Tablets are cool devices but that doesn’t mean they’re all worth the money spent on them. The good thing about 2012 was that a shift to smaller screen sizes and more competition meant lower prices, making it a little easier to choose something other than the iPad. Apple’s tablet still rules the roost, but their competitors have some that could be just what you’re looking for.
Much of the buzz around good lower-priced tablets this past year was centred around a device that never even came to Canada: Amazon’s Kindle Fire. At 7-inches and at a $199 (U.S.) price point, consumers south of the border scooped them up in high volumes. Other manufacturers saw the writing on the wall and when Google launched the Nexus 7 in the summer, it was clear that something similar was to happen in the Great White North.
Of course, the Nexus 7 wasn’t the only tablet worth looking back on. There are plenty of good options out there, so if you’re still in the market for one, or are riding the fence, here’s a quick look at some of the standouts.
Apple iPad
Starts at $329 for the mini
Starts at $519 for the larger model
The iPad is still the one to beat in the tablet category, and that’s not just because it outsells all the others combined. Now that competition is starting to heat up, there was a little more pressure on Apple to deliver something unique with the iPad mini. The 7-inch form factor proved so popular in 2012 that Apple launched the 7.9-inch mini, and added the 4th-generation 10-inch iPad at the same time, albeit with minor upgrades and the new Lightning connector. Smaller tablets are great for portability, but the 10-inchers are ideal for lounging at home. Then, of course, is the price difference between the two. The mini doesn’t have the sharp Retina display like its bigger brother does, but it’s still a nice screen, and the light weight, thin profile and great battery life make it a slick device. Usage also isn’t vastly different between the two iPads. Apps and games work just the same on both, too. If you’re already set on an iPad, your decision really just comes down to size and price.
Google Nexus 7 and Nexus 10
Starts at $209 for 16GB Nexus 7
Starts at $409 for 16GB Nexus 10
The Nexus tablets were the upstarts in 2012, and both have proven to be popular and resourceful as two of the best Android tablets around. The beauty here is the combination of power and affordability they offer. You get good specs and a pure Android experience at a price that doesn’t gouge you. The Nexus 7 is easily one of the best 7-inch tablets on the market. The Nvidia Tegra 3 processor hums along nicely, there’s 720p HD resolution, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and a lightweight design. If you’re new to the tablet market, and don’t want to break the bank, this is the one for you. The Nexus 10 isn’t a huge difference from its smaller sibling, but is definitely more powerful, has a 1080p HD display and looks even better. That obviously comes with a bigger price tag, but it’s a good deal for what you get. One particular advantage these have over other Android tablets is that Google pushes updates to the operating system directly, unlike the delays you tend to see with others.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
$499.99
The Galaxy Note smartphones proved to be surprisingly popular for Samsung this past year, and that success eventually spawned a tablet with the same functionality. This 10-inch tablet has a nice 720p HD display, but consider that a trade-off, since it’s not on par with other Android tablets at that size. The focus here is on the S Pen and the ability to write or draw on the screen whenever you want. The screen has improved touchpoint recognition, so it knows when your palm is resting on the screen at the same time you’re jotting something down. There’s an embedded feature called Pop-up Play that lets you write a note or compose an email while watching a video. If you think the Note is more of a niche tablet, you would be right, but keep in mind that it can be used with your fingers just like any other 10-inch tablet.
Acer Iconia Tab W510
$599.99
If you’ve already tried Windows 8, then you can probably already tell that it’s an operating system very much designed for tablets. Acer’s W510 runs on the full version of Windows 8, not Windows RT, which is a scaled-down version that imposes certain limits on the OS. It helps that it has a 720p HD display, 64GB of internal storage (expandable up to 32GB with a microSD card) and solid battery life. There are two USB ports for peripherals and one HDMI output for watching video on a larger monitor or HDTV. Even with the keyboard, it may not outright replace your laptop, and the Atom processor isn’t the most powerful, but casual users might find it to be a good fit at a decent price.
Microsoft Surface
$519.99
You may have already seen the commercials about the Surface tablet, which showcase it as a thin, nimble and capable tablet that includes a colourful keyboard that snaps on and off. What the commercial doesn’t say is that the keyboard is an extra $100. And if you want the 64GB model, it’s another $100 on top of that. That makes it pricey, and Windows RT could be an issue for some users. In a nutshell, RT doesn’t let you download apps from a Web browser; you can only download what’s available in the Windows Marketplace. The Surface is actually a nice product, with a smart design and impressive keyboard. But if you like all those things and have extra money, wait until the Surface Pro comes out in a few months. If you like the idea of having hybrid Windows tablet, then you should compare them to this and judge for yourself.
RIM BlackBerry PlayBook Wi-Fi
Starts at $149.99 for 32GB
Some might wonder why the PlayBook is even on this list. The tablet has been maligned by many since it first hit the market. But all that bad publicity actually distracts people from what is a pretty good product. The PlayBook of today is a little different from when it first launched. The operating system is smoother and there is now much better integration with the BlackBerry. The price is also the hardest to beat. At $149.99 for the 32GB version, there is nothing this high-profile that you can find for less. That’s a good thing if you’re really not looking to break the bank on a new tablet. Plenty of popular apps are missing (Netflix and Kindle, among others), but there are some good ones that require a little hunting. Another factor to consider here is that RIM has stated that the PlayBook will be upgraded to the upcoming BlackBerry 10 platform that will be introduced to the public in full on January 30, 2013. That might give this tablet even newer life.
