Tablets have come a long way in the past decade. What started as a niche gadget has now evolved into one of the most popular computing devices. In 2023, tablets pack more features and power than ever before.
Here are 10 compelling reasons why buying a tablet should be on your tech to-do list this year!
An Overview of Tablets in 2023
Before we dive into the specific benefits, let‘s briefly recap what makes tablets so great in 2023.
- Slim, lightweight designs – Modern tablets weigh around 1 pound and measure just 0.2 to 0.4 inches thick. This makes them incredibly portable. You can easily slip one into a purse, bag or even large pocket.
- Touchscreen interfaces – Directly interacting with apps and content via touch feels intuitive. Touchscreens allow you to navigate tablets seamlessly using taps, swipes, pinches and other gestures.
- Powerful hardware – Tablets today pack serious performance thanks to advanced processors and ample RAM/storage. Multitasking and using demanding apps is smooth and snappy.
- Long battery life – Thanks to power efficiency improvements, you can expect anywhere from 8 to 15 hours of battery life on a single charge with mixed usage.
- Versatile app ecosystems – Tablets provide access to millions of Android and iOS apps. You‘ll find apps for productivity, gaming, streaming, learning and more.
Now let‘s explore the top 10 reasons why buying a tablet is such a great idea in 2023.
1. Portability for On-the-Go Computing
Tablets are incredibly lightweight and compact. The Apple iPad Air weighs just 1 pound and is 0.24 inches thin. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is 1.34 pounds and 0.22 inches slim. These sleek designs make tablets super easy to take anywhere.
I can‘t even begin to count the number of times my tablet came in handy while commuting, traveling, waiting at appointments, and more. There‘s something so convenient about being able to pull out a full-fledged computing device from even a jacket pocket.
According to Pew Research Center data from 2021, around 26% of U.S. adults rely on tablets as their primary computing device. Portability is driving more people to choose tablets over bulkier traditional laptops.
| Primary Device | % of U.S. adults |
|---|---|
| Desktop/Laptop | 69% |
| Smartphone | 5% |
| Tablet | 26% |
Whether you need to get work done on-the-go or stay entertained during travel, the portability aspect alone makes tablets worth buying.
2. Natural and Intuitive Interface
One of the signature features of tablets is their touchscreen interface. On tablets, you interact directly with what‘s on the screen using your fingers. Tap to open apps, swipe between screens, pinch to zoom – common gestures make tablets feel intuitive.
I love how touchscreens create a more immersive, hands-on experience with content. Reading books, playing games, sketching art – activities feel more engaging on tablets compared to normal laptop screens and trackpads.
Touchscreens also enable clever gestures that boost productivity. For instance, you can quickly switch between recent apps by swiping in from the edge of the screen. Split screen mode allows resizing apps by simply dragging the divider.
The direct manipulation and responsiveness of tablets make their interface a joy to use. This natural, tactile experience is a major benefit compared to traditional input devices.
3. Impressively Powerful Hardware
Tablets pack serious hardware that rivals many entry-level laptops. Apple‘s iPad Air 5 features the blazing fast A15 Bionic chip that enables smooth multitasking and demanding apps.
Samsung‘s Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra rocks a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. The Surface Pro 8 packs 11th Gen Intel Core processors up to an i7. These specs mean you can run almost any app or browser tab without slowdowns.
In terms of memory, base models now start with at least 64GB storage compared to 16GB previously. Many tablets offer configurable storage up to 512GB. RAM capacities have also improved – the iPad Pro offers up to 16GB RAM for incredible multitasking power.
The displays have gotten better too. Samsung‘s Tab S8 series sports super sharp AMOLED screens. The iPad Pro‘s Liquid Retina XDR display hits up to 1000 nits of brightness. These technologies deliver vibrant colors and crisp details.
Thanks to these hardware advancements, tablets now comfortably power productivity and creativity workloads. The processing power enables serious work on tablets.
4. Huge Collections of Apps
Once you get a tablet, a whole world of apps opens up for you. The Apple App Store and Google Play Store give you access to millions of iOS and Android apps respectively.
Productivity – Office suites, email clients, cloud storage services, note taking apps – you‘ll have no shortage of apps to get work done efficiently on a tablet.
Learning – From language learning to virtual tutoring to coding lessons, educational apps help you pick up new skills easily on a tablet. Kids can benefit from fun, interactive learning activities.
Gaming – Game developers have optimized popular game titles like Call of Duty, PUBG, Asphalt for the tablet interface. Tablets are great for casual gaming on the couch or online multiplayer matches.
Streaming – The best media streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and more are available across platforms. Watch movies, shows and live TV comfortably on a tablet screen.
Reading – Book lovers can turn a tablet into a feature-packed e-reader with apps like Kindle and Kobo. Magazine lovers can subscribe to digital editions of their favorite publications.
No matter what your interests are, you‘ll find many apps that cater exactly to your needs as a tablet user.
5. Smooth and Intuitive Multitasking
Multitasking on tablets is intuitive thanks to features purpose-built for touch interfaces. For example, you can easily run two apps in Split View mode side-by-side. Many tablets also offer a Slide Over feature that lets you quickly move between full-screen and overlay window apps.
Picture-in-Picture allows you to continue watching a video in a small floating window while you do other tasks. Some tablets even enable App Pairing to quickly open two apps with just one tap.
Gestures also facilitate quick switching between apps. Dragging in from the left/right edge lets you flip through recent apps smoothly.
According to Pew Research data, around 57% of U.S. adults use tablets for more than one type of activity in a single session. Top combinations include:
- Watching Video + Browsing Internet
- Reading + Shopping
- Email + Social Media
- Watching Video + Social Media
Tablets empower you to seamlessly blend entertainment, communication, shopping, productivity, and more.
6. Your Personal Entertainment Hub
With their slim form factor and vivid displays, tablets are perfect for entertainment on the go. Since tablets are so lightweight, you can easily hold one comfortably for extended gaming or movie watching sessions.
The displays have also evolved to provide an immersive viewing experience. For instance, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro features a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with extreme dynamic range. This makes colors more true to life and enhances details.
Tablets position perfectly in your hands for gaming. Touch controls feel responsive whether you‘re in a console-style game or a multiplayer mobile game. Long battery life also means uninterrupted gaming fun.
Of course, tablets are ideal for watching shows and movies on platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Download content for offline viewing before your next trip. The displays and stereo speakers offer personal theater-like entertainment.
7. Digital Paper for Notes, Art, Annotation
Although physical notebooks still have their place, tablets offer distinct advantages for digital note taking, art, and annotation.
Styluses like the Apple Pencil transform tablets into digital canvases. You can sketch illustrations, shade artwork, or jot handwritten notes. Drawing apps provide digital rulers, layered canvases, and realistic brushes to mirror real art supplies.
Note taking apps make it easy to type, write, draw, record audio, and insert images into flexible digital notebooks. Powerful features like handwriting recognition, shape correction, and search help you stay organized.
Tablets also make annotation a breeze. You can directly highlight, underline, and add comments to PDFs and e-books. Compare this to printing docs and using a physical highlighter.
Paperless art, notes, and annotation aren‘t just convenient but environmentally friendly too!
Here‘s a nifty feature comparison between traditional notebooks and digital tablets for note taking:
| Feature | Physical Notebook | Tablet with Note App |
|---|---|---|
| Writing feel | Pen on paper | Stylus on glass screen |
| Organisation | Tabs, page numbers | Search, tagging, hyperlinks |
| Sharing Notes | Photo or scan | Export, email, cloud |
| Size | Fixed | Add infinite digital pages |
| Media support | Basic illustration | Photos, audio, video |
| Editing | Difficult with pen | Easy additions, changes |
8. The Modern Ebook Reader
Bookworms will love using a tablet as a feature-packed ebook reader. Apps like Apple Books and Kindle allow you to build a personal library of ebooks on your tablet.
Since ebooks are digital, your entire library is accessible without having to carry physical books. Hundreds of books can reside comfortably on a thin, portable tablet.
Tablet displays have high pixel density (sharpness) and adjustable brightness suitable for extended reading sessions. Eye comfort features like Night Mode and warm lighting reduce strain.
Ebook apps also provide nifty features not possible with physical copies. You can highlight passages, lookup definitions, adjust font size and style, and add bookmarks. With some ebook subscriptions, you can even share quotes with friends.
Going paperless is great for the environment too. By leveraging tablets for reading, you avoid the paper consumption of physical books. A single tablet replaces a whole bookshelf!
9. Kid-Friendly Educational Tool
Tablets open up a world of interactive learning and entertainment for children. They provide engaging, effective tools for developing skills and knowledge.
Robust parental control options allow managing age-appropriate content. Amazon‘s Fire Kids tablets come with easy-to-configure parental controls out of the box. Apps like YouTube Kids curate content specifically for young audiences.
Educational apps teach concepts in fun ways using games, videos, quizzes and more. Apps span skills like math, reading, science, coding, music and much more. Interactive input methods like touch and stylus make learning intuitive.
Tablets are also great for keeping kids productively occupied during travel or waiting periods with games, videos, and creative apps under supervision. Manageable size and rugged cases prevent damage.
According to research, kids who used tablets for learning scored higher on reading and math assessment tests compared to non-users. Tablets can give your child‘s education a boost.
10. Flexible Productivity Tool
With the right apps and accessories, tablets offer laptop-grade productivity. Physical keyboard cases turn tablets into nimble writing and emailing devices.
The Microsoft Surface Pro demonstrates how tablets can replace traditional laptops entirely. Its built-in kickstand and detachable keyboard make it super versatile. One minute you‘re using it handheld, the next you‘ve got it docked into a full laptop mode.
Cloud storage integration like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive ensures you can access work files and projects from anywhere. Document creation and editing apps like Microsoft Office and Google Docs enable work on the go.
Video conferencing apps like Zoom allow you to attend meetings or virtual conferences from your tablet. Add a Bluetooth mouse for finer cursor control.
So if you need a super portable work machine, tablets absolutely fit the bill in 2023.
With so many great reasons to buy a tablet, which ones should you consider this year? Here is a roundup of the top-rated tablets across different categories and budgets.
Best Overall – Apple iPad Air
With its latest M1 chip, the 2022 iPad Air packs exceptional portable power. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display looks stunning whether you‘re working or unwinding. All-day battery life, USB-C connectivity, and support for Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil make this the ideal all-purpose tablet.
Best Android Tablet – Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Samsung‘s flagship Galaxy Tab S8 rocks an 11-inch AMOLED screen ideal for graphics work and media. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor blazes through demanding apps and games. S Pen support, quad speakers, microSD expansion, and an ample 8,000 mAh battery provide premium experiences.
Best Budget – Amazon Fire HD 10
Amazon‘s Fire HD 10 remains a top budget choice with its hearty performance, expandable storage, and 12-hour battery life. The 10.1-inch 1080p screen immerses you in movies and games. Hands-free Alexa provides convenient voice assistance. At under $150, it‘s fantastic value.
Best for Kids – Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids
The kid-friendly version of the Fire HD 10 packs a child-proof case and a year of access to over 20,000 apps, books, games, videos and more via Amazon Kids+. Parental controls help manage screen time and content. A 2-year guarantee provides peace of mind.
Best Drawing Tablet – Wacom One Creative Pen Display
This entry-level pen display from the trusted Wacom brand provides affordable access to professional drawing tech. The 13-inch HD screen shows off your work in vivid color. The pressure-sensitive Wacom Pen delivers precise control for digital art. Great for creatives.
In 2023, tablets provide portable power perfect for work, play, and everything in between. Vibrant displays and intuitive touchscreens transform entertainment and creativity. Robust app ecosystems unlock new skills and productivity capabilities.
Whether you need a travel companion, kid-friendly learning tool, digital canvas, or laptop replacement, tablets fit the bill. The models highlighted here are great options to consider buying based on budget and needs.
With tablets more versatile than ever in 2023, now is an exciting time to get one and unlock new potential. Let me know if you have any other questions!