Choosing a tablet need not be a hard pill to swallow

Laying it on the tablet

Choosing a tablet need not be a hard pill to swallow

by S Shiva
Updated 02:01 PM Jun 10, 2011

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Acer Iconia Tab A500

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is a bit of a left-field choice, with its simple design and large form factor, but this underdog will surprise you with its quality hardware and long battery life.

Sporting a 10.1-inch display panel and weighing in at a hefty 730g, the A500 may not be the most portable tablet around, but it feels durable and its screen size is big enough for comfortable viewing.

The A500 is powered by Android's Honeycomb OS. As with all tablets operating on Honeycomb, there is a slight learning curve before you get used to the interface.

Something interesting about the A500's dual-core processors is that they are from NVIDIA, a name synonymous with graphic cards and video games. So, evidently, the A500 places more emphasis on games - which you can download from the Android Marketplace - than other tablets do.

The A500 features a rear-mounted 5-megapixel camera capable of shooting videos at 720p, and a front-facing camera for video calls, but what really steals the show are its speakers.

Thanks to a speaker system from Dolby, the sound on the A500 is excellent. The only problem would be that they are back-facing, a problem shared by many tablets. Nonetheless, the sound quality of the A500 is unmatched in this category.

With all these functions, one might expect the A500 to run out of juice quickly, but it exceeds expectations by lasting for more than eight hours with heavy usage, and almost 24 hours under average use.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 may be not be the most obvious choice at first, but its sturdy, metal body, powerful speakers, and battery life make it a tablet worth considering for anyone who wants something different.

The Acer Iconia Tab A500 is available now for S$799.

Apple iPad 2

Anyone who has used the original iPad before, or even an iPhone for that matter, will be able to jump right into the iPad 2's user interface. Utilising the same set of controls and the same layout as other devices under the same brand, the iPad 2 is an incredibly user-friendly device that is simple to pick up and use.

While the iPad 2's screen resolution is the same as its predecessor's, its dimensions have changed significantly. The iPad 2 is stunningly slim, even thinner than the iPhone 4 at just 8.88mm. The device is also incredibly light, and is very portable overall.

As with all Apple products, the iPad 2 has access to the App Store, allowing games, handy guides for transport timings, and even maps to be downloaded straight into the device.

Whatever the iPad 2 lacks in hardware enhancement, it makes up for in the user experience. A demo of the GarageBand and iMovie, which can be purchased from the App Store for US$4.99 (S$6.15) each, showcased how apps can be functional enough for an amateur musician yet intuitive enough to be used by a toddler. In fact, we're sure said toddler could teach us a thing or two about the iPad 2.

With iPad 2, Apple took an already amazing product, improved it, and made it better than before. Apple fans are going to love it, and so will anyone who relish the "experience".

The iPad 2 is available now, from S$668.


PROLiNK TA8

The PROLiNK TA8 blurs the line between work and play with features that are on par with other tablets in the market, but still stay professional enough for a business environment. With a 10.1-inch high definition screen, the TA8 ensures that what you see is the best quality you can get. If the occasion calls for it, connect the TA8 to a bigger HDTV screen via its built-in micro HDMI port.

With a 5 megapixel CMOS camera, the TA8 is able to capture images faster than normal tablet cameras. View photos and videos on its gallery,with a total video playback of up to eight hours.

The TA8 offers premium leather finish on its back that makes the device both sleek to look at and provides protection.

The PROLiNK TA8 is available now for S$649 and comes with a free screen protector and standing case (worth S$88) during PC Show 2011.


Motorola Xoom

One look at the specifications on the Motorola Xoom and you'd know it is a beast compared to other tablets in the market.

With dual-core processors and Google's Android Honeycomb OS, some consider the Motorola Xoom the closest competitor the Apple iPad has.

The Motorola Xoom has a familiar user interface, but it takes some getting used to, even for experienced Android users.

Featuring a 10.1-inch high-definition display, the Motorola Xoom delivers a visual feast for the eyes, with photos and videos appearing beautifully crisp and vibrant.

The Xoom comes with a built-in HDMI port, which allows the tablet to be linked to a HDTV set, bringing the experience onto a bigger screen.

Taking photos is also a snap with both front- and back-mounted cameras. The 5-megapixel camera on the back has decent photo-taking capabilities, and can record videos in up to 720p resolution. The 2-megapixel camera can be used with the Google Talk app to make video calls.

While a fierce competitor to the iPad, the steep learning curve of the Honeycomb OS might be off-putting. However, for those looking for a breath of fresh air among tablets, the Motorola Xoom is a powerful device that is able to match the iPad on many levels, and surpass it on others.

The Motorola Xoom is now available for S$888.

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Asus EEE Pad Transformer

The Asus EEE Pad Transformer may seem, at first glance, like any other Android-powered tablet - until you realise the trick it's hiding up its sleeve. Once attached to the compatible keyboard accessory, the Transformer turns from a tablet to what is essentially a netbook in mere seconds.

The Transformer recognises that the keyboard is attached immediately, and lets you take full control of the tablet using the keys and the track pad on the keyboard. It even folds shut, like a netbook, for easy storage.
Despite its lower price compared to other tablets, the Transformer looks and feels surprisingly robust, with its edge crafted out of a strip of bronze metal. The pattern on the back, made of embossed plastic, also gives you a better grip on the tablet.

The Transformer is powered by Android Honeycomb OS and offers direct access to the Android Marketplace, where a wide range of apps can be found and downloaded.

The camera on the back of the Transformer has can capture video of up to 720p, while the front mounted 1.3-megapixel camera is good enough for video calls and simple photos.

The Asus EEE Pad Transformer is a well rounded tablet with well-developed features, and while it's not the most advanced tablet around, it more than makes up for it with its lower price point. The added bonus of being able to control it with the keyboard dock is definitely a welcome addition - the Transformer is the easiest tablet to type on yet.

The Asus EEE Pad Transformer is now available from S$699 as a standalone unit, and S$799 bundled with the keyboard docking station.

For updated prices and deals on tablets and other electronics at the PC Show, check our Tech Talk blog here.

Source: www.todayonline.com