The best budget tablets. Best Budget Tablets Best Gaming Tablets

Alas and ah - the outgoing year did not bring a rich harvest of tablets. In terms of interesting releases, the Corporation of Good and its distinguished itself, which recently went on free sale at a symbolic price of $ 1,024. Other manufacturers rarely delighted their fans with interesting novelties. That is why it was not difficult for iGuides to almost unanimously choose the best "tablets" of 2014. But it would be dishonest not to ask the readers' opinion - everyone can vote for their favorites in each nomination.

Stylish and productive tablet of the year almost unanimously second generation iPad Air, the review of which can be read.

Apple has finally equipped the flagship device with a fingerprint scanner, but of course that was not the main feature of the Air 2. The device has become even more true to its name, becoming lighter and thinner. For this, you can forgive both the remaining frames around the display, and a slight decrease in battery capacity. Moreover, the craftsmen from the "apple" corporation tried to optimize resources so that the owners of an elegant miracle of technology would not complain about the missing milliampere-hours.

For a month, the main tablet from Apple managed to rise in price several times, but this does not prevent it from remaining the ultimate dream for hundreds of thousands of gadget lovers. Including, in the Russian Federation and the iGuides office, in particular. The proverbial Apple magic or the technical perfection of the device?

Challengers: Microsoft Surface Pro 3 [

So, iPad Air 2 is the top tablet of 2014. But another gadget, created by an inveterate opponent of Apple, Microsoft, was close to victory in this nomination. The idea of ​​combining an ultrabook and a tablet in one device is no longer perceived with the same skepticism with which the first representatives of the Surface family were greeted. The Pro 2 underwent a major revision, deciding to revise the case dimensions in a larger direction and increase the display diagonal to twelve inches, putting the model with a “3” in the name in the same weight category with laptops - first of all, Macbook Air. For the will to win, the hybrid and its creators are awarded an honorary "silver" in our rating.

Among the top three winners according to the editorial board and Samsung Galaxy Tab S10.5. The ultra-thin gadget is loved for the bright and rich colors of the proprietary screen made using SuperAMOLED technology. The tablet can be considered the best on the Android platform.

Compact: Galaxy Tab S8.4 [ ]

The mid-range tablet in the Galaxy Tab S line, with an 8.4-inch screen and no less attractive features than the full-size model, has managed to dominate the compact category. It turns out that all that the compact tablet segment needed in 2014 was powerful hardware and a high-quality screen.

Contenders: Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact and iPad Mini 3 [ ].

In second place was Sony with the first "pen test" in the world of small tablets - the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. The device is protected from moisture and dust, like most of the flagship of the author's company.

The iPad Mini 3 also got into the top three. Its predecessor was so good that a year later it would have easily competed with compact tablets on competing platforms, if Cupertino decided not to update the popular line of devices this year. But the new mini-tablet was presented along with its older "air companion" with a fingerprint scanner built into the "Home" button and gold color. This is where the list of "innovations" in the gadget can be completed, but the fact remains: the Mini presented in autumn is head and shoulders above most rivals.

Inexpensive:

This year, Xiaomi proved that it is not always a lump instead of the first pancake. The MiPad, while looking like a giant iPhone 5C, has been voted as the finest in the budget category. The victory for the bright tablet was helped by the design, albeit somewhat secondary, and the impressive set technical characteristics- the vendor equipped the product with one of the most productive chips for mobile devices Nvidia Tegra K1. The democratic pricing policy of the electronics giant from the Middle Kingdom, justified by the rejection of retail sales, played into the hands of the device - the first batch of 50 thousand devices was sold out in 4 minutes.

Challengers: Huawei MediaPad X1 and Acer Iconia Tab 8 [ ]

Tablets with a screen less than 8 inches are gradually leaving the electronics market, surrendering to the amicable onslaught of flagship phablets. But Huawei is not one of those who blindly follow trends: the tablet with a seven-inch screen, the MediaPad X1, pleased with the speed, battery life and its appearance.

One of the most worthy and affordable tablets at the same time turned out to be created in the Acer Iconia Tab 8 in the specification with a FullHD display. Despite belonging to the budget class, the device received a thin metal case, a quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 as a hardware component and a well-deserved place in the list of the best tablets of 2014.

The design of tablets is becoming more powerful and thinner every day, and the total number of applications is growing almost every day. That is why tablets have become almost ideal devices today, both for computing and for entertainment and professional tasks. How not to get lost among such an almost limitless number of models, brands and companies of tablets?

Let's take the rating of which we will analyze and select the best tablets for various characteristics.
1. The best tablet;
2. Better display;
3. The best android tablet;
4. The best transforming tablet;
5. The best gaming tablet;

Best Tablet

Most best tablet , ate to take the rating of the best, this is, of course, the Apple iPad Air tablet. And now the iPad Air 2. And where without an apple?
The Apple iPad Air is the best package Apple has ever done, but it's all packaged in a more powerful and lighter package. As a result, this tablet has become lightweight, compact and comfortable. And the presence of a powerful A7 processor and an M7 coprocessor in it gives in the end almost 12 hours of uninterrupted operation. The price of this tablet is at around $ 500. we will consider in our article so that everyone can decide on the choice of the best option for themselves.

Best display

Best Display Ranked 2014 of the year has a tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab. This tablet is a full-fledged alternative to iPads. The tablet is packed with a Super AMOLED display, which is the best in terms of watching movies, photos and playing games. In addition, the tablet itself in its design looks almost better than the above described tablet from the apple. Samsung has added the most innovative software to its tablet. For example, this is the third version of SideSync, which allows you to receive calls from your phone to your tablet. Plus to this you can add 9 hours of uninterrupted battery life. The price tag for this tablet is also around $ 500. which describes the main functional characteristics.

Best android tablet

The tablet is Google Nuxus 7. Android runs best on it due to the fact that the tablet is equipped with a high-quality processor with four cores and an excellent battery, which is able to guarantee a noticeable number of hours of battery life without interruption. To this should be added such advantages of this tablet as a 7-inch display with a high resolution of 1920 x 1200 r. In addition, the display is remarkable for its striking sharpness and colorful picture and a fairly wide viewing angle. By the way, it is on this tablet that Android allows you to create specialized profiles for children. The price tag for this tablet is at around $ 230. Today the best tablets can be seen in our article.

Best Convertible Tablet

The best convertible tablet is the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet. If you're serious about productivity, then the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet is the way to go. The tablet will give you an almost complete laptop with a 12-inch screen and a display with a resolution of 2160x1440. And all this in one device. In addition, there is a docking station for such an almost full-fledged computer, which significantly expands all the functionality of this device. The price for the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet is about $ 800.

The Shield Tablet delivers enviable performance that not every processor has. All this thanks to the processor built into the tablet from Nvidia. The tablet is also equipped with a stylus and an excellent design display of 1920x1200 pixels. Plus, add a handy controller with Wi-Fi, the ability to stream games to a PC, and more, making the Shield Tablet the best in the world, and for a very good $ 230 price tag. The ranking of the best tablets depends on your usage preferences.

Apple's iPad (not including price) remains the "gold standard" among tablets, but in 2014, manufacturers released many products, each of which is somewhat superior to its rivals. NVIDIA, for example, offers the Tegra Note 7 LTE as the ultimate gaming tablet, Sony boasts the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, and Microsoft claims the Surface Pro 3 as the best choice for productivity and a complete laptop replacement. Read about the best models that came out in 2014 (and often still have not risen in price) in the final selection of News.

Due to the unpredictable fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate, it is better to take care of buying a new gadget in advance. As always, Apple set the trend first at the end of November. The 16-gigabyte iPad Air 2 in just a few days has risen in price from 24 490 to 28 490 rubles, and iPad mini 3 with the same amount of memory began to be sold for 22 990 rubles instead of the previous 19 490. The new pricing policy affected the iPhone, MacBooks and others. devices. In mid-December, prices began to rise again, while Apple suspended the operation of its online store in Russia altogether, apparently to wait for the ruble to stabilize and understand at what level new price tags should be set.

Electronics manufacturers from Asia will soon follow the example of the American company, Kommersant reported on December 8. In particular, due to the weakening of the ruble. Prices for all of their products are expected to rise by about 15-30% by the end of the month. The cost of equipment will increase gradually as new lots are imported.

iPad Air 2

In the fall, the 9.7-inch iPad received several important enhancements that made it the best Apple tablet ever released. Firstly, the new model - - "lost weight" to 6.1 millimeters, becoming 18% thinner than the 1st generation iPad Air, and the weight decreased by 34 grams - to 444 g. Secondly, the "king of tablets" was given a filling , which made it many times faster than last year's "iPad". Thirdly, the iPad Air 2 has acquired a Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

Other enhancements include a thinner, laminated screen, an 8MP rear camera resolution (with support for burst, panorama, Full HD video), an M8 motion coprocessor, and a barometer.

In testing the iPad Air 2, we found that its computing power is nearly comparable to that of a laptop. In the Geekbench 3 Multi-Core Score benchmark, the 3-core A8X chip was able to "squeeze" about 4,500 points - slightly less than the base MacBook Air 13 (4,792 points). And although the battery capacity has slightly decreased, the new "fruit" tablet should provide at least 10 hours of continuous operation.

On the other hand, in terms of functionality, the iPad Air 2 is almost unchanged, and the 2013 model is not much better. It makes sense to make a "new thing" if only you want to hold an even lighter and thinner tablet in your hands, you vitally need Touch ID and / or a 128 GB drive. But if you have never had a "tablet" before, or you are the owner of outdated models, you can think about purchasing an iPad Air 2, if the price does not push it away.

In the official online store of the company iPad Air 2 is sold for 28 490 rubles. This is how much the simplest model, with a Wi-Fi module and 16 gigabytes of memory, costs. In the maximum configuration (128 GB, Wi-Fi + 3G), the device will be released at 46,990 rubles.

Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

"Tablet-diver" inherited all the "chips" of the flagship series of Sony: elegant design, thin body (6.4 mm - slightly thicker than iPad Air 2), glass front panel. Plus, the 8-inch Z3 is water and dust resistant. In particular, he is not afraid of even jets of water under low pressure and staying for up to 30 minutes in fresh water at a depth of 1.5 m.

In the review, we noted the low resolution of the Z3. It has good anti-glare properties, large viewing angles and high contrast, but the IPS-matrix (1920x1200) is inferior to the iPad mini 3 (2048x1536) and Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (2560x1600). We also did not like the lack of a "spoken" speaker: you can only communicate in the speakerphone or via a bluetooth headset.

The scrubbing power (Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core 2.5GHz, Adreno 330 graphics, 3GB of RAM) is pretty high on the Z3. Such "hardware" will ensure smooth operation of even resource-intensive applications and "heavy" games.

In Russian online stores, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact (16 GB) can be ordered for 19-20 thousand rubles (hereinafter Yandex.Market data) with a manufacturer's warranty. The model with support for LTE networks will be released 2-3 thousand more.

The "reference" tablet that is sold with the latest version of the Android operating system - 5.0 (Lollipop). The Taiwanese company HTC helped Google with its production. The device is equipped with a 64-bit NVIDIA Tegra K1 processor, 2 gigabytes of "RAM" and an 8.9-inch display (2048x1536) with an aspect ratio of 3: 4.

The battery is quite capacious - 6700 mAh. Also, the tablet has two cameras: an 8-megapixel front and a 1.6-megapixel rear. HTC Nexus 9 was expected in Russia by November, but its sales have not yet begun officially. You can buy a novelty from "gray" retailers for about 24-27 thousand rubles.

NVIDIA Tegra Note 7 LTE

Is a compact tablet designed for the needs of gamers. The gaming tablet carries a 4-core NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor (1.8 GHz), NVIDIA GeForce graphics and 1 gigabyte of RAM. The screen is a 7-inch IPS panel.

For a 7-inch tablet, Tegra Note is quite heavy - 372 grams, and not that compact (more than 1 cm thick, 12 cm wide, 20 cm high). However, the extra grip space, on the contrary, will come in handy. But the display could be better. Its resolution is low - 1280x800 pixels (density - 216 pixels per inch), while a year ago Full HD was taken as the standard for 7 "tablets.

Since the main purpose of the Tegra Note 7 is games and resource-intensive applications, it copes with its task very well. In benchmarks, the "heart" NVIDIA showed very decent results, and any games that we ran on the device worked with excellent frame rates even in scenes saturated with polygons.

There were no complaints about how the tablet "holds" charging. The battery capacity (4100 mAh) is enough to watch videos in high definition for more than 10 hours without stopping, or play titles with advanced 3D graphics for about 4 hours. Features of the "tablet": magnets built into the case (that is, you can hang it, for example, on the refrigerator and watch a movie), support for LTE and updates to Android 5.0 (Lollipop), powerful speakers and a stylus.

In online stores, the device (sold under the Etuline brand in Russia) can be ordered for about 12 thousand rubles.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4

The screen size is the most optimal - 8.4 inches (2560x1600 pixels), moreover, it is made using Super AMOLED technology. The colors on such a matrix look richer and more vibrant, and the viewing angles are wider in comparison with "regular" LCD panels. The main camera is also quite good: it uses an 8-megapixel module with autofocus and flash.

Under the cover of Tab S 8.4 there is an 8-core Exynos 5 Octa 5240 chip, Mali-T628 graphics, 3 GB of "RAM". In synthetic tests, the Samsung tablet easily outperforms last year's flagship Galaxy S4, as well as the LG G Pad 8.3. Of the built-in 16 GB, only 11 and a half are available to the user, but its support for large microSD cards - up to 128 GB. A feature of the device is a built-in fingerprint scanner built into the Home button.

The Tab S 8.4 takes on an outstanding Super AMOLED screen, thin (6.6mm) and lightweight body and high performance. It can be criticized for its unoriginal design with an abundance of plastic and a high starting price. The cost of a model with 16 GB of memory and a cellular communication module is about 24-26 thousand rubles.

Huawei MediaPad X1

- a compact "tablet" made in a stylish design. Its thickness (7.2 mm) and weight (239 grams) are even lighter than last year's Google Nexus 7, which can be considered the benchmark for 7-inch Android tablets. Moreover, about 80% of the entire front surface of the device is occupied by the display.

On the other hand, due to its large capacity, the MediaPad X1 takes a long time to charge. It will take at least three and a half hours to fully replenish the battery. In addition, the first time the battery needs to be charged for about 12 hours. Another drawback of the MediaPad X1 is the Android version of the year before last (4.2.2 Jelly Bean).

In stores, Huawei MediaPad X1 is sold at a very reasonable price - 12-13 thousand rubles with a 3G module.

Surface Pro 3

Surface Pro 3 - actually touch laptop, only without keyboard included. It provides a full-size USB port 3.0 for connecting keyboard, mouse and other peripherals, mini DisplayPort for external monitor, microSD slot for memory cards.

Filling Pro 3 is also "computer": Intel Core 4th generation (available in Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 options), flash storage from 64 to 512 GB and "RAM" from 4 to 8 GB. The 12-inch display has a resolution of 2160x1440 pixels. Also, the "tablet" supports stylus input, has a fan cooling system and is capable of transferring video to an external 4K monitor.

Pro 3 runs on a full-fledged Windows 8 (with support for all applications), and when the keyboard cover is connected, the Type Cover stops in a full-fledged laptop.

The main disadvantage of the device is the price. For Surface Pro 3 you will have to pay about the same as for a top-end laptop, that is, about 70 thousand rubles. And this is how much the tablet costs in the basic configuration, with 64 GB of memory and 8 GB of "RAM". In addition, the keyboard will have to be purchased additionally.

Acer Iconia A3-A11

If an important criterion is the tablet's ability to produce quality sound, you can consider buying it. Support for Dolby Digital Plus emulates six-channel (5.1) surround sound for headphones and reduces ambient noise, while the large, 10.1-inch display and long battery life make the tablet an excellent movie-watching tablet.

True, the screen resolution of the gadget is very modest: 1280x800 pixels, and the density for a 10.1-inch panel is quite small: 149 ppi. Also Iconia A3-A11 has a very budget design: an unremarkable white matte plastic back panel and safety glass the screens are united by a silver frame, and the back panel flexes quite strongly in the middle. Moreover, the device looks "thick" (10.15 mm) and heavy (522 grams) against the background of competitors.

The 10.1-inch Acer Iconia A3-A11 is relatively inexpensive. For a model with 16 GB of memory, they ask for about 12 thousand rubles.

3Q Glaze

- another budget option. The device will please its owner with a very small body thickness (6.44 mm), acceptable weight (294 g) and generally good performance for its level. Glaze is equipped with a 4-core Cortex-A9 processor with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz, graphics mali-400 MP4 and a gigabyte of "RAM".

The 7.85-inch display has a resolution of 1024x768 pixels (density - 163 pixels per inch). There is no oleophobic coating, and the surface is quickly covered with fingerprints. The built-in memory is not enough: 8 gigabytes, and only 4.6 GB of them are available to the user. Glaze can be connected to microSD cards, but small (up to 32 GB).

3Q Glaze is the most affordable of the models presented in the review. You can buy a tablet for about 6-8 thousand rubles.

The review was prepared by Oleg Ilyukhin with the participation of Andrey Borzenko and Nikolai Belkin

Tablets are rapidly entering our world. Just a few years ago, they were a wonder for many people, but now you have such a variety of choices that even the most daring analyst of the electronics market could not have dreamed of in 2010, when the “tablets” were just beginning their climb to Olympus ".

And with a choice comes decisions - difficult decisions. You shy away from Apple's high prices, join Android team and looking for the best iPad alternative? Or are you an Apple fanatic with one of the most popular tablets in the world?

In the process of creating our in-depth review, we did not pass by the new iPad mini 2 with retina display and. And below you can see what places they occupy in the rating.

The Amazon Kindle Fire HDX is coming to market, and we'll talk about that too - we have high hopes for affordable, yet high-performance tablets.

We have made it easier for you to choose and have collected information on the 10 best tablets available in Russia today.

And for those of you who are still new to all this tablet fever, we'll get you up to speed on what a tablet is.

In general terms, modern tablet computers boast touch screens diagonal from 7 to 13 inches. These parameters are by no means static, and the boundaries can be blurred as smartphones get bigger displays - for example, the 5.7-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the huge 6.44-inch Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

Physical keyboards are also rare, but there are exceptions such as the Asus Transformer Pad Infinity and Mircosoft Surface Pro 2, which come with a keyboard dock for tablets.

Applications

10. Tesco Hudl

What is it - the Tesco supermarket has decided to start producing tablets? What's next - Argos will also make their own? Wait a minute ... if you put that aside, the Hudl tablet is super cheap, it's a $ 192 Android model that will plug other tablets under $ 200.

For its price, the Hudl is very well equipped with a solid design and a very decent 7-inch display. The Android OS it ships with will satisfy those who aren't fans of the various interface overlays out there, and the addition of a microSD card slot is also something to behold.

Of course, Hudl won't blow you away with its ultra-fast performance, although a quad-core processor means the power of the hardware. The quality of the built-in camera leaves much to be desired, but this is not surprising considering the price of the tablet.

Brief conclusion

If you can afford to spend $ 300, we would still recommend the Google Nexus 7 as the best tablet on the market for its price. If you intend to spend about half this amount, then we do not see any other alternative to compact Hudl.

9. iPad mini

Former Apple executive Steve Jobs heavily criticized small tablets a few years ago, leading many to believe that the Cupertino-based firm will never flutter in the budget segment, but here's the ending.

In terms of continuity in the tablet market, Apple is second to none, as these products now claim the top two spots in our top 10, although the iPad mini is no longer a diamond in its sparkling crown - it has already been trampled by the updated Google Nexus 7 and the next model from Google.

Now, on the new Mini version we have all the retina display magic we hoped for. The old Mini isn't bad either - we just recommend paying close attention to the newer model first.

Brief conclusion

When it arrived, we christened the iPad mini “ best iPad ever made by Apple, ”and while that title is now claiming, this compact tablet is still a good choice for the budget-conscious buyer.

If the screen makes a disgusting impression on you, don't worry, as the iPad mini 2 came out with a retina display - but even despite this fact, the first Mini is quite good and competitive.

8. Microsoft Surface Pro 2

Tinker Bell, round two. Here is Microsoft's second-generation Windows 8 tablet, which is an enhancement of its predecessor and provides a harmonious tablet-laptop hybrid experience.

In terms of portability, the Surface Pro 2 won't win any awards - it's large and heavy, but if you're looking for a powerful business tablet, the Pro 2 is one of the best (if not the best) available.

Microsoft has improved the Pro 2 in many ways from the original Surface Pro, bringing in an updated Windows 8.1 operating system, a strong Intel processor, improved battery life, and a two-position hinged leg.

Brief conclusion

The Surface Pro 2 doesn't offer the best natural user experience, but if you're looking for a device that blurs the lines between laptop and tablet, then you should definitely check out this device.

Having a comfortable qwerty keyboard, big screen and package Microsoft Office it is undeniably a business machine, but it also offers something quite different from the iPad and Android devices.

It's still expensive, so be prepared to shell out at least $ 1000 for the basic version - plus all of this you need keyboard.

7. Google Nexus 10

The 10.1-inch display is one of the most frequent topics of conversation on the Google Nexus 10. At 299 ppi, that's the world's highest resolution on a 10-inch tablet - here's Apple and your retina screens.

If you're looking for something that's packed with even more pixels, you'll need to, at the expense of screen size, bargain for the 7-inch Nexus 7, which has a resolution of 323 pixels per inch.

Also, this tablet does an excellent job. Apart from the fact that it takes him time to process panoramic photos, we never felt that he was struggling to keep up with his duties. It is always fast and reliable, no matter what tasks we throw at it.

Sure, the Nexus 10 may not look as awesome or design as the iPad, and the lack of storage expansion will not please anyone, but in general the Nexus 10 gives you quality functionality with a larger screen and Android OS than should not be neglected.

Brief conclusion

The Google Nexus 10 is by far one of the best Android tablets on the market. And while it's not nearly as excellent value for money as the Nexus 7, this tablet is almost as good as Apple's pricey iPad Air. You will not be disappointed if you give back what you owe for your purchase the sum.

6. Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7

Leaner and simpler, but more powerful than its predecessor. Amazon continued its fun with the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7, and it looks like it keeps up with the new Nexus 7.

On paper, Amazon's latest 7-inch tablet is more than up-to-date with a 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a full HD display, up to 64GB of hard drive storage, and prices starting at $ 300. ...

However, in reality it is not a product completely analogous to the Nexus 7 - Amazon's significantly modified Fire 3.0 operating system lacks many of the functions of "pure" Android, plus the tablet interface is "sharpened" for purchases on the services of the world's largest online store.

Brief conclusion

For the concession to shopping services, the Kindle Fire HDX 7 gives you simplicity and ease of use. We'd like to call it the type of tablet you give to someone less tech savvy, but such devices usually don't have as good hardware as this one.

If you are an avid user, or are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem, the Kindle Fire HDX 7 is a good buy. And for those who want a little more functionality, the Nexus 7 can be advised; if you have a thicker wallet, then pay attention to iPad mini 2.

5. LG G Pad 8.3

What is it? LG entered TOP 8 The best smartphones 2014, and now in the top five best tablets? Is this brand returning its positions?

Well, when you're making an Android tablet with the same design as this tablet, maybe it's time to quietly start worrying about Samsung. Instead of plastic, this model has a pretty aluminum body, and its connectivity with other Android phones makes it a viable solution for a wider range of users.

Someone might ask the question - is the Snapdragon 600 processor too underpowered for a tablet that costs almost $ 450? However, according to LG, this approach has allowed for a more elegant design in keeping with the tradition of the Korean brand.

Brief conclusion

We really liked the G Pad 8.3, and the fact that it did not take the highest places on our list is due to the slightly faster self-discharge of the battery than we expected - however, it has a lot more advantages.

It's the iPad Mini's closest competitor when it comes to design, and it's a tablet that's not ashamed to take out of its sleek, sleek design. cover.

4. Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Elegant, powerful, iconic - all these words can describe an impressive tablet from Sony.

The brand has been hard at work in mobile technology for several years now, but now the combination of SonyXperia and Tablet Z shows that the Japanese brand is bringing us devices that people can finally truly aspire to own.

And here is one of the qualities that we liked about the Tablet Z: it is light, really light, and its entire design emphasizes with all its appearance - this is an elite model. Sony has exceeded expectations in this regard and released a tablet that will not look out of place in a business class room or in the center of a home entertainment complex.

It's also waterproof - of course you may not experience this quality often, but it gives the tablet its reliability. And this frees your thoughts from worries when you handle such an expensive thing.

Brief conclusion

Featuring a super slim body, impressive screen and abundance installed applications Sony, Xperia Tablet Z is one of the best gadgets available as of early 2014.

The Tablet Z's quality is striking from the moment you take it out of your bag, and its fast internals and impressive weight are enough to recommend it wholeheartedly.

This isn't an iPad Air, but we're all excited about what Sony has in store for 2014 with the next model.

3. Google Nexus 7

The new Nexus 7 replaces the original 7-inch version from Google in 2012. It is packed with a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and comes with either 16GB or 32GB of hard drive space.

Offered at just 260g, this is the perfect tablet to slip into your bag and rush to your local supermarket. Or, just as well, it can help you out on the long haul with tons of apps, decent battery life and this latest 7-inch IPS display with a high resolution of 1920 x 1200 at 323ppi.

It is slightly more expensive than the previous model cost right after launch, with prices starting from 320 for the 16GB version to $ 390 for the 32GB version. And it's worth remembering that the operating system also takes some of this memory to ensure that the new Android 4.4 KitKat works successfully.

Plus, initially there is a 4G option ... no, wait, this is also not yet in Russia, but at least it appears.

But the tablet has some high-tech specs, a low-risk update policy, and is built to feel both premium quality and robust enough to be carried around the home. In our opinion, this is a good combination.

Brief conclusion

If you are looking to buy a tablet now and are already slightly immersed in the Android ecosystem, we see no reason not to decide on the Nexus 7.

If you haven't paid attention to Android at all, then you're in a good position to start. You might look at the iPad mini 2, which is appropriate for those who have accumulated a lot of purchases from App Store but it's not as affordable as the new Nexus 7.

The new iPad Mini popped into second place, surpassing everything the new Nexus 7 has, but this is the tablet battle many have been expecting. For the more sensible of you, if you want a decent tablet, the new Nexus 7 is out competition.

2. iPad Mini 2 with retina display

Look at this - Apple came in at the top two spots in our tablet roundup. Either you like it or you hate it, but we can't deny that Apple makes the best tablets on the market today.

The iPad Air sits right ahead of the Mini 2 as it is more competitively priced and has a larger screen for iPad apps.

But this device is far from being limited. It has tons of stylish features, from an aluminum lid, a super-fast A7 processor, and this screen ... is what we should have had last year, but even twelve months later, the iPad Mini 2 is impressive.

Brief conclusion

The iPad Mini 2 is actually slightly obsessed with the Air design changes - a larger tablet is now increasingly encroaching on "portable tablet" territory.

That being said, the Mini 2 has the same number of pixels per smaller area, resulting in better legibility for text and images - and it doesn't affect device performance or battery life, which is a miracle in itself.

If only it were a little cheaper, we would have two five-star tablets currently available on the market - but even so, if you are looking for an excellent tablet in the small size category (and you are not too worried about the price, you are a big bag), then Mini 2 doesn't even have anything compare.

1. iPad Air

We have a new player at number 1! If you've already read our iPad Air review, there won't be any surprises for you, as Apple's latest tablet comes first in line for a five-star rating on.

When Apple released the first iPad, people chuckled, but the sector has grown exponentially since the first-generation model came out and with the Air, the Cupertino-based firm was finally putting the finishing touches on the overall success formula for its tablets.

The impressive design paired with a thinner and lighter body has contributed to the creation of a high-end and truly beautiful tablet, and the presence powerful processors Apple's A7 and M7 under the hood means it gets through even the toughest tasks very quickly.

Sure, the price tag is still pretty big, but they are comparable to those of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and the like, finally making the iPad Air a contender in the huge gaming market ... and if you bear that in mind, it's unrivaled.

Brief conclusion

"Not only is this the best tablet from Apple, it's the only tablet you should look out for if you like a bigger screen." That was our verdict when we put together an in-depth review on the iPad Air. While the Xperia Tablet Z is good, the Air is great and rightfully sits at the top of our list.

If you want the best tablet on the market, stop looking. iPad Air is your choice. Apple's tablet has once again won the top spot for the Cupertino company, but the fight for the palm does not stop for a second, and in 2014 it promises to be hotter than ever.

Recall that not so long ago we chose where the first place also went to the Apple device.

Budget-minded shoppers are advised to pay attention to Android tablets, their quality options start at $ 150. Released by Apple The user-friendly iPad mini and iPad Air are mostly premium products and offer the most tablet apps. When it comes to Windows 8 tablets, many of them almost duplicate the performance of a laptop.

We'll take a look at the best tablets available today and rate them based on design, image quality, functionality, and performance.

Best Tablet: Apple iPad Air

Apple iPad Air with Retina display has absorbed all the best from the previous generation iPad in a thinner, lighter and more powerful package. At 480g, the 9.7-inch Air is the lightest tablet computer in its class, yet compact enough to fit comfortably in one hand. With a powerful 64-bit A7 processor, M7 coprocessor and nearly 12 hours of battery life, the package makes it the best tablet available.
Price from $ 500.

Best Small Tablet: Apple iPad Mini with Retina Display

The iPad Mini with retina display brings everything you could want in a small tablet. You get a sharp 7.9-inch, 2048 x 1536-pixel screen that's easy to hold in one hand, a powerful 64-bit A7 processor, and access to nearly half a million iPad-optimized apps. The battery life reaches 11 hours, which is about 2.5 hours longer than the nearest competitors.
Price from $ 400.

Tablet with the best screen: Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5

The Galaxy Tab S is a great iPad alternative. It is packed with the best-in-class Super AMOLED display that you will not be able to tear yourself away from when using it for watching movies, photos or playing games. The slim and light design of the Galaxy Tab S also cannot be ignored; it's even sleeker than the iPad Air. Samsung has equipped this Galaxy model with smart and innovative software such as SideSync 3.0 for receiving phone calls from a tablet. Add about 9 hours of battery life and you have convincing android tablet for work and play.
Price from $ 500.

Best Android Tablet: Google Nexus 7

Google Nexus 7 comes with Android operating system, fast quad-core processor and long battery life. The 7-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200p (323 ppi) is not only sharp, it is also colorful and bright enough when viewed from any angle. Updated Android system for the first time allows you to create limited profiles for children. The front and rear cameras will provide you with images captured by a device that weighs only 317 grams.
Price from $ 230.

Best tablet for kids and entertainment: Amazon Kindle Fire HDX

The best tablet for entertainment, as well as the most suitable for children, is the 7-inch Amazon Kindle Fire HDX. Of particular value in the interface is the Mayday button, pressing which leads to a video connection with the support service (the consultant does not see you, only you) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Parents will love the FreeTime feature, which allows them to limit the time their children spend on the tablet.
Price from $ 230.

Best convertible tablet: Microsoft Surface Pro 3

If you're serious about performance, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 gives you the best tablet-laptop symbiosis. You get a full laptop and a 12-inch tablet with a sharp 2160 x 1440 pixel screen in one device. Also, an improved docking station was developed for him, which expands the functionality of the device. The Type Cover is a slim mechanical keyboard case for a comfortable work and typing experience. The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 comes with a Surface Pen digital pen. Please note that the keyboard and docking station will have to be purchased outside of the kit.
Price from 800 dollars.

Tablet at the best price: Asus MeMO Pad 7 (2014)

How much of a complete tablet do you get for $ 150? In the case of the new ASUS MeMO Pad 7, there is more in the package than you might expect. This slim Android device comes in a few fun colors with fast Intel processor Atom, a sharp HD screen (1280 x 800 pixels) and a bunch of cool features from software developed by Google. The What "s Next widget will be useful, which can be displayed on the desktop, it contains reminders of all events, notes, weather.
Price from $ 150.

Best gaming tablet: Nvidia Shield Tablet

The Shield Tablet delivers some serious high performance thanks to Nvidia's K1 processor. The tablet features a versatile stylus and a gorgeous 8-inch 1920 x 1200 screen in a stylish design. Add a Wi-Fi Direct gaming controller and PC game streaming and you have a gaming machine that successfully bridges the gap between mobile and PC games.
Price from $ 230.

Best Windows Tablet: ASUS Transformer Book T100

Starting at $ 350, ASUS Transformer Book T100 offers a unique combination of epic battery life, high performance, and affordable value. ASUS tablet includes a tactile keyboard dock and office suite Office Home & Student. With over 12 hours of endurance, the ability to fold like a laptop and Windows 8.1, the T100 looks like an attractive convertible laptop.
Price from 350 dollars.

Best business tablet: Dell Venue 11 Pro

Part tablet, part laptop, the Dell Venue Pro 11 is one of the nicest business hybrids available on the market. A Windows 8.1 device with a sleek and durable design is capable of autonomous work more than 15 hours long when connected to a keyboard dock. The choice is represented by models with a price jump from $ 430 for the base model with an Intel Atom processor up to the 850 conventional units version with an Intel Core i5 processor.
Price from $ 430.