Apple – iOS
iPad brought the tablet to the masses. It runs Apple’s own operating system – iOS.
As it’s designed specifically for Apple devices, setup is simple and it’s all-encompassing – you’ll get the hang of adding contacts, putting events in the calendar and scrolling screens in no time.
The software is updated regularly for the best user experience – its current version iOS 11.
Best bits
App Store: over 1.5 million apps available to download to your device, from Facebook to Netflix and more
iTunes and Apple Music: grow your music, TV and movie collection with Apple’s extensive library
Built-in apps: surf the web with Safari and find stuff you have saved with Spotlight
Sync your iPad, iPhone and MacBook: make a change on one and it’ll appear on all the others
Turn your iPad into a laptop: with a wireless keyboard and the Pages app
Video calling: use built-in FaceTime to call other iDevices
Multi-task withsplit-view apps: stream Netflix while browsing Facebook
Siri the digital assistant keeps you up-to-date on appointments and memos
Which Apple iPad should I buy?
Try the 128GB Apple 9.7” iPad. Its A10 Fusion Chip makes it super-fast. Whether you enjoy heavy graphic gaming or editing UHD video, this tablet is up to the job. And it’s light and durable for computing on the go.
Android
Google’s OS is designed to be used on devices from multiple manufacturers.
Google makes its own Android tablets called Nexus. But Asus and Samsung tablets are also popular Android choices.
There are loads of Android variants. Why? Because each manufacturer adds its own ‘skin’ to the design by running their own software on top of it.
Even with different skins you’ll still get the best of Google’s services built-in. The latest version is Android Oreo.
Best bits
Sync your Android tablet and phone: share calendars, contacts and documents
Google Now on tap: tailored sports results, calendar updates and traffic information based on where you are and what you’re doing
Google Play: browse over 1 million apps as well as music and movies
Essays and spreadsheets: work on Google Docs and sheets or Office for Android
Customise your home screen: with colours, layouts and widgets
Battery saving: when not in use, it goes into low-power sleep mode and apps run on standby
New for Oreo: Picture-in-picture mode, quick zoom camera, notification dots and Autofill for passwords
Windows
Designed for both keyboard/mouse and touchscreen controls, Windows 10 is an all-rounder – working on tablets, smartphones, laptops and computers.
Windows tablets work a lot like a PC – there are even 2-in-1 options that switch between laptop and tablet modes.
Best bits
Office apps: Word, Excel and PowerPoint all optimised for touchscreen
Sync with your Windows laptop: share files on OneDrive
Annotate webpages: use a stylus pen to make notes and draw on-screen
Cortana: a bit like Siri, but for Windows
Skype video calling: call friends or dial into conference calls with this handy tech
Windows Hello: log in with face recognition or your fingerprints
Latest from Windows 10: Storage Sense automatically frees up disk space and the Night light setting reduces blue light. Plus there’s 3D apps and 4K game streaming
Which Windows tablet should I buy?
The Microsoft i5 Surface Pro gives you the best of both worlds – it’s a tablet that's perfect for serious multitasking and creative work. To make the most of it, scribble notes onto the screen with the Surface Pen or add the Surface Keyboard to type laptop-style.
Decided on an operating system? Now choose your tablet
