01.Introduction
We review 37 tablet computers across 12 brands, priced from $200 to $949.
Through our rigorous testing, we reveal which tablets:
- Are the easiest to use
- Have the best battery life performance
- Have the best screen, sound and video quality
- Have the best construction quality
- Have the biggest selection of apps
- Are the most versatile
On this page:
For more information on laptops and netbooks see computers and accessories.
Tablets are the biggest growth area for personal computers, with worldwide sales projected at over 100 million this year alone. And the Apple iPad is still the benchmark, with 60-70% of the worldwide market - but there’s no shortage of challengers fighting for second place.
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Models tested
- Acer Iconia Tab A500
- Acer Iconia Tab A501 (3G)
- Acer Iconia Tab W500 + KB docking
- Apple iPad 2 (16GB + 3G)
- Apple iPad 2 (16GB)
- Apple iPad 2 (32GB + 3G)
- Apple iPad 2 (32GB)
- Apple iPad 2 (64GB + 3G)
- Apple iPad 2 (64GB)
- Archos 101 G9
- Archos 101 Internet Tablet
- Archos 101 Internet Tablet (16GB)
- Archos 70 Internet Tablet
- Archos 80 G9
- Asus Eee Pad Slider
- Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101
- Asus Eee Pad Transformer TF101 (32GB)
- BlackBerry Playbook (16GB)
- BlackBerry Playbook (32GB)
- BlackBerry Playbook (64GB)
- Creative ZiiO 10"
- Creative ZiiO 10" (16GB)
- Creative ZiiO 7"
- Creative ZiiO 7" (16GB)
- Lenovo Thinkpad 1838CTO (3G + 16GB)
- Lenovo Thinkpad 1838CTO (3G + 32GB)
- Lenovo Thinkpad 1838CTO (3G + 64GB)
- Motorola Xoom
- Motorola Xoom (3G)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (P7500)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 P7500 (3G)
- Sony Tablet S (16GB)
- Sony Tablet S (32GB)
- Toshiba AT100
- Viewsonic Viewpad 10
- Viewsonic Viewpad 10 S
- Viewsonic Viewpad 7
How we test
To help with the high cost of testing a wide range of models we employ specialised labs in Europe to test the tablets with the results shared among a range of consumer organisations around the world. The testing covers a wide scope, including:
- Performance : boot up time, wireless connectivity, power consumption, termperature, sound quality, video performance and battery life. As the screen is central to a tablet, screen quality and touch responsiveness are assessed also.
- Ease of use : set up and installation, personalisation, transferring content to the tablet, multimedia playback, internet use and browsing, connections, and the quality of the virtual keyboard. Ease of use of the tablet while hand-held or on a table is also examined.
- Build quality : construction quality is particularly important for portable devices. Tablets are scored based how solid the device feels, if there easily-breakable parts such as hinges or external raised buttons, the durability of the screen and the strength of the casing itself.
- Applications are also analysed, specifically how easy or hard it is to access, install and use apps from online services such as Apple's App Store, Android Marketplace and other brand stores. This is an important consideration as the range and quality of apps available is central to a tablet's usefulness.
- Versatility, evaluating the range of functions available, including Wi-Fi and 3G, memory capacity, connectivity and telephone features.
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28 Mar 2011
|
Read our quick review of the Apple iPad 2, a slimmer, faster and cheaper follow-up to the original.
23 May 2011
|
Read our quick review of Acer's 10 inch Android Honeycomb tablet. Competitor to the Apple iPad 2.
1 Mar 2011
|
The tablet war hots up, as the ViewPad 7 joins the Samsung Galaxy Tab as rivals to the iPad.
1 Mar 2011
|
The 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab is the thin end of the wedge in a fast-growing all-out assault on the Apple iPad.
31 May 2010
|
How good is the Apple iPad? Our video tells you what everyday users think of it.
