Best Tablet For You

Even though tablet computers are not yet three years old , it already seems impossible to imagine the world without them . And while Apple's iPad ( the first tablet introduced ) remains the leader for this genre , the rest of the computer manufacturing world is energetically trying to catch-up . Every computer company now has their own tablet device , and the range of options and choices presented to the average buyer is quickly becoming somewhat overwhelming . How can you know which one is the best choice for you ?

The first thing to decide is if you even need a tablet . After all , tablets don't really fill an unmet need . A tablet is neither a replacement for your smartphone , nor your laptop . It has several features of each – but is the equal of neither . For example , you can't make a phone call via a regular cell provider on a tablet , and if you want to do serious word processing , the lack of a physical keyboard would render this much more difficult than on a laptop .

The real appeal of a tablet is that it is a device that targets certain key functions of both smart phones and laptop computers , and delivers just those features for those who don't need , or want more . It is essentially a portable way to play games , watch videos , listen to music , check email and browse the web . And doing it all with a screen size that is a much better user experience that a smartphone , without being stuck with the too big size of some laptops . It fills in the gap between the two – and if that's what you're looking for – then you need one .

Once you've decided to take the plunge , the most important consideration is which operating system to opt for . While there are several available , there's really only two serious choices : the Apple iOS and the Android Honeycomb . These are the only two tablet operating systems that were specifically designed for a mobile device versus a desk top . And the impact of this on tablet performance is significant . So if you're going to go the tablet route – choose one with an operating system that maximizes its performance .

Another key consideration is Apps . Frankly , Android and RIM just do not have that many apps optimized for tablets ; a few thousand , at best . Viewed against the iPad's 140 ,000 , there's really no comparison . Some will question whether an app even needs to be optimized for a tablet – but with just a few minutes of testing the difference between those that are and those that aren't – the answer becomes a clear “yes” . It matters .

As for screen size , Samsung offers the greatest range of choice ( from 7 .1 – 10 .1 inches ) , and RIM offers the most pocket friendly version at 7 inches . The iPad is 9 .7 inches . One nice thing about the new Sony S is its wedge-shaped design , which creates a nice screen display when laid on a table .

Many tablets come with wi-fi only , so this is definitely something to factor in as well . The new Samsung devices have 4G built in , and the iPad2 has a 3G option .

The bottom-line is that once you've
determined that a tablet meets your needs and desires , choose one with a tablet-optimized operating system . After that – it's just a matter of which of the various “bell & whistles” most appeal to you . There's a lot of variety and choice – and that can only be a good thing .