Which tablet is better

There is no uniquely good or uniquely bad tablet. However, some models are better suited to perform certain actions than others.

Which tablet is better: comparison criteria

You can compare tablets by various criteria. Nevertheless, if we proceed from the specific use of such devices, the following parameters can be distinguished:

1. Operating system (Windows, Android, iOS);

2. Screen diagonal;

3. Specifications - processor, amount of RAM and permanent memory, the presence of a GSM-module;

4. Manufacturer;

Choosing a tablet, based on these parameters, you can choose the perfect device to perform a particular purpose.

operating system

The vast majority of modern tablet models run under one of three operating systems:

1. Windows 10;

2. Android;

3. iOS.

Windows

Windows tablets are a great solution for work. In most cases, they support familiar desktop applications like office suites and are compatible with equally familiar accessories, such as keyboards and mice. This makes the tablets quite good "typewriters" that are well suited for everyday work or study activities.

Unfortunately, they are not suitable for anything else. So, often Windows-tablets are equipped with low-power (but energy-efficient) processors, a small amount of RAM and permanent memory, as well as a low-resolution screen. This makes them unsuitable for modern games, multimedia in high quality, even in some cases surfing the web (especially when it comes to browsing “heavy” pages).

Android

Android tablets are better suited for entertainment. For this mobile operating system, there are tens and hundreds of thousands of games with excellent graphics, you can even play high-resolution videos (including streaming from the Internet) with a small throttling value, browse web pages that are often specially optimized, etc. Well, for most Internet services there are separate applications that make using even more convenient.

However, such tablets are poorly suited to work, which is associated with the features of the Android operating system. Yes, for her, there are office applications, and, "poshamaniv with a tambourine", you can connect the keyboard and mouse. However, the absence of a multi-window mode and its poor implementation even in the latest versions of this operating system makes using the tablet as a “typewriter” completely inconvenient.

Many Chinese manufacturers, such as Cube, produce dualboot-tablets - with two operating systems, Windows 10 and Android. This makes them suitable for work and entertainment. However, such tablets have very little internal memory, which is also actively “eaten away” by both operating systems. Therefore, it is necessary to use only cloud storage.

iOS

iOS tablets are also suitable for work (albeit within the Apple ecosystem) and for entertainment. But most often they are chosen for creativity. The excellent quality of the screen, stylus support, a huge number of graphic and video editors make iPad tablets the ideal solution for artists, photographers, designers and other "creative professionals."

Of course, there are exceptions to all rules. So, tablets are available on Windows 10 with “powerful” “stuffing”, thanks to which they are suitable for games (Surface Pro series, for example) and Android tablets suitable for work - Google Pixel C and Samsung Note line. But they are rare.

Screen diagonal

Screen size determines the usability of the tablet. The vast majority of models are available with displays of the following sizes:

1. Up to 8 inches;

2. 8 to 10 inches inclusive;

3. More than 10 inches.

Tablets with screen up to 8 inches are suitable primarily for entertainment. It is convenient to play them, it is comfortable to watch movies on the road and it is pleasant to read. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase such tablets on the Android operating system.

But for all other purposes they are not suitable. Even web surfing on such tablets can be uncomfortable due to the small size of controls (buttons, input fields, etc.).

10-inch tablets are a universal solution. They are well suited for work, as they provide sufficient control elements, as well as for entertainment, with the exception of most games, since it is uncomfortable to hold such a large device in your hands.

But the tablets with a screen diagonal of more than 10 inches - only a working solution. They are suitable for specialists in various fields and therefore can be used both as a “typewriter” and for processing graphics.

Specifications

Among the technical characteristics that most strongly determine the practicality of the tablet, there are four:

1. Installed processor (clock frequency, power consumption, number of cores);

2. The amount of RAM;

3. The amount of permanent memory;

4. The presence of GSM-module.

The remaining parameters, such as the resolution of the main camera, do not have such a strong influence on the practicality of the device.

Installed processor

The main requirement for the processor, which is installed in the plates - the minimum degree of heating (and high performance is desirable). For this parameter is responsible technical process by which the chip is manufactured. The smaller it is, the better.

Modern mobile processors are manufactured 10-16 nm process technology. They provide a sufficiently high performance with a minimum level of heating, even with installed passive cooling.

In addition, the processor clock frequency and the number of cores installed in it are responsible for the performance. At the same time you should not believe advertising signs. For example, the MediaTek x20 processor, which is regularly used in “Chinese” tablets, is referred to as “ten-core with a clock frequency of 2.5 GHz”.

In fact, its structure consists of three clusters. In the first - two 2.5 GHz cores, in the second - four at 2.0 GHz, and in the third - four at 1.55 GHz. Therefore, even its peak performance is not too high.

Nevertheless, the power of almost all processors installed in modern tablets is enough to ensure the operability of devices. If you need maximum performance, you should look at the devices on the flagship chips (series Qualcomm Snapdragon 8XX and MediaTek Helio).

But all of the above is true only for Android tablets. For devices on Windows, Intel processors are used, and their performance depends on the line. So:

1. Least "powerful" - Intel Atom;

2. The best choice for a tablet is the Intel Core m;

3. The best choice for a hybrid computer is Intel Core i3 and i5;

4. The most powerful - Intel Core i7.

The higher the processor performance, the more it heats up. Therefore, chips from the i3, i5 and i7 families are not recommended for use in mobile devices. Passive cooling system is simply not able to cope with their heating. The only exceptions are the hybrid ultrabooks of the Microsoft Surface 4 Pro series, which implement the unique technology of the radiator.

When buying a tablet on an Intel processor, you should also pay attention to the generation of the chip. The more it is, the better. Usually the generation version is indicated directly in the processor name - the first digit in the four-digit numeric code. So, the Intel Atom Z2670 processor belongs to the second generation.

The most current generation of Intel processors for 2017 is the eighth.

The alternative for all is Apple products. This manufacturer from Cupertino produces only 1-2 tablets per year, so there’s nothing to choose from.

RAM size

The more it is, the better. The performance of the tablet under high load depends on the amount of RAM - in multitasking mode, when surfing the web on modern websites, etc. In 2017, it makes no sense to buy devices that are equipped with less than 2 GB of RAM - this is the minimum amount that is able to provide comfortable use.

Better, of course, more. But it is worth remembering that the core of the Android operating system up to and including 7.1 cannot fully use more than 4 GB of RAM. Acquire tablets running this OS, equipped with 6 GB of RAM, it is advisable only if there is a readiness for remaking the kernel.

For Windows, there is no "top limit." But the minimum volume is still the same - 2 GB.

For iOS tablets, the amount of RAM in principle is not important due to optimization of the operating system.

The amount of permanent memory (internal storage)

Similarly, the larger the internal storage volume, the better.

In tablets on the Android operating system, it is used to store the OS itself and installed applications. Therefore, its minimum volume, which is advisable to buy - 16 GB. And it is worth remembering that this is “marketing gigabytes”, so the actual capacity is 14.5 GB, of which 5-7 GB will already be occupied by the operating system.

The minimum “comfortable” amount of permanent memory for Windows tablets is 32 GB. The out-of-box operating system itself weighs about 10 GB, one it constantly downloads updates and other data from the Internet. In addition, many programs can only be installed on the C: hard drive.

But the larger the internal storage, the higher the cost of the tablet. One solution would be to buy a device with the minimum comfortable amount of permanent memory with the further purchase of a memory card. In this case, you should make sure that the tablet is equipped with a slot for microSD.

GSM model

In 2017, the time of the Internet and cloud technologies, the purchase of a tablet without a GSM module (SIM card slot) is simply impractical. However, if we are talking about a Windows device that will be used in the office or at home, where you always have access to Wi-Fi, you can do without the mobile Internet.

In addition, it is worth considering that the active Internet connection actively consumes battery power.

However, using a tablet without the Internet is often inconvenient and simply pointless. It is a device for entertainment and multimedia.

Manufacturers

In 2017, few companies are engaged in the production of tablets, which is explained by the obsolescence of the form factor of such devices. Nevertheless, there are several developers:

1. Top segment: Google, Microsoft, Apple;

2. Middle segment: Xiaomi, Samsung, Asus, Lenovo;

3. Budget segment: Cube, Dexp.

Companies Google, Microsoft and Apple produce truly flagship tablets, which are distinguished by maximum performance. However, they are also very expensive.

Xiaomi and Samsung are launching Android tablets from the middle price segment. They are distinguished by good performance and good durability, as well as many proprietary "features". Asus and Lenovo produce functional hybrid computers on Windows (tablets with a keyboard), which provide the best performance in their segment.

Cube and Dexp produce ultrabudget Windows and dualboot tablets. Of course, performance and durability cannot be expected of them, but their main advantage is price.

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