Every tablet owner has been there.  You are frantically working on your tablet only to find that you are on borrowed time as your tablet’s battery slowly ticks down to zero.  Whether you own an Android tablet such as the Google Nexus, a Surface tablet from Microsoft, or even one of the latest iPads, at some point will you experience the inconvenience of running out of battery.  If you are a heavy user, you will find you run into this problem even more often.

Tablet batteries are designed to run for much longer compared to those batteries included on smartphones.  They are much larger and are designed to provide not only much more power to the tablets, much to provide that power for a much longer duration before needing a charge.  That being said, there are things you can do as a responsible tablet owner that will allow you to get a little more time out of your tablet while you are using it especially if you are running a budget tablet with a smaller battery.  This could mean the difference from watching your tablet die as you watch your favorite movie or being able to finish it with just a few percentage points left.

1.  Watch the Temperature

You have probably heard that your tablet doesn’t like warm temperatures, just like laptops or desktops.  But what you probably don’t realize is that your tablet isn’t all that fun of cold temperatures either.  Just like us, a tablet and especially a tablets battery prefers to live in temperatures around 72 degrees Fahrenheit.  When a tablet’s battery is exposed to both extreme heat and extreme cold situations, it simply won’t hold up and provide the same amount of charge to your tablet.  Continued exposure to these temperatures will also slowly degrade the battery and could even permanently damage it.

2.  Adjust the Screen Brightness

Your tablet’s screen is the single biggest power hog on your entire tablet.  The screens today provide impressive resolutions and brightness levels that make using a tablet a truly pleasurable and unique experience.  However, the brightness on these screens take quite a bit of power to run.  So, if you want to greatly enhance the battery power on your tablet, all you have to do is turn down the brightness on your screen.  This doesn’t mean you have to make it so dark you can’t read it.  Just reducing the brightness by as low as 10 percent can make a huge difference in your battery life.  Of course, the dimmer you go, the more battery life you will get back.

3.  Turn Off Push Notifications

Push notifications are a great way to receive up to the minute information from all the apps that you use on your tablet.  They are convenient as they can keep you from having to open your tablet and entering the app just to see the latest updates.  However, this convenience comes with a price.  It takes a lot of battery power to continually check all your apps and then push these notifications to your screen.  If you want to save on your battery life, try reducing the number of apps that send you push notifications to only those that you absolutely must have such as text messages, for example.  After all, you don’t need every single game you play giving you an update about what is going on every minute of every day.

4.  Don’t Drain the Battery Dry

Believe it or not, your charging habits can greatly impact the charge on your battery.  While the occasional complete discharge is good for your battery, regularly draining the battery dry is not.  It is best to begin recharging it when it is about 30 percent of your battery remaining.  At the same time, you shouldn’t recharge the battery when you still have most of your battery life remaining.  With the cell memory of lithium ion batteries, this can effectively reduce the overall capacity of your battery if you do it too often.

5.  Disable Location Services

Being able to use your tablet as a large screened GPS is one of the greatest tools you will find.  However, these tools use GPS functions that continually update your location with satellites and can present quite a battery drain on your tablet.  If you have multiple apps that use the GPS functions that all check on their own schedule, you can see how this would begin to suck your battery dry.  When you aren’t using these apps, disable the location services for the apps so they don’t waste your battery continually checking where you are even when you aren’t using them.

6.  Disable Widgets/Animated Wallpaper

Android tablet users will be most familiar with these options, although iOS now provides some fancier wallpaper functions that have the same affect on your tablet’s battery life.  These widgets provide easy access to apps, but run all the time draining your battery and the animated wallpaper forces your processor and graphics processor both to run constantly meaning they will be pulling more power from your battery.  Try instead of using just basic wallpaper and disable any widgets that you don’t find extremely useful in order to preserve the precious power in your battery.

7.  Shorten Auto-Lock Times

After a few minutes of your tablet not being used, you have problem noticed that the screen darkens and when you open it back up you are back at your lock screen.  This function is used for both security and power saving.  If you want to get just a little more battery power out of your tablet, decrease the amount of inactivity time on your tablet so the screen darkens and the lock screen comes on.  This will keep your screen from running longer when you aren’t using it reducing the amount of power it uses while also turning on the lock screen so your tablet is more secure, assuming you use some sort of password, that is.

8.  Close Unused Apps

While mobile operating systems are pretty good at minimizing the effects of apps running in the background, they still use a little bit of power – especially if they are running to push notifications to your tablet’s screen.  If you aren’t using an app, be sure you completely close it.  Windows, iOS and Android all provide different ways for you to quickly quit out of any apps you aren’t using.  This will not only reduce the amount of power you use, but it will also free up a lot of your system’s resources so it can run the apps you do need much faster.

9.  Make Better Use of Airplane Mode

Airplane mode essentially turns off all the various networking and connectivity features of our devices.  This includes wireless networks and any cell carrier networks as well.  However, you don’t have to be flying the friendly skies in order to make use of airplane mode.  Your tablet continues to check for networks even if there isn’t one nearby.  If you are traveling and don’t need access to any networks, turn on airplane mode so your tablet’s battery doesn’t drain simply by searching for wireless networks.

10.  Turn Off Auto-Sync

Chances are you have your email, calendar, and more connected to your tablet.  These features then sync to your tablet so you have access to the most recent calendars and emails on all your devices.  In practice, this is great.  However, it is hard on your battery life.  In most cases, you can specify how often these apps sync with their servers or you can even completely disable auto-sync entirely, meaning you have to tell it to sync.  By just increasing the time between syncs, you can gain some battery life.  If you turn it off completely, you will see the biggest benefits to your battery life but you will have to manually sync the apps before and after you use them to make sure you have the latest version across all of your devices.

Bonus Tip

While the above tips and tricks are a great way to extend the battery life of your tablet so you are guaranteed to get a full days use out of your tablet, for some it still may not be enough.  How much battery power you use also comes down to how you use it.  If you are playing games or watching a lot of videos you will drain your battery more quickly meaning all the tips in the world won’t help you.

If all of the above tricks still don’t give you enough battery power for your needs, you could always try boosting your battery life by simply adding a second battery.  For almost every tablet made, there are extra battery packs that you can buy that will either charge your battery while you are on the go or add a second battery to it to give you a little more life out of your tablet before it needs a charge.

Conclusion

Getting the most out of your tablet’s battery should be a priority for everyone, as its battery is its life.  By taking just a few, easy to do steps, you can easily extend the life of your battery much longer than it was initially designed enabling you to use it for much longer.  It is also better on the battery overall, so you can be sure it is properly cared for so it will last you for the entire life of your tablet.

Remember, it isn’t hard to practice good battery ownership, and with just a few minutes of your time you could quickly be on your way to truly getting the most out of your tablet’s battery.  This will allow you to use your tablet for longer between charges making it especially useful for those times when you have to travel with your tablet.

(And 5 Reasons You Should Not)

Despite the widespread adoption of tablets of all shapes and sizes, you are still one of the few remaining holdouts unwilling to loosen your tight grasp on your laptop in favor of these smaller devices that are currently all the rage.  If this sounds like you, it may be time to re-evaluate whether or not the time is right for you to purchase a shiny new tablet that you can take with you wherever you may go.  Of course, before you run out to the store and hand them a big wad of cash, you need to do your homework so you are sure that you are not only buying the right tablet for you, but also buying one that you know you will actually use.

Here at LaptopNinja, we have already discussed how you choose which tablet you should buy, but focus is rarely placed on exactly why you should buy one in the first place.  So before you head out credit card in hand to buy a new tablet from Apple, Samsung or Google, why not take a few minutes to learn exactly why you should be picking up one of these technology marvels, and while we’re at it we will look at a few reasons why you don’t need to buy one.  After all, we have to honest and fair about it.

Reasons Why You SHOULD Buy a Tablet

There are many reasons why you should be considering a tablet for your next technology purchase, especially if you are one of the remaining few who have chosen not to make the switch from a traditional desktop or laptop.

1.  Tablets are sexy.

You know it, I know it, we all know it!  Tablets are just sexy and cool to use instead of that big and bulky laptop that gets so hot you have to put sunscreen on your legs to shield them the second and third degree burns you receive every time you want to get a little work done without having to sit at a desk.

2.  Accessories Galore.

There is a truly staggering variety of cases, keyboards, mice, pens and more accessories that you can buy for your tablet.  These accessories can help make you more productive while also helping you create the perfect custom look of your device so you can express yourself while using your tablet.

3.  More Comfortable to Use on the Couch.

Laptops are often big and bulky weighing much more than a tablet.  They also get much hotter.  A tablet will let you stretch out on your couch and use it from almost any position.  A laptop, however, needs a nice lap to sit on and possibly burn in order for you to use it.

4.  Tablets are Great Portable Workstations.

If you need to travel for work, or just take your work with you to your kids dance practice, a tablet makes it easier than ever.  They are much lighter than tablets but feature much larger screens compared to smartphones allowing you to get a lot more work done than you could otherwise while at the same time not requiring you to carry with you a bulky laptop and power cord.

5.  Tablets Are Great E-Readers.

The world of e-books has exploded in recent years, meaning that today that new book you want you can pick up digitally.  These books are often cheaper when compared to their printed counterparts and you don’t have to leave the comfort of your chair to order it and start reading.  Tablets make great e-readers with their large screens and crisp and clear text and graphics so you can enjoy your favorite book with one device instead of having to carry around multiple devices wherever you go.

6.  Perfect for Movies and Music.

Sure your laptop can catalog and play your music and movies, however tablets just do it better.  There’s nothing better than entertaining your kids on a long trip than with a tablet loaded with music and movies and they are easy to take with you.

7.  Much Better Battery Life.

Laptop batteries are improving, but how many of you really get 8 to 10 hours of life out of your laptop?  Not very many.  Tablets, however, will last much longer (in most cases) than many laptops without needing a charge.  This gives you or your kids much more time to use them before they will have to stop and plug them in.

8.  Tablets Don’t Crash.

Okay that’s not really fair to say.  Tablets do crash from time to time.  But if you compare a crash on a tablet to a laptop, they are much more infrequent and much easier to deal with.  In most cases you won’t lose something important and all you have to do is open the apps again to continue.  Tablets usually reboot much faster as well, so it won’t take as long for you to get back to either your work or your play if something does happen requiring a reboot.

9.  Perfect for Meetings.

Tablets make the perfect piece of technology to take to a meeting.  Today’s tablets make it easy for you to take notes while you are listening to the presenter and, if you happen to be presenting, you can even run your presentation straight from your tablet instead of having to carry with you a laptop.  This is especially convenient for frequent flyers who need to present on the road but want to make sure their baggage is limited during their trip.

10.  Surf the Net Anywhere

The Internet has woven itself into the fabric of our lives.  Who doesn’t check something on the Internet at least once every day?  Almost no one.  Tablets are great for surfing the net and, if you have a wireless connection through your smartphone carrier, allow you to do it using the larger screen from anywhere.  This makes it so much easier to find the information you need, when you need it.

Reasons Why You Should NOT Buy a Tablet

All the reasons above are great and reading them you may think that you should run to the store and bring home a potentially expensive tablet.  However, there are reasons that exist that make buying a tablet the wrong decision for you.

1.  How Much Work Can You Really Do?

Let’s face it, the screens of tablets are small and even the keyboards you can buy for them are small making them more difficult to type on compared to a regular laptop.  If you are thinking about buying one to replace your laptop for work, you will not be satisfied.  Yes they are good on the road even for work, but as a main work machine, they still fall short.

2.  The Cost.

Most tablets that are decent quality will run you upwards of $300 or more.  That is a pretty good little chunk of change for a device that can’t replace a traditional laptop.  Heck, you can even find great laptops that are perfect for work for around the same price.  If budget is a big concern for you, you will do much better investing your money into a laptop instead of a tablet.

3.  The Games.

Many gamers out there are looking for new devices to play some of the best games ever created for entertainment.  However, you won’t find those games on a tablet.  Sure, there are some impressive games available for tablets that will keep you playing for hours on end, but if you are hoping to work in a little mobile Call of Duty or play the latest Wolfenstein game, you are simply out of luck.

4.  Tablets Don’t Do More Than Laptops.

The fact is that tablets don’t do anything that your aging laptop won’t do already.  Both can play (some) games, both can surf the Internet, download pictures, watch movies, and help you get work done.  In some ways, laptops will perform some of these tasks much better.  What tablets do offer is a smaller and more comfortable package to do that.  If this isn’t a concern for you, a new tablet instead of a laptop may not be the best choice.

5.  How Portable Are They?

Most people have smartphones these days and when you get right down to it a tablet is simply a bigger version of a smartphone that won’t make phone calls.  When comparing the portability, which one is really the most portable computer you have?  Tablets do give you a bigger screen, but essentially it is the same apps running on both.  So do you really need both a smartphone and a tablet?

Conclusion

While it is true that tablets are fun, sexy and a heck of a lot more convenient compared to their bigger cousins, the laptop, that doesn’t mean you necessarily need one.  However, a good tablet can be a great convenience and make it easier for you to perform both work and play from virtually anywhere, without having to lug around a bulky laptop and power cable.

Remember, tablets can let you watch movies, surf the net, play games and much more from almost anywhere.  In most cases all you need is a wireless Internet connection and you are off to the races.  They are more portable, much easier to use and usually come with far less headaches than a traditional laptop, and there is just something nice about being able to curl up on your couch and watch a movie without have to rest a warm and sometimes burning hot laptop on your legs to do it.

In the end, however, it comes down to how you will use it.  Some people simply don’t have the time or choose to spend their free time doing things other than parking themselves in their favorite chair with their eyes glued to a small screen.  However for others, including me, it has become a favorite past time and these days I can even work on my favorite tablet.  So its up to you, now you know how to choose the right tablet and why you should buy one in the first place, so hit up your favorite shop (ahem, TabletNinja) and pick out and order your next tablet that will become a mainstay of your technology collection for many days to come.

 

There is no denying that tablets have come a long way since the release of the original Apple iPad just a few short years ago.  Today, you can find tablets running Apple’s iOS, tablets powered by Microsoft Windows and tablets powered by Google’s Android operating system.  While Apple may have cornered the market on style and ease of use, Google’s Android operating system has risen to become the leader in the market with more tablets and smartphones sold than any other.

Unlike iOS, Android isn’t as controlled and regulated giving users much more freedom over their devices.  No matter what version you may have, Android is the mobile operating system for tinkerers.  You can customize it how you want it to be and even install apps to control and optimize the performance of your tablet.  From cache cleaners to CPU overclockers, there is an app that is perfect for you whether you are looking for something just to clean things up and make it run smoother or if you want to truly bring out the power of your system you can even overclock the CPU to run faster than you ever imagined.

Today, we bring you seven of the best free apps available designed to boost the performance of your Android tablet so it runs better and faster than you could have ever imagined.  Each of these tools offers its own unique take on cleaning and optimizing your Android and while some may perform some of the same tasks, installing a few of these on your Android tablet will give you access to a wide range of tweaks and cleanup options that can boost your Android tablet so you can work and play on a device that runs cleaner and faster than it ever has before. These apps are especially true if you bought a tablet for under $100 or under $200 as these tablets will have limited hardware power.

Rooting your Android

Some of the apps on this list you will notice require root access of your Android tablet.  Rooting is the process of allowing users running Android on their tablets or smartphones the ability to gain what is known as privileged control or root access.  While most apps don’t need this type of access to your device, some of these apps that allow you to perform some of the best performance tweaks to your system will require this level of access.

Rooting can be both good and bad.  It is perfect for users who want to use some of the more advanced apps that need more control over the system in order to function effectively.  However, it can bring a whole new host of problems as well as the elevated access can allow malicious software further access to your device.  In addition, you will have root access with everything you do, which could lead to problems if you make a mistake and accidentally delete something that you shouldn’t.

Unfortunately, rooting your Android tablet is not a process that works the same way on every device.  In order to root your device, you must search for the correct process for your specific device right down to the make and model.  If you don’t, the process could fail, or worse, completely brick your tablet preventing it from booting up entirely.  If you want to root your device, I recommend you begin the search for your device at Android Central, as they have instructions for rooting the device of many of the most popular Android tablets on the market.

The App List

Clean Master

Clean Master is an all in one tool designed to help you keep your Android as clean as possible.  Its Junk Files tool will clean your tablet’s app and system caches as well as temp files.  It also includes a boost tool, app manager and even antivirus software.  While task killing isn’t the most reliable performance boost, the app manager and Junk Files cleanup make this app worth your while.  It can also backup APKs as well and even move apps to an SD card if you need to free up space on your internal storage.  Most surprising is the antivirus tool, which scored highly in many of the latest antivirus surveys.

Download

DU Speed Booster

Another Android optimization tool much like Clean Master, DU Speed Booster can easily help you remove all the junk that you simply don’t need on your tablet.  It can remove app cache files and clean up junk files, and it even includes a one touch accelerator to improve performance and an antivirus scanner to remove any mobile viruses you may have picked up while using your tablet.  While the benefits of task killing are debatable at best, DU Speed Booster sill comes with a wide range of cleaners and its app manager make it worth a serious look for anyone wanting to keep their Android in tip top shape.

Download

CCleaner

CCleaner has made a name for itself as one of the best PC maintenance apps for Windows and even Mac.  Now, with their Android app, you can have access to this great tool on your Android tablet.  Like its big brother, CCleaner for Android allows you to clear application cache, empty download folders, browser history and other temporary files and this version will even help you clean your call logs and SMS logs.  CCleaner also comes with app managers, CPU, RAM and storage meters so you can keep an eye out on your tablet.

Download

SD Maid

You only have a finite amount of storage available on your tablet, making it more important than ever to keep your internal memory and SD card clean of old, useless data.  SD Maid is storage maintenance app designed specifically to take care of your storage.  It will remove unwanted or useless files and clean up widowed files and folders left behind by uninstalled apps.  It also doubles as a file manager so you can organize your files the way you want them.  There is a free and a paid version of this app and, while the free version will give you some great tools to use, there are many more features available in the paid version.

Download

CPU Tuner

(Requires root access)

CPU Tuner does exactly what it sounds like it does.  This app contains tons of settings to tweak your CPU.  You can overclock for more power or even underclock your tablet if you want to save your battery.  One of the nicest features it gives you is the ability to create different performance profiles so you can make sure your CPU performs exactly the way you want it, when you want it.  Remember to make sure you check what your hardware is capable of before trying to overclock it.

Download

3c Toolbox

(Requires root access)

3c Toolbox, formerly known as Android Tuner, provides users with a huge array of tweaking and diagnostic tools that you can use to diagnose and improve the health of your system.  The toolbox includes a task manager to help you kill your apps, backup or restore APKs, CPU tweaks, cache settings and more.  Just remember that before you begin tinkering with any of the settings you should do your homework otherwise you could do more harm than good.

Download

Greenify

(Requires root)

Greenify essentially places the apps you have opened but aren’t using anymore in a state of hibernation, preventing them from running in the background updating themselves and using precious processor and bandwidth in the process.  When you load the app, Greenify releases it so you can use it and then puts it back to sleep when you are finished.  Just remember not to add your alarm clock or messenger apps to Greenify, as they will fail to notify you or wake you up in the morning if they aren’t open on your screen.

Download

These seven apps represent some of the best tools available for Android that allow you to clear out cache files slowing down your system and even tweak the CPU settings to bring out a few more gigahertz out of them so your tablet is faster than ever before.  Try each of them out and see what you think about them.  Play around with them and find what combination of these apps works best for your Android tablet based on what you want to do and how well they work for your particular model.

Remember, each of these apps is available free of charge so there is no harm in giving each of them a fair shot to see how well they work for you.  I can almost guarantee that after you try these, you will discover that your Android tablet runs much better and faster giving you an even better tablet experience than you thought was possible.

It’s hard to believe that it has only been 5 short years since Apple introduced the original iPad and ushered in a new era of mobile computing like we have never seen before.  With the introduction of the iPad, an entirely new market was born.  Since that time, many different manufacturers began developing and releasing their own tablets to try to get a slice of the very valuable tablet pie.

There is no denying that tablets are most definitely here to stay.  But with so many choices today, how do you know which one of the best tablets on the market is right for you.  Whether you are considering the sleek styling and the “it just works” approach of Apple’s iPad line, an Android tablet with impressive customization with a mobile focus, or if you prefer something closer to how your laptop and desktop works like you will find in a Windows tablet, there are many key factors you must consider before placing your order and rushing to the store to make your purchase.

This list will cover everything you need to consider before making your final decision and shelling out your hard earned money for one of these mobile technology wonders.

What Do You Want To Do with Your Tablet

Tablets have yet to offer users an experience that can truly replace a laptop or desktop computer.  But, they have come a long way and with each generation, they move closer and closer to providing a full laptop experience.  Currently, the Microsoft Surface 3 comes the closest, but others are sure to follow.

Before you decide which tablet you buy, take a look at how you use your computer and figure out how you want to use it.  Do you need something just to surf the Internet and maybe check email from time to time?  If so, a basic iPad would work for you or even an Android tablet.  For users that want something to provide them with true productivity in tablet form, a Windows based tablet with a keyboard may be the right choice.

Your usage habits and your plans for your tablet must be examined before you buy otherwise you could end up with a tablet that sits on a table collecting dust as it simply doesn’t do what you want it to do or you could end up spending way too much money for features that you simply will never use.

What Operating System Do You Need

Just like when you are purchasing a computer, you have to choose the operating system for your tablet.  Currently, there are three main tablet operating systems available:

• iOS
• Android
• Windows 8

Just like the first time you chose a Mac or PC for your computer, your choice will most likely come down to your gut and which one feels right to you assuming you go and give the tablets a test drive.

Apple’s iOS is probably the most polished of all of the operating systems, but in true Apple style it severely limits your ability to customize it to your liking.  Android, on the other hand, offers impressive customization that is perfect for anyone that likes to tinker with their electronics.  If you are seeking a more traditional Windows experience that will be more familiar to you and offer you the best compatibility with your PC, a tablet running Windows 8 would be the best choice.

A Look At Apps

All of the major players have pretty impressive app stores today.  Apple led the pack for quite some time with the most apps and the most choice, but recently the Google Play store for Android has surpassed the App Store in the amount of apps available.  Microsoft lags a distant third as their Microsoft Store is the youngest of all of them, but it is steadily growing and all the major app players maintain a presence on all three stores.

However, from time to time, you will find an app that is simply not available on every platform and if it is an app you simply MUST have, you will have to alter your tablet search to include only tablets that use the store that has your app of choice.

Are you looking for a tablet just for mobile gaming?  Apple’s iOS or Android would be the best choices for you as mobile games for Windows still lags far behind the other two platforms.

Screen Size and Storage

In the beginning, there was only one screen size that came in just under 10 inches.  Today, there is a huge assortment of screen sizes including phablets that are around 6-inches and are both phones and tablets, 7-inch tablets that are easily held in one hand, 8-inch tablets that provide a good balance between the very portable 7-inch versions and the much larger versions, and then the big boys which are 10-inch tablets with screens greater than 9 inches.  Remember, the larger you go the heavier your tablet will get so if weight is a factor, you may want to choose one of the smaller screen tablets.

Screen resolution is also very important.  Different tablets come with different resolutions.  Remember, the higher the resolution, the better the picture will look on your screen.  The higher it goes, the more clearer your text will look and you will be able to view images and videos in much more detail.

Every tablet comes with built in storage usually starting at 16 GB although you will see less storage of around 8 GB on some budget models.  The more space you have, the more apps, movies, images, music and files you can store on your tablet.  The more storage you choose to buy, the greater the price.  Some tablets also come with microSD ports that allow you to expand the amount you have by adding a small SD card.  If you think you may need more storage later, you may want to consider a tablet that includes this port.

Color

While you may not think this is really important, the color of your device can be one of the biggest decisions you will make.  In most cases, tablets come in either white or black but you will find the occasional extra color here and there on some tablets.  You will be staring at your tablet day in and day out making how it looks almost as important as how well it works for you.  Try out all the available colors before you pick up your new tablet and be sure you choose the tablet color that you like the best.

Wi-Fi or Cellular

Some tablets come in both a Wi-Fi only model or another option that is always online by using the cellular data service from a wireless provider.  The Wi-Fi only models are almost always cheaper than the always on versions but can only be used when you have access to a wireless network such as your network in your house or some of the many free Wi-Fi hotspots you can find around town.  The cellular data option is always on allowing you to connect anywhere whether there is Wi-Fi or not.  However, the tablets themselves are often much more expensive and you will have to pay your wireless carrier a monthly fee in order to use the service.

What Accessories Would You Like

One of the most interested things about the tablet market are the staggering numbers of accessories you can buy for your tablet.  However, different tablets come with different accessories.  While some accessories such as Bluetooth headphones may be platform and tablet independent, other accessories can be specific.

For example, some ASUS tablets come with an impressive keyboard dock with an added battery.  If this is something you believe you must have, you will have to limit your search to ASUS and other manufacturers who make similar products.

When looking at the tablet, take a few minutes to browse the various accessories available for it.  Some of the most common are:

• Tablet Case
• Keyboard
• Stylus
• Speakers
• Headphones
• Chargers

Not all accessories on the market will be compatible with the tablet of your choice.  If you see an accessory that you feel you must have in order for your tablet to be useful to you, be sure it will work with your chosen tablet before you invest hundreds of dollars into it.  After checking, you could find that you need to make a different tablet choice in order for you to truly be satisfied.

Budget

In the end, it almost always comes down to your budget.  Tablet prices vary greatly from the budget devices that can cost from under $100 all the up to $1,000 or more for the highest end tablets such as the top of the line Apple iPads and the Microsoft Surface 3.  While you may love that high end Apple iPad, in the end it may not be in your budget and you may have to opt for one with less storage or a smaller screen in order to meet the demands of your budget.

One thing you definitely do NOT want to do is overspend.  Spending too much on your tablet will only serve to stress you out as you work to make ends meet just because you caught the bug for a new tablet.  Examine your budget closely and know how much you prefer and are willing to spend on a tablet before you start shopping.

What tablet you choose can be one of the most important technology decisions you make.  Depending on what you choose, your future accessories and other devices such as smartwatches could all be determined by the type of tablet you decided to purchase.  Before you shell out your hard earned money, be sure to consider all the factors above.

Finally, head to your local electronics store and give all of your favorite choices a little test drive.  This time could be very valuable to you when you are making your decision as you will quickly get a feel for how they work and feel while you use them.  For more information, be sure to browse the various tablet lists found right here at TabletNinja to find the best tablets for your needs and price.

Amazon.com doesn’t offer international shipping for most international countries – lucky for us there are still some sneaky workarounds we can use to get the latest and greatest tablets all the way from the US at bargain prices.

MyUS.com is a service that gives you a free US address to use, and even after international shipping costs and import tax, for most tech products you will still be saving as much as 30-40% compared to leading local retailers.

This is a tried and tested way of getting reliable tech products (with a much greater selection of more recent models) with a speedy 1 week delivery time and at substantially lower cost. We will be using shipping to South Africa as an example, but the following guide can be used  anywhere in the world.

There are only a few simple steps to follow:

• Sign up for MyUS
• Follow the instructions and get your postal address from  MyUS
• Open an Amazon.com account
• Enter your new US Address Amazon received from MyUS when buying product

Voila. You will then receive a mail once the package has been received (Amazon does free shipping within US usually), and can then pay for shipping to your country through myUS once they have received your parcel .  In your account they will invoice for the amount needed, and once you have paid your product will be on it’s way.

Here are a few examples just to give you an idea of what kind of cash you can save:

This is a tried and tested method that can be used to consistently get the latest tech gear imported and also save a ton of cash along the way. Note: If you are not in South Africa, you will need to check the import duty fees for your country in order to ensure accurate final costs.

For more information feel free to contact us with any questions and we’ll be happy to help with any additional info.