Once you've made the choice to switch to a tablet
computer, you've got a lot more choices ahead of you.
Seven-inch or 10-inch display? Android or Apple? UMTS or not? Are
you going to be using it on the couch or while underway? The good
news is that, whatever answers you choose, there should be something
that fits your needs, sometimes for as little as 100 euros (128
dollars).
First, users have to pick an operating system. Michael Wolf, of
the German consumer product testing group Stiftung Warentest,
recommends Apple products for the less technologically oriented.
"On the other hand, Android can be fun for people who want more
flexibility and want to make the device suit their needs more," he
says. "A lot of Android devices just cost less for a comparable
configuration."
Android and the new Windows tablets are about the same in terms of
user friendliness, says Christian Woelbert of the German computer
magazine c't.
"Both are pretty easy to use after a short introductory phase," he
says. But a Windows 8 tablet is probably the most obvious replacement
for a notebook. "You don't run into the problem that a Windows
programme you need can't be installed."
Windows RT is a special version of the recently released Windows 8
operating system which is designed to run on tablets. But note that
Windows RT devices often only use special RT apps and there aren't
many of those yet.
A lot of new Windows tablets are coming with keyboard docks - for
keyboards that can be plugged in, often with their own integrated
battery. They're often attached with a hinge, practically turning the
tablet into a laptop.
"That's a nice difference from iOS and Android devices," says
Woelbert. Those can only be connected to a keyboard with Bluetooth or
USB. However, classically, tablets aren't really for typing.
A lot of the choice will depend on size and weight. The more the
tablet is intended as a travel device, the smaller it should probably
be. Weight is less of a problem, across the board.
"There aren't many that weigh so much that they're heavy in the
hand," says Woelbert. A 7-inch model is usually only about 350 grams;
the 10-inch model usually about 600.
But battery lives differ widely, in a range from three to 10
hours. Always check before making a purchase.
Tablets at the cheaper, 100-euro end of the range, are not known
for long lifespans. Corners are often usually cut with displays and
components, which means lower resolution and more difficulties in
getting an overview of the contents.
"You have to do a lot of scrolling and zooming, and it shakes more
often," says Woelbert. "After a week or two, that can get annoying."
Don't focus too much on RAM and CPU figures. "It depends more
about how the manufacturer sorted out the hardware and software,"
says Woelbert. "The key thing is how fluid it feels."
It's possible to get a feel for handling and the screen in store
tests. "With a display model, you can quickly see if the colour,
brightness, focus and viewing angle are right," says Wolf. "In the
200-euro range, you can find some decent 7-inch tablets."
Also check what kind of Android device you're getting, if you opt
for that. Nexus tablets are very true to the original. Amazon tablets
are based on Android, but they try to focus users on Amazon services,
says Wolf.
Also see if there is an SD card slot for expanding memory.
Connections are also key. Some tablets have standard USB and HDMI
connections, others insist on special connections that require
special hardware, says Wolf. UMTS is not yet standard, but "not
everyone needs it."
