So you’ve decided to get a tablet PC, but you don’t know how to go about choosing the right solution for your needs. Here are a few tips that might help in your decision.

1. First and foremost which is the hardest decision….which operating system do I want to go with? Do I want to go with a chosen leader for ease of use like the Apple iPad? Do I want to have the freedom to add widgets withing Android Honeycomb? Or are you still addicted to your BlackBerry (in an Apple and Android World) that you want to continue the legacy with a BlackBerryPlaybook? This isn’t the easiest of decisions. The last quarter of this year we will see an influx of Tablet makers and this is one decision that cannot be judged by price and specs. Is it for social networking, remote access to your server, or just looking for an easy way to access your company mail on the go.

2. Next…this decision doesn’t get much easier. Which screen size should I choose? They typically range from the small 7 inch screen to the large 13.3 inch screen. Remember, that bigger isn’t always better or more expensive. Unlike desktop monitors, tablet monitors are meant to be small and handy to carry anywhere. Choose a screen that you are comfortable with, but remember sometimes the bigger they are the shorter the battery life will be! 

3. What kind of performance are you looking for? Single core processor? Dual core processor or does it even matter? With a world of tablets coming to the table performance doesn’t always = price. The best “bang for your buck” might be in the middle of the road so avoid the most expensive tablets (unless you have money to burn) and check the consumer reviews of the models you have in your sights.

4. Are you looking for expandability? Determining what type of ports might actually determine which operating system you choose. Typical ports include Type I and II PC card slots, SD card reader, USB ports, VGA port, docking connector, microphone jack, and headphone jack, but Apple limits you to only the microphone jack so expandability is what your looking for than an Android tablet might be what your looking for. Take into account what you might be doing on this tablet in a year to make a better informed decision.  5. Battery life is more important than you may think! Here is a great Wiki that shows a complete comparison of the available models out there with their run times. Once you find a style and OS of your future tablet, make sure it meets your demands for battery life.

The Mobilewiseguy will help guide you with all the different choices and features so contact me.