A SENIOR WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF USING COMPUTERS OFFERS YOU AN OPTION.

Many of us are anticipating the purchase of this new creature called a "tablet."

It's a computer - but it's really not.  Confusing, to say the least.

A lot of people go to their cellular provider to purchase a tablet.  Not a bad idea, but a very expensive one (typically, several hundred dollars plus add-ons like an external keyboard), as there is a lot to know about a tablet before you spend the money.

Typically, tablets use either the "iOS" or the "Android" operating system.  Those two choices themselves limit your use of the tablet - by limiting the software that works with them.

Then, to connect your tablet to the internet, you had to have a separate account (usually from that same cellular provider).  More expense.

So where in the world can you purchase a tablet without all these expensive options?  The answer may surprise you.  It did me.

In December 2018, I made the leap into the tablet world via walmart.com.  I had no idea what I was buying, but the price was right - less than $150.00 - external keyboard included.  In comparison, a friend of mine purchased a tablet via his cellular provider.  He paid over $800 for the iOS tablet, another $300 for the external keyboard, and it has NO options for USB (used to connect external devices) or HDMI connections.

BTW, this same tablet can be purchased from amazon.com for about the same price.  It is probably available from other sources, but I don't know what their pricing would be.

The tablet I bought was an RCA Cambio 10.1" W101SA23T1S with a 10-inch screen.  And the external keyboard came with it at no extra charge.

What amazed me were the capabilities of this medium-sized tablet.  For example:

1.  It uses Windows 10 as an operating system - just like the desktop computers.  So all your existing software works with it - and you are already familiar with how it works.  No need to purchase more software.

2.  Unlike many of the expensive iOS and Android tablets, this little gem has a built-in USB port, a built-in HDMI port, built-in WiFi connection, and built-in blue-tooth.  With the WiFi and Blue-Tooth connections, you don't need to subscribe to a separate internet plan.  It can connect via your home WiFi, public WiFi, AND the "hot spot" feature on your existing cell phone.

3.  The keyboard is connected via powerful magnets and is removed with a simple tug.  At that point, you can use the "on-screen" keyboard.

All in all, this tablet blows the expensive guys out of the water.  But in all fairness, I should tell you that some of the electronic components are limited - like this tablet is slow compared to your desktop computer.  In fact, it would compare to the old "dial-up" internet connections.  But it gets the job done and the price is right.

So if you are in the market for a tablet, give this one some consideration.  It could save you hundreds of dollars.

DISCLAIMER:  I am not an agent for RCA, Walmart, or Amazon.  I receive absolutely NO compensation or consideration from any of these companies.  I am a registered owner of this product and am merely offering my experiences.  If anyone has any doubts, I will gladly furnish my purchase details.