Phone, good; tablet, better? Sure, the former fits in your pocket, but a tablet has a much larger screen, meaning it rules for things like gaming, movies, e-books, video calls, drawing, note-taking and lots more. And with a few accoutrements, it can even serve as a laptop replacement. Amazon makes some great cheap tablets; Apple makes some great premium ones. And let’s not forget the strong roster for Android users. These screen machines range in price from just $100 (or less, if you watch for sales) to a budget-busting $1,000 (or more, if you add accessories). So how do you decide what to get?
Quick Overview
Sure, you can splurge on the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 and roomier Apple Magic Keyboard, but now you’ve spent a minimum of $1,450. At that point, why not just buy a laptop, especially if productivity is your main goal?
Something else to consider: While Android, Fire OS and iOS are capable operating systems, they’re not Windows. (They’re not Mac OS either.) If you rely on Windows or Mac software even a little, a tablet probably isn’t your best bet. And there are certain web-based tools that won’t work properly in a mobile browser. So if you’re buying a tablet in hopes of getting your work done, make absolutely sure it’s compatible with your ecosystem of work tools.
What about Microsoft’s Surface tablets, which run Windows? These Windows tablets are quite popular, but I honestly don’t see the appeal. They’re expensive and don’t afford many tablet-y benefits. (Microsoft’s app store offers only a fraction of the software available to Android and iOS users.) Plus, the keyboard is sold separately, which once again raises the question: Why not just buy a laptop?
In fact, you might want to consider a convertible, also known as a 2-in-1. That’s a laptop with a touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge. I won’t say that’s the best of both worlds, but it’s certainly one of the most versatile options. If you want a laptop-style experience, your best bet is to just invest in one of the many great laptop options available right now.
