga Tablet 3 Pro are significantly less attractive than those of the flagships Samsung and Sony, and the feasibility of having a projector (naturally, a rather weak one) is questionable.

Windows tablets and/or tablets larger than 11 inches

Interesting fact: there are practically no Android tablets with a diagonal of 11 inches or larger. Previously, Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 was on sale, but now it is also unavailable. In fact, the only player in the niche of large-format tablets with a mobile operating system is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

What can I say? The highest performance among mobile ARM platforms, an excellent screen, stereo speakers, support for the Apple Pencil stylus, which is quite suitable for the work of professional artists, an attached keyboard cover on which you can touch-type... Naturally, the limiting factor when purchasing will be the price - right let's say biting. But there is one more problem: for all its advantages, the iPad Pro cannot be called a universal device - precisely because of the mobile OS (and therefore the lack of traditional ports and access to the file system). Therefore, the iPad Pro cannot replace a laptop.

Realizing this, Apple's competitors placed their bets on Windows 10, which, in general, is quite logical. After all, such devices, which are close in size to laptops, already require not only entertainment, but also professional use, and for professional tasks, a full-fledged operating system is, of course, better.

The range of Windows tablet brands is different from what we've seen with Android. Here Dell, Lenovo, HP, that is, manufacturers of business laptops, come to the fore. This is understandable: such tablets are, in fact, laptops without a keyboard (more precisely, with a detachable keyboard). Here, for example, is the Dell XPS 12.

12.5-inch screen with 4K resolution (3840×2160), sixth generation Intel Core m processors (as in the MacBook 12″), up to 8 GB of RAM, 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, Thunderbolt interface... Impressive! As, indeed, the price.

A simpler and cheaper option: Lenovo ThinkPad 10 2. 10.1″ Full HD screen, Intel Atom x7 Z8700 processor, 4 GB of RAM, stylus support, USB 3.0 and Micro-HDMI ports.

An important nuance: such tablets can be connected, using hubs and adapters, to an external monitor and peripherals, using them as a full-fledged Windows computer. It is clear that on such a computer you cannot particularly work with Adobe Photoshop or Premier, much less play. But for demonstrating presentations, working with documents and other professional tasks that do not require high productivity, they are perfect.

One of the top options (alas, not officially sold in Russia, but available from many resellers) is Microsoft Surface Pro 4. It is based on a full-fledged laptop configuration - Intel Core-i generation Skylake, SSD drive from 128 GB, from 4 GB random access memory. Plus, there is an impressive screen resolution: 2736×1824 with a diagonal of 12.3″.

True, in the case of Windows, it’s not always worth pursuing an ultra-high screen resolution, because the interface of not all Windows programs is optimized to use 150-200% scaling. And without scaling, all the icons and icons will be tiny on the small tablet screen. So here you can save on resolution by taking, for example, the HP Elite X2 (with an 11.6″ display and a resolution of 1366×768) or something similar.

Note that when purchasing such devices, you should pay attention to whether a keyboard is included or not, because if it is not, then the cost of the keyboard must be added to the price. Using a Windows tablet without a keyboard seems strange to us, to say the least.

We have listed here only products from the most famous brands. If you wish, you can pick up something similar from less titled companies. Of course, it will be cheaper. You can also wait for two new players to appear on the market: Huawei with the MateBook model (it will be released the other day) and Asus with the new Transformer line. Judging by our acquaintance with them at presentations, these are very powerful devices that can correct the situation in the market.

conclusions

Having studied the modern tablet market, we can draw several conclusions, which will also be advice for buyers.

First of all, it's worth keeping in mind that the Android tablet market is in severe decline. Firstly, over the past year there has not been a single really major announcement. That is, the manufacturers themselves do not really believe in the prospects of this direction. Secondly, many very good models from 2013-2014 are already difficult to find on sale. For example, Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and Z3 Tablet or Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 / 8.4. There is no significant progress here, so you can safely buy tablets that are two or three years old, including at online flea markets and sales. But if you want to keep up with the times and expect to get a truly up-to-date device, then look at either iOS or Windows models.

The second point: there is practically no point in purchasing tablets smaller than 8 inches - only something very cheap for a specific task (for example, for employees of taxi services). But among the 8-inch models there are already good options, including those on Android (although this does not change what was said above about Android tablets in general). But you shouldn’t take Windows tablets smaller than 10 inches, since there won’t be much point in it.

But among models larger than 11 inches, Windows tablets seem to us the most interesting solution. The choice here is quite large, and the price range is huge (although the top brands do not have very cheap options). True, here you need to think carefully: do you really need a tablet, and isn’t it worth spending the same money on a compact laptop if you plan to use the device for work, or on a 10-inch iOS/Android tablet if you have fun? Still, no matter how Microsoft promotes its tiled interface and Windows Store, for entertainment and pure tablet use, iOS and Android with their huge selection of applications are more convenient.

And the third point. If you bought a tablet two or three years ago, and you are generally satisfied with it, that is, it does not slow down, does not bother you with external defects, etc., then there is no point in buying a new tablet. You won't get anything qualitatively new.

Tablets have never been able to become “PC killers.” Statistics show that their sales volumes have been declining for several years in a row. Although manufacturers are making various attempts to revive interest in this segment of portable devices, they are not fundamentally correcting the situation. In the current crisis, most domestic consumers are interested in affordable and practical solutions, which immediately affected the popularity of nameplate brands. But since the review is about the best companies - manufacturers tablets, brands Digma, Irbis, bb-mobile Techno and the like, whose rating in Russia is quite high, are not presented in our review.

APPLE

Taking first place in the world market in terms of sales volume, the company from Cupertino in Russia was only third in 2014, and in subsequent years it was not among the leaders at all. Of course, this is not about the quality of Apple-branded products—there are very few complaints against the trendsetter and manufacturer of the first commercially successful tablet. The complaints are mainly related to the stubborn reluctance of Californians to equip their mobile devices with memory card slots and the high prices of Apple tablets. It is the last factor that has become decisive in shaping the preferences of domestic buyers during the crisis. Apple does not have budget offers, and the iPad model (2017) belongs to the conditionally middle class. It is noteworthy that the company decided to simplify the nomenclature of its lines and instead of the serial number of the generation, the year of release is now added to the name of the model range.

Presentation of the new iPad Pro at WWDC 2017

A feature of all the company’s tablets is the classic 4: 3 form factor and the “Retina” criterion, which determines the pixel density that is indistinguishable to the human eye at a typical distance to the screen. Watching movies on any iPad is not very convenient, but Apple has never emphasized the multimedia nature of using its devices, and for many other tasks, the aspect ratio 16: 9 or 16: 10 is less practical.

Pictured is an Apple iPad Pro tablet.

The top-level segment is represented by updated iPad Pro models. Unfortunately, Apple decided to surpass the economy demonstrated a little earlier by Microsoft, and the delivery package of these tablets does not even include a stylus, not to mention a keyboard case.

Conclusion: Apple is one of the best tablet manufacturers, but not everyone can afford such a tablet.

SAMSUNG

Recently, the South Korean industry giant has also simplified the range of its tablets to the limit. If two or three years ago market experts noted strange internal competition among some Samsung lines, now the entire range is limited to the Tab S3 flagships and the Tab A devices, which are considered mid-level. In the process of this reorganization of the tablet series, interesting solutions with the Note stylus were lost somewhere and Note Pro, the development of rugged Tab Active models has practically withered away, and an update to the budget Tab E line is unlikely. The company has once again revised the concept of positioning its devices and now the 4:3 screen aspect ratio is reserved for flagships, while devices in the lower class are again focused on convenient playback of multimedia content.

Photo: vistanews.ru

Samsung promised to release such a tablet with a folding display back in 2016.

Among Samsung's offerings, the most interesting are the flagship tablets and the latest 8-inch Tab A model. The former are equipped with high-quality AMOLED screens, for which the manufacturer is the undisputed leader in the market. The second is interesting as an inexpensive solution for all family members, including children. Perhaps an update to the remaining series will be announced at the upcoming MWC 2018, but so far only the company’s plans to present the next Tab S there are known.

Photo: protabletpc.ru

The photo shows a secure tablet for extreme sports enthusiasts and business people, the Samsung Tab Active, which never found its consumer.

Conclusion:Samsung tablets are quite popular in Russia. But, compared to smartphones from the same manufacturer, they look like a poor relative. Almost always, when developing a new model, the company’s specialists choose for it not the most modern hardware platform, which is necessarily inferior to the solution used in a smartphone of the corresponding class.

LENOVO

Despite the long-term steady decline in consumer interest in tablets in general, the popularity and sales volumes of the products of this Chinese tech giant are constantly growing. And both in quantitative terms and in monetary terms. Actually, if you look at the variety of model ranges of Lenovo tablets, there is nothing surprising in this fact. The range covers almost all possible “niches”, and the company offers solutions not only on the Android operating system, but also on the Windows platform. Lenovo's classic form factor is now the responsibility of the Tab 4 family, in which most 8- and 10-inch models compare favorably with their direct competitors in the power of their hardware.

Pictured is Lenovo Miix 510

Hybrid devices from the Miix line can easily adapt to any task, whose removable keyboard does not at all interfere with the use of such devices for entertainment purposes. Again, “serious guys” do not have entry-level solutions (like the Miix 320), and simpler “players” do not aim at the professional segment, where large screen diagonals and truly powerful processors, like the 500th series, rule the roost.

Photo: pc-tablet.pl

The photo shows a tablet with a Lenovo Yoga Tablet 3 PRO projector.

Yoga Tablets have not gone away, instantly attracting attention with their unique design. Finally, a couple of “yogis” got a keyboard, and not a simple one, but a touch one. If you want, work with text, but the need arises - turn off the backlight and use it as a digitizer.

Conclusion: Lenovo is one of the best tablet manufacturers. Last but not least, this was made possible thanks to the impressive range of budget devices, as well as tablets from the Lower Mid-End segment.

ASUS

The current assortment of classic tablets from Taiwan is a sad sight. If earlier the manufacturer attracted potential buyers with an abundance of all kinds of modifications and affordable prices, now the company is strictly pragmatic - almost the only position in the main segments (and even then not in all). In addition, some devices simply cannot be found in the domestic retail chain. In particular, the really cool 8-inch ZenPad 3S (Z582KL). However, when choosing a tablet from ASUS, you still have to literally read every letter of the model designation, because the difference between versions can be huge. For example, between Z301ML and Z301MFL.

Pictured is ASUS ZenPad 3S 8 (Z582KL)

Apparently, the opinion of market analysts that the company has decided to focus on hybrid solutions is true. At least this category of tablets from ASUS is represented much more fully. It’s just a pity that some new products take so long to reach our store windows. The relatively inexpensive, high-performance Transformer Pro T304 was announced at the beginning of 2017, but buying it is very problematic even a year later. At the same time, the “fresh” Mini T103HAF is already actively offered.

Pictured is ASUS Transformer Pro T304

Conclusion: ASUS tablets no longer please the eye with a wide variety, but they still force you to strain when choosing a suitable device, since the characteristics of individual models may differ radically.

MICROSOFT

The company specializes in large-format devices with a diagonal of 10 inches or more. Of course, they are all equipped with the Windows operating system.

Photo: www.howtablet.ru

There is also a tablet hanging on the wall. This is an 84-inch Microsoft Surface Hub.

Such devices are not widely popular, but they occupy approximately a 5 percent market share. The main buyers of Windows tablets are OS fans or users who have a good idea of ​​what they need and what price (in every sense) they will have to pay for it.

There are simply no devices in the budget and mid-price segments among the tablets of the Redmond corporation.

All tablets maintain the 3:2 aspect ratio, which is also a company feature. Compared to the 4:3 form factor, this screen aspect ratio is much better suited for watching movies. On the other hand, products from the Microsoft Device division are equipped with sensitive displays aimed at efficient use of styluses. The latest generation of Surface Pen recognizes 4,098 levels of pressure and senses tilt. Actually, this is one of the main differences from the “four”, not counting the updated hardware platform. The keyboard case allows you to completely turn your tablet into a universal mini-PC.

Pictured: Microsoft Surface Studio

If you work professionally with digital graphics, you cannot do without specialized tools. Among the corporation's offerings is a corresponding all-in-one solution called Surface Studio. In a certain sense, this product can be considered as a giant interactive graphics tablet.

Conclusion. If you do not take into account the high cost, the main disadvantage of Microsoft tablets is still the poor range of Windows touch software.

HUAWEI

Huawei released the first MediaPad tablet back in 2012, and at that time it was one of the best solutions available. In fact, this model is still on sale today.

Photo: baikal24.ru

Joint traveling exhibition of MegaFon and Huawei in Irkutsk.

Having introduced several lightweight modifications to the market and decided to build on the success, the manufacturer divided the series into specialized lines: budget (T), multimedia (M) and premium class (X). The first consists of devices with a maximum screen resolution of 1280x800, made without any special bells and whistles, and for the complete happiness of the owners it only lacks more memory. The lines have grown to the third generation and, in the process of development, “lost” the flagship. Or rather, the second one first “caught up” with it in terms of characteristics, then supplanted it, and in the end it again divided into two families, M3 and M3 Lite. A special feature of Huawei multimedia tablets is their excellent acoustic subsystem, which specialists from Harman/Kardon helped the company develop.

Pictured is Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 10

What’s also notable about Huawei Media Pads is the presence of a current “children’s” mode. Moreover, the company even produces a special version of the 7-inch tablet, equipped with a thick silicone bumper with a comfortable handle. But the manufacturer’s hybrid devices are just… out of stock. However, it now ranks 4th-5th in Russia in terms of tablet sales.

Conclusion: Huawei produces excellent tablets, but it has practically no models with a keyboard and Windows OS (MateBook is the one and only).

DELL

This company is one of the main IT manufacturers for the corporate sector, and therefore its tablet solutions are of the appropriate level. DELL currently produces two lines of tablets and a dedicated work surface for digital creativity. Unlike the similar Microsoft studio, the DELL Canvas product is designed to connect to a PC.

DELL Canvas graphics studio at CES 2017

Serious people take information security very seriously, and the Latitude 5285 series tablets are ready to offer all the necessary tools for this. There may be several options for user authentication alone. The 7285 line is much simpler in this sense, and its “trick” is the wireless way to charge the battery. This opportunity appears if you have a special keyboard unit and a corresponding stand station.

DELL Latitude 7285 on a wireless charging station

But that's not all. There are a couple of other compatible keyboards for the Latitude 7285 tablet - with an additional battery or extremely thin ones.

Conclusion: DELL tablets are quite good, focused on business use and sometimes have unique capabilities.

Which company's tablet is better?

In conditions of declining demand and the struggle for buyers, the question “Which tablet company is better - Lenovo, Samsung, Apple or other industry leaders?” There is no clear answer - all well-known manufacturers produce high-quality and interesting products. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of the best tablet is up to you. Decide what you expect from a device - reliability, prestige, appearance, high-quality screen, good camera, ability to work with documents, security, affordable price? And choose a tablet from a company that produces models that meet your requirements.

Let us add that one of the modern vectors in the development of tablets is the hybridization of their design. Keyboard covers, multifunctional docking stations, styluses with a large number of registered pressure levels and positions in space are now presented as a necessary component and a sign of proper evolution. But if you remember that the first tablets were based on the ideology of exclusively touch control of the device, you get a break in the template.

Selecting a tablet 2016: how price affects characteristics

Although IT analysts talk about the falling popularity of tablet computers and the reduction in their sales, tablets are doing well as a class of devices. Yes, large smartphones are pressing down below, and small convertible ultrabooks with touch screens are on top, but there are still many situations when a tablet will be the most convenient gadget. But how to make the best purchase?

On the Internet you can find many recommendations for choosing a tablet, but they all have a drawback - they are designed for people who are either tech-savvy or have already used tablets and understand what’s what. It’s a paradox, but such people usually don’t need help - they already know what they want and what they need.

It’s a different matter for users who not only haven’t decided on a model, but have no idea what type of device they want and how much money they need to prepare for it. Should I save more or is the existing amount enough? How not to overpay for extra functionality that will not be in demand? What should you expect when buying a tablet? To help such people, we publish material that does not give specific advice, but tells how the technical characteristics of tablets depend on their price. With the help of this information, it is not difficult to make an independent choice - what amount to expect and what class of device to want. And the specific model can be determined already in the store, from those available.

All prices used are taken from average values ​​on the website poisk-podbor.ru.

2500-3500 rubles

2500 rubles is the minimum amount to purchase a tablet. For the same or slightly higher price, you can count on a 7-inch device with a screen resolution of 1024x600 pixels. Matrices - TN type (cheaper options) or IPS (slightly more expensive). The brands are entirely from category B and almost all are Chinese. As expected, such devices do not indulge in performance - you can even find gadgets with dual-core processors, although this is still a rarity: the majority have simple, but four cores. The bottleneck in the performance system is the RAM - more than 512 MB cannot be found in this price category, which means you can’t count on multitasking and cool games.

But there is a variation in the size of the built-in memory - there are both models with 4 GB and 8 GB. Of course, every tablet has the ability to expand memory using a flash drive, but this is important for storing audio or video: installing programs on a memory card is just dancing with a tambourine. So the 4 GB option can only be chosen by phlegmatic users who need several standard functions from a tablet; for those who want to actively use the gadget, 8 GB seems to be the minimum required amount.

Typical representatives of the DEXP segment Ursus 7E, RoverPad Sky Glory S7, teXet X-Pad Quad TM-7876

The main feature within this price range is the presence of GPS and 3G modules in the tablet. Models close to 2500 rubles usually do not have them, models in the region of 3500 rubles usually have them (although there are exceptions). Of course, if you need an e-reader or a device purely for watching movies from a memory card or via Wi-Fi, then the simplest option will suffice, but GPS and 3G significantly expand the scope of application. Even a simple tablet with GPS can be an excellent car navigator, and mobile Internet is mobile Internet.

3500-4500 rubles

Tablets in this price group, by and large, do not differ much from the previous one, except that most of them already have 1 GB of RAM, which significantly improves the performance of the gadget. Although this is not enough to simultaneously run a bunch of modern applications, with 1 GB you can still feel more confident. In addition, for this amount you can expect to purchase a device not on the fourth Android, but on the fifth, which is in every way more interesting for users.

Typical representatives of the segment Prestigio MultiPad Wize, Irbis TZ70, DEXP Ursus A470 JET

Otherwise, there is no fundamental difference - you can hardly find a resolution higher than 1024x600 pixels (however, the matrix is ​​almost universally IPS), the battery is around 2000-2500 mAh, 8 GB of internal memory, GPS and 3G are available to most. We can say that this price range is a kind of buffer from very simple devices to more advanced ones.

4500-5500 rubles

In this price category it is already more difficult to make a choice, because in addition to 7-inch models, 8- and 10-inch models appear. If 8 inches is not too strikingly different from 7, then 10 is a different class of device and potentially a completely different use. 10-inch tablets are larger and heavier, making them inconvenient to carry with you all the time, but if you work at home, they will be more comfortable than 7-inch options in almost all cases. True, when we talk about gadgets in this price group, not everything is so simple. For the same money, a 7-inch tablet will be a higher class than a 10-inch one.

Let's say, starting from 5,000 rubles in 7-inch devices you can count on a decent matrix with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels and a relatively powerful processor. In some representatives you can even find support for LTE, which is difficult to overestimate for active surfing; there are also models with a capacious battery (up to 4000 mAh) and various additional features. And brands are becoming more famous, for example, in this price group it is quite possible to buy a Lenovo device.

Typical representatives of the segment: RoverPad Pro Q7, Archos 70 Platinum, Lenovo Tab 2 A7-20

10-inch tablets will be much worse: with a small screen resolution, a modest processor (there are even dual-core ones), and a minimum number of functions. But they are 10 inches. If you plan to watch movies, read magazines in PDF, and actively use a browser, then this option will still be interesting, even despite the modesty of the filling, but by and large, the budget is not enough to purchase a 10-inch tablet.

5500-7500 rubles

The level of devices is slowly rising, but not as quickly as before, which forces us to expand the price range of the group. In this category, you can choose a tablet with 16 GB of main memory and 1.5 GB of RAM on board, which should be enough for the average user in almost all cases, however, not everyone has such a “luxury”. The screens here are also noticeably better quality, both on 7-inch and 10-inch gadgets. “Big Brothers” generally look more interesting: by and large, a 10-inch tablet cheaper than 5,500 rubles is a compromise, but above this amount you can already look for a more or less convenient option: with a normal screen and processor.

You can also note the emergence of devices that are beautiful in terms of design. While all cheap tablets look the same and have very modest quality finishing materials, the devices here are usually more interesting and well-built. Although the dominant finishing material is still plastic.

Typical representatives of the DEXP segment Ursus TS270 STAR, 4Good T803i, Huawei MediaPad T1

A distinctive feature of this price category is the appearance of A-brands in it. Simple models from Samsung and Asus fit within this budget. True, in terms of technical characteristics they will be inferior to more modest brands. So, all Samsung and Asus for this amount will not only be 7-inch, but also with a screen resolution of 1024x600. Yes, they have an IPS matrix and the picture is generally not bad, but you still can’t hide the lack of resolution.

7500-9500 rubles

This price group can be called transitional - this is where top-end devices from B-brands “end” and simple options from market leaders “begin”, and the overall choice is not so large. The spread of characteristics is noteworthy: devices with the same “price tag” can be strikingly different. The choice of the manufacturer is too subtle to be considered within the framework of this material, but the general principles are as follows: top models of B-brands will be more interesting in terms of technical parameters, simple models of A-brands will be simpler, but better made and a little more reliable.

Typical representatives of the segment ASUS ZenPad C, Tesla Neon 10.1 Quad

9500-11 500 rubles

If before this individual differences between devices of similar prices were weakly expressed, then already in this price category it becomes increasingly difficult to talk about the class as a whole. Because manufacturers, having received some scope in cost, focus on different aspects. Some people have a better matrix, others have a more capacious battery, and others have better cameras. At the same time, a matrix resolution of 1280x800 pixels becomes the standard, processors have a minimum of 1.3 GHz on each core, 16 GB of built-in memory, and 3G support is often supplemented by LTE.

Typical representatives of the segment Acer Iconia One 8 B1-850, Archos 121 Neon tablet

In this budget, you can also look for a decent tablet from an A-brand. 7-inch, of course, but with normal screen resolution and memory reserves. By the way, many consider this price limit to be reasonably sufficient for 7-inch tablets. There are also more expensive options, but they overpay for things that are not always necessary and useful for the mass user. In any case, for around 10 thousand rubles you can buy a good “workhorse”, which should not be a problem.

11,500-14,500 rubles

The shelf with tablets in this price group is filled with cool brands with very decent devices, and you need to carefully look at how one differs from the other. There may be relative parity on the screen, but performance, battery and functionality often differ. In this segment, quality of workmanship and finishing materials, as well as design, become important - choice with the eye becomes one of the most important purchasing factors. Most models are 10 inches, although Samsung also sells 7-inch devices in this price range.

Typical representatives of the segment: ASUS Transformer Pad TF103CG, Samsung GALAXY Tab 4, Lenovo Yoga Tablet 3

Gadgets with a docking station are also starting to appear in this price segment. And not with a keyboard case (such tablets exist even cheaper), but with a full-fledged dock, with which the tablet can be treated as a small laptop. It's not a complete replacement, but it's still a convenient option for people who work with text. Choosing a tablet with a keyboard in this price range is relatively easy due to the limited supply; if you expand your budget, there will be more options. Cheap tablets with a docking station are let down by a small amount of memory. Usually they are on Windows, and this operating system itself takes up almost 32 GB, so options with memory less than 64 GB are inconvenient.

14,500-17,500 rubles

The characteristics of the models in this group do not make a revolutionary leap and do not differ much from the tablets of the previous group, however, there are much more different features and individualizations. For example, Samsung offers screens made using PLS technology, which, compared to IPS, have better black color performance, and ASUS relies on the ZenPad line with an original design. In addition, almost all tablets in this group have powerful processors and video cards that can handle even modern games, and 2 GB of RAM, which is enough in almost all situations. Overall, these price ranges are a reasonable maximum for models with a 1280x800 screen resolution. These are also more expensive, but there is not much economic sense in buying them...

Typical representatives of the segment: Samsung GALAXY Tab E, ASUS ZenPad Z300CG

17,500-22,500 rubles

And all because for that kind of money you can buy a model with Full HD. High resolution is difficult to overestimate - the picture is much better: it’s more enjoyable to watch movies, play games, and even surf. True, increasing the resolution increases the requirements for performance and battery, so manufacturers are trying to improve these indicators so that they do not sag. Interestingly, high resolution can be found in tablets of different sizes - from 6.8 (this is almost a smartphone) to 10.1 inches.

If we talk about a budget of 20 thousand rubles, then we can already look at eight-core devices. There are not very many offers yet, but their number will definitely increase. These are very cool tablets that can only be properly loaded with top games. Full HD and 8 cores fit together very well, and such models are available for sale.

Typical representatives of the segment: Lenovo Phab Plus, Apple iPad mini Retina

Finally, in this price category, Apple products, which traditionally stand apart, enter the competition path. It launches straight away with a Retina display, so the resolution is on par with Android devices, although the performance and memory will be lower. In addition, only the 8-inch model is included in the budget from Apple.

22,500-28,000 rubles

The number of offerings in this budget segment is getting smaller, but each device is very worthy. The list of manufacturers is growing with Sony and Dell, but their tablets seem too expensive. The average characteristics are as follows: minimum Full HD, or even higher, 2.5 GHz in quad-core processors and 2 GHz in eight-core processors, 2 or even 3 GB of RAM and at least 32 GB of main memory, and in some models even 64 GB . This margin is especially relevant for Windows tablets, but is also found in Android devices. There is no such thing as too much memory, although for most Android users this is still too much.

Typical representatives of the segment: Acer Predator 8 GT-810, Samsung GALAXY Tab A, Huawei MediaPad M2 Mozart Premium

Apple can offer a wide selection for this amount, however, these are still mostly 8-inch devices, but you can choose the memory size. There is also a good choice of models with a docking station; you can safely take such tablets without fear of a lack of performance or memory, even when using a transformer as a replacement for a laptop.

More expensive than 28,000 rubles

It is impossible to talk about models of the highest price group as a generality; here each device must be considered separately. But if you are ready to spend more than 30 thousand rubles on a tablet, then the choice will be between either Apple models, or top-end devices with a docking station, which are as close in performance as possible not even to laptops, but to desktop computers, or Android tablets with ultra-high screen resolution, 2560x1600 (Sony and Lenovo have these in their lineup). But in each specific case, you need to consider the pros and cons and think about the adequacy of the price, which is not always the case with expensive models.

Typical representatives of the segment: Apple iPad Air 2, Samsung GALAXY Tab S2

conclusions

Of course, we galloped across Europe, and in life, choosing a tablet forces you to take into account a lot of nuances, but now it should at least be clear what you should expect in different budgets and what you have to overpay for in more expensive models. When choosing a modern gadget, like in a casino, the main thing is to stop in time, because a cool screen, processor and a large amount of memory are always good, but if you use the device as a regular e-reader and for surfing, most of the overpayments will clearly be unnecessary. On the other hand, active tablet users, even if they want to save money, should not go below a certain budget, otherwise the gadget will only bring disappointment. What exactly the budget is - only everyone can determine for themselves.

A tablet is a modern device with the functions of a smartphone and laptop. It cannot be called a phone due to the lack of a GSM module for calls, but a laptop due to its size and shape. Tablets are not inferior to both gadgets, and at the same time they fit in a bag or even in a jeans pocket. They are useful on the street, at home, on the road and at work.

Each tablet has dozens of characteristics, how to choose the perfect one? Many will say that the device should be small, powerful and functional. We will figure out what these epithets really mean and go through the main characteristics.

Android, Windows or iOS?

How to choose an operating system

The operating system is the name given to the utilities on the tablet. It determines how regular applications will use the gadget’s functions, respond to user actions, load, etc. The most popular operating systems nowadays are Android, Windows and iOS. Recently, tablets have appeared with two systems at once: Android and Windows. IOS stands alone and does not interact with other operating systems.

The choice between the three systems depends on the purpose of purchasing the tablet, each has pros and cons:

1. Android devices are represented by inexpensive devices with good performance and high-quality materials. Users have access to thousands of applications and games from the Android store. You can buy such a tablet for home and work and customize the capabilities for yourself. However, Android devices are rarely updated, as a result, modern functions arrive late, and many are not available at all.
2. Windows is considered the easiest to use; even a child can understand the settings. Many tablets are inexpensive, all scanners, printers and other equipment support this OS. Knowledgeable people can customize Windows for themselves, the program code is open. However, a known problem with this OS is viruses. You will have to buy an antivirus, although it does not guarantee data security.
3. iOS is considered a premium system, it has unique characteristics, design and applications. The manufacturer regularly releases updates and improvements; this tablet will remain relevant 2-3 years after purchase. However, the price for the device is too high. In addition, the iOS code is closed; you won’t be able to change the tablet’s functions. The system is limited in its ability to exchange data with other users.

Scope of application

How to choose a tablet depending on the purpose of use

1. For home and internet. The ease of finding information on a tablet directly depends on its display. The larger the diagonal, the easier it will be to read small print. This device is also suitable for work, for example, reading mail. Performance is not very important, the main thing is support for Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G. The operating system does not matter; an inexpensive model will do just fine.
2. For drawing and creativity. The operating system is of great importance here. Windows has many applications for creative people (creating paintings, banners, logos, etc.). In this case, the tablet must be powerful enough to run Photoshop and other programs. iOS has its own applications for digital creativity, but not all extensions (png, jpeg, etc.) are supported. Android is more powerful than Windows, but is not as well optimized for graphic design and drawing.
3. For games and entertainment. The main thing here is a powerful processor and a large amount of RAM. Many games place high demands on graphics, and to see their beauty, the display must display colors well. An additional bonus will be a large battery that will allow you to play for longer than 4 hours.
4. For children. Many inexpensive tablets have a child mode that will prevent a child from accessing adult sites and downloading inappropriate applications. Such devices have a colorful interface and large buttons. Many models are able to “grow” with children. By adding accessories and giving access to new sites, it's easy to keep your child interested.

Company manufacturer

Which brands make the best tablets?

Most tablet buyers have probably heard of manufacturers such as Asus, Google, Apple, Acer and Samsung, which have popular models with detailed descriptions of features and specifications. However, almost all devices from these companies are in the middle or high price range.

There are dozens of low-cost tablet manufacturers, mostly from Asia. They release new models every day at very attractive prices. The difficulty of choosing is that it is not easy to understand such companies, and the quality of the products is unstable. It happens that one customer’s device malfunctions after a week, while another’s device works for years.

The only thing that can protect the user is a good warranty. For at least a year, repairs to factory breakdowns should be free, including delivery to the service center and back. Customer reviews can be one of the selection criteria, but it is not recommended to rely entirely on them.

There have long been rumors that expensive and cheap tablets are made in the same Chinese factories, and this is partly true. It will no longer be possible to assemble a device on your knee in the basement, so you can count on good software, high-quality images and fast program response. Among the inexpensive manufacturers, Prestigio, 3Q, Wexler and Irbis stand out. They have been producing tablets for several years now and provide a good guarantee.

Screen diagonal

How to choose a screen size

Even those users who do not understand the characteristics of the tablet notice the difference in the size of the display. There are 3 standard proportions in inches, which determine not only the image quality, but also the cost:

1. 7-8 inches. Small and inexpensive tablets are suitable for work or school and can be easily thrown into a briefcase or bag. They are convenient for reading books, watching movies and listening to music. Despite their low cost, 7-8 inch tablets are made of high-quality materials and are capable of running undemanding applications. They are suitable for children, weigh little and hold a good battery charge. However, 7-8 inches is not enough for games, drawing and any kind of creativity.
2. 10 inches. Such screens are considered the best for the home. Despite the large diagonal, the tablet remains light and thin, it is comfortable to hold in your hands and leave on the stand. A powerful battery and a good sound system are placed inside the device. However, many manufacturers do not add 3G and 4G modules; 10 inches is not suitable for outdoor use. And tablets with more functionality are much more expensive. Some buyers note grainy images on inexpensive models, especially on Windows.
3. From 10 inches. Such devices are called tablet computers; the screen diagonal reaches 13 inches. iOS and Windows have large gadgets; they appear less often on Android. They are designed for creative work and games, capable of loading any application, producing a bright picture and holding the battery. Tablets are priced appropriately and are inconvenient to take with you.

Display

How to choose a quality image

Modern technologies will not save a tablet that produces a low-quality image. The final result directly depends on the type of matrix chosen by the manufacturer:

1. TN. This matrix appeared a long time ago and is still present in inexpensive tablets. The technology is considered outdated, since the viewing angle and color rendition are inferior to modern options. The only advantage is the price; many Chinese manufacturers offer powerful processors at a low cost thanks to the average picture.
2. IPS. This matrix can be found in modern tablets of any price category. It offers rich colors, excellent color reproduction and a 180-degree viewing angle. There are several ways to choose a high-quality display with this matrix: check the image contrast, the picture should be matte, without gray or purple highlights.
3. Amoled. Unlike IPS, where the entire display area is illuminated, here each pixel produces its own color independently, regardless of its neighbors. This makes some colors appear more colorful, especially in black. However, Amoled LEDs burn out faster and dead pixels appear. The display consumes more battery power to produce a better picture.

CPU

Characteristics of a good tablet processor

Processor power is one of the main characteristics of a high-quality tablet, since outdated hardware will not allow you to quickly load programs, switch between browser tabs and scroll through movies. In other words, ease of use depends on it.

ARM processors under the Cortex license have become the most popular among manufacturers. The first place among companies producing hardware for tablets is occupied by MediaTek. It’s not difficult to understand the speed of processors, since all the variety of models falls into 3 categories:

1. 2-core. The weakest processors that are capable of showing movies, opening a browser and running 2D games. Two cores are enough to play HD and FullHD; higher quality will be glitchy. It is not recommended to take less powerful processors (even at a low price), as they are very outdated and run very slowly, almost all applications take several minutes to launch.
2. 4-core. Faster processors that can simultaneously run a browser, movie or music player, and most 2D and 3D games. It is recommended to pay attention to tablets with such a processor if there is no need to run complex heavy programs.
3. 6-, 7-, 8-core. The most powerful processors installed in expensive tablets. They are too powerful for watching movies, photos and reading the Internet, most of the capabilities are revealed in 3D games and applications like Photoshop, which are demanding on performance.

Despite the number of cores, the final performance depends on the full equipment of the tablet. Even a powerful processor will not help if there is not enough RAM and a small, dim display.

RAM

How much memory does the tablet need?

RAM stores information on the tablet and displays it at the user's request. If the volume is not enough, the gadget will begin to slow down and use internal resources. This leads to rapid wear of the tablet. The more applications and tabs the user plans to open, the larger the RAM should be. It is used when launching a messenger, games, player, social network. All tablets have approximately the same amount of memory:

1. 1 GB. Now this value is a minimum, below which one cannot fall. This is enough to run a couple of simple applications. The tablet is suitable for home use as an e-reader or player. The cost of the device is very low, most often they are released on Android.
2. 2 GB. Standard RAM for many inexpensive tablets. They are capable of running applications in the background, keeping 7-8 open tabs in the browser, showing movies and pictures in Full HD format. Complex programs will open if you stop all other processes and wait a long time to load. iOS tablets do the best job; Windows and Android have decent options.
3. 3 GB. Users call this amount of memory the most comfortable. 3 gigs is enough to not think about the number of open applications. The main thing is a display with an expansion of 2K or more, otherwise the picture will not keep up with the operation of the system. There are delays, but rarely, mainly with large games.
4. From 4 GB. It occurs very rarely in fairly expensive devices. This volume is enough for any number of applications, movies and music. Tablets are faster than many desktop computers.

Battery and weight

Choosing a battery for a tablet

Inexpensive tablets usually have a 2000-2500 mAh battery installed. It can work up to 4 hours with a light load (listening to music, watching movies or pictures). If WiFi is turned on or the brightness is set to maximum, the battery lasts for 60 minutes. This may be enough for a child, but it is unlikely to be suitable for work or travel. In addition, the operating time gradually decreases as all the batteries wear out.

Modern tablets have batteries with a capacity of 4000 mAh. This is enough for 7-10 hours of battery life. More expensive models are equipped with an 8000 mAh battery; it can hold a charge for 24 hours. For long trips, it is recommended to pay attention to powerful batteries. The operating time can be extended by not turning on WiFi and lowering the display brightness.

If the battery performance is of interest to the buyer, it is also important to take into account the processor model. Even an inexpensive tablet can have modern hardware that opens applications quickly and requires less battery to operate. The 14 nm and 16 nm process technologies cope best with their task. The maximum value is considered to be 28 nm, others quickly consume charge.

An easy way to determine the battery capacity is to hold the tablet in your hands. Batteries make up the main weight of the device; the more powerful they are, the heavier the model. A very light, cheap tablet should raise suspicion; there probably is a small, weak battery inside. Many gadgets from Apple and expensive versions of Windows weigh over a kilogram. However, such a tablet is most likely not suitable for a child, as his hands will get tired quickly.

Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G

Which data transfer method should I choose?

It is important for most users that they can access the Internet from their tablet at any time. To do this, the following modules are installed on the device:

• WiFi;
• Bluetooth.

Cheap tablets only work with WiFi; they do not have slots for interacting with mobile networks. More expensive ones are able to connect to 3G. Some find fourth-generation networks, and premium models work with any type of Internet connection.

When buying a tablet, it is important to check the LTE bands with which the device interacts. Many inexpensive models understand B3, B7, B20, B38 and B40. Cheap gadgets will not be able to detect 4G.

The last thing you should pay attention to when accessing the Internet is what frequency the interface operates at. There are only two popular ones: 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. The second option is better if the tablet is used at home or in large shopping centers/offices. 5 GHz came first and is now very congested and prone to interference. Now illegal networks operate in this range, and they appear especially often in the regions.

Additional features

What additional characteristics does the tablet need?

The cost of the tablet directly depends on the additional features. We looked at 4 main parameters that determine the price:

1. Possibility to insert microSD. Any tablet has internal memory for storing information, it is called permanent memory. It is loaded with the operating system, music, applications, documents and any user files. The memory can be expanded using microSD - a small card with a capacity of 1 GB to 64 GB. However, Apple does not make tablets with such slots; it will not be possible to increase the amount of stored information. Devices on Android and Windows are almost all friendly with memory cards.
2. GPS navigation. Most modern tablets have a GPS function, but some also have a built-in radio module. This means that navigation will only happen when there is access to the network.
3. Camera. There are not many tablets on the market with a decent camera; even expensive options cannot compare in quality to smartphones. The most popular extension is 8 pixels; in cheaper models it is 5-6 pixels. Budget gadgets are generally not capable of taking high-quality photos; the images have a lot of noise and little sharpness.
4. Possibility to connect a keyboard. This function depends on the Bluetooth module and the presence of a USB port. The first one does not require a wire, which is convenient when using the gadget outside the home. However, Bluetooth increases power consumption and cannot guarantee stable pairing. In other words, sometimes the keyboard will become detached. For typing, it is recommended to take the traditional version with a wire or any other mechanical connector.