Tablet Computers
Apple iPad 2 (32GB) vs. HP TouchPad Tablet (32GB) vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (32GB)
Apple's iPad has reigned supreme as the king of tablet computers since its inception, but now that the market is catching up, it has some very worthy competitors. The question is, have they caught up and overcome Apple's innovative device as the best tablet available? In addition to the newly released iPad 2, let's take a look at the HP TouchPad Tablet and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1-- two reputable frontrunners-- to see how they measure up.
Apple iPad 2 (32GB)
The iPad 2 is as sexy a gadget as its predecessor, and even more so, from both an aesthetic standpoint and a purely functional one. It's about as thin as a pencil and has a rather comfortable weight that doesn't feel cheap yet isn't at all cumbersome. The screen is measured diagonally at 9.7 inches and boasts great resolution, though, be warned--it's not great in sunlight. Apple offers two bezels--white or black--to fit your personality.
One crucial feature that sets apart the iPad 2 from its competitors is that you gain access to the App Store which has over 90,000 apps including games, eReader support, tools, business software--you name it, the App Store probably has it. This perk makes this device more attractive for all demographics--from students who can use the tablet to take notes as well as use it as a distraction between classes, to young professionals who need a more portable tool to aid in meetings and presentations, people on the go who want to be able to stream Netflix on the plane, train, bus or what have you. A fun, functional solution for any consumer who likes to be plugged in but not weighed down.
Unique Features:
- Front and rear-facing cameras
- Direct access to the App Store--the premier application hub on the market
- Built-in speaker and microphone
- 30-pin dock port to connect the tablet to your computer
- Battery life: about 10 hours
Best for
- Students who want only one mult-purpose gadget for all of their education/entertainment needs, especially when their backpacks are already full of books
- Frequent travelers who want to be able to stream movies and play games on the plane, train, bus, etc.
- Stay-at-home moms who enjoy using apps for recipes, crafts, general household how-tos
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HP TouchPad Tablet (32GB)
The HP TouchPad Tablet features a simple, clean design like most tablets. The screen is nearly identical to the iPad's in both size and resolution, and weighs only slightly more (although still the heaviest of the three). It only has a rear-facing camera which might be less than ideal for someone who, you know, is interested in using their tablet to take photos of other things besides themselves--comes in handy when using the Skype app, but not much else. With respect to speed and connectivity, the processor is more Slowpoke Rodriguez than Speedy Gonzalez.
On the plus side, the TouchPad features exceptional sound quality from its Beats Audio speakers, which are built into the sides of the tablet. Its App Catalog is, and will probably remain, eclipsed by the Apple App store selection but its one unique draw is that it has direct access to Amazon's Kindle Store for its Kindle eReader application. This detail makes the TouchPad perfect for voracious bookworms, people who have that long train ride to and from work, and anyone else who made that New Year's resolution to read more but never seem to find the time to make it to the bookstore.
Unique Features:
- Superior sound quality provided by built-in Beats Audio speakers
- Synergy with webOS-compatible smartphones
- Comes with Kindle eReader app
- Battery life: about 8.5 hours
Best for
- Commuters
- Parents who need a way to pass the time in the car while waiting for their son to finish up soccer practice
- Avid readers who are tired of carrying around multiple bulky books
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (32GB)
Unlike most other popular tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab is horizontally oriented. It's sleek and light, beautifully designed with performance under the hood to match. The screen is the largest of the three by a hair and has better resolution. It's also capable of playing as well as capturing high-quality HD video with both its front and back cameras, which also have auto-focus and flash features. The interface is streamlined and very clean and its desktop allows for even the most fastidious aesthete to organize it to their liking.
However, what truly sets apart the Galaxy Tab from the rest is that it supports the entire spread of file formats from Microsoft Word to PDFs, in addition to having fantastic Google application support which includes Gmail, Google Maps, Google Talk, and, of course, Google search. The Galaxy Tab is distinctly designed for the savvy professional who needs more from their smartphone but prefers not to lug around their laptop.
Unique Features:
- Installed with Google interface
- Front and rear-facing cameras with HD video capability
- Battery life: around 10 hours
Best for
- Professionals who seek a portable, highly-functioning business tool
- Consumers who want a multi-purpose device with HD camera capability
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