Tablets, Compared
2010 was supposed to be the Year of the Tablet.
That did not really happen — the flood of product was reduced to a
trickle, as many manufacturers awaited a more tablet-friendly operating
system from Google. So, once more, with feeling: 2011 will be the Year
of the Tablet. Several new models have either been released, or are in a
very advanced state of preview. This interactive guide can help sort
through the latest offerings. Use the checkbox at the top of each
listing to select it for comparison. And check back frequently — this
page will be updated as new information or models are released.
Apple introduced the second version of its iPad on March 2. The
newer version is slimmer, lighter and has both front and rear-facing
cameras. The devices can be bought to operate on either AT&T or
Verizon's 3G networks. Competitors are cropping up with increasing
frequency, but the iPad remains the dominant tablet on the market.
| Device | Apple iPad |
|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS |
| Apps | 40,000+ iPad apps through the Apple App Store; 300,000+ compatible iPhone apps |
| Flash Support | No |
| Multitasking | Yes, with the newest iOS upgrade |
| Screen | 9.7'' 4:3 IPS screen |
| Screen Resolution | 1024 x 768 |
| Camera | Front and rear-facing cameras. |
| Ports | Apple dock connection, HDMI |
| Navigation | Compass, assisted GPS (3G version only) |
| Storage | 16, 32 or 64 GB |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G (some models) |
| Estimated Battery Life | 10 hours, |
| Dimensions | 9.5" x 7.3" x 0.34" |
| Weight | 1.33 pounds |
| Wireless Plan | $15 or $25 a month via AT&T (No contract); $20 to $50 a month via Verizon |
| Price | $500-$830 |
Motorola introduced its tablet, the Xoom, at the 2011 Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The tablet is the first to run the newest
version of Google's Android operating system, known as Honeycomb. It
was named the best gadget by the show's official awards. Motorola said
that the tablet will be available in the first quarter of 2011, but has
not given any details about its cost.
| Device | Motorola Xoom |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android |
| Apps | More than 100,000 Android apps |
| Flash Support | Yes |
| Multitasking | Yes |
| Screen | 10.1-inch widescreen |
| Screen Resolution | 1280x800 |
| Camera | 5 MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera |
| Ports | micro U.S.B., HDMI for video out |
| Navigation | compass, GPS |
| Storage | 32 GB, with SD support after software update |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G upgradeable. Can be used as personal hotspot. |
| Estimated Battery Life | 10 hours video playback |
| Dimensions | 9.8'' x 6.6" x 0.5" |
| Weight | 1.6 lbs |
The on-again, off-again Slate was in the works for some time. In
October Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest PC manufacturer, introduced
the Slate, its first tablet. Running a touch-optimized version of
Microsoft Windows 7, the Slate is initially being targeted at business
users. That would explain its enterprise-level price: $800.
| Device | H.P. Slate |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 |
| Apps | Most Windows programs |
| Flash Support | Yes |
| Multitasking | Yes, it runs Windows |
| Screen | 8.9'' wide screen |
| Screen Resolution | 1024 x 600 |
| Camera | VGA webcam for videoconferencing, 3MP camera on reverse side |
| Ports | U.S.B. |
| Navigation | None |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Estimated Battery Life | 5 hours |
| Dimensions | 5.91" x 9.21" x 0.58" |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Price | $800 |
Dell was one of the first computer makers to respond to the iPad,
releasing the Streak in August. The Streak has a five-inch screen,
smaller than the eight- to 10-inch screens common in tablets. With
dimensions like that, the Streak occupies the space between the
smartphone and the tablet.
| Device | Dell Streak |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android |
| Apps | More than 100,000 Android apps |
| Flash Support | Yes |
| Multitasking | Yes |
| Screen | 5" TFT LCD |
| Screen Resolution | 800 x 480 |
| Camera | VGA camera for videoconferencing; 5MP camera on reverse side |
| Ports | U.S.B. |
| Navigation | Compass, GPS |
| Storage | MicroSD card slot (16GB pre-installed) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G |
| Estimated Battery Life | 10 hours talk time, 400 hours standby |
| Dimensions | 6" x 3.1" x 0.4" |
| Weight | 0.48 pound |
| Wireless Plan | 2-year AT&T contract or buy unlocked at full price |
| Price | $550 ($300 with 2-year contract) |
Refusing to cede tablet ground to the likes of Apple, Google and
Microsoft, smartphone maker Research In Motion has been developing the
PlayBook, part of its BlackBerry line of devices. The PlayBook will be
available in 2011, though R.I.M. has shown prototypes already. Expect
full Flash support for the Web, compatibility with corporate servers and
enhanced security features.
| Device | BlackBerry PlayBook |
|---|---|
| Operating System | BlackBerry Tablet OS |
| Apps | PlayBook-specific apps via BlackBerry App World |
| Flash Support | Yes |
| Multitasking | Yes |
| Screen | 7" wide screen LCD |
| Screen Resolution | 1024 x 600 |
| Camera | 3MP camera for videoconferencing, 5MP camera on reverse side |
| Ports | U.S.B., HDMI for video out |
| Navigation | None |
| Storage | 16, 32 or 64 GB |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (3G via BlackBerry phone tether) |
| Estimated Battery Life | Unknown |
| Dimensions | 5.1" x 7.6" x 0.4" |
| Weight | 0.9 pound |
| Price | $499-$699 |
The Galaxy Tab from Samsung is one of the few real competitors to
Apple’s iPad. Available through all four major cellphone carriers, the
Galaxy runs on Google’s Android 2.2 operating system, which means it
comes with some features — turn-by-turn navigation, voice dictation,
Flash support — that either cost extra on the iPad or are not available
at all. Prices vary depending on the carrier, but expect to pay between
$400 and $600. The original tablet had a 7-inch screen, but Samsung has
since introduced versions with 8.9 and 10.1-inch screens as well.
| Device | Samsung Galaxy Tab |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Android |
| Apps | More than 100,000 Android apps |
| Flash Support | Yes |
| Multitasking | Yes |
| Screen | 7" wide screen TFT LCD (also available with 8.9" and 10.1" screens) |
| Screen Resolution | 1024 x 600 |
| Camera | 1.3MP camera for videoconferencing, 3MP camera on reverse side |
| Ports | U.S.B. |
| Navigation | Compass, GPS |
| Storage | MicroSD card slot (16GB pre-installed) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G |
| Estimated Battery Life | 7 hours |
| Dimensions | 7.48" x 4.74" x 0.47" |
| Weight | 0.8 pounds (10.1" version weighs 1.5 pounds; 8.9" version weighs 1 pound) |
| Wireless Plan | Varies by carrier |
| Price | $600 ($400 with contract) |
Toshiba’s tablet, which will run on Google’s Android operating
system, resembles an iPad with a grippy rubberized backing. The company
has incorporated features it has developed for its laptops, like stereo
speakers and a screen that adjusts in contrast and brightness depending
on the lighting. Both of those features are intended to make it more
comfortable for consumers to watch video. Some of the details, like
exact weight and exact price, are still being worked out.
| Device | Toshiba Tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android | |
| Apps | More than 100,000 Android apps | |
| Flash Support | Yes | |
| Multitasking | Yes | |
| Screen | 10.1-inch wide screen | |
| Screen Resolution | 1280x800 | |
| Camera | 5 MP rear-facing camera, 2 MP front-facing camera | |
| Ports | U.S.B., mini-U.S.B., HDMI for video out, SD slot | |
| Navigation | Compass, GPS | |
| Storage | 16GB and 32 GB, plus SD card slot | |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | |
| Estimated Battery Life | Seven hours continuous video playback (target) | |
| Dimensions | 10.7" x 6.9" x 0.6" (target) | |
| Weight | <1.7 lbs (target) | |
| Wireless Plan | Wi-Fi only | |
| Price | TBA |
source : www.nytimes.com