Tablets

Thinking about adding a tablet to your collection of tech devices? Computer tablets are portable, with a screen larger than the average smartphone, and that enables you to enjoy games, music and movies, whenever and wherever you wish, without requiring a separate keyboard, mouse or monitor.

Selecting the tablet that's best-suited for your lifestyle doesn't have to be a challenge. Best Buy is here to help you weigh the options to find the best tablet for your needs.

A good way to start your search is to identify how you expect to use your tablet. Are you primarily looking to use it for gaming? Or reading e-books? Are you looking for an artists' tablet that will aid in the creative process, or a streamlined tool for business or analysis needs? Maybe you are just hoping for a handy device to monitor your social media feeds or to watch movies and listen to music. There are tablets options for all of these uses.

Next you'll likely want to consider size and price. The general rule is the bigger the tablet, the higher the relative cost. Tablets mainly come in three screen sizes: 7-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch, although there are smaller and larger tablets on the market as well.

You will also need to choose an operating system. Of the many available, the three that people are most familiar with include the Apple iOS, Microsoft Windows and Android. Most of the top-rated tablets use one of these operating systems.

Different tablets will best serve different people, depending on their needs and wants. Apple's products, including iPads, the iPad Pro and iPad minis, are generally considered to be intuitive and easy to learn, even if you're not already familiar with Macs and iPhones. Windows tablets are preferred by many people who are familiar with Windows computer software, and Android tablets, manufactured by companies like Samsung, Lenovo and Acer, give you lots of customization opportunities. Also, Amazon Fire tablets are very popular to use for reading e-books, playing games, or for watching TV shows and movies.

Once you've made your tablet decision, don't forget to buy the important tablet accessories that will keep it protected, charged and ready for use. Best Buy has a wide selection of options, including screen protectors, chargers, docking stations, keyboards or one of many stylish and functional tablet cases.