Ah the humble tablet. It's not quite a small laptop but it's not quite a large phone either. With upgrades and accessories tablets have firmly cemented themselves as some sort of mix between the two depending on how you want to use them.
They're stylish, portable and great for either home use as entertainment or as a work device. But do you even need one? Before you add to cart let's discuss the pros and cons.
Tablet pros and benefits
1. They're so light and portable
Tablets have the benefit of ultra-portability so you can work or stream TV wherever you want. Tablets generally weigh around one third the amount of a standard laptop making them nice and light for carrying around in your arms, in your workbag or carry bag.
Tablet screen sizes vary from as small as around eight inches to nearly 13 inches which is about what a standard small laptop starts from - so they fit in a lot of places where a laptop would be more awkward. They're a lot easier to pull out on a train, plane or in a cafe than a laptop.
2. You can get connectivity everywhere your phone can
If you opt for the cellular 4G or 5G version of a tablet it will get internet anywhere you can expect to receive a mobile network signal. This is really what makes tablets great for professionals. You can head out to a cafe or library without worrying if they have free WiFi.
It's perfect for when you have something to do that wouldn't be as easy or comfortable on a phone but where you don't need a full laptop setup. Plus, if you don't have a cellular version you can still always hop on WiFi anyway.
3. A tablet is more affordable than a laptop
These days it seems like having a home computer is compulsory. But actually, if you're only using your computer for web browsing, some email, Facebook and Netflix, a tablet might do just as well.
Tablet prices typically range from $100 to $2,000, whereas you're looking at between $500 and $3,000 or more for a laptop. So depending on what you want to use it for, a tablet could save you quite a bit of money, and offer more portability to boot.
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4. Tablets 'wake up' instantly
Most laptops generally take between 10-30 seconds to start up. However, the initial start up on a tablet is usually faster, around 2-10 seconds. Once it's turned on, a tablet can "wake" from a sleep mode instantaneously either via tapping the screen or at the press of the button. Nothing makes you feel like you're living on the cutting edge quite like lightning-fast tech.
5. They make excellent portable entertainment systems
Want to read an ebook on your long flight? Play mobile games on the bus? A bit of Netflix in bed? Sure, you can use a phone for all that but it's all so much better on a bigger screen. With a tablet you'll never have an excuse for boredom.
6. They're great for web browsing
Portability and fast start-up combine to make the tablet a first choice for quick web browsing, especially when you're away from your desk. A good example would be following a recipe for a meal. Set up the tablet in the kitchen, find a recipe online, and get cooking.
7. They're handy for giving presentations
Another great use is for running presentations. With presentation files on a tablet, it's relatively simple to share the content with a large screen in meeting rooms. If you're travelling around to clients and giving presentations outside of the office, they're a lot easier to lug around than a laptop.
8. You can give one to your kids
If your kids are begging for their very own computer or smartphone to play games, watch TV and just generally surf the web, a tablet could be the answer.
Tablet prices start low which means you've got plenty of budget options if you just want to give your kids something simple or are worried they might break it. If you get one without mobile connectivity you can give your kids a taste of the smartphone life without giving them a device they can connect absolutely anywhere.
Tablets, especially iPads, are now widely used and accepted by education institutions. Interactive education can be key to the tablet's success in the classroom, where children can engage with learning materials in real time.
Tablet cons and disadvantages
1. No keyboard and mouse
With advances in accessories, this is no longer a deal breaker. Sure, the tablet might not come with a keyboard and mouse, but it's easy enough to purchase them as an extra. If you're not that keen to type out a whole document using the tablet's touch screen - don't stress. You can purchase a keyboard to make it easier to type. You don't need a full-size keyboard either. Plenty of manufacturers and third-party companies make folio-style keyboards that fold over and protect the screen when not in use. It just bumps up the overall price of the tablet.
2. Low processor speeds for work
Although tablet devices can be very helpful for making presentations, they do have processor speed limitations when compared to laptop computers. Processor-intense activities such as rendering video, using complex spreadsheets, or image editing are not suited to tablets.
That being said, the iPad Air and the iPad Pro are rather impressive with their processing speeds. The iPad Air is powered by Apple's own M1 processor - the same lightning-fast chip you'll find inside some of Apple's Macbooks. Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro are powered by Apple's M2 processor - which is the same one you'll find in Apple's new range of Macs.
So if you want a super-fast tablet, you still have options.
3. Tablets tend to lack ports
Compared to computers which often have multiple ports, tablets tend to have a single USB-C port. This can mean you need dongles or a dock to connect other accessories such as USB memory sticks or memory cards from digital cameras.
4. They can be fragile
The glass screens on tablet devices are not made for absorbing heavy impacts. Tablets are moved around a lot due to their lightweight and portable nature, which means there is the likelihood of the odd bump or even a dreaded drop. Tablet owners often seek to add some padding to their device by using a protective cover or tablet case.
5. It's harder to multitask
Are you someone who usually browses the internet with 20 tabs open? Do you like having access to lots of great programs? Most tablets will have limited capabilities compare to laptop counterparts.
As with processor speeds, Apple is making some headway in this area. You've got side-by-side multi-tasking. Plus Apple has been able to bring Final Cut Pro and Logic to iPad. Although, Adobe's iPad apps are still somewhat stripped back compared to the Mac versions.
Data-only plans for tablets
To get connected with a cellular tablet you'll need a SIM plan. Here's a range of popular data-only plans from our database:
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#1
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ALDI mobile
$95 Data Plan
$95
Link not supplied
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#2
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Optus
$130 Prepaid Data Only SIM (Online Only)
$130
Link not supplied
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#3
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Telstra
$74 Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband Go
$74
Link not supplied
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#4
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Belong
400GB Data SIM Only
$70/mth
Min. cost $70
Link not supplied
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#5
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Tangerine Telecom
Editor's Pick
100GB Mobile Broadband Data Plan
$34.90/mth
Min. cost $34.90
Link not supplied
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#6
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Vodafone
Pocket WiFi 4 4G Starter Pack
$99
Link not supplied
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#7
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Aussie Broadband
Large Data Only 5G SIM
$35/mth
Min. cost $35
Link not supplied
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#8
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amaysim
90GB Data Plan
$60
Link not supplied
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#9
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SpinTel
Mobile Broadband 50GB
$28/mth
Min. cost $28
Link not supplied
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#10
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Southern Phone
Extra Small Mobile Broadband
$15/mth
Min. cost $180
Link not supplied
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If you haven't got your tablet yet you can compare options on a plan here:
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (4th gen) 128GB 5G Plans
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Telstra
Upfront Tablet Plan Small
$70.80/mth
Min. cost $1,673.80
Link not supplied
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 128GB 5G Plans
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#1
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Telstra
Upfront Tablet Plan Small
$59.68/mth
Min. cost $1,573.72
Link not supplied
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#2
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Vodafone
Small Data Plan
$63.02/mth
Min. cost $1,568.72
Link not supplied
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#3
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Optus
20GB Optus Choice Plus Data Plan (M2M)
$63.02/mth
Min. cost $1,568.72
Link not supplied
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So, why buy a tablet?
When it comes to computing, we're all spoiled for choice. Though desktop and laptop computers are still extremely popular, there are dozens of everyday situations where a smartphone or tablet is the best solution. They're fun, easy to use devices best suited to web browsing and apps.
If you're looking for something super portable but want the tablet advantage of a bigger screen, you might consider a plus sized smartphone like the iPhone 15 Plus or a foldable like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.
One of the areas larger phones are still really ahead in is their camera capabilities. So if you're a happy snapper who's not 100% sold on a table, a larger phone might be the best way to go.
At the end of the day it all comes down into what you want to do? If you want to browse, use social media, read books then a tablet may suit your needs. However you may get more benefit for more intensive tasks with a laptop.
| Model | Display | Connectivity | Storage | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad mini | 8.3-inches | 5G, Wi-Fi | 64GB, 256GB | $802 | |
| Apple iPad (10th gen) | 10.9-inches | 5G, Wi-Fi | 64GB, 256GB | $724 | |
| Apple iPad Air | 10.9-inches | 5G, Wi-Fi | 64GB, 256GB | $1,099 | |
| Apple iPad Pro | 11 or 12.9-inches | 5G, Wi-Fi | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | $1,647 | |
| Galaxy Tab S9 | 11-inches | 5G, Wi-Fi | 128GB, 256GB | $1,499 | |
| Galaxy Tab S9 Plus | 12-inches | 5G, Wi-Fi | 256GB, 512GB | $1,697 | |
| Galaxy Tab S9 Plus Ultra | 14.6-inches | 5G, Wi-Fi | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | $1,999 | |
| Google Pixel Tablet | 10.95-inches | Wi-Fi only | 128GB, 256GB | $1,315 |
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