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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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