Best 6 Tablets

We've compared the most popular tablets on the market, to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you. Choosing the right tablet is not just about staying within your budget but also determining how you will use it. Your needs are different if you are buying it for entertainment versus professional use or if you intend to replace as opposed to supplement your other digital media devices. Keep this in mind when you compare what each tablet offers so that you end up choosing a device based on those features which are most relevant to you.

Last Update: May 22, 2013
Tablets
Apple
Apple iPad 2
Best for:People looking for particularly smooth and comfortable use, with a plethora of apps that are easy to find and low on bugs. Providing the best overall experience, this is still the most popular tablet on the market.

Price Range: $499 - $829

Operating System: iOS

Overall Rating:
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9
Best for:Users looking for the perfect size balance between portability and comfortable use. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 includes all the functionality of a bigger tablet, at a more convenient size.

Price Range: $469 - $569

Operating System: Android OS, v3.0 (Honeycomb)

Overall Rating: 
Asus
Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101
Best for:Its flexibility in hooking up to a keyboard dock and being used as either a tablet or a laptop. This also gives more room for connectors and slots for external devices, SD card slot and an extra battery.

Price Range: $329 - $406

Operating System: Android 3.2 Honeycomb O.S.(4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgradable)

Overall Rating: 
Sony
Sony Tablet S
Best for:Those who value the physical comfort and design of a tablet. The Sony Tablet S has a wedge shape which makes holding and typing easy and convenient.

Price Range: $499 - $529

Operating System: Android 3.2 Honeycomb

Overall Rating:
Amazon -kindle
Amazon Kindle Fire
Best for:Readers on a budget that are looking for an e-reader with all of the best features of a tablet for the lowest possible cost.

Price: $199

Operating System: Custom Android

Overall Rating:
Nook -barnes -noble
Barnes & Noble Nook
Best for:Users looking for a smooth and customizable browsing experience and an excellent way to access e-books for low cost.

Price: $249

Operating System: Android 2.2

Overall Rating:

Feature comparison

Feature Apple iPad 2 Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 Sony Tablet S Amazon Kindle Fire Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet
  Apple -tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 Sony Tablet S Amazon Kindle Fire Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet
Overall Rating            
Price $499 - $829 $469 - $569 $329 - $406 499 - $599 $199 $249
Screen Size 9.7 inches 8.9 inches 10.1 inches 9.4 inches 7 inches 7 inches
Screen Resolution 1,024×768 800 x 1280 1280x800 1280 x 800 1,024×600 1,024×600
Screen Pixels Per Inch 132 170 150 161 169 169
Dimensions (W x H x D)) 9.5 x 7.3 x .37 9.1 x 6.2 x .34 6.9 x 10.6 x .51 9.5 x 6.8 x .40 7.5 x 4.7 x .45 8.1 x 5.0 x .48
Weight 1.44 pounds .98 pounds 1.5 pounds 1.31 pounds .91 pounds .88 pounds
Operating System iOS x_grey_sign Android OS, v3.0 (Honeycomb) Android 3.2 Honeycomb O.S.(4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich upgradable) Custom Android Android 2.2
Storage Capacity 16-64GB> 16/32/64 GB 16GB 16/32GB 8GB 16GB
Expandable Storage x_grey_sign x_grey_sign Up to 32GB micro SD cards x_grey_sign x_grey_sign Up to 32GB micro SD cards
3G Optional HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 x_grey_sign HSDPA 900 / 2100 x_grey_sign x_grey_sign
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 a/b/g/n 802.11b/g/n 802.11b/g/n 802.11b/g/n 802.11b/g/n
Processor Dual-core A5 NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 T20 NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 1.0GHz dual-core CPU 1 GHz Tegra 2 dual-core Dual-core TI OMAP 4 Dual-core TI OMAP4
Camera 5 MP, Front and Rear 3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels 1.2 MP front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing 5 MP rear-facing camera / 0.3 MP front-facing camera x_grey_sign x_grey_sign
GPS 3G Models only v_sign x_grey_sign v_sign x_grey_sign x_grey_sign
Web Browser v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign
Flash Support x_grey_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign
Video Chat v_sign v_sign v_sign v_sign x_grey_sign x_grey_sign
Battery Life 7.5 hours 9 hours 16 hours, with mobile docking 8 hours 8 hours 9 hours
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