Apple introduced the world to modern tablet computing in 2010 with the release of the iPad. Since then, competitors have been scrambling to catch up and release some truly competing products. This holiday season may well be the first period where consumers actually have some options. With the release of some excellent options from a number of different manufacturers, the question is no longer which iPad should you get but which tablet should you get. The following are just a handful of the options available when shopping for yourself or a loved one this Christmas.
The Budget Options
As with any purchase, one of the first things you will need to consider is how much you’re willing to spend. If your budget is low your options are fairly limited but there is one fairly compelling product. The Amazon Kindle Fire is a sort of hybrid of Amazon’s fantastic Kindle e-reader and a regular tablet computer. The device runs a heavily modified version of Google’s Android operating system and is primarily considered a content consumption device.
The software is heavily tied in with Amazon’s online content services and allows the user to buy movies, music, TV shows and books in one-tap. The tablet is also web and email ready so some casual internet browsing and email management is possible although the experience is not as fluid as on other tablets. If you are someone that reads a lot of Kindle books or buys your entertainment primarily from Amazon the Kindle Fire could be a great choice for you. The price even allows for many to consider the product as a stocking-filler this Christmas.
Mid-Range Options
As we move up the price scale, the next set of devices we land at are the range of 7” tablets on the market. If you’re an Android fan you have two very good options to choose from. The 7” Galaxy Tab 2 is a very neat looking device and comes in either black or white. There’s enough power inside to play all the latest Android games and get some basic productivity done. The biggest drawback as far as many people are concerned is the modifications that Samsung applies to the operating system. While these changes aren’t on anywhere near the scale of those on the Kindle Fire it can leave the product somewhat behind in terms of software updates.
Arguably the best Android choice in the 7” range is the Asus Nexus 7. The device was built in collaboration with Google themselves to guarantee the best possible unmodified Android experience. The device is really well built and features a soft touch back that is a pleasure to hold. It comes in 16 and 32GB flavours and the latest version of the Android operating system. Google support means that updates will come if and when they are available with no interference from the manufacturer.
If you have a little more money to play with then it’s hard to not recommend the Apple iPad mini. Despite the higher entry point and slightly less impressive, although larger, screen it has a lot to offer that the Android options don’t. First and foremost is app quality and selection. The Apple app store simply contains far more high quality apps and games than its Android counterpart. On top of this the device simply feels better. The aluminium construction and Apple design will simply make it more visually appealing to many.
The Big Boys
Although the popularity of smaller tablets has grown significantly over the past 12 months, the 10” tablets are still where you will be looking for the best technology. This holiday season both Apple and Google have fantastic options available to you. The 4th generation iPad has the latest technology and that gorgeous retina display but the Samsung built Google Nexus 10 equals and surpasses it in many ways. There really is nothing between the two; the iPad has the ecosystem advantage but the Google tablet offers a more original design and a lower price point.
Recently, another competitor has entered the ring. Microsoft are back and in a big way. The Microsoft Surface has been designed from the ground up by the company to offer an excellent experience of its new Windows 8 operating system. It has a fantastic industrial design and is the obvious choice for any Windows lovers looking to enter the tablet game. The app store, whilst still in its infancy already has some good apps and the inclusion of Microsoft Office makes this a bit of a no brainer for many business users.
About the Guest Author
Joe Jones is a gadget geek who likes to stay updated with all the latest trends. He writes a technology blog and also contributes to a blog about PCB boards.
