Tablets have started to rise in popularity once again thanks to devices like the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S8. These devices continue to remind us that tablets are highly versatile devices that are useful for media consumption, gaming, or even for work in some cases.

If you are in the market for a new tablet, you might be confused by the plethora of available options. To make your life easier, here are nine things to consider before buying a tablet.

1. Operating System

Android and iOS are the obvious OS choice when it comes to tablets. However, you can also get tablets that come with Windows, ChromeOS, or Amazon's Fire OS.

Going with an iPad will give you the benefits of the Apple ecosystem and access to excellent apps such as Procreate. You will also get fluid animations, support for the Apple Pencil, and exciting updates that change how you interact with a tablet.

On the other hand, Android is more open and encourages more customization. You can personalize the home screen, side-load apps not available on the Play Store, and more. If you care about retro games, you can also easily install multiple emulators straight from the Play Store.

As for Windows and ChromeOS, they might be better if you want a more desktop-like feel from your tablet. Finally, FireOS is the most limited out of them all, but Amazon. Fire tablets are usually cheaper and great choices for children.

2. Budget

Budget for a tablet PC

Tablets can vary heavily in terms of pricing. For example, the cheapest iPad (iPad 9th Gen) currently starts at $329, while the highest-end iPad (iPad Pro 12.9-inch) starts at $1,099. The Android market is even more diverse, with options ranging from low as $50 all the way up to $1,200 and beyond.

So, to set the right budget, you need to know exactly what type of experience you're looking for. Then, decide on what you're going to use the tablet for, how much time you'll spend using it, and how much you are willing to pay for that usage as a whole.

Extra features such as a high refresh rate display are nice but might not be worth it if you have to increase your budget significantly. You can use the rest of the tips to help guide your budget expectations.

3. Size

Size is important as you might be carrying around your tablet with you a lot. A larger tablet might be better for you because of the bigger screen, better performance, and possibly better speakers.

However, bigger isn't always better in this case. The iPad Mini might be Apple's best iPad because of its excellent portability, impressive performance, and long battery life. This shows that the size of the tablet is not directly proportional to its quality.

Instead, you'll want to figure out how big or small a tablet you are willing to put up with. Again, it comes down to personal preference, as some will prefer the bigger screen experience of a large tablet, while others may prefer the portability of a smaller one.

4. Internal Specs

Internal specifications of a new tablet PC

Your requirements for specs in a tablet depend highly on what you want to use it for. For example, if you want a tablet for more casual use, such as media consumption, you might not care about having more RAM or the latest and greatest processor.

However, if you want to get some serious work done or play demanding games, you'll want better processing power, more RAM, and a good amount of storage. Therefore, before buying a tablet, you should always check the specs and figure out if they are the right fit for your use case.

You'll want at least a 2GHz processor and 4GB RAM at the bare minimum.

5. Display Quality

Display quality isn't something you want to overlook. Whether you're playing games, getting work done, or just watching videos, you'll spend a lot of time staring at the screen. If the display quality is terrible, you'll likely stop using that tablet or replace it altogether.

However, consider that a high-quality and high-resolution screen will cost more money. A high refresh rate OLED display sounds nice, but tablets with such a screen can be expensive. So, you'll want a tablet with the best possible display that falls within your budget.

6. Brand

Tablet PC and iPad brands

There are a lot of brands to pick from when it comes to tablets. If you want the best technical support, long-term software updates, and the smoothest experience on a tablet, then Apple is what you want to go for.

On the other hand, Samsung is also a viable alternative. The Galaxy Tab S8 Plus is a good example, as it is one of the best tablets for gaming. Samsung uses its One UI skin over Android, and the experience has gotten comparable to iPadOS over the years.

Similarly, there are advantages of going with different manufacturers for Windows tablets as well. For example, Microsoft always has better designs than the competition, but vendors such as ASUS or Acer may provide better value.

7. Storage

The need for storage once again directly depends on your case. For people who want to use their tablets to browse the web, stream videos, and play the casual game every once in a while, lower storage won't be an issue.

On the flip side, if you're a digital artist, someone who downloads a lot of content, or even someone who wants to play a lot of games, then you'll want more storage. Of course, a tablet with higher storage will also usually cost you more money.

One thing to look out for is eMMC storage versus an NVMe SSD. While a tablet with eMMC storage will be cheaper, one with an NVMe SSD will be much faster in comparison.

8. Durability

Durable Tablet PCs and iPads

A tablet will see comparatively more wear and tear compared to your laptop. This is because you might want to use the tablet while lying in bed, relaxing on the couch, or even prop it up on the kitchen counter while eating. In addition, tablets are more fragile than laptops, so overall durability is more important in this case.

Look out for features like toughened screens, strong, drop-resistant cases, and so on.

9. Design

The design of a tablet comes down to personal preference. For example, if you're looking for a tablet that you can use for work or for playing demanding games, you'll learn more about the performance than the design itself.

However, it's not just about looks. Tablets differ in terms of screen bezels, ergonomics, and of course, size. Sure, you'll want to buy something that looks good, but it's better to go for form over function.

Tablets Can Now Do More Than Ever Before

There was a time when most of us were concerned about the decline of the tablet market. Fortunately, both iPads and Android tablets have gotten better over the years. While some may think they don't need a tablet, you'll find that they are highly enjoyable to use when the situation arises.

This is because tablets are great devices for playing games, watching media, or getting serious work done, such as creating digital art or writing content. There are tablets out there that also work incredibly well for note-taking.