Tablet computers have become incredibly popular over the last few years. They are very accessible and user-friendly devices that – according to the independent analyst firm Canalys – are predicted to make up to 50 per cent of the PC market in 2014. It’s not surprising really: tablets do away with the technical frustrations of conventional computers to provide an incredibly streamlined user experience.
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With the ability to go online, play games, and run a wealth of applications, tablets are giving desktop computers and laptops a run for their money. There’s only one problem: with so much choice, you’ll face the inevitable difficulty of finding the right tablet for you. There’s a number of options when it comes to size, operating system and budget.
One of the newest and most technologically advanced tablets on the market is the iPad Air. Available from Apple for £399, it is definitely a premium model tablet. It boasts an all-new design, weighs less than half a kilo and is 20 per cent thinner than the previous models. In a society where we are becoming increasingly dependent on tablets outside the home, the iPad Air is a very tempting value proposition. Read our review here, to see what our thoughts were on the device.
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There are plenty of competitors looking to knock Apple off the top spot. As such, there are a lot of tablets on the market that are more affordable and still offer excellent functionality. Ebuyer sells a wide variety of tablet PCs; the Google Nexus 7 is available for £199.98 and provides a fast and smooth experience that rivals the iPad. It runs an Android operating system and is fitted with a sharp seven-inch HD screen, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of memory.
Regardless of your profession, tablets appear to have found a place in most of our lives; however, there is still debate over whether a laptop is a more useful device. While almost all laptops pack more power and functionality than their tablet counterparts, your choice of device will come down to what you’ll primarily use it for. If you’re still unsure, PC Advisor has an excellent article that discusses the pros and cons.
Alternatively, if you already a proud owner of a shiny iPad Air, you may find this Digital Trends article of tips and tricks useful. From learning how to create keyboard shortcuts, to taking steady photos, this article will help you get the most out of your tablet device.
