1) Case

Cases are top of the list of must-have tablet PC accessories for one reason. Why? Because this is an investment that you need to protect! Tablets are designed to be sleek, which looks great but unfortunately means they're prone to scratches. When you're carrying a tablet around with you, things like keys in your bag aren't going to make it look any better! For the price you've already paid out, a few more dollars spent on a case is nothing.

Cases can even be multifunctional. Some examples include the Moleskine iPad case that doubles as a notebook. Or cases that can be folded back to work as a stand for those who like to watch movies on their tablet. You can even find waterproof cases – perfect for anyone who wants to take their tablet to read in the bath!

2) Stylus

Getting a stylus will help improve the way you use your tablet. If you're going to be using it for drawing, art, or even inputting realistic handwriting then a stylus is a must. However, many people choose to buy them simply because they feel more comfortable controlling the device in that way. The best news is that this accessory is very affordable!

3) External Keyboard

There's no denying the fact that typing on the touch-screen keyboard of most tablets is a lot more difficult than using a physical keyboard. Thankfully, there are plenty of tablet PC accessories that make typing as easy as on a laptop or desktop computer!

If you're going to be doing a lot of typing on your tablet then a keyboard dock is a good investment. Many of these combine charging docks with a full sized external keyboard. Just make sure you check your specific tablet manufacturer and buy a dock that you're sure will work with the tablet you own.

4) Camera Connection

Depending on the tablet you own, you may or may not have to buy extra tablet PC accessories in order to transfer your digital photographs. Some tablets come with a memory spot or USB connection, but others require an extra purchase. Apple, for example, have developed a camera connection kit that means you can upload pictures directly from your camera, ready to view or edit using various apps.

5) HDMI Cable

Last on the list of must-have tablet PC accessories is the HDMI cable. This is perfect for taking your portable videos, movies and presentations and displaying them on the big screen. Again, it's important to check the ports that come with your particular tablet model and buy a cable you know will fit.

The Role Of Tablet Devices In Presentations

Seeing someone reading a speech from a tablet is now a common occurrence. And more and more people are even connecting their tablets up to big screens to show presentations! Tablets are just perfect for this use, and businesses are really embracing them.

Using a tablet for your presentation means you can take advantage of the best apps to work on the presentation whether you're at home, at work, or anywhere else! When you are ready to give the presentation, you don't need to rely on the computers at the venue to work as they're supposed to, and you won't need to transfer your files. Simply hook up the tablet to the big screen and you'll be ready to go.

As for using your tablet as a prompt, it won't interfere with you delivering your speech one bit. Unlike laptops, tablets actually lay flat. They don't get in the way of your face, meaning you'll still be connected to the audience as you're speaking.

Take Notes

When you're in meetings or presentations, tablet devices are perfect for taking notes. If you're wondering whether anything's better than traditional pen and paper, then the answer is yes!

There are a few reasons for this, but the main fact is that you can input your notes into the tablet with a stylus in your regular handwriting. This means you can write just as fast, but once the meeting's over your tablet will read your notes and let you search through them! This is something you just can't do with handwritten notes.

Aside from the handwriting benefits, tablets are also extremely small and take up barely any space on your desk, in your bag, and in your hands. It's easy to grab your iPad and go, and you won't need to worry about carrying around extra notebooks or even a laptop anymore!

Stay Up To Date While You're On The Move

Many people in business travel a lot, and tablets mean that you can turn travel time into productive time. You can stay up to date with colleagues over wireless, and take advantage of the many different productivity and office suite apps available to help you work on projects. Better still, wireless internet access means that tablets can even be used to send data back and forth between employees and a central business database.

Tablet devices really aren't just for entertainment! More and more businesses are now embracing tablet technology as a way to streamline their processes and get more done with less equipment.

Gaming Is The Most Popular Tablet Activity

Take a look at any of the major app stores and you'll see that games make up a huge proportion of the most popular apps. Tablets are fantastic multimedia devices, and games are a huge part of what makes them so popular. A recent survey revealed that over 80% of all users use their tablet for games, making it the most popular function of a tablet computer.

If you're looking for something that'll keep you entertained while you're traveling or have a few spare moments away from home, a tablet computer is perfect. However, it's also a fantastic device for anyone who's really serious about gaming and wants to keep on top of the latest trends.

Online games services are also being produced for tablet computers. While many traditional online games use Flash, which devices such as the iPad don't support, many of the bigger online games are coming out with specific apps that mean their games function properly on tablets. This is a huge benefit for anyone into online gaming – you can keep up with your games even when you're away from your main computer!

Tablets To Replace The DS And PSP?

Another major question being asked recently is whether tablets have the ability to replace popular portable gaming devices such as the Sony PSP and the Nintendo DS. The latter devices are made by traditional console manufacturers, with only one purpose: to play games. Although more expensive, tablets such as the iPad and Xoom have the ability to play games as well as connect to the internet, download emails and provide a huge range of functionality in the form of apps.

The truth is that many tablets have fantastic screens for gaming, and processors powerful enough for a wide range of games already. This is only going to get better with time, and it appears that sales of traditional portable games consoles are already falling. The writing's on the wall: if you're really into your games, tablets are the way to go. Developers are focusing on this medium more and more.

The tablet you ultimately choose for games will depend on a few things. For one, the selection of tablet PC games available for your chosen device will have a huge impact. If you've got a specific game you want to play then it goes without saying that you should buy the device that has that game available. However, you'll also want to make sure you buy tablets with a powerful processor, and that have potential for future game development. Today, this means choosing between high-end Android Tablets and the Apple iPad.

What Do You Want To Use It For?

First things first let's get one thing straight – an eReader is just that: an electronic book reader. Although it has some extra functions, such as note-taking capabilities, dictionary, MP3 player and maybe even a basic web browser, it's still really only designed for reading digital books.

A tablet, on the other hand, is designed to be a portable computer. It connects to the internet, lets you send emails, play games, watch movies, or download hundreds of apps that do all kinds of different things.

So, when you're trying to decide between an eReader vs. tablet PC, bear in mind that they have distinct markets. The former is designed for people who really love to read. It makes the reading experience as natural as possible by using e-Ink (the closest you'll get to "real" paper in any digital screen). The tablet, on the other hand, is not as comfortable to read (with its more traditional computer display), but it can do a lot more and can display videos and color.

How Much Money Do You Have To Spend?

In the battle of the eReader vs tablet PC, the former wins based on price. eReaders are far, far cheaper than most tablet computers. Yes, you can get tablets for the same price as an eReader, but these are the lower end options with far less powerful processors and less impressive stats. For the big boys, such as the iPad, you're looking at $500 minimum. This is a lot of money if you're really not sure you need one!

An eReader on the other hand, can cost as little as $100 for even high quality models. They are simpler to use, and the battery lasts for weeks on end. As mentioned above, this is down to the fact that they're designed for one main purpose rather than many.

It ultimately comes down to the question: "How much do you love reading?" If you truly love it, or are planning to read a lot with your new eReader, then you'll definitely want a dedicated eReader. It just isn't the same reading of a tablet computer screen.

That said, if you'd rather have an all-round gadget that you can use to read sometimes, but you can also use for movies, browsing the web, emails and more, then the tablet wins the eReader vs tablet PC debate!

Interface: The experts are largely agreed that Apple's iOS works very well as a tablet and smartphone operating system. Things work as you expect them to on the iPad – especially if you've previously used an iPhone or iPod Touch. The interface is probably iOS's strongest feature, something that no other tablet operating system can live up to.

Apps: Next to that you have the huge app store. There are over 300,000 apps available to buy or download for free from the Apple Store. You can almost guarantee that when companies and individuals create an app, they do it first for the Apple Store and then for the other markets. But this doesn't mean Apple has the only notable app store – the Android Market is quickly catching up.

Android does have a major feature to its advantage when it comes to apps, however: it is far more open. The Apple App Store, by contrast, controls everything that goes into it. This means certain developers may rather create for Android, where more creativity is encouraged. And don't forget that Android still have over 100,000 apps available to its tablet users, and pretty much everything most people will need.

Hardware: There is one big difference between iOS and Android. The former is tied exclusively to the iPad, while the latter is open to a number of manufacturers to use. This means that the iPad and iOS are inseparable. There is far less choice when it comes to available models to buy, and also far fewer price options. But the choices that are available are all high quality, and there's no denying that the company responsible for both the hardware and the software has done an excellent job of tying them together seamlessly.

Android, on the other hand, is featured in the tablets of a wide range of manufacturers. From Samsung to Motorola, you've a lot more freedom to choose a tablet that meats your exact specifications and budget. This does mean you have to be more careful though. Some manufacturers have tweaked Android for the better, whereas some may not work as flawlessly and may still be based on older Android releases.

Conclusion

At this point in time, the iPad is still the most famous tablet available to buy. But others are quickly gaining in popularity. The open market can only be a good thing for consumers, who now have more scope to find exactly what they're looking for from a tablet computer. Many still prefer the Apple iOS, especially if it's what they're already used to, but it ultimately comes down to doing a tablet PC comparison yourself, by testing them out and choosing the one that feels right for you.

Do You Really Need A Tablet Right Now, And What Do You Need It For?

The first question anyone should ask themselves is whether they really need the latest tablet PC right now. If you're going to be traveling in six month's time and know it would come in handy then, perhaps you should wait until nearer the time to buy the latest technology. That said, if you do have a use for it right now and know that the current tablets on the market can do what you need them to do, there's no reason not to buy one!

Do You Have A Specific Tablet In Mind?

If you have a specific manufacturer in mind then this could help to make your decision a lot easier. For example, if you're interested in the iPad then you'll know that Apple releases upgrades roughly once a year. If it's been around a year, or a little less, since the last iPad was released then it may just be worth waiting for the newest generation.

Do You Want To Save Money?

One reason you may want to wait (though it's a bit of a gamble) is to save money on the current generation of tablet PC. For example, shortly before Apple released the iPad 2 they took a chunk off the price of the original iPad. Those who waited could cash in on the saving as long as they knew they didn't need the newer technology of the iPad 2.

Are You Waiting For A Specific New Feature?

If you're a bit of a "tech geek" then you may have a specific feature you're waiting for. One example could be that you've heard about the latest Windows operating system and know that it'll bring a number of specific advantages for what you want to use your tablet for. In this case, it could be worth waiting for manufacturers to start developing tablets with this newest operating system before you buy.

You Can Never Really Stay On Top of the Latest Technology

Ultimately, there is one huge argument against waiting to buy your tablet PC, and for buying the latest tablet PC of today: you can't keep on top of technology! Technology moves so fast that whatever you buy today will be updated, just like standard computers. Nothing stays still, so don't worry that things will change. As long as the tablet PC you're interested in buying does what you need it to do now, then it doesn't ultimately matter!

Why Choose A Student Tablet PC Over A Traditional Computer?

Still not convinced on the need for a tablet PC? Perhaps you need to hear some more about the benefits of using a tablet over a more traditional desktop computer or laptop. Although the latter already has the portability factor built in, it's still not as portable and easy to use as a tablet.

With a tablet PC you can get it out in lectures without disturbing the space around you, and jot down notes with a stylus in your own handwriting. When you get home, get the tablet to covert those notes to digital text so you can store them, search them and refer back to them at a later date. This will save you hours of time compared to manually writing down notes and reading them back to find the one thing you need!

Aside from this obvious benefit, tablets also mean you can look up information quickly (much quicker than waiting for your PC to load up) and prepare presentations to run directly from the device. Even better, they can work as digital book readers to help you store (and annotate) all those books that you'd usually have to lug around with you all day!

So Which Tablet Is The Right One For College?

You'll probably want to get a slate tablet (these are flat tablets, like the iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab) so that it isn't intrusive in class. You can lay them flat on a desk (or on your lap) when you're not using them, and they won't be disruptive when you are using them.

Beyond that, the specs you choose are down to you. If you already have a smartphone with a particular operating system (such as Android or iOS) then you may want to stick to that to help reduce the learning curve that goes with purchasing any new gadget. Unfortunately the iPad/ iOS may be out of many student's budgets, with no low-end options available.

Android, on the other hand, is featured in a range of tablets – including those that cost under $200. Although they may not be as powerful as the high-end options, they can still do the job of taking notes (though check the handwriting function) and connecting to the internet whenever you need to find a piece of information quickly.

If you're also going to be using your tablet for your music and movie collection, opt for the biggest storage size you can afford (and look for tablets with an SD or micro-SD slot for later expansion). And check that the app stores of your chosen OS have the kinds of apps you need.

Do You Also Have A Desktop Or Laptop?

Although student tablet computers weren't first designed as standalone devices – they were aimed more at those who were looking for a secondary portable device – the gap is quickly closing in on tablets and traditional computers. The Asus Eee Pad, for example, has a revolutionary Transformer dock that turns the tablet into a stylish and powerful netbook computer. This means you can use it as a tablet when you want it to be more portable, or more like a standard laptop (with a full size keyboard) when you need to type at your desk. In this case, there's no need to own more than one device! If this is what you want then the good news is that most of the big name tablets have full sized keyboard docks to improve functionality.

Choosing a student tablet isn't that complicated – it really comes down to doing a little investigating beforehand to ensure it'll run everything that you need it to. You don't need anything complicated or too expensive to see the benefits of using a tablet at college!

The Operating System And Apps Available

The main reason why it's so important to know a little about the operating system is that it'll dictate which apps are available to you. Although the Apple App Store currently has the biggest selection of apps available, other stores (such as Android Market) are catching up. The best tablet PC for you must have access to the kind of apps you're personally going to use, so check out the various app stores of the tablets you're interested in buying.

Other things to keep in mind about the operating system include what you're already used to. For example, if you've already got an Android smartphone then you may naturally choose an Android tablet to go with it. And make sure you try out a few of the various tablets to see which OS you find the most intuitive to use.

How It Connects To The Internet

Pretty much all tablets are going to be able to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, so you don't really need to worry about that. What you do need to consider, however, is whether you need to stay connected even when Wi-Fi isn't available. If the answer is yes, you're going to limit your choices by looking for a 3G or 4G tablet (and remember you'll also need to pay extra for a mobile plan to pay for your connection).

Extra Features

Are there any extra features you need from a tablet computer? There is no best tablet PC in terms of features. For example, one tablet may have two cameras, whereas another could have a USB port. The one you pick is down to what you specifically need to use it for. If you have no use for a low quality camera (which is all you can get with a tablet computer these days) then having a camera is irrelevant! If, however, you want to be able to slot in your camera's memory card then it's vital you choose a tablet with that function.

The Price!

Unfortunately for most of us, price is a factor into what we choose to buy. Tablets in general are more expensive than laptop computers. They're a newer technology, and they're extra portable, and this comes at a price. However, there is a broad range of prices within the tablet world.

Remember, you do generally get what you pay for. Lower end tablets won't work as fast, and they usually don't have access to the best apps. Tablets with 3G connectivity are higher in price, as are those with bigger storage options. The general rule of thumb should be to get the very best tablet you can afford at the time, reducing the chance of having to upgrade as your needs grow.

What Will You Use It For?

You may have noticed a theme throughout this article: the best tablet PC is not an arbitrary decision based on the number of features, the price tag, or even the most impressive specs. It all comes down to what you'll use it for. If you're a light user that'll only check your emails and surf the web now and again, then pretty much any tablet will do that for you. If, on the other hand, you know you want to play the latest tablet games then an iPad might be right for you. Unfortunately, you're the only one who can make the right decision for you!

1) They're Fast

When it comes to using your tablet to quickly look up something on the web, or quickly show your friend a few photo snaps, the main benefit of a tablet PC is that it is far faster than loading up a laptop or desktop computer. Although the apps themselves may not work as quickly as a more powerful PC, the speed of loading up the tablet makes it hugely convenient.

2) They Take Up Very Little Space

Not only are tablets some of the most powerful computers you can buy considering their size and weight, but this size also makes them the device of choice for situations where you don't have much space to set yourself up. Commuters tend to favor tablets over standard laptops for this reason – they're easy and comfortable to use even in the limited space of train or plane seats, and can slip into a bag or briefcase with ease.

3) They're Perfect For Meetings And Presentations

iPads and other tablets are now becoming a common sight in meetings and presentations. Unlike laptop computers, tablets are small and completely flat so they won't get in the way of you connecting with your audience. And you can easily make notes in your own handwriting (using a stylus), available to search through automatically at a later date.

4) You Can Write And Draw Directly Onto The Device

Aside from meetings, the ability to write and draw directly onto the device with a stylus is a huge bonus for anyone into art and drawing. The main benefit of a tablet PC vs. a standard computer in this case is that tablets come with this feature built in from day one, whereas computers require more expensive extra equipment.

5) They Provide A New Gaming Experience

The world of gaming is quickly changing thanks to the growing popularity of tablet computers. Games developers are now creating very advanced yet affordable games for the biggest tablets, and functionality is improving all the time. Most importantly, tablet games are 100% portable and mean you can keep yourself occupied when you've got any spare time!

6) They Take The Place Of Many Physical Items

Owning a tablet will help you avoid the need to carry around a whole load of physical items: books, notes you've made before, pens, paper and so on. You can use your tablet as an eBook reader, a note taker, a way to put together presentations and more! They will save you effort and space in your bag.

As you can see, there's no one main benefit of a tablet PC – there are many! It all depends on what you'll use it for, but there's no doubt that the tablet computer has found a firm place in the lives of many people over the last couple of years.

If You're A Teacher Or Speaker…

Owning a tablet computer now means that you can prepare presentations no matter where you are. You can also hook up your tablet to the big screen to show your listeners graphs, pictures, videos, text and more! No more relying on other people's computers, or lugging around a heavy laptop, to do the same job.

If You Travel A Lot…

A portable tablet PC will save you from hours of boredom. With batteries lasting roughly 7-10 hours, that's long enough to keep you entertained throughout a plane journey, or store your whole eBook collection without having to lug the physical books around with you.

If You Like To Keep Things Simple…

Although tablet computers are far from "simple" in the traditional sense of the word, they will help to simplify your life. You'll cut down the use of your laptop, won't have to organize your files and folders, download traditional software, or even use a regular keyboard! Everything is streamlined into one small and stylish device. It's quick to boot up and fun to use!

If You're A Musician…

You can now use a tablet computer as a portable music library. If you're the kind of person who takes requests or just wants to have their whole library on them without lugging around boxes of sheet music, simply scan in or purchase digital sheets and have your tablet handy!

If You Love To Stay Up To Date…

A tablet gives you the perfect way to keep up to date with your favorite news websites and blogs. Picking up a tablet and having a read is a lot quicker, easier and more fun than loading up your laptop or desktop computer for the same purpose!

If You're A Writer…

Tablets are perfect for taking notes, whenever the urge hits you. Whether that means jotting down your latest article ideas, annotating some research to refer back to at a later date, or jotting down a summary of a lecture you're attending, tablets help make this as easy as possible. And they're stored in digital form, meaning they're searchable later on!

If You Like To Stay Connected…

Tablets all come with Wi-Fi connection built in as standard, meaning you can connect to the web and emails while you're in a coffee shop or at the airport. But if you opt for a 3G or 4G tablet, you'll be able to connect to the mobile data network almost anywhere!

If You Like To Have Fun…

Lastly, the portable tablet PC is fun! No matter whether you play games, watch YouTube Videos, chat with friends over the internet or spend the night in watching movies – tablets can now do it all!