The Most Intuitive Tech Gadgets on the Market

With so many options for mobile tech, computers and upgrades, there’s no reason to waste your time or money on off-brand technology. Instead, invest in some of the most intuitive tech gadgets on the market. Here are just a few to consider:

Smartphone

While the iPhone gets much of the hype when it comes to smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S6 is one of the best devices on the market. Android’s 5.0 Lollipop operating system comes with Samsung’s own Touchwiz skin on top of it. The SGS6 version of Touchwiz focuses on minimalism compared to its predecessor. The home face is clean, the touch screen is responsive and the keyboard is slightly more spaced out than other smartphones, which makes texting easier. The app manager button is a welcome addition because it lets you swipe between active apps in a card-style interface. The Task Manager and Clear All buttons make conserving the battery easier than ever. Furthermore, you can simply touch a widget in the task switcher menu to split the screen into two apps. You can even move data between two apps, making this device easier to use.

Tablet

The Apple iPad Air 2 sticks with the well-known interface of other Apple products, which keeps it intuitive and easy to use. With iOS 8 installed right out of the box, you don’t have to worry about making any big updates for awhile. Although the iPad Air 2 is a two-handed device, the slimmer design and reduced weight make it easier to swipe with one hand and hold in another. The air pockets between the screen layers have also been reduced or eliminated completely, which gives the screen a firmer feel, increases the responsiveness of the product and makes it easier to use in general. Plus, the TouchID software makes your device more secure by enabling you to unlock your tablet, pay for apps and verify your identity with your fingerprint.

Laptops

Laptops are tricky buys because there isn’t necessarily one you can point at as the best and most intuitive out there. Why? It all depends on what you want your laptop for. Here are some basic rules when exploring the laptop market:

• Don’t overbuy. If you want a laptop for email, Facebook and other basic Internet activities, look for a laptop within the price point of $500 to $900. These laptops have plenty of power to accomplish your everyday activities. For those who prefer PCs over Macs, the Dell Inspiron 7000 Series has premium 2-in-1 PCs (tablet/PCs) for a relatively low price. With the intuitive tiles of Windows 8, these PCs give any of their competitors a run for their money.

• Consider what you need. If you want a computer built for complex tasks, such as video or audio editing, a Mac is worth the higher cost. Many people find Macs to be more user-friendly and intuitive than PCs due to the OSX operating system; however, few people take advantage of what Macs truly have to offer. For example, the best video and audio editing software is available only on Apple computers. So before you spend over $899, make sure you need the extra capabilities.