What you can do for top tablet performance

Tablet computers are being put to the test, with more people turning to the devices to take the place of their traditional PCs. As the tablet becomes a primary computing option, it's important for a user to do everything in his or her power to keep the device running in top condition.

That starts with the use of antivirus software. Just like the PC sitting at home, a tablet is vulnerable to viruses and other types of cyberattacks and threats. As a result, among the first things a tablet user should do after booting up a device for the first time is download an antivirus application. Offerings are available from numerous major brands, with some free of charge.

Next, users should be sure to delete all unnecessary applications that come pre-installed on their tablets. The intended use of a device will determine which apps should be kept and which can be abandoned to free up memory and improve performance.

Finally, it's important that a tablet's operating system is kept up to date. Developers release patches and other updates routinely, and both are key to keeping a device running properly.

Depending on how a tablet is used, several other steps may need to be considered to ensure peak performance. But these should provide a good starting point for any new tablet user.