While the iPad still leads the way, the tablet-computer market has become a more diverse and competitive one in the past year or so. Users looking to upgrade from their smartphone screen, or get simpler than a laptop, have options that include Apple's offering, as well as new designs from Samsung, Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Asus and others.
The hottest and best-known tablets —
While the iPad still leads the way, the tablet-computer market has become a more diverse and competitive one in the past year or so. Users looking to upgrade from their smartphone screen, or get simpler than a laptop, have options that include Apple's offering, as well as new designs from Samsung, Google, Microsoft, Nokia, Asus and others.
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The latest version of Apple's industry-leading tablet (they've sold 170 million) went on a serious weight-loss routine. It weighs in at only one pound, down from 1.4, and is 20% slimmer than its predecessor. It starts at $499. On Tuesday Apple also rolled out a new iPad Mini with a high-resolution (or "retina display" in Apple-speak) screen.
iPad Air —
The latest version of Apple's industry-leading tablet (they've sold 170 million) went on a serious weight-loss routine. It weighs in at only one pound, down from 1.4, and is 20% slimmer than its predecessor. It starts at $499. On Tuesday Apple also rolled out a new iPad Mini with a high-resolution (or "retina display" in Apple-speak) screen.
Nokia's first full-size tablet, the Lumia 2520, has a 10-inch display screen and runs a version of the Windows 8 operating system. It sells for $499, with 4G LTE and a 6.7-megapixel back-facing camera.
Nokia Lumia 2520 —
Nokia's first full-size tablet, the Lumia 2520, has a 10-inch display screen and runs a version of the Windows 8 operating system. It sells for $499, with 4G LTE and a 6.7-megapixel back-facing camera.
Nokia
The second generation of Microsoft's tablet-laptop hybrid, the Surface 2, was rolled out for sale October 22. Starting at $449 for a 32GB model, the Surface got thinner and more powerful and added a high-definition screen. (It also got rid of the confusing "RT" at the end of its name). The souped-up Surface Pro 2 starts at $899.
Microsoft Surface 2 —
The second generation of Microsoft's tablet-laptop hybrid, the Surface 2, was rolled out for sale October 22. Starting at $449 for a 32GB model, the Surface got thinner and more powerful and added a high-definition screen. (It also got rid of the confusing "RT" at the end of its name). The souped-up Surface Pro 2 starts at $899.
Microsoft
Emerging as Apple's chief mobile rival, Samsung rolled out the third generation of its Galaxy Tabs earlier this year. The 10.1-inch version of the Galaxy Tab 3 starts at $359 and is the top-selling full-size tablet running Google's Android operating system.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 —
Emerging as Apple's chief mobile rival, Samsung rolled out the third generation of its Galaxy Tabs earlier this year. The 10.1-inch version of the Galaxy Tab 3 starts at $359 and is the top-selling full-size tablet running Google's Android operating system.
Samsung
There's a lot more competition now, but Amazon's Kindle Fire was the first tablet to dent iPad's dominance with its smaller size and lower price tag. The new 7-inch Kindle Fire HD costs $199, while a bigger, 8.9-inch Fire HD sells for $299.
Kindle Fire HD —
There's a lot more competition now, but Amazon's Kindle Fire was the first tablet to dent iPad's dominance with its smaller size and lower price tag. The new 7-inch Kindle Fire HD costs $199, while a bigger, 8.9-inch Fire HD sells for $299.
Amazon
Google wasn't the first company to make a tablet smaller than the iPad. But many reviewers think they've made the best mini model. The Nexus 7 is a relatively powerful device running Google's Android operating system and starts at an affordable $199.
Google Nexus 7 —
Google wasn't the first company to make a tablet smaller than the iPad. But many reviewers think they've made the best mini model. The Nexus 7 is a relatively powerful device running Google's Android operating system and starts at an affordable $199.
Getty Images
They don't have broad name recognition, but Asus has quietly become the third-leading tablet seller (at least in the first few months of 2013). Asus has impressed critics with its Transformer tabs, which have filled the hybrid tablet/laptop slot more successfully than Microsoft's Surface. Its top-of-the-line Transformer Pad Infinity begins around $400.
Asus Transformer Infinity —
They don't have broad name recognition, but Asus has quietly become the third-leading tablet seller (at least in the first few months of 2013). Asus has impressed critics with its Transformer tabs, which have filled the hybrid tablet/laptop slot more successfully than Microsoft's Surface. Its top-of-the-line Transformer Pad Infinity begins around $400.
Asus