How to Speed Up Your Tablet PC

If you already own a tablet PC, then you may be wondering how to get the most bang for your buck. Unfortunately, like any computer, tablet computers will slow down over time. Instead of slamming your tablet against the floor in frustration, why not take matters into your own hands?

By following our quick and easy tips, you can easily speed up your iPad, tablet PC, or any other tablet computer.

How to speed up Windows tablet PCs

Since Windows tablets are based on the same architecture as most desktop and laptop computers, speeding up your tablet is a relatively simple process.

Turn off Windows features: Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems may look cool, but you may not need all of the extra features and visuals. If your tablet has started to slow down when navigating through menus and applications, then you should be able to improve performance by turning off Windows features. To do this, search for Turn Windows features on or off under the Windows 7 search bar in the Start menu. Then, pick and choose whichever features you need from the menu that pops up.

Uninstall unnecessary programs: Unfortunately, many tablet PCs come with bloatware pre-installed. These are programs that provide little to no value for your computer but take up a lot of hard drive space and system resources. Uninstalling bloatware can significantly impact performance. To do this, simply search for Uninstall programs in Windows 7.

Don’t defragment your hard drive: When it comes to speeding up Windows-based computers, many people think that defragmenting your hard drive can impact performance. This is true with desktop computers. However, with Windows tablets, this is often unnecessary. Since most tablets use SSDs (which are much faster than conventional hard drives), defragmentation is completely unnecessary. In fact, it can often shorten the lifespan of your tablet’s hard drive.

Clear out browser cache and temporary internet files: Download free programs like CCleaner to clean out unnecessary internet files from your computer. This can free up several gigabytes of space and improve your internet browser’s performance.

How to speed up an iPad

If you’re an iPad owner, then you may have noticed the speed of your device start to decline as it gets older. Here are a few tips to keep it running in perfect condition:

Update your iPad’s firmware version: Downloading firmware upgrades to your iPad is free and easy. If you’ve never upgraded your iPad’s firmware, then doing so today can help unlock major performance benefits. Essentially, iPad firmware upgrades help to optimize your device’s performance in all sorts of different ways. Connect your iPad to your computer to download the latest firmware upgrade.

Remove old, unwanted apps: Whether you’re using an iPad or any other tablet PC, removing unwanted apps is always a good idea. It frees up system resources and hard drive space. The less junk there is on your hard drive, the easier it is for your iPad to find the information it needs.

Clear your browser cache: As we mentioned above under the tablet PC tips section, clearing your browser cache can significantly impact performance. To do this on your iPad, open Settings and select Safari from the left hand pane. Then, tap on Clear Cache. While you’re here, you may also want to clear your history and cookies.

Empty your multitasking tray: Whether Apple admits it or not, multitasking on your iPad will slow it down. By limiting the number of apps you have running at any particular time, you free up the memory that can be used in other applications. This is particularly noticeable on jailbroken iPads, as the memory usage of Cydia apps is not as efficient as standard iOS apps.

Other tips:

Go big or go home: It’s difficult – and often impossible – to upgrade your tablet PC. Aside from inserting an extra micro SD card, you can’t really change the components inside your tablet. In that sense, you’re stuck with what you’ve got, so you have to make the most of it. When purchasing a tablet PC, don’t be afraid to splurge for an extra 2 gigabytes of RAM or for an upgraded processor. It might cost you an extra $200 today, but it could delay a full upgrade for another year or two.

Backup and restore: If all else fails, don’t be afraid to return your system to its default factory settings. Most tablet computers can easily be backed up onto your system, which means that you won’t lose any data during a restore. To restore an iPad (and many other tablet computers) all you have to do is connect it to your computer.

Read tablet PC reviews before you buy

Ultimately, the best tip we can give anybody about speeding up a tablet PC is to read reviews before you make your purchase. By choosing tablets that have a lot of performance at a fair price (like the Samsung Series 7 Slate), you can ensure your tablet runs smoothly for years into the future.

If you’re unsatisfied with your tablet’s performance, or you just want to see what kind of new tablets are on the market, check out our tablet PC reviews section. Our unbiased, easy-to-read reviews give you all the information you need to know about the best tablets available in 2012.