The Best Tablets Buying Guide

What is a tablet?

A tablet is a mobile computing device that combines the best parts of a smartphone and a desktop or laptop computer. It usually has more memory and power than a smartphone, along with a much bigger touchscreen, while being simpler to use than a regular computer. A tablet offers many apps you can download from Android's Google Play store or from Apple's App Store.

The major kinds of tablets are Apple iPads and Android tablets. Samsung Galaxy tablets are the best Android tablets on the market. Apple offers iPad pros and iPad minis, but manufacturers all Apple tablets itself.

What can I use a tablet for?

A tablet can be used for email, social media like Instagram or Facebook, watching movies on Netflix, gaming, writing documents, working on spreadsheets, and more.

Who uses a tablet?

Many people prefer using a tablet to using a laptop computer. And many find that having a bigger screen and more memory and processing speed makes these powerful gadgets more useful than a smartphone. This includes professionals who work in an office, salespeople who work on the go, students, and people who use a tablet from their couch at home.

What is the best tablet?

Samsung Galaxy Tab A is one of the best tablets using Google's Android operating system. Apple's iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad 2 and iPad Mini are also popular, but they are usually more expensive than Samsung options. Most people choose a tablet with the same operating system as their smartphone, so those with Android phones often prefer Samsung Galaxy tablets, while those with iPhones may prefer an iPad.

How much does a tablet cost?

Samsung Galaxy Tab A start at members-only prices of under $300 at Sam's Club. Prices are determined by factors such as screen size and memory storage. In general, Samsung Galaxy options are less expensive than comparable Apple iPad models.

Buy tablets at Sam's Club

Sam's Club is your source for Samsung Galaxy Tab A and S5a tablets and Apple iPads. We offer members-only prices on various screen sizes of both kinds of tablets and color options like space gray.

What Different Types of Tablets Are There?

There are two major types of tablets

• Tablet: This is a mobile device with a full feature set: internet access, Wi-Fi, social media apps, video chat, media streaming, online gaming, etc.
• eReader: An eReader is designed for reading, but it has Wi-Fi and internet access and many features of a tablet. However, an eReader generally will not have the speed or functionality of a tablet.

Some Android smartphone manufacturers like Samsung also offer smartphones with large screens that function like tablets.

What Sizes of Tablets Can I Choose?

Tablets are measured by screen size.

• Small: A small tablet has a screen size of 7 inches to 9 inches. You can find seven-inch and eight-inch screens on Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablets at SamsClub.com.
• Large: A large tablet has a screen of 9 inches or more. A good example is the 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab A available at Sam's Club.

How thick is a tablet?

The thickness of Wi-Fi tablets may vary, although new tablets like the ones you'll find at Sam's Club are thinner than ever before. Check the product listings at SamsClub.com for details about the thickness of specific tablet models.

How much do tablets weigh?

This depends on the screen size and the age of the tablet. Check the SamsClub.com product listings for details about the particular tablets you're considering.

What Will You Use a Tablet For?

Best tablet for school

The iPad is considered the most education-friendly tablet by online reviewers. Many classrooms have iPads even for young students because they are so intuitive to use.

Best tablet for gaming

An iPad or a Samsung Galaxy s5a provides the necessary processing power for online gaming with the top picture quality and responsiveness. Make sure to check the App Store or Google Play store to ensure that the games you want are available for the tablet you're considering.

Best tablet for media consumption

If you're streaming TV shows, movies or music, you may want to consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab A, as well as an iPad. A retina screen will provide the best picture quality.

Best tablet for home

This depends on your preferences and your budget. Get a tablet that will work well for the entertainment you want as well as the tasks you need to do.

Best tablet for work

Samsung is a popular choice for Android work tablets. Apple's iPads are also good choices.

Best tablet for kids

Adding an Amazon Freestyle subscription to an Android tablet provides a kid-friendly and kid-safe interface for the tablet.

What to Consider when Buying a Tablet

Operating system

Start by asking yourself the question, "Should I buy an iPad or Android tablet?" You probably already have chosen between iOS and Android operating systems with your smartphone. If you like your smartphone operating system, then you'll probably want to stick with the same OS for your tablet. You can consider a Microsoft Windows tablet as well if you have a Windows 10 computer you really like.

Availability of apps

Your operating system will determine whether you get apps from Apple's App Store or the Google Play store. While many apps are available in both stores, not all are. So if there are certain apps you rely on for productivity, or certain gaming apps that you can't live without, check the app stores first to ensure availability.

Do you need a stylus?

Stylus pens are not required to use any tablet, but many people find them useful when taking notes or using movie or graphic design programs. If that's your situation, check product listings to see if a stylus is included, or whether you'll need to purchase it separately.

Is it convertible or standalone?

Some tablets convert back and forth into laptop computers. However, even tablets that don't convert often come with Bluetooth-enabled tablet accessories like keyboards or headphones to provide flexibility.

Battery life

This is a key factor in making a tablet decision because you don't want to be tethered to a charging cord. Samsung tablets and Apple iPads often rate highly in battery life, but you'll want to check specific product listings at SamsClub.com to be sure.

Memory

The storage of your tablet is crucial, especially if you plan to make or save large video or picture files. Of course, most tablets offer online backups, but the memory available on your tablet also determines how many apps you can have or how many movies or TV shows you can download.

RAM/Processor

The processing power of your tablet doesn't affect storage, but it does affect speed. Check reviews for details on which tablet processors like Intel core processors or quad-core processors work best for the use that's most important to you - streaming, gaming, video chat, etc.

What Brands of Tablets Does Sam's Club Sell?

• Samsung: Sam's Club carries a variety of Samsung Galaxy Tab A, Galaxy Tab E and Galaxy Tab S5e tablets, considered the best Android tablets on the market
• Apple: Sam's Club carries a variety of Apple iPads, including iPad Pro and iPad Mini.

FAQ - Tablets

What is the best tablet for 2019

2019 best-of lists aren't final yet. For 2018, TechRadar listed several iPad varieties as the top tablet of the year. Samsung Galaxy Tab s4 was the top-rated Android tablet.

What eReader is best?

Amazon Kindles are consistently the best-rated eReaders.

Should I buy an eReader or a tablet?

Tablets have more features and more storage than most eReaders. Unless you prefer a limited feature set or want the cheapest possible device, then a tablet is probably your best bet.

Can I bring a tablet on an airplane?

Yes. You may need to operate it in airplane mode (unless you pay for in-flight Wi-Fi), and there may be restrictions on when you can use it. But if you download movies or TV, you can enjoy them and many of your apps while in the air.

What is screen time?

Screen time can mean two things. Generally, it is the amount of time that you spend looking at your tablet, smartphone, TV, or computer. Many tablets now offer apps that track your screen time for you. When reading device specifications, screen time can also mean the battery life of your device when it (and its screen) is in use.

What's the best tablet for kids?

Some manufacturers have tablets made specifically for kids, like the Samsung Kids Tab E Lite. Others use standard tablets but add specific software like Amazon Freestyle on the Amazon Fire 7. If you are willing to use the parental controls on normal tablets to set and enforce parameters, then any basic iPad or Samsung can work well for children too.