Tablets, Compared

2010 was supposed to be the Year of the Tablet. That did not really happen — the flood of product was reduced to a trickle, as many manufacturers awaited a more tablet-friendly operating system from Google. So, once more, with feeling: 2011 will be the Year of the Tablet. Several new models have either been released, or are in a very advanced state of preview. This interactive guide can help sort through the latest offerings. Use the checkbox at the top of each listing to select it for comparison. And check back frequently — this page will be updated as new information or models are released. JUMP TO A PRODUCT: Apple iPad Motorola Xoom H.P. Slate Dell Streak BlackBerry PlayBook Samsung Galaxy Tab Apple iPad Use this for comparisons Since its release in April, Apple’s iPad has sold more than 7.5 million units. The iPad comes in several versions, with different memory capacities and an available cellular connection via AT&T (in October, Verizon started selling the iPad with an external 3G-to-Wi-Fi wireless router). For now, the iPad remains the dominant tablet computer. David Pogue: Looking at the iPad From Two Angles Times Topics: iPad Apple Product Page Device Apple iPad Operating System iOS Apps 40,000+ iPad apps through the Apple App Store; 300,000+ compatible iPhone apps Flash Support No Multitasking Yes, with the newest iOS upgrade Screen 9.7'' 4:3 IPS screen Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 Camera None Ports Apple dock connection Navigation Compass, assisted GPS (3G version only) Storage 16, 32 or 64 GB Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G (some models) Estimated Battery Life 10 hours, 1 month standby Dimensions 9.56" x 7.47" x 0.5" Weight 1.5 pounds Wireless Plan $15 or $25 a month via AT&T (No contract) Price $500-$830 Motorola Xoom Use this for comparisons Motorola introduced its tablet, the Xoom, at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The tablet is the first to run the newest version of Google's Android operating system, known as Honeycomb. It was named the best gadget by the show's official awards. Motorola said that the tablet will be available in the first quarter of 2011, but has not given any details about its cost. Gadgetwise Blog: Motorola Introduces the Xoom, Its Answer to the iPad Product Page Device Motorola Xoom Operating System Android Apps More than 100,000 Android apps Flash Support Yes Multitasking Yes Screen 10.1-inch widescreen Screen Resolution 1280x800 Camera 5 MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera Ports micro U.S.B., HDMI for video out Navigation compass, GPS Storage 32 GB, with SD support after software update Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G upgradeable. Can be used as personal hotspot. Estimated Battery Life 10 hours video playback Dimensions 9.8'' x 6.6" x 0.5" Weight 1.6 lbs H.P. Slate Use this for comparisons The on-again, off-again Slate was in the works for some time. In October Hewlett-Packard, the world’s largest PC manufacturer, introduced the Slate, its first tablet. Running a touch-optimized version of Microsoft Windows 7, the Slate is initially being targeted at business users. That would explain its enterprise-level price: $800. Gadgetwise Blog: The H.P. Slate Is Not Trying to Be an iPad H.P. Product Site Device H.P. Slate Operating System Windows 7 Apps Most Windows programs Flash Support Yes Multitasking Yes, it runs Windows Screen 8.9'' wide screen Screen Resolution 1024 x 600 Camera VGA webcam for videoconferencing, 3MP camera on reverse side Ports U.S.B. Navigation None Storage 64 GB Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Estimated Battery Life 5 hours Dimensions 5.91" x 9.21" x 0.58" Weight 1.5 pounds Price $800 Dell Streak Use this for comparisons Dell was one of the first computer makers to respond to the iPad, releasing the Streak in August. The Streak has a five-inch screen, smaller than the eight- to 10-inch screens common in tablets. With dimensions like that, the Streak occupies the space between the smartphone and the tablet. Gadgetwise Blog: The Dell Streak Is a Big Phone Streak Product Page Device Dell Streak Operating System Android Apps More than 100,000 Android apps Flash Support Yes Multitasking Yes Screen 5" TFT LCD Screen Resolution 800 x 480 Camera VGA camera for videoconferencing; 5MP camera on reverse side Ports U.S.B. Navigation Compass, GPS Storage MicroSD card slot (16GB pre-installed) Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G Estimated Battery Life 10 hours talk time, 400 hours standby Dimensions 6" x 3.1" x 0.4" Weight 0.48 pound Wireless Plan 2-year AT&T contract or buy unlocked at full price Price $550 ($300 with 2-year contract) BlackBerry PlayBook Use this for comparisons Refusing to cede tablet ground to the likes of Apple, Google and Microsoft, smartphone maker Research In Motion has been developing the PlayBook, part of its BlackBerry line of devices. The PlayBook will be available in 2011, though R.I.M. has shown prototypes already. Expect full Flash support for the Web, compatibility with corporate servers and enhanced security features. Gadgetwise Blog: What's in R.I.M.'s PlayBook? With BlackBerry PlayBook, R.I.M. Returns to Corporate User Base PlayBook Product Page Device BlackBerry PlayBook Operating System BlackBerry Tablet OS Apps PlayBook-specific apps via BlackBerry App World Flash Support Yes Multitasking Yes Screen 7" wide screen LCD Screen Resolution 1024 x 600 Camera 3MP camera for videoconferencing, 5MP camera on reverse side Ports U.S.B., HDMI for video out Navigation None Storage 16, 32 or 64 GB Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (3G via BlackBerry phone tether) Estimated Battery Life Unknown Dimensions 5.1" x 7.6" x 0.4" Weight 0.9 pound Price Unknown Samsung Galaxy Tab Use this for comparisons The Galaxy Tab from Samsung is one of the few real competitors to Apple’s iPad. Available through all four major cellphone carriers, the Galaxy runs on Google’s Android 2.2 operating system, which means it comes with some features — turn-by-turn navigation, voice dictation, Flash support — that either cost extra on the iPad or are not available at all. Prices vary depending on the carrier, but expect to pay between $400 and $600. David Pogue: It's a Tablet. It's Gorgeous. It's Costly. Gadgetwise Blog: Is Samsung's Galaxy Tab a Worthy Rival? Galaxy Tab Product Page Device Samsung Galaxy Tab Operating System Android Apps More than 100,000 Android apps Flash Support Yes Multitasking Yes Screen 7" wide screen TFT LCD Screen Resolution 1024 x 600 Camera 1.3MP camera for videoconferencing, 3MP camera on reverse side Ports U.S.B. Navigation Compass, GPS Storage MicroSD card slot (16GB pre-installed) Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G Estimated Battery Life 7 hours Dimensions 7.48" x 4.74" x 0.47" Weight 0.8 pounds Wireless Plan Varies by carrier Price $600 ($400 with contract)