Buying Guides
Tablets Buying Guide

Tablet Guyer's Guide

Looking to buy a tablet for a loved one or yourself but not sure which one to get?

Look no further, our buying guide is here to help you!

Tablets are handheld devices that bridge the gap between computers and smartphones, making them conveniently suitable for all lifestyles. Whether you’re using it for reading, light work, watching movies and shows or as an entertainment device for your kids – finding a suitable device can be confusing with an array of operating systems, features and options to choose from.

Our complete guide will help you choose the best fit tablet based on your requirements.

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For book lovers

Whether you want a new e-reader or to join the digital book revolution, the charm and popularity behind these travel-ready devices are undeniable. Our top Apple, Samsung and Amazon Kindles range will be the best gift for bookworms of all ages.

E-readers like Amazon’s Kindle are explicitly crafted for reading, featuring compact designs, easy-on-the-eyes greyscale displays, long-lasting battery and house one of the most extensive electronic libraries in the digital space.

But if you’re looking for something beyond being a single-purpose device, for instance, if you want one for reading, watching videos and playing the latest games, then you’re better off investing in a tablet. The 6th gen iPad Mini is the most versatile tablet for reading, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A8 is a budget-friendly rival against iPads. Microsoft Surface Pro and Galaxy Tab S8 are the best all-in-one tabs for power users.

Best budget tablet for reading: Amazon Kindle
Budget friendly android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Best mid-range tablet: iPad Air

Top picks for kids

Kids are more technologically advanced these days with child-friendly tablets being one of the first few gadgets they come across. Whether you’re a parent looking to entertain the young ones during a long drive or want to have a piece of mind for a few minutes – you will need a mobile slate that is affordable, won’t crack, and has parental controls to restrict inappropriate content. At a glance, below are the best choices that are kid and parent-approved:

Best for toddlers with robust parental controls: Disney themed Pebble Gear
Best for school aged children: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 lite
Best for the whole family: Apple iPad Mini

For gamers

Most smartphones are great for gaming, and the same applies to tablets - they enhance your experience with their large displays, and some are powerhouses that can handle high-end visuals and graphics with zero to minimal lag. The Samsung Galaxy S8 series is the best android gaming tablet available on the market now, followed by the Tab A7 as a cheap alternative for droid fans. Among the Apple ecosystem, nothing beats the iPad Pro with the M1 chip as the most powerful gaming tablet. Lenovo P11 and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 are bang for your buck choices among these portable slates. If you’re looking for a versatile tablet, look no further than the Microsoft Surface Pro.

Best android gaming tablet: Samsung S8 | S8 Plus
Best overall: Apple iPad Pro
Best tablet for light and desktop gaming: Microsoft Surface Pro

For travellers and commuters

Ditch the laptop and replace them with tablets to stay connected on the go with the perfect travel companion that is lighter than your laptop but has a better display screen than your phone. iPad Air, iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface Go are great tablets for the digital nomads who are travelling, working remotely and require top-notch hardware with excellent battery life for all day use. The best value for compact machines goes to Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 and the iPad Mini.

Best tablet for travelling: Apple iPad Mini
Best 2-in-1 for travelling business people: Microsoft Surface Go
Best budget tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Tablets for artists and creative pros at Harvey Norman

For for artists and creative pros

Best android gaming tablet: Samsung S8 | S8 Plus
Best overall: Apple iPad Pro
Best tablet for light and desktop gaming: Microsoft Surface Pro

The all-in-ones for business professionals

Best tablet for travelling: Apple iPad Mini
Best 2-in-1 for travelling business people: Microsoft Surface Go
Best budget tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Tablets for casual users at Harvey Norman

Casual users – multimedia and web surfing

If you want to watch videos on YouTube, stream movies on Netflix, browse the internet, listen to your favourite songs or play light games - display and size will be your main criterion. The following makes a great companion for providing entertainment and being a family favourite.

Best for most people: Apple iPad
Best android tablet: Samsung Tab A8
Best compact and versatile: iPad Mini
Best value for a Windows slate: Microsoft Surface Go

Accessories

Our tablet and iPad accessory collections include universal keyboards, covers, replacement stylus pens, screen protectors and a large variety of chargers. The must-haves are a cover and screen protector to add a layer of protection and prolong the durability of your machine.

All tablets are touchscreens, and assume you'll use your finger as your stylus. Each is a little different, with various stylus hardware and apps available. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 are two of the best models that include one with purchase. Get the most out of your iPad Pro and iPad Air with the Apple Pencil sold separately.

If you lose something important for your device, here at Harvey Norman, we've got a wide range of peripherals for you to choose from as a replacement.

Features to look out for

You won’t get everything you need in a brand or device, but here are a few things to look for in your next device

Image of male hands tapping on digital tablet screen

Tablet sizes

A compact tablet is a light portable device that is more affordable and easy to carry. Medium and large tablets are better suited for productivity & multi-tasking capabilities

Storage

To future-proof yourself, it might be helpful to purchase a device with a larger capacity. Although with the availability of cloud-based storage like OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive and iCloud, local storage might not be a major deciding factor anymore

Battery life

As a rule of thumb, watching high-definition videos and playing games will deplete your battery life far quicker than checking your emails and the news. Tip: If your device is more than four years old, it would be best to upgrade to a newer model

Processing power

If you intend to use heavy software or perform specialist tasks like photo or video editing, you may benefit from a powerful processor

Screen resolution

A lower resolution will be satisfactory for general use, but a higher resolution is best for watching films in HD or spending time editing photos & videos

Internet access

Many models provide Wi-Fi as standard, but if you need to stay connected, you may want to consider a tablet with a SIM card allowing you to enjoy data and stay connected