The Guide Before You Buy
If you are thinking about buying a Tablet/iPad you should ask yourself some questions to better guide your choice of device.
Do you have a smartphone, and want a tablet/iPad? OR This is your first electronic tablet/smartphone/
iPad/iPhone purchase?
If this purchase will be your first electronic device or if you already have a smartphone, you need to decide if you want a standalone tablet or if
you have the option, keeping or upgrading your cellular service to a smartphone. With a smartphone, you are more than likely to be able to do
many of the things you can do on a tablet albeit on a smaller screen. Typical smartphones can use apps just like a tablet to read books, answer
email, surf the web, talk to family and play games.
If price is a concern and you don’t want to spend additional money and time buying and managing an additional digital device, check with your
cellular carrier to see if a smartphone is an option for you. You can test drive the tablet experience try using your smartphone as a mini-tablet
and purchase a separate tablet at a later time.
If yes you are ready to buy, then continue reading.
If no, you don’t want a tablet/iPad right now or want to go with just a smartphone, both Android and Apple iOS
(iPhone) stores have a number of apps that can create the feel of a tablet on your smartphone. Check with your cellular carrier for further options.
Need internet connectivity all of the time?
Most devices come with some form of Wi-Fi connection ability. If you are around a Wi-Fi signal and know the connection information, you can
get to the internet from your device.
If you need always on connectivity, you will need a plan from a cellular carrier. The Kindle Fire has such plans as purchase upgrades with either
ATT or Verizon service. Most national cell carriers have tablets as device options with various data plans available for an always on connection.
Have an account with Amazon, Apple, or Google already?
If you do anything digitally, more than likely you are part of a network that can provide an easier entry to a family of devices. Google/Android,
Amazon and Apple are the three major digital networks that people are both familiar with and regularly use.
Have a Gmail, YouTube or Blogger account? You may want to think of devices that use the Android Operating System. Android is the operating
system created by Google, the owners of those sites. The Nook Color is also an option for you, since it runs on an Android based interface.
Regular Amazon customer? Then you may want to look at the Kindle readers and Fire Devices. You can get your Amazon digital content
directly sent to your device. Library books require either a computer or the Overdrive App based on which Amazon device you purchase.
Are you an Apple iTunes user? Then you may want to look at Apple products as a choice for your device.
What will you do with it?
Are you going to read e-books, including some library content? Are you looking for a laptop replacement? Are you looking for something in
between? Do you just want to play games? Are you going to watch movies and listen to music? Will you stream music or video and require an
internet connection? The answers to these questions will help you figure to what type of device you are looking to purchase.
Mostly Read Books? Try the Kindle or Nook dedicated e readers. You can get library books on these devices with the assistance of a computer.
Do it All? (Laptop replacement, Play games, Watch movies, Listen to music and Read books) Look at Android tablets, iPad tablets and Windows
Surface tablets. If you are looking at an Android Tablet, make sure that the tablet has an up to date OS (operating system.) The older the
Android OS, the less the device will be able to do. Also, Android devices sometimes have SD card slots that allow for memory expansion. If you
plan to watch a lot of video, video files take up a lot of room on any device.
Looking for something in-between? Try the Kindle Fire or Nook Color tablets. Make sure that you can access some sort of “store” to purchase apps
to work on the device.
Mostly listen to music and some movies? You may want to look at an iPod to see if that meets your needs.
How big do you want it to be?
Some people want their devices to fit in a small bag when not being used. Other people don’t care how big their new device will be or how much
room it will take up in their bag.
If you are looking for a device 8 inches diagonally or smaller, then a dedicated e-reader, most Kindle Fire and Nook models, iPad Mini and 7 inch
Android tablets are what you should focus on when shopping.
If you are not concerned about size, then the sky is the limit for you. Most devices are smaller than a regular letter sized sheet of paper.
How much do you want to spend?
Always remember to get the newest device with the most memory that you can afford with your budget. Please note that some lower priced
Android tablets may not be able to access some HCPL OnDemand Services.
If you want to spend less than $250 dollars, you are looking at a dedicated e-reader, something in-between a dedicated e-reader and a large laptop
replacement such as Nook Color or entry level Kindle Fire. You may find some good deals on smaller 7” Android OS tablets for $250 or under.
If you are willing to spend upwards of $500 then your options include all of the above plus entry level full sized iPads and Windows Surface tablets.
Are you comfortable with computers?
How much do you want to do and how comfortable do you feel adjusting settings and setting up your device?
Not ready to do a lot to your device and/or will need live or phone support for your device? Then the Apple family of products and Amazon should
be the focus of your shopping. Both have great reputations for assisting customers either in person (Apple Stores,) Phone and Online help
(both) and the new Kindle Fire’s MAYDAY button (direct support from Amazon.) Remember the Mayday button allows Amazon to access and
control your device.
Want to be able to play with your device and don’t mind a little more than the basic setup? Nook and Windows Tablets may be for you. Also some
higher end Android tablets fit within this group.
Somewhat confident? Then you cannot go wrong with any tablet choice.
The Guide Before You Buy