Top 10 iPad Alternatives
Amazon Kindle Fire HD
The second-generation Amazon Kindle improves on the 7-inch tablet with a 1280 x 800-pixel HD screen resolution, powerful Dolby-enhanced speakers, a huge library of readily-available TV shows, books, and movies, and twice the starting storage space of the competition. With all that, it's hard to believe Amazon kept the price at $199.
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February 18th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Let me guess, AT&T tethering charge.
This looks promising, a good idea for travelers/business people.
February 18th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
htc flyer clear winner of them all because of stylus intergration
February 19th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Can’t believe you didn’t include the exoPC.
Oh wait! It’s actually shipping!!
February 19th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Yes, already shipping. But, we have a hard time recommending it given our review.
March 10th, 2011 at 1:22 am
I’ve read tablet article after tablet article and never a mention about true windows-based tablets. I want my tablet to be a computer, not a media device/toy. For me, the ASUS ep121 is what I’ve been waiting ever so patiently for. When I saw an article titled “Ten iPad Alternatives”, I thought for sure it’d be mentioned. How is it not considered an iPad alternative?? I was given an iPad as a gift, used it for a month and then sold it for a more-expensive Asus one because I wanted a Windows tablet. And I’m sorry – any discussion about Apple having the advantage over other tablet manufacturers is crap if you consider full-on windows. 65,000 can’t compete with millions.
March 10th, 2011 at 9:16 am
What a biased review. Are all these or most of them not tethered to a contract? I agree with Dave – PC tablets are the way to go and I too have been waiting for the Asus EP 121. I hope, though, that they address the sorry battery life…
May 18th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Another recommended app
is the ElectricityCalc.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/electricitycalc/id436453765?mt=8
You can see what your product use in electricity and what it cost
June 27th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
What about entry level tablet pc’s? E.g. Lenovo S10-3t for $500 and no contract (plus 8 hour battery life).
Also there are several windows slates coming: Viliv X70 slate, Fujitsu Q550, Samsung slider PC7.
June 27th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
My main trouble with these lists is that products not yet here are “better” than “not as good” products available now. For me this is non-sense.
Regarding Win 7, I believe the real one (not the phony one) is not ready for it’s touch-prime. There are no millions of touchy apps, not even 60000. Well, there are probably 60000 VERTICAL Win apps, but not a chance to see them in Windows Marketplace. Keep in mind that Apple sees iPad as a secondary device and they still trying hard to put MacOS X at every home with an iDevice.
June 30th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
This might be an ok tablet if it weren’t for the brand. Sooner or later it will need service, which is something you can never expect from ACER. They have the worst customer service among any of the brands i have owned.
July 25th, 2011 at 7:49 am
You missed the A1CS X220 Tablet, best seller on Amazon for a reason.
August 10th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
funny thing is Ive tired most of these, and am very appauld that the HP touchpad isnt the 1st alternative option smh, I guess thats politics.
August 15th, 2011 at 1:04 am
Hey Morons…. I’m not sure who is not doing their job on this site but you totally forgot the HP Touchpad which is better than all of these other tablets you mentioned.
It has a better cooked OS, honest and efficient mu;lit tasking, The OS looks beautiful and add to that some fabulous homebrew support.
Not sure if I can take this site seriously from here on.
Good job in showing your incredible bias.
August 15th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Appreciate the feedback. There are aspects of the TouchPad we really like but it didn’t make the cut here because we don’t recommend that tablet. It’s not oversight or bias. We also wish the software update did more to improve performance but it didn’t. We’re hoping that HP can work out the kinks because we’d like to recommend it.
August 22nd, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Uhhmmm … Where is the Motorola XOOM? In my opinion this is hands-down the best slate/tablet on the market today.
October 11th, 2011 at 11:14 am
I’ve read tablet article after tablet article and never a mention about true windows-based tablets. I want my tablet to be a computer, not a media device/toy. For me, the ASUS ep121 is what I’ve been waiting ever so patiently for. When I saw an article titled “Ten iPad Alternatives”, I thought for sure it’d be mentioned. How is it not considered an iPad alternative?? I was given an iPad as a gift, used it for a month and then sold it for a more-expensive Asus one because I wanted a Windows tablet. And I’m sorry any discussion about Apple having the advantage over other tablet manufacturers is crap if you consider full-on windows. 65,000 can’t compete with millions.
October 11th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Oh boy, that was a good one. Pretending there are real alternatives to the iPad, that is too rich.
If laptopmag is switching to comedy this is a great start. You should give The Onion a run for its money.
Ptttt!
November 30th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
Uhh, just sayin’. The Nook Color at the end looks a WHOLE LOT like a Samsung tablet…. right down the the Samsung stamping on it…. (perhaps a picture change may be in order)
December 27th, 2011 at 4:29 am
RIM Blackberry PlayBook??? Fantastic device. Especially at heavily discounted prices. True multitasking O/S is a real treat. Screen is superior to ALL other tablets (including ipad2). 1080P external hdmi. Swipe bezel. How can you not mention this wonderful tablet? Such bias.
December 27th, 2011 at 10:07 am
Maybe the reviewer should see CNET tablet reviews. The Toshiba Thrive is quite impressive. The regular USB port is rather a smart feature.
December 27th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Please kill the annoying Toshiba Flash popup or require an “x” so we can close it…I hate seeing an ad for every tablet…ironic also that the Toshiba Thrive was left off the list
December 27th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Absolutely agree with Luella. Desperate for good tablet options with a real operating system. These silly little “apps” that can basically do nothing are just rather pointless. Easy to say “why don’t you just get yourself a real laptop?” but to be fair, I’m greedy. I want a tablet that has laptop functionality, not a mobile phone with a bigger screen. There seem to be a couple of options: Dell Inspiron Duo or a bunch of Asus tablets.
So, given my perspective, can anyone tell me the best tablet that will allow me to do some serious work (run real windows/MAC applications), but then the portability to jsut take to bed and read a book?
Cheers!
January 4th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
I just got an iPad, and while I like it, I would not get another one. Computing capability aside, with Apple’s “proprietary” happy attitude where you have to buy or subscribe to Apple versions of normally free programs, like Adobe Flash Player, and any songs you download at the itunes store can only be played on Apple devices, unlike songs in the MP3 format, I am already disgusted with Apple and looking for a Droid replacement since I am very happy with my Droid Razr cell phone.
MJK
January 20th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Kindle Fire is NOT compatible with Ipad; I just returned it. You can’t hook it up to a tv and Ipad can.
January 20th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Missing off this list is the Motorola Xoom – the first dual core tablet that had both a front and rear facing camera (before the ipad 2). It was also the first Android tablet to use Google’s Honeycomb OS.
Some of these other tablets are in the same league, but the Kindle, and the Nook are just toys.
Seeing how the kindle toy is shown prominently as Mr. Spoonauer’s first alternative, Amazon must be sponsoring this article. What a joke.
January 28th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
I’m a little disappointed with the model acer you listed A100 to be compared with an Ipad (there isn’t one), Try the Acer A500-16 or 32 and then your in the same league as the Ipad in terms of features and performance.
March 5th, 2012 at 4:06 am
Check out the Viewsonic 7E pad; at $ 169.99, it is the best sub-$ 200 tablet out there.
March 21st, 2012 at 3:30 am
i, too, am looking for a tablet that acts like a laptop. Any ideas out there?
April 1st, 2012 at 6:01 am
Mark says: “Computing capability aside, with Apple’s “proprietary” happy attitude where you have to buy or subscribe to Apple versions of normally free programs, like Adobe Flash Player, and any songs you download at the itunes store can only be played on Apple devices, unlike songs in the MP3 format”.
Two points:
1) Adobe no longer supports Flash on mobile devices so that is a dead technology.
2) All songs downloaded on iTunes store are free of restrictions (DRM) and can be played on any device. Just burn to CD, export/transcode to MP3 or whatever you like. Many years ago, the iTunes store used DRM at the behest of the music companies, but Apple renegotiated and removed all DRM.
April 30th, 2012 at 11:53 pm
My Asus t201 ( Transformer Prime ) has been one of the Best electronic devices I’ve ever purchased. It’s a Tablet and/or Laptop, it’s Your choice! The “silly” apps referenced above are Easily replaced by Truly Useful “pc quality” tools. Now, with Drive, I can Easily WORK or PLAY anywhere using my FREE WiFi Hotspot from my TMo Sensation. And DAMN, does this TransPrime FLY ! The Fifth Core increases steady-use for 2 days quite easily and with “normal” use that can extend to a 3rd day just as well. All this without the laptop accessory (which adds an extra 8 hours of constant use). The ONLY competition this Asus has MIGHT be with the soon-to-be-released Atrix 2 “phonepad” coming from Moto … AND the early summer release of the EXCEPTIONAL (spec-wise & pure Android Experience) Asus Google Nexus 7″ quad. Another Plus of the TransPrime is the thisclose Pure Android experience it offers. GPS has Not been an issue with me. However, if GPS IS important for Your use Fear Not as Asus will Very Soon be releasing the TransPrime with a plastic back … Not quite as Beautiful as the original Spun Metallic of the TransPrime but Also at a $99.00 discount from the t201!
ANY way you look at this you’ve already won the battle of theTablet Choice.
May 1st, 2012 at 9:45 am
I agree! I have the TF201 Prime transformer and it is truely marvelous!
May 16th, 2012 at 11:19 am
I am using the Blackberry Playbook and love it – has Flash too.
June 21st, 2012 at 2:08 am
I had the asus transformer prime, then acers a200, and finally caved in and bought the iPad. The wifi was terrible on the Prime and although the prime has superior hardware, the software didn’t utilize it fully like the iPad software utilizes the iPad hardware. Without the selection of apps and accessories like what is offered for the iPad offered to a single android tablet, android will never compete with apple. Im somewhat hopeful that Microsoft might become a iPad competitor, but I’m not confident they will be able to rid themselves of the huge resource hungry os’s they always put out. I’m happy with my iPad, but hate being considered an apple customer and would jump if there were someone else that offered a true competing full solution: hardware, os, apps, and accessories.
July 6th, 2012 at 4:15 am
Its a matter of preference (I’m Danish, so don’t waste comments on my spelling) … I-anything has still got the feel and design price (Not the HW price, but the latest screen on the new Ipad is really something) I use a transformer myself, and very happy with it (I compared it to some of my mates Ipad 2′s) And here…. on every count the ASUS kicks Ipad. But like in the beginning, it really dosent matter.
Only reason I never use anything with an I is because : ITunes really sucks – When your laptop HDD dies…. No way you can get the music (Witch has taken you days to load) over on a new one from any device. And why is it the Apple should dictate all contents on all apps? Is this China or something? I can write an app for Android an put it on a server and share it, try that with and I infront…. Did you know that apple has rejected several apps because they dident like the content? And come on, whats up with all the lawsuits? On SLIDE-TO-UNLOCK?? haha even the early MS had that on it pre the win mobile. Please concentrate on moving forward with nice gadgets instead, and stop trying to stop the others with looser lawsuits, and beat them on tech instead.
btw: The internet still uses Flash!
July 7th, 2012 at 2:15 am
I would like to ask for some advice. I have two daughters, one of 8 and one of 3,5 years. I am looking for a light (in terms of weight) device that they can use from time to time to watch movies/documentaries and use for games. To date they are using my laptop, but that is not convenient for me, so I like to offer them something they can use by themselves. I am not rich and I don’t care for brand names, so it doesn’t need to be the flashiest of all; rather something that offers a solid performance with a reasonable viewing quality and is easy to handle. Practical, so to speak. I am not in the electronics business, as by now you’ll have figured, which is why I am coming here, hoping someone can guide me. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping me out.
July 17th, 2012 at 8:03 am
@Pieter How about you get your kids toys? An eight and four year olds don’t need tablets. Try getting them stuff that they can play outside with, or even better, use their imagination.
August 3rd, 2012 at 11:40 am
Mark, Really, the Xoom has all these beat, I did a lot of research before I selected my tablet and by far the best choice is the XOOM, how did you miss that? I think you need to go back start over. I did a head to head comparison of the IPad and xood and the Xoom smoked the
IPad please do your home work, and look at these products with an open mind, I call a do over !!!!!!!!!
August 9th, 2012 at 8:28 am
wow your i pads photos r excellent
October 18th, 2012 at 4:36 am
I see davids slinns comment is a carbon copy of Luella Rollinds….who’s kiddin who ?
November 5th, 2012 at 12:44 am
@Kenneth Only reason I never use anything with an I is because : ITunes really sucks – When your laptop HDD dies…. No way you can get the music (Witch has taken you days to load) over on a new one from any device.
Some time ago Apple made it possible to retrieve all purchased music and software on any new machine via the cloud. All your stuff moves with your account. I find it convenient – I run a lab with various brands of tablets and computers. I realize that the Apple ecosystem is not for everyone, but it’s pretty easy for people to use and copy on all devices.
December 30th, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Typical Apple shill/fanboy, if you don’t want an Apple product you must hate Apple.
January 27th, 2013 at 1:12 pm
And yet, there is no mention of the Amazon 8.9″ HD, 64GB 4G? Bias is one thing, but leaving out the something like that is tragic!
April 24th, 2013 at 6:33 am
I am use Samsung tablet PC and love it
April 24th, 2013 at 11:07 am
Kids under 15 should not own tablets, iPads, iPhones or anything expensive! they will break it or find something they should not find. The internet is an unsafe battle ground for kids who don’t know what to expect.