Tablet computers such as the iPad are a brilliant innovation. For the first time, there’s a category of mobile device that’s powerful enough to run complex software, connects to the internet via wireless and mobile networks, and is portable enough to be used anywhere.
Tablets in 2012
Unlike a smartphone, tablets are just the right size for reading and editing text comfortably, but they’re smaller, thinner and lighter than any laptop. The benefits of computing and the web can now can be squeezed into a device small enough to be used in places where it simply wasn’t possible, or convenient, to have a computer before. It’s no surprise then, that tablets are popular.
High Street and online stores now tempt you with shelves and pages full of tablets, from dozens of manufacturers and with varying screen sizes, software and storage capacities. Prices range from as little as £100 for a 7-inch tablet such as the Disgo 7900, up to £660 for Apple’s third-generation iPad with 4G and the largest 64GB storage capacity.
You can’t choose a tablet on its specification alone though. The software it runs is just as important as the hardware wrapped around it. Google's Android and Apple's iOS have different quirks and nuances that have a big effect on how you’ll use a tablet. Browsing the web, managing pictures, videos and synchronising contacts and emails with a desktop PC is very different on iOS, which uses iTunes, from the way it's done with an Android device.
Of course, these aren't the only operating systems. There's also BlackBerry's PlayBook OS and, soon, Microsoft will add Windows 8 to the mix. Each platform has its own app store, and there’s a big difference in the quantity and quality of software available in each. Without apps, you'd be stuck with the capabilities of the tablet as it ships, so it pays not to overlook this aspect of tablets.
Our aim is to help you find the right tablet for your needs. Let's now take an in-depth look at the different tablet operating systems and, afterwards, examine how each performs common tasks, such as web browsing, multimedia and email.
Apple iOS
For
- Widest selection of high quality apps
- Stability and high performance
- Clean and consistent structure and layout
Against
- Available on a limited range of expensive devices
- Tied to cumbersome iTunes software
When the first iPad was released in 2010, it reinvented the concept of tablet computing, and has become a benchmark for other tablets. The iPad is synonymous with style and quality, the latter due to the sturdy aluminium chassis and fantastic screen. All iPad models have a 9.7in display.
Apple has launched a new iPad every year since the original. The iPad 2 had improved performance, especially in 3D games. The new third-generation model adds a good-quality rear camera and high-resolution display. The iPad 2 currently costs £330, and the new iPad £400, both of which have 16GB of storage. Note that the Wi-Fi versions (without 3G) don't have GPS receivers and can only approximate your location when near a hotspot that's in Apple's database.
Hardware is nothing without software, and iOS is one of the main reasons you might choose an iPad over anything else. Its user interface is incredibly responsive, allowing for smooth swiping between pages. It’s rare for an iPad to crash, and there’s a wider choice of apps and other content available from Apple’s App Store than from Google's Play (the new name for the Android Market) or Blackberry’s App World.
Part of Apple’s success is down to its control of the iPad hardware and iOS, the software that runs on it. This leads to a better user experience, as app designers know the exact specifications and capabilities of the device they are developing for.
However, this stranglehold has its downsides. For example, all content in the app store must first be approved by Apple, and Safari, the iPad’s web browser, cannot display Flash content. This is still prevalent on the web, and it means you'll occasionally have to resort to a laptop to watch a video or access certain websites.
As with the iPod and iPhone, the iPad has to be managed with iTunes, Apple’s software for desktop computers. To put films, music or any other content on the iPad, they have to be connected to your iTunes media library (or purchased from the iTunes app on the device itself). You can't copy files across in Windows Explorer, nor download files such as music and videos from an iPad. This idea takes some getting used to, but it eliminates a lot of incompatibility issues.
Despite this and relatively high prices, the iPad has still become the most popular tablet platform, outselling its rivals by a considerable margin.
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Comments
Matt Egan said: I certainly would charge one to PC Advisor without a seconds hesitation Sadly Microsoft is being very cagey about letting journalists near Windows 8 on tablet at this stage We have one currently with an editor but it is an intel tablet which - your point about the iPad being an overgrown iPhone notwithstanding - have traditionally been dogs Cant wait for Windows on Arm that could be as they say disruptive
imaginarynumber said: Hi MattI havent tried W7 on a tablet and previously I had only tried W8 on my laptopI have used my stepsons ipad2 and was underwhelmed it just struck me as being a bigger version of his iphone Lovely screen size for maps etc but other than that I didnt see the pointI havent used an android tablet yet but again I imagine that I would view it in the same wayI currently lug my Viao Z11 everywhere I go the size and weight are not an issue but at 2300 I cant afford to replace it if it gets nickedA 500 tablet that is a true replacement would be ideal Whilst i wouldnt want to lose it I could live with the loss Personally I would only want the intel version due to the inclusion of the desktop programs If i need to run Dreamweaver why would i want to carry a tablet and my laptop The Metro side would be a plus point assuming that it mirrors my Windows PhoneAssuming that MS iron out any bugs I cannot see how W8 does not comprehensively corner the market The intel units will surely keep all sectors of the market happy ie those that primarily want entertainment and those that want to be able to use productiivtytools only available as pc programsHave you had a play with w8 on a tablet yet Ahem perhaps you could charge one to PcAdvisor Would be interested to see how you think it compares
Matt Egan said: Well I hope so But Windows 7 tablets are awful I do wonder how successful an Intel tablet can be Perhaps the Arm Windows tablets will be the thing Have you used an iPad or one of the better Android tablets
imaginarynumber said: Its a shame that you didnt get the chance to cover windows 8Until recently I had seen tablets as being a noveltylittle more than oversized phones That was until I got to play with a friends intel Viewsonic running a preview of Windows 8 I was impressed being an intel unit I could run pretty much any software I wantedI am now seriously considering buying a windows 7 tablet and upgrading it to Windows 8Windows 8 takes the tablet from the toy category to a real computing device