They said that 2010 was supposed to be the Year of the Tablet. It did not happen — the flood of product was not the hype that it was expected, as many manufacturers awaited a more tablet-friendly operating system from Google. So, once more: 2011 will be the Year of the Tablet. Several new models have either been released, or are in a very advanced state of preview.
Apple iPad
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 Xoom
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 1280 x 800
Camera 5 MP rear-facing camera, 2 MP 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 upgradable. 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
H.P. Slate
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” widescreen
Screen Resolution 1024 x 600
Camera VGA webcam for videoconferencing, 3 MP 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 lbs
Price $800
Dell Streak
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, 5 MP camera on reverse side
Ports U.S.B.
Navigation Compass, GPS
Storage MicroSD card slot (16 GB 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 lbs
Wireless Plan 2-year AT&’T contract or buy unlocked at full price
Price $550 ($300 with 2-year contract)
BlackBerry PlayBook
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 3 MP camera for videoconferencing, 5 MP 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 lbs
Price Unknown
Samsung Galaxy Tab
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.
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
Screen Resolution 1024 x 600
Camera 1.3 MP camera for videoconferencing, 3 MP camera on reverse side
Ports U.S.B.
Navigation Compass, GPS
Storage MicroSD card slot (16 GB pre-installed)
Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G
Estimated Battery
Life 7 hours
Dimensions 7.48” x 4.74” x 0.47”
Weight 0.8 lbs
Wireless Plan Varies by carrier
Price $600 ($400 with contract)
Toshiba Tablet
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” wide screen
Screen Resolution 1280 x 800
Camera 5 MP rear-facing , 2 MP front-facing camera
Ports U.S.B., mini-U.S.B., HDMI for video out, SD slot
Navigation Compass, GPS
Storage 16 GB and 32 GB, plus SD card slot
Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Estimated Battery
Life 7 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
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