Top 10 Tablets To Buy (Or Avoid) Now
To Avoid: Pandigital SuperNova
AThe Android 2.3-powered Pandigital SuperNova offers an 8-inch capacitive display and longer battery life, but it suffers from sluggish performance and bad design.
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April 5th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Where’s the EP121?
April 5th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@Nick
My exact same thoughts. The EP121 should be in there.
June 14th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Not sure how the playbook gets a thumbs down, the fixes will be out in the next month (along with the ability to us android app) and this will make it one of the top tablets on the market, good peformance and good app selection when this happens
June 15th, 2011 at 11:25 am
I think you summed it up quite well the reason why it shouldn’t be recommended: the fixes are not out yet, and from your logic it follows that today it
1- is broken else it need not be fixed
2- performance is not where it should be hence the need for a fix
3- there is not much of a selection when to comes to software, because that could only possibly happen after the proposed fixes are out.
Do you have access to the beta version which they are working on to even confirm that they will fix all that you’ve mentioned? If not it’s just a promise. I’ll believe it when I see it.
For now, just get something that works today guys.
June 15th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Can’t believe the samsung tab got a thumbs down!
June 15th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
They include the archos 7 but not one of the other better archos devices???
October 15th, 2011 at 7:55 am
This is bull s***! Avoid BlackBerry Playbook because it is buggy OS? are you kidding me, this is new OS and yes it is still work in progress and there will be bugs for several version after current one, that doesn’t mean that users should avoid this. it has superb hardware inside, much better than Apple and Samsung (that you prefer), not one device has 802.11 A standard integrated in, only Playbook has. But hey apple got 10 hours of working/hm. watching porn over internet… my question is why don’t you think twice before you suggest freaking iCrap device? after upgrade of iOS5, the device works like crap. I hate when there are so called tech sites, that are actually advertising particular companies (just because they were payed to do so)… lame…
October 31st, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Good idea if Laptop investigated Dovla’s complaint that iOS5 ruined the user experience of iPad2. If true, this is important!
November 20th, 2011 at 9:29 am
The Motorola XOOM is missing from your list of buys. Its the best tablet I’ve seen on the market so far.
November 20th, 2011 at 8:46 pm
I got a Archos 7.0 for my daughter. It is Ok for her. Can not get Netflix. That sucks. For the $$$$. It is worth it for a kid.
November 27th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
I own a Sony S tablet and it’s a great tablet. I looked at the other tablets at Best Buy but the different design makes the Sony so much more comfortable to hold and it’s 9.4″ inch screen is just the right size for me. It never lags and runs fast. It has a sd card slot which was a must for me to load ebooks on.
December 7th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
How does the Lenovo thinkpad win your shootout and then not get recommended?
December 10th, 2011 at 10:43 am
I don’t understand why the Toshiba tablet is left out. The 2 USB ports are really handy as is adding in more memory 2 diifferent ways at same time. This is awesome if you are a photographer. Also carrying spare batteries is very handy in the wild. This tablet is way ahead of the others in my mind but it does depend on how will use your tablet.
December 12th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
The Sony tablet S is the only different tables in the planet. Better than the Ipad IMHO.
December 26th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Toshiba’s Thrive got my vote…Full sized USB, HDMI, SD card plus changeable batteries. Not having to carry a bunch of cables and adapters was the decision maker. The user changeable battery was also a major consideration.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:16 am
I agree on what Dovla said about PlayBook’s buggy OS, Android has been most of its life in that stage and it is still filled with bugs and stutters and even Galaxy Nexus works like a broken phone, with lags, freezes and force closes. However, the point is not only the bugginess of the OS, it is also about support and a huge number of developers. You can find absolutely anything for Android or iOS but it is a different story with PlayBook. It looks like it is dying out so personally I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, while i would recommend an iPad or an Android device, depending on the needs and personality.
I disagree on Samsung, it is a piece of garbage, add quite a few widgets to your home screen and your device will perform somewhat close to being broken, if I knew nothing about Android I would probably assume the device is broken. User experience on Samsung’s 8.9 and 10 is awful, unless you clean your mem, run custom roms and all the rest of garbage that an average consumer wouldn’t even want to think about, let alone do it.
In my opinion Sony Tablet S and Galaxy Tab Plus should be on the list.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:18 am
P.S. Toshiba and XOOM are not bad for this list either.
February 25th, 2012 at 10:26 pm
Why put Ipad 2 on the “To Buy” list if Ipad 3 is most likely going to come out in the following month??
February 25th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Acer??? One of the best tabs for sure !
March 11th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Another Apple advocate . . . I bought my wife a Toshiba Thrive and it has more functionality than any of the “i” gadgets. She even has a “Mobile Hotspot” cell card that gives her connectivity anywhere a Verizon cell tower is. And she doesn’t need an external gadget to interface with USB devices. Android 3.2, it works well.
March 18th, 2012 at 2:26 am
Well, to each our own. I went for a Windows slate with the purpose of using MSOneNote 2010 as a digital notebook, and light for me. Fujitsu slate which might not be for everyone. With the playbook firesale I went for one as well and with the OS2 update my old bluetooth phones work with it so it’s now replaced my music player and I use it to go across the internet and with various other multimedia things.
April 17th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Hi,
Have been using the Acer Iconia A500 tab since November. Runs Android 3.2 with the ICS update scheduled for 4/27/2012. Plenty fast, full size USB port, heavy, but solidly built…I love it. I use it all the time in public and I love when someone asks me how I like my iPAD. While I do like the iPAD I tell them, I show them the Acer. After seeing it run for a bit, most people seem impressed will all the extra features it comes with. Only paid $299 on Black Friday, so quite the deal. I know the iPAD OS runs smoother, but using the two tablets for a while, the Acer does a fine job, too. I think the Acer should be added to the list of Android tablets to consider. Thanks.
August 19th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
If you don’t have a Kindle Fire then all you have is an over priced paper weight.
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Got the ipad 3 works good, good performance but u know nothing out of the ordinary but none the less a good device. I however believe the blackberry playbook is a better tablet.
September 7th, 2012 at 3:54 am
When I saw the Ipad at the top I knew this article was crap. The title of the article is best tablets “TO BUY” – Which the Ipad is not cause it is overpriced and overhyped.
September 16th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
acer ?? is it make any sense
October 10th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Why would you say avoid the 13″ Toshiba Excite, just because it is more expensive? It may have a limited audience, but why is that an “avoid”. Di you give iMacs the “Avoid” tag for desktops as well because they are overpriced too? What about the Toshiba 10″ and 7″ Excites? They are well rounded units that don’t even get mentioned in your article, and are much more popular than the 13″.
November 23rd, 2012 at 12:43 am
The $199 7″ & the $299 8.9″ Kindle Fire HD have a high screen resolution that is capable of displaying HD content. Only the $499 ipad3 retina can make the same claim.
Both Kindle Fire HDs have 2 speakers at the left and right side of the unit for great stereo sound. The ipad’s speakers are at the bottom of the unit which sounds awful and has no stereo imaging.
Both Kindle Fire HDs have MIMO technology that uses 2 antennas for excellent wifi reception which results in faster downloads and streaming. No other tablet has it.
No matter what type of media…movies, music, books, photos and web pages look better and sound better on the Kindle Fire HD than ANY iPad.
November 23rd, 2012 at 12:09 pm
I would include Blackberry Playbook in this list.
Despite the fact that its app market has not caught up with android and apple app markets, playbook remains the best tablet in the market. I own, an ipad 2, motorola xoom, and playbook, the only advantage the other two might have is bigger screen, since playbooks come in 7″.
anyway,.. please avoid making biased reviews, give credit to all the “top” tablets equally.
December 6th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
I am a parent trying to by a reasonably priced tablet for a 5 year old that can operate an Ipad. Any suggestions?
December 14th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Thanks for pointing out some of the best and some of the worst. I didn’t know that it would be so difficult to pick the perfect tablet, but I keep hearing from many of my friends and coworkers at DISH that the new iPad is the way to go for what I’m looking for. I want to give my brother a tablet to work with the new DISH Remote Access app that he’s been using on his Smartphone, but he’s been complaining that the screen is too small. I just need something 7” or larger so that he can watch live TV or his DVR recordings and actually see what he’s watching. The app has given him something to do on his downtime at work, and since I keep hearing that the iPad’s Retina display is unmatched by any other tablet, I believe that I’ve found my answer. Thanks!
December 16th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
This article is so outdated. the Galaxy Note 10.1 is an excellent tablet and I intend to buy one in the new year. the Galaxy Tab 2 is also a very good tablet. Outside of the iPad’s screen, it does not compare to the Note 10.1 (Quad processor and 2 GB of RAM with the Jelly Bean update rolling out as we speak.
You want a toy? Get an iPad. IMHO, it is over-priced. The Note has Work and play (plus a MicroSD slot for up to 32 GB of extra storage). iPad does not have any built-in expansion. You get what you get.
Plus the fact the software that is included with the Note 10.1, it itself, makes it worth the coin to get it.
December 20th, 2012 at 10:52 pm
There is a reason why Apple rules the roost. Best build quality, so many more “built for iPad 3/4 retina” APP’s. Samsung, an old Korean Company I remember from the 90′s, gained popularity to compete with Sony. Want a new tablet every other month, buy a Samsung. Want to feed Amazon’s digital wallet, buy a Kindle. What good, tell me please, is a HDTV with no or very little HD content? My Motorola Droid Razr is a great 4.3″ mini tablet, dual core powerhouse. Want to be productive and have fun, save up yer cash and buy an iPad 3 or 4. Otherwise you will be beta testing Android and Windows RT forever. I know, I did.
December 24th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
I can’t believe it that the ipad Beat, way better tablets like the xoom Acer iconia, Playbook, Samsung galaxy, Toshiba thrive etc. They are all so much better because most of them run on android and aren’t overpriced pieces of junk, the ipad is only expensive because of the name, android is many times better because of the larger app store,android isn’t against rooting your device, and you can download stuff off the internet that isn’t from the app store, believe me I own a apple and a android tablet and I just let the apple one sit in the corner while I have fun on my android
December 27th, 2012 at 6:00 am
Why do do many people love and hate apple,plz explain, now i have my reasons but am a programmer,so my idsue is the languages. As for the tech its all the same just with 2 or 3 languages on them. I prefere Android as I program in android and am not keen on the other languages. Even most of the people who review them have no idea what there on about,people make me laugh,you wana find a good tablet? Go to a shop and.try them urself,there all similar as they all do same thing
January 5th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
The iPad 5th generation may come out in march so the iPad 4 is a waste of money. It’s not even much better than the 3.
January 10th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Apples ipad is the best tablet hands down. I am a software developer. It’s much easier to developer software for android, but unfortunately it rarely sells as well or works as well as ipad software. I could be biased because the iPads have made me a fortune, but go to best buy and compare for yourself. The new kindle fire hd 8.7 is pretty cool too, if you can’t afford an ipad.
January 30th, 2013 at 10:52 pm
SONY Tablet S has poor design for it power supply connector. Just after the 1 year warranty period the pins now do not have good contact anymore thereby not charging. Sony answer is buy a new power supply for $70. Not a good response. I will definitely go for a IPAD more reliable. Have used my IPOD charger for three years now without a single glitch. Else I might be shelling out $70 every year.
January 31st, 2013 at 2:22 pm
I love my iPad its easy and the retina display is great. However I bought my son for Xmas an asus nexus 7google tablet. He loved it and it supports flash which the iPad does not and its more customizable. So I’m going to pick the 7inch quad ore asus nexus 7 google tablet 32 gig and the picture is beautiful.my son is a techie and he wouldn’t trade this for the world! It also fits in his back pocket he brings it with him everywhere I know it doesn’t have a rear camera but due to the front camera still able to Skype and this thing flies! It’s so fast do to its quad core I only paid 250$ for it so in my mind it was an excellent gift that packs a whole punch for the money. My son is in college and not a day goes by that he doesn’t thank me for it. He purchased a case and a stylus for it and it has Corning glass and a nice rubber like backing which makes it easy to hold. We both think that the iPad is great but way too expensive and after a while you get bored with it and it devalues very quickly my biggest pet peace with it is that it doesn’t support adobe flash! For the money they should get with the program and give us more! My son even gets great free apps from the google play store he’s used my iPad and he totally loves his asus nexus 7 google tablet much better and so do I ! I wish I could trade mine in its a 3rd gen iPad with retina display for what I bought him oh and it constantly updates which the iPad does not so I hope I have answered your question adequately enough ! People go get one and try it out its awesome!
March 6th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
Just one question. why would you compare a tablets to one PC? Surface pro 8 is a Full PC. you can run any app ever produced for a pc. you are not stuck with what is in a app store. I have several app that have been written for a PC that will never run on any of your tables. So if you want to be tied to a store have at your junk. but stop comparing it to the Surface PRO. Just not the same thing. And about your 4.5 hour battery life (what a crock). We use it for your sales reps to go out and take orders 10 to 11 hour days and they never have to recharge because of the battery saving the surface does. of course you cannot watch a lot of videos or play games on it without the battery taking a hit, But again this is not a toy like your tablets.
So go play with your things while those of us with the Surface Pro get some work done
March 10th, 2013 at 1:20 pm
Another article written by a Apple fanboy….. probably never ever used a surface.
Enjoy that apple stock, I suggest you sell soon….
As the windows 8 interface is adopted nationwide and the tablets get better and cheaper, we’ll see where apple is in a few years.
Remember their history… proprietary hardware has led to them basically going out of business twice.. its only a matter of time until competition catches and surpasses them and their business model collapses again.
March 12th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
Avoid Surface Pro? Really? No place to put the stylus? How about in your pocket or on the table? Where do you put a stylus for the iPad? Underwhelming camera? On a tablet? Who cares?!? ALL tablets have crap cameras, including your beloved iPad. And guess what? It doesn’t matter cause friggin noone uses them. Battery life is fairly low, but that’s obviously a sacrifice to a more powerful processor, so no surprise here. I smell shameless Apple fanboys / MS haters…
March 25th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
I was wondering how did Apple pay you ………
April 12th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
I am disabled and spend a lot of time in bed, Please tell me what if any tablet would work best for me.
I am looking for a tablet that I can do Hulu plus and Netflix on, as well as Facebook, email, iTunes, and the kindle app.
I am wondering if any of these have USB ports or can interface with my lap top to download documents. I would just use my home wireless as I don’t have a data contract on my phone.
Please, would any of these cover all of the things I would like to have or do I have to give something up?
Thank you in advance for your help.
April 14th, 2013 at 10:27 am
What is currently most powerful tablets in market right now for multimedia? Basic photoshop usage and watching movies. I think most tablets are pretty weak unless I am sorely mistaken?
April 14th, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Let’s face it! Some cannot acknowledge success of any product! There is a dire desire to destroy that
which works. Go figure…
On the web, we have no fear of insulting people, places or products.
Too bad…grumblers live by grumbling.
April 19th, 2013 at 2:57 am
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is a perfect Christmas treat! I have it and I have to say that it’s awesome, totally 9/10. More affordable than the Note 10.1.
April 23rd, 2013 at 11:01 am
relax guys its only someones opinion on a website, you don’t have to agree with it. perhaps if you spent less time glued to your tablet and more time actually living life you might be less uptight
April 27th, 2013 at 12:03 am
what about the La Pan tablet? is it any good?
April 27th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
I actually agree with his placement of the surface and I honestly hate apple. My personal experience with windows 8 on my computer and on a tablet has left me wanting more. I prefer windows 7 on my laptop and I feel more productive with an Android device than a windows 8. Although I hate to admit it, apple does have more support in the app department especially in real estate, medical, and educational apps, but android isn’t too bad off. I can’t see windows 8 catching up any time soon…