Tablets

Tablet computers are self-contained, very portable, lightweight, mobile devices that make computing on-the-go a reality. Tablets fall into two size categories: Those with screens measuring 9- or 10-inches wide, and those with smaller, 7- or 8-inch screens. Many tablets have touch-screens, which include virtual keyboards. Some tablets have expansion slots for additional data storage on compact digital cards, and USB ports to attach computer accessories, like printers or external keyboards. The Google Android Operating System is the most common system used on tablets, with the Apple iOS powering the popular iPad tablets. Users can download and install applications, called “apps,” in hundreds of categories. Many are free, while some require payment. Most tablets connect wirelessly to computer networks or the Internet via Wi-Fi or mobile wireless 3G or 4G networks. A data plan contract with a wireless phone carrier, or a month-by-month plan is required for the latter. If you’re looking for tablets from Apple, Samsung, Asus, or other well known manufacturers you can bet that Kelkoo will have all of the most popular makes and models at the lowest prices on the ‘net! ... View more - View less

View the Tablets Buyers Guide

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- Motion Computing J3500
- from $1,771
- Available from 1 retailers
- from $1,771
  
  Screen Size: 12.1'' • Operating System: Microsoft Windows
  View all 36 offers
- Motion Computing F5v
- from $1,671
- Available from 1 retailers
- from $1,671
  
  Screen Size: 10.4'' • Operating System: Microsoft Windows
  View all 34 offers
- Acer ICONIA A200
- from $299
- Available from 8 retailers
- from $299
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Android 4.0
  - $336.94
  - $344.76
  - $349.99
  View all 21 offers
- Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 1838
- from $373
- Available from 6 retailers
- from $373
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Android 3.1
  - $609
  - $419
  - $389.99
  View all 19 offers
- Toshiba Thrive 32GB
  Rated 4 out of 5
- from $389
- Available from 5 retailers
- from $389
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Android 3.1
  View all 12 offers
- Dell Latitude ST LST01
  Rated 1 out of 5
- from $794
- Available from 1 retailers
- from $794
  
  Screen Size: 10.1''
  - $874
  - $889
  - $894
  View all 12 offers
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 P7500 32GB
- from $319
- Available from 5 retailers
- from $319
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Android 3.0
  - $406.94
  - $448
  - $369.97
  View all 11 offers
- Kobo Touch N905
  Rated 3.5 out of 5
- from $79
- Available from 4 retailers
- from $79
  
  Screen Size: 6'' • Operating System: MacOS
  - $136.94
  - $79.99
  - $100.96
  View all 11 offers
- Toshiba Thrive 16GB
- from $349
- Available from 7 retailers
- from $349
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Android 3.1
  - $386.94
  - $529.99
  - $349.95
  View all 10 offers
- Lenovo ThinkPad 1839
- from $481
- Available from 3 retailers
- from $481
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Android 3.1
  View all 10 offers
- Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB
- from $399
- Available from 2 retailers
- from $399
  
  Screen Size: 9.7'' • Operating System: iOS 4
  - $529
  - $529
  - $529
  View all 9 offers
- Motion Computing C5v
- from $2,057
- Available from 1 retailers
- from $2,057
  
  Screen Size: 10.4'' • Operating System: Microsoft Windows
  View all 8 offers
- Archos 28 internet tablet
  Rated 3 out of 5
- from $66
- Available from 7 retailers
- from $66
  
  Screen Size: 2.8'' • Operating System: Android 2.2
  - $66.94
  - $84.95
  - $84.95
  View all 7 offers
- Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G 32GB
  Rated 4.5 out of 5
- from $729
- Available from 2 retailers
- from $729
  
  Screen Size: 9.7'' • Operating System: iOS 5
  - $729
  - $729
  - $729
  View all 7 offers
- Fujitsu Stylistic Q550
  Rated 3.5 out of 5
- from $706
- Available from 4 retailers
- from $706
  
  Screen Size: 10.12'' • Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
  View all 6 offers
- ARNOVA 8
  Rated 2 out of 5
- from $153
- Available from 5 retailers
- from $153
  
  Screen Size: 8''
  View all 6 offers
- Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 64 GB Wi Fi 3G
  Rated 3 out of 5
- from $689
- Available from 2 retailers
- from $689
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Android 3.1
  View all 4 offers
- HP Slate 2
- from $732
- Available from 5 retailers
- from $732
  
  Screen Size: 8.9'' • Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7
  View all 6 offers
- Kobo Vox 7
- from $89
- Available from 2 retailers
- from $89
  
  Screen Size: 7'' • Operating System: Android 2.3
  - $199.99
  - $180.96
  - $89.38
  View all 6 offers
- Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G 16GB
- from $629
- Available from 2 retailers
- from $629
  
  Screen Size: 9.7'' • Operating System: iOS 5
  - $629
  - $629
  - $629
  View all 6 offers
- HP Slate 2 32GB
- from $638
- Available from 5 retailers
- from $638
  View all 6 offers
- Motion Computing CL900
  Rated 1.5 out of 5
- from $1,149
- Available from 1 retailers
- from $1,149
  
  Screen Size: 10.1'' • Operating System: Microsoft Windows
  View all 5 offers
- Acer Iconia Tab A501
  Rated 4 out of 5
- from $399
- Available from 5 retailers
- from $399
  
  Screen Size: 10.1''
  View all 5 offers
- Dell Streak 7
  Rated 3 out of 5
- from $259
- Available from 3 retailers
- from $259
  
  Screen Size: 7'' • Operating System: Android 2.2
  View all 5 offers

Tablets Buying Guide

Kelkoo.com

Introduction

Tablets are in – and they are all touching our lives in different ways! Every top cell brand, including Lenovo and Apple, seems to have its own version of this handy gadget. Tech sites and magazines are buzzing with reviews about the pros and cons of different tablets and their operating systems. Tablets have caught everyone’s imagination as they are an incredible blend of cell phones and laptops, and are easy to carry. Our tablets buying guide provides useful buying tips for a market where new tablets are being released practically every week.

The Tablet War

Tablets combine the functions of a smartphone and laptop. These gadgets allow you to email, read a book, watch videos, play games, and even get some work done while you’re on the move. The first tablet to be released was the Apple iPad, and it created a sensation. But even as the iPad tried to get an invincible lead in the market, competition was hot at its heels. The Samsung Galaxy Tab was one of the first competitors to make a dent in the iPad’s market share and popularity.

This war was further fueled when most reviews, after an in-depth comparison of these tablets, pointed out that that these tablets were more or less on par with each other as far as battery life, processing, and memory were concerned. To date, it’s only the smaller details that tend to distinguish these tablets from one another.

A Peek at the Operating Systems

There are three operating systems that are currently used by tablets:

iOS: The iOS is Apple’s operating system and is used in the iPod, iPhone, as well as the iPad. One of the advantages of using the iPad is that the operating system gives you access to Apple’s impressively large App Store. The software is very easy to use and downloads apps every easily. The disadvantage is that you will be forced to use iTunes software as alternative programs are not supported.

Android: Tablets using Google’s Android operating system have given the iPad a run for its money, with a wide range of version available depending on which tablet you invest in. Android is as easy to use as iOS and offers a friendly, streamlined interface. The Acer Iconia Tab and Toshiba Thrive tablets use Android 3.1 and 3.0.1 respectively.

The advantage of using a tablet that has the Android operating system is that it is well integrated with Google services, and these tablets have access to a wide range of applications (although less than the range offered on Apple’s App Store,) and support a wide range of hardware too. The area where the Android falls short when compared to iOS is in the media and gaming department, and if you like your entertainment, the iPad might be a better choice.

Windows 7: There are tablets that run on Microsoft’s Windows 7, but the basic drawback of these tablets is that they are fitted with an operating system that’s not too tablet friendly. The boot time is much longer than either iOS or Android, and the system is more prone to viral attacks.

Things to Consider While Buying a Tablet

Screen: One of the most important features of a tablet will obviously be the screen size or the display. The iPad and iPad 2 have 9.7 inch screens, but several Android tablets have bigger screens. There are tablets with smaller screens too, such as the Archos 5 Internet Tablet 32 GB, with a display of just 4.8 in. The decision on screen size would basically depend on how portable you want your tablet to be, but too small a size might compromise on visibility.

Tablets with larger screens can help you read web pages without zooming. If you expect to use your tablet professionally, then a wide screen would definitely be preferable. Your spreadsheets would be much clearer on a bigger screen. The four-inch screen tablets are meant to fit into your pockets, but you would be exchanging visibility for portability.

The responsiveness of the screen should also be factored into your buying decision. The iPad and Galaxy Tab have capacitive touch screens that are highly responsive. The other option is to buy tablets that need a stylus for navigating through menus.

Other Considerations

3G: Wi-Fi connectivity is common in all tablets, but some tablets also support 3G. This will enable you to connect to the Internet even when you’re on the move, with the help of an Internet-enabled SIM card. The tablets that offer the 3G option will expect you to pay for the facility so you will have to decide whether, in your case, the increased price is worth the convenience of having 3G.

Application stores: The range of apps available for your tablet is obviously an important point to be taken into consideration before buying a tablet. Nothing compares with the Apple App Store which has over 300,000 apps that you can use. Out of these, nearly 65,000 are specially designed for iPads, and that number is ever increasing.

Dimensions and form of the tablet: Most people focus on the compactness and sleekness of the tablet while choosing between different brands. However, this will be an issue only if you are going to be carrying your tablet around for long periods of time. Although this aspect is overdone, it cannot be denied that the slimmer a tablet, the more attractive it might seem. Thickness varies greatly with some tablets being so sleek that they can even slip inside your pocket! The iPad weighs around 601 g, while the 7 in RIM Blackberry Playbook weighs around 400 g. There are also many shapes available. The typical and most common would be the flat, slate tablet. Another shape is the burrito, which is a dual-screen tablet, an example of which is the Sony S2 tablet.

Storage space: Check out the storage space of the different brands. If your use of the tablet involves downloading HD videos and large applications, you may need extensive storage capacity. In that case, it might be better to opt for a tablet that has a microSD slot so you can increase the memory should you need to.

Of course, there are plenty of other factors to be checked out in a tablet such as automatic orientation, video compatibility, GPS support, simple virtual keyboard, and presence of a camera (at the front or rear of the tablet.) The inclusion of these features is all a matter of personal preference.

Tablets are definitely amazing gadgets, but the basic question is whether they are really necessary. They cannot replace a laptop or desktop as far as work is concerned, and they aren’t as portable as smartphones. But if you are determined to own this cool and covetable gadget in spite of these seemingly trivial limitations, then hopefully our buying guide has been useful in helping you make the right decision.

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