How to Choose a Tablet PC in 2014 (Part 1 - General Characteristics)

By today's standards your laptop is too clunky to be portable and your smartphone screen is too small to be productive. You've decided a tablet computer, right in between those two sizes, is something you need to try.
But where to begin? This multi-part series will walk you through some of the factors to consider when selecting a tablet computer.

Is a Tablet Right for Me?

Tablets, just like other devices, have certain pros and cons. Each person's needs and working style will dictate the device that will work best for that individual.
Many people think that tablets are for the casual user who's interested in browsing the web and playing games. That's true, but tablets have so many more applications; many of them professional. Tablets are used in the healthcare and medical fields, for transportation and logistics, as POS terminals, and in utilities, manufacturing, construction, and military applications.

Types of Tablets

Most tablets fall into one of four categories: slate, convertible, booklet, and rugged.
Slates are standalone tablets, like the Apple iPad.
Convertible tablets, like the Ideapad Yoga, have an attached keyboard and can be folded into various configurations.
Booklet-style tablets have two screens that face one another, like pages in a book.
Rugged tablets are for use in conditions where a durable product is required. Some applications include research, military, or construction.

Pros and Cons of Tablets

Tablets have the following things going for them:

• Portability - lighter and thinner than a laptop
• Connectivity - WiFi or LTE built in
• Compatibility - OS may allow for syncing with a phone or computer

Some factors, however, may push users toward computers or smartphones:

• Storage - some lack ability to expand storage
• Peripherals - some have Bluetooth keyboards; most do not work with a mouse
• Ports - some devices do not have the ability to plug in USB and other devices