As technology advances, the line between laptops and tablets becomes more and more blurred. On the bright side, that means impressive capabilities and more advanced tech for your compact tablet — but on the not-so-bright side, that usually means a more expensive price tag. The best tablets under $200can be as powerful and reliable as some of the $800 models; you just need to consider the size, processor, memory, and RAM before making your purchases.
Display size: This is the size of the screen, measured diagonally in inches from opposite corners. Bigger screens often make it easier to see while you're watching movies or surfing the web, but smaller screens are better for travel and easier to hold.
Processor: This is a tiny chip that lives in your tablet and responds to basic instructions. You don't need to know everything about processors to make a good purchase; just know that four cores (quad-core processors) should suffice for most needs, while processors with eight (octa-core) can be a little faster and smoother, especially if you're doing video-heavy things, including gaming.
Memory: Measured in gigabytes (GB), most tablets under $200 can store 16 to 64 GB.
RAM: Short for random access memory, RAM serves as temporary storage to run your current applications. For the most part, the more RAM your tablet has, the faster it'll be (but the more expensive it'll be, too).
All of these factors will depend on your specific needs and budget — but whether you're looking to read e-books, watch movies, play video games, or work on the go, these are the best budget tablets under $200.
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