10 tips for choosing a tablet for a child

Screen resolution is the most important criterion for a child of any age. 4-5 year olds will be interested in watching large bright pictures, and older children will be able to play a variety of games.At the same time, parents usually worry about whether the use of the device is harmful to the eyes.

The more pixels on the tablet screen, the better the image will look and less grain (noise) will appear. It is recommended to choose a high screen resolution according to the age of the child. For example, there are 7-inch tablets with 1280x720 or 2048x1536 pixels. The resolution of 800x600 is already outdated and is suitable only for very small children. No iron and a bright shell will help the tablet if the image quality is low. In addition to the number of pixels, there are 3 types of matrix that affect the image:

First appeared TN, it can still be found in inexpensive Chinese tablets. The picture is clear and colorful, but not as bright as more modern options. Suitable for children from 4 to 6 years old, it will perfectly cope with large images.

The most popular is considered IPSwhich is used by almost all manufacturers. It gives a wide viewing angle - no matter how the child twists the device, the image will always be visible. Suitable for children from 4 to 10 years old who spend a lot of time on the tablet.

Matrix Amoled works on LEDs. A huge plus is the lack of blinking, each pixel displays its own color and instantly responds to user actions. Such screens are the least harmful to vision, but they are also expensive.

On the market, there are mainly tablets on 3 platforms: Windows, iOS and Android (including those developed on its basis). The interface, the number of free applications and programs, ease of use and even security depend on it.Each system has strengths and weaknesses, so parents need to take into account the preferences of the child:

The most popular is Android, which is installed on tablets of any price category from most manufacturers. It is considered optimal for children from 7 to 10 years old due to the huge number of free applications. The child will have access to the Play Market with thousands of games. Parental controls don't always work as they should, skipping apps inappropriate for age.

Apple releases its gadgets only on the iOS system, which is considered elite. It quickly responds to user actions, has a beautiful interface, and hangs very rarely. However, the cost of such tablets (especially new ones) reaches several tens of thousands of rubles, the price of accessories is also overpriced.

Many people probably know about the Windows operating system. It is very easy to use and perfect for children 4, 5, 6 years old. They are not yet as active in launching free apps (of which Windows has few) and infrequently turn on the browser. The main weakness of the system is viruses, which are easy to pick up even with the current parental control.

Tablets for children are equipped with powerful processors, because all bright and interesting games are very demanding on hardware. A device without entertainment for a child of any age will quickly cease to be attractive.Judging by the reviews of parents, he also does not need the most powerful gadget: such devices are intended for professional artists and photographers, not children. All processors can be divided into 3 categories according to the number of cores:

2 cores. This processor is suitable for children 4, 5, maximum 6 years. They are able to run cartoons of not the highest quality, download any pictures and simple 2D games. 2-core processors are already considered obsolete, so such devices are quite cheap. In the reviews, parents say that the tablet is enough for a year or two, then you need to buy a more powerful model.

4 cores. These tablets are best suited for children. They are able to run most games, download long movies, open multiple browser tabs. Suitable for children 6, 7, 10 years old and even above. The cost of such tablets is slightly more than the previous ones, but they will also last much longer.

From 6 cores. Such tablets are considered devices for adults, they download heavy programs and games with any requirements. The device costs a lot of money because of its capacities, which a small child does not use. May be suitable for children who are seriously interested in drawing and working in programs like Photoshop.

RAM stores information that the child can use at any time. It affects the speed of the tablet, the number of freezes and application loading time. The more tabs a child opens, the more memory is used. Children are often impatient, so a slow tablet only frustrates them.In order for the browser, games, music, movies and pictures to load in seconds, you need to buy a device with enough memory. There are a huge number of options on the market, but three are most often chosen for children's tablets:

1 gigabyte. The minimum value is suitable for children 4-5 years old. This amount of memory is enough to download one simple game, watch small cartoons, play music in the background. These tablets are inexpensive, you can buy a device for a couple of years, then replace it with a modern one.

2 gigabytes. Most often found on tablets, it is perfect for a child who does not download heavy 3D games. 2 GB is enough for a comfortable Internet search, launching several applications, watching heavy movies and cartoons. These tablets are more expensive, but remain relevant longer. Apple has good options, you can find decent deals with other operating systems.

3 gigabytes. Allows you to open any number of applications and comfortably include most games. This amount of memory requires a wide screen to display the brilliance and detail of movies and photos. The cost of tablets is high, but the child will be delighted. Gadgets with even more memory are designed for adults working with heavy programs, and children do not need them.

The standard tablet weight is 500-600 grams, it is suitable for children 6-10 years old. For adults, wide-format options of 700 g or more have been developed. For small children, it is recommended to take a device up to 300 g. Even with a case, the weight will not exceed 400 grams, which is perfect for walking with a tablet or watching long cartoons.In many ways, the feeling of the gadget in the hands depends on the diagonal of the screen:

7 inches. The smallest tablets are perfect for a child of 4-5 years old, and also as a pocket device. They usually have weak hardware, but are able to run simple applications. For example, educational games suggest that children use the tablet as a steering wheel or a map, so light weight is a big advantage.

8 inches. These tablets weigh about 400 g. They fit better speakers and more powerful hardware. Apple has fast tablets that are relatively inexpensive. However, not all films can be watched comfortably: black bars will remain above and below, since the resolution is considered non-standard.

9.7 inches. Ideal for children 7-10 years old who love to run games and surf the Internet. On such a screen, you can see the smallest details, and the weight is about 500 g.

From 10 inches. Such tablets can be called portable computers, since the large screen and powerful processor allow you to use them to the maximum. However, it is difficult for children to hold a device weighing more than 700 g, their hands will quickly get tired.

Without going into technical details, we can say that the battery is a small part in the tablet, on which the operating time of the device depends. There are several parameters to pay attention to:

Capacity. In tablets of average cost, a 5000-6000 mAh battery is installed. In stronger versions, the capacity reaches 10,000-12,000 mAh. At the same time, it is impossible to check the accuracy of the data when buying, it is recommended to opt for well-known manufacturers. Average power is enough for active use for 5-6 hours.

Current strength. This parameter determines how quickly the device will charge. Standard tablets require a current of 2.1 amps. It is not recommended to purchase a gadget with a lower value, otherwise the child will wait half a day until the device is ready for use.

Additional functions (flashlight, WiFi in the background, etc.) consume battery faster. Your child probably won't need them. Parents in the reviews say that it is better to take a tablet without extra chips, which drains the battery more slowly.

Almost all tablets have access to Wi-Fi, but many still work with cellular networks on 3G, 4G and 5G networks. This function is necessary for children 7-10 years old who are away from home without parents.

3G operates at a speed of 1 Mbps, making it possible to exchange not very heavy files, send messages, listen to music online and watch videos in poor quality. But the fourth generation downloads data on the network at a speed of 10 Mbps and allows you to do everything the same, but faster and work with heavier files, make video calls and view video content in good resolution. 5G is stable at 50 Mbps and allows you to watch videos and make video calls in high definition.

If parents are willing to spend a lot of money on a tablet, and the child is old enough to actively surf the Internet on their own outside the home, then 5G will be the best option. It will allow you to watch movies online in high quality, have fun in online games and download any amount of information. The child will be able to listen to music, turn on the video and chat with friends without freezes and glitches. 5G tablet allows you to use all the features of the device anywhere.

Most expensive models support 4G or 5G networks. The most popular tablets are iPad, Samsung Galaxy. However, not everywhere in Russia the device will be able to catch the desired network, since they operate at different frequencies. The data is indicated on the packaging of the device. In Russia, there are 5 frequency settings that vary depending on the operator. That is, even an expensive tablet will not always find 4G or 5G.

Companies do not get tired of promoting their app stores. Apple talks about App Store quality control, Google claims tens of thousands of positions in the Play Market, and Microsoft reports on the successful replenishment of the Windows Phone Marketplace with new games. Despite loud advertising slogans, most of the programs in all 3 stores are either not suitable for children or will not be of interest to them. In the App Store alone, over 65% of apps are abandoned by publishers. When choosing a tablet, it is important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each store:

Windows offers unique free apps for watching movies, series and cartoons. Most of the material is stolen from the copyright holder, which is of little concern to children and parents. However, the company does not care much about the quality of applications.Many copy a popular name, demanding money for it, but in the end it turns out to be completely different. Microsoft has long promised to deal with the scammers, but so far they are not very good at it.

Apple is known for amazing quality control. Each application is reviewed and evaluated. If it is said that the game is suitable for a child, then this can be trusted. If a user notices an error and submits a complaint, the developer must resolve the issue within a month. However, free apps are relatively few and overpriced.

Google initially aimed to be the biggest store, skipping virtually all developers. Their unique search algorithms allow you to select the desired application from thousands of suggestions. The store is connected to Google+, you can see the reviews of friends immediately. However, most applications cannot boast of good quality. Despite the huge selection, in the end there is nothing to download.

The average cost of a standard tablet is about 15 thousand rubles. For children from 7 years old, it is recommended to take the device a little more expensive, as it will remain relevant longer. Parents single out Huawei and Lenovo among budget brands. In their lines you can find models for children of any age. Of the more expensive ones, Apple iPad and Samsung Galaxy can be noted.

If the child does not care about the brand, you can find good options up to 10 thousand, especially for children 4-6 years old. Such models can be found among the products of manufacturers BQ, Digma.

Additional features directly affect the cost of the device. Not all of them will be useful for children, we have considered the most popular ones:

Memory card. Each tablet has an internal memory that varies from 16 to 128 GB. You can initially buy an inexpensive model, and eventually purchase a microSD. The card is inserted into a special slot and serves as an additional place for storing information. Apple does not provide such an opportunity, but Windows and Android have many offers.

Camera. If a child has a simple phone that cannot take pictures, a tablet can be a good replacement. Of course, the picture quality cannot be compared with smartphones, but a small child is unlikely to want to create masterpieces. A camera with a resolution of 8 pixels takes photos without unnecessary noise, 5-6 pixels are no longer enough.

Pluggable keyboard. If a child plans to do homework on a tablet or spend time playing games, a keyboard is indispensable. Most often, it is purchased separately, the main thing is that the gadget has a suitable connector.