Computer Advice: Choosing A Tablet

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• IT Specialist Shares Advice On Purchasing The Perfect Tablet

  Before purchasing a new tablet, make sure you know what you want your tablet to do for you, says an information technology specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  “Some people want the capabilities of a laptop, and others just want to get online and read their email,” said Jesse La Grew, an IT specialist with the university’s Division of Information Technology.

  One way to narrow down the overwhelming field of choices is to decide what operating system you want to use, La Grew said. Each operating system has different functionality and each works a little bit differently.

  There are three operating systems:

  1. Apple IOS: This is what runs iPads, the most popular brand of tablet, La Grew said. If you have an iPhone or Mac, you will find this operating system is basically the same, he said. It also has the most apps and the interface is very intuitive.
  2. Microsoft Windows: This is the most powerful operating system and one most people have been using on their computers for years. If actual computing is your aim, then a tablet with Microsoft Windows is a good choice, said La Grew. There are very few apps available, but a lot of software will work on the tablet with Microsoft Windows.
  3. Google Android: This system is in between Apple and Microsoft, and offers some desktop capability and a good interface, La Grew said. Like Apple, there are a large number of apps available. “It works very well, it’s full-featured, and it doesn’t have (a) high cost,” he said.

  If you are using one of these operating systems already, on a smartphone or PC, he suggests choosing a tablet with the same operating system.

  “Look at what you know; if it works for you, go with that,” La Grew advised.