It is the holiday season now and most people are thinking of tablets, however, it is really very confusing as there are so many to choose from. When the market had just opened up, you had the iPad and just a couple of others and choosing one was easy, rather the decision was made for you and things were pretty easy. However, today, with the array of tablets to choose from, and one trying to outdo the other, deciding is rather difficult. Apple now has several competitors to contend with. Big names like Google and Microsoft have become major players, adding to the excitement for the customers.
As there are tablets available in various sizes, you need to first decide upon the size that you want. The most popular one even today is the full sized one that was pioneered and perfected by Apple. The other is the half-sized one, Kindle Fire that was developed by Amazon.
The full-sized tablets that come with a 10-inch screen (diagonally) are best for browsing websites meant for PCs and the perfect choice to scan documents and all types of magazines. They make a perfect replacement for the cumbersome laptop. These tablets are priced in the range of $400 and above.
The half-sized tablets that have become a rage of late are the ones that have a screen measuring 7 inches (half does not mean the screen is half the size) diagonally, are lightweight and relatively cheaper. They are the perfect answer for tasks like reading e-books. It makes a great gift for kids who need a good computing device and for adults who are just being initiated into the world of tablets. The new models start from $199 and some older models are still available at much lower prices.
If you wish to settle for an Apple product, remember that Apple is known to update the iPad once every year. Hence, it is no surprise that it discontinued a new model last fall. However that iPad had a faster processor and new feature christened “Lightning” and a modified charging port that was different from the one found on the iPod. This one also had the special Retina screen know for its stunning resolution of 2048 X 1536 pixels, though the Google Nexus 10 is better comparatively.
This simply means that the current model has had two transformations in one year when you compare it to last year’s 2nd generation iPad 2 that was available last holiday season. However, the new model is worth the price because of the upgrades. The model launched last year is still on sale and now costs $100 less. So, if you don’t mind waiting, you can always get an iPad at a bargain price the next season. However, at $400, it is priced a bit high and there are several cheaper alternatives that you can check out.
One cannot deny the fact that the other tablet manufacturers are striving to keep up with Apple. However, when it comes to unbeatable quality applications and general accessories, it is still Apple that reigns supreme. The base model of the iPad though has just 16 GB storage that is woefully inadequate. Hence, if you wish to give a memorable gift, choose the 32 GB version that costs just $100 extra.
Coming to the Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ that is priced $269 upwards, it is the first attempt from a bookstore to offer an alternate to the iPad that has a screen size of 9 inches diagonally. The difference in size is insignificant and not very noticeable and the resolution at 1920 X 1280 is lower but still as good as any high definition television. The Nook has other features like letting your entire family create separate user accounts with restrictions imposed on content. The kids cannot see what you see, while you can see what they are up to.
The Nook HD+ too comes with 16 GB storage, but the trump card here is that at an additional cost of just $25, you can upgrade to 32 GB using a microSD memory card, which is not a bad deal at all. On the flip side, the Nook HD+ has very few apps and is more suited to fill in as an e-reader for books and magazines and for watching movies and videos. Unlike its other competitors, there are no cameras either. The Nook HD+ is best for bookworms and strictly not for gamers and app enthusiasts.
Another great tablet you can check out is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10. This one brings out the creativity in you as it comes with a stylus that lets you doodle and write on the screen. This tablet runs Google’s Android
, which means that you have access to the several apps that were originally meant for smartphones. Though it is not as good as the iPad, the Galaxy Note 10 has just 1280 X 800 pixels re solution, though the memory can be enhanced using a memory card.
That’s a brief idea of the present day choice of tablets. There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that the iPad leads the way, all the way through. But the iPad is just not for anybody and everybody owning to its high pricing. But don’t worry as the other tablets, as mentioned above, raise their hands and say “Count on me too”.
