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This post will cover some general specifications of tablet
computers. If you're new to the series, you might want to go back and read Part
1 (types and basic information), Part
2 (size and operating system), and Part 3 (storage and battery life). When
you're ready, come back to this page to learn about other specs like screen
resolution and cameras.
Most tablets have capacitive touchscreens that respond to
skin touch rather than pressure. (Resistive touchscreens, used as POS signature
pads in retail stores, require pressure of a stylus or finger to generate a
response.) Tablet screens are used for both navigation and viewing on the
devices.
Screen Resolution
Display resolution is the number of pixels in each
direction. A display being held horizontally with 1024 x 768 resolution has
1024 pixels from right to left and 768 from top to bottom. Most tablets offer a
resolution ranging from 1024 x 600 to 2560 x 1600.
Pixel density is another specification you may want to
consider. It's the number of pixels per inch (PPI) and ranges from 130 PPI to
400 PPI in most tablets. Apple introduced its Retina display which boasts 264
PPI. It's unlikely that the human eye would detect an improvement in quality at
higher pixel densities unless using a microscope.
Considering that widescreen HD movies are 1920 x 1080, it's
unlikely that the average user would need a higher screen resolution.
Cameras
Cameras and screen resolution go hand-in-hand, at least to
some extent, because what you're photographing will be displayed on the same
device's screen for viewing.
Many tablets have cameras on both the front and back of the
device. The "front" is the side that faces the user. It typically has a lower
resolution than the "back" camera, also known as the rear-facing camera, that is located at the back of the device. A forward-facing camera is used for video
conferencing applications like Skype or for taking "selfies."
It's useful because the user can view him or herself on the screen while taking
the image. A rear-facing camera can be used for the same purpose, or to take
photos or videos of things in the user's line of site.
Cameras vary in terms of megapixels (most range from 1 MP -
5 MP), autofocus, flash, and incorporated microphones.
That's it for today. For
now, tell us: how important are screen resolution and a camera to you?
The next part of this series will cover more system
specifications including wireless connectivity and ports for input and output.
It'll be available next week, right here on CR4.
Read
more about selecting tablet computers, including a 2014 comparison guide, on
IHS GlobalSpec.
Image Credits: Harwarezone
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Re: How to Choose a Tablet PC in 2014 (Part 4 – Screen Resolution and Cameras)
