We choose the tablet correctly and with pleasure. How to choose a tablet: basic criteria Battery and battery life

The era of bulky home computers has passed, they were replaced first by laptops, and now by an even more compact unit -.

Purchasing such a convenient device makes you think about many things at once: what is the best way to choose a tablet, and how not to overpay a lot of money for unnecessary functions? Or save money and regret it later? What should you pay attention to and what criteria should you use to choose?

First you need to understand the types of tablets.

What are Tablet PCs and Slate PCs?

Tablet PC– is located in the middle between an Internet tablet and a laptop. Among its undeniable advantages are the presence of a keyboard and quite high power. It can use not only ordinary office programs, but also engage in resource-intensive operations, for example: working in graphic editors. And among their main disadvantages are the high price and heavy weight.

Slate PC not so powerful, but have fairly compact dimensions and a price that is less intimidating to the average person.

Tablet selection criteria

Display

1. Diagonal. The size of the tablet and the ease of perceiving information on it directly depend on the length of the diagonal. Therefore, it is important to decide how and where you plan to use it. For daily carrying with you, a five to seven inch model will suit you, but for home use it is best to opt for nine to ten inches.

2. Touch technology. All major manufacturers use two sensor technologies: resistive and capacitive. There is also a matrix one, but it is almost never found on the market today.

2.1 Resistive technology is convenient because it allows you to control the display using almost any object: finger, stylus, etc. Due to the low light transmission, the picture on such a device may differ slightly in color from the original, but this did not prevent it from becoming the most common.

2.2 Capacitive technology is much more expensive and more sensitive to control. It works only with the touch of your fingers, and even having gloves on your hands will be a huge problem.

Its undeniable advantage is the presence of a multi-touch function, i.e. recognition of touches on several points on the display at once. Thanks to this, using gestures on such a display, you can perform various operations: rotate the image, reduce it, or vice versa, increase it.

3. Screen resolution is quite easy to choose: the larger it is, the better.

operating system

1. Android from Google. The most popular OS for tablets. In addition to its flexibility, it boasts a huge number of diverse applications that can be downloaded absolutely free from Android Market or on the Internet.

After purchasing the tablet and connecting it to the Internet, it took me quite a long time to install updates. First, I needed to install all the suggested Windows updates.

Then updates from Samsung came into play. The most unexpected thing for me was that updates from Samsung were installed separately in and in metro mode. For updates, I “burned” almost all the traffic that Megafon offered me for a month (2GB). But I don’t regret it, because it’s much calmer to work with updated programs.

At first, I treated the tablet like a laptop - I connected it to a 220V network while it was working, and then disconnected it from the network accordingly. This does not allow you to enjoy the fact that the tablet is still a portable computer.

Kind people advised me that the tablet should be used as mobile phone. That is, you work until the battery is discharged, for example, to 20-30%, and then you put it on recharge. By the way, the tablet charges quite quickly, much faster than a laptop. And it takes a long time to discharge, much slower than a laptop. You can work for several hours in a row without thinking about battery charge.

At one time, I mastered (not without difficulties, of course) how to distribute Wi-Fi from a laptop. That is, a laptop can be turned into a router - a device for distributing the Internet. Then, in stationary conditions, you can distribute the Internet (Wi-Fi) from a laptop, and thus the tablet will access the Internet (via Wi-Fi) for free.

More precisely, my wired Internet is paid for for my laptop. And the laptop already distributes Wi-Fi to the tablet, and this service costs nothing. It’s a pity that I only mastered this after installing software updates on the tablet I had just purchased. I could save money by not paying additionally for traffic from Megafon.

As a result, I began to like the tablet with a large, convenient screen, because it allows me not to be tied to one workplace (as the song says: “I’m free!”). And at the same time be connected to the Internet in various ways.

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Choosing a tablet is no easier than choosing a smartphone. The leaders in the tablet market are also two “giants”, Samsung and Apple - at the same time, there are a lot of companies from Asia that do not lay claim to the throne, but produce high-quality products worthy of the attention of buyers.

Which tablet should you choose and what should you look at first? You will learn about this by reading this article to the end.

The choice of a tablet must be approached somewhat differently than the choice of a smartphone - nevertheless, these 2 devices have different purposes. A smartphone is needed primarily for calls; The main function of the tablet is to provide the user with access to the Internet. Therefore, when choosing a tablet, priority should be given to those criteria that affect the convenience of Internet surfing - overall performance and display size.

Performance

From the chipset model, number of cores, clock frequency, graphics accelerator, volume random access memory depends on the performance of the tablet while searching for information on the Internet, watching movies and - especially - gameplay. An ordinary user who does not expect “miracles” from a tablet should purchase a device with the following minimum performance characteristics:

Number of cores – from 4. 2 cores are now only enough for Apple tablets, which use processors of their own production. It’s worth buying a dual-core device with Android OS only in case of an acute shortage of money.
Clock frequency – from 1.4 GHz. You can watch movies and surf the Internet at 600 MHz, but for resource-intensive games and applications this frequency will clearly not be enough.
RAM capacity – from 2 GB. The buyer needs to remember that when starting the tablet, installed processes instantly take up about 600 MB of RAM. If the tablet has 1 GB of RAM, then only 400 MB is left for user processes - this is only enough to solve the simplest tasks.

For games, it is best to take a gadget with an NVIDIA Tegra processor - for example, Asus Transformer Prime.

Display: size and resolution

Tablets are available in the following form factors: 7 inches, 8 inches and 10 inches. The device with a 7-inch screen is compact in size and can even fit into the lining of a jacket. It is convenient to use as an e-reader, but not so much for watching movies.

A 10-inch tablet is more suitable for working with multimedia files. However, it is not recommended to buy a budget gadget with a large screen - for 2 reasons: Firstly, such a tablet can be quite bulky and heavy, Secondly, the display of a cheap device will probably show graininess.

8-inch gadgets are not very common. This is a borderline option, which in fact lacks the advantages of both of the above. You should refrain from purchasing an 8-inch gadget, especially since there are a lot of accessories for this form factor.

As for the screen resolution, the best option for a 7-inch device is HD (1280×720), for a 10-inch device FullHD (1920×1080). Buy tablets with used O A higher resolution is pointless: the user will not notice the difference in picture quality, but will suffer from the fact that the gadget quickly discharges.

If the tablet screen is made using OGS technology (that is, without an air gap), this is an additional bonus. OGS screens are notable for their wide viewing angles and excellent color rendition.

Availability of 3G

It will not be possible to install a SIM card in a tablet that does not support 3G - you will only be able to access the Internet from such a gadget if you have a connection to Wi-Fi networks. As a rule, Wi-Fi tablets are much cheaper than their 3G counterparts. Therefore, for a buyer who intends to use the device primarily at home, it is more profitable to purchase a device without a SIM slot.

If you can put a SIM card in a tablet, this does not mean that you can make calls from it - iPad devices, for example, do not have a call function. Whether a specific tablet model supports the call function should be checked immediately before purchasing.

operating system

The following operating systems are installed on modern tablets:

iOS. The iOS operating system can only be found on gadgets manufactured by Apple. Its main advantages are stability and high speed. The operating system is simplified as much as possible, and therefore does not require many processor cores and an impressive amount of RAM for correct operation. iOS users can download games and programs from the AppStore - in the summer of 2016, the number of applications in the store exceeded 2 million. The key disadvantage of iOS is its closed nature, due to which a novice user may have problems mastering the gadget.
Android. This operating system is open. It's easy to deal with; You can transfer data from a PC to an Android phone without using additional software - like iTunes for iOS or Zune for Windows Phone 7. Store Android applications called Google Play. It has even more programs and games than the AppStore, but not all of them can boast of decent quality; This is because only authorized Apple developers can post applications on the AppStore, and ordinary programmers can post applications on Google Play. Unlike iOS, Android is considered a vulnerable operating system and requires an antivirus.
Windows. Our site recently wrote that Windows Phone 8.1 was officially “recognized dead” - the mobile operating system lost support from Microsoft. However, there are a lot of good tablets with Windows 10 in 2017 - gadgets on the Microsoft OS are produced by such large companies as Lenovo, Huawei, Asus. The advantages of the Windows mobile operating system are a convenient “tiled” interface, a pre-installed package of full-fledged Office programs and undemanding requirements for the gadget’s hardware. The key disadvantage is the “poverty” of the official Windows Store application store. The latest measurement, which took place in the fall of 2015, showed that there were only 669 thousand programs in the Windows Store; by that time, the AppStore and Google Play already had 1.5 million applications each.

Buyers who have experience using Apple technology should prefer a gadget with iOS; beginners should choose a device with a “green robot”. A tablet with Windows 10 is still an option for everyone; Such a device can be recommended to “hardened” geeks - to broaden their horizons.

Battery

How long the tablet will last without recharging depends on the battery capacity. This parameter should only be considered in conjunction with the performance and display characteristics of the device. A gadget with premium hardware and a FullHD display will, of course, consume energy much faster than a budget model. For an inexpensive gadget, on the contrary, a large battery is an unnecessary luxury.

For those who are waiting for specifics, let us clarify: a gadget with a 7-inch screen will need a battery with a capacity of 3,500 - 4,000 mAh, a 10-inch tablet needs 5,000 - 7,000 mAh. The 7,340 mAh battery of the iPad Air 2 tablet was enough for 10 hours of continuous Internet surfing.

Cameras

It is naive to expect professional-quality pictures from a tablet. Tablets take photos worse than smartphones - after all, this is not their main function. The peculiarity of tablets is that their front cameras are, as a rule, no worse than the rear ones. The quality of the image from the front camera is important - because the user, due to the possible lack of a call function on the tablet, will probably chat on Skype.

If the rear and front cameras of the tablet can boast a resolution of 5 megapixels, this is more than enough.

What else is worth paying attention to?

When choosing a tablet, the buyer should also pay attention to the following minor points:

Housing material. Metal tablets are considered more reliable and look much more solid than plastic ones, but they catch Wi-Fi worse. Therefore, if a buyer intends to buy a metal tablet, he should take care of 3G support.
OTG support. If the tablet is equipped with the On-The-Go (OTG) function, the user will be able to connect a USB flash drive to it and import / export documents literally on the go.
Stylus support. Using a stylus will make it much more convenient and enjoyable for the user to work with graphics. This material talks about the best tablets with a stylus.
Memory expandability. The amount of built-in memory of a device is not so important if the memory can be expanded using a MicroSD flash drive. Buying such a flash drive now is not difficult - they are sold for next to nothing.
GPS support/GLONASS. If the tablet is capable of receiving information from satellite systems, car navigator It’s just the right time to post it on Avito - the mobile device will cope with route planning just as well.

Conclusion

When going to the store to buy a tablet, the buyer must have a clear idea of how he will use the mobile device. To check email and VK at home, a Wi-Fi option is suitable, but for work it is better to take a gadget that supports 3G. A Wi-Fi tablet is cheaper, but once it is outside the signal range, many of its useful features become unavailable.

Having answered the question for yourself Wi-Fi or 3G, the buyer should pay attention to the performance and display characteristics of the device. Having purchased a 4-core device with 2 GB of RAM and a FullHD display, the user is unlikely to experience any inconvenience while surfing the Internet.

Gone are the days of bulky computers that take up half the house and require a power plant to power them. Nowadays, portable devices occupy an integral part of our environment. electronic world. Tablets today are valued by everyone for their lightness, convenience, beauty, and speed of work. They are bought by businessmen, schoolchildren, students, and parents for their young children. There is a huge variety of models on the market. And it is precisely this diversity that confuses potential buyers, because many do not know how to choose a tablet so that it suits everything. We bring to your attention a detailed guide to choosing this miracle of modern technology.

How to choose a tablet among a huge variety of models for business, study and entertainment

The tablet is a multifunctional device. Essentially, it is a portable computer about the size of a thin book, with almost all the capabilities of a regular computer. What can a modern tablet do?

work on the Internet: display web pages and online videos, help communicate in in social networks, allows you to receive and send email;
work with documents: create and edit office documents, create electronic copies using a camera;
read e-books in various formats (pdf, epub, txt, fb2, mobi);
watch photos and videos, listen to music;
play games.

From the listed capabilities we can conclude that the main purpose of the tablet is to entertain the user. Therefore, it is very important to determine why you specifically need a tablet and choose a device that would satisfy all your needs and you would not have to regret buying it.

Popular operating systems

Google Android

The most popular OS, installed on a billion devices and occupying about 60% of the global tablet market. Distributed free of charge, used various manufacturers. The most popular version is Android 4 with variations (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4), although new devices may already have version 5 or even 6, which was released quite recently. We recommend choosing a device with Android version no lower than 4.4.

Pros of the Android operating system:

Attractive, very flexible, easily changeable interface. Absolutely everything can be customized to your taste, replacing any standard element.
Compatible with other devices. You can connect the tablet to your computer like a regular flash drive, without the need to install additional programs.
Automatic synchronization with Google services. By entering your username and password once, you will not have to configure each program separately. Already built-in are mail, maps, calendar, music, press, and so on. In addition, by syncing contacts from phone book With Google, you don't have to worry about their safety. Even if you change the device, they will be transferred automatically.
Google Play Market is an online application store where you can find and install many programs, as well as buy books, music, videos, and games.
Affordability. Since the OS is installed on devices from different manufacturers, you can choose a tablet to suit any budget.

Disadvantages of the Android operating system:

There is no single interface standard, so it may differ between different phone manufacturers.
Voracity of the tablet. Many programs constantly run in the background, reducing the battery life of the device.

The company was the first to launch the tablet into mass production. Its operating system is known for its stability, ease, convenience and a huge amount of third-party software. Occupies about 30% of the market.

Pros of the iOS operating system:

Online application store App Store.
High stability and speed.
Universal interface - the system looks the same on all Apple mobile devices.
Low energy consumption means the charge lasts for a long time.

Disadvantages of the iOS operating system:

Lack of memory card support.
To connect to a computer, you need to have it installed on it. special program iTunes.
High price. Apple tablets belong to the premium segment and are very expensive, so a much smaller number of buyers can afford them.

Microsoft Windows

The most popular computer system has the smallest market share, only about 10%. This is due to the fact that the company was too late to release a convenient system for use on touch screens, and simply could not win a large share of the software market. With the release of Windows 10 in July 2015, Microsoft is hoping that the tide will change in their favor.

Pros of the Windows operating system:

Capabilities of a regular computer or laptop. You can use familiar programs, some of which have no analogues in other operating systems.
Identical appearance on all devices.
Huge selection of programs.

Disadvantages of the Windows operating system:

Not very compact dimensions, battery life.
Cheap tablets may have a special version of RT installed, which does not withstand any competition at all, having a limited selection of programs and low popularity.

In fact, tablets with Windows installed can be considered laptops. Especially if you consider the trend of producing transformable tablets, which can turn into a full-fledged laptop in a few movements when connected to a docking station with a full-size keyboard, an additional battery and connectors.

Screen

Display dimensions and aspect ratio

Screen diagonal is how one tablet differs in appearance from another. The minimum size is 7 inches, but there are also screen sizes of 8; 9; 9.7; 10.1; 10.2; 12; 12.1, and recently models with 12.9 and even 13.3 inches have appeared. It all depends on how you intend to use your tablet.

The smaller the model, the more convenient it is to carry; for example, it is the size of a book and fits even in the smallest bag. But the advantage of a large screen is that it is more convenient to work with small details, and it can have better resolution, so the picture will be displayed more clearly.

The display aspect ratio can be either 16:10 or 4:3, with the latter being considered obsolete. It is much more convenient to watch movies and read books on a wide screen. Therefore, if you do not plan to carry a tablet with you often, it is better to purchase a larger device with a wide display.

Matrix type and resolution

The TFT matrix has poor color reproduction and average clarity; colors are distorted as the viewing angle increases; it is usually installed in cheap tablets. At the same time, screens with this technology can be of quite good quality, so when purchasing, check the quality of the screen of a particular model.

IPS has excellent clarity and color reproduction, the picture looks bright and juicy from different viewing angles. Such a matrix is installed in more expensive devices. We advise you to first take a closer look at tablets with this type of screen.

SuperAMOLED are the most modern screens, with better viewing angles, rich dark, but less natural colors, and are quite economical. Being an invention of Samsung, they are used, accordingly, in tablets of this brand.

As for the resolution, the higher it is, the more clearly small details will be drawn and the more comfortable it will be for the eyes. The screens of the cheapest tablets can have a resolution of 800x480 pixels. For budget models, the most popular options are 1024x600 and 1280x800 pixels, and in the top segment - 2048x1536.

Case material and device weight

The cases of the vast majority of tablets are made of various types of plastic: matte, ribbed, rubberized. There is also a tendency to make cases from various metal alloys: aluminum, steel, magnesium, titanium. Thanks to them, you can achieve less thickness and weight, as well as better strength of the tablet.

More expensive devices are equipped with protective glass for the screen, protecting it from scratches and breakage. Cheaper models remain more vulnerable, use them with caution. In addition, if the case and screen have a glossy finish, it is better to buy an additional case - this way the device will be less scratched and there will be fewer stains on it.

The case and battery are the main components of the weight of the device, so if it is too light, the battery may have a small capacity. The average weight of the device is several hundred grams. Some models can reach a weight of a kilogram or even more, especially transformers - holding them in your hand can be somewhat uncomfortable.

Battery and runtime

It is best that the tablet is equipped with a battery with a capacity of at least 4000 mAh. Ideally, it should have at least 8-10 hours of battery life for screen reading. You can clarify these indicators by reading reviews about a specific model on the Internet.

Allows you to use the Internet for at least 6 hours, watch videos for 5 hours and play for 4 hours. Active using Wi-Fi and powerful games significantly reduce operating time. Therefore, buy devices from well-known and trusted brands.

Processor and video card

These indicators depend on the installed operating system. Android tablets usually use ARM architecture processors and are coded A7, A9, A15, A17 and so on. There can be processors with a number of cores from 1 to 8, with a frequency of 1–2 GHz. There are almost no single-core tablets left; the majority of tablets have 2 (the most budget) and 4 cores (middle class). The most powerful flagship devices have 8 cores and even a separate video adapter, similar to a computer video card. The most famous manufacturer is Qualcomm, which produces Snapdragon processors. If you decide to buy an Android tablet, we recommend choosing a model with a 4-core processor.

The situation is simpler with tablets Apple iPad, since their processors are used only in the company's products, all software and technologies adapt specifically to their processors. The higher the generation of the device, the . Additionally, there is a built-in GPU for enhanced performance in games and powerful graphics applications.

Devices running Windows use Intel and AMD processors. Intel processes come in the Atom, Celeron, and Core families. The first two are quite low-power, and barely cope with office tasks. Therefore, it is better to buy a tablet with a Core i3, i5, i7 processor. Graphics are usually handled by the integrated graphics Intel processor HD Graphics.

Tablet memory, memory card support

The amount of RAM required also depends to some extent on the operating system, but almost all recent devices have at least 1 GB of RAM. There are cheap options with a smaller volume, but it’s difficult to call them fast. The more RAM, the more programs can be run simultaneously, and the most resource-intensive applications will work fully without freezing. We recommend choosing Android tablets with at least 1 GB of memory, and Windows tablets with at least 2 GB. For Apple, this indicator is not so significant, since there is simply no such difference in indicators as in other brands.

Built-in memory for storing personal files can range from 2 GB in the most budget devices to 128 GB in the top ones. Windows devices sometimes have even more on board, but their performance is more comparable to laptops. In addition, this volume can be supplemented with memory cards. Most companies guarantee the work of cards with a capacity of 32, 64 or 128 GB, but there are copies that promise to work with 2 TB cards. But, for example, Apple models do not support memory cards at all. Some Android tablets also suffer from this.

Camera

It should be noted that in tablets you should not expect the same advanced cameras as in smartphones. After all, their purpose is somewhat different. But, nevertheless, sometimes the camera can be a great help.

Most tablets have two cameras: the main rear one and . Using the rear camera, you can take photos and shoot videos, scan documents, and the front camera is designed for video calls over the Internet and selfies, which are fashionable recently.

The quality of pictures mainly depends on the number of megapixels in the camera. For the rear camera, the standard is 2 - 8 megapixels (sometimes up to 13), and for the front camera - from 0.3 to 2 (sometimes up to 3 - 5 megapixels).

You should pay attention to the presence of flash, autofocus and built-in camera modes. The flash improves the quality of pictures in dimly lit places, and autofocus allows you to increase clarity when shooting at close range - this is important for scanning documents. Built-in modes such as “burst shooting”, “white balance”, “shooting mode”, “exposure” make the shooting process easier and allow you to achieve excellent results.

Connectors and sensors

They allow you to connect peripheral devices to the tablet, such as a projector, TV, audio speakers, USB flash drives, and connect the tablet itself to a computer. The most common connectors:

audio jack - for connecting headphones, speakers, external microphone;
microUSB - the standard for everyone Android devices, used for charging, connecting to a computer and for connecting an external flash drive to the tablet (not in all devices).
HDMI - through it you can display images on a large TV or projector, which is convenient for viewing photos and videos;
USB - mainly typical for Windows tablets, in which there can be up to 4 of them;
card reader - for connecting memory cards;
Lightning - used exclusively in Apple tablets for charging, connecting to a computer and accessories.
Light sensor - allows you to automatically adjust the screen brightness, but it’s enough to set the brightness once and not touch it again.
accelerometer - automatically changes the rotation of the tablet screen, which is convenient for reading books, watching movies and searching the Internet.

Wireless standards

Wi-Fi - for free access to high-speed Internet at special access points, and if you have a router at home, you can use computer internet on your tablet without any wires.

3G/4G/LTE - standards mobile communications, if you have this module, you can use the Internet throughout the entire coverage area of your mobile operator.

Bluetooth - used to transfer data between devices, connect wireless headsets, game controllers, keyboards and other equipment. To use a wireless stereo system, the module must support the A2DP profile.

GPS - used for navigation using satellites. The A-GPS standard allows you to determine your location faster and more accurately, but requires an inserted SIM card with Internet access. Simply an irreplaceable thing when traveling to an unfamiliar area.

The best manufacturers

There are many manufacturers in the mobile device market. But there is an opinion that it is better to buy equipment from trusted brands, since there is less risk of buying a faulty device, and the additional service from such companies will be better. But there are manufacturers who make equipment of no less quality than the generally recognized giants, and provide excellent service, while costing much less money.

The world's best brands: Apple, Samsung, Sony, HP, Dell.

Less prestigious, but producing a decent product: Lenovo, Acer, Asus, Fujitsu, Toshiba.

Simple tips to extend the life of your tablet

, especially if you often carry your tablet with you.
Don't leave your tablet on the floor, sofa, or bed, as it may go unnoticed and be more likely to be stepped on or crushed.
Be careful when unplugging your charger or computer cable - your connectors will last much longer.
Place a protective film on the screen.

The bare minimum for a modern tablet

diagonal about 10 inches.
good screen coverage with a minimum resolution.
4-core processor.
RAM 1 GB, built-in memory 8 GB.
battery 3000–4000 mAh.
strong body.

Conclusion

After carefully reading this article, you will know which tablet is best to choose and, hopefully, you will be happy with your purchase. Tell us for what purpose you want to buy a tablet in the comments below the article.

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Probably, everyone who reads this article understands the advantages of a tablet, which give it a special place among mobile gadgets. Not a single large smartphone can compare with a good tablet in terms of screen size, and therefore the ease of viewing images and video content. If we compare a tablet and a laptop, then, despite the lower performance, the undeniable advantages of the first are a convenient touch screen, small size and weight, as well as a more affordable price. With its unique qualities, a wonderful gadget can perfectly complement both a smartphone and a laptop, and in this article we will talk about how to choose a tablet so that it can serve its new owner for many years, causing extremely positive emotions.

What is a tablet for?

In order to decide on the choice of a tablet, it is important to have a clear idea of what purposes you need it for. The tablet is convenient for viewing the contents of Internet pages, including reading books and videos. Youtube channel and streaming video and movies.

Thanks to the large touch screen of the tablet, it is comfortable to play computer games on it, the gadget can be a communicator for communicating on social networks or video calls, serve as a wonderful family photo album, or an excellent office tool that works with Word and Excel documents.

From this follows the rule that The best tablet should meet your preferences, and let other buyers get the extra features.

Choosing an operating system

Android

Advantages of gadgets using an operating system Android, lie in the abundance of programs and applications created for it, moreover, both paid and free. A powerful and functional tablet will cost you much less than its analogue, but with a different OS. This operating system allows you to keep several programs open at the same time, which is very convenient. Although the downside of multitasking is that programs cannot turn off on their own, and each one will have to be turned off manually so as not to load the processor and drain the battery. OS updates are delayed, and you often have to wait for months new version firmware.

iOS

operating system iOS is used by all devices manufactured by Apple, and all these gadgets, including premium tablets, cost a lot of money. Updates for all iOS devices arrive regularly, and continue to arrive for several years after purchasing the gadget, but with programs, everything is much more complicated: there are very few applications for tablets on the iOS platform and they are all paid.

Tablets for iOS are perfectly optimized and work quickly - but they are expensive, and the few programs for them are paid.

Windows 10

operating system Windows in a tablet is very convenient for those of us who are familiar with it personal computer. A familiar menu, convenient tools - everything an office worker needs, including working with documents using a software package Microsoft Office. Not many applications have been released for it, but For office work, a tablet with Windows OS is ideal.

Android plus Windows 10

Relatively recently, tablets appeared on store shelves that have two operating systems: Android and Windows, and if we consider the purchase of a gadget as an office tool and at the same time a device for household use, then this is a good option.

Screen diagonal

Based on screen size, tablets are divided into three groups: compact with display diagonal 7-8 inches, average – 9-10 inches and finally large ones, the screen diagonal of which 11-12 inches.

Compact tablets good for viewing Internet content away from home, and in this regard, much more convenient than the largest smartphones. These small devices convenient to carry, and at the same time - with the help of a small tablet you can read books, communicate online and play your favorite toys.
Medium screen tablets more powerful than its younger brothers, and on such a gadget you can already comfortably view PDF files and this is - great format for office work. In addition, on a 9-10 inch display it is more convenient to browse the Internet, watch videos and read books.
Large tablets They are still rare and expensive here. They have the most powerful hardware, and, thanks to increased performance, can compete with many laptops in speed. Of course, a large touch screen is incredibly convenient in everyday life, and in order to fully meet the requirements of a laptop-level working tool, a large tablet requires a keyboard.

Tablet form factor

A regular tablet looks like a panel with touch screen, the functionality of which is sufficient to solve the vast majority of problems. Many of the classic tablets can be equipped with a keyboard and computer mouse. But there is an interesting variety of tablets - the so-called transformers, vaguely reminiscent of laptops, with a hinged keyboard, which, when rotated 180°, we again get a tablet familiar to the eye. Such a hybrid device with the movement of a hand turns from a work tool into an entertainment gadget and vice versa, which is very convenient, although expensive.

The transformer is very convenient to use - but its cost is much higher than that of a regular tablet.

Main settings

Display type and resolution

The screens of good modern tablets are made using AMOLED and IPS technologies. Both options are good in their own way, but AMOLED displays have richer colors and deeper blacks; They are economical - but also more expensive. IPS screens also have a bright color gamut, and in order to see the differences between these types of matrices, you can compare the quality of the same picture displayed on the screens of tablets lying next to each other with these matrices. The cheap tablet has a screen with a TFT matrix that fades in the sun and has small viewing angles.

Tablet screen resolution is the ratio of luminous elements - pixels along the length and width of the display. It is worth buying a tablet with a screen resolution of at least 1920x1200 pixels, at which the image on the display will be quite clear. But if you are planning to purchase a model with a large screen, then to maintain a high level of clarity, the resolution should be proportionally higher, although this leads to an increase in the price of the gadget.

A good tablet screen has an IPS or AMOLED matrix and a resolution of at least 1920x1200 pixels.

Performance

The fast operation of the tablet is largely due to the power of its processor, which in turn depends on the number of its cores and the chipset architecture. Although the performance of modern tablets is quite sufficient for solving most tasks, not counting “heavy” 3D games, working with Adobe Photoshop and viewing streaming video in 4K resolution with several programs open. And if you need a powerful model, choose a tablet that has already received good reviews regarding its performance, or try running games or applications in the store. In this case, you should not rely on performance figures, since even a good processor with unsuccessful optimization software equipment The tablet will not give out its full potential.

When choosing a tablet for gaming, test its performance on a 3D game right in the store.

Reception and transmission of data

Data exchange is one of the most important capabilities of a tablet, and the rule here is that the more wireless technologies implemented in the tablet, the better. Of course, to be able to access the Internet, the gadget must first of all be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network, although this will no longer be enough when away from home and work, and in this case a 4G LTE module or at least 3G is already needed. In addition, to connect various wireless devices such as a keyboard, mouse or headphones to your tablet, you will need a Bluetooth radio module of at least class 4.0.

A good tablet should have 4G LTE or 3G modules, and Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher.

Memory

The tablet's built-in memory is necessary to store downloaded files, and the more it is, the better. Memory is measured in gigabytes and the device can have 4, 8, 16, 32, or more GB. If you are choosing a tablet for communicating on the Internet and browsing the Internet, without planning to store a large amount of information, then 16 GB of memory will be enough for you. The memory capacity can be expanded with memory cards if the gadget has a slot for it; By the way, Apple tablets do not have such a component, so music lovers and video shooters have to make do with the volume of their internal storage to store their favorite files.

The amount of internal memory significantly affects the overall cost of the tablet, and if you want to store a lot of information, but at the same time save on purchases, choose a model with the ability to install a high-capacity memory card.

Battery capacity

The larger the tablet’s battery capacity, the longer it will work when away from a power outlet.. In the characteristics of gadgets, this parameter is written as (for example) 4000 mAh, and there you can also find the operating time of the tablet on one charge in various modes, by which you can determine whether the device is suitable for you or not. And more accurate information about the autonomy of the selected model can be found in the reviews of its owners on the Internet.

Camera

The high resolution of a camera does not always guarantee the quality of its photos and videos; In a tablet camera, the size of the sensor or matrix, as well as the quality of its optics, are no less important. Therefore, do not pay much attention to the seller’s assurances about the exclusivity of his photo module, but rather, at home, look on the Internet for information from users or video reviews of the model to get the most objective opinion. The camera in a tablet is not as important as in a smartphone, and therefore there is no point in focusing particularly on its quality.

It is important that the selected gadget has a good front camera for making video calls.

Useful and relevant video about choosing a tablet:

And in conclusion, we present to our readers a rating of the best budget tablets of 2018, with an optimal price-quality ratio, each of which is worthy of special attention.

The best budget tablets with a 7-inch screen

This tablet is not much larger than a 6-inch smartphone, but its main advantages are its low price and a screen larger than that of a phablet.

And the first in the TOP 5 smallest tablets of 2018 was a well-built model with a good IPS screen— Lenovo Tab 4 TB-7504X 16Gb. A small and lightweight gadget with two SIM card slots and support for high-speed 4G data exchange, can be used as a phone, which is very convenient. This inexpensive and convenient tablet has 2 cameras, the older of which with a resolution of 5 megapixels has autofocus and HDR shooting mode, and FM radio. The device has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless communication modules, a GPS navigator and a good battery with autonomy within its class. And the Lenovo Tab 4 looks like a very large phone, and it is also convenient to carry with you.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Processor – 2 cores, MediaTek MT8735 1300 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB, memory cards up to 128 GB;
Screen – IPS, glossy, 7″, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G, 4G LTE;
Battery – 3500 mAh.

Pros:

Good screen and sound;
High-quality assembly, fits comfortably in the hand;
Fast GPS navigator.

Minuses:

Simple cameras without flash, one speaker;
As many as 8 of the 16 GB of memory are occupied by the system;
Micro-lags or freezes for a split second.

In fourth position in the rating is a Russian-made model - Irbis TZ753, which can make calls and is equipped with a good 7-inch IPS display and two slots for SIM cards. The compact tablet has a 3G high-speed data exchange module and a GPS navigator. In addition, it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity with triple EDR acceleration, two cameras with flash, FM radio and a good battery. And all this for a symbolic price of 3,500 rubles.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB and memory cards up to 32 GB;
Communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR; two SIM cards, high-speed Internet 3G;
Cameras – front – 0.3 MP, rear – 2 MP;
Battery – 2800 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality display;
Two SIM card slots and a memory card slot;
Productive processor.

Minuses:

Weak cameras;
Low screen resolution and sensitivity;
Low version of Bluetooth.

Third place in the TOP 5 best 7-inch tablets of 2018 is occupied by a small gadget - Prestigio Grace PMT3257 with an IPS display, a 4-core processor and the ability to work in 3G and 4G LTE networks. The model has two slots for SIM cards and a slot for memory cards, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. Its multimedia part is represented by two cameras and FM radio, and the battery has a capacity of 2800 mAh. Prestigio Grace works quickly on the Internet, and since the voice of the interlocutor is clearly heard during calls, it is suitable as not the most cumbersome and very cheap means of communication.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Processor – 4 cores 1100 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB plus a slot with a memory card up to 64 GB;
Display – IPS, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; 2 SIM cards, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Battery – 2800 mAh.

Pros:

Two SIM card slots and IPS screen;
Availability of Bluetooth 4.0 and 4G support;

Minuses:

Weak cameras;
Quiet speaker sound;

Another inexpensive but good Russian-made tablet, the BQ 7083G has a 4-core processor with 1 GB of RAM, and the gadget’s 8 GB file storage can be increased with memory cards up to 32 GB. The BQ 7083G has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules, a GPS navigator and two cameras, and Internet data transfer using this gadget is possible using the high-speed 3G protocol. Since the gadget is equipped with an auditory speaker, it can be used as a means of communication, and its low price is a strong argument for buying an inexpensive but good tablet.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + memory cards up to 32 GB;
Display – TFT, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G module;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 2400 mAh.

Pros:

Two SIM card slots;
Low price
Fast 4-core processor.

Minuses:

TFT screen;
No 4G module;
Weak cameras.

Ginzzu GT-7210 is an excellent 7-inch tablet in a metal case with an IPS display. This attractive gadget, equipped with a 4-core processor, has 2 SIM card slots and a memory card slot with a capacity of up to 128 GB, problem solver file storage with 8 GB of internal memory. The model has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 modules, works in LTE networks and is equipped with cameras with a resolution of 5 and 2 megapixels. It has a good 3000 mAh battery and a GPS navigator, which will be useful for car enthusiasts.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Processor – 4 cores 1300 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + memory cards up to 128 GB;
Display – TFT IPS, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP;
Battery – 3000 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and IPS screen;
Support for LTE networks;
Two SIM card slots and a fast processor.

Minuses:

Inconvenient SIM card slots;
Quiet sound from external speaker.

The best budget tablets with a screen of 8-9 inches

Tablets with this screen size are still easy to carry, but they have a more comfortable screen for viewing content.

Model – Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM-T385 16Gb is assembled in a metal case and is equipped with an 8-inch TFT display. Inside the tablet, running Android 7.0 Nougat OS, there is a 4-core processor, which is allocated 2 GB of RAM. Thanks to the presence of a SIM card slot, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 can make calls, and the gadget’s support for high-speed 3G and 4G LTE networks expands the possibilities for exchanging information. The tablet has Wi-Fi, A2DP, Bluetooth 4.0 modules, a GPS navigator and cameras with a resolution of 8 and 5 megapixels, and the main photo module is equipped with a flash and has an autofocus function. And on top of that, it has an excellent 5000 mAh battery.

OS – Android 7.1;
Processor – 4 cores, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 1400 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 2 GB, built-in – 16 GB plus memory card capacity;
Display – TFT, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP;
Mobile communications – SIM card, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Cameras – front 5 MP, rear 8 MP (with autofocus);
Battery – 5000 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and good cameras;
A2DP and 4G LTE modules;
SIM card slot and large battery.

Minuses:

Overpriced, quiet sound;
Not all applications are adapted for this resolution and not every application is saved to the memory card;
There is no backlight or vibration response of the back and home keys.

A real gaming tablet - Teclast T8 in a durable metal case, equipped with a bright JDI IPS screen from Japan Display Inc. with high definition and good oleophobic coating. The device has a 6-core MTK chip with a frequency of up to 2.1 GHz, which develops good information processing speed thanks to the support of the Power VR GX6250 graphics coprocessor and 4 GB of RAM. A productive and energy-efficient processor allows the device to comfortably play even 3D games, for which the company released a joystick - Teclast Master T8 Bluetooth Wireless Joystick Gamepad. The tablet's cameras are also excellent: a 13 megapixel front sensor with an HDR shooting function takes good photos and videos during daylight hours, but the main camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels takes much weaker pictures. Teclast T8 has stereo speakers and an A2DP module for transmitting audio to Bluetooth headphones. And this technical device is powered by a powerful battery with a USB Type-C connector.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 6 cores, MediaTek MT8176, up to 2.1 GHz;
Memory – RAM – 4 GB, built-in – 64 GB plus memory cards;
Display – IPS, glossy, 8.4 inches, 2560×1600 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP;
Cameras – front 8 MP, rear 13 MP (autofocus);
Battery – 5400 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and excellent JDI IPS display;
Powerful gaming processor and good sound;
A2DP module and USB-C connector.

Minuses:

There is no slot for a SIM card, the screen glares;
Wi-Fi reception is weak, the battery lasts for 4 hours of video.

The ultra-budget smartphone – Ginzzu GT-8105, despite its positioning, is well equipped. The gadget has a metal body, an 8-inch IPS screen and a 4-core processor with a clock frequency of 1.3 GHz. The model has 2 slots for SIM cards and can be used as a phone, works in 3G networks and connects to the network via Wi-Fi; equipped with a Bluetooth 4.0 module and two cameras with a resolution of 5 megapixels. And the battery of this high-quality tablet, priced at about 4,500 rubles, has a capacity of 4,000 mAh.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, Spreadtrum SC7731G 1300 MHz;
Cameras – front 5 MP, rear 5 MP (flash);
Battery – 4000 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and Android 7.1 Nougat OS;
Capacious battery and two cameras;
Two SIM card slots and a memory card slot.

Minuses:

Low screen resolution;
Does not support 4G;
Weak processor.

Digma Plane 8558 4G

The remarkable ratio between price and functionality highlighted this inexpensive but good tablet in our 2018 rating. Digma Plane 8558 4G attracts with its high-quality body assembly with a bright IPS display, 4-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and the ability to work in LTE networks. In addition, at its low price, the tablet is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 modules, has two cameras with a resolution of 2 and 0.3 megapixels, a slot for memory cards up to 128 GB and a good battery with a capacity of 3500 mAh. The tablet will be an excellent tool for surfing the Internet and watching videos in high definition 720p format.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores 1500 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB + memory card capacity;
Display – IPS, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
High-speed networks – 3G, 4G LTE;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 3500 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality build and good screen;
Android 7, 4G LTE and powerful processor;
Capacious memory card.

Minuses:

No SIM card.
High defect rate.

Ultra-budget tablet - Irbis TZ885, in addition to its low price, attracts with good build quality and a bright 8-inch IPS display. The model has a 4-core processor and 1 GB of RAM for its operation; The internal memory is 16 GB, which, together with the capacity of a 32 GB memory card, is quite enough to store a sufficient number of files. The gadget can make calls, supports high-speed 4G LTE connections, and wireless connections Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. It can work as a GPS navigator in a car with A-GPS support, and also has an FM radio and two simple cameras. The Irbis TZ885 battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh lasts more than 5 days in standby mode.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, Spreadtrum SC9832 1300 MHz;
GPU – Mali-400 MP2;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB plus memory card;
Display – IPS, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
Communications – 2 SIM card slots, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP (flash);
Battery – 4000 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality IPS screen;
Can make calls, has a 4G module and a 4-core processor;
Good battery capacity and comfortable price.

Minuses:

Weak cameras, the front camera protrudes noticeably beyond the boundaries of the body;
Flimsy and awkwardly made cover for SIM cards and memory cards;
Not very responsive screen sensor.

The best budget tablets with a 10-inch screen

Here are the best representatives of inexpensive tablets of 2018, the large screen diagonal of which allows you to view content in the most comfortable mode.

A very good budget tablet - Asus Zenpad 10 Z301MFL 16 GB is equipped with a high-quality IPS screen with good resolution for its price. In the depths of the plastic body of the gadget there is a fairly productive 4-core MTK chip with a frequency of 1.45 GHz, hence the vivacity of the Asus Zenpad 10 when surfing the Internet and working with applications, adding comfort when using it. There is 2 GB of RAM, which is also good for a budget device, and 16 GB of file storage is expandable microSD cards with a capacity of up to 128 GB – a very good indicator for a device in this price segment. The smartphone has a SIM card slot and operates in 4G LTE networks, supports Miracast, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 wireless multimedia signal transmission standards. It is equipped with two simple cameras and a 4680 mAh battery with a USB Type-C connector.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8735 1450 MHz;
Memory – RAM 2 GB, ROM 16 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, 10.1″, 1920×1200;
Communication – SIM card slot, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Miracast, Bluetooth 4.2;
Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP (flash);
Battery – 4680 mAh.

Pros:

Excellent IPS, Full HD screen, stereo sound;
Fast processor operation;
Good battery life, 4G and a lot of memory.

Minuses:

Low screen sensitivity;
The back of the lid gets dirty very easily;
Weak cameras and slow Wi-Fi.

A light and thin budget tablet in a silver metal casing, the Teclast Master T10 received from the manufacturer an excellent IPS screen with high resolution and an oleophobic coating manufactured by Sharp. The information in the gadget is processed by a 6-core processor with a clock frequency of 2.1 GHz, which is allocated as much as 4 GB of RAM. With the built-in memory, everything is also more than good - 64 GB plus 32 GB of memory card resource will allow you to save a lot of photos and video files. The model has stereo speakers, as well as the ability to transfer music to a Bluetooth headset using the A2DP wireless protocol. In addition, the device has 3.5 mm mini-jack and micro HDMI connectors for connecting to a TV and monitor. Teclast Master T10 is equipped with good cameras: a main sensor with a resolution of 8 megapixels, which has autofocus, panoramic and HDR shooting functions, a front sensor of 13 megapixels with f/2 aperture and a viewing angle of 82°. Also, the best tablet in all respects has a fingerprint scanner and a large battery with fast charging function.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 6 cores, MediaTek MT8176;
GPU – PowerVR GX6250;
Memory – RAM – 4 GB, built-in – 64 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1 inches, 2560×1600 pixels;
Communication – 3G, 4G LTE;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, A2DP, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 8 MP, rear 13 MP;
Battery – 8100 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality screen from Sharp;
Fast 6-core chip, large battery with fast charging;
A2DP, 4G and fingerprint scanner.

Minuses:

There is no GPS module and no option with a mobile modem;
Sometimes it throws you out of some software (toys);
Mediocre sound (loud, but not cool).

An inexpensive but good tablet, the Teclast P10 has many of the same features found in similar devices with a higher price tag. The model, assembled in a metal case, has a 10-inch IPS screen with Full HD resolution and an 8-core processor with a clock frequency of 1500 MHz and 2 GB of RAM. The built-in storage allows you to save up to 32 GB of information on the Teclast P10, and if this is not enough, a memory card of up to 64 GB will solve the problem. The tablet has 2 cameras and a large 6000 mAh battery with fast charging function, which holds a charge for 3 hours of continuous video viewing at maximum display brightness. In addition, the owner of Teclast P10 will have access to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless networks.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 8 cores, Rockchip RK3368, 1.5 GHz;
Memory – RAM – 2 GB, built-in – 32 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1″, 1920×1200;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP;
Battery – 6000 mAh.

Pros:

Android 7.1 and bright Full HD screen;
Large battery and 8-core processor;
Metal body.

Minuses:

No SIM card slot, no power supply included;
Weak cameras, cannot cope with 3D games;
Unstable screen scrolling.

The next 10-inch tablet belongs to the ultra-budget segment of gadgets, and accordingly its filling is simpler. Its screen with a TFT matrix has a resolution of 1280×800 pixels, and the resolution of the device’s cameras is only 2 and 0.3 megapixels. Inside the Digma CITI 1544 3G there is a 4-core MediaTek MT8321 processor with a clock frequency of 1300 MHz and 1 GB of RAM. Its internal memory of 8 GB can be expanded with microSD cards up to 128 GB. The large device can make calls, and for this it has 2 slots where SIM cards are inserted. The tablet supports high-speed data exchange 3G, wireless data transfer – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Moreover, the gadget has a GPS navigator and a good 5000 mAh battery.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + microSDXC;
Communication – 2 SIM cards, 3G module;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 5000 mAh.

Pros:

Cheap, light and compact;
Android 7.1 and 4-core processor;
Powerful battery, you can make calls.

Minuses:

Low display resolution, quiet speaker sound;
Weak cameras, no accessories for sale;
Fragile, creaks.

Budget tablet – Archos 101c Xenon is equipped with a good IPS display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The information in the gadget is processed by a 4-core chipset from MTK with 1 GB of RAM. The model has wireless Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, as well as a 3G module, and drivers will certainly be interested in the availability of good GPS navigator with A-GPS. Although both of its cameras are simple, they are quite sufficient for video calls and urgent recording of events. A model with 2 SIM card slots and a memory card slot has quite powerful battery at 4500 mAh.

Brief characteristics:

Operating system – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8321 1300 MHz;
Memory – RAM 1 GB, ROM 32 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1″, 1280×800;
Communication – 2 SIM cards, 3G;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 4500 mAh.

Pros:

Android 7.1 and IPS screen;
Affordable price and good performance.
Two SIM card slots, 3G and loud sound.

Minuses:

Low display resolution;
Weak cameras;
It often slows down.

An analogue of the previous model from the same manufacturer, a tablet with a large battery is Archos 116 Neon 16Gb, but with a screen having a diagonal of 11.6 inches. Drivers will be interested in the presence of a GPS navigator with A-GPS support in the Archos 116 Neon, and music lovers will like the ability to output stereo music or surround sound from films to its owner’s Bluetooth headset thanks to the A2DP module. The chipset architecture is built on a 4-core MediaTek processor, which demonstrates reliable performance when performing most tasks. A tablet with a large screen will be a good buy and a convenient tool for viewing Internet content.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8163 1300 MHz;
GPU – Mali-T720 MP2;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB and memory card resource;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 11.6 inches, 1366×768 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 6000 mAh.

Pros:

Android 7.1 Nougat, A2DP, USB 2.0 Type A;
Large and bright display;
Fast operation and high autonomy.

Minuses:

P bulky - there are thick frames around the screen;
Non-standard screen, some applications have black frames around the edges;
Not suitable for games, many fakes for the model.

Conclusion

As you can see, choosing a tablet is not so difficult; it is important to decide what you need it for most, and look for a model in which the most necessary function would be well implemented. And the rating of the best budget tablets of 2018 without further ado shows that even for little money you can choose a functional device with a good screen and a capacious battery. Beware of counterfeits, and buy or order a tablet only from a trusted seller, and the result of diligence will be a great mood from using a high-quality gadget.

When purchasing any equipment, you want it to perform its intended functions for as long as possible, meet all requirements, and at the same time be affordable. Let's figure out together how to choose an inexpensive but good tablet, so that the model purchased in 2018 - 2019 is of high quality, attractive in terms of design and functionality.

Before purchasing a device, you need to decide which tablet is best to buy, and for this you should objectively assess your needs and capabilities. It is also important to carefully study the technical component of the device, because a beautiful shell is not everything.

Budget

The first step in choosing a new and good tablet begins with drawing up a budget for this purchase. Naturally, the lower the cost of the device, the fewer high-end parameters and technologies can be found in it. However, this does not mean that a budget tablet cannot be reliable. If you are not going to make an expensive purchase, pay attention to mid-price segment devices from well-known manufacturers. They are inexpensive and do the basic tasks perfectly.

For what purposes will the tablet be used?

In many ways, the choice also depends on the purpose of the gadget, because it is unlikely that a child should buy the flagship of the most current model, and a device with a minimum of functions and capabilities will not be suitable for an adult.

An inexpensive tablet is suitable for a schoolchild - at the low price of a budget device, the child will have access to all the functions he needs: reading books, watching videos, the Internet, undemanding applications and games.
If you are looking for a tablet for reading and watching movies in good quality, then it should have a display of at least 8 inches with high resolution, a good video accelerator and spacious storage.

When choosing a tablet model for games and the Internet, you must understand that gaming device must have a powerful processor, a powerful video accelerator, a large amount of RAM, and devices for Internet surfing must have a good Wi-Fi module, a high-quality display, and a capacious battery. 3G and 4G modules are also welcome.

If you plan to use the tablet for work - typing, using graphics programs, etc. It is worth choosing a device on the appropriate OS, preferably Windows, since it has more optimized programs for operation. Accordingly, there is no point in saving on the cost of the device.

From all this we can draw the main conclusion: do not overpay for functions that you will never use - determine in advance the purpose of purchasing the gadget and its estimated cost!

What to look for when choosing a tablet

The main criterion for choosing a device will, of course, be its technical performance. They determine whether the device can meet your needs. There are usually no tricks with branded devices. If you still decide to choose a Chinese tablet, then in this case take a particularly close look at the following parameters:

operating system

If earlier Android actively competed with iOS, now Windows OS has risen almost to the same level with them. Each platform has strengths and weaknesses. But first of all, keep in mind that they are aimed at different user audiences.

Windows

Windows 10 and older versions are designed primarily for work use. Same package office programs, as in the PC version, is now available on your mobile device. The controls are designed very simply and clearly, the menu is beautifully designed in the form of tiles. The system is always well protected thanks to antivirus programs. However, if you are used to the Android interface, adapting to this OS on a tablet will not be easy, since it is not very similar to the computer version and has little in common with mobile platforms.

free access to standard programs for work
interesting tile design
simple controls
customizable security system

developers create few gaming applications
hard to get used to the proprietary interface
requires good device performance

When buying a device with this OS, you must understand that the device should not be budget-friendly, since when used, the system requires decent performance of both internal and RAM.

iOS

Apple tablets (and smartphones) use the iOS mobile operating system. This is the second most popular platform after Android. Distinctive feature its is that the user's capabilities are limited. For example, the device does not have a file manager, there are problems with data exchange between devices, and it is also impossible to install third-party programs. However, there is an extensive content store with many free applications. If the features offered by the platform are enough for you and the device is purchased mainly for gaming, then this is a suitable option.

simple and pleasant interface
own content store
increased level of data protection
high quality gadgets

difficult to install programs from other sources
it is impossible to personalize the interface
difficulties in data exchange
high cost of gadgets

Android

There are many more tablets on Android than on other operating systems. They are equally suitable for entertainment and work. There is also an application store with a large selection. You can customize the appearance of the platform at your discretion. It is acceptable to install applications from other sources. It is worth noting that Android content in the store is not very meticulously checked for quality, so you can often find applications that do not work or produce errors (even among paid ones). If you buy a tablet for entertainment, the Android platform is the best option.

open interface
a wide range of applications and games in the store
Applications from unofficial sources can be installed without problems
low cost of devices

content quality is lower (for example, than in iOS)
insufficient level of protection
annoying advertising

Display

The screen is what we pay attention to when we first look at a gadget. To choose a good tablet based on screen size and other indicators, you need to know the main characteristics that you should focus on:

Diagonal

The smallest displays are those with a diagonal of 7-8 inches. As a rule, they are present in the cheapest and not very productive devices, although there are exceptions. They are distinguished by mobility, convenience and light weight.
The most common tablets are 8 and 10 inches. Such models can be both budget and flagship. They are universal in scope of use and, of course, more expensive.

If you want to buy a tablet larger than 10 inches, be prepared for a high price, since, in fact, it is practically a laptop. Manufacturers often supply such models additional devices(keyboard, docking station, etc.). A large device is also comfortable to perform various tasks, but transportation is difficult.

To understand which screen size is best for your tablet, think about how you will use it. The best option is a diagonal of 8-10 inches. On such a screen, small details are clearly visible, and it takes up little space.

Matrix types

The matrix occupies a very important place in the main characteristics tablet computer After all, image formation and its quality depend on it. Nowadays, there are 4 main technologies for manufacturing a display matrix, which we will now analyze:

IPS is not flawless, but a good matrix, the most common among gadgets. Perfectly conveys the saturation, brightness, and clarity of the image. Provides reliable color reproduction in perfect white and has good viewing angles.
TFT is the simplest and cheapest matrix, characterized by poor viewing angles and insufficiently accurate color rendition. One thing can be said about it, this is the technology of the “last century”.
Retina is a type of matrix used only in Apple gadgets. One of the best in quality and color rendition.
Super Amoled - most often found on Samsung tablets. It has good color rendering, clarity, and saturation. This technology does not require a general backlight; individual pixels light up, which does not always convey colors well; this applies to budget models on flagship devices; generally, there are no such lags.

When choosing the best tablet for yourself, be sure to check the viewing angle, as some manufacturers put a modified version of TFT IPS in their devices, passing it off as an IPS matrix.

Display resolution is the size of the resulting image, measured in pixels. This is a very important indicator that affects the comfortable operation of the device, its battery life and cost. The higher this indicator, the better. It is best to give preference to the 1920 by 1200 pixel format (Full HD), although high-quality, expensive models have such characteristics. In less expensive devices there are indicators of 1280 by 800 or 1024 by 600. For everyday use A tablet with a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, taking into account a diagonal not exceeding 10 inches, will be sufficient.

Sensor

All modern devices are equipped with touch screens. The sensor can be capacitive or resistive. The second type is very rare, as it has long been outdated. Although many older models can still be found, purchasing them is not recommended. The sensor does not always respond correctly to touches; its actions depend on the force of pressing the screen.

Good quality capacitive devices respond instantly to pressure, regardless of the force applied. They are equipped with a multi-touch function, that is, they recognize several presses at the same time. To surf the Internet and use the tablet as a multimedia player, two simultaneous presses are enough. The optimal number of simultaneous touches is 5-10 if you want to play games.

CPU

If you want your tablet to not slow down, then a powerful processor is a must. The chipset affects whether the device can handle startup and normal operation demanding programs, games, etc. When choosing a good tablet for gaming, look at the number of cores and processor frequency. To play average and good games, choose models with at least 4-core processors and a frequency of 1.6 GHz or higher. You'll definitely avoid disappointment if you check your processor's performance using a dedicated benchmark like Antutu and compare it with other chipsets. You can find the test results online. The most popular and productive processors:

Intel Atom x7 1600 MHz
Samsung Exynos 1600 MHz
Apple A9X
Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 1800 MHz
HiSilicon Kirin 930 2000 MHz
MediaTek MT8165 1700 MHz

Video accelerator

When choosing a tablet based on price and quality, be sure to check what graphics adapter is installed in the device. While the main processor is responsible for the performance of the device as a whole, the video accelerator is responsible for processing graphics data. This is especially important for those who buy a tablet for gaming purposes. Video accelerators have proven themselves to be excellent: Tegra 3, Mali (T760 MP8, T860 MP2), Adreno (405, 330).

Memory

The device memory is divided into internal and operational. Internal memory is designed to store various data, both user and system. Even if you purchase a micro-SD card, you still need free space in the storage to install applications, etc. Reviews of tablets on forums indicate that the built-in memory should be at least 8 GB. In this case, part of this volume will be occupied operating system. It is best to take a closer look at models with 16 GB or more.

As for RAM, it is necessary for the speed of programs and the system as a whole. On the cheapest tablets you can see RAM of 512 MB or 1 GB. It is worth noting that this indicator is unacceptable if you want to play games, watch widescreen videos, etc. The tablet will simply slow down, not cope with tasks, produce errors, not to mention the lack of multitasking mode. The RAM should be at least 2 GB to perform normal tasks and 3-4 GB to run very powerful modern games.

Camera

The camera is one of the weakest points of almost every tablet model. Only in the products of some manufacturers can you find high-quality camera modules that provide good photo and video shooting. In other cases, you will have to be content with an 8 megapixel main camera and a 2-5 megapixel front camera. Such indicators of the main camera provide the opportunity to take acceptable photos and videos. The presence of a front module allows you to communicate via video communication. The low performance of the device’s camera is due to inconvenience during video and photo shooting. Despite this, manufacturers will improve their gadgets and today you can buy a better tablet with a good camera for a higher price.

Battery

A weak battery is a serious drawback of the gadget, because in this case it will have to be kept on all the time. charger. If in medium activity mode the devices hold the charge at least a little longer, then during gaming or video playback it lasts for a couple of hours. Which tablet is best to choose based on battery capacity depends on the size and performance of the model.

In budget devices with a small diagonal you can find parameters of 3000-4000 mAh. For devices more High Quality Normal capacity is considered to be 7000 mAh or more. The tablet quickly discharges mainly due to the display - it consumes the most energy. Then comes the hardware component. To work comfortably with the device, choose models with a battery capacity of 5000 mAh or more.

In general, it is worth noting that even flagship models have problems with autonomy. Ideally, you need to optimize the operation of the gadget in active mode and during standby. To save battery power yourself, it is recommended to disable unnecessary functions, reduce screen brightness, etc.

Connection

No modules present wireless network the tablet ceases to be useful and functional. Wi-Fi technology Now every device is equipped, but since the coverage area is not available everywhere, it has become simply impossible to imagine a modern, high-quality tablet without a 4G or 3G module. This criterion is important for those who constantly like to be on the Internet without any boundaries because the coverage area of modern GSM networks is almost limitless.

If you have a GPS, the device can be converted into a navigation system: plot routes, monitor the location of various objects, etc. According to expert advice, a tablet with GPS function is best suited for working in a taxi as it allows you to easily use the tablet as a navigator. If you plan to use the device only at home, then this option is not so important.

Which company is better to choose a tablet?

There are a lot of tablet companies, including Chinese ones. For an inexperienced user, this makes the choice much more difficult. Which company is better to choose a tablet depends on your preferred price segment and the performance indicators you need. Manufacturers Prestigio, Huawei, Acer, Lenovo, Chuwi have proven themselves well in the budget and mid-range categories. Among the expensive models, it is worth highlighting Apple, Samsung, Asus, HP. Many companies manufacture models of different prices.

Rating of the best tablets of 2017

If you have already decided on the functions you need and still don’t know which tablet to choose in terms of price and quality, then we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the rating of the best tablets costing 10,000 – 20,000 rubles, which was compiled by our experts based on positive reviews from thematic forums. This list includes the most purchased devices of 2017.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T713 Wi-Fi 32Gb
Lenovo Tab 3 Plus 8703X 16Gb
ASUS Transformer Book T101HA 4Gb 64Gb dock
Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4 32Gb LTE
Acer Aspire Switch 10 E z8300 4Gb 64Gb
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 SM-T580 16Gb
Huawei Mediapad T2 7.0 Pro LTE 16Gb
Xiaomi MiPad 2 64Gb
Xiaomi MiPad 16GB
Prestigio MultiPad PMT3118

Conclusion