How to choose a tablet for games

The main requirement for gaming tablets - high performance.

content

1. How to choose a tablet for games: what to look for
   
2. Main selection criteria
3. Top manufacturers

How to choose a tablet for games: what to look for

The main criteria when choosing a tablet for games are:

1. Power of the processor and graphics accelerator;

2. The amount of RAM;

3. The amount of permanent memory;

4. The presence of SIM-cards, support for high-speed mobile networks;

5. Operating system;

6. Tablet size

7. Also important is the manufacturer of the device.

Main selection criteria

Performance of the processor and graphics accelerator

The performance of the visual component of the game depends on the performance of the processor and graphics accelerator. Unfortunately, the vast majority of mobile applications are not optimized for the hardware used. Therefore, modern games on old hardware platforms can “hang” or produce a very small number of frames per second.

The most productive are hardware platforms built on the base of Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series processors. Rulers 600, 400 and S from the same company do not provide adequate graphic "power" for playing modern games without loss of quality. The disadvantage is the high cost - the tablets on this hardware platform usually cost 2-3 times more than the devices of the average price segment.

The second place in graphics performance is occupied by platforms based on NVIDIA Tegra. Like desktop video cards, such mobile chips are equipped with a powerful video processing system, right up to multi-core clusters. The disadvantages of the platform NVIDIA Tegra two - a small number of devices in which it is used, and a huge power consumption, as a result, the tablet is quickly discharged.

Tablets on the MediaTek hardware platform can be called suitable for games with only a very big stretch. Despite the core architecture similar to Qualcomm Snapdragon, the graphics accelerators in such devices are rather weak. This can lead to a deterioration in the quality of the visual component of mobile games. Nevertheless, such tablets are perfect for most old or simple projects, including currently popular multiplayer strategies.

Thus, the following platforms are most recommended for purchase (in order of decreasing graphics performance):

1. The current version of Qualcomm Snapdragon 800th series (chips 825 and newer, including 835);

2. Old versions of Qualcomm Snapdragon 800th series (chips 800-820);

3. Current versions of NVIDIA Tegra (Tegra 4, Tegra K1, Tegra X1);

4. Flagship versions of MediaTek chips (Helio X20 and higher).

With such hardware platforms, the tablet can easily “pull” even those demanding to the graphic component of the game, such as Need For Speed ​​of current versions or Asphalt 8.

RAM size

The total performance of the tablet directly depends on the amount of RAM.Unfortunately, many modern games for mobile devices continue to work even after the forced closure. Their background services either collect data from servers, or are simply meant to “get” the user with notifications.

As a result, for a normal game with a large number of installed applications, you really need a lot of RAM. If for everyday activities in 2017, 2 GB of RAM is enough in half, then mobile gaming will require at least 3 GB. It is desirable, of course, more.

For example, the special gaming Razer Phone smartphone developed in the fall of 2017 (whose killer feature is an update of the screen at a speed of 120 Hz) is equipped with 8 GB of RAM. This volume is enough, even if you completely score it with online games with regular access to the server.

In this way:

1. 3 GB of RAM - the minimum required amount. Once every few months, you will have to reset the tablet to the factory settings in order to restore its performance;

2. 4 GB of RAM is necessary and sufficient for the vast majority of mobile gamers. Enough for simultaneous work in the background of 5-10 different online toys;

3. 6 GB and above is the desired volume. However, such tablets are rare and expensive.

If you have enough budget, you should take the device “with a reserve” of RAM, because applications are constantly updated, “overgrown” with new functions and become more and more resource-intensive. For example, if in 2014, Google Play services specific for the Android mobile operating system, while actively working, “consumed” only 60-70 MB of RAM, then in 2017 - about 200.

Amount of permanent memory

The higher the amount of permanent memory, the more games will be installed on the tablet. Modern mobile projects are characterized by high consumption of space on the internal storage. For example, Monument Valley 2 easily “eats away” about 400 MB, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted - already about 1.5 GB. The volume of the client of online games can be altogether many times larger due to cached content.

In addition, it is on the internal storage that the remaining installed applications, various user data, as well as the Android operating system itself are placed.

As a result, the minimum required in 2017 volume of internal storage is 16 GB. And already “out of the box” the user will be available about 9 GB for installing applications or storing content (video, music, various documents).

The optimal volume is 32 GB. But, if the budget allows, you can buy a tablet with 64 GB of permanent memory or even more - so as not to worry about the "clogged" internal storage.

But the presence of a microSD slot doesn’t matter much, since you still cannot install games on a memory card - such drives are too slow and unprotected.

The presence of a SIM card, support for high-speed mobile networks

If you plan to play online games, such as multiplayer strategies or shooters, you should purchase a tablet equipped with a SIM card slot. This will allow you to access the Internet outside the home or publicly available Wi-Fi networks.

In addition, many modern games require a permanent connection to the Internet, even without using multiplayer content. Additional elements are loaded from the network (for example, character clothing or entire levels, as well as simply advertising modules). As a result, an Internet connection is a must.

The type of supported networks depends on the maximum data download speed or even the stability of the Internet connection. The following standards are most common:

1. 3G. The maximum data transfer rate is up to 3.6 Mbps. This is sufficient for simple multiplayer games, in which almost all data is stored in the client application (including, for example, Clash of Clans and similar mobile strategies);

2. 4G.The maximum data transfer rate is from 1 Gbit / s. Enough even for multiplayer games that are actively downloading content from the server (for example, Minecraft).

Stability of connection depends on the quality of network coverage. In urban areas, 4G usually works quite reliably, disconnects are practically not observed (with rare exceptions, caused by loads on nodes and base stations). In suburban areas, 3G is usually more stable. Although, of course, only a mobile operator is able to provide more accurate information.

operating system

The quantity and often the quality of the games available on the tablet depends on the operating system. Such devices are usually running Android, iOS or Windows.

Android operating system boasts the largest number of games available. There are literally hundreds of thousands of them! Moreover, the genres, the specifics, and even the quality are diverse. In the Play Store application store you can find both highly developed, interesting and exciting games, as well as frank junk, including “clones” and “fakes” of famous projects created exclusively for displaying advertisements.

In addition, the lack of pre-moderation in the Android app store allows developers to release not only blatant slag, but also malicious content. Some games for this platform are quite capable of working like viruses.

On the other hand, the availability of high-quality games, a huge number of free projects, a global community of developers and developers who port and modify software make the Android platform still the best choice for mobile gaming.

IOS operating system - the best choice for lovers of quality games. Pre-moderation in the AppStore application store does not allow developers to release any slag, aimed solely at a profit from the display of advertising or internal purchases.

But this is also the problem. Due to the pre-moderation in the app store, there are frankly few games, and the vast majority of them are paid. In addition, tablets on iOS are released by only one company - Apple - and therefore they are expensive.

Another advantage of this operating system is deep software optimization. Therefore, you can ignore the technical characteristics of the tablet. On it, in any case, the available games will go and provide a fairly pleasant user experience.

Tablets on Windows operating system - quite peculiar solution for mobile gaming. On the one hand, they allow you to run both familiar board games and special Modern-applications from the Microsoft Store (where there are a lot of free games!), On the other hand, usually the technical characteristics of such devices leave much to be desired. In addition, Windows-games are not “sharpened” under the touch control in the vast majority of cases.

So buying a gaming tablet on a Windows operating system is something akin to an experiment that may not succeed (and then you have to go through hundreds of point'n’click adventure games from Alawar and Nevosoft that can run on anything).

Tablet size

The size of the tablet directly depends on the so-called "game experience", which, in turn, is determined by the genre of the game.

Various puzzles, mobile strategies, time killers, some shooters with the mechanics of "shooting", etc. require exposure to the entire surface of the screen. For such games, it is worth buying an 8-inch tablet, which will be comfortable to hold in your hands, and with your thumbs you will be able to reach various points on the display.

At the same time, car simulators, RPG, action games, fighting games, etc. usually equipped with separate virtual controls located directly under the thumbs. For such games it is worth buying a large, 10-inch tablet. Then you can see the beauty of the virtual world.

Thus, to choose the size of the tablet is based on their own preferences.

Top manufacturers

In the past few years, tablet production has declined significantly. Therefore, the number of companies manufacturing such devices is relatively small. Among the best manufacturers tablets on Android can be identified:

1. Xiaomi. Continues to produce tablets from the Mi Pad series. Rarely equips them with top-end components, but these devices are inexpensive;

2. Lenovo, Huawei, Samsung. They produce both flagship devices and relatively low-end models. With sufficient budget, it is worth paying attention to their products.

Tablets running the operating system iOS released only by Apple.

1. Lenovo;

2. Acer;

3. Asus.

Also, Microsoft itself deserves mention, but its products are particularly expensive.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.