Tablet roundup: From iPad to Eee Pad, which is best?

Tablets are currently the must-have gadgets, letting you stay in touch, browse the web, read eBooks and play games on the move, with the comfort of a decent screen. There have been loads of new models out recently, however, making it a bit of a minefield if you don’t really know what you’re after. Read on for our tablet roundup.

Asus Eee Pad TransformerOut of all the tablets currently on sale, the Asus Eee PC Transformer is one of the most capable. It’s the perfect cross between a tablet and laptop, with a proper keypad when you need it – also offering protection for the screen – and the ability to just leave the keyboard at home when you just want to read an eBook or watch a movie.

Apple iPad 2Although we love the Transformer for it’s ability to turn into a proper little laptop, the Apple iPad 2 still has it licked when it comes to apps. iOS is perfect in tablet form, with lots of apps available that run full screen and at a decent resolution. The iPad 2 also offers excellent quality.

HTC FlyerFor lots of users, the HTC Flyer is the perfect size. It’s 7-inch screen makes it a lot smaller than the iPad 2, yet it’s still large enough to view websites or read eBooks without straining your eyes. It can’t quite match the Eee Pad Transformer or iPad 2 for quality, however.

Dell StreakThe only one of this group with a sub 7-inch form factor (the Streak actually features a 5-inch screen), Dell’s creation seems to blur the line between smartphone and tablet. It’s definitely small enough to take out on the road with you, but some people will find it too small to carry out the same tasks comfortably.

BlackBerry PlayBookDespite the PlayBook name, the latest BlackBerry tablet is actually aimed at business users. It looks good, it’s easy to use, but it falls down in one big area when compared to rivals – apps. Both Apple and Android devices offer loads of great software, where the PlayBook is limited at the moment.

Five for the weekend: PlayBook, iStuff and HP Pre 3 to keep you entertained

Following on from all the excitement of E3 2011, it’s been a relatively quite week in terms of news. Manufacturers have been slow to release products, and you’ll have to look hard to find new gadgets. We’ve still managed to find five of the best to keep you entertained over the weekend, however, so read on.

HP Pre 3 OK, so you’ll only be able to pre-order the Pre 3 this weekend – rather than popping down to the shops to get your hands on one – but we’re still more than a little tempted. This touchscreen wonder features a great keyboard, the fast and fluid WebOS, and a speedy processor.

BlackBerry PlayBookDeciding on a new tablet is a tricky one, as there’s so much variety on offer. If you’ve already got a BlackBerry smartphone, however, it may make sense to opt for the new PlayBook, which launched this week. Granted, there aren’t as many apps as you’ll find for Apple or Android, but it’s unusual, looks good and is more than good enough when it comes to watching movies or checking out your favourite websites.

iBookstoreIt’s been a long time in the making, but the Apple iBookstore is now available in the UK. If you have an Apple iPad, or fancy checking out the latest eBooks on your Apple iPhone or MacBook, then the iBookstore promises to keep you entertained over the weekend. You’ll be able to chose from over 200,000 books, and lots of them are free!

Vodafone SmartThe Vodafone Smart was announced last month, providing a cheap way of getting in on the Android action. This small and neat looking touchcreen handset is available to buy from Vodafone for just £60, proving that you don’t have to pay the Earth to get a decent smartphone.

Apple MacBookOK, so there may be no new hardware this week from Apple, but if you’re a student and looking to buy a new laptop, then it’s well worth checking out the latest offerings from Apple. Buy a MacBook, MacBook Pro or iMac over the weekend, and you’ll get £65 back to spend on apps, with up to £315 discount available for students.

BlackBerry PlayBook: Five killer features!

RIM’s BlackBerry PlayBook has been on sale for under a week in the UK, yet already it’s proving more popular than established rivals like the Motorola Xoom. In fact, worldwide, the PlayBook has sold twice as many units as the Xoom in the same amount of time. Read on to find out more about some of the PlayBook’s killer features.

SizeThe Motorola Xoom’s 10.1-inch widescreen display may be perfect for watching movies in the home, or browsing the internet on your sofa, but it can’t match the PlayBook’s 7-inch screen when it comes to a life on the road. The PlayBook’s display is still large enough to do everything in comfort, but the extra portability makes it easier to take out and about with you.

Brand loyaltyThe BlackBerry PlayBook has one feature the Motorola Xoom would kill for, and that’s brand loyalty. Millions of people already use BlackBerry devices, both at home and at work, and many of these users are more than happy with their BlackBerry. It makes sense to stick with the brand they know then, especially when the PlayBook is designed to work perfectly alongside their BlackBerry smartphones.

Operating systemWe love Android as an operating system, but we can’t help but feel that it’s still aimed more at smartphones than tablets. The BlackBerry PlayBook features a unique QNX operating system, setting it apart from rivals and offering a truly different user experience.

Multi-taskingThe BlackBerry PlayBook is the ideal corporate tablet (despite the name), boasting more than enough power to work on the move. The 1GHz processor is a dual-core chip, and is aided by 1GB of memory. RIM has also designed its tablet to carry out symmetric multi-processing, making it one of the best when it comes to multi-tasking.

Email supportIf you already use a BlackBerry for work, then the BlackBerry PlayBook should be the perfect device for checking your emails on the go. It pairs effortlessly with your BlackBerry, offering full compatibility with RIM’s BlackBerry Enterprise Server.