How to choose a tablet for games

Computers

The main requirement for gaming tablets is high performance.

choosing a tablet for games

How to choose a tablet for games: what to look for

The main criteria when choosing a tablet for games are:

  1. CPU and GPU power;

  2. The amount of RAM;

  3. The amount of permanent memory;

  4. Availability of SIM-cards, support for high-speed mobile networks;

  5. Operating system;

  6. Tablet size.

  7. The manufacturer of the device is also important.

Main selection criteria

Criterias of choice

CPU and GPU performance

The quality of displaying the visual component of the game depends on the performance of the processor and graphics accelerator. Unfortunately, the vast majority of mobile apps are not optimized for the hardware they are using. Therefore, modern games on older hardware platforms can freeze or display very low frames per second.

The most productive are hardware platforms based on 800 series processors Qualcomm Snapdragon. The 600, 400 and S lines from the same company do not provide the necessary graphics 'power' to play modern games without losing quality. The disadvantage is the high cost – tablets on such a hardware platform usually cost 2-3 times more than devices in the middle price segment.

The second place in terms of graphics performance is taken by platforms based on NVIDIA Tegra. Like desktop video cards, such mobile chips are equipped with a powerful video processing system, up to multi-core clusters. There are two drawbacks to the NVIDIA Tegra platform – the small number of devices in which it is used, and the huge power consumption, as a result of which the tablet is quickly discharged.

Tablets on a hardware platform MediaTek can only be called suitable for games with a very big stretch. Despite the core architecture similar to Qualcomm Snapdragon, graphics accelerators in such devices are rather weak. This can degrade the visual quality of mobile games. Nevertheless, these tablets are perfect for most old or simple projects, including the currently popular multiplayer strategies.

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The following platforms are completely unsuitable for games – Intel Atom, Spreadtrum, Allwinner, Rockchip.

Thus, the following platforms are most recommended for purchase (in order of decreasing graphics performance):

  1. Current versions Qualcomm Snapdragon of the 800 series (chips 825 and newer, including 835);

  2. Old versions Qualcomm Snapdragon of the 800 series (chips 800-820);

  3. Latest NVIDIA Tegra versions (Tegra 4, Tegra K1, Tegra X1);

  4. Flagship versions of chips MediaTek (Helio X20 and higher).

With such hardware platforms, the tablet can easily 'pull' even such graphically demanding games as current versions of Need For Speed ​​or Asphalt 8.

RAM size

The overall performance of the tablet directly depends on the amount of RAM. Unfortunately, many modern mobile games continue to run even after being forced to close. Their background services either collect data from servers, or are simply designed to 'get' the user with notifications.

As a result, for a normal game with a large number of installed applications, you really need a lot of RAM. If 2 GB of RAM is enough for everyday activities in 2017 with grief, then for mobile gaming you will need at least 3 GB. More is desirable, of course.

For example, the special gaming smartphone Razer Phone, developed in the fall of 2017 (whose killer feature is a 120 Hz screen refresh), is equipped with 8 GB of RAM. This volume will be enough, even if you completely fill it with online games with regular access to the server.

Thus:

  1. 3 GB of RAM is the minimum required. Once every few months, you will have to reset the tablet to factory settings to restore its performance;

  2. 4 GB of RAM is a necessary and sufficient amount for the vast majority of mobile gamers. Enough for simultaneous work in the background of 5-10 different online toys;

  3. 6 GB or more is the desired size. However, such tablets are rare and expensive.

If you have a sufficient budget, it is worth taking a device with a “reserve” of RAM, since applications are constantly updated, “overgrown” with new functions and become more resource-intensive. For example, if in 2014 Google Play services specific to the mobile operating system Android, while actively working, 'consumed' only 60-70 MB of RAM, then in 2017 – already about 200.

Permanent memory capacity

The higher the amount of permanent memory, the more games you can install on your tablet. Modern mobile projects are characterized by high consumption of space on the internal storage. For example, Monument Valley 2 easily 'eats off' about 400 MB, and Need for Speed: Most Wanted – already about 1.5 GB. The volume of an online game client can be many times larger due to cached content.

In addition, it is on the internal drive that the rest of the installed applications, various user data, as well as the operating system itself Android are located.

As a result, the minimum required internal storage in 2017 is 16 GB. And already out of the box, the user will have access to about 9 GB for installing applications or storing content (video, music, various documents).

The optimal size is 32 GB. But, if the budget allows, then you can buy a tablet with 64 GB of permanent memory or even more – so as not to worry about the 'clogged' internal storage.

But the presence of a microSD slot does not really matter, since it will still not work to install games on a memory card – such drives are too slow and unprotected.

The presence of a SIM card, support for high-speed mobile networks

If you are planning to play online games such as multiplayer strategy or shooters, it is worth purchasing a tablet equipped with a SIM card slot. This will allow you to surf the Internet outside of your home or public Wi-Fi networks.

In addition, many modern games require a constant internet connection even without the multiplayer content being used. Additional elements are loaded from the network (for example, characters' clothes or entire levels, as well as just advertising modules). As a consequence, an internet connection is essential.

The type of networks supported determines the maximum download speed or even the stability of the Internet connection. The most common standards are:

  1. 3G. The maximum data transfer rate is up to 3.6 Mbps. This is sufficient for simple multiplayer games, where almost all data is stored in the client application (including, for example, Clash of Clans and similar mobile strategies)

  2. 4G. The maximum data transfer rate is from 1 Gbit / s. Sufficient even for multiplayer games that actively download content from the server (for example, Minecraft).

The stability of the connection depends on the quality of the network coverage. In urban areas, 4G usually work quite reliably, disconnections are practically not observed (with rare exceptions caused by loads on nodes and base stations). In suburban areas, 3G is usually more stable. Although, of course, only a mobile operator can provide more accurate information.

operating system

Smartphone operating system

The number and quality of games available on the tablet depends on the operating system. Such devices usually run under Android, iOS, or Windows.

The operating system Android boasts the largest number of games available. There are literally hundreds of thousands of them! Moreover, the genres are diverse, and the specifics, and even the quality. In the Play Store, you can find both highly developed, interesting and exciting games, as well as outright junk, including 'clones' and 'fakes' of well-known projects, created solely for displaying ads.

In addition, the lack of pre-moderation in the app store for Android allows developers to release not only outright slag, but also malicious content. Some games for this platform are quite capable of running like viruses.

On the other hand, the availability of high-quality games, a huge number of free projects, the global community of developers and developers porting and modifying software make the platform Android still the best choice for mobile gaming.

The operating system iOS is the best choice for lovers of quality games. The presence of pre-moderation in the AppStore does not allow developers to release any slag aimed solely at profit from showing ads or internal purchases.

But this is also the problem. Due to pre-moderation in the app store, there are frankly few games, and the vast majority of them are paid. In addition, tablets on iOS are produced by only one company – Apple – and therefore they are expensive.

Another advantage of this operating system is deep software optimization. Therefore, you can ignore the specifications of the tablet. It will in any case run the available games and provide a pleasant enough user experience.

Tablets on the operating system Windows are a rather original solution for mobile gaming. On the one hand, they allow you to run both familiar board games and special Modern applications from the store Microsoft Store (where there are many free ones!), On the other hand, the technical characteristics of such devices usually leave much to be desired. In addition, Windows – games are not 'sharpened' for touch control in the vast majority of cases.

Так что покупка игрового планшета на операционной системе Windows – это что-то сродни эксперимента, который может и не удастся (и тогда придется проходить сотни point’n’click-адвенчур от Alawar и Nevosoft, способных запуститься на чём whatever).

Tablet size

Tablet display diagonal

The so-called 'gaming experience' directly depends on the size of the tablet, which, in turn, is determined by the genre of the game.

Various puzzles, mobile strategies, time-killers, some shooters with a shooting gallery, etc. require exposure to the entire surface of the screen. For such games, it is worth buying an 8-inch tablet that will be comfortable to hold in your hands, and your thumbs will be able to reach a variety of points on the display.

At the same time, car simulators, RPGs, action games, fighting games, etc. usually have separate virtual controls located directly under the thumbs. For these games, it's worth getting a large, 10-inch tablet. Then you will be able to see the beauty of the virtual world.

Thus, choosing a tablet size should be based on your own preferences.

Top manufacturers

Tablet production has dropped significantly in the past few years. Therefore, the number of manufacturers of such devices is relatively small. Among the best manufacturers of tablets on Android are:

  1. Xiaomi. Continues to produce tablets from the Mi Pad series. Rarely equips them with top-end components, but these devices are inexpensive;

  2. Lenovo, Huawei, Samsung. They produce both flagship devices and relatively budget models. With a sufficient budget, it is worth paying attention to their products.

Tablets running the operating system iOS are produced only by the company Apple.

Among the best manufacturers of tablets running an operating system Windows are:

  1. Lenovo;

  2. Acer;

  3. Asus.

The company itself Microsoft also deserves mention, but its products are especially expensive.

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In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a memory card for a tablet, the secrets of choosing an inexpensive tablet, and a complete guide to choosing a graphics tablet.


Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.

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