Should you buy a tablet in 2024?

June 29, 2024

What is going on with tablets these days? Not much in terms of innovation. Solid improvements in computing power. Relative price stability. Low demand compared to smartphones and laptop computers. Apple still dominates the tablet market overall, and the segment for professionals and creators. Samsung still leads the Android ecosystem. Microsoft still leads the niche of those looking for a tablet to be primarily used as a laptop. Amazon still dominates the budget streaming category. 

If you don't have a tablet now, you probably don't need one. Like the majority of consumers, you may have realized that it is preferable to focus on having a solid phone and a solid laptop. No need for a third gadget that you need to charge and carry around. If you do have a tablet or really need one because you are getting into drawing with smart pencils for example, your best choice is an an ipad. Forget about Android tablets even if that is your ecosystem of choice, or maybe precisely for that reason if your tech resides in the Android world. Having an ipad will give you entry into the Apple IOS ecosystem. Knowing both worlds is always a good thing. 

In terms of what iPad to buy, unless you are a real design professional or an aspiring one, forget about the iPad Pro. The iPad Air or the regular iPad have everything you need and more for most users. Visit  Apple.com to compare the models. It will be a tough call between the latest iPad Air and the latest iPad. They are both priced relatively well. From $350 you get a new iPad while the iPad Air begins at $600. The 70% price premium is not justified in our opinion, but most experts disagree and believe that the iPad Air is the best value. Up to you. You can also check ebay for deals on pre-owned units. Buying pre-owned is the easiest way to beat inflation. 

Below some basic information about tablets and where the segment may be going. 

Tablet computers are portable computing devices featuring a touchscreen interface. Tablets blend elements of both laptops and smartphones. Tablets offer a balance of portability and functionality, making them suitable for a variety of tasks such as web browsing, media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks.

The concept of tablet computing dates back to the mid-20th century. Early examples include the RAND Tablet (1964) and Alan Kay's Dynabook (1968). The first commercial tablet was the GRiDPad, released in 1989. However, as with the smartphone, credit on the explosion of popularity and market goes to Apple. Tablets gained mainstream popularity with the Apple's release of the first iPad in 2010.

Key Features

• Touchscreen Interface: Tablets are equipped with capacitive touchscreens that allow for multi-touch gestures.
• Portability: Tablets are lightweight and compact, designed for easy mobility.
• Battery Life: Typically, tablets offer long battery life due to efficient hardware and software integration.
• Operating Systems: The most common operating systems for tablets are iOS (Apple), Android (Google), and Windows (Microsoft).

Major Manufacturers

• Apple: The iPad series, known for its seamless integration with other Apple products and the App Store.
• Samsung: Galaxy Tab series, known for their high-quality displays and Android operating system.
• Microsoft: Surface series, which offer a hybrid experience with detachable keyboards and run Windows OS.
• Amazon: Fire tablets, which are budget-friendly and integrated with Amazon services.

Use Cases

• Media Consumption: Tablets are ideal for watching videos, reading e-books, and browsing the internet.
• Productivity: With the addition of accessories like keyboards and styluses, tablets can handle tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• Education: Tablets are used in educational settings for interactive learning, digital textbooks, and online courses.
• Gaming: Many tablets are capable of running a wide range of games, from casual to graphically intensive titles.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Portability and lightweight design.
• Intuitive touchscreen interface.
• Versatility in use cases.
• Long battery life.

Cons:

• Limited multitasking capabilities compared to laptops.
• Smaller screen size may not be ideal for all tasks.
• Performance may not match that of high-end laptops for demanding applications.
• Potentially higher cost for premium models and accessories.

Future Trends

• Improved Performance: Advancements in processors and graphics capabilities will make tablets even more powerful.
• Enhanced Connectivity: Better integration with 5G networks and other wireless technologies.
• Foldable Displays: Innovations in display technology may lead to foldable tablets that offer larger screen real estate while maintaining portability.
• Augmented Reality (AR): Gradual increased use of AR applications for both entertainment and practical uses.
• AI integration: Upcoming integration with AI virtual assistants.

Tablet computers initially revolutionized the way people interacted with digital content, offering a versatile, portable, and user-friendly computing experience. With continuous advancements in smartphones and touchscreen laptop computers, demand for tablets has been decreasing. Tablets will not disappear from the market, but are not seen as a growth segment for the industry in the next few years. Our bottom line: skip the tablet altogether. Optimize your smartphone and laptop computer set.   

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