guest post by Joe Linford


What are the coolest tablets for 2011? An easy to digest breakdown!

We live in a brave new world, one that is dominated by a portable, hand held device that did not even exist a little over one year ago. 2010 saw the birth of the Tablet PC with the launch of the Apple iPad, and while this device was exceptional in its simplicity, ease of use, comfort and design, it no longer stands alone as the only choice. While 2010 the choice was simple – iPad or nothing – the choice this year is significantly greater, with many different companies competing for a piece of this lucrative new sector.


Apple iPad 2

The iPad was the first, but Apple has not in any way been resting on their laurels and a little over one year later the iPad 2 is the result. This slimmer, lighter unit has significantly more battery life than its predecessor and with dual core processors using it is a dream. In addition, Apples App store is the largest of all the companies ensuring that you will not only have a choice in your application, but you are almost guaranteed to find something that will meet your needs.

Motorola XOOM

The XOOM is one of a new generation of Android tablets that is trying to capitalize on the market. Last year saw the launch – and unfortunate failure – of Samsungs Galaxy Tab; however the lessons learnt from that failure have been taken to heart and the new Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) operating system at the heart of the XOOM is just one of the enhancements and changes. The XOOM just like the iPad2 also comes with a dual core processor and has a 10” screen – where the XOOM stands out really is its operating system. Android 3.0 has been custom built for Tablet PCs and it shows. The difference in usage and comfort between this version of Android and its predecessors – which were customized for smaller Smartphone screens – cannot be discounted as everything just seems so much slicker. However while Android 3.0 is its strength, in some ways it is also a weakness as there simply are not enough apps available yet in the Android marketplace that are able to take advantage of the increased real estate space that a Tablet PC provides.

Blackberry Playbook

A somewhat unexpected choice, but the Playbook is definitely a Tablet PC to keep an eye on. While Blackberries have long held a prized and cherished position in the hearts of businessmen the world over, in recent years, Blackberries have made significant inroads with the regular buying public also. Blackberry and its encrypted email connections and overall connectivity are something that coupled with a Tablet is simply a marriage made in heaven. The Playbook in fact depends upon a “paired” Blackberry Smartphone for its email (although web based email products are still accessible) ensuring that any correspondence on the Playbook is as secure as it would be on the Blackberry itself. In addition, while the Playbook suffers the same issue as the XOOM with regards to a lack of apps, one app that is available on the Playbook actually allows you to download and install Android apps on this device too!
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Joe Linford writes on behalf of Broadband Genie and Crowdstorm, the online comparison websites for mobile broadband, tablets and a wide range of electrical goods.