How to Buy the Best Tablet

It's difficult to remember a time before tablets, but it's been just two short years since the original Apple Ipad hit the scene, and the current tablet market was born. Since then, we've seen scores of manufacturers trying to snag a slice of the tablet pie, which so far, has been dominated by Apple, now on its third iPad iteration, which sold 3 million units in three days when it was launched last month.
According to IDC, of the 28.2 million tablets shipped in the last quarter of 2011, more than half of them were iPads. Google, the other major player in the tablet space, has also made some nice market share gains with its Android operating system, thanks in part to Amazon, with its budget-friendly, sub-$200 Android-based Kindle Fire , which captured 16.8 percent of tablet sales in the same time period. What's most interesting about all of these stats, however, is that overall tablet shipments were up 155 percent from the same time period in 2010. It seems as though the tablet is here to stay.
But which tablet is right for you? Whether you're eyeing an iPad, one of the many Android tablets available, or even a Blackberry PlayBook , here are the key factors you need to consider when shopping for a tablet:
First Off: Do You Even Need a Tablet?

Simply put, tablets aren't really filling a true need—they're neither replacements for full-fledged computers nor Smartphone . A tablet is a touch-screen media device that is actually most similar to a portable media player, but with a larger screen. Many tablets have mobile service features, but they don't make phone calls via a traditional mobile provider. And while you can tackle productivity tasks on an iPad or an Android tablet, you won't get a desktop-grade operating system, like you'll find on a PC. Plus, since we're talking about slates here, there's no hardware keyboard. The main focus of the tablets we'll discuss is media 

 consumption.
Tablets have an advantage over both laptops and phones, offering a portable way to check email, browse the Web, video chat, watch movies, listen to music, and play games, but with a bigger screen with more real estate than your smartphone can provide. Even so, you probably don't need one, but if you want a tablet, read on.
Pick an Operating System

This consideration is a bit obvious, but size—both screen real estate and storage capacity—is important to consider. First things first: When you hear the term "10-inch tablet," this typically refers to the size of the screen, measured diagonally, and not the size of the tablet itself. Apple continues to offer the new iPad and the iPad 2 in one size only (9.7-inch screen) and the BlackBerry PlayBook comes in a single 7-inch screen size, which RIM argues gives it the advantage of pocketability. Samsung Galaxy Note, for one, wants you to have a choice, so it offers its Android tablets in multiple screen sizes (10.1, 8.9, 7 inches, and even a phone/tablet hybrid with a 5-inch display and a stylus).
Screen resolution is important too, especially for ebook reading and Web surfing. A sharp, bright display is key. Right now, the new iPad with its 2,048-by-1,536-pixel Retina display is the sharpest you'll find. If you're in the market for a 10-inch Android tablet, look for a display with at least a 1,280-by-800 resolution. For 7-inch models: The Amazon Kindle Fire is 1,024-by-600, and is perfectly viewable, even for eBook Reader .
The weight of a tablet is one definite advantage it has over a laptop—but let's be clear, at around 1.44 pounds (in the case of the iPad) it's not cell-phone light—this is true for 7-inch tablets as well. After you hold one on the subway for ten minutes, your hand will get tired. Setting it flat in your lap, rather than propped up on a stand, can also be a little awkward. And, again, a 10-inch tablet doesn't fit in many pockets.
As for storage, the more the better—all those apps, when combined with a typical music, video, and photo library, can take up a lot of space. Right now storage tops out at 64GB of flash-based memory, with most of the tablets we've seen available in 16, 32, and 64GB varieties. Larger capacity models can get as expensive as full-featured laptops, though, especially when you factor in cellular service plans. (The top-end 64GB iPad with Verizon or AT&T 4G will run you $830 plus monthly fees.)
Wi-Fi-Only vs. Cellular Models

Many tablets come in a Wi-Fi-only model or with the option of always-on cellular service from a wireless provider. If you want to use your tablet to get online anywhere, you should opt for a model with a cell radio like the AT&T Pantech Element or the Verizon Motorola Droid Xyboard. Of course, this adds to the device's price, and then you need to pay for cellular service. Generally, though, with a tablet, you can purchase data on a month-to-month basis, without signing a contract.
Another way to get your tablet online: Use your 3G or 4G phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your tablet—this won't work with every phone/tablet combo, so you should check with the carriers before you buy in

Posted in: Tablet Talk