These days, students use a variety of gadgets for personal, as well as learning, purposes. Every student’s toolkit most often depends on their individual needs and preferences. But, while there are specific must-have options, such as a laptop, there are also gadgets that cause quite a few concerns and doubts on whether you really need them or not. One of them is a tablet.
Do students really need to purchase one? And, if yes, how would you pick the best option? Read on to find the answers!
Laptop vs. Tablet
A PC or laptop is definitely the #1 gadget for every learner. Young people use them to carry out extensive research, cope with endless homework assignments and academic papers, and do much more. Even when you think, “I wish someone could write my paper for me now,” you will likely use a laptop to find professional help and delegate your tasks. And, of course, in the era of Covid-19, laptops can also grant you access to the virtual classroom.
Now, why would you need a tablet? Having one can have many benefits. Namely, it can let you do all the same tasks as you do on your PC. You can use it to research, handle homework, access online classes, get professional academic help, etc. The only difference is the size. While laptops are quite bulky and heavy, a tablet can be taken with you wherever you go. And this must be the biggest perk.
Besides, a laptop offers you the opportunity to get rid of heavy textbooks and have everything you need for your classes in a single, portable device. And they have more lasting batteries too. While a laptop might be more powerful and functional, it will die rather soon if you use it actively. A tablet needs less power, so its battery can easily last throughout the entire day.
Finally, such gadgets can offer you a number of unique features unavailable on PCs and laptops. For example, most models have stylus support, which enables you to draw or take handwritten notes right on your device. This might not be a must-have option for everyone. But it’s still a weighty reason to consider buying a gadget like this.
How to Choose the Best Tablet
Now that you know about some of the key perks of owning such a gadget, you must be wondering how to choose one for yourself. Tablet User Manuals present online are an excellent way to look for the specifications of a device. If the specifications match your choice, you can move on to other things listed below.
So, if you are determined to purchase yourself a tablet, below are the top tips that will help you make the right choice:
Define Your Personal Needs
Before you start looking for and comparing the options, be sure to outline your basic needs. Take some time to define what kinds of tasks you will be performing on your new gadget. This should help you understand the key capabilities and features that you’ll be looking for.
Choose the Operating System
When picking the best device, you will basically have three core options in terms of the operating system – iOS, Android, and Windows. If you’re looking at all options at once, it can be super time-consuming and confusing. So, before you move on, consider the pros and cons of different operating systems and decide what suits you best.
For example, iOS is best known for intuitiveness, seamless integration with all Apple products, and, of course, some of the greatest apps (especially for creatives). But it can be quite expensive. Android is known for being significantly cheaper and offering a wide range of free apps. And Windows is known for the best integration with well-known Windows products such as Microsoft Office, which are often used by students. Each of these operating systems has a variety of pros and cons. Consider them carefully before making your decision.
Define Your Budget
After you have a general idea of what you are looking for, it’s time to decide on your budgetary requirements. As a student, you must be living on a tight budget. But luckily, these days, there are plenty of different models of tablets that can cost anywhere from $200 to $900. So, everyone should be able to find something to suit their needs.
Pro tip: When defining your budget, don’t think that you have to compromise the quality or your needs. Don’t forget that there are plenty of discounts, as well as the opportunity to buy used or refurbished devices. So, even if your budget is somewhat limited, it doesn’t mean that you can’t afford to buy what you need.
Pay Special Attention to the Screen Size
There are tablets from 7 to 12+ inches in size. If this is your first time shopping for such gadgets, it can be easy to get lost in a variety of options. But you should be especially attentive to the size. For maximum portability, you should look for smaller models. But if you plan to write papers or do artwork on your device, you should look for larger screens.
Wi-Fi vs. LTE
Another important factor to consider when choosing the best option is connectivity. Some tablets only support Wi-Fi. This should work just fine if you’re using it only at home or on campus, where you will always have access to the Internet. However, if you will be traveling with your gadget a lot, you will likely want to have the possibility to use the LTE connection as well.
Check Compatibility
Depending on the tasks you will be performing on your tablet, you might be required to use special apps, programs, and platforms. Thus, one more thing you should do when choosing is to make a list of such tools and check if the selected models are compatible with them.
As you now know, owning a tablet can benefit students in many ways. However, purchasing a good device can be quite challenging. Luckily, using these simple tips, you should be able to find a gadget that will work for your needs the best!
