Definition: how to select a mobile device

The mobile world is full of choices as summarized in the following platforms.

 Smartphone Platforms
 1. iPhone  (Apple only)
 2. Android  (several vendors)

 Tablet Platforms
 1. iPad  (Apple only)
 2. Android  (several vendors)
 3. Windows 11  (several vendors)

 Laptop Platforms
 1. Windows  (several vendors)
 2. Mac  (Apple only)
 3. Chromebook  (several vendors)

Smartphones
A combination cellphone and handheld computer, smartphones are the most versatile electronic device on the market. They are today's "personal computer." Android-based phones are the worldwide leader except in the U.S. where Android and iPhone are about even (see iPhone vs. Android). See smartphone features and smartphone operating system.

Tablets
Tablets do virtually everything a smartphone does but with a larger screen. They are available with cellular access as well.). See tablet and Windows tablet.

Figure Out Your Storage Requirement
A major feature of smartphones and tablets is their use as a portable media album. They all have built-in storage for holding thousands of songs, photos and videos. See SD Card.

Wi-Fi vs. Cellular
All mobile devices use Wi-Fi for Internet access. For travelers, tablets are available with cellular capability, and the Internet can be reached wherever there is cellular service. See cellular hotspot.

Tablets vs. Laptops
The differences are weight, battery and keyboard. Tablets weigh one to two pounds; laptops two to six. Models vary greatly but the battery in a tablet typically lasts longer than a laptop. See Ultrabook and laptop.

Tablets are also less convenient for multitasking than laptops, which operate like desktop computers. However, the exception is Windows. Windows tablets operate exactly like Windows laptops because they use the same OS.

In 2017, Apple made its iPad tablet work more like a laptop/desktop. Drag and drop and other changes made it easier to switch apps and copy data between them (see iOS 11 in iOS versions). In 2019, the iPad's OS became even more like a laptop (see iPadOS).

Keyboards Differ
For touch typists, nothing beats typing on a high-quality keyboard, and there is a variety on the market. For extensive writing, tablet users can type on an external Bluetooth keyboard. However, keyboard quality differs greatly.

Windows vs. Mac
For decades, the personal computer world has been Windows versus Mac. The single advantage of Windows is the huge variety of desktop and laptop models over a wide price range. Software is usually written for Windows first and Mac second. In addition, Windows applications work the same on Windows desktops, laptops and tablets.

The Mac advantage is the consistency of its user interface without dramatic changes in each new version. In addition, utilities such as routine backup and migrating an old Mac to a new one are built in and easy to use. The Mac is also more resistant to viruses than Windows. However, no platform is impenetrable; as the Mac gained market share, it also became a target. See Windows vs. Mac.

The Chromebook Laptop
The Chromebook is a low cost laptop computer ($249 and up) that uses the Internet for almost everything. Essentially a Web browser that stores all data on Google servers, the Chromebook requires an online connection. For casual users, the Chromebook is a viable choice and is a leader in the school market (see Chromebook).

Compatibility
When you purchase a mobile device, you have chosen a specific platform that determines which apps you can run and which online app store you go to for free and paid downloads (see online app store). You cannot run an Apple app (iOS app) in an Android device and vice versa. However, some apps are made for competing devices; for example, you can download Google Maps from the Apple store onto your iPhone and Apple Music from the Google store onto your Android. While most apps are developed for both platforms, there may be an app that runs on one and not the other.

Windows Tablets
Windows tablets run all the programs that work in Windows PCs. However, they generally do not have the battery life of Apple and Android tablets. Earlier Windows RT tablets had long battery life but did not run legacy programs and are now obsolete. Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft popularized the detachable laptop with a screen that becomes a tablet (see hybrid laptop). Another variant is the 2-in-1: a laptop that folds into a tablet (see convertible laptop). In contrast, Apple tablets (iPads) do not run the same programs as Mac computers; however, that will change (see Apple M series). See mobile compatibility.

What to Buy and How Much
Low-end smartphones can be free with a data plan contract, but high-end phones sell outright from $250 to well more than $1,000. Monthly fees range from $25 to $75 and more. For people who want an emergency-only phone, pay-as-you-go plans are based on prepaid voice minutes and gigabytes of data transfer.

Tablets come in various sizes and a wide range of prices from $50 to $1,000 and more. If the tablet has cellular capability built in, a cellular data plan starts around $16 per month, including taxes.

For the novice, the iPhone and iPad are very consistent and friendly. Apple support by phone and in the store is usually excellent. See iPhone and iPad.

Android phones and tablets are very popular and come in a huge variety of models from numerous vendors, and there are slight differences between the myriad models on the market. Nevertheless, the variety of devices and features has made Android the best-selling smartphone worldwide. See Android and Android fragmentation.

For the user who works exclusively with Windows applications and needs portability, a Windows laptop or tablet is a no brainer. Windows smartphones are long gone (see Windows Phone). See Surface tablet, Surface Laptop, hybrid laptop and convertible laptop.