Android, Apple or Windows? Get out of doubt

Whether you opt for an Apple iPad, or one of the many Android or Windows ones, finding the right tablet is not always an easy task. This is what you need to know before going to the store. In This guide will help you get out of doubtAlso you can find the most recommended tablets on our website and we recommend where to buy them, so we recommend you keep reading.

If we stop for a moment to think, it is difficult to remember the days before tablets. You will be surprised to learn that only a few years have passed since Apple's first iPad came onto the scene; and since the current market for the tablet was born.

Since then, we have seen dozens of manufacturers trying to take a piece of this "cake" that brings so many benefits. And the game is finally getting very interesting. And it is that we cannot deny that the tablet is here to stay.

But which of them is the one that best suits your needs and preferences? Whether you're looking at an iPad, one of many cheap tablets Android that are available, or a Windows model, in today's article we bring you the key factors that you must always keep in mind when buying a tablet.

Best Android tablets

Not only is it the majority operating system on mobile devices, but it is the most widely used operating system in the world. This has its clear advantages, as there are many developers interested in creating compatible apps with it, which is always positive for users.

On the other hand, Android is an operating system developed by Google and compatible with countless devices. That is, you will have many makes, models, and hardware very diverse to choose from. That will allow you to have a mobile device much more in line with your needs and with a huge price range.

The operating system itself is agile, easy to use, and it has a large number of functions that make life much more comfortable for the user. In addition, its developers ensure that it is up to date to support all kinds of flourishing technologies, AI, etc. In this sense, you will not have limitations either.

Finally, another positive point is that it is an operating system Linux-based open source, so its code gives a bit more confidence than proprietary operating systems, such as iOS or Windows, where you don't really know what it does. However, it is true that there is a lot of closed source and firmware added by device brands and that are not so transparent ...

Best tablets with iOS

iOS / iPad is a proprietary, closed-source operating system developed by Apple for Apple devices. This leaves an ecosystem much more closed in every way. On the one hand you can only choose the available iPhone / iPad models, and on the other hand it can be somewhat opaque in regards to its code. But this also has its positive points, as is the software / hardware optimization, providing a very agile and powerful system.

As for the apps, it does not have as many available as Android for two reasons. One is that it is not a platform as widespread as Android, and the other reason is certain conditions that Apple puts so that developers can put their apps in the App Store, as well as a higher price. What at first seems like a problem, also becomes an advantage by having greater control over the apps, so you will find less malware than on Android.

As for other technical details of iOS / iPadOS, you can see an operating system that optimizes battery use quite well, so you have greater autonomy. Its graphical interface is quite easy and friendly, and you have a multitude of free Apple apps integrated that will allow you to do a multitude of things.

Being based on the XNU kernel, it is an operating system stable, robust and safe. And it has that touch that Apple always tends to give to its products, with a very careful design. Regarding privacy, from the apple company they assure that they have much stricter policies on the data of the users they collect.

Best Windows tablets

Windows Phone failed miserably, however, the desktop version has now reached mobile devices as well to achieve what its younger brother did not. Microsoft has optimized its operating systems, and it works on both x86 and ARM architectures, with a good battery management.

The strongest point of Windows is the amount of drivers and software that you have at your disposal. The compatibility it is without a doubt the best. You can install a multitude of programs that you use on your PC, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD, and a long etc., as well as thousands of video game titles. This is something that you will not have on iOS / iPadOS, or on Android.

You can even choose between ARM and x86 equipment, just like with Android. In fact, in the second case, you will have a lot of supported peripherals to add new extra functionalities to your team. They also usually come with ports that are not common in other devices equipped with other SSOOs.

Being the same operating system that you use on your PC, you will also get a full experience on your mobile devices, with a desktop that allows a pretty good workflow. That will mean that you will not have a learning curve if you have not tried other systems beyond Windows.

First ask yourself what do I need to do with my tablet?

Despite years of refinement, tablets still cannot replace computers or smartphones. You can tackle a variety of productivity tasks with your tablet, but there are a number of ergonomic benefits that are inherent in desktop computers and laptops. Also, since we are talking about tablets here, we are mainly talking about displays with a keyboard.

There are a lot of hardwares that integrate a very decent keyboard, especially for iPad, but really, there are few that will provide the same comfort that you could experience with a desktop or laptop.

The main objective of the tablets that we will discuss here is digital media consumption, rather than productivity. We're going to touch on low-cost Windows tablets too, but if you want a tablet convertible into a quality portable processor for serious work, you'd better take a look at the models it offers. Windows 10, sincerely, the best tablets we have tested; yes, you will have to be willing to pay similar prices to laptops, since many run around € 1.000.

Choose the Operating System

In the same way as with a full-fledged computer, if you were purchasing a tablet, you would also need to choose the system. And just like with the computer, your decision will probably depend on your instincts. Right now, the main contenders are Apple with its iPads and Android, with its numerous hardware options from the likes of Acer, Amazon, Asus, Samsung, and others.

And we are seeing affordable Windows 11 tablets built with Intel's Atom processor coming from various brands like Asus, with their excellent price under € 500.

Overall, the greatest strength of Apple iOS/iPad OS, the operating system of the iPad Air i of the iPad mini tablet lines, is twofold: it is very cleansed e intuitive, and the wide selection of iPad apps you can buy on your tablet (plus a million iPad-specific titles as we write this), makes the job easier with few exceptions.

Find our analyzes with each operating system.

• Android
• Windows
• Apple (iPad OS)
• Fire OS (from Amazon)

You will see that We mostly analyze Android that is better in quality-price.

The operating system of Google Android gives you a choice of hardware from several different manufacturers and offers the maximum configuration flexibility, a top-notch notification system, fast and smooth web browsing, and seamless integration with Google applications such as Gmail, Google Maps, and Hangouts for video chat.

Android too includes support for multiple user accounts on the same tablet, so you can share it with a friend or family member, a useful feature that is missing from Apple tablets (although it does have the Apple's Family Sharing, but it's not the same).

Windows 11 comes closer to offering a traditional computing experience with x86 support Complete for all Windows software. And you can run full version of Microsoft Office when you buy a Windows 11 tablet. Also, connectivity and hardware options Included for Windows models are also usually more abundant than with other types of tablets.

What about the applications?

What is a tablet without quality applications? Right now, there is nothing out there better than the iPad with its millions of programs and games designed specifically for Apple tablets. The App Store is well curated and monitored by multiple reviewers, offers a depth selection, and includes all the popular applications you can imagine. If a wide range of good looking apps that look good and work well your tablet is your main priority, Apple is the best bet without a doubt.

Android has made great strides in app selection, courting more developers and offering more high-quality tablet apps, but still not close to the number that Apple offers. It's hard to say exactly how many optimized Android tablet apps are available, but likely thousands, rather than hundreds of thousands.

There are also apps for Android phones, which look decent on a 7 inch tablet, but less than a 10-inch or a 9-inch, so you probably have more trouble getting high-quality apps for larger Android tablets.

It is also true that typical applications such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and the like are equally optimized for iOS and Android, so if you are going to focus on those, with either of the two operating systems you will not have a problem. However, in more specialized apps, it is where the iPad takes advantage of its optimization and quality of developments.

Windows 10For its part, it offers an impressive range of more than 100.000 friendly touch screen applications, but don't expect to be able to get all the titles from your iOS, and Android, your friends who use these tablets will have them before. But remember, you can too run all Windows compatible programs standard.

Screen size and storage

This consideration is a bit obvious, but it is very important to consider both. First things first: when you hear the term "10-inch or 7-inch tablet" this refers to the size of the screen, measured diagonally, and not the size of the tablet itself as we tend to think of it. The tablets of 7 inches are considered small screenWhile 8,9 to 10-inch tablets are considered large-screen.

Apple's iPads, Amazon's Fire, and Samsung's Note come in all different small and big-screen possibilities. And now more than ever, smartphones are blurring the lines that differentiate them from tablets. Huge smartphones like iPhone Plus, and the even larger 5,7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note  are challenging the need to carry a standalone tablet.

Screen resolution is important too, especially for reading books electronic devices and for browsing the web. A strong point: bright screen is the key. Right now, the sharpest you'll find is 2.560 by 1.600 pixels with the Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 ″ (339 pixels per inch, IPS LCD), the Asus Transformer Pad TF701 (299 ppi, IPS LCD), the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (288 ppi; AMOLED HD), and the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 with their 2048 x-1536 pixel displays. Retina displays are not far behind.

If you find yourself in the market of 10 inch Android tablets, find a screen containing at least 1280 by 800 resolution. For small tablets: the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7-inch screen is 1.280 by 800, and it is perfectly visible, even for reading e-books, but if you put it right next to the screen of the same size of the Amazon Kindle Fire 1920 by 1200, you will notice the difference.

The weight of a tablet is a clear advantage it has over a laptop, but this rule does not apply with large screen tablets that usually weigh around 500 grams. Also, if you hold one in one hand on a subway ride for 20 minutes, you can be sure your hand will get tired. Also keep in mind that it is not the same to have it resting on the legs, rather than resting on a support designed for this purpose.

Y few tablets fit in your pocket (And less with today's pocket measurements!), Unless it's an oversized shirt. If you want be practical between your mobile device and your pockets, you may need to consider the phablets (the smartphones already mentioned that exceed 5-inch screens).

Cloud (off-device) storage is an option for many tablets (iCloud for iPads, Amazon Cloud storage for Kindle Fires, and OneDrive for Windows), but when it comes to onboard storage, more is always better. All of those apps, when combined with music, videos, and a photo library, can take up a lot of space. At this time storage maxes out at 256GB of flash-based memory, and this is only available on the iPad Air and iPad mini.

Most of the tablets that we have tested, whether in 16, 32 or 64 GB, are available in all their varieties. Higher capacity models can be as expensive as full-featured laptops. The 128GB WiFi of the iPad can cost up to 650 euros; and add the 4G service, it is for 780 euros. Many non-Apple tablets have card slots microSD memory allowing expand storage.

Wi-Fi-only mobile devices vs smartphones

Some tablets come only with connectivity via Wi-Fi or with the usual option of data connectivity with a telephone or Wi-Fi operator, such as smartphones. If you want to use your tablet to connect to the Internet anywhere, you have to opt for a model that offers a mobile version, such as the iPads mentioned above, or the Wi-Fi + 4G version of the Kindle Fire HDX 7.

Of course, this is added to the price of the device, and then you will have to pay an amount (usually monthly) to the telephone operator you have selected. In general, however, with a tablet, you can acquire the data on a month-to-month basis, without the need to sign a contract.

Another way to get an Internet connection with the tablet is to use your phone as a Wi-Fi access point for the tablet, as a modem. This will not work with all phones, so you will need to check with your phone provider before sealing a deal.

Finally, before buying, if possible, go to the electronics stores that are closest to you. There you can try the different models in first person and you can find out which one you feel best with and which best suits your needs.

Android or Windows tablet

If you are asking yourself this question, you have to know very well what you are going to use the tablet for. If you are going to need desktop applications, certainly bet on a tablet with Windows While if you want to buy a cheaper model, with good performance and applications 100% designed to be used on a touch screen, choose Android.

Note that at the same price, a Windows tablet will be much slower, the battery will last less and generally will be worse.

If money is not a problem for you and you want to use computer programs such as Office, Photoshop and others, a Windows 10 tablet is for you.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a lighter device, with greater autonomy and cheaper, we recommend that you buy an Android tablet.

iPadOS for tablet or Android, which is better?

The two operating systems that reign in the world of tablets are iPadOS and Android. Many users have their doubts about which is the best. Here you can see some keys that will help you make the choice:

• Adapted applications: if what you are looking for is accessibility, the truth is that both operating systems have made great strides to facilitate their use and make their environments and apps much more inclusive spaces. However, Apple's accessibility API is somewhat more consistent than Google's, so the quality of apps adapted to tablets is usually much higher since it is an essential requirement to be able to be in the App Store.
• Application quality: there are poor and good quality apps on both Android and iOS / iPadOS. What is certain is that in the case of Google Play you will find many more of them to choose from, generally free, or with cheap prices, while in the App Store they will not be so numerous, and generally with somewhat more expensive prices. This makes Apple apps generally somewhat better designed. Although if, for example, a developer has created an app compatible with both platforms, such as WhatsApp, in both systems they will be practically identical. However, in some cases, certain updates may arrive earlier to Android because it has more users to satisfy.
• Which is safer: both operating systems are very secure as they are based on * nix systems, Linux in the case of Android, and XNU in the case of iOS / iPadOS. However, Android has millions of more users than Apple, so cybercriminals see the Google platform as a juicier target, with more potential victims. Therefore, there is more malware for Android.