Best Buy Computer Tablets

Computers are an essential part of modern day life, whether you're shopping on your laptop, getting work done on a desktop, or watching funny cat videos on your tablet (because everybody needs more funny cat videos in their lives). For the best deals on computers in Canada, Best Buy is the first place most people think of, and for good reason. Take our huge selection of computers and accessories, sprinkle in some incredible sales and deals, and you've got the ideal destination for picking up your next computing device.

best buy computer tablets

Tablets hit the sweet spot between form and functionality. They're small enough to fit into your bag, but have enough screen real estate to provide an enjoyable experience for watching videos and reading eBooks or articles. Some models are basically laptops in tablet form, complete with laptop-grade hardware and operating systems (like Windows 10). Simply connect a keyboard (and maybe a mouse or stylus) and you've got fully-functioning computer in a package that's compact enough to carry around everywhere you go.

If you prefer to use your computer while sitting at your desk or need to do some heavy-duty work, a desktop computer is the way to go. You can get great computer hardware for a reasonable price, and PCs are upgradeable so you can swap out a processor or boost the memory if you feel the need. Some desktops are designed for specific uses: a gaming PC features high-octane hardware that can handle graphics-heavy games, while a mini PC includes budget-friendly, customizable components that are perfect for a variety of uses.

Once you've decided which type of computer meets your needs, you can start looking for add-ons and accessories that'll enhance the experience. If you want bigger visuals, pick up a monitor and get all the screen you need. Networking components, like wireless routers, are essential for creating a Wi-Fi hotspot so you can keep your laptop or tablet supplied with a strong wireless signal throughout the house. Printers allow you to produce important documents, and some multifunction models can also scan and make copies. Need to carry your laptop around? Pick up a laptop bag or case so it can be a constant companion throughout your busy day.

There are countless tablets on the market, but which one is right for you? Whether you're eyeing an iPad or one of the many Android models available, we detail the key factors you need to consider when shopping, along with some of the top-rated tablets we've tested.

You should enjoy the Fire HD 8 if you want a budget-friendly device with a larger screen than your phone. It doesn't compete with high-end iPads or Android tablets on performance metrics, but it's more than fast enough for casual use.

Broadly, Android tablets make great media players, ebook readers, and kids' devices (if you want a tablet specifically for children, check out our story on the best kids' tablets), but they rarely compete with iPads when it comes to versatility and performance.

Google's Android OS gives you a choice of hardware from several different manufacturers and offers maximum customization, a top-notch notification system, fast and smooth web browsing, and seamless integration with Google applications such as Gmail, Google Maps, and Meet for video chat. Android also includes support for multiple user profiles, so you can share your tablet with a friend or family member. (Apple's Family Sharing works the other way around, giving multiple people access to shared data and services.) That said, most Android tablets ship with an older version of the OS and few get updates.

What's a tablet without quality apps? If you want third-party apps that work with a touch-screen interface, nothing beats the iPad's massive library of programs and games. The App Store is well curated and monitored, offers a deep selection, and includes every popular app in existence. Apple is your best bet if a wide range of compelling apps that look good and work well on your tablet is your main priority. For more, see the best iPad apps and the best Apple Arcade Games.

Android has made great strides in app selection, but it's still not home to as many as Apple offers. It's tough to say exactly how many tablet-optimized Android apps are available, but it's far fewer than on the iPad. You can use Android phone apps of course, which look decent on a 7-inch tablet, but less so on a 9- or 10-inch device. Check out the best Android apps for our top picks.

Amazon tablets don't have access to the Google Play store, so they work with considerably fewer apps. Plenty of people have hacked the Play store onto Amazon tablets, but that violates both Amazon's and Google's terms of service and isn't a reliable solution. With these tablets, you should likely stick with the subset of apps that Amazon considers appropriate.

We consider 7- and 8-inch tablets as small-screen devices and 9-inch tablets as the start of the large-screen category. Apple's iPads, Amazon's Fire tablets, and Samsung's slates all come in small- and large-screen versions. And more than ever, big phones blur the distinction between what is and isn't a tablet. Folding phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 can easily do double duty as tablets if you're willing to pay a hefty premium.

Cloud (off-device) storage is an option for many tablets (Amazon Cloud Storage for Fire tablets, iCloud for iPads, Google Drive for Android tablets), but when it comes to onboard storage, more is always better. All those apps; your local music, video, and photo libraries; and system updates can take up a lot of space. Some Android tablets feature a microSD slot for additional storage, but it's worth noting some apps won't work from those external cards. 041b061a72