With the holidays fast approaching, you may want to consider a tablet as a gift for a loved one.
The increasing popularity of these devices for work and recreation makes them a must-have, especially if you love technology.
With so many applications available to download, convenient handheld computers keep us connected to the digital world.
Social media forms an essential part of our lives, especially during these unprecedented times. Consequently, tablets provide instant access to many of our favorite platforms at the swipe of a screen.
Therefore, we selected the best tablets on the market together with some handy accessories to make your holiday season a breeze.
What Is a Tablet?
A tablet is a mobile computing device designed for the user to hold in one or two hands. Most tablets approximate the size of a hardcover book and feel lightweight to use.
You can use a tablet for a variety of applications, from traditional computing to playing games. You can watch movies, listen to music, and store photos on your device.
The Benefits of a Tablet
Tablets have many benefits compared to traditional computers and laptops.
Portability
Unlike a stationary computer or a cumbersome laptop, a tablet offers the ultimate in computing portability.
The compact size and powerful computing functions mean that you can take your device with you wherever you travel.
Touchscreen
The unique glass surface of a tablet reacts to your touch. It represents a sophisticated breakthrough in technology that makes a tablet intuitive and easy to use.
Zooming in and out of a picture may prove easier than clicking a mouse, and the sensitive nature of the touchscreen allows for complex functions.
Discretion
Typing away on a keyboard and clicking a mouse proves surprisingly noisy. However, using a handheld tablet results in silence.
You use your fingers to navigate, and you can choose whether to have any sound effects turned on or off.
This function is particularly useful when using a tablet with social media as you can browse your applications in a room filled with people without making a sound.
Affordable
Tablets vary in price considerably depending on the brand and the computing power of the device. However, the average tablet remains less expensive than a laptop or desktop computer.
Most of us find using a tablet more convenient than using a computer or laptop so that the investment may feel less painful.
A brief history
Alan Kay sketched out the first concept of a tablet in 1971. From that point, many versions of the tablet existed, including its predecessor, the PDA.
However, when Apple launched its first iPad in 2010, the technology quickly caught on and continues to gain in popularity and sophistication.
However, when Apple launched its first iPad in 2010, the technology quickly caught on and continues to gain in popularity and sophistication.
The Wonderful World of Tablets
Technology may seem confusing to many. The trick is to understand how you want to use your tablet and weigh up each type’s benefits.
You may wish to use your tablet as a replacement for your laptop or use it for streaming videos on the go. Perhaps you want to use your tablet to download books and read.
Whichever way you choose to use your tablet, we have selected the best devices out there to cover various applications.
Additionally, we only looked at those devices displaying excellent customer reviews to ensure high-quality and good value for your money.
Recommended Read: What Are the Best Tablet Brands to Consider?
Apple iPad Air
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The [amazon link=”B08J65773J” title=”Apple iPad Air”] remains one of the very best tablets for your money with a sophisticated array of features and intuitive functionality.
The iconic, sleek design sits in your hand like a second skin because you won’t want to put it down once you start using an iPad.
The device’s power is exceptional as Apple continues to make its tablets brand leaders in the world of handheld computers. The iPad Air comes packed with technology that will make you squeal with joy.
The device has a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, an A14 Bionic chip, a 12-megapixel back camera, and a 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera.
If that isn’t enough, you can purchase the tablet in either 64GB or 256GB options.
The iPad Air comes in various colors, and you can buy a variety of wonderful accessories such as Apple’s Magic Keyboard attachment or the Apple Pencil.
Apple provides one of the most comprehensive libraries of apps for your iPad when it comes to functionality and apps. If you want to work with graphics or drawing applications, you can choose from a vast array of apps.
Additionally, social media remains at your fingertips with a touch of the screen to connect you to friends and family. If you like reading, the Apple iPad Air makes that easy for you with various reading apps to make book downloading a breeze.
The Apple iPad Air is the perfect holiday gift for anyone who loves technology. However, the device also represents a powerful workhorse for a wide variety of applications.
The bright side
Customers love the thin, lightweight build and the speed by which the tablet works.
Many users praise the device’s power and its suitability to complete complex projects and tasks, while casual users appreciate the ease of use and the machine’s social media capabilities.
The turn-off
A few customers found it difficult to set up and had problems with the fingerprint identity function.
Some users report that the tablet dips in and out of Wi-Fi, and they had to contact Apple support to fix the persistent problem.
Handy Accessories
We have selected some useful accessories to enhance your enjoyment of your new Apple iPad Air.
iPad Stylus
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The Apple iPad [amazon link=”B089NMJSCL” title=”Stylus”] with Palm Rejection is a must if you like to use graphics applications.
The pen features an upgraded 1.5mm pen tip for fine work. It offers higher sensitivity with no lag, offset, or breaking point when working.
iPad Air Case
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The iPad Air Case from [amazon link=”B08FX96H5G” title=”TiMOVO”] is a must to protect your iPad Air. The cover doubles as a convenient stand and comes in a variety of fantastic colors.
The front consists of durable PU leather, while the back is a hard PC cover to provide full-body protection against scratches and accidents.
The precise cut-outs allow for touch ID unlock, and the trifold stand conveniently positions your tablet for reading and working.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
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The Microsoft Surface [amazon link=”B081XQW8XG” title=”Pro7″] is a powerful tablet that doubles up as a laptop. If you like using a word processor, this tablet is the best one to use because when combined with a keyboard, it makes writing a breeze.
This bundle comes complete with a touch pen as well, which is particularly useful when working with graphics.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is an ultra-light and versatile tablet that features a 12.3-inch screen and a laptop equivalent Intel Core processor.
Consequently, the tablet is incredibly powerful and can handle any application that you throw at it.
The tablet contains a 5-megapixel front-facing camera and an 8-megapixel rear camera. The high-quality nature of the cameras makes social media and Facetime a superb quality experience.
The tablet also features a built-in kickstand and is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth compatible. The separate keyboard included in the bundle clips onto the tablet for effortless computing.
Additionally, the tablet runs on the Windows 10 operating system. You may choose from 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB options depending on your budget.
Windows 10 is a familiar system for most of us, making the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 an easy tablet to use. It is powerful and versatile for both work and social applications.
Powerful plus
Customers love the slim nature of the tablet and the dual nature of the tablet to computer functionality.
Users found the tablet versatile and portable, and many reports state how responsive and fast it proves. The touch screen is excellent, and the pen allows for comfortable work with graphics applications.
Bluescreen blues
Some users found that the tablet kept blinking out to a blue screen with error messages, while some found this happened several times a day.
Some reports claim that a hard reboot is necessary to keep the tablet working correctly to avoid error messages.
Pro Accessories
Your new Microsoft Pro 7 may benefit from some handy accessories to protect and enhance the tablet.
Screen Protector
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The handy Screen Protector from [amazon link=”B013SZIM6W” title=”OMOTON”] remains the ideal solution to protect your gorgeous new screen from scratches and marks.
The super-smooth glass surface is compatible with your stylus and comes complete with a guide frame and the necessary tools to install the protector.
The screen features a hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating to protect against sweat and oil residue.
Microsoft Pro 7 Case
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The Microsoft Pro 7 Case from [amazon link=”B07FDQYM4P” title=”INFILAND”] creates a stylish protective case to store and transport your tablet.
The extra back pocket allows you to keep charging cables and SD cards, and the case doubles up as a smart stand and pen holder.
INFILAND uses a durable PU leather material to construct the cover available in a selection of gorgeous colors.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A
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The Samsung [amazon link=”B07Q3T2RZF” title=”Galaxy Tab A”] is the perfect tablet if you like to watch movies on the go. And if you like listening to music, then this is the best tablet for you.
The tablet features a generous 10.1-inch touch screen with a full corner to corner high definition display.
Movies and music burst into life with superb Dolby Atmos surround sound speakers that create an immersive visual and audio experience.
The battery lasts for up to 10 hours on a full charge, and the device contains 2GB of RAM. However, you can expand the memory up to 512GB with a microSD card.
Social media remains at your fingertips with this powerful tablet, together with a vast array of great apps. The tablet uses the Android 9.0 Pie operating system and is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
The best soundbite
Customers love the size of the screen and the robust and reliable Wi-Fi provided by the tablet. Users report that the internal camera and video capabilities remain of the highest quality.
The superb sound and picture quality prove a highpoint with many customers who enjoy watching films and listening to music on the go.
Film over
Some users found that the Wi-Fi range seemed inadequate, which resulted in connection issues.
A few customers complained that Samsung support remained poor and ineffective, which dampened their tablet enjoyment.
A couple of customers claimed the tablet kept crashing and that the battery drained too fast.
Accessible Accessories
When you use your tablet on the go, you may wish to protect the screen and use a suitable cover to keep your tablet sparkly new.
Screen Protector
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The Screen Protector from [amazon link=”B07RM952ZV” title=”Supershiledz”] is a must to protect the large screen on your Samsun Galaxy Tab A. The high-quality, tempered glass screen protects from scratches and oils from your fingers.
Furthermore, the glass features excellent clarity and maintains the original tablet touch experience.
Premium Shock Proof Folio Case
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The Premium Shock Proof Case from [amazon link=”B07R22C4PS” title=”Soke”] is the ideal solution to protect your Samsung Galaxy Tab A.
You can purchase the cover in various excellent colors, and the snug fit case provides precision cut-outs to enable access to the tablet’s features. The case features a secure magnetic closure and shockproof protection.
Recommended Read: How to Clean Tablet Screens the Right Way
Amazon Fire HD 10
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The [amazon link=”B07Y762PMQ” title=”Amazon Fire HD 10″] is the perfect tablet if you love to use social media apps and read books.
You can use a wide variety of apps with the tablet, together with various video streaming services. However, the device remains the best tablet on the market for downloading and reading books.
The tablet features a fantastic 10.1-inch screen that is 1080p full High Definition.
The powerful device offers 2GB of Ram, and you may purchase either 32GB or 64GB of storage. You can also expand the storage capacity up to 512GB with a microSD card.
The Amazon Fire HD 10 offers power at your fingertips with a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor, a 2-megapixel front and rear camera together with dual-band, enhanced Wi-Fi.
One incredibly neat feature comes from the built-in Alexa feature that enables voice control.
The tablet is an excellent all-rounder with powerful apps and excellent video streaming capabilities.
Speed reader
Customers love the high-speed function and the slim, lightweight design of the tablet. Users found the device easy to set up and use with excellent support from Amazon.
The kindle app proves highly popular on the device, with customers praising the tablet when using it to read books.
Additionally, the tablet’s price point makes it a firm favorite for gifting, with many consumers buying their children the Fire HD 10 as gifts.
The slow down
Some customers found the tablet challenging to set up and had difficulty syncing the device with their Amazon accounts.
Some users found the tablet difficult to use when compared with older versions. The biggest complaint comes from regular ads that flash up onto the screen, with users unable to switch them off.
Accessories on Fire
Why not consider some handy accessories to use with your new tablet? We have selected a couple of goodies to add to your basket!
Kindle Fire Charger
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The Kindle Fire Charger from [amazon link=”B088LDW1Q2″ title=”Kabcon”] features a 5-foot micro-USB and USB C 2 in 1 cable. A spare charger may prove invaluable, especially if you travel a lot.
You can use the charger for various Apple, Galaxy, and Samsung devices, making the charger a versatile accessory.
128 GB Micro SD Memory Card
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The 128 GB Micro SD Memory Card from [amazon link=”B013TMNPBQ” title=”SanDisk”] boosts the storage capacity of your tablet. The card offers class 10 performance for full High Definition video recording and playback.
You can store apps and games directly onto the card to increase your tablet’s performance.
The Best Tablets Explored
The world of technology remains a wonderful thing and continuously changes to amaze us. The tablet is an integral part of our lives because it enables us to keep in touch with our loved ones at the swipe of a finger.
An entire world of invisible information rests at our fingertips, and the tablet represents a connection to the digital realm in the palm of our hands.
If you want a powerful replacement for a computer or laptop, then the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 combines the power of a tablet with the computing ability of a laptop.
However, if you love to read books, you may wish to consider the Amazon Fire HD 10 to give you access to thousands of novels for your reading pleasure.
Many tablet users like to stream videos on the go, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A proves perfect to view your favorite movies.
Alternatively, Apple remains the big name within the tablet industry, and the Apple iPad Air remains at the top of its game with superb functionality and impressive power.
When you look for the perfect gift this holiday, take a moment to understand how the recipient will use the tablet. Use our list of the top tablet gifts to guide you through the buying process and help you make the correct decision.
Do you have a favorite tablet? Why not tell us about it by leaving a comment in the space below.
Sean Kerr lives in Cardiff, Wales, and is a published author with over 10 novels to his name so far and still counting. As well as writing his next bestseller, Sean also runs a successful jewelry making business and sells his creations online. Check out more great tech gift ideas from Sean at BestSeekers!
