Home Other The best budget tablets. “Tablets, which one is better to choose?” - tips for choosing a gadget What is a normal tablet

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The best budget tablets. “Tablets, which one is better to choose?” - tips for choosing a gadget What is a normal tablet

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We've found the best tablets of 2019—so far.

The best tablet of 2019 can act as a full-fledged part-time laptop replacement to keep your work processor running while still being portable enough for you to carry it with you at all times.

The ranking of the best tablets is based on tests, reviews and the previous ten best tablets available to buy in 2019, based on a number of factors: how good is the screen, can the tablet offer a reliable keyboard, how long does the tablet last on battery life?

These are the right questions to ask when shopping for the best tablet. Good news, we've found the answers for you and will update this ranking when iOS 12 is released to make Apple tablets even more efficient.

You'll notice that the highest rated tablets are iPads, but Windows tablets also feature in the rankings. And just because a new tablet has entered the market does not mean that we will rate it better than the old one.

Here is a ranking of the best tablets of 2019 that you will find in Russian stores, according to our testing and review results. We also include a price comparison tool to help you find great deals in your area.

1 | IPAD PRO 11 (2018)

—
The best tablet you can buy now.

pros: Stylus clip | Insane performance;
Minuses: Software still limited | The stylus and keyboard are expensive;

The iPad Pro 11 is without a doubt the best tablet you can buy in 2019. It may be pricey, but it's Apple's most powerful tablet yet, complete with a 2-in-1 hybrid design if you're willing to shell out for an expensive keyboard.

You get a laptop experience with design and performance, while the new Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to the edge of the tablet. With superb speakers and an excellent screen-to-body ratio, it's hard not to fall in love with the tablet's finely crafted design and excellent hardware.

However, even the iPad Pro 11 has issues you should be aware of. The software (iOS 12) suffers from some limitations when trying to multitask and complete tasks as if you were doing it on a laptop.

Another tough problem: the tablet has lost its headphone jack. If you want a standard 3.5mm jack on a new computer device, you'll have to buy a computer.

As for the iPad Pro 11, you get the best experience if you're looking for Apple's best tablet - you'll just have to swallow the high price, but it's not a replacement for MacBooks.

2 | IPAD PRO 12.9 (2018)

—
The best large tablet on the market in 2019.

pros: Huge screen | Huge productivity;
Minuses: Battery life | Face ID isn't perfect;

The iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) isn't just the best tablet because it offers a 12.9-inch screen. It is also the most expensive tablet, so it is not the first tablet in the ranking.

It is like a giant digital whiteboard that can suit any user's needs, be it a personal workstation, easel, portable cinema, audiobook, mixing console and many other uses.

However, the tablet is extremely expensive, and isn't much of a step up from the iPad Pro 11 (2018), as its hefty price suggests.

With unrivaled processing power, a giant screen, a fast operating system, and support for Apple Pencil with Smart Keyboard, this is the tablet you should be looking at if you have the budget - but you may be able to find a better tablet if you're on a budget.

3 | iPad (2018)

—

pros: Available | Supports Apple Pencil;
Minuses: Educational ambitions | Not compatible with keyboard;

It's the best tablet for the average consumer and for studying, even if it's not the most powerful on the market. Its price-quality ratio leaves no chance for competition.

The new iPad (2018) replaces the very similar model from 2017, and before that the series was introduced by the iPad Air 2, which was positioned below the Pro range.

The tablet supports Apple Pencil, giving you the cheapest way to draw on the 9.7-inch panel, although you won't be able to connect a Smart Keyboard to the tablet since it doesn't share the Pro console with the flagship models. It also features the same luxurious metal casing as Apple's entire iPad range, although it's slightly thicker than the iPad Air 2 or iPad Pro (7.5mm).

With a touch-screen fingerprint scanner, iOS 12 under the hood, and up to 10 hours of battery life while browsing the web or watching videos, you've got a great media player and a great tablet as long as you don't intend to use it to increase your productivity (at work).

4 | IPAD AIR (2019)

—
The best tablet for the average consumer.

pros:

Shiny laminated screen;
The cheapest tablet with Smart Keyboard support;

Minuses:

Limited to 1st generation Apple Pencil support;
Traditional design is underwhelming;

If you're looking for a good compromise between Apple's new Pro tablets and the standard iPad 9.7, here it is. It's compatible with Apple's Smart Keyboard, hence taking notes like you would on a powerful laptop.

The tablet offers Apple Pencil compatibility like all of Apple's new tablets, but it's not the best tablet for artists. Pro models support Apple Pencil Gen 2 with additional gesture features and magnetic charging. This iPad Air (2018) supports the older Pencil Gen 1 and also only offers two speakers instead of four. But the performance will be fine with the A12 chipset.

5 | IPAD MINI (2019)

—
The best (and only) small tablet in our ranking.

pros: Perfect size | Powerful characteristics;
Minuses: Thick screen panels | Old Pencil;

Apple doesn't have a foldable smartphone, but if it does, it will look like the new iPad Mini (2019) when unfolded. It hasn't changed much since the last version, and it's been four years, but that's not necessary: we like the compact size.

You can flip the cover, jot down a few notes, and toss the tablet into your bag without any fuss. Yes, the design is dated and the screen has thick bezels, but the price is consistent with a high-powered portable tablet. You really shouldn't consider any other small tablet on the market (note: this is the only compact tablet in our rankings).

6 | IPAD PRO 12.9 (2017)

—
Great tablet with a large screen.

pros: Huge screen | Monstrous performance;
Minuses: Too expensive to replace a laptop;

We really like the iPad Pro 12.9 for its large size, as well as the close functionality of a MacBook, only with a touch screen. It just runs on iOS 12 instead of macOS.

It's the best tablet for work and play, with a 12.9-inch display panel, four speakers, and the new iOS 12 interface that supports multitasking. Apple has redesigned its Control Center interface to make it easier to navigate between apps, and the new tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard.

Biggest weakness? The price of the iPad Pro 12.9, and the size is not suitable for everyone. But if you can afford it and want the largest iPad, you'll love this device—it can replace a laptop for many users.

7 | SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S4

—
The best 2 in 1 tablet, but it's not perfect.

pros: Stylus in box | Magnificent 10.5-inch screen;
Minuses: DeX interface requires work | Keyboard design;

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is an upgrade from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, with a larger screen size to 10.5 inches, longer battery life, but also an additional price, and promises to do much more in the future. The Galaxy Tab S series tablets are the best tablets in the ratings year after year, but the latest model is quite controversial.

We really like the idea of Samsung's DeX desktop interface, but it's a touchless UI that suffers from performance issues, and a questionable keyboard case (which you'll have to buy separately) prevents the tablet from being a true desktop replacement.

If you're looking for a premium Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S4 should be on the list, but it promises more than it actually delivers. Don't get us wrong, the Tab S4 is truly a better tablet of 2019 than the Tab S3, it just doesn't justify the price.

8 | IPAD MINI 4

—
The best tablet with a small screen .

pros: Brilliant screen | Sleek design;
Minuses: Old chipset | No 3D Touch;

The best 7-inch tablet on the market is without a doubt the iPad Mini 4. If you like the look of Apple's tablets, the iPad 9.7 (2018) and iPad Pro, but find them a) too big, b) too expensive and c) both conditions, you're in luck because the iPad Mini 4 offers the best of Apple's tablet world in a form factor that's not only beautiful, but also portable.

It lacks the features of the Pro series, including keyboard and stylus support (the latter would be nice to have on a smaller screen), but overall it gets a decent screen upgrade and more than enough performance to keep you enjoying the tablet day in and day out.

9 | iPadPRO 10.5

—
Apple's former flagship tablet remains one of our favorites.

pros: Great speakers | 512 GB model;
Minuses: Screen increases costs | iOS will not replace a laptop;

The iPad Pro 10.5 is the best tablet for those looking for a major upgrade, although the much cheaper iPad 9.7 remains a viable alternative for most users.

Apple iPad Pro 10.5 has excellent features that allow it to increase your productivity, including support for Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. With iOS 11 on board, you get a versatile laptop replacement for a specific category of users. Don't miss out on the best tablet on the market.

The new ProMotion screen offers an impressive level of image smoothness even at the daily use level, and smaller bezels mean you get much more usable screen real estate in a size only slightly larger than last year's 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

This is an iPad for professionals that is also suitable for multimedia consumers.

10 | MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO

—
The best tablet on Windows 10 that can replace a laptop.

pros: Improved Surface Pen | Built-in stand;
Minuses: No Surface Pen included | Not the most powerful, up to Core i7;

Can a tablet, even a better one, really replace your laptop or desktop? The topic is still open for discussion, but we present to you the best tablet of 2019 in this direction - Microsoft Surface Pro (2017). We're surprised that Microsoft didn't name the tablet the Surface Pro 5, since it's a significant upgrade from the 4, albeit a fairly expensive tablet, like many others in our TOP 10 rankings.

It runs the full version of Windows 10 effortlessly and has an integrated kickstand and optional keyboard.

The tablet is great for creative professionals, students and traditional users, and it's also one of the best Windows laptops we've reviewed.

A tablet is a thin and light mobile computer with a touch screen and the ability to access the Internet, usually without a separate keyboard. Tablets began to become widespread after the massive success of the iPad in 2010. Over the past seven years, the market has managed to go through explosive growth, become saturated with it and reach a stable state. According to International Data Corporation, Apple still sells the most tablets in the world, but the company's share is no longer as impressive and ranges from 25 to 30% of the global market.

The tablet market is replete with a large number of models for every taste. Which tablet is better to buy? How to choose a tablet that suits your needs? What are the pros and cons of Android, iOS and Windows operating systems? Do you need a tablet with a modem (3G and LTE) or will the Wi-Fi option be enough? What should you pay attention to to choose a good tablet?

Smartphone, tablet or laptop?

Tablets are a cross between and. On average, they are at the level of smartphones in terms of processing power and functionality, but are inferior to laptops. So, the tablet is worth buying for:

internet surfing

watching videos

reading books, news, magazines

simple games

video calls over the Internet.

How can a smartphone or laptop be better?

Smartphones can always have access to the Internet; for this they do not have to connect to Wi-Fi, like many tablets, and, of course, a smartphone is an opportunity for convenient mobile communication. Although today many tablets support SIM cards and allow you to make calls, using them as a phone is inconvenient due to their size, and they usually only support speakerphone, which is also not always comfortable. If you need to read a letter, look at a city map, or read the news, weather forecast, or access a social network page, then . In addition, it will fit comfortably into your pocket, which cannot be said about a tablet.

It's better for those who want more - long-term typing, powerful games and serious software. The large screen allows you to work with a wide range of programs and keep many windows open. Laptops have more memory, but battery life is much lower.

Can a touchscreen replace a keyboard?

Entering information on the touch screen may seem awkward, but you quickly get used to it. The size of smartphones limits the ability to type text; typing on a tablet is much easier. Many tablets allow you to attach a separate keyboard, but they are not as convenient as laptop keyboards.

Operating system: Android, iOS or Windows?

The most common operating systems in the tablet market are iOS from Apple and Android from Google. The choice between them is a matter of taste and preference. In this case, we advise you to focus on your OS and choose a tablet on the same system. This way, you won’t have to get used to a different interface, many programs you’ve already purchased can be installed for free, and your devices will definitely be compatible with each other.

Pros of iOS is a powerful and easy-to-use OS with a rich ecosystem, its design is considered intuitive and easy to learn. The system developer is both the owner of the application store and the device manufacturer, which makes it possible to optimize all these components. This ensures reliability, stability of iOS and operation with virtually no lags. Another plus is that Apple supports its devices for a long time, releasing system updates for the device for four to five years.

Cons of iOS— limited possibilities for setting up the system. The limits of customization are changing the color of the background, keyboard and the order of application shortcuts. Another drawback is that the system is isolated; you will need intermediary programs to simply download a movie or music from your computer. Another well-known disadvantage is that online flash content is not supported and cannot be played.

Pros of Android— flexibility and ample customization options for both the operating system and applications, as well as the openness of the system. Android tablets tend to be cheaper.

Cons of Android— the quality of applications is usually lower, many of them are practically not checked (therefore, there is a risk of downloading low-quality material or malicious software), the application may turn out to be incompatible with the device and may not start or even cause harm to the tablet. Manufacturers, as a rule, “throw away” their devices and stop releasing updates for them, so it’s better to choose a tablet with the latest or penultimate version of Android - otherwise, in a year or two, many programs will be incompatible with your device.

There is also Windows, but it is a little out of the way. Tablets with its mobile version failed in sales at one time. Then Microsoft tried again with its own - a single operating system for computers, smartphones, tablets and. However, such models are more reminiscent not of classic tablets, but of mini-laptops or transformers with low performance.

Pros of Windows— Of course, this is a full-fledged set of office programs familiar to all. Windows guarantees compatibility with all laptop and desktop software.

Cons of Windows— The hardware of tablets is still not strong enough to use all the advantages of the operating system on a par with computers. Most of these devices slow down when solving daily tasks. But even if you shell out for a top-end Windows tablet, it will still lag far behind laptops in performance.

It’s important to note here that Android and iOS tablets are not compatible with traditional computer software—classic programs and files simply won’t run.

Dimensions and shape

Many models even fit into a small handbag, but, unlike a smartphone, a tablet is unlikely to fit into a pocket. At the same time, tablets are much lighter and thinner than laptops and have longer battery life.

Choose a 7-8-inch tablet if:

you have a limited budget
I need a tablet for reading
you need a lightweight, compact device.

Choose a 9-11-inch tablet if:

want to watch movies (it's much more enjoyable than on a 7-inch screen)
Are you going to do a lot of typing or drawing?

As for the shape, it also matters - more “square” tablets are usually more comfortable than elongated ones, but the latter are more convenient for watching wide-screen videos and fit more easily into a bag.

Ports and wireless interfaces

Tablets are inferior to laptops in terms of the number of ports and connectors. iPads are the worst in this regard: apart from the headphone jack, they have only one, but universal, port for all needs. Tablets running Windows and Android OS usually have the same mini-jack built in, an SD card slot to increase memory, a microUSB port, and sometimes an HDMI port. The USB ports of advanced models support MHL (combining the functionality of USB and HDMI connectors) for video transmission and USB Host or USB On-The-Go (OTG) for connecting various peripherals - from to . Some tablets also have an infrared port for controlling home appliances; in this case, the tablet is used as a remote control. Wireless printing is also available for most tablets; you just need to download a special application for yours. Tablets also use the latest interfaces. For example, NFC - near-field communication for fast data exchange and making purchases; In our country this function is not yet very common. All tablets are capable of accessing the Internet via Wi-Fi, almost all, with rare exceptions, have GPS modules, and some models are equipped with built-in 3G or LTE modems for independent Internet access.

Wi-Fi, 3G and LTE

If you expect to read, play, watch movies and surf the Internet only at home or in the office, then a Wi-Fi model without a modem will be enough. If you want to be constantly connected, you need a model with a built-in 3G or LTE modem. You can, of course, “distribute” the Internet from a smartphone (“hotspot” for Android smartphones or “modem mode” for iPhone). However, in this case, the smartphone will quickly drain and the connection speed may be low. You can also buy an external modem and connect it to the tablet, but in this case you will have to check compatibility separately, and a sticking out modem will cause discomfort in use.

3G and LTE are mobile communication technologies that provide Internet access for devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones. LTE is a more modern technology that operates at higher speeds and on different frequencies. Be that as it may, LTE networks are less common in Russia and have a smaller coverage area. Even the same 3G does not work everywhere. On average, a tablet with a 3G or LTE modem costs 3-6 thousand rubles more than a similar model without a modem. The cost of Internet depends on the provider. Don't forget that for a modem in a tablet you will need a SIM card of a certain format, just like for smartphones.

Display

Most displays on modern models are of excellent quality, especially compared to budget laptops. Which is not surprising, after all, it is one continuous screen. We recommend avoiding TN matrices and evaluating viewing angles and screen resolution before purchasing. The best displays for these characteristics belong to tablets, and. The large number of pixels per inch (from 200 to 360) of these models provides the highest image clarity. In principle, a resolution of 1280x800 on a small screen is enough for a good picture, but high-resolution displays become almost instantly addictive. After a few minutes of working with or, the picture on the display with “normal” resolution will seem fuzzy.

Cameras

Tablets are usually equipped with two cameras - front and rear, on both sides. The resolution of the front camera is usually from 0.3 to 5 megapixels, the rear - up to 13 megapixels. They are designed primarily for video calls and incidental footage. Compared to smartphone cameras (and even more so), pictures on tablets are mediocre. In addition, taking photographs with such a large device is inconvenient.

CPU

There are many manufacturers of tablet processors on the market. Apple is equipping its latest “brutal” Apple A9X processor, Samsung is developing its own Exynos series, MediaTek is releasing MTK processors, Qualcomm is improving the Snapdragon line, and so on. Even Intel is trying to keep up and is releasing various mobile solutions. Manufacturers cleverly play with the number of cores and frequencies at which the processor operates. However, for more or less objective data, you should turn to different benchmarks. For example, the performance of Android tablets can be compared using a benchmark. If you want to compare Android devices with iOS tablets, there are cross-platform benchmarks (runs on both Android and iOS tablets), for example - test results for different models can be seen on their official website. To evaluate the power of 3D graphics, there are cross-platform benchmarks GFXBench and 3DMark. In addition, there are a number of browser benchmarks: Sunspider, Google Octane, Mozilla Kraken and so on.

In addition, keep in mind that you only need to chase top-end performance for games and large applications. And a budget tablet can handle watching videos, mail and news on social networks quite well. In addition, powerful processors also have a downside - they consume more energy and drain the battery faster.

Built-in memory

If you're going to shoot a lot or plan to put a lot of apps and games on your tablet, then you'll need at least 32GB of internal memory. In other cases, memory size is not so critical.

Should you choose 7 or 10 inch tablets?

There are several big names in the 7-8-inch tablet market: the Samsung Galaxy Tab A and Tab E lines, the almost flagship Huawei MediaPad M3. The popular brands Asus ZenPad and Acer Iconia are good options, but, in our opinion, they are inferior to the old, but still relevant one. Separately, Sony made a statement in this format with its thin and waterproof . Among the 10-inch ones, one can note, and if you look at the more expensive ones, then, or the unexpectedly inexpensive iPad 9.7 (2017).

What to look for when choosing a budget tablet?

Budget tablet options (simply put, from non-brand manufacturers) cost from 2-3 thousand rubles. Top models will cost 30-40 thousand rubles or more. As a rule, manufacturers save on display, processor performance and battery capacity. Therefore, when purchasing, you should pay attention to these characteristics.

You can find budget tablets with resolutions as high as 1280x800, even a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1024x600 is quite clear. In addition to resolution, you should find out the display manufacturing technology - we recommend focusing on IPS or PLS panels (which are practically the same thing) and avoiding TN matrices.

Many Android and Windows tablets are equipped with a memory card slot. If you want to store movies, games or any other files on your tablet, then you will need a lot of free space. Check for an SD card slot, it will allow you to increase the memory capacity. There are many options on the market with 16 GB on board and the ability to expand the memory using an SD card by 32 GB or more.

Very often the manufacturer saves on the processor. In this case, it is best to look at the benchmark results. If you don't have any, choose a tablet with at least 2 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz or higher.

To ensure decent battery life for your tablet, we recommend considering options from 3000-4000 mAh.

Recently, the tablet has become a mega-popular device that has gathered a huge audience of users, young and old. Now everyone is buying tablet computers - business people, students, schoolchildren, and even the younger age group demands this miracle of technology from their parents. Responding to great demand, the market is flooded with these devices, offering consumers an excellent range of PCs. However, this significantly complicates the choice of a tablet and the purchase of a device - it is very difficult not to get confused in the variety of the presented assortment. To help future owners, below I will tell you which tablet to choose and how to do it correctly: what you need to pay attention to and what is just a nice addition, how to correctly determine the technical parameters of the equipment you are purchasing, etc.

How to choose a tablet?

Recently, I myself had to answer the question of which tablet to choose for daily use, so I compiled for myself a detailed list of all the characteristics on the basis of which I had already chosen the right tablet, while still being inexpensive. I share them with you.

Diagonal

The very first thing to do is decide on the diagonal. The most popular now are PCs with screens of 7 and 9.7 inches (similar to the iPad). Of course, a large screen is preferable, however, the cost of such a device will be an order of magnitude higher than its smaller counterparts.

If you are buying an inexpensive tablet for your child’s games or for use when moving (for example, on the way to work in the subway) - as a compact mobile device, then the best tablet for you will be the portable “Seven”. If the gadget is purchased for constant use at home as a stationary device or at work (especially for Internet surfing), then 9.7 will be an ideal option.

In addition to these two sizes, there are also 8-inch tablets (which are something of a middle ground), and devices with screens larger than 10 inches diagonal.

Aspect Ratio and Resolution

An important parameter when choosing a tablet computer is the display aspect ratio. It comes in two types - 16:9 and 4:3. Here the choice will depend on the nature of use of the future device. If the tablet is purchased primarily for watching movies, videos and games, then a 16:9 resolution is required. But if you are going to spend more time surfing the web, then it is better to purchase a device with a 4:3 screen.

The resolution of the tablet display is also important. There is only one rule here - the higher it is, the better, but the more expensive the device. The standard resolution for 7" is 1024x600, for 9.7 - 1024x768. At standard (and thereabouts) resolution the picture is quite high quality and pleasing to the eye. When choosing a tablet with a lower resolution, image clarity is lost and pixelation appears (the appearance of “squares” in the image). When purchasing a device with a higher resolution, the image, accordingly, becomes smoother, clearer, more contrast and more detailed. At the highest resolution (today it is 2048x1536), the user gets a magnificent screen with the ability to view HD 1080 video, which, as we know, requires a display resolution of 1920x1080.

Housing material

Today, tablets are made from two materials – plastic and metal. Each of them has its own advantage. Thus, plastic “provides” the PC with low weight, which is a fairly weighty argument. Also, quite often, plastic tablets are coated with Soft Touch - a very pleasant to the touch, non-marking coating that allows you to hold the device tenaciously without the risk of falling out.

Metal tablets are characterized by greater durability and reliability. They resist scratching well and retain their “sales appearance” much longer. However, they have two drawbacks - greater weight and lower sensitivity of the Wi-Fi transmitter, which is “damped” by the metal of the case.

Tablet battery

The tablet's battery is your battery life, and also a large part of its price. The larger the battery capacity you choose, the longer you can use your tablet without having to be near a power outlet. However, you should not require a 7-inch PC to have a battery with a capacity of 10,000 mAh. Each device has its own reasonable battery capacity limits. For 7” this is, on average, 4000 mAh, for 9.7” - 7000-8000 mAh. Accordingly, for tablets with a larger diagonal this figure should be higher.

These are average figures - you can easily find devices on the market with a smaller or larger battery capacity. In the first case, you will save on the purchase (an acceptable option when using a PC as a stationary device at home), in the second, you will get a device with excellent autonomy, which will be a godsend for people who travel frequently. I also suggest using the methods described in my other article.

Matrix type

When planning to choose the right tablet, be sure to pay attention to the type of screen matrix. There are about a dozen of them in total, but the most common are three types: TN, TFT and IPS. We will not delve into the intricacies of the design of these matrices, but will simply characterize them by quality.

The TN type matrix is the least preferred in terms of image quality. And although even relatively expensive brands (Acer, Lenovo, ViewSonic, etc.) still offer tablets with such screens, TN confidently loses to the other two matrices.

TFT tablet matrix is the most common. It provides good viewing angles, which is important for comfortable work, and has good color rendition and picture brightness. The undeniable advantage of tablets with TFT displays is their relatively low cost with quite decent characteristics.

And finally, the IPS screen in PCs is rightfully the leader today. It has the widest viewing angles of all presented (up to 180°), the highest contrast and high-quality color rendition. The only disadvantage of such matrices is their higher price, but you have to pay for the pleasure.

By the way, not so long ago devices with IPS+ and Super IPS+ panels appeared on the market, which are beyond competition - both in image quality and, unfortunately, in price.

CPU

The processor is the brain of the tablet, responsible for the speed of data processing. A good processor allows you to quickly load pages on the Internet, carry out a large number of operations simultaneously, play powerful games, etc. You should choose a processor based on two parameters - the number of cores and the operating frequency.

If you are using it for work that requires a large load on the device, then it is better to choose a tablet with two or even four cores, each of which has a frequency of at least 1.2 GHz. However, if the tablet is used mainly for simple casual games, reading and drawing, then you can safely purchase a single-core device with a gigahertz frequency - it will be quite enough for these tasks.

For fans of graphically complex games (Battlefield, GTA, NFS), a powerful processor is a must. A good graphics accelerator is also a must. Now many PCs are equipped with Mali 400, which can easily handle graphics-intensive games.

operating system

The availability of the user interface and the set of operating functions of your future tablet directly depends on the operating system (OS), which is widely presented in three types: Windows, Android and iOS. It’s difficult to advise anything here – to each his own. However, it is worth noting that:
— Windows has long been familiar to users on desktop home computers;
— Android is constantly updated and improved, being a very progressive OS;
- iOS is a proprietary (private) operating system, which is available exclusively for Apple products - that is, the always popular iPad.

RAM

The tablet's RAM is practically on the same level of importance as its processor. Along with the processor, it is responsible for the performance of the device, allowing you to process photos and video files, play “heavy” games, surf the World Wide Web, etc. The more RAM available, the faster and better quality your tablet will work. Respectively:
— 512MB of RAM is enough only for simple tasks: reading, simple toys like Alavar or Nevosoft, working in text editors, etc.;
— 1GB of RAM will allow you to work quite productively on the Internet, watch videos, listen to music and play modern, graphically heavy toys;
— 2 GB of RAM is enough for a tablet “with a head.” With such a volume, you are unlikely to encounter any freezes, “braking” and the like.

Wireless capabilities

It is worth highlighting the 4 most popular interfaces: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G.

Bluetooth is needed to enable wireless data transfer between devices, connect a wireless headset, QWERTY keyboard and other accessories. Pay attention to the numbers after the module name - 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. The higher the number, the faster, more reliable and less energy-intensive operation of the module awaits you.

Wi-Fi allows the tablet to connect to the Internet wherever there are appropriate access points. A very necessary and popular interface that almost all tablets are equipped with.

3G and 4G modules allow you to always have your own Internet “at hand”, without depending on home or work Wi-Fi networks. Considering today’s availability of mobile Internet, 3G and 4G modules are very desirable for a tablet, although you will have to pay a fortune for their presence amount. They differ from each other, respectively, in price and “performance” - the 4G module is a more advanced representative of the 4th (newest) generation of mobile communications.

USB OnTheGo (OTG)

Whether or not USB OTG is supported in a future tablet is definitely worth finding out. Many device capabilities depend on this: connecting 3G modems, flash drives, external HDDs, mice and other peripheral devices.

The presence of support for this parameter in the tablet can be referred to as: USB OnTheGo, USB OTG (abbreviation) and USB Host. The manufacturer may also simply indicate in the specifications that the tablet supports USB.

Inner memory

Any tablet computer has internal memory, the volume of which can be 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 GB. Of course, the more internal memory in your PC, the better - you can save on the subsequent purchase of an SD card. However, not all devices have large built-in memory, while being very worthy candidates for purchase in other respects. In this case, you need to make sure that the tablet supports memory expansion using SD/microSD (SDHC or SDXC) cards.

Large internal memory will allow you to store a lot of information without resorting to external devices (flash drives, hard drives), which is very convenient - especially when using the tablet on the road.

Extra options

Everything that will be listed in this paragraph is not mandatory in the generally accepted sense. For some, some functions will be very important, for others they will not be necessary at all. Therefore, when choosing the right inexpensive tablet for you personally, this information can be very useful.

GPS. A very convenient function, especially in the absence of a standard navigator. It will allow you not to get lost in an unfamiliar city/country and to find any address or business. This is not common in tablets, as it requires additional money that is not included in the cost of the total mass of devices designed for the average user.

Accelerometer. Also called a gyro sensor or G-sensor. With this component present, the tablet instantly responds to changes in position in space. In other words, it turns to “face” you when you turn it into landscape or portrait orientation. Quite a useful feature that allows you to conveniently work with the device and comfortably play on it. However, it is worth making sure that the G-sensor is switchable, since it is not always needed.

Cameras. The rear camera in the tablet, intended for photography and video shooting, is more decorative than useful. Even with a sufficient number of megapixels (about 5), the device will shoot with a “C”, significantly losing even to the average amateur point-and-shoot camera.

But the front camera still justifies its presence in a PC. It is used for video communication via Skype or similar programs, allowing you to see the interlocutor. There is no point in chasing a large number of pixels - experience shows that this indicator does not always guarantee a good image. Here it is better to check everything “manually”.

Light sensor. Not all tablets have them, although they are quite useful. It is designed to optimally set the contrast and brightness values for the lighting conditions in which the tablet is currently located. This sensor makes it possible to increase the battery life of a PC and work more comfortably with the device.

In addition, the tablet can offer you such “services” as: broadcasting sound at a radio frequency (FM transmitter); measurement of atmospheric pressure (barometer); easy charging from any computer (USB charging capability); cable Internet connection (Ethernet); connection to a monitor/TV (HDMI) and much, much more.

Also a good feature for a universal tablet is the ability to connect a removable keyboard to it. then it will generally be able to replace a desktop computer in most cases.
Whether all this is necessary is up to each individual user to decide, since the operating conditions of the PC (and therefore the requirements) are different for everyone.

Manufacturers

I hope I answered most of the questions on the topic “How to choose the right tablet inexpensively”?
Happy shopping! By the way, I bought my tablet at the Pleer.RU store - a large selection and reasonable prices, I recommend it!

P.S. Today's dessert is a detailed lesson telling you what peripheral devices can be connected to a tablet - flash drives, mice, modems, bluetooth headsets, etc.

Probably, everyone who reads this article understands the advantages of a tablet, which give it a special place among mobile gadgets. Not a single large smartphone can compare with a good tablet in terms of screen size, and therefore the ease of viewing images and video content. If we compare a tablet and a laptop, then, despite the lower performance, the undeniable advantages of the first are a convenient touch screen, small size and weight, as well as a more affordable price. With its unique qualities, a wonderful gadget can perfectly complement both a smartphone and a laptop, and in this article we will talk about how to choose a tablet so that it can serve its new owner for many years, causing extremely positive emotions.

What is a tablet for?

In order to decide on the choice of a tablet, it is important to have a clear idea of what purposes you need it for. The tablet is convenient for viewing the content of Internet pages - and this includes reading books, Youtube videos, streaming videos and movies.

Thanks to the large touch screen of the tablet, it is comfortable to play computer games on it, the gadget can be a communicator for communicating on social networks or video calls, serve as a wonderful family photo album, or an excellent office tool that works with Word and Excel documents.

From this follows the rule that The best tablet should meet your preferences, and let other buyers get the extra features.

Choosing an operating system

Android

Advantages of gadgets using an operating system Android, lie in the abundance of programs and applications created for it, moreover, both paid and free. A powerful and functional tablet will cost you much less than its analogue, but with a different OS. This operating system allows you to keep several programs open at the same time, which is very convenient. Although the downside of multitasking is that programs cannot turn off on their own, and each one will have to be turned off manually so as not to load the processor and drain the battery. OS updates are delayed, and you often have to wait months for a new firmware version.

iOS

operating system iOS is used by all devices manufactured by Apple, and all these gadgets, including premium tablets, cost a lot of money. Updates for all iOS devices arrive regularly, and continue to arrive for several years after purchasing the gadget, but with programs, everything is much more complicated: there are very few applications for tablets on the iOS platform and they are all paid.

Tablets for iOS are perfectly optimized and work quickly - but they are expensive, and the few programs for them are paid.

Windows 10

operating system Windows on a tablet is very convenient for those of us who are familiar with it from a personal computer. A familiar menu, convenient tools - everything an office worker needs, including working with documents using the Microsoft Office software package. Not many applications have been released for it, but For office work, a tablet with Windows OS is ideal.

Android plus Windows 10

Relatively recently, tablets appeared on store shelves that have two operating systems: Android and Windows, and if we consider the purchase of a gadget as an office tool and at the same time a device for household use, then this is a good option.

Screen diagonal

Based on screen size, tablets are divided into three groups: compact with display diagonal 7-8 inches, average – 9-10 inches and finally large ones, the screen diagonal of which 11-12 inches.

Compact tablets good for viewing Internet content away from home, and in this regard, much more convenient than the largest smartphones. These small devices are easy to carry, and at the same time - with the help of a small tablet you can read books, communicate online and play your favorite toys.
Medium screen tablets more powerful than its younger brothers, and on such a gadget you can already comfortably view PDF files and this is - great format for office work. In addition, on a 9-10 inch display it is more convenient to browse the Internet, watch videos and read books.
Large tablets They are still rare and expensive here. They have the most powerful hardware, and, thanks to increased performance, can compete with many laptops in speed. Of course, a large touch screen is incredibly convenient in everyday life, and in order to fully meet the requirements of a laptop-level working tool, a large tablet requires a keyboard.

Tablet form factor

A regular tablet looks like a touchscreen panel, which is enough functionality to solve the vast majority of tasks. Many of the classic tablets can be equipped with a keyboard and a computer mouse as additional accessories. But there is an interesting variety of tablets - the so-called transformers, vaguely reminiscent of laptops, with a hinged keyboard, which, when rotated 180°, we again get a tablet familiar to the eye. Such a hybrid device with the movement of a hand turns from a work tool into an entertainment gadget and vice versa, which is very convenient, although expensive.

The transformer is very convenient to use - but its cost is much higher than that of a regular tablet.

Main settings

Display type and resolution

The screens of good modern tablets are made using AMOLED and IPS technologies. Both options are good in their own way, but AMOLED displays have richer colors and deeper blacks; They are economical - but also more expensive. IPS screens also have a bright color gamut, and in order to see the differences between these types of matrices, you can compare the quality of the same picture displayed on the screens of tablets lying next to each other with these matrices. The cheap tablet has a screen with a TFT matrix that fades in the sun and has small viewing angles.

Tablet screen resolution is the ratio of luminous elements - pixels along the length and width of the display. It is worth buying a tablet with a screen resolution of at least 1920x1200 pixels, at which the image on the display will be quite clear. But if you are planning to purchase a model with a large screen, then to maintain a high level of clarity, the resolution should be proportionally higher, although this leads to an increase in the price of the gadget.

A good tablet screen has an IPS or AMOLED matrix and a resolution of at least 1920x1200 pixels.

Performance

The fast operation of the tablet is largely due to the power of its processor, which in turn depends on the number of its cores and the chipset architecture. Although the performance of modern tablets is quite sufficient for solving most tasks, not counting “heavy” 3D games, working with Adobe Photoshop and watching streaming video in 4K resolution with several programs open. And if you need a powerful model, choose a tablet that has already received good reviews regarding its performance, or try running games or applications in the store. In this case, you should not rely on the performance figures, since even a good processor, if the tablet software is not optimized, will not deliver its full potential.

When choosing a tablet for gaming, test its performance on a 3D game right in the store.

Reception and transmission of data

Data exchange is one of the most important capabilities of a tablet, and the rule here is that the more wireless technologies implemented in the tablet, the better. Of course, to be able to access the Internet, the gadget must first of all be able to connect to a Wi-Fi network, although this will no longer be enough when away from home and work, and in this case a 4G LTE module or at least 3G is already needed. In addition, to connect various wireless devices such as a keyboard, mouse or headphones to your tablet, you will need a Bluetooth radio module of at least class 4.0.

A good tablet should have 4G LTE or 3G modules, and Bluetooth version 4.0 or higher.

Memory

The tablet's built-in memory is necessary to store downloaded files, and the more it is, the better. Memory is measured in gigabytes and the device can have 4, 8, 16, 32, or more GB. If you are choosing a tablet for communicating on the Internet and browsing the Internet, without planning to store a large amount of information, then 16 GB of memory will be enough for you. The memory capacity can be expanded with memory cards if the gadget has a slot for it; By the way, Apple tablets do not have such a component, so music lovers and video shooters have to make do with the volume of their internal storage to store their favorite files.

The amount of internal memory significantly affects the overall cost of the tablet, and if you want to store a lot of information, but at the same time save on purchases, choose a model with the ability to install a high-capacity memory card.

Battery capacity

The larger the tablet’s battery capacity, the longer it will work when away from a power outlet.. In the characteristics of gadgets, this parameter is written as (for example) 4000 mAh, and there you can also find the operating time of the tablet on one charge in various modes, by which you can determine whether the device is suitable for you or not. And more accurate information about the autonomy of the selected model can be found in the reviews of its owners on the Internet.

Camera

The high resolution of a camera does not always guarantee the quality of its photos and videos; In a tablet camera, the size of the sensor or matrix, as well as the quality of its optics, are no less important. Therefore, do not pay much attention to the seller’s assurances about the exclusivity of his photo module, but rather, at home, look on the Internet for information from users or video reviews of the model to get the most objective opinion. The camera in a tablet is not as important as in a smartphone, and therefore there is no point in focusing particularly on its quality.

It is important that the selected gadget has a good front camera for making video calls.

Useful and relevant video about choosing a tablet:

And in conclusion, we present to our readers a rating of the best budget tablets of 2018, with an optimal price-quality ratio, each of which is worthy of special attention.

The best budget tablets with a 7-inch screen

This tablet is not much larger than a 6-inch smartphone, but its main advantages are its low price and a screen larger than that of a phablet.

And the first in the TOP 5 smallest tablets of 2018 was a well-built model with a good IPS screen – Lenovo Tab 4 TB-7504X 16Gb. A small and lightweight gadget with two SIM card slots and support for high-speed 4G data exchange, can be used as a phone, which is very convenient. This inexpensive and convenient tablet has 2 cameras, the older of which with a resolution of 5 megapixels has autofocus and HDR shooting mode, and FM radio. The device has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless communication modules, a GPS navigator and a good battery with autonomy within its class. And the Lenovo Tab 4 looks like a very large phone, and it is also convenient to carry with you.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Processor – 2 cores, MediaTek MT8735 1300 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB, memory cards up to 128 GB;
Screen – IPS, glossy, 7″, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G, 4G LTE;
Battery – 3500 mAh.

Pros:

Good screen and sound;
High-quality assembly, fits comfortably in the hand;
Fast GPS navigator.

Minuses:

Simple cameras without flash, one speaker;
As many as 8 of the 16 GB of memory are occupied by the system;
Micro-lags or freezes for a split second.

In fourth position in the rating is a Russian-made model - Irbis TZ753, which can make calls and is equipped with a good 7-inch IPS display and two slots for SIM cards. The compact tablet has a 3G high-speed data exchange module and a GPS navigator. In addition, it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity with triple EDR acceleration, two cameras with flash, FM radio and a good battery. And all this for a symbolic price of 3,500 rubles.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB and memory cards up to 32 GB;
Communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR; two SIM cards, high-speed Internet 3G;
Cameras – front – 0.3 MP, rear – 2 MP;
Battery – 2800 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality display;
Two SIM card slots and a memory card slot;
Productive processor.

Minuses:

Weak cameras;
Low screen resolution and sensitivity;
Low version of Bluetooth.

Third place in the TOP 5 best 7-inch tablets of 2018 is occupied by a small gadget - Prestigio Grace PMT3257 with an IPS display, a 4-core processor and the ability to work in 3G and 4G LTE networks. The model has two slots for SIM cards and a slot for memory cards, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules. Its multimedia part is represented by two cameras and FM radio, and the battery has a capacity of 2800 mAh. Prestigio Grace works quickly on the Internet, and since the voice of the interlocutor is clearly heard during calls, it is suitable as not the most cumbersome and very cheap means of communication.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Processor – 4 cores 1100 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB plus a slot with a memory card up to 64 GB;
Display – IPS, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; 2 SIM cards, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Battery – 2800 mAh.

Pros:

Two SIM card slots and IPS screen;
Availability of Bluetooth 4.0 and 4G support;

Minuses:

Weak cameras;
Quiet speaker sound;

Another inexpensive but good Russian-made tablet, the BQ 7083G has a 4-core processor with 1 GB of RAM, and the gadget’s 8 GB file storage can be increased with memory cards up to 32 GB. The BQ 7083G has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules, a GPS navigator and two cameras, and Internet data transfer using this gadget is possible using the high-speed 3G protocol. Since the gadget is equipped with an auditory speaker, it can be used as a means of communication, and its low price is a strong argument for buying an inexpensive but good tablet.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + memory cards up to 32 GB;
Display – TFT, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G module;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 2400 mAh.

Pros:

Two SIM card slots;
Low price
Fast 4-core processor.

Minuses:

TFT screen;
No 4G module;
Weak cameras.

Ginzzu GT-7210 is an excellent 7-inch tablet in a metal case with an IPS display. This attractive gadget, equipped with a 4-core processor, has 2 SIM card slots and a memory card slot with a capacity of up to 128 GB, solving the problem of storing files with 8 GB of its own memory. The model has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 modules, works in LTE networks and is equipped with cameras with a resolution of 5 and 2 megapixels. It has a good 3000 mAh battery and a GPS navigator, which will be useful for car enthusiasts.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.0;
Processor – 4 cores 1300 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + memory cards up to 128 GB;
Display – TFT IPS, glossy, 7 inches, 1280×720 pixels;
Communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0; two SIM cards, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP;
Battery – 3000 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and IPS screen;
Support for LTE networks;
Two SIM card slots and a fast processor.

Minuses:

Inconvenient SIM card slots;
Quiet sound from external speaker.

The best budget tablets with a screen of 8-9 inches

Tablets with this screen size are still easy to carry, but they have a more comfortable screen for viewing content.

Model – Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM-T385 16Gb is assembled in a metal case and is equipped with an 8-inch TFT display. Inside the tablet, running Android 7.0 Nougat OS, there is a 4-core processor, which is allocated 2 GB of RAM. Thanks to the presence of a SIM card slot, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 can make calls, and the gadget’s support for high-speed 3G and 4G LTE networks expands the possibilities for exchanging information. The tablet has Wi-Fi, A2DP, Bluetooth 4.0 modules, a GPS navigator and cameras with a resolution of 8 and 5 megapixels, and the main photo module is equipped with a flash and has an autofocus function. And on top of that, it has an excellent 5000 mAh battery.

OS – Android 7.1;
Processor – 4 cores, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 1400 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 2 GB, built-in – 16 GB plus memory card capacity;
Display – TFT, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP;
Mobile communications – SIM card, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Cameras – front 5 MP, rear 8 MP (with autofocus);
Battery – 5000 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and good cameras;
A2DP and 4G LTE modules;
SIM card slot and large battery.

Minuses:

Overpriced, quiet sound;
Not all applications are adapted for this resolution and not every application is saved to the memory card;
There is no backlight or vibration response of the back and home keys.

A real gaming tablet - Teclast T8 in a durable metal case, equipped with a bright JDI IPS screen from Japan Display Inc. with high definition and good oleophobic coating. The device has a 6-core MTK chip with a frequency of up to 2.1 GHz, which develops good information processing speed thanks to the support of the Power VR GX6250 graphics coprocessor and 4 GB of RAM. A productive and energy-efficient processor allows the device to comfortably play even 3D games, for which the company released a joystick - Teclast Master T8 Bluetooth Wireless Joystick Gamepad. The tablet's cameras are also excellent: a 13 megapixel front sensor with an HDR shooting function takes good photos and videos during daylight hours, but the main camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels takes much weaker pictures. Teclast T8 has stereo speakers and an A2DP module for transmitting audio to Bluetooth headphones. And this technical device is powered by a powerful battery with a USB Type-C connector.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 6 cores, MediaTek MT8176, up to 2.1 GHz;
Memory – RAM – 4 GB, built-in – 64 GB plus memory cards;
Display – IPS, glossy, 8.4 inches, 2560×1600 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP;
Cameras – front 8 MP, rear 13 MP (autofocus);
Battery – 5400 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and excellent JDI IPS display;
Powerful gaming processor and good sound;
A2DP module and USB-C connector.

Minuses:

There is no slot for a SIM card, the screen glares;
Wi-Fi reception is weak, the battery lasts for 4 hours of video.

The ultra-budget smartphone – Ginzzu GT-8105, despite its positioning, is well equipped. The gadget has a metal body, an 8-inch IPS screen and a 4-core processor with a clock frequency of 1.3 GHz. The model has 2 slots for SIM cards and can be used as a phone, works in 3G networks and connects to the network via Wi-Fi; equipped with a Bluetooth 4.0 module and two cameras with a resolution of 5 megapixels. And the battery of this high-quality tablet, priced at about 4,500 rubles, has a capacity of 4,000 mAh.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, Spreadtrum SC7731G 1300 MHz;
Cameras – front 5 MP, rear 5 MP (flash);
Battery – 4000 mAh.

Pros:

Metal body and Android 7.1 Nougat OS;
Capacious battery and two cameras;
Two SIM card slots and a memory card slot.

Minuses:

Low screen resolution;
Does not support 4G;
Weak processor.

Digma Plane 8558 4G

The remarkable ratio between price and functionality highlighted this inexpensive but good tablet in our 2018 rating. Digma Plane 8558 4G attracts with its high-quality body assembly with a bright IPS display, 4-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and the ability to work in LTE networks. In addition, at its low price, the tablet is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 modules, has two cameras with a resolution of 2 and 0.3 megapixels, a slot for memory cards up to 128 GB and a good battery with a capacity of 3500 mAh. The tablet will be an excellent tool for surfing the Internet and watching videos in high definition 720p format.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores 1500 MHz;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB + memory card capacity;
Display – IPS, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
High-speed networks – 3G, 4G LTE;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 3500 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality build and good screen;
Android 7, 4G LTE and powerful processor;
Capacious memory card.

Minuses:

No SIM card.
High defect rate.

Ultra-budget tablet - Irbis TZ885, in addition to its low price, attracts with good build quality and a bright 8-inch IPS display. The model has a 4-core processor and 1 GB of RAM for its operation; The internal memory is 16 GB, which, together with the capacity of a 32 GB memory card, is quite enough to store a sufficient number of files. The gadget can make calls, supports high-speed 4G LTE connections, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connections. It can work as a GPS navigator in a car with A-GPS support, and also has an FM radio and two simple cameras. The Irbis TZ885 battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh lasts more than 5 days in standby mode.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, Spreadtrum SC9832 1300 MHz;
GPU – Mali-400 MP2;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB plus memory card;
Display – IPS, glossy, 8 inches, 1280×800 pixels;
Communications – 2 SIM card slots, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP (flash);
Battery – 4000 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality IPS screen;
Can make calls, has a 4G module and a 4-core processor;
Good battery capacity and comfortable price.

Minuses:

Weak cameras, the front camera protrudes noticeably beyond the boundaries of the body;
Flimsy and awkwardly made cover for SIM cards and memory cards;
Not very responsive screen sensor.

The best budget tablets with a 10-inch screen

Here are the best representatives of inexpensive tablets of 2018, the large screen diagonal of which allows you to view content in the most comfortable mode.

A very good budget tablet - Asus Zenpad 10 Z301MFL 16 GB is equipped with a high-quality IPS screen with good resolution for its price. In the depths of the plastic body of the gadget there is a fairly productive 4-core MTK chip with a frequency of 1.45 GHz, hence the vivacity of the Asus Zenpad 10 when surfing the Internet and working with applications, adding comfort when using it. There is 2 GB of RAM, which is also not bad for a budget device, and 16 GB of file storage expandable with microSD cards with a capacity of up to 128 GB is a very good indicator for a device in this price segment. The smartphone has a SIM card slot and operates in 4G LTE networks, supports Miracast, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 wireless multimedia signal transmission standards. It is equipped with two simple cameras and a 4680 mAh battery with a USB Type-C connector.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8735 1450 MHz;
Memory – RAM 2 GB, ROM 16 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, 10.1″, 1920×1200;
Communication – SIM card slot, 3G and 4G LTE modules;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Miracast, Bluetooth 4.2;
Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP (flash);
Battery – 4680 mAh.

Pros:

Excellent IPS, Full HD screen, stereo sound;
Fast processor operation;
Good battery life, 4G and a lot of memory.

Minuses:

Low screen sensitivity;
The back of the lid gets dirty very easily;
Weak cameras and slow Wi-Fi.

A light and thin budget tablet in a silver metal casing, the Teclast Master T10 received from the manufacturer an excellent IPS screen with high resolution and an oleophobic coating manufactured by Sharp. The information in the gadget is processed by a 6-core processor with a clock frequency of 2.1 GHz, which is allocated as much as 4 GB of RAM. With the built-in memory, everything is also more than good - 64 GB plus 32 GB of memory card resource will allow you to save a lot of photos and video files. The model has stereo speakers, as well as the ability to transfer music to a Bluetooth headset using the A2DP wireless protocol. In addition, the device has 3.5 mm mini-jack and micro HDMI connectors for connecting to a TV and monitor. Teclast Master T10 is equipped with good cameras: a main sensor with a resolution of 8 megapixels, which has autofocus, panoramic and HDR shooting functions, a front sensor of 13 megapixels with f/2 aperture and a viewing angle of 82°. Also, the best tablet in all respects has a fingerprint scanner and a large battery with fast charging function.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 6 cores, MediaTek MT8176;
GPU – PowerVR GX6250;
Memory – RAM – 4 GB, built-in – 64 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1 inches, 2560×1600 pixels;
Communication – 3G, 4G LTE;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Wi-Fi Direct, A2DP, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 8 MP, rear 13 MP;
Battery – 8100 mAh.

Pros:

High-quality screen from Sharp;
Fast 6-core chip, large battery with fast charging;
A2DP, 4G and fingerprint scanner.

Minuses:

There is no GPS module and no option with a mobile modem;
Sometimes it throws you out of some software (toys);
Mediocre sound (loud, but not cool).

An inexpensive but good tablet, the Teclast P10 has many of the same features found in similar devices with a higher price tag. The model, assembled in a metal case, has a 10-inch IPS screen with Full HD resolution and an 8-core processor with a clock frequency of 1500 MHz and 2 GB of RAM. The built-in storage allows you to save up to 32 GB of information on the Teclast P10, and if this is not enough, a memory card of up to 64 GB will solve the problem. The tablet has 2 cameras and a large 6000 mAh battery with fast charging function, which holds a charge for 3 hours of continuous video viewing at maximum display brightness. In addition, the owner of Teclast P10 will have access to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless networks.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 8 cores, Rockchip RK3368, 1.5 GHz;
Memory – RAM – 2 GB, built-in – 32 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1″, 1920×1200;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 2 MP, rear 5 MP;
Battery – 6000 mAh.

Pros:

Android 7.1 and bright Full HD screen;
Large battery and 8-core processor;
Metal body.

Minuses:

No SIM card slot, no power supply included;
Weak cameras, cannot cope with 3D games;
Unstable screen scrolling.

The next 10-inch tablet belongs to the ultra-budget segment of gadgets, and accordingly its filling is simpler. Its screen with a TFT matrix has a resolution of 1280×800 pixels, and the resolution of the device’s cameras is only 2 and 0.3 megapixels. Inside the Digma CITI 1544 3G there is a 4-core MediaTek MT8321 processor with a clock frequency of 1300 MHz and 1 GB of RAM. Its internal memory of 8 GB can be expanded with microSD cards up to 128 GB. The large device can make calls, and for this it has 2 slots where SIM cards are inserted. The tablet supports high-speed data exchange 3G, wireless data transfer – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Moreover, the gadget has a GPS navigator and a good 5000 mAh battery.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 8 GB + microSDXC;
Communication – 2 SIM cards, 3G module;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 5000 mAh.

Pros:

Cheap, light and compact;
Android 7.1 and 4-core processor;
Powerful battery, you can make calls.

Minuses:

Low display resolution, quiet speaker sound;
Weak cameras, no accessories for sale;
Fragile, creaks.

Budget tablet – Archos 101c Xenon is equipped with a good IPS display with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The information in the gadget is processed by a 4-core chipset from MTK with 1 GB of RAM. The model has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless modules, as well as a 3G module, and drivers will certainly be interested in the presence of a good GPS navigator with A-GPS in an inexpensive device. Although both of its cameras are simple, they are quite sufficient for video calls and urgent recording of events. The model with 2 SIM card slots and a memory card slot has a fairly powerful 4500 mAh battery.

Brief characteristics:

Operating system – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8321 1300 MHz;
Memory – RAM 1 GB, ROM 32 GB + microSDXC;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 10.1″, 1280×800;
Communication – 2 SIM cards, 3G;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 4500 mAh.

Pros:

Android 7.1 and IPS screen;
Affordable price and good performance.
Two SIM card slots, 3G and loud sound.

Minuses:

Low display resolution;
Weak cameras;
It often slows down.

An analogue of the previous model from the same manufacturer, a tablet with a large battery is Archos 116 Neon 16Gb, but with a screen having a diagonal of 11.6 inches. Drivers will be interested in the presence of a GPS navigator with A-GPS support in the Archos 116 Neon, and music lovers will like the ability to output stereo music or surround sound from films to its owner’s Bluetooth headset thanks to the A2DP module. The chipset architecture is built on a 4-core MediaTek processor, which demonstrates reliable performance when performing most tasks. A tablet with a large screen will be a good buy and a convenient tool for viewing Internet content.

Brief characteristics:

OS – Android 7.1 Nougat;
Processor – 4 cores, MediaTek MT8163 1300 MHz;
GPU – Mali-T720 MP2;
Memory – RAM – 1 GB, built-in – 16 GB and memory card resource;
Display – IPS, glossy, widescreen, 11.6 inches, 1366×768 pixels;
Wireless communications – Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP;
Cameras – front 0.3 MP, rear 2 MP;
Battery – 6000 mAh.

Pros:

Android 7.1 Nougat, A2DP, USB 2.0 Type A;
Large and bright display;
Fast operation and high autonomy.

Minuses:

P bulky - there are thick frames around the screen;
Non-standard screen, some applications have black frames around the edges;
Not suitable for games, many fakes for the model.

Conclusion

As you can see, choosing a tablet is not so difficult; it is important to decide what you need it for most, and look for a model in which the most necessary function would be well implemented. And the rating of the best budget tablets of 2018 without further ado shows that even for little money you can choose a functional device with a good screen and a capacious battery. Beware of fakes, and buy or order a tablet only from a trusted seller, and the result of caution will be a great mood from using a high-quality gadget.

Let's figure out which company's tablet is better

Tablets have never been able to become “PC killers.” Statistics show that their sales volumes have been declining for several years in a row. Although manufacturers are making various attempts to revive interest in this segment of portable devices, they are not fundamentally correcting the situation. In the current crisis, most domestic consumers are interested in affordable and practical solutions, which immediately affected the popularity of nameplate brands. But since the review is about the best companies - manufacturers tablets, trademarks Digma, Irbis, bb-mobile Techno and the like, whose rating in Russia is quite high, are not represented in our review.

APPLE

Taking first place in the world market in terms of sales volume, the company from Cupertino in Russia was only third in 2014, and in subsequent years it was not among the leaders at all. Of course, this is not about the quality of Apple-branded products—there are very few complaints against the trendsetter and manufacturer of the first commercially successful tablet. The complaints are mainly related to the stubborn reluctance of Californians to equip their mobile devices with memory card slots and the high prices of Apple tablets. It is the last factor that has become decisive in shaping the preferences of domestic buyers during the crisis. Apple does not have budget offers, and the iPad model (2017) belongs to the conditionally middle class. It is noteworthy that the company decided to simplify the nomenclature of its lines and instead of the serial number of the generation, the year of release is now added to the name of the model range.

Presentation of the new iPad Pro at WWDC 2017

A feature of all the company’s tablets is the classic 4: 3 form factor and the “Retina” criterion, which determines the pixel density that is indistinguishable to the human eye at a typical distance to the screen. Watching movies on any iPad is not very convenient, but Apple has never emphasized the multimedia nature of using its devices, and for many other tasks, the aspect ratio 16: 9 or 16: 10 is less practical.

Pictured is an Apple iPad Pro tablet.

The top-level segment is represented by updated iPad Pro models. Unfortunately, Apple decided to surpass the economy demonstrated a little earlier by Microsoft, and the delivery package of these tablets does not even include a stylus, not to mention a keyboard case.

Conclusion: Apple is one of the best tablet manufacturers, but not everyone can afford such a tablet.

SAMSUNG

Recently, the South Korean industry giant has also simplified the range of its tablets to the limit. If two or three years ago market experts noted strange internal competition among some Samsung lines, now the entire range is limited to the Tab S3 flagships and the Tab A devices, which are considered mid-level. In the process of this reorganization of the tablet series, interesting solutions with the Note stylus were lost somewhere and Note Pro, the development of rugged Tab Active models has practically withered away, and an update to the budget Tab E line is unlikely. The company has once again revised the concept of positioning its devices and now the 4:3 screen aspect ratio is reserved for flagships, while devices in the lower class are again focused on convenient playback of multimedia content.

Photo: vistanews.ru

Samsung promised to release such a tablet with a folding display back in 2016.

Among Samsung's offerings, the most interesting are the flagship tablets and the latest 8-inch Tab A model. The former are equipped with high-quality AMOLED screens, for which the manufacturer is the undisputed leader in the market. The second is interesting as an inexpensive solution for all family members, including children. Perhaps an update to the remaining series will be announced at the upcoming MWC 2018, but so far only the company’s plans to present the next Tab S there are known.

Photo: protabletpc.ru

The photo shows a secure tablet for extreme sports enthusiasts and business people, the Samsung Tab Active, which never found its consumer.

Conclusion:Samsung tablets are quite popular in Russia. But, compared to smartphones from the same manufacturer, they look like a poor relative. Almost always, when developing a new model, the company’s specialists choose for it not the most modern hardware platform, which is necessarily inferior to the solution used in a smartphone of the corresponding class.

LENOVO

Despite the long-term steady decline in consumer interest in tablets in general, the popularity and sales volumes of the products of this Chinese tech giant are constantly growing. And both in quantitative terms and in monetary terms. Actually, if you look at the variety of model ranges of Lenovo tablets, there is nothing surprising in this fact. The range covers almost all possible “niches”, and the company offers solutions not only on the Android operating system, but also on the Windows platform. Lenovo's classic form factor is now the responsibility of the Tab 4 family, in which most 8- and 10-inch models compare favorably with their direct competitors in the power of their hardware.

Pictured is Lenovo Miix 510

Hybrid devices from the Miix line can easily adapt to any task, whose removable keyboard does not at all interfere with the use of such devices for entertainment purposes. Again, “serious guys” do not have entry-level solutions (like the Miix 320), and simpler “players” do not aim at the professional segment, where large screen diagonals and truly powerful processors, like the 500th series, rule the roost.

Photo: pc-tablet.pl

The photo shows a tablet with a Lenovo Yoga Tablet 3 PRO projector.

Yoga Tablets have not gone away, instantly attracting attention with their unique design. Finally, a couple of “yogis” got a keyboard, and not a simple one, but a touch one. If you want, work with text, but the need arises - turn off the backlight and use it as a digitizer.

Conclusion: Lenovo is one of the best tablet manufacturers. Last but not least, this was made possible thanks to the impressive range of budget devices, as well as tablets from the Lower Mid-End segment.

ASUS

The current assortment of classic tablets from Taiwan is a sad sight. If earlier the manufacturer attracted potential buyers with an abundance of all kinds of modifications and affordable prices, now the company is strictly pragmatic - almost the only position in the main segments (and even then not in all). In addition, some devices simply cannot be found in the domestic retail chain. In particular, the really cool 8-inch ZenPad 3S (Z582KL). However, when choosing a tablet from ASUS, you still have to literally read every letter of the model designation, because the difference between versions can be huge. For example, between Z301ML and Z301MFL.

Pictured is ASUS ZenPad 3S 8 (Z582KL)

Apparently, the opinion of market analysts that the company has decided to focus on hybrid solutions is true. At least this category of tablets from ASUS is represented much more fully. It’s just a pity that some new products take so long to reach our store windows. The relatively inexpensive, high-performance Transformer Pro T304 was announced at the beginning of 2017, but buying it is very problematic even a year later. At the same time, the “fresh” Mini T103HAF is already actively offered.

Pictured is ASUS Transformer Pro T304

Conclusion: ASUS tablets no longer please the eye with a wide variety, but they still force you to strain when choosing a suitable device, since the characteristics of individual models may differ radically.

MICROSOFT

The company specializes in large-format devices with a diagonal of 10 inches or more. Of course, they are all equipped with the Windows operating system.

Photo: www.howtablet.ru

There is also a tablet hanging on the wall. This is an 84-inch Microsoft Surface Hub.

Such devices are not widely popular, but they occupy approximately a 5 percent market share. The main buyers of Windows tablets are OS fans or users who have a good idea of what they need and what price (in every sense) they will have to pay for it.

There are simply no devices in the budget and mid-price segments among the tablets of the Redmond corporation.

All tablets maintain the 3:2 aspect ratio, which is also a company feature. Compared to the 4:3 form factor, this screen aspect ratio is much better suited for watching movies. On the other hand, products from the Microsoft Device division are equipped with sensitive displays aimed at efficient use of styluses. The latest generation of Surface Pen recognizes 4,098 levels of pressure and senses tilt. Actually, this is one of the main differences from the “four”, not counting the updated hardware platform. The keyboard case allows you to completely turn your tablet into a universal mini-PC.

Pictured: Microsoft Surface Studio

If you work professionally with digital graphics, you cannot do without specialized tools. Among the corporation's offerings is a corresponding all-in-one solution called Surface Studio. In a certain sense, this product can be considered as a giant interactive graphics tablet.

Conclusion. If you do not take into account the high cost, the main disadvantage of Microsoft tablets is still the poor range of Windows touch software.

HUAWEI

Huawei released the first MediaPad tablet back in 2012, and at that time it was one of the best solutions available. In fact, this model is still on sale today.

Photo: baikal24.ru

Joint traveling exhibition of MegaFon and Huawei in Irkutsk.

Having introduced several lightweight modifications to the market and decided to build on the success, the manufacturer divided the series into specialized lines: budget (T), multimedia (M) and premium class (X). The first consists of devices with a maximum screen resolution of 1280x800, made without any special bells and whistles, and for the complete happiness of the owners it only lacks more memory. The lines have grown to the third generation and, in the process of development, “lost” the flagship. Or rather, the second one first “caught up” with it in terms of characteristics, then supplanted it, and in the end it again divided into two families, M3 and M3 Lite. A special feature of Huawei multimedia tablets is their excellent acoustic subsystem, which specialists from Harman/Kardon helped the company develop.

Pictured is Huawei MediaPad M3 Lite 10

What’s also notable about Huawei Media Pads is the presence of a current “children’s” mode. Moreover, the company even produces a special version of the 7-inch tablet, equipped with a thick silicone bumper with a comfortable handle. But the manufacturer’s hybrid devices are just… out of stock. However, it now ranks 4th-5th in Russia in terms of tablet sales.

Conclusion: Huawei produces excellent tablets, but it has practically no models with a keyboard and Windows OS (MateBook is the one and only).

DELL

This company is one of the main IT manufacturers for the corporate sector, and therefore its tablet solutions are of the appropriate level. DELL currently produces two lines of tablets and a dedicated work surface for digital creativity. Unlike the similar Microsoft studio, the DELL Canvas product is designed to connect to a PC.

DELL Canvas graphics studio at CES 2017

Serious people take information security very seriously, and the Latitude 5285 series tablets are ready to offer all the necessary tools for this. There may be several options for user authentication alone. The 7285 line is much simpler in this sense, and its “trick” is the wireless way to charge the battery. This opportunity appears if you have a special keyboard unit and a corresponding stand station.

DELL Latitude 7285 on a wireless charging station

But that's not all. There are a couple of other compatible keyboards for the Latitude 7285 tablet - with an additional battery or extremely thin ones.

Conclusion: DELL tablets are quite good, focused on business use and sometimes have unique capabilities.

Which company's tablet is better?

In conditions of declining demand and the struggle for buyers, the question “Which tablet company is better - Lenovo, Samsung, Apple or other industry leaders?” There is no clear answer - all well-known manufacturers produce high-quality and interesting products. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of the best tablet is up to you. Decide what you expect from a device - reliability, prestige, appearance, high-quality screen, good camera, ability to work with documents, security, affordable price? And choose a tablet from a company that produces models that meet your requirements.

Let us add that one of the modern vectors in the development of tablets is the hybridization of their design. Keyboard covers, multifunctional docking stations, styluses with a large number of registered pressure levels and positions in space are now presented as a necessary component and a sign of proper evolution. But if you remember that the first tablets were based on the ideology of exclusively touch control of the device, you get a break in the template.

1 | IPAD PRO 11 (2018)

2 | IPAD PRO 12.9 (2018)

3 | iPad (2018)

4 | IPAD AIR (2019)

5 | IPAD MINI (2019)

6 | IPAD PRO 12.9 (2017)

7 | SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S4

8 | IPAD MINI 4

9 | iPadPRO 10.5

10 | MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO

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