5 Tips for Choosing the Right Tablet for Streaming Media

Thursday, May 19th, 2011 at 3:43 pm

Since the success of Apple’s iPad became apparent, tablets have been all the rage among those who love gadgets. Tablets are made, essentially, to be miniature computers that focus strictly on allowing users to easily access media of all kinds, especially streaming media!

That said, there are certain questions to ask yourself when you think about buying a tablet for your media streaming needs. Not every tablet will be perfect for you, and everyone has different media situations. So, you should take your time in buying the tablet that is right for you.

Here are a few tips to consider as you start your shopping spree.

Screen Size is Important

First of all, think about the kinds of video you’ll be streaming and how much of it you want to see well. Will you be watching the video from the comfort of home or will you be cramped in a crowded train? In the first case, you may want a larger screen so you can set up the tablet on a table and sit back as you watch it. In the second case, you might want to hold it close to you, in which event it’ll be easier to have a smaller tablet that doesn’t take up too much room, but still gives you crisp images. Check out screen dimensions as well as contrast ratio and how the display works.

How Much Can You Carry?

Certain tablets are heavier than others. The iPad 2 weighs 1.33 pounds while the Motorola Xoom weighs 1.6 pounds. Sure, that’s a difference of.3 pounds, which may not be all that big in the grand scheme of things; however, it could be enough to change how you pack a bag to take a commuting flight across the country. Make sure that when you shop for tablets and compare them, you think about how much you can carry on a plane and whether or not that tablet would be okay for you. It seems like all tablets weigh as light as a feather in the store, but when you put them in your bag, that’s a whole other business.

Tablet Adaptability

Another thing you should look out for is how adaptable your tablet is to your busy life. You should look for a tablet that has great accessories and can transition seamlessly from your bedroom to the kitchen to your car without a hitch in usability. If you’re constantly on the go, then an iPad might be a better option that a lesser known tablet due to how many third-party companies have created accessories for the iPad.

Speed, Speed, Speed

Next, think about the kinds of videos you’ll be viewing on your tablet. If you’re watching sports, you’re going to want the fastest capable tablet out there on the market so you can keep up with all of the action. If, however, you’re after short clips or single episodes of a show, you can probably get away with having a relatively standard tablet, as even these will do fine. Of course, the quality of your internet service or network will affect speed; however, you want to make sure that your tablet can get the job done as well.

Talk to the Experts

Finally, check with the experts as to what they think about the different products out there. Read reviews of tablets online. When you visit the gadget store, explain what you really plan to use the tablet for and ask the experts for their recommendations. They’ll really know what to look for and they’ll be able to help you find the perfect match.

By-line: This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99@gmail.com.