5 Things To Consider When Buying A Tablet PC

There are alot of tablet PC manufacturers, and even more resellers popping up in the international marketplace. As a Canadian, here are a few key points when looking to buy a tablet:

1. Where will the tablet REALLY be shipped from?
Most tablet websites do not actually ship the product from the country they operate in. This is called dropshipping - even though it may be an American website - the reality is, the product will be shipped direct out of China. Even though the shipping is usually free, the most common shipping method for these will be EMS - which for North Americans will give you a 20-30 day delivery time AFTER the order has been processed and sent (which in itself can be a couple days).

2. How honest is your source with customs?
Importing electronics into Canada can be a nightmare - especially if the supplier decides to provide false documentation. Many companys choose to DE-VALUE your goods when shipping in order to save you, the customer, very costly import taxes, GST/PST/HST and brokerage fees. While this sounds like a great idea and may save you money, you can get royally screwed over as if anything happens to your items during shipping, the insurance value is far less than what you paid. In addition, if customs performs a random check and finds the value to be inaccurate, they have full authority to seize and destroy your items. You are now SOL.

3. What is the hardware quality? Is there a guarantee/warranty?
Can you be sure your supplier didn't go with the lowest bidder on manufacturing? The honest answer is, not really. All you can do is trust those who have done the homework, and do a little yourself. Look for tablets with a warranty from Canadian sellers and moneyback guarantees - this indicates companies that will actually stand behind the product.  It is far easier to return a broken item to a local seller, than ship one back to China. Cheaper tablets are definately not better, and sometimes you will be lucky if it lasts a month - never buy one "as is".

4. What is the software package?
Barebone tablets are the norm when buying overseas and outdated firmware makes for frustrating experiences. Currently the ONLY source for a consumer friendly software package with everything you need out of the box is BuyTablets.ca. Don't waste your time trying to figure out how to get wallpapers, Office Software, Kindle, Youtube, Android Market, etc. on your tablet! Buy one that is ready to go.

5. What are your needs/budget?
It's important to find a reliable tablet that does everything you need it to do, with the extras you want. Consider your options and weigh in functionality versus cost to make the right choices.

Happy Shopping!