Tablets have become so popular so quickly that they're predicted to surpass both laptops and desktops by 2015. Why? Because they're portable enough to take anywhere, and - thanks to an ever-growing roster of apps - are versatile enough for work and play. With so many models available, choosing the best tablet comes down to your needs and budget.
Those looking for a device that's affordable and easy to use with one hand should check out 7-inch Android tablets. Quality options start as low as US$150. The 7.9-inch iPad mini and the larger 9.7-inch iPad offer the most tablet-optimized apps and the most intuitive interface, but start at US$329. Then you have Windows 8 tablets, many of which double as laptops, making them compelling productivity partners. Most Windows tablets are larger, but cheaper 8-inch models are starting to hit the market.
At LAPTOP, we review every major tablet, evaluating them based on design, display quality, features and performance. Here are the best tablets available today.
1. Best Tablet Overall: Apple iPad
The fourth-generation iPad has two things the competition can't match: a class-leading Retina Display and more than 300,000 apps. While other slates have high-resolution screens, the iPad's panel offers the best mix of brightness, colour and contrast. The powerful A6X processor is ready to run the best apps around, from console-quality games and photo- and video-editing tools to robust office suites. A wide range of accessories just sweetens the deal. Starting Price: US$499
More: Apple iPad Review
2. Best 7-Inch Tablet: Apple iPad mini
One of the thinnest and most portable tablets on the market is also one of the longest-lasting. The aluminium iPad mini measures just 0.3 inches thin and weighs 10.9 ounces, less than the Nexus 7 (12 ounces) and Kindle Fire HD (13.9 ounces). More impressive is the mini's staying power; it lasted an epic 10.5 hours on our battery test, which blows away other small slates. Add in lots of quality apps and you have a winner. Starting Price: US$329
More: Apple iPad mini
3. Best Android Tablet: Google Nexus 10
The Google Nexus 10 delivers pure Android Jelly Bean goodness along with a sharper screen than the iPad (2560 x 1600 pixels) for US$100 less. The multiuser support makes it easy to share this slate among family members, and they'll all love the loud and accurate front-facing speakers. A gesture typing keyboard, a high-quality 5-MP camera and more than 8 hours of battery life round out the features on this top-notch Android tablet. Starting Price: US$499
More: Google Nexus 10
4. Best Tablet for Entertainment: Amazon Kindle Fire HD
When it comes to content, no one tops Amazon, especially if you're looking for free stuff to watch and read. The 7-inch Kindle Fire HD offers Amazon Prime members (US$79 per year) a host of compelling movies, TV shows and books for free. We also love the loud and crisp stereo speakers and super-bright display on this tablet, as well as the 7.5 hours of battery life. While not as large as Google Play, the Amazon Appstore offers tons of compelling games and apps. Parents will appreciate the FreeTime feature for setting usage limits. Starting Price: US$199
More: Amazon Kindle Fire HD
5. Best Tablet for College: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Whether you're looking to be more productive or control your TV, the Galaxy Note 8 has it all. A built-in S Pen gives users of this 8-inch tablet the ability to take notes in class, as well as hover over email and other content for instant previews. Meanwhile, a built-in IR blaster and Samsung's WatchOn software enables couch potatoes to find good stuff to watch and change the channel with a tap. Starting Price: US$399
More: Samsung Galaxy Note 8
6. Best Cheap Tablet: Hisense Sero 7 Pro
How much tablet can you get for US$150? A lot more than you might think. Available at Walmart, the Hisense Sero 7 Pro packs the performance of the Google Nexus 7 for US$50 less. We're talking a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, a sharp 1280 x 800-pixel screen and both front and back cameras. Plus, there's a miniHDMI port and microSD Card slot for expanding the 8GB of on-board memory. Starting Price: US$150
More: Hisense Sero 7 Pro
7. Best Tablet for Kids: Fuhu Nabi 2
A tablet tailor-made for children, the Fuhu Nabi 2 offers a drop-safe bumper and the most robust parental controls on the market. You can set up profiles for kids, and limit the apps and content they can access. More importantly, the Nabi 2 offers easy access to education apps for grades K-5 and a wide selection of kid-friendly videos. A fast Tegra 3 processor and more than 8 hours of battery life solidify this slate as a smart choice. Starting Price: US$199
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8. Best Tablet for Business: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2
Combining a thin and sturdy design with pen input, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 is a great business tablet. This Atom-powered Windows 8 device offers impressive handwriting recognition and an optional keyboard that makes it a cinch to take notes and work on Office documents. And with well over 9 hours of battery life, you can fling "Angry Birds" between meetings without having to reach for the charger. Starting Price: US$649.99
More: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2
9. Best Tablet for Reading: Barnes & Noble Nook HD
Starting at just US$129, the Barnes & Noble's Nook HD takes reading to the next level, offering more than 3 million books and magazines and a large selection of interactive children's books. The easy-to-use interface makes it simple to set up profiles for multiple users. Recently added support for Google Play's 700,000-plus apps lets you get the most out of the Nook HD's high-def screen and long battery life. Starting Price: US$199
More: Barnes & Noble Nook HD
10. Best Water-Resistant Tablet: Sony Xperia Tablet Z
The thinnest and lightest Android tablet yet, the Xperia Tablet Z sports one of the sleekest designs Sony has ever created. Just as impressive, you can splash or even submerge the Tablet Z and it will keep on going. Other highlights include a built-in TV remote and one of the richest full HD displays we've seen. Strong battery life and snappy performance make the Xperia Tablet Z one of the best premium tablets available. Starting Price: US$499
More: Sony Xperia Tablet Z
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