Selecting a tablet: important rules and comparison of models. Choosing a tablet correctly and with pleasure

Tablets are well suited for the following tasks: online communication, mobile games and content consumption (reading books, viewing websites, videos, TV series and films). Some devices are also very convenient for office work.

The best tablet is the one that best suits your needs. You need to build on them so as not to make a mistake. Think about what exactly you are going to do on your tablet. This will help you choose the right characteristics of your future gadget.

Select operating system

Android

Among Android devices, the easiest way to find an inexpensive, but at the same time productive and high-quality tablet. In addition, users have access to a huge number of services, games and programs for a variety of tasks. And enthusiasts have a lot of opportunities to customize the system for themselves.

However, most gadgets on this platform do not receive timely updates. As a result, the latest features and bug fixes appear on devices with a delay or do not reach them at all.

iOS


All new iOS devices are in the upper price segment. But these are always premium-class devices with up-to-date characteristics and trend-setting design. Owners of iOS tablets, to put it mildly, are not deprived of programs, games and services. Devices based on this system receive regular updates for several years after they appear on the market.

Windows 10


Windows hasn't caught on on smartphones, but it's doing much better on tablets. The tenth version of this system turns the tablet into a full-fledged laptop replacement. Especially if you connect a keyboard and mouse to it.

Owners of Windows 10 tablets have fewer apps available than users of other platforms. But they can install full-fledged desktop games and programs, including the Microsoft Office suite. And this is a huge plus for those who need a tablet for work.

If you use, you will quickly figure out how to use a tablet on the same OS.

Windows 10 + Android


There are also tablets that have two operating systems installed at once. By purchasing, you can switch between Windows 10 and Android at any convenient time.

Decide on display size

Based on the length of the screen diagonal, tablets can be divided into three categories: compact (7–8 inches), medium (9–10 inches) and large (11–12 inches).

  1. Compact tablets Great for communication, most games, reading books and surfing the web outside the home. They're more convenient than smartphones for these tasks when you're not on the go. But still, a 7-8-inch display diagonal is not always enough to view PDF documents or enjoy TV series and movies.
  2. Medium tablets- the optimal combination between mobility and accessible capabilities. Such devices cannot be put in your pocket, but they are often more powerful than their smaller counterparts and are more convenient for viewing multimedia content and playing games. They can also be used when the laptop is not at hand.
  3. Large tablets not much yet. They are the most productive and also best suited for business tasks due to their screen size and accessories. But at the same time, it’s difficult to call them portable. In addition, such devices are the most expensive.

Choose a form factor

Classic tablets are monolithic devices with no moving parts. Many of them can be connected to accessories such as keyboards and mice. An indicative example is on iOS, for which they sell a keyboard case with a stand. Once you purchase such a device, you can use it for most business tasks.

In addition, there are hybrids of tablets and laptops. They are also called transformers. An example is the Lenovo Yoga Book on Windows 10 or Android. The device looks like an ultrabook. But if you move the panel with the keys to the back wall of the screen, the gadget will become a tablet.


Hybrid owners can easily switch between work and entertainment functions, but classic tablets tend to cost less.

Understand the characteristics

Resolution and screen matrix

Screen resolution is measured by the number of pixels it consists of. The higher this parameter, the sharper the image. Therefore, it is very important for a tablet.

You definitely shouldn’t take a device with a resolution of less than 1,920 × 1,080 (or Full HD) pixels. And if you are interested in tablets with a display diagonal of 9 inches or larger, then it is very advisable to choose an even higher resolution. But remember that the cost of the gadget greatly depends on this indicator.

The matrix is ​​the technology on which the screen is based. The overall image quality depends on it, so it is better not to neglect this parameter. Take a closer look at tablets with IPS (PLS) or OLED (AMOLED, Super AMOLED) matrices. They provide a better picture. The other options are cheaper, but are much inferior in quality.

The pixels of a working OLED display can be turned off completely. In this way, they transmit images with true black color. In this regard, the OLED matrix has no equal, and in addition, it consumes less energy than IPS. On the other hand, OLED displays are more expensive.

The best way to choose between IPS and OLED is to place two tablets side by side and view the same images on them. If you notice a difference, choose the type of matrix that you think will do the job better.

Performance

The speed of the tablet largely depends on the architecture and frequency of the processor, as well as the amount of RAM. But if you are not going to use the gadget for 3D games or professional graphics work, then do not get hung up on these components.

Even average hardware by modern standards is sufficient for most user tasks. In addition, if the manufacturer has poorly optimized the software, the tablet can slow down even with a top-end processor and a large amount of RAM on board. This is especially true for Android devices.

To determine whether the device is powerful enough for your needs, it is best to pick it up before purchasing and test it: feel the interface, open several sites, launch a video or game.

As a last resort, you can see how the tablet reacts to these actions in video reviews.

Wireless technology support

The more wireless technologies a gadget supports, the more capabilities it has for transmitting and receiving data.

If you plan to use the device mainly in the office and at home, then most likely the Wi-Fi module, which is present in all tablets, will be enough for you. If you plan to use network functions on the road, then buy a device that supports LTE (4G) networks.

You may be connecting headphones, keyboards, mice, and other wireless devices to your tablet. In this case, choose a device that supports the Bluetooth wireless standard no lower than version 4.0. This will ensure fast data exchange with accessories with minimal load on the battery.

Storage size

Storage capacity determines the amount of data the tablet can hold. If you are buying a device for web surfing, communication, etc., then 16 GB of internal memory will be enough for you.

But to store music and movies on your gadget, install games and many programs, you will need much more free space. The required size depends only on your appetite.

The size of the storage significantly affects the cost of the tablet. To save money, you can choose a device with a small amount of built-in memory, but with a slot for a large SD card. It is convenient to store music and video files, as well as data from some programs. But keep in mind that iOS gadgets do not support memory cards.

Battery capacity

The battery life of the tablet depends on the battery capacity. But based on the value of this parameter, it is difficult to judge how often you will have to charge the device.

At the same time, on manufacturers’ websites you can often read how many hours a device can withstand in a particular operating mode. Take this indicator as a guide. For example, Apple traditionally states in the specifications of its iPads that they are designed for 10 hours of web surfing, watching videos or listening to music. A very good indicator for a tablet.

Don’t forget to check the manufacturer’s statements with, which are often present in reviews of gadgets from independent publications.

Camera options

Manufacturers and sellers focus on the number of megapixels of a camera, as if this indicator entirely determines the quality of videos and pictures. This is not true, so don't be fooled by the big numbers.

In addition, cameras in tablets are not as important as in smartphones. Due to its size, the tablet is simply inconvenient to use as a video camera or photo camera.

What you need to pay attention to is the presence of a front camera. Without it, you will not be able to communicate via video. And to at least roughly assess the quality of the camera on the selected tablet, look for samples of photographs and videos taken by it on the Internet. If the device is popular, it will not be difficult to find such information.

Recently, the tablet has become a mega-popular device that has gathered a huge audience of users, young and old. Now everyone is buying tablet computers - business people, students, schoolchildren, and even the younger age group demands this miracle of technology from their parents. Responding to great demand, the market is flooded with these devices, offering consumers an excellent range of PCs. However, this makes it very difficult choosing a tablet and purchasing a device - it is very difficult not to get confused in the variety of the presented assortment. To help future owners, below I will tell you which tablet to choose and how to do it correctly: what you need to pay attention to and what is just a nice addition, how to correctly determine the technical parameters of the equipment you are purchasing, etc.

Recently, I myself had to answer the question of which tablet to choose for daily use, so I compiled for myself a detailed list of all the characteristics on the basis of which I had already chosen the right tablet, while still being inexpensive. I share them with you.

Diagonal

The very first thing to do is decide on the diagonal. The most popular now are PCs with screens of 7 and 9.7 inches (similar to the iPad). Of course, a large screen is preferable, however, the cost of such a device will be an order of magnitude higher than its smaller counterparts.

If you are buying an inexpensive tablet for your child’s games or for use when moving (for example, on the way to work in the subway) - as a compact mobile device, then the best tablet for you will be a portable “Seven”. If the gadget is purchased for constant use at home as a stationary device or at work (especially for Internet surfing), then 9.7 will be an ideal option.


In addition to these two sizes, there are also 8-inch tablets (which are something of a middle ground), and devices with screens larger than 10 inches diagonal.

Aspect Ratio and Resolution

An important parameter when choosing a tablet computer is the display aspect ratio. It comes in two types - 16:9 and 4:3. Here the choice will depend on the nature of use of the future device. If the tablet is purchased primarily for watching movies, videos and games, then a 16:9 resolution is required. But if you are going to spend more time surfing the web, then it is better to purchase a device with a 4:3 screen.

The resolution of the tablet display is also important. There is only one rule here - the higher it is, the better, but the more expensive the device. The standard resolution for 7" is 1024x600, for 9.7 - 1024x768. At standard (and thereabouts) resolution the picture is quite high quality and pleasing to the eye. When choosing a tablet with a lower resolution, image clarity is lost and pixelation appears (the appearance of “squares” in the image). When purchasing a device with a higher resolution, the image, accordingly, becomes smoother, clearer, more contrast and more detailed. At the highest resolution (today it is 2048x1536), the user gets a magnificent screen with the ability to view HD 1080 video, which, as we know, requires a display resolution of 1920x1080.

Housing material

Today, tablets are made from two materials – plastic and metal. Each of them has its own advantage. Thus, plastic “provides” the PC with low weight, which is a fairly weighty argument. Also, quite often, plastic tablets are coated with Soft Touch - a very pleasant to the touch, non-marking coating that allows you to hold the device tenaciously without the risk of falling out.


Metal tablets are characterized by greater durability and reliability. They resist scratching well and retain their “sales appearance” much longer. However, they have two drawbacks - greater weight and lower sensitivity of the Wi-Fi transmitter, which is “damped” by the metal of the case.

Tablet battery

The tablet's battery is your battery life, and also a large part of its price. The larger the battery capacity you choose, the longer you can use your tablet without having to be near a power outlet. However, you should not require a 7-inch PC to have a battery with a capacity of 10,000 mAh. Each device has its own reasonable battery capacity limits. For 7” this is, on average, 4000 mAh, for 9.7” - 7000-8000 mAh. Accordingly, for tablets with a larger diagonal this figure should be higher.

These are average figures - you can easily find devices on the market with a smaller or larger battery capacity. In the first case, you will save on the purchase (an acceptable option when using a PC as a stationary device at home), in the second, you will get a device with excellent autonomy, which will be a godsend for people who travel frequently. I also suggest using the methods described in my other article.

Matrix type

When planning to choose the right tablet, be sure to pay attention to the type of screen matrix. There are about a dozen of them in total, but the most common are three types: TN, TFT and IPS. We will not delve into the intricacies of the design of these matrices, but will simply characterize them by quality.

The TN type matrix is ​​the least preferred in terms of image quality. And although even relatively expensive brands (Acer, Lenovo, ViewSonic, etc.) still offer tablets with such screens, TN confidently loses to the other two matrices.


TFT tablet matrix is ​​the most common. It provides good viewing angles, which is important for comfortable work, and has good color rendition and picture brightness. The undeniable advantage of tablets with TFT displays is their relatively low cost with quite decent characteristics.

And finally, the IPS screen in PCs is rightfully the leader today. It has the widest viewing angles of all presented (up to 180°), the highest contrast and high-quality color rendition. The only disadvantage of such matrices is their higher price, but you have to pay for the pleasure.

By the way, not so long ago devices with IPS+ and Super IPS+ panels appeared on the market, which are beyond competition - both in image quality and, unfortunately, in price.

CPU

The processor is the brain of the tablet, responsible for the speed of data processing. A good processor allows you to quickly load pages on the Internet, carry out a large number of operations simultaneously, play powerful games, etc. You should choose a processor based on two parameters - the number of cores and the operating frequency.

If you are using it for work that requires a large load on the device, then it is better to choose a tablet with two or even four cores, each of which has a frequency of at least 1.2 GHz. However, if the tablet is used mainly for simple casual games, reading and drawing, then you can safely purchase a single-core device with a gigahertz frequency - it will be quite enough for these tasks.


For fans of graphically complex games (Battlefield, GTA, NFS), a powerful processor is a must. A good graphics accelerator is also a must. Now many PCs are equipped with Mali 400, which can easily handle graphics-intensive games.

operating system

The availability of the user interface and the set of operating functions of your future tablet directly depends on the operating system (OS), which is widely presented in three types: Windows, Android and iOS. It’s difficult to advise anything here – to each his own. However, it is worth noting that:
— Windows has long been familiar to users on desktop home computers;
— Android is constantly updated and improved, being a very progressive OS;
— iOS is a proprietary (private) operating system that is exclusively available on Apple products – that is, the always popular iPad.

RAM

The RAM of a tablet is practically on the same level of importance as its processor. Along with the processor, it is responsible for the performance of the device, allowing you to process photos and video files, play “heavy” games, surf the World Wide Web, etc. The more RAM available, the faster and better quality your tablet will work. Respectively:
— 512MB of RAM is enough only for simple tasks: reading, simple toys like Alavar or Nevosoft, working in text editors, etc.;
— 1GB of RAM will allow you to work quite productively on the Internet, watch videos, listen to music and play modern, graphically heavy toys;
— 2 GB of RAM is enough for a tablet “with a head.” With such a volume, you are unlikely to encounter any freezes, “braking” and the like.

Wireless capabilities

It is worth highlighting the 4 most popular interfaces: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G.

Bluetooth is needed to enable wireless data transfer between devices, connect a wireless headset, QWERTY keyboard and other accessories. Pay attention to the numbers after the module name - 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. The higher the number, the faster, more reliable and less energy-intensive operation of the module awaits you.

Wi-Fi allows the tablet to connect to the Internet wherever there are appropriate access points. A very necessary and popular interface that almost all tablets are equipped with.

3G and 4G modules allow you to always have your own Internet “at hand”, without depending on home or work Wi-Fi networks. Considering today’s availability of mobile Internet, 3G and 4G modules are very desirable for a tablet, although you will have to pay a fortune for their presence amount. They differ from each other, respectively, in price and “performance” - the 4G module is a more advanced representative of the 4th (newest) generation of mobile communications.

USB OnTheGo (OTG)

Whether or not USB OTG is supported in a future tablet is definitely worth finding out. Many device capabilities depend on this: connecting 3G modems, flash drives, external HDDs, mice and other peripheral devices.

The presence of support for this parameter in the tablet can be referred to as: USB OnTheGo, USB OTG (abbreviation) and USB Host. The manufacturer may also simply indicate in the specifications that the tablet supports USB.

Inner memory

Any tablet computer has internal memory, the volume of which can be 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 GB. Of course, the more internal memory in your PC, the better - you can save on the subsequent purchase of an SD card. However, not all devices have large built-in memory, while being very worthy candidates for purchase in other respects. In this case, you need to make sure that the tablet supports memory expansion using SD/microSD (SDHC or SDXC) cards.

Large internal memory will allow you to store a lot of information without resorting to external devices (flash drives, hard drives), which is very convenient - especially when using the tablet on the road.

Extra options

Everything that will be listed in this paragraph is not mandatory in the generally accepted sense. For some, some functions will be very important, for others they will not be necessary at all. Therefore, when choosing the right inexpensive tablet for you personally, this information can be very useful.

GPS. A very convenient function, especially in the absence of a standard navigator. It will allow you not to get lost in an unfamiliar city/country and to find any address or business. This is not common in tablets, as it requires additional money that is not included in the cost of the total mass of devices designed for the average user.

Accelerometer. Also called a gyro sensor or G-sensor. With this component present, the tablet instantly responds to changes in position in space. In other words, it turns to “face” you when you turn it into landscape or portrait orientation. Quite a useful feature that allows you to conveniently work with the device and comfortably play on it. However, it is worth making sure that the G-sensor is switchable, since it is not always needed.

Cameras. The rear camera in the tablet, intended for photography and video shooting, is more decorative than useful. Even with a sufficient number of megapixels (about 5), the device will shoot with a “C”, significantly losing even to the average amateur point-and-shoot camera.

But the front camera still justifies its presence in a PC. It is used for video communication via Skype or similar programs, allowing you to see the interlocutor. There is no point in chasing a large number of pixels - experience shows that this indicator does not always guarantee a good image. Here it is better to check everything “manually”.

Light sensor. Not all tablets have them, although they are quite useful. It is designed to optimally set the contrast and brightness values ​​for the lighting conditions in which the tablet is currently located. This sensor makes it possible to increase the battery life of a PC and work more comfortably with the device.

In addition, the tablet can offer you such “services” as: broadcasting sound at a radio frequency (FM transmitter); measurement of atmospheric pressure (barometer); easy charging from any computer (USB charging capability); cable Internet connection (Ethernet); connection to a monitor/TV (HDMI) and much, much more.

Also a good feature for a universal tablet is the ability to connect a removable keyboard to it. then it will generally be able to replace a desktop computer in most cases.
Whether all this is necessary is up to each individual user to decide, since the operating conditions of the PC (and therefore the requirements) are different for everyone.

Manufacturers

I hope I answered most of the questions on the topic “How to choose the right tablet inexpensively”?
Happy shopping! By the way, I bought my tablet at the Pleer.RU store - a large selection and reasonable prices, I recommend it!

P.S. Today's dessert is a detailed lesson telling you what peripheral devices can be connected to a tablet - flash drives, mice, modems, bluetooth headsets, etc.

If you need to buy an affordable mobile device that gives you the opportunity to play, read a book, and download a multimedia file, the question arises of how to choose inexpensive good tablets.

Quick replacement

The main advantage of an inexpensive model is the fact that it won’t be a shame to replace it after a year or two of use.

Whereas it will be more difficult to part with even the outdated “”

And while other users are replacing an old, cheap device with a new one that surpasses the flagships of previous years in terms of parameters, the owner of an expensive one will have to be content with its capabilities or again spend a decent amount on purchasing the next generation of tablets.

System updates

In addition to the cost of the model, which is affordable for most users, the advantage of an inexpensive tablet is that the operating system is updated more frequently.

And also the ability to update an old OS (usually) to one of the latest, even for a low-power device.

Moreover, for example, Apple products require an increase in power and for each new version of iOS.

Minimum parameters

Among the main disadvantages of a budget tablet, the main ones are its mediocre characteristics.

Basically, they are 2–3 times inferior to the capabilities of top models, which, however, cost much more.

In addition, cheap tablet PCs often do not have a rear camera, and the front resolution leaves much to be desired.

Although a user who understands what he needs from an affordable device will not be too upset by the lack of a camera.

Most inexpensive tablets have an outdated type of TN matrix. At best, after a long search, you can find a relatively affordable device with an IPS screen.

Options with Amoled and Super-Amoled displays, which have better viewing angles and clarity, cannot be found among budget models.

However, in addition to the quality and brightness of the image, the presence of multi-touch also plays an important role for a Tablet PC, which makes it much more convenient to use the device by pressing on the screen with 5 fingers at once.

But, if there is not enough memory, there is no other way to solve the problem other than buying a new gadget.

Other accessories

The presence of modules on tablets in the budget price range is usually not even discussed - any model has this function.

Unlike Bluetooth communication, which, although not always necessary, allows you to transfer, for example, photos from a phone to a tablet PC and vice versa.

The ability to use a tablet as a phone practically does not depend on its price. Many budget options have a 3G module.

While some expensive ones do not have such an option.

The battery capacity can also vary - generally, of course, an inexpensive tablet has a low-power battery (2-3 thousand mAh), but there are models that last longer than expensive mobile devices.

Selection by method of use

So, if a device is needed for gaming, you should look at the power of its central and graphics processor.

For editing text files, the best option is one with a larger screen.

And for reading books, watching movies and listening to music, the parameters of gadgets produced 4–5 years ago were sufficient.

And yet, in any case, you should not give preference to models with 512 MB of memory - often this parameter is not enough even to watch a movie in a browser with normal resolution.

In order to play more or less modern games on a tablet PC, you cannot do without 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of hard drive.

Options with smaller parameters should not be considered.

And, if the game also requires high resolution, user reviews indicate that a tablet with a 7-inch screen will not work either.

– the more there are, the more convenient it will be to play. The best choice is a quad-core chipset.

Although for non-gaming users a dual-core one is also suitable. Single-core models are practically never found on the market.

The processor clock frequency should not be less than 1.2–1.3 GHz. The graphics accelerator is selected according to the version, which should also be as new as possible.

Selecting an operating system

The best operating systems for tablet devices in 2017 are Android and iOS. True, if we consider only budget options, all that remains is Android, installed on most modern mobile gadgets.

Android

Advice! The advantage of this OS is that it automatically provides access to the Google Play application store. Thanks to this, you can install a number of free applications on your tablet in just a few taps on the screen without going to third-party resources or downloading additional programs.

Windows

Windows, installed on a relatively small number of devices, has the advantages of convenience and compatibility with programs that the user might work with, for example, on a computer.

That is, if, for example, you created a Word document on your PC, you can finish it on your tablet on the way to work or home.

In addition, Windows phones and tablets with Windows successfully synchronize with a computer, keyboard and even mouse.

At the same time, they remain compact and mobile, gaining an advantage over stationary devices.

Apple iOS

Apple brand products are distinguished primarily by their high cost. But there are other disadvantages that are critical for users who want to save money.

You will have to buy most of the apps for the iPad, since they are not freely available.

Although there is an option to buy a more or less outdated model, which becomes cheaper over time.

For example, the iPad mini with a screen diagonal of 7.9 inches is practically included in the segment of inexpensive equipment.

There are two options for the tablet form factor - with sides with a ratio of 16:10 and 3:4 (almost square).

The first is suitable for watching wide-screen movies, the second - for Internet surfing and games.

It is also more convenient to work in office applications using a square tablet than an elongated tablet.

Screen diagonal dimensions are usually not critical for a tablet device, since 7 inches is already enough to perform most tasks. \

And 10 inches may allow you to read faster or press virtual keys more accurately, but it also increases the weight from 250–300 to 400–600 grams.

Camera settings and peripheral connections

For an inexpensive device, having a front camera with a resolution of 0.3–1.3 megapixels is sufficient.

It is enough for communicating on Skype, since even on laptops and USB cameras the clarity is no better.

The front camera can be 3.2-5 megapixels, but not necessarily.

For most users, 2 megapixels will be enough, since they did not intend to use the tablet as a camera (and without a flash, and therefore only during the daytime and outdoors) from the very beginning.

A television screen can be used as a peripheral device for the tablet, to which the gadget is connected using a micro HDMI connector.

There is another interface that allows you to increase the amount of memory without using microSD memory cards - USB-host or OTG.

Thanks to this technology, you can connect flash drives and even keyboards to tablet PCs. This requires a special adapter.

The best 7-inch tablets

The most popular segment in the low-cost tablet market is a device with a diagonal of 7 inches, which has the following advantages:

  • The screen size is sufficient for games, reading, and surfing the Internet;
  • The device takes up minimal space and easily fits in a small bag. It is convenient to carry it with you, put it on a shelf or table and hold it in your hands;
  • Light weight, not much greater than the parameters of a mobile phone and does not allow your hands to get tired from holding the tablet.

Amazon Fire

The seven-inch tablet from the famous Amazon retail chain impresses with its low cost, currently not exceeding $50.

At the same time, it is equipped with a display with a resolution of 1024 x 600, a processor with 4 cores of 1.3 GHz, 1 GB of RAM and a disk 8 times larger.

The design of the model is very durable, and the camera resolution is 2 megapixels - almost impossible for a tablet at this price.

There are, however, several disadvantages, including a not very capacious battery and a limited selection of programs available for installation.

And the default “launcher” (interface for working with a tablet) is inconvenient to work with.

Digma Plane 7.4 4G

In the list of inexpensive tablets there is another ultra-budget copy, the cost of which is at $70.

Its processor with average performance allows you to work comfortably with applications and games.

And the presence of 4G communication provides a connection to high-speed mobile Internet almost anywhere in the country.

For this price it is almost impossible to find another seven-inch gadget with calling capabilities.

The resolution of the main camera of the device is 2 MP, the rear one is 0.3 MP. And both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are used for communication, which allows you to conveniently synchronize with your phone.

Huawei MediaPad

The Huawei 7-inch tablet PC lineup offers the MediaPad option, an inexpensive but high-quality device from a well-known Chinese smartphone manufacturer.

The tablet's parameters are impressive - a good 5-megapixel camera, a capacious battery (5000 mAh) and stereo speakers.

Moreover, its cost does not exceed $90.

When considering this model, it is worth noting that for this price you will not be able to find other options with an 8 MP camera and a 3G module.

Although it only has a dual-core processor, the device weighs quite large - 390 grams.

ASUS ZenPad C 7.0 Z170C 8Gb

Moving on to models in a higher price category (within $100), which can also be called budget, but are designed to perform more complex tasks (for example, 3D games), it is worth noting the Asus Zenpad C 7.0 tablet with 8 GB of RAM.

You can watch videos in FullHD quality on it, and the form factor and other features of the Asus brand allow you to comfortably hold the device in your hands.

The tablet uses Glonass and GPS systems for navigation. The memory can be expanded using microSD cards, and the processor is quad-core Intel.

Lenovo IdeaTab 2 A7-30HC 16Gb

Another popular tablet in the low-cost segment is the IdeaTab 2. Its capabilities are also impressive considering the favorable price - as much as 16 GB of disk and 1 GB of RAM.

Such a device will not even need additional memory expansion.

It can also be used as a smartphone, thanks to the connection to the 3G network, and to transfer data to the phone (via Bluetooth).

The cost of the model is about $100. Cameras are standard for this segment - 2 and 0.3 megapixels. The weight is small, only 269 g, which allows you to comfortably hold the device in your hands.

PocketBook SURFpad 4S

The most powerful of the inexpensive seven-inch tablets can be called Pocketbook SURFpad 4S. First of all, you should pay attention to its 2 GB RAM and 16 GB hard drive.

These parameters are more than sufficient to work with any Android applications and games.

Another impressive fact is the presence of an 8 megapixel camera.

Powerful yet affordable SURFpad 4S

The 4:3 form factor is convenient for surfing the web. The weight is relatively light, and, in addition to Wi-Fi communication, the tablet is also equipped with a 3G module.

The processor is an eight-core Mediatek chipset.

The best inexpensive 10-inch tablets

Despite the fact that the most cost-effective among tablets are models with a diagonal of 7 inches, there is also such a segment as ten-inch models.

In terms of price, they have recently not differed too much from smaller gadgets - thanks to similar content and functionality.

The difference in cost for similar devices is mainly due to the difference in the size of the screen matrix and battery capacity.

Meanwhile, using a gadget with a 10-inch diagonal is more convenient - except for those cases when you have to hold it in your hands.

But, lying on a table or standing with the help of a special case-stand, such a device clearly wins and can fully compete with the segment of netbooks and even budget laptops.

Irbis TZ14

Since the price is around $60, it is quite affordable both for those who wanted to buy an inexpensive device, and for people comparing the performance of models with 7 and 10 inches.

A processor with 4 cores, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, as well as a 5000 mAh battery, is enough to watch 2-3 movies or 4-6 episodes of your favorite TV series in good quality.

Not very productive, but easy to use Irbis TZ14.

Using the same device you can:

  • Play;
  • Call (3G and 4G communication);
  • Take a photo (2 MP camera);
  • Chat via Skype (front camera 0.3 MP);
  • Find your location on the map (GPS module).

SUPRA M14BG

Among affordable models with a 10-inch screen diagonal size and a good battery, an even more preferable option for purchase is the SUPRA M14BG tablet for $100.

Almost its only drawback is the 1 GB memory.

But the built-in hard drive is 16 GB in size, which is enough to use the tablet computer without having to insert a memory card.

The gadget’s battery is 20% more powerful compared to the previous version – 6000 mAh.

SUPRA M14BG is a good option for lovers of large tablets

BB-mobile Techno 10.1 LTE TQ060X

On the one hand, the power of its processor is quite large - the quad-core MediaTek MT8735 1300 MHz is enough to run any modern game.

At the same time, with an increased cost compared to previous models (about $120), it has less space for storing applications (8 GB) and a less powerful battery - 5000 mAh.

The screen resolution is also small - 1024x600, which corresponds to some seven-inch models.

4G tablet Techno 10.1 LTE TQ060X

The tablet's cameras are standard - 0.3 and 2 megapixels. The rear one is equipped with a flash to improve the quality of shooting, although at this resolution you won’t get very good photos.

Thanks to the presence of 3G and 4G LTE modules, communication with the Internet is possible anywhere in the country.

Oysters T104 RWi

The Oysters T104 RWi model can be called the most budget option of all tablets with the Windows operating system and with a good battery.

The device comes with a keyboard that connects via an OTG interface and allows you to work on it in the same way as on a regular PC, but with a small screen.

In addition, thanks to Windows OS, the same MS Office is installed on this tablet as on a computer, which makes it easier to synchronize your work with documents at the workplace, at home, and even while traveling.

Budget 10-inch tablet Oysters T104 RWi with a powerful battery

The gadget's screen has an average resolution for its size - 1280 x 800. But the 5800 mAh battery and 16 GB hard drive are impressive. The price of the tablet is around $140.

4Good T103i 3G 16Gb

Almost the best, although the most expensive, of all the Android tablets in the review is the 4Good T103i 3G 16Gb model.

Having two fairly powerful cameras (5 and 2 megapixels), 3G connectivity and 16 GB of memory, the device is almost identical to a laptop released several years ago.

With a cost of only $150, this is an amount for which neither a budget laptop nor an inexpensive netbook can now be purchased.

One of the best 10-inch tablets 4Good T103i 3G 16Gb

The operating system on the tablet is Windows, which again leads the user to the ability to work with regular Word and Excel without the need to reformat the text.

And the battery capacity of 6600 mAh is enough for 5–6 hours of intensive operation of the device without recharging.

When deciding how to choose a graphics tablet for drawing, you need to have a certain amount of information that, to some extent, goes beyond the scope of the formulated topic.

First of all, you need to know that one of the most important characteristics of this mobile device is the diagonal of the monitor. The initial limit of possible values ​​of this value: from 7 inches, or 18 centimeters.

When navigating through the diverse information on how to choose a tablet for a child, you also need to be aware that this functional device is essentially a hybrid between a smartphone and a laptop.

The device unusually successfully combines the functions of both types of gadgets. When researching information on how to choose the right tablet, the first thing consumers usually pay attention to is the two-option option Internet connection – via:

  • 3G/4G connection;
  • built-in Wi-Fi.

Solving the problem of how to choose a tablet for games usually takes into account the fact that the second of the two mentioned options is available on every tablet, while the first is not available everywhere.

The need to find answers to the question of how to choose a tablet computer is often due to the fact that the user needs a means to solve tasks such as:

  • visiting various sites for work, educational and entertainment purposes;
  • work with applications – both standard and those that require an Internet connection;
  • reading e-books;
  • viewing photo albums;
  • playback of multimedia files in the form of music and video;
  • creation and further work with electronic documents.

When wondering which Chinese tablet to choose, users are divided into two categories: those who prefer devices with a plug-in keyboard and those who prefer gadgets with touch screens.

The first step to optimally solve the problem of how to choose a tablet is to determine the purposes for which the device is purchased.

Users interested in accessing a large number of applications simultaneously are recommended to buy a device with rich hardware.

The acquired powerful device will satisfy the buyer who has been deciding for a long time and carefully the question of which tablet to choose.

Familiarization with the assortment from well-known manufacturers. Comparison of model parameters

Having decided to choose an inexpensive and high-quality gadget or a more elite and valuable model, a potential buyer should, first of all, pay attention to the size of the monitor.

When deciding which tablet is better, you need to take into account that the most compact models are characterized by a display with parameters of 7-8 inches. If the purchase is made to watch movies, visit your favorite sites, read fiction and business literature, as well as to work with a number of applications, then it is better to choose a model of this particular type.

For serious work with certain applications, you can also choose an inexpensive but good device, the diagonal of which exceeds 7 inches.

Advice from experts and ordinary users has repeatedly confirmed that a large monitor is convenient for watching movies, accessing applications and surfing the web. However, tablets of this type are not suitable for reading e-books - due to a certain heaviness and bulk. A separate gadget will be the most convenient for use for these purposes.

Tablets with a monitor diagonal of no more than ten inches can be placed in a small women’s handbag.

We study offers from well-known companies. Relationship with OS

When deciding what to choose, potential buyers of tablet products pay attention first of all to models from such world-famous manufacturers as Samsung and Apple.

The buyers of the products of these companies are mainly connoisseurs of style and image.

Samsung tablets are equipped with the Android operating system, introduced to the global market by Google.

Apple tablets operate on Mac OS, developed by the same company.

A tablet for a child of 5 years of age or older, as well as for an adult, is often purchased from Apple: the choice is made on the basis of the argument that this manufacturer was the pioneer of the industry market and its products are still in deserved demand to this day.

A tablet or smartphone purchased from this manufacturer will delight the user with standard a set of applications covering:

  • notes;
  • browser;
  • mail client;
  • contacts;
  • calendar and much more.

A tablet or smartphone purchased from third-party developers can also bring joy with new games and applications. However, the richest and most interesting set is inherent in Apple products.

iOS, suitable for users aged 5 years and older and much older, attracts attention with its speed and stability of operation. New versions of Apple, including models with a 10-inch screen, reflect all the advantages characteristic of previous developments.

Almost the only disadvantage of this operating system for 2017 is its attachment exclusively to iPad tablets. It is impossible to find it on models from other companies.

The choice of gadget based on parameters can be made based on the latest Apple development. Its role today is played by the Apple iPad 4G (which is a 4th generation tablet). It is planned to release a fifth generation device from this manufacturer.

Operating system from Google: Android

To choose a good tablet for navigating a car or a tablet for reading books, many buyers decide to opt for this particular OS option.

Based on a number of factors, the optimally suitable tablet is purchased. “Which company is better” is a question asked when purchasing products for users 6 and 8 years old and older.

As a rule, series models are characterized by the presence of a standard set of applications. Users ages 6 and 8, and ages 8 and up, can use apps like Search and Calendar, Maps and YouTube, Gmail, and Google Talk.

For owners of models aged “6; 8 years plus…”, including “Asus”, you can download additional paid and free applications by accessing the resources of the GooglePlay application store. This is where you can take advantage of the widest selection of developments.

The functioning of the OS, regardless of the type of gadget used - a netbook or a tablet - is characterized by the absence of failures and a relatively insignificant amount of energy consumption.

Google regularly improves its services designed for users of different ages, including children aged 6 and 8 years old and other age categories.

When solving the problem of how to choose an inexpensive gadget for 6- and 8-year-olds with a screen size of 7 inches, etc., you need to take into account that a children's tablet equipped with Android is more flexible in operation than its Apple counterparts. An additional plus: greater accessibility. Google's platform is easy to use, which is important for a 6-year-old user.

You can also choose an inexpensive tablet that runs on Windows OS. Among the models in the range is a 7-inch tablet.

Operating system from Microsoft: Windows

The 7-inch models, like the Asus tablet, can run on Microsoft's platform, called Windows 8. Each of the 7-inch gadgets is known as a touch-screen device. The branded tiled interface of the new development has already gained wide popularity.

A tablet for a 3-year-old child, like an Asus tablet, is characterized by the fact that they can work with applications that are available when using a regular computer.

The Asus tablet is characterized by the ability to install Windows, covering Photoshop and MS Office.

An Asus tablet running on this platform allows you to access relatively few applications.

Regardless of whether we are talking about a 9-year-old child, or the purchase is made for a 2-year-old child, you need to understand that children can learn everything new at a speed inaccessible to an adult.

In particular, a 9-year-old fidget does not need to read instructions or call the most knowledgeable friends. A 9-year-old person independently masters a 3G device, the cost of which is up to 10,000 rubles. Not every adult will decide to start working with a gadget on their own without prior information preparation.

A review of tablets - inexpensive models under 10,000 rubles - will allow you to choose the optimal device for such a gift.

Most of all, a 9-year-old user is interested in having games on his device, which, in turn, need certain content. Video toys for a 9-year-old user are available in a large number of inexpensive models.

Inexpensive 3g can be played by tablets, the cost of which ranges from 100-200 dollars. These inexpensive devices have quite good and interesting features. Windows devices are suitable for installing a variety of games, both simple and demanding. A Windows device can please little fans of such a popular game as Angry Birds.

Experts recommend exercising some caution when choosing and purchasing an inexpensive tablet with Windows: it is possible that a device with good hardware ends up with a monitor that is unsuitable for everyday tasks.

For example, a tablet with Windows can fail with a small display: with a 7-inch parameter, the low resolution and not very good viewing angle will not allow the child to get the expected pleasure from using the gadget.

To purchase a good device with Windows, which means a high level of quality of both the hardware and the monitor, you need to be prepared for significant expenses, which will pay off in children's joy and benefits for its development.

What exactly should you pay attention to when purchasing?

The choice of a tablet for games for a child 2 years old and older should be based on based on two requirements:

  • the device should have a sufficient number of games (both entertaining and educational) at an affordable price;
  • It is also important that a device for a 10-year-old child has high-quality hardware that ensures trouble-free use of games.

When purchasing a gift for your 10-year-old son or daughter, you can go to the virtual app store. When deciding which operator you should choose, you need to take into account that devices running on the Android OS have a large number of interesting games. When purchasing a device for the Internet, it is best to give preference to models with Android 4.0 OS or newer developments.

For trouble-free launching of games and maximum satisfaction from using the Internet, the tablet must have the following characteristics:

  • A Samsung or other device must have a processor with a clock frequency of 1 GHz or higher;
  • a tablet for a user 7 years and older must have 2 or more cores;
  • an 8-inch device up to 15,000 rubles with good characteristics should also have an excellent graphics accelerator (Adreno 225 and higher; Mali-400 and higher);
  • when choosing a cheap 8-inch gadget, you should purchase a model with large RAM (starting from 1 GB);
  • the desire to buy a model of 8 inches or more and the desire to save money can be combined by purchasing a seven-inch screen, the minimum resolution of which is 1024x600 pixels;
  • For use by children and for use in taxis, you can buy a 10-inch model, the lowest resolution of which is 1280x800 pixels.

It is best to choose devices that operate on the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, which was released in 2012 and is still famous today as a reliable processor for various purposes.

Interested in the topic “tablet or e-reader”, studying resources on this topic, a potential buyer plans to buy a device that will not harm the child’s vision, and a tablet.

In this sense, it is advisable to prefer models presented in the price category of about $200. As a rule, for a child five years old and older, buy GoClever TAB R974.2 (9.7 screen, 1024X768 resolution, Cortex A9 processor (1.6 GHz), 1GB RAM, Android 4.1).

It also makes sense to highlight the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 model (this version, suitable for ages six years and older, has a 7 monitor with a resolution of 1024x600, a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, Android 4.0).

The third successful option is Asus Google Nexus 7 (the selected gaming option has the following characteristics: screen 7, resolution 1280X800, NVIDIA Tegra 3 TL processor (1.2 GHz), RAM 1 GB, Android 4.2). This summer gift will delight any fidgety person who is nine years old or older during the holidays.

In an effort to choose the most successful version - the number of presented options is “two or more” - you need to be aware of the characteristics of a number of other parts.

Multiple choices for children and adults of all ages

Regardless of what exactly you choose for purchase - a tablet or an e-reader, a game or something else - it is necessary to take into account information about all the characteristics of the product.

You can buy a successful tablet for a child by looking at models for a mixed-age audience, and you can make a choice based on devices created specifically for young users.

A tablet computer is a device that almost everyone owns, and those who don’t have already thought about purchasing one. The question, as a rule, is whether such a device is necessary.

Today, a tablet is a device that is more focused on entertainment, which includes watching movies and videos, reading e-books and surfing the web, and, of course, playing games.

There are tablets whose screens are great for drawing, for example, the Samsung Galaxy Note, which has a stylus. The tablet is not intended for creating any content.

Sure, you can record videos, take photos, and post them on social media, which many people do, but again, it's more about entertainment. Thus, a tablet definitely cannot replace a personal computer.

A lot of time has passed since the release of the famous iPad, which can confidently be called the ancestor of modern tablet computers. Over the past couple of years, their range in the computer equipment market has expanded significantly. A lot of devices have appeared that are different from each other, both in appearance and in internal content.

Choosing the right tablet may seem like a difficult task - but it only seems so. In this article, we will help you choose exactly the computer that will meet all your requirements.

Selecting an operating system

Let's start with the fact that the main criterion for comparing tablets is the platform on which they work. There are three commonly known operating systems:

  1. iOS from Apple
  2. Android from Google,
  3. Windows from Microsoft.

The choice may depend on the applications you usually deal with, since they are all interconnected.

If you use technology from Apple, then the best choice would be iPad, running on the iOS operating system. There will be the usual simplicity and intuitive interface, which is more intended for people who do not want to configure the device, but want to see a tablet that will simply work immediately after turning it on.

This system was developed by Apple and is found only in devices from this company. But, nevertheless, the presence of equipment from Apple is not a very important point, since everything will work perfectly with a computer on which Windows is installed. There are a lot of applications available for iOS, so the iPad is ideal for lovers of simplicity and novelty.

The vast majority of tablet computers run on an operating system Android. It is undoubtedly best to choose the new versions - 4.1 or 4.2 Jelly Bean, as well as 4.4.2 KitKat. They do not differ very much, and mostly the user does not even notice these changes.

There are many useful programs for Android, for example, Google Maps, which can be used as a navigator, or the Google Chrome browser, which is fully synchronized with the computer version. The Android operating system is used by most companies such as Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony.

Windows 8 RT is a version of regular Windows adapted for touch screens, which makes it more compatible with a personal computer. But programs that run on Windows 8 cannot always be run on Windows RT. Unfortunately, it is also characterized by the disadvantages of regular Windows, including the presence of viruses.

These systems have more differences than similarities, and it is difficult to say which one is better - for an inexperienced user, the difference will only be noticeable in appearance. It is only worth mentioning that Apple products are exclusive, but are more expensive, while for little money you can find a good Android tablet. Here everyone decides for himself.

Tablet contents

Next, let’s move on to the most important thing – the hardware inside the tablet. This is a very important step, because effective operation depends entirely on how much RAM is built into it and what kind of processor it has.

The tablet's processor can work with several cores, which does not mean its better performance. It is worth paying attention to the processor frequency, and at the same time to the operating time without battery. A Windows tablet will require much more RAM than one running Android.

We will not consider in detail all the diversity processors and video chips, let's look at just a few of them. Apple devices (iPad) use the Apple A5 processor, followed by the A5X modification, which is present in the iPad 3 and iPad 4 models.

In Android tablets, Qualcomm processors are very popular, with clock speeds from 800 to 1500 MHz. By the way, most modern tablets have dual-core processors, but the iPad 3 and iPad 4 have quad-core processors, which cannot but affect performance. The video chip is built into the processor, so its power depends on the processor.

Tablet memory

RAM capacity can range from 386 to 2 GB. The golden mean is 1 GB, this will be enough to watch movies, games and access the Internet.

Built-in memory– is also an important question, because for films, music and other things you need to devote a certain amount of space, often quite a lot. You should focus on tablets that support memory cards up to 32 GB.

It is worth noting that Apple computers do not support memory cards, but their built-in memory is very high - from 16 to 64 GB. The use of flash memory is the prerogative of Android devices.

Design

Tablet design is also of separate interest. For some this is an important point, for others it is secondary. Here everyone should focus on the design that he liked. At the same time, of course, you should not forget about the internal filling, otherwise you will get a beautiful pacifier.

It is worth choosing the appropriate screen diagonal size. Small tablets with a diagonal of 7-10 inches are very convenient. There are, of course, devices with a smaller diagonal, but, as a rule, these are the sizes that are most common.

When choosing larger ones, 12-20 inches, you need to think about whether it will be convenient for you to carry them with you, because they are simply larger and heavier, and in such cases there is simply no point in purchasing a tablet that will constantly lie on the table.

If you pay attention to the screen, then the best choice would be to purchase a tablet with an IPS matrix with FullHD resolution, which is 1920x1080 pixels. There are tablets with even higher resolution, but FullHD is enough for comfortable work.

Carefully examine the quality of the matrix and viewing angles, check for reflections or dead pixels. The rest is all about taste and color.

You should also pay attention to the support for various communication methods. Typically, tablets are produced either with Wi-Fi support, or simultaneously with Wi-Fi and a GSM module.

As you might guess, Wi-Fi is not available everywhere, but mobile operators provide their services almost everywhere, so you can use the Internet anywhere. Moreover, recently the operating area of ​​3G and LTE technologies, which provide faster speeds, has been steadily expanding.

GPS support may be useful if you frequently travel to unfamiliar places. In this case, the tablet is used as a navigator.

After clarifying all the details given above, you can understand what kind of tablet computer you will need. You should not choose the most powerful options if you simply will not use all its resources, and you should not purchase obviously “weak” models that will let you down at every step.

In general, it depends on the purpose of its use and on personal preferences. Based on these tips, we conclude that the range on Android is wider than that of Apple, but, nevertheless, Apple’s solutions are more unique and interesting.

This already solves the question of the price that the user is willing to pay for owning the device. Therefore, by following these simple instructions, you can easily choose the tablet of your dreams!

Video review of tablets:

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