Updated Lots of movers and shakers in our top 15
If you're looking for a tablet and don't fancy an iPad, then Android is currently the way to go. (Don't know what an Android tablet is? Check out: what is an Android tablet?)
There are other options out there; Windows 8 tablets such as the Surface, Ativ Tab and VivoTab Smart are starting to creep out, plus the BlackBerry PlayBook is still somehow on sale - but Android Jelly Bean is currently the main OS rival to the iPad 4 and iPad mini.
We saw the launch of Nvidia's next-generation Tegra 3 chip, which took 2012's quad-core Android tablets to new heights and with the likes of the Google Nexus 7 and Transformer Pad Infinity beckoning in the new era, the iPad is starting to feel the heat.
Some tablets have 10-inch screens, others seven, and there are big differences in battery life, processing power and onboard RAM. So while we wait for the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 and Sony Xperia Tablet Z, let's see what the current best tablets are...
1. Google Nexus 7
Packing a Tegra 3 quad-core processor, 12 core GPU, 8GB and 16GB internal storage and 7-inch 1280 x 800 screen, the Nexus 7 certainly has the skills to pay the bills, but at a highly attractive price point.
Laughing in the face of its closest rival, the Amazon Kindle Fire, it looks like Google has got the budget end of the tablet market all wrapped up. Until the Kindle Fire 2 and iPad Mini come to the fore, at least.
It's now been shoved up in capacity without a jump in price; this means you can get 16GB of storage for £159 and £199 for the full 32GB version - plus we're getting a 3G version too.
Quick verdict
A quad-core processor, beefy GPU and the first device to run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, and now it's already been upgraded to Android 4.2 with raft of new fancy features.The Nexus 7 certainly packs a punch and while it may not tread a lot of new ground, the Nexus 7 is a solid performer and easily the best tablet a couple of hundred pounds can buy.
2. Google Nexus 10
It's a great performer too. Other than taking a while to process panoramic photos we never felt like it was struggling to keep up. It's fast and smooth whatever you throw at it.
Sure it may not be as stunning to look at, or as well built as an iPad, and the lack of expandable memory will irk some, but overall the Nexus 10 gives you a quality, big-screen Android experience which is not to be sniffed at.
On top of that, the tablet has already been updated to Android 4.2.1, which brings back the month of December in some calendar apps (well done, Google) and adds support for some security issues too, showing this is the tablet to buy if you want a larger screen that Google won't give up on.
Quick verdict
The Google Nexus 10 is easily one of the best Android tablets on the market and while it's not quite as fantastic value for money as the Nexus 7, it certainly gives Apple's high-priced iPad 4 a run for its money. For the price you're paying, you won't be disappointed.3. Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0
That's not to say the Galaxy Note 8.0 isn't a good tablet as it's a light, highly portable device and there's no denying that its display is far better than that of the iPad Mini.
It's solidly built, with expandable memory - the S-Pen has clearly been enhanced to make this a major selling point, plus we love the IR blaster and its media capabilities.
Quick verdict
The Galaxy Note 8.0 is a good device. There are better out there for the money, and with an arguably better design as well.However, for those that like the S Pen as a tool, it's a great offering, albeit not really worth the extra cash for most.
- Read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 review
4. Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
With the latest version of Android on the way, a simple interface and more ports than you can poke with a stick, the Infinity is the tablet that can handle anything you can throw at it.
Add in the Super IPS panel with a tremendous resolution, and you can see why this is a tablet to rate very highly - especially if you're fond of typing on the go but crave the simplicity of a slate too. New firmware updates in some territories have brought features like Wi-Fi Direct to the Infinity, and Android 4.2 will be landing soon too.
Quick verdict
Everything we'd look for in a high-end tablet is present and accounted for with the Transformer Pad Infinity.While power is always welcomed, it was the improved screen that really caught our attention. Given that we use our tablet mostly for browsing the web and watching video, we couldn't help but marvel at the resolution, either. if you're looking for a top Android tablet (and have the cash to splash), then the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity should be at the top of your list.
- Read our full Asus Transformer Pad Infinity review
- Compare prices for the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Well, not just a stylus - with many levels of pressure sensitivity and the ability easily sketch and annotate on a wide range of items, the Galaxy Note 10.1 offers so much more than your average tablet.
We're huge fans of the alternative choice here, and it even comes with a microSD slot to boot. Android 4.1 is landing at the moment, and comes with a Premium Suite update, designed to make multi-tasking and general use that much easier.
Quick verdict
Sure, it's a mite expensive, the screen quality is lower than we've seen from Samsung in the past and the build quality somewhat lower than the competition, but this is still a fabulous tablet that many workers constantly forced to use a paper and pen will love to try out.See the rest of this post ------>
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