Top tablet features to consider for students

The rise in digital learning has made it important to have a laptop or a tablet for every student today. Today, they need more than just notebooks and folders. While a laptop makes more sense for a college student and those with demanding needs, the choice becomes a challenge when compared to tablets for academic purposes. This is especially true for school students or those with budget constraints. Fortunately, the market is flooded with plenty of tablets from various brands across price segments with distinct features. Some options are even touted to be laptop replacements. The best tablets make it easier to perform tasks like notetaking, storing resources, attending online lectures, and completing assignments. Tablets also offer portability, foster creativity, and help unwind at times.

Top tablet features to consider for students

While purchasing a tablet, it’s necessary to be aware of your usage requirements. When you narrow this down, it becomes easier to navigate the maze of the device’s specifications and features. Ideally, as a student, you would want a balanced performance and long-lasting battery that can give you the most bang for your buck. We will guide you through the top features every student should consider when buying a new tablet.

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1. Display and portability

Several tablets offer a screen size starting from 10 inches. This should suffice for reading, attending lectures, and entertainment. It also makes the tablet easier to carry around and fit inside your bag without becoming too bulky. However, if you want to do editing projects, it makes sense to opt for a higher display size beyond 11 inches, as it will give a larger screen estate and also let you multitask. 

A Full HD display resolution is the bare minimum in tablets today. This ensures that text, images, and videos appear sharp and clear. Higher resolutions beyond this provide an even better reading and visual experience, aiding students in visual and design projects. Tablets with a refresh rate of 90Hz and higher also offer a smoother usage experience across the OS and apps. 

2. Battery life

This is an important and non-negotiable parameter to consider. You wouldn’t want your tablet to give up in the middle of a study session. A tablet should easily last 8 to 10 hours on a single charge for uninterrupted learning without having to plug in the power adapter. Battery life should also be complemented by faster charging that can refuel the device fully within an hour or two. 

3. Accessories

Along with touch functionality, tablets are also compatible with a stylus pen and a Bluetooth keyboard. For those who take a lot of notes, draw illustrations or diagrams, stylus support is a must. The accessory is mostly sold separately and also comes in handy while editing photos and videos. A detachable wireless keyboard is another vital accessory that can transform the tablet into a laptop. It allows you to perform any writing-related work effortlessly. 

4. Hardware

A processor is the main component that powers the device and lets you do various things. Budget tablets come with a decent chip that is ideal for everyday tasks like reading, surfing the web, etc. Mid-range tablets under Rs 35,000 offer superior multitasking and speed without any lag. Meanwhile, premium tablets beyond Rs 50,000, especially Apple’s iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tab S-series, pack a powerful performance and are often tailored for demanding needs. 

Minimum 6GB of RAM is the norm for any tablet in the market today to ensure smoother performance. You should look for at least 128GB base storage if your usage and requirements include tons of class notes, e-books, and apps. A support for a dedicated microSD card slot offers flexibility. Another way to overcome on-device storage issues is to opt for cloud storage services. 

5. Connectivity and software

Tablets are offered in both Wi-Fi-only and cellular versions. The latter is even better for students who require internet access everywhere. Users should also consider the operating system of the tablet. Apple’s iPadOS and Android tablets have their own set of features and offer seamless integration with devices that run on the same OS. Students should also ensure that the tablet they choose supports the apps and tools that they plan to use the most. 

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Choosing the right tablet can enhance the learning experience. Prioritising the above features will make it a dependable academic companion.