Best tablets to buy in 2013

 

We round-up the best tablets to buy in 2013. Whether you want a 7 inch or 10 inch tablet, an Android, Apple or Windows device, something cheap or something expensive, we've got the reviews you need to make the right decision Apple may have had the tablet market sewn-up in previous years but in 2013 there are plenty of genuine alternatives to consider, with Google,Samsung, Sony and more all delivering good quality tablets. Read on for all the details and click through to read the full reviews, pictures and specs...

Apple iPad 4 (32GB)

Like the iPod before it, it was the iPad that lit the spark under the tablet market. Apple mastered form and function, delivering a brilliantly simple yet premium device and a huge amount of app, music and movie content.This 4th-generation iPad is the best Apple iPad yet, thanks to a pin-sharp, 2048x1536 Retina display, a faster A6X processor and class-leading picture and sound performance.Being locked to iTunes and the App Store may not work for everyone but there's little arguing with the quality and quantity of content at your disposal. Still the best tablet on the market in 2013.Read the full Apple iPad 4 review Google finally sorted out its tablet offering in 2012, meaning the company offers a viable Android alternative to the all-conquering Apple tablets.Offering a good few quid saving on the new iPad, it’s hard not to be impressed with the Nexus 10. Video is superb and music isn’t far behind, while the interface, features and content offerings are thorough.The build could have a little more sparkle and we await more tablet-specific app offerings but the Nexus 10 is undoutbtedly a serious alternative for a 10in tablet.

The successor to one of our favourite Android tablets, Sony's tablet offerings are getting better with every incarnation (giving us high hopes for the forthcoming Sony Xperia Tablet Z).Slimmer, sexier and splashproof, too, there's an HD Ready rather than full HD, 1280 x 800 resolution, 9.4in screen, but it still performs well with video, offering realistic, viant colours. Music is good, too, with impressive clarity and oodles of bass. We're still big fans of this Sony Xperia tablet – only the full HD performance (and then some) of the iPad 4 causes the loss of a star.Read our full Sony Xperia Tablet S review. The laptop and tablet hybrid may have been made most famous by the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity but we rather like this Dell XPS 10 tablet, which can also be paired with an optional keyboard.On its own, the Windows 8 Start interface is a colourful, customisable pleasure, using the Windows RT rather than Windows Pro OS to good effect but meaning you can't install full Windows programs but can use the Windows 8 app store.A 1366 x 768 10.1in screen looks detailed, natural and realistic – though of course it's a shame it's not full HD – but the sound can be a little on the bright side. Not perfect but an appealing alternative to the usual suspects.

The Kindle Fire HD combines all of Amazon's content offerings in to one simple tablet. Using Amazon's rather than Google's app store, it's an easy to use offering that's ideal for regular Amazon shopper.A 7in, 1280 x 800 screen delivers lovely pictures with good contrast and detail, while sound quality – even from the speakers – is full-bodied and punchy.It may not offer the full-fat Google Android experience, but for simplicity of use – and if you're a big Amazon ebook, MP3 or movie fan – it's a winner.

Apple’s reaction to 7in tablets from Amazon, Google and others was every bit as accomplished as we expected. The 7.9in screen makes it a little larger than most but it's light, easy to hold and beautifully put together. Optimized for 4:3 content thanks to the size and 1024 x 768 resolution, the picture is quite simply outstanding. For punch, detail and beautifully judged colours, not to mention that sense of depth and realism, it's unrivalled. Predictably brilliant sound quality makes this the mini tablet to beat and well worth the extra cash.

The Nexus 7 is a brilliant combination of affordability and performance, that bought Android tablets to the masses thanks to a cheap and cheerful price tag alongside the powerful and name of Google (and Asus).A 1280 x 800 resolution HD screen and Tegra 3 processor deliver solid pictures and browsing performance, while everything we love about Android is presented in fine style thanks to the stripped-down Nexus version of the Jelly Bean OS.It could still do with more tablet-specific apps but for basic tablet performance, alongside more than good enough sound and picture, we're more than happy to recommend this 7in alternative to the iPad Mini.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (8GB)An ever-decreasing price tag (seemingly) means the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 remains one for the shortlist (even if the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 are around the corner).The chassis may be plastic but we still prefer the design to the likes of the Kobo Arc and Kindle Fire HD, while the Android 4.0 experience is smoother and more complete here.Video is good, while music is a little more run-of-the-mill, but for a considerable chunk under £200 this Android tablet becomes far more competitive.

We round-up the best tablets to buy in 2013. Whether you want a 7 inch or 10 inch tablet, an Android, Apple or Windows device, something cheap or something expensive, we've got the reviews you need to make the right decision.

Apple may have had the tablet market sewn-up in previous years but in 2013 there are plenty of genuine iPad alternatives for enjoying music, movies and web browsing, with Google, Samsung, Sony and more all delivering quality tablets. Read on for all the details, and a look at upcoming tablets in 2013, and click through to read the full reviews, pictures and specs...

Best 10 inch tablets

Apple iPad 4 (32GB)

Five Stars

Like the iPod before it, it was the iPad that lit the spark under the tablet market. Apple mastered form and function, delivering a brilliantly simple yet premium device and a huge amount of app, music and movie content.

This 4th-generation iPad is the best Apple iPad yet, thanks to a pin-sharp, 2048x1536 Retina display, a faster A6X processor and class-leading picture and sound performance.

Being locked to iTunes and the App Store may not work for everyone but there's little arguing with the quality and quantity of content at your disposal. Still the best tablet on the market in 2013. Though the iPad 5 might change that...

Read the full Apple iPad 4 review

Google Nexus 10 (32GB)

Five Stars

Google finally sorted out its tablet offering in 2012, meaning the company offers a viable Android alternative to the all-conquering Apple tablets.

Offering a good few quid saving on the new iPad, it’s hard not to be impressed with the Nexus 10. Video is superb and music isn’t far behind, while the interface, features and content offerings are thorough.

The build could have a little more sparkle and we await more tablet-specific app offerings but the Nexus 10 is undoutbtedly a serious alternative for a 10in tablet.

Read our full Google Nexus 10 review

Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Four Stars

The successor to one of our favourite Android tablets, Sony's Xperia Tablet S, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the best Sony tablet yet.

The design is a little Marmite, but its slim and light frame makes it the perfect travelling companion, and it's waterproof, too, should you like getting wet and wild with your tablet. 

Sound quality is good, though ultimately not quite as detailed as the iPad, while video is solid but bettered by the Google Nexus 10’s crisp screen and great battery life. It's pricier, too.

Still, if you're a Sony fan, like the design, and value the waterproof design, then the Xperia Z might just be the best tablet for you.

Read our full Sony Xperia Tablet Z review

Dell XPS 10 (32GB)

Four Stars

The laptop and tablet hybrid may have been made most famous by the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity but we rather like this Dell XPS 10 tablet, which can also be paired with an optional keyboard.

On its own, the Windows 8 Start interface is a colourful, customisable pleasure, using the Windows RT rather than Windows Pro OS to good effect but meaning you can't install full Windows programs but can use the Windows 8 app store.

A 1366 x 768 10.1in screen looks detailed, natural and realistic – though of course it's a shame it's not full HD – but the sound can be a little on the bright side. Not perfect but an appealing alternative to the usual suspects.

Read our full Dell XPS 10 review

Amazon Kindle Fire HD (16GB)

Four Stars

The Kindle Fire HD combines all of Amazon's content offerings in to one simple tablet. Using Amazon's rather than Google's app store, it's an easy to use offering that's ideal for regular Amazon shopper.

A 7in, 1280 x 800 screen delivers lovely pictures with good contrast and detail, while sound quality – even from the speakers – is full-bodied and punchy.

It may not offer the full-fat Google Android experience, but for simplicity of use – and if you're a big Amazon ebook, MP3 or movie fan – it's a winner.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Fire HD review

Apple iPad Mini £430 (64GB)

Five Stars

Apple's reaction to 7in tablets from Amazon, Google and others was every bit as accomplished as we expected. The 7.9in screen makes it a little larger than most but it's light, easy to hold and beautifully put together.

Optimized for 4:3 content thanks to the size and 1024 x 768 resolution, the picture is quite simply outstanding. For punch, detail and beautifully judged colours, not to mention that sense of depth and realism, it's unrivalled.

Predictably brilliant sound quality makes this the mini tablet to beat and well worth the extra cash. 

Read our full Apple iPad Mini review

Google Nexus 7 (16GB)

Five Stars

The Nexus 7 is a brilliant combination of affordability and performance, that ought Android tablets to the masses thanks to a cheap and cheerful price tag alongside the powerful and name of Google (and Asus).

A 1280 x 800 resolution HD screen and Tegra 3 processor deliver solid pictures and owsing performance, while everything we love about Android is presented in fine style thanks to the stripped-down Nexus version of the Jelly Bean OS.

It could still do with more tablet-specific apps but for basic tablet performance, alongside more than good enough sound and picture, we're more than happy to recommend this 7in alternative to the iPad Mini.

Read our full Google Nexus 7 review

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (8GB)

Four Stars

An ever-decreasing price tag (seemingly) means the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 remains one for the shortlist (even if the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 are around the corner).

The chassis may be plastic but we still prefer the design to the likes of the Kobo Arc and Kindle Fire HD, while the Android 4.0 experience is smoother and more complete here.

Video is good, while music is a little more run-of-the-mill, but for a considerable chunk under £200 this Android tablet becomes far more competitive.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 review

How about new tablets coming soon this year? Here's a selection of tabets to look out for over the coming months, complete with our hands-on reviews and first impressions.

Apple iPad 5

Release date: October TBC

Price: TBC

A year on from the iPad 4, which launched in October 2012, it looks likely Apple will announce a new, 5th-generation iPad, the iPad 5.

Lighter, slimmer, with a new fingerprint sensor, improved screen, and much more, the rumour mill is already in full swing. The smart money seems to be on October 15th for the date of the new iPad event, so make a note in your calendar accordingly.

iPad 5 rumours, news, release date

Archos 97b Titanium

Release date: out now

Fancy a bargain tablet? You could do worse than investigate this Archos tablet, which sports a knockdown price but also a 9.7in IPS screen with a 2048 x 1536 HD screen. There's Android 4.1, 8GB of storage and a microSD card slot, plus a handy HDMI output for connecting to a TV. 

Asus Memo Pad HD7

Release date: TBC

Fancy a cut-price tablet to take on the likes of the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD? Asus hopes it has the answer with the colourful Memo Pad HD7.

A 7in, 1280 x 800 resolution screen isn't anything to write home about but the budget tablet has a quad-core processor and comes with Bluetooth. More UK-specific information as and when we get it.

MORE: Asus Memo Pad HD7 news

Asus Padfone Infinity

Release date: summer TBC

Asus was the first to deliver a tablet-cum-laptop, with the Asus Transformer Pad and now it's trying its hand at a tablet-cum-phone hybrid. The company tends to take its merry time bringing its products to market but the Padfone Infinity looks intriguing enough to keep us interested.

A phone and tablet, it has a premium aluminium finish and solid build, but still remains relatively light even when the phone is docked in the 'Infinity Station' (530g).

The full HD screen of the tablet is powered by the Asus Padfone phone once docked, the two combining to deliver a hefty 27 hours of video time for battery, if nothing else. We'll be looking to get an Asus Padfone Infinity in for review ASAP.

Read our hands on Asus Padfone Infinity review

Samsung ATIV Q

Release date: TBC

Price: TBC

The most versatile tablet in the world? We think it just might be. Not only does the ATIV Q deliver a tablet and laptop experience thanks to the inclusion of a full QWERTY keyboard and a shape-shifting design, but it also sports both Android and Windows 8 operating systems. Clever, huh?

Hands on pictures and video: Samsung ATIV Q review

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Release date: Out now

Samsung has flooded the market with tablet devices of late, offering all manner of different size tablets in its Galaxy Note and Galaxy Tab ranges.

The latest Galaxy Note 8.0, which sports the S Pen stylus like the rest of the Note range, also sports an ear speaker, which means you could use the 8in beast as a smartphone, too. We'll be sure to try that when we do the full review...

More pictures and specs: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 review

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3

Release date: TBC

Price: TBC

Not one but three new tablets are set to launch in the Samsung Galaxy Tab range – Samsung's range of tablets, which, unlike the Galaxy Note series, don't come with a stylus. 

There will be 7in, 8in and 10.1in models, set to come with a range of network options, including 4G LTE, and a variety of storage models. Concrete details are thin on the ground but we expect more to emerge at the Samsung Premiere 2013 event.

View the original article here

Dell Venue 8 pro

 

· Affordable

· Manageable form factor

· MicroSD support

Dell has taken the Venue name out of the deep freeze. With the help of Bay Trail and Windows 8.1, its entering the world small, long lasting tablets running Microsoft's hybrid OS.

Shoved into the spotlight at IDF 2013, the Dell Venue 8 Pro is an 8-inch tablet sporting 1080p resolution, a sub $300 price tag and with Intel's new Atom chip inside, there's hope of great battery life.

Dell is still being shy about the tablet's internal specifics and performance in anticipation of an official launch event in early October, but we were able to take the tablet for a little test drive behind closed doors.

Performance-wise, the Venue 8 Pro was snappy enough. We flicked through apps with nary a stutter, and web pages loaded with ease.

The 8-incher is indeed a nice form factor for Windows 8. Unlike the Surface Pro, which can feel too wide or too tall, the Venue 8 Pro is very manageable in your hands.

While we've no desire to poke about the desktop with a finger, it's very easy to swipe and select Live Tiles with your thumbs. It's unclear what accessories Dell might sell or bundle with this new Venue to assist with the desktop; this is full Windows 8.1 we're talking about here.

Dell has opted for a Windows key on the side rather than the face of the tablet. Asus did the same thing with the T100 Transformer Book and it's a sensible choice. The frequently used key is now right where your fingers are resting, rather than forcing you to change your grip.

The rear of the tablet is plastic, with spiraled texture pattern that adds some grip and a unique feel. We weren't in love with the way it felt; it may prove divisive, like the backing on the original Nexus 7.

During our demo, the glass face and the plastic backing felt more like tow separate pieces than most tablets we've held. It felt as though we could pull the too apart – even though this is sealed device without removable battery.

Hopefully that's just an issue with pre-production modeled we sampled. This Windows 8.1 tablet will have microSD support though, so you'll have plenty of space to tuck away music and movies. There's no LTE or cellular service option though, which is a pity.

Finally, Dell plans to sell the Venue 8 Pro in two colors: black and a ruby red.

Whenever it launches, Dell's Venue 8 Pro is going to part of a glut of small, affordable Windows 8 tablets hitting the market. The Asus T100 and the Acer Iconia W3 are on their way, and more will surely emerge.

The Venue 8 Pro will need to find a way to distinguish itself to succeed, and Windows 8 will need to keep growing its app support. Then we'll see what the Start Screen and those Live Tiles can truly do.

View the original article here

Lenovo IdeaTab S5000

 

Important points

· Thinner than most of its rivals

· lighter than most of its rivals

· cheap price point

· Uninspiring specs

· uninspiring OS overlay

Since Lenovo created a dedicated tablet division back in 2011, the computing company has been releasing mid-range devices with much success.

Back in January, it revealed that its IdeaPad and ThinkPad ranges had contributed to an 80 per cent growth spurt - something that was much needed considering computing sales as a whole have been on a downward trend.

At IFA 2013, Lenovo showed off its latest Android tablet, the 7-inch Lenovo IdeaTab S5000. The standout feature of this tablet is definitely its weight, or lack of it. The S5000 is a mere 244g, which makes it significantly lighter than the new Nexus 7 (340g) and the iPad mini (308g).

So, it's light then but it is it also light on features? Well, frankly, yes. There is a 1,280 x 800 resolution display , which is certainly sharp but not as sharp as its main rivals in this sector.

The pixels per inch on the S5000 are 215, while the new Nexus 7 boasts 323ppi. Both beat the iPad mini, though, which has been lumbered with just 163ppi.

The S5000 been given a 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek 8389 CPU, which does mean that multi-processing on the S5000 is half decent, and this is backed by 2GB of RAM. But none of this processing grunt has the wow factor.

We didn't notice much lag when playing with the device, though - the model we got hands on with had Android 4.2.2 and it also had Lenovo's own sheen on top of the operating system, and both worked well.

We could flick between web and camera smoothly and the pinch to see multiple homescreens worked well. We would prefer a stock Android device, however, as the HS5000 suffers from the same childlike look as the worst parts of Samsung's TouchWiz overlay.

We did like the look of the actual device - although the chrome lip at the bottom of the tablet could disappear, the silver look does raise the tablet above the design of other cheaper tablets.

The S5000 has been equipped with a 3,450mAh battery, so you should get around eight hours' web browsing out of the device, or six hours' HD video watching. This figure is decent enough, and matches that of most of its rivals.

Also on board is some 3G functionality for the UK, 16GB of storage and a 5MP rear camera and 1.6MP front-facing camera.

Light, functional and not much more in between, the Lenovo S5000 on first impressions is a competent 7-inch tablet but not one you will be rushing out to pre-order.

But if you want to, the Lenovo IdeaTab release date is November and it will cost around 200 Euros.

View the original article here

Microsoft Surface 2

 

Move over, Surface RT. You've been replaced.

Of course, the Surface RT isn't actually going anywhere, but today at a press conference in New York Microsoft unveiled its next-gen tablets, the Surface Pro 2 and Surface 2.

Apparently the original RT line was so smeared with failure, Microsoft decided to shuck the moniker for fear it would continue to keep customers away - but that hasn't stopped it keeping Windows RT with the new Windows 8.1 RT retread.

The Surface 2 comes with a much lower $449 (£359, about AU$279) launch price tag than the less-equipped Surface RT. That's already a check in the "improvement" box.

Microsoft looks to have learned its lesson and put out an updated device with a beefier 1080p screen, the entire Microsoft Office pre-loaded, as well as a faster - but not fastest - speed 1.7GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 4 processor.

Hardware is one thing, but does the Windows 8.1 RT experience still drag down this upgraded slate? We find out in our hands on with the new Windows Surface 2.

Surface 2 gets to work

Getting our hands on the Surface 2, the tablet instantly feels sturdier than the last iteration. It might be partially because the tablet is now made of just two magnesium pieces (the shell itself and the kickstand), but it simply feels like a thin, solid slate of silvered metal topped with glass, giving it a very industrial look.

Although the Surface 2 scales towards the larger-end of tablets with a 10.6-inch screen, it's light in the hand. Its weight certainly didn't distract us as we flicked across the screen while holding it one-handed, something we can't say about the device's more power-trained brother.

We also appreciated the new screen that's finally high-definition at 1920 x 1080 resolution. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon processor managed to keep up with all our application switching. We'll still reverse our final judgment on whether the processor is powerful enough after we've run the tablet through a few taxing games of Spartan Assault.

Oddly the most impressive pieces of tech to come out of the new Surface line were actually the new Touch and Type Covers.

The softer sounding Type Cover

The new, thinner Type Cover offers slightly quieter word processing for the tack-tack self-conscious library goers. But the real show stopper was the new Touch Cover. The cover lets you do even more with an array of 1,092 touch sensors, whereas the old Touch Cover only packed 80.

The keyboard is more sensitive to your drumming finger and you can even glide your fingers all over the touch keys as it were Swype for Android.

Not a bad profile

Microsoft also unveiled a new touch-based music cover that lets you mix Skrillex with beats that react to how much pressure that you put on the sensor sheet. There are plans to release even more sheets, so we could see some very interesting uses of analog touch covers in the future.

It's not all touch control

It's still too early to say if the Microsoft Surface 2 is a safe Windows 8.1 RT tablet to stick with, especially after getting burned by the first semi-capable Surface RT. There's definitely a decent pairing of hardware compared to all the 10-inch tablets.

It might not have the specs to compete with flagships like the iPad 4 and Nexus 10, but Microsoft certainly have given the Surface 2 a better fighting chance than the RT ever had. Thanks to Microsoft Office built-in and impressive accessories, including potentially more unique covers down the line, the Surface 2 is already off to a far better start than its predecessor.

View the original article here

Parrot Asteroid Tablet

 

How can you get the latest multimedia tech into your car without the need to spend tens of thousands on an all new motor? Buy yourself a Parrot Asteroid Tablet.

At least, that's what Parrot would have you believe. Parrot pitches the Asteroid Tablet as the complete hands-free, music and connectivity system for your car.

The idea of buying a single device that brings your car bang up to date for multimedia features and functionality including nav, apps, Bluetooth telephony and music is extremely seductive, that's for sure.

From our point of view, the Asteroid Tablet is also intriguing as it's built on Google's Android operating system. The question of whether car makers continue to build their own multimedia ecosystems or allow third party devices to take over more and more functionality is critical.

The Asteroid Tablet provides an answer. But is it any good?

From the user's perspective, the Parrot Asteroid Tablet looks an awful lot like a your common-or-garden aftermarket nav device. It's a small tablet device that sits in a little cradle suckered to the windscreen or stuck to the dash.

But there's much more to the system than that. For starters, the Tablet is actually integrated into your car. Along with the bit you can see literally on the dash, there's an eBox that's fitted out of sight inside it.

The eBox is actually where a lot of the brains and power of the system are located. There's a 4x 40W amplifier, digital sound processing, noise cancelling and more. We're not fully clear if the eBox houses the processor and memory for the Android-based infotainment platform, thus making the tablet more of a monitor.

But really, that's moot. The bottom line is that you need both the eBox and the tablet. It's a single package that requires professional installation.

As for the rest, the basics include a 5-inch capacitive touch screen and both wireless and wired connectivity. There's generic USB, a dedicated iPhone connector and an SD card slot.

Regards wireless, both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are provided. There's no built-in internet connectivity. Instead, you share the connection from your smartphone, which makes sense to us. One less data pack to manage. The Bluetooth connection, of course, provides full hand-free telephony.

Media playback takes multiple forms. You can play music from your smartphone including access to Android and iOS music libraries. You can play music off USB and SD mass storage. Finally, there's streaming radio from the web.

Next up is apps. Parrot has its own dedicated Asteroid market full of apps modified and optimised for Asteroid devices. It's heavy on nav and location based apps like Glympse. But has the usual suspects, too, including Facebook, Twitter and the aforemention streaming music.

The latter includes Spotify, TuneIn and more. Also part of the app environment is navigation. There's no turn-by-turn nav installed as standard, just Google maps. A number of premium-pay nav apps, like TomTom and iGo Premo are available.

Then there are freebies such as NavFree. Just be aware there's no turn-by-turn out of the box. Finally, everyone favourite video player, VLC, does the movie playback duties via the SD card slot.

First up, the touchscreen. It's a capacitive touchscreen, which is a huge relief. There's a line of thinking in some parts of the automotive industry that says capacitive is a bit too sensitive, a bit too flighty for in-car use.

We don't agree with that and it's a pleasure to have a properly responsive touchscreen in-car, not a pig-headed resistive screen that you have to stab at with your fingers.

The interface is reasonably slick and quick to respond, if not anywhere near as sexy as the like of BMW iDrive or Audi MMI. In terms of interface performance, this is no Galaxy S4 or iPhone 5S. But general performance in our time with the device was more than satisfactory and the screen quality is good.

As for internet speeds and performance, that's obviously going to be down to the device you use to feed the data. But scrolling and load times of the web browser look decent enough.

That's a big contrast to the performance of browsers built into some of the latest models. We've experienced the web browsers in Mercedes' COMAND and BMW ConnectedDrive and come away very disappointed.

The browser in the new Mercedes A-Class, for instance, is laughable in terms of performance and scroll. So that's a win for Parrot.

As for navigation, again, that depends on what nav app you go for. TomTom's android app is a well-established favourite, so there's no doubting top quality navigation is available. You'll just have to pay a bit extra for it.

As for the rest of the apps, well, the jury is out. The slight issue is that you need a smartphone to power the internet, so why not just use that for things like Facebook, Twitter and email? Why replicate those functions?

Parrot would argue they give you an interface for those apps that optimised for in-car use. That's true up to a point. And yet the value of the broader app proposition isn't clear.

The final major point regards the user experience and performance is quality of integration. Here your mileage will vary wildly depending on the car it's fitted to.

Our test system came in a previous generation VW Golf and the integration was excellent. The system was able to play music from the car's radio, so no loss of functionality there, which is important.

Likewise, where available, the system can be hooked up to shortcut controls on the steering wheel, which is great for both usability and and feeling of polished integration. Too often, kit like this feels horribly jury rigged. Not here.

That said, there's a limit to what Parrot can achieve. Some of the latest and techiest features, like unlocking your car with a smartphone, isn't available. There are some things only factory-fit systems can give you.

Finally, it;s worth noting that installation will typically add around £80 to the £350 demanded for the hardware itself.

The Parrot Asteroid Tablet is a great way to get full multimedia functionality including apps, nav and internet services into almost any car.

The list of the Tablet's pluses is impressive. The breadth of functionality is pretty much just what we'd want from a device like this. Being based on Android means things actually work and many of the key branded apps are available.

Along with the capacitive touchscreen, it also makes for a decently responsive device and a clear, logical interface.

It's a relatively easy fix via an app store download, but the lack of turn-by-turn nav out of the box feels like a fairly major omission. The option of a larger screen would be nice, too. Otherwise, the temptation is just to buy a dock for your smartphone and have 75 per cent of the functionality of the Tablet almost for free.

There's also no getting round the fact that there are advantages to factory fit systems, both in terms of functionality appearance. There are simply things an aftermarket setup can't do.

£350 plus an install fee is also a fairly hefty investment in the context of a normal tablet. Then again, it's dirt cheap compared to most factory fit options.

The Parrot Asteroid Tablet is the best aftermarket option for adding the full range of multimedia functionality to your car we've yet seen. It's a great choice for those who can't fit a double-DIN system to their car, too.

Being based on Android brings lots of advantages in terms of performance and interface design and Parrot has mostly made good decisions about how to tweak Android for automotive use. Most of all, it's great to know you can have a major on-the-road tech upgrade without having to buy a new car.

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Microsoft Surface Pro

 

Features to note:

· Windows 8 in a tablet

· Fantastic pen

· Bright touchscreen

· Up to 2TB expandable storage

· Touch and Type

· Cover keyboards is heavy

· Shorter battery life than RT

· No home for the pen

· Kickstand can be awkward

NOTE: This is a review of the 2012 Surface Pro - the 2013 Surface Pro 2 has just been announced and we've got a Hands on: Surface Pro 2 review here. You can also read what we think about Windows 8.1 as well as about the new Windows 8.1 RT-powered, Nvidia Tegra 4-based Surface 2.

The Surface Pro is now on sale in two versions, a somewhat lean 64GB version and a more usable 128GB variant.

We've been waiting quite a while for a tablet like this - and not just since it was announced last year. If you ever saw a Windows tablet PC and wanted one that was done properly, you've been waiting years for Surface Pro with full Windows 8.

What's more, it's now a steal - discounted prices that went into effect in early August are here for good, at least in the U.S., with the Surface Pro, Touch Cover and Surface RT all seeing some slices. What's more, there appear to be price cuts going into effect globally, with the Microsoft UK and Australia websites showing discounted pricing for Surface and accessories.

In the US, for example, a $100 Surface Pro price drop is in effect, meaning a 64GB Windows 8 machine starts at $799. Touch Covers are now $40 off, giving them a new starting point of $79, and a Limited Edition Touch Cover will cost $89.

Surface Pro looks like Surface RT, with the same distinctive look and the same full-size USB port - but it tweaks the iconic kickstand and the clever magnetic connectors for power and the two tear-off keyboards (Type Cover and Touch Cover both work interchangeably with Surface Pro and RT).

It improves on the 10.6-inch touchscreen of the Surface RT with higher resolution and a digital pen you can use to scribble notes on the screen (and snap into the power port for carrying around), but it still has some of the darkest blacks you'll find on any screen.

It's a PC, but it's still a tablet. Do you want it? Depends on what you really want.

If you've seen the Surface RT in the flesh, the Surface Pro looks utterly familiar. The same VaporMg coating over the same sturdy but sleek metal body, the same gently curved corners and wide black bezel, the same subtle Windows logo on the front.

But pick it up and you'll notice the difference straight away. The Surface Pro is thicker - although 13.5mm (0.53 inches) rather than 9.3mm (0.37 inches) isn't exactly bulky - and it's heavier, at 907g (2lbs) rather than 680g (1.5lbs). But the weight is evenly distributed and well balanced so it doesn't feel a lot heavier unless you pick them up side by side.

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