Which tablet to buy? Here’s our buying guide

A little bit bigger than smartphones and with features suitable for the working world: we're talking about tablets, the devices that in the plans of the big hi-tech companies were supposed to replace notebooks and desktop computers inside the companies, but that in reality have found great difficulty in being appreciated by the general public.

Although for the first time in history Internet accesses from mobile have exceeded those from desktop, the credit is definitely not due to tablets, but to smartphones. In fact, according to the latest data published by market research firm IDC, tablets are selling less and less and big companies are rethinking their investment plans. It's no coincidence that both Microsoft and Google will present in the coming months hybrid tablets, which can turn into laptops if necessary. Il mercato è in evoluzione e scegliere quale tablet acquistare non è semplice.

Se siete indecisi su quale modello investire i propri soldi, è necessario capire di cosa si ha bisogno. Sul mercato sono presenti diversi modelli, ognuno con le proprie caratteristiche e con dimensioni differenti. La prima cosa da valutare è l’uso che se ne deve fare: se si necessita di un tablet per il lavoro è preferibile un dispositivo abbastanza grande in modo che possa sostituire egregiamente il computer, invece nel caso si deve acquistare un device per i momenti di svago, è consigliabile uno da sette o otto pollici comodo da portare in borsa e da utilizzare sull’autobus. Se volete scoprire quale modello si adatta meglio alle proprie necessità, non vi resta che leggere la nostra guida all’acquisto sui migliori tablet in commercio.

iPad Mini 4

ipad-mini-4.jpgFonte foto: Redazione

iPad Mini 4

Partiamo con un dispositivo piccolo ma molto versatile. L’iPad Mini 4 è la versione più piccola del tablet sviluppato dall’azienda di Cupertino, ideale per tutti coloro che utilizzano il device soprattutto nei momenti di riposo per controllare i proprio account social, per vedere in streaming le proprie serie tv preferite o per giocare a uno dei tanti videogame disponibili sull’App Store. Il display dell’iPad Mini 4 è da 7,9 pollici con una risoluzione 2048 x 1536, perfetto per riprodurre filmati in alta qualità. The CPU is the A8 Dual Core with a power of 1.5 GHz supported by a PowerVR GX6450 GPU, 2GB of RAM and 32 or 128 GB of internal memory depending on the user's needs. People's privacy is ensured by Touch ID technology that allows them to protect their data through their fingerprint. The tablet integrates all the necessary sensors for the proper functioning of the various applications present. The photographic compartment includes a 1.2 Megapixel front camera that ensures the recording of videos in high definition so you can use FaceTime for your calls, and an 8 Megapixel rear camera.

The iPad Mini is available in different versions: on the official store you can buy the 32 GB model from a price of 439 euros, while for the 128 GB model the figure increases up to 549 euros. In addition, Apple has also developed a SIM + Wi-Fi version so you can use the iPad Mini 4 as if it were a tablet: this version starts from a minimum of 559 euros. The small tablet from the Cupertino company is suitable for any type of use and allows users to always have a powerful and fast device at their disposal.

Amazon Fire 7

With the Fire 7 Amazon has transferred the experience accumulated in the production of e-book readers in the world of tablets. The device of Jeff Bezos's company is dedicated to those who are looking for a functional tablet, but at the same time presents an affordable price. The FIre 7 has a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor flanked by 1 GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory (expandable with a microSD card up to 128GB). The 7-inch display offers a 1024 x 600 resolution. Il dispositivo sicuramente non è pensato per gli amanti della fotografia: la fotocamera posteriore è da 2 Megapixel, mentre quella anteriore da 0,3 Megapixel. La pecca più grande il sistema operativo: il Fire 7 monta il Fire OS senza il supporto al Google Play Store. Per acquistare le applicazioni è necessario utilizzare lo store Amazon Underground che non presenta la stessa ricchezza dello store di Google. Per facilitare la lettura di libri e documenti, il tablet presenta alcune ottimizzazioni per non affaticare la vista. Si può acquistare il Fire 7 a un prezzo inferiore ai 60 euro: sicuramente uno dei tablet più economici presenti sul mercato.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z4

z4.jpgFonte foto: Redazione

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet

Impermeabile e super resistente: il Sony Experia Tablet Z4 ha ricevuto una certificazione IP 68 che ne attesta sia la resistenza alla polvere sia all’acqua fino a un massimo di un metro e mezzo per trenta minuti. L’azienda giapponese ha puntato sulla qualità dei materiali e su caratteristiche che assicurano agli utenti delle performance elevate. Infatti, il table monta un SoC Snapdragon 810 coadiuvato da una GPU Adreno 430, 3GB di RAM e 16GB o 32GB di memoria interna (espandibile fino a 128GB con una scheda microSD). Il display da 10,1 pollici offre una risoluzione 2560 x 1600 pixel che permette di riprodurre qualsiasi video in alta risoluzione. La fotocamera posteriore è da 8,1 Megapixel e registra video a 1080p e 30 frame per secondo, mentre quella anteriore è da 5,1 Megapixel. Il tablet, nonostante caratteristiche quasi da top di gamma non ha un costo accessibile a tutti: si può acquistare sui principali siti di e-commerce italiani a un prezzo superiore ai 450 euro. È consigliato soprattutto per chi è alla ricerca di un tablet che resisti nel tempo e che possa essere utilizzato almeno per un paio di anni.

Nvidia Shield Tablet K1

nviadia-shield.jpgFonte foto: Redazione

Nvidia Shield

Il tablet dedicato ai gamer. Nvidia, società famosa per la produzione di schede video, diversifica i suoi interessi e si getta nel mercato dei tablet con Nvidia Shield Tablet K1, il primo dispositivo mobile dedicato esclusivamente ai videogame. E lo si intuisce dalla scheda tecnica: il tablet monta un processore quad-core da 2,2 GHz di potenza, ma il vero punto forte è la GPU: infatti, il device monta una Tegra K1 Kepler. In addition, the hardware is completed with 2GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory expandable with a microSD card. To ensure the best gaming experience, the 8-inch display features a 1900 x 1200 resolution and you can also connect a controller to the device. To purchase video games you can use the Geforce Now store. Both the rear and front cameras are 5 Megapixel, definitely not the highlight of this tablet. The price? The Shield Tablet K1 can be purchased on the official store for 199 euros. Despite being quite dated, it's still the best tablet for video game lovers.

Asus ZenPad S

Asus brings the experience accumulated in the smartphone industry to the tablet world producing a pretty good device with a good value for money. The Asus ZenPad S mounts a 1.8 GHz quad-core Intel Z3580 processor, supported by 2GB of RAM and 16, 32 or 64GB of internal memory (expandable with a microSD card). The screen is 8 inches with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, while the photo compartment includes an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. The Asus ZenPad S can be purchased online at a price above 330 euros.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

The Korean company has invaded the market with several tablet models occupying all the various price fsce. One of the best products is definitely the Galaxy Tab S2 produced in two different versions: one 8 inches and the other 9.7 inches. For this buying guide on the best tablets on the market we will only consider the 9.7 inch one. The display is quite generous in size and offers a very high resolution of 2048 x 1536. The processor is an octa-core Exynos, supported by a Mali T760 GPU, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 128GB with a microSD card). On the front of the cameras we find the rear one of 8 Megapixels that allows you to take high-resolution images, while the front one is 2.1 Megapixels. The tablet is optimized to make productivity applications work at their best and is dedicated specifically to the world of work. The price on the official website of the South Korean company is 549.90 euros, but you can buy it online at a much lower price.

Huawei MediaPad M3

(Taken from YouTube)

Compact tablet, with an elegant design and a very interesting data sheet. Huawei does not contradict itself and presents an extremely high-performance device with a price that is accessible to most. The MediaPad M3 mounts a Kirin 950 processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory with the possibility to expand it up to 128GB thanks to the microSD slot. The screen size is quite small, allowing you to use the tablet even on public transport. The display is 8.4 inches with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, among the best panels on the market. The photographic compartment is composed of two cameras, one front and one rear, both 8 Megapixels that allow you to record videos in FullHD and make video calls via instant messaging applications. In addition, the MediaPad M3 also features a nano SIM slot that turns the tablet into a smartphone. The tablet from the Chinese company can be purchased on major Italian e-commerce sites at a price below 350 euros. A price that makes it one of the best tablets in terms of price-quality ratio on the market.

iPad Pro

(Taken from YouTube)

With the iPad Pro there is a definite change in register, both in terms of price and performance of the device. The tablet produced by Apple is available in two different versions one 9.7-inch and one 12.9-inch. In this buying guide we will only consider the iPad Pro with the larger screen. The display made with Retina technology offers a 2732 x 2048 resolution that allows you to play any movie or image at the highest quality. The processor is A9X supported by an M9 coprocessor that integrates sensors such as accelerometer and gyroscope. On the front of the cameras, the rear one is 8 Megapixel while the front one is 1.2 Megapixel optimized for FaceTime. The tablet is designed specifically for those who will use the device to work: for this reason it will be possible to use any application dedicated to productivity without any problem on the drop in performance. It's available in three different versions with 32, 128 or 256GB of internal memory and for those who need a slot to accommodate a SIM card, two other models are available with 128GB and 256GB. The cost for the basic version is 909 euros and can go up to a maximum of 1279 euros.

Surface Pro 4

Microsoft's answer to Apple is the Surface Pro 4, a tablet developed by the Redmond-based company that can be used quietly instead of a computer. The tablet features a 12.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2763 x 1824 pixels. The Surface Pro 4 is optimized for the Windows 10 operating system and synchronizes perfectly with your home computer. The tablet is available in different versions: starting from a basic model with an Intel m3 processor, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, up to Intel i7, 16GB of RAM and 512Gb of internal storage. Logically, the price also varies a lot and ranges from a minimum of just over 900 euros to a maximum of 2499 euros. The Surface Pro 4 also supports the use of the Surface Pen that allows you to draw directly on the tablet's screen.