So you want to splash out on a nice hunk of gadgetry for that special person in your life this Christmas – or perhaps you want to convince that lucky, lucky person to splash out on you. But which tablet device is right for you?
Although they may look similar at first glance – large-screened, flat, enticingly shiny – there’s actually a huge range of different tablet devices available on the market at the moment, with a range of functions. Here’s a quick guide to help you work out what you need and how to get it.
Apple iPad
We’ll start with the big one – you’ve all heard of it. With a screen of 9.7 inches, the iPad is the biggest tablet around and makes a great device for coffee tables and train journeys. Thousands of handy apps make it easy to tailor the iPad to your needs, and it’s perfect for surfing the net, watching movies and video clips and playing games.
Downsides are that the iPad has no camera component – though it’s expected that one will be included in the next version – and no phone component, so you can’t use it for phone or video calls. It’s also got no support for Adobe Flash, which can be exasperating if using Flash-based sites. And, whilst it’s got a huge range of books available for download, the screen is a little bright and the device a little heavy for reading for any length of time.
iPad accessories available:
iPad case | iPad cover | iPad screen protector | iPad charger | iPad stand
Amazon Kindle
For bookworms, then, the Kindle makes a far better choice for a reading session. This dedicated e-reader is currently the number one best-seller on Amazon, and is racking up thousands of orders in time for Christmas. Unlike the iPad, the Kindle uses innovative e-ink to make reading it exactly like reading from a book, ensuring that you don’t hurt your eyes. At 6”, it’s small enough and weighs little enough (less than a paperback) to hold comfortably for long periods. And with the 3G version now available, you can download books wherever you are.
Downsides are that this e-reader is just that – an e-reader. Don’t expect any bells or whistles from this one-trick pony, but this is the perfect gift for literary types and costs a lot less than a full tablet device.
Kindle accessories available:
Kindle case | Kindle cover | Kindle screen protector | Kindle Charger | Kindle light
Samsung Galaxy Tab
Biggest competitor to the iPad so far (watch this space)! The Galaxy Tab is smaller than the iPad, at just 7 inches, but it’s about half the weight – meaning you won’t have to contend with arm strain after a lengthy session. It runs Google’s Android OS, which means that it also supports Adobe Flash, and like the iPad it has a variety of useful apps available (although admittedly not as many as in the iStore), including a Barnes & Noble Nook reader app.
Downsides are that the Tab, like the iPad, can’t place phone calls – but unlike the iPad, it does come with front and back videos included, making web-based video calls a viable alternative.
Galaxy Tab accessories available:
Galaxy Tab case | Galaxy Tab cover | Galaxy Tab screen protector | Galaxy Tab charger | Galaxy Tab stylus