Business or pleasure? That’s the question anyone looking to buy a tablet computer has to ask before making the plunge.
Surfers and gamers tend to opt for iOS and Android machines. But Windows tablets are often better because of their higher processing power.
”Even though Windows 8 devices are much more powerful than iOS or Android tablets on paper, they really haven’t established themselves,” says Michael Wolf of Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer goods tester.
The reason is simple. Apple and Google’s operating systems are better for tablets.
”Tablets tend to be better for playing or surfing because of the way they’re built,” says Wolf. ”Young users, more than anyone else, use tablets to consume media content that used to only be available on classic electronic communications devices, like the television,” adds Michael Schidlack.
Older users like the tablets because their controls are more intuitive, making them easier for beginners. Few users focus on word processing or creating spreadsheets.
”Every platform has its specific advantages,” says Thomas Rau of German computer magazine PC Welt. The strengths of iOS lie in the tight links between its hardware and software. It also has the biggest array of apps.
”On the other hand, Android offers the largest selection of devices, in a wide range of prices starting at 100 euros (about 130 dollars),” said the editor.
Windows tablets have the advantage that a lot of applications people know from their PCs can be installed on them.
”The Windows tablets were clearly thought of as productivity devices,” says Rau. They have stronger multi-tasking. An extra keyboard is usually included with delivery. It’s usually possible to connect more devices by USB, especially when compared to Apple.
”The Windows tablets are more PCs than tablets,” says Rau.
Of course, that makes them heavier, notes Wolf. Microsoft’s Surface Pro can weight about 900 grams, a big difference from iOS or Android devices, which only weigh half as much.
”Windows tablets also suffer in comparison to the competition when it comes to battery life, despite noticeable improvements,” says Rau.
Tablets with the slimmed down RT version of Windows are often lighter. Nonetheless, the brand is in a tough place on the market.
”Manufacturers have pretty much left Microsoft alone,” says Rau.
That’s because the Windows RT operating system doesn’t support many apps, even if Microsoft’s complete Office Pack is one of the ones that does work.
That means if you’ve got work to do, but can live without games and apps, then Windows RT might be better for you than Android or iOS.
The user interface with Windows tablets also takes some time to learn.
”The switch between the Tiles interfaces and the Desktop is confusing,” says Wolf.
A lot of Windows programmes aren’t optimized for Tiles, which means users are often thrown back into a Desktop environment. Android and iOS have no similar problems: everything is linked.
Rau advises to opt for Android or Apple if you want a consumer device and have no plans to use it for working. But anyone who thinks they will have a lot of Photoshop activity, or who uses other Windows programmes and really needs multitasking, might find a Windows tablet is the right choice.(dpa)
