Transcript
A Guide to Selecting a Tablet A tablet is a portable electronic computing device that has a touch screen. There are many uses for a tablet including access to the internet, electronic books, games, education and word processing. It is important to think about what you want to use a tablet for. This will help you to decide if a tablet is suitable and which one to choose. Some common features of tablets include: Camera GPS (satellite navigation) Internet connection (WiFi, 3G or 4G) Media player (music and videos) Apps How do I use a tablet? The most common way to use a tablet is by using your fingers to touch and move on the screen. All tablets have an on-screen keyboard which will pop up for you to type. Some people prefer to attach an external keyboard. If you find it difficult to touch the screen, there are alternative methods available. Please contact the ILC Tech team for more information.
What is an operating system? This is the software platform that runs the whole tablet. There are three main operating systems available on tablets: Apple iOS, Android and Windows 8 RT. They vary in ability to customise user settings such as screen layout, restrictions and accessibility options. The operating system will also determine how you download Apps onto your device. What is an App? Apps are programs or applications that are used on a tablet. There are thousands of Apps that cover different areas of interest such as cooking, business, news, art and many more. Tablets will come with Apps that are in-built or preloaded. There are free Apps and paid Apps available to download so it is worth doing your research by asking others and reading reviews. Some Apps are only available on one operating system, it is best to check which one if you have a particular App in mind.
A Guide to Selecting a Tablet The Independent Living Centre provides a free and impartial information and advisory service to help you choose the right product for you
What size should I get? Tablets come in different shapes and sizes depending on your preference. For example, if you have problems with your vision, a larger screen may make it easier to see. Consider how much internal memory or data space a tablet can hold. If you plan to store many photos and videos on your device, you may need one with more gigabytes (GB) or one that can accommodate a storage card (SD). How long will the battery last? Some tablets can last up to 10 hours however usage depends on factors such as level of brightness, automatic updates, WiFi and Bluetooth connection. What other things should I know? There may be ongoing costs such as mobile internet and paid Apps. Tablets have software and system updates which may change or add existing features. Some tablets are able to have the content backed up in case the tablet is lost or damaged.
Accessories Cases A case or cover will help to prevent damage to your tablet. It may however add to the overall weight of the device. Some cases have handles to make it easier to carry. Mounts Mounts can be used to position the tablet in different ways. They can be mounted to wheelchairs, chairs and tables via a stand, suction or clamp. Styluses These have a special tip to conduct a signal from your body to the touch screen.
