If ever there were a piece of technology right out of Star Trek, it would have to be the tablet. Part personal assistant, part wonderful toy, tablets are fast replacing the laptop as the preferred couch and travel computing device. Apple's iPad may have popularized the category, but it's not the only company doing great work with these devices. We've rounded up the cream of the tablet crop for your perusing pleasure.
Google Nexus 2007
Asus made and Google injected, the Nexus 7 is a fully capable 7-inch tablet that's easy to grip and priced to move. Starting at just $229 for a $16GB Wifi model, the flagship Android tablet is highly affordable when compared to the $400 iPad mini with Retina Display. While the Kindle Fire HDX is even cheaper, Android 4.4 makes the Nexus a more fully-featured tablet, not just a media consumption device. It also taps into to the Google Play Store, which may still be number two to iTunes for the latest games and apps, but you'll still find plenty to play, and it's absolutely completive on media pricing and selection. If you're looking for a solid travel tablet, and still want to have money left to put gas in your tank, it's Nexus 7 all the way. However, we recommend you opt for the 32GB model, since the available storage on a 16 is only 12GB. That's not many games!
Specs:
- 1,920 x 1,200 display
- 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
- Stock Android
Apple iPad Air
Apple's 9.7-inch iPad regularly sets the bar for tablets, and last year's iPad Air was no exception. The high-resolution Retina display was old news, the big deal tech-wise was Apple's 64-bit A7 chip. Currently, there are only a handful of apps that actually take advantage of it, but we'll soon be entering the era of the 64-bit app, which makes the skinny Air tablet nice and future proof. And speaking of thin, just like the MacBook Air, the iPad Air is surprisingly svelte. It's not the thinnest on the market, but it's enough of a size down from the last iPad that it's a bit of a shock to hold one. It has the same metal body, which feels and looks great, but it's unfortunately scratch-prone - you'll probably want a case. The only real negative the iPad Air has going for it is price - sticker shock alert, it starts at $500 for 16GB, which really isn't a lot of space. If you buy one, hopefully you'll have some cash left for apps. iTunes is still king when it comes to the latest and greatest apps, but not by much - the Google Play Store is really nipping at its heels.
Specs:
- 2,048 x 1,536 resolution Retina display
- Apple A7 processor
- 1.034 pounds
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 may be an expensive purchase - we're talking laptop money here - but it offers so much more than your normal tablet. Unlike every other option on this list, the Surface Pro 3 runs a full desktop operating system, making it incredibly versatile. Throw in a keyboard cover, and the Surface Pro 3 can be your laptop replacement, while still retaining the portability of a tablet. So if you're thinking about coupling your iPad or Nexus 7 with third-party keyboard cover, or using apps that let you remotely control your desktop, stop for a moment and consider the Surface. This new Surface is also a big step up from the last model. The kickstand is far more adjustable, making it easier to use at a desk, and all the internals have been brought up to code. It's a gorgeously machined piece of metal, as well as being capable of actual productivity, but as a gaming machine, it's caught between two worlds. Integrated graphics mean it'll never play the AAA games Windows offers, but it lacks the robust mobile gaming ecosystem of Android and iOS.
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-4300U CPU
- Windows 8.1 Pro
- Full-sized USB 3.0 port, mini DisplayPort, microSD card reader
Apple iPad Mini with Retina Display
Unlike last year's model, the new iPad mini shares all the same specs and features of the Apple's 9.7-inch tablet, just in a smaller form factor. The 7.9-inch iPad mini now sports a 2,048 x 1536 resolution Retina display, and the same A7 processor powering the iPad Air. The new iPad mini has a higher starting price than the previous version, but this time around there are no compromises when choosing the smaller iOS tablet. It just becomes hard to plunk down $400 on a 16GB tablet when you see compromise-free Google and Amazon's 7-inch offerings are.
Specs:
- 2,048 x 1,536 resolution Retina display
- Apple A7 processor
- FaceTime HD front-facing camera
Amazon Kindle Fire HDX
Like the Nexus 7, Amazon's new Kindle Fire HDX is a capable and extremely affordable smaller tablet. The Kindle Fire HDX runs a fully-customized version of Android and doesn't have access to the Google Play store, but if you're a regular user of the online retailers many services, this tablet highlights everything Amazon has to offer. Starting at just $229, the 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX is a great value paired with impressive hardware.
Specs:
- 1,920 x 1,200 resolution display
- Quad-core 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 CPU
- 0.67 pound
If you're looking for a tablet with extensive stylus support, the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and its trusty S Pen is a great choice. Samsung includes a ton of stylus-specific software, and the Wacom digitizer is great for drawing and writing. The new leather-like backing makes the device comfortable to hold while adding some grip, and the beautiful display makes consuming content an all-around enjoyable experience.
Specs:
- 2,560 x 1,600 display
- S-Pen Wacom digitizer
- Lots of stylus-specific software
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