We have fielded several instances of a few particular questions regarding tablets, and whilst this does not act as a FAQ section, we are taking the time to answer a few of the general inquiries that you, our readers, have sent.

Q: Why is a phonebook provided in a tablet computer?
A: Although a tablet computer is a mobile device that uses the same technology to connect to the Internet as a smartphone, calls from a plain, ordinary, out-of-the-box tablet. However, remember that a tablet is still a computer, and calls can be made from your computer with additional software.

Sometimes, people like voice conversations through VoIP or other call software programmes, even IM programs. Tablet phonebooks grant contact entries without digging out a mobile phone. Some programmes allow syncing the handset’s contact list for import onto a tablet.

Although you can’t pick up your tablet, put it to your ear and make a call, call and texting options through that mobile computer are still available over the Internet.

Q: How do I know what size of tablet to buy? There are so many size options.
A: Whilst we cannot give a definitive answer to this, we can give some choice factors.

For what purpose do you want a tablet? If viewing films is high on your list, even a mini-tablet might suffice if it has excellent resolution. It’s actually easier on the human eye to catch motion on, for example, a seven-inch screen that has very sharp images than it is on a 10-inch tablet with fuzzy images.

If Internet surfing is high on your priority list, consider one that scrolls smoothly but has a slightly larger screen. The jerking motion of screen images as you scroll is very hard on the eyes and can cause headaches and eye strain with prolonged use.

If you read a lot, whether it’s webpages or a news story or an e-book, consider one that has decent but not overpowering back-lighting and a solid-appearing font set. The closer you can get to hard-print font, the more your eyes will like it. Choose a screen size that doesn’t require a lot of sideways head motion to save neck and shoulder strain, but don’t choose one that makes you squint to see the accidentally fine print – eyestrain again.

[And a recent question to appear recently...]

Q: If this site is about mobile phones, why are you reviewing tablets now?
A: First, part of the answer lies in the first question’s answer: Although you can’t make a call with your tablet, you can make telephone calls and text messages via your tablet.

Also, the same basic technology is shared by both smartphones and tablets. Tablets just have fewer “phone” options and more “computer” functions.

The key is in the phrase, “mobile device,” but laptops are beyond size guidelines.

Besides … tablets are cool, too.

Q: Why don’t you give more prices and stores or retailers?
A: Readers come from all over the world. If we gave our local information, here in the UK, all the time, that store and pricing information does no good for readers in North America or in India or in Japan, for instance. We occasionally give sample prices, but they are to make a point of noting the value of a mobile phone or tablet versus the cost of a mobile phone or tablet. That international aspect is also why we try to use as universally understood phrasing as we can.

We do give occasional cheap mobile phone deals information here in the UK, but we try to keep our focus on the international front.

In closing this post, we all at MobilePhones.org.uk pass our appreciation and acknowledgement to all of you who have patiently stayed with us as we redesign our site. Hopefully, everything will be back up and working soon.