Tablets Galore

Tablet computers have zoomed into the mainstream, and there seems to be a new tablet announced every week. They are the latest trend that gives you internet capabilities, access to email, video chat and allows you to capture images and video while on the go. These multimedia devices are designed to be portable, with small dimensions and a lightweight design. I am really not much of a techie, but if you are planning on buying one, here's a look on what is popular and currently available.

iPad
The iPad and iPad 2 have held a huge lead over all other tablets. iPad was launched last April 2010 and the iPad 2 last March 2011.

• 1GHz dual-core A5 CPU
• 512 MB RAM
• 16, 32, 64GB storage options
• Front & Rear cameras, front is VGA, rear is 720p
• 9.7" LED display with 1024 x 768, screen resolution 132 ppi
• GPU said to be 10x faster
• Video output supports up to 1080p
• Runs iOS 4.3
• 10 hours battery life
• White and Black color options
• 3G models
• 1.3 lbs
• Price: from P23,990 up

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Sleek, sexy and light, it gets as close to the iPad 2 as any Android tablet.

• 1GHz dual-cor NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor
• 1 GB RAM
• 16, 32, 64 GB (ROM)
• Back camera: HD (720p) video recording, 3MP auto-focus camera with LED flash
• Front camera: 2MP
• 10.1 widescreen 1280 x 800 WXGA TFT LCD 149 ppi
• Full HD video playback 1080p
• Android browser
• 9 hour battery life
• Wi-fi + 3G
• 565g
• Price: from P28,500 up

Blackberry Playbook

RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook is a fast, powerful 7-inch tablet with HDMI output, advanced multitasking and security, and a browser that integrates Adobe Flash 10.2 for a desktop-style Web experience.

• 1 GHz dual-core processor
• Blackberry Tablet OS with symmetric multiprocessing
• 1 GB RAM
• 7" LCD display , 1024 x 600 screen resolution
• 0.9 lb/ 425 g
• Wi-fi/ 4G+Wi-fi
• 3MP camera 1080p HD forward-facing/ 5MP camera 1080 HD rear-facing

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime
The Eee Pad Transformer Prime is the world's first tablet to feature Project Kal-El, NVIDIA's next generation quad-core Tegra mobile chip, giving birth to a new breed of high powered tablet devices.

• 1.3 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor  
• 10.1-inch touchscreen
• 1280 x 800 p resolution
• 1-gigabyte of RAM
• Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS
• 8-megapixel rear auto-focus camera with LED flash and a front facing 1.2 megapixel camera
• tablet weighs only 1.29 pounds
• 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi support
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, a gyroscope, and GPS.
• HDMI port for hooking the tablet to HD TVs 
• microSD card slot for expanding storage
• Will be released December 2011
• Price:  $499 for 32 gig/ $599 for 64 gig

Motorola Xoom
The Motorola Xoom tablet is easily the best competition Apple's iPad has ever seen. But with it's hefty price, I think most of us would think twice before buying it.

• 1GHz, NVIDIA Tegra 2 (dual-core processor)
• Android 3.1 (honeycomb)
•  1GB of DDR2 RAM,
• up to 64gb of internal storage,
• 10.1 HD widescreen display
• 1280 x 800p resolution
• 5MP camera with dual LED flash
• WiFi + 3G 
• Price: $800

Kindle Fire

Kindle Fire has quickly became the most talked about tablet since iPad 2. It is Amazon's $199 multifunction color tablet, the latest addition to it's line of monochrome Kindle.

• 1 GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4 dual-core processor
•  Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS
• 7 inch IPS 1024×600 resolution display with 169 PPI
• 7.5″ x 4.7″ x 0.45″ (190 mm x 120 mm x 11.4 mm) at 14.6 ounces (413 grams)
• 8GB of internal storage
• Up to 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback (charges in four hours and can be charged using a USB port on your PC)
• 802.11b/g/n WiFi (no ad-hoc support)
• microUSB 2.o
• 3.5mm headphone jack and top-mounted external speakers

When deciding which tablet is best for you, consider what you'll use it for. Whether you are a student, business professional or just love technology, tablets have something for everyone.