Top 5 Tablets

Monday 03 September

This week we have taken a look at the latest and greatest tablets for those of you who are still keen to delve into the world of touch screen computing. Whether it’s a full screen, widescreen or a 7 inch, we’ve got it covered.

View this video on an iOS device

Apple – The Third Generation iPad

The new iPad is almost certainly a tablet you know about, and for good reason. The main focus is of course the retina display with its impressive 2048 by 1536 pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch, making apps and website look crystal clear.

The updated A5X processor brings with it quad core graphics and a 5MP camera on the back and a VGA sensor on the front.

Design wise it is similar to the iPad 2, although the weight is noticeably heavier. The user Interface is clean and simple and you can use a number of simple gestures to get you to the function or app you need.

With thousands of iPad apps available, you won’t be lost in finding apps to keep you busy. Be warned though, if you’re planning to download loads of apps, you may want the 64GB model, which could you set your wallet back a little bit.

If you are looking for a large screen, a visually pleasing tablet, on which you can watch HD movies on an un- paralleled screen, then this tablet is the one for you.

However, if the larger screen doesn’t float your boat, but you still fancy an iPad, it’s worth keeping in mind that it’s heavily rumoured that the Apple mini maybe just around the corner!

Buy The New iPad here

---

Sony Tablet S

Next up the Sony Tablet S, although this tablet has been around for sometime, we still think it’s got more than enough on offer to warrant a purchase.

The device features a Tegra 2 dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, up to 32GB of storage and a pin-sharp 9.4-inch display. It runs on ice-cream sandwich and has a large array of exclusive content from Sony’s unlimited movies and music platforms.

It is also PlayStation Certified, unlocking a host of classic PS titles for you to get playing with, which you can even use your PS3’s dualshock 3 to control the games, like the classic Crash Bandicoot! It can also control your TV, Blu-ray player and your stereo.

The device has pre-installed entertainment and general info apps to get you started, and you can also browse through thousands of other apps on their app store.

Overall it hits our list because most of all it’s easy to use, and has a clean and clear user interface. It’s quite light, and the build may not seem of great quality, but if you’re looking for device that is easy to take around with you, then this could be perfect.

Buy the Sony Tablet S here

---

Asus Transformer Pad TF300T

Next up, the Asus Transformer Pad TF300T. It isn’t as all singing & dancing as its older brother, the Transformer prime, but the 10- inch tablet runs Ice Cream Sandwich powered by the latest Nvidia Tegra 3 chip, clocked at 1.2GHz, and weighs 637g, fractionally lighter than the New iPad.

It comes with a Full QWERTY keyboard and multi-touch touchpad input, which transforms the device into a netbook-hybrid, and thankfully this is included in the price. The dock also adds extra battery life to the tablet, taking life up to a quoted time of 12 hours, or 7 hours watching HD movies.

It has a USB 2.0 port and an SD card reader for easy sharing & storage, and also comes in three different colours to match your style. If you’re looking for something with a netbook’s functionality, but with the look and feel of a tablet, this one is for you.

Buy the Asus Transformer Pad TF300T here

---

Archos 101 XS

Next up, is the Archos 101 XS tablet, it is the first of the manufacturer’s new extra slim line-up with a netbook/tablet hybrid style. Archos has put its focus on design and brings a really slim, and well looking device at just 0.31 inches.

It comes with a brilliantly designed magnetic cover board, which a very slim and light keyboard that doubles as a cover, so it can protect your tablet as well.

The rest of the specifications are similar to other tablets on the market, with a 10.1-inch 1280×800-pixel display, a dual-core Cortex-A9 processor clocked at 1.5GHz and with PowerVR SGX544 graphics, and 1GB of RAM.

With the screen size it can be a little tricky for gaming, but HD movies do look brilliant. Connections wise, it has a micro SD slot, a micro USB port as well as a mini hdmi out to expand apps and movies onto a big screen.

Find out more about the Archos 101 XS here

---

Nexus 7

Finally, we’ve got the Smaller tablet alternative – the Google Nexus 7 by Asus. With a 7 inch screen and at a relatively reasonable price, it offers unprecedented value for money.

It has been built by ASUS and comes with a quad-core processor, therefore your pages and apps will load quickly and game play will be smooth and responsive.

With over 9 hours of HD video playback, 10 hours of web browsing and up to 300 hours of stand-by time, Nexus 7 is designed to go the distance.

It is powered by the latest Android 4.1 software, Jelly Bean. With smarter notifications, new widgets and home screen customization that’s as easy as drag-and-drop.

The inclusion of an accelerometer, magnetometer, Android beam NFC and gyroscope, enables the device to work well with Google apps such as Google maps and a whole wealth of others.

The User interface is clean and easy to follow and offers a great experience. The tablets screen, games performance, comfortable design and low price make it a great package for those wanting something accessible and portable.

Whether your tablet is for visual media, gaming, for work or for studying, one of these will be more than up to the task!

Buy the Nexus 7 here

What tablet do you own or want to own? Tell us in the comments below…