Some of the Best Tablets.

As the tablet market expands and choices increase, it can be challenging to determine which device best meets our needs and our budget. For some, a tablet designed primarily for media consumption is sufficient while others require an optimized tablet capable of handling heavy-duty tasks on the go.

Here is a quick look at how the tablets stack up in terms of features, pricing, and portability.

Best Affordable Tablet

Google Nexus 7 :  The Nexus 7 offers impressive features and value pricing. While there are several economy tablets on the market, including Amazon’s Kindle Fire and Samsung’s Galaxy, none compare to Google’s little powerhouse of a tablet which comes equipped with a speedy 1.3 GHz quad-core Tegra 3 processor and a brilliant 216 ppi.  In our book Google wins on all counts – pricing, features, and portability. If there is any draw back to this easy-to-hold tablet it’s the limited storage – only 8G or 16G and no expandable options. That notwithstanding, this is a great tablet for on-the-go media junkies and mobile enthusiasts.

Best Hybrid Tablet

Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro: Although no one knows for sure how much the Microsoft tablet/PC hybrid is going to cost our guess is based on the company’s assertion that pricing will be “comparable to ultrabooks.”
Even with the potential sticker shock the Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro is an impressive piece of machinery. It comes with the Windows 8 full operating system, digital inking, Touch/Type Cover options, front and back cameras, build-in kickstand, and stereo speaker.
This 10.6” Microsoft device seems designed to give users the best that the PC and a tablet have to offer. We anticipate that the Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro will be great for those who like a few frills (cover/keyboard, digital inking, USB 3.0), who enjoy using their tablet for entertainment, and who need to be able to take on heavy-duty tasks on the go.

Best of the Best

iPad 3rd Generation:  Apple is clearly the frontrunner that everyone is trying to beat. Whether the Nexus 7 or the Surface Pro will cut into Apple’s market share remains to be seen, but they – like all the other tablets before them, are basically chasing after the iPad, looking for the secret sauce that will help them take the lead.

Apple built its reputation on innovation. They were the first to introduce a tablet to the market place and they’ve continued to improve on their product with each new generation.
Those looking for a sleek, beautifully designed product that “just works” and offers the mobility consumers are looking for won’t be disappointed with an iPad. And if Apple does come out with the long-rumored iPad mini, the Nexus 7 tablet may be doomed to a Zune-like fate.