The tablet has gone from being an overpriced, market curiosity to one of the best-selling forms of computers today. Despite their limitations, tablets such as the Apple iPad have found near-universal consumer acceptance, with about 15 million of that particular model sold since its launch in April 2010. Tablets offer a more fully-featured web browsing experience than smartphones, and their larger size allows them to be used as ultra-mobile computers in a pinch. These reduced-size computers do not have physical keyboards, instead using the larger screens to present a virtual keyboard which is easier to use than those found on smartphones. The current range of tablets bridges the gap between smartphones and netbooks, combining the best of both worlds to create a new style of computer that has become a favorite amongst mobile users. We’ve narrowed down the picks to three of the best models offered today.
iPad 2 – At first glance, the iPad 2 looks just like the iPad which it replaces. It’s not until you examine the iPad 2 carefully that the differences start to emerge. First, the iPad 2 comes with two cameras compared to the iPad’s zero. The rear camera is capable of capturing 720p video, while the forward-facing camera is used for Face Time video chat. Then, there’s the optional Smart Cover which is useful in more ways than one. The bottom side is microfiber, which cleans the screen every time you roll the Smart Cover down. Covering the screen will also automatically place the iPad 2 in sleep mode, thanks to embedded magnets underneath the surface. When rolled back, the Smart Cover can be used as a small stand that props the rear of the iPad 2 up for a more ergonomic typing position. The iPad 2 is also much slimmer than the original – in fact, the new model is slimmer than the iPhone 4, while utilizing a new dual-core processor and increased RAM for drastically improved performance. The newest iOS 4.3 also contributes to the increased performance, and brings with it more user-friendly updates. Everything else remains the same with the iPad, including the responsive 10-inch touch screen and intuitive design. As before, the iPad 2 does not support Adobe Flash. Apple has kept the prices steady, though you can now buy a white iPad as well as a black one.
Motorola Xoom – All of the hype surrounding the Motorola Xoom was focused on its iPad-beating performance. The 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of DDR2 RAM give the Xoom plenty of power, allowing it to outperform even the iPad 2 in many aspects. The 10.1-inch screen is larger than what you get with the iPad 2, and the 1280×800 resolution means sharper image quality as well. Two cameras are included – a rear-facing 5 megapixel camera that can capture 720p video, and a front-facing 2.0 megapixel camera used for video chat. The Xoom is certainly not cheap, especially considering that some of the features have been disabled at launch for a future update. The Xoom runs the latest Android 3.0 operating system modified for tablet use, and Motorola promises 4G compatibility on Verizon’s network at a later date. Ultimately, the Xoom loses out to the Apple iPad 2 for the time being due to its teething problems that mar the overall experience.
Samsung Galaxy Tab – If the other tablets seem excessively large to you, consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The 7-inch screen size falls in between the 4-inch screens of smartphones and the 10-inch screens of standard sized tablets. The resolution of 1024×600 pixels means that the smaller screen does not give up too much screen real estate, while the two cameras are positioned in a way where video chat is made possible. The rear camera is a 3 megapixel unit that can capture video, while the front-facing camera is a more basic 1.3 megapixel setup used for video chat apps. The one key advantage that the Samsung Galaxy Tab holds over the Apple iPad (and the iPad 2) is Flash compatibility, allowing you access to more of the web. While the Galaxy Tab is definitely not lacking in terms of features and performance, some potential buyers may be turned off by the mandatory wireless carrier commitments.
