Finally, the tablet market is getting exciting. Since Apple's tablet was introduced back in January, it's been pretty much all iPad, all the time. While there have been contenders (remember JooJoo?), none have really made their mark. It took several months, but now we have some viable tablet alternatives.
The most fierce competition comes from Android-based devices that can do everything an Android smartphone can, but on a bigger screen. The best Android tablet we've seen so far is the Galaxy Tab from Samsung, which will be available on all four major cellular carriers (so far, we've reviewed the $399 Sprint version). This 7-incher impresses with solid, well-designed hardware, an excellent browser, and support for Flash, something that the iPad notoriously lacks. The only thing it's missing is tablet-specific applications. Thousands of third parties have created tablet-centric experiences for the iPad. The Galaxy runs Android apps perfectly well, just bigger. The Tab needs a boost from developers designing specifically for the tablet, and Samsung promises that those apps are on the way. Even without the apps, it's a great choice if you're looking for a tablet for entertainment, but you don't want an iPad.
If you want a tablet for work first, the business-centric HP Slate 500 is geared toward vertical markets, and runs Windows 7 Professional, so it's more like a laptop without a physical keyboard. There aren't any apps designed specifically for the Slate, but you could easily add Microsoft Office for productivity, or any other PC software really, since it's a Windows-based device.
The RIM BlackBerry PlayBook doesn't have a price or a firm release date yet, but looks promising given its brand-new OS, which is based on QNX Neutrino, a UNIX-like operating system in which developers will be able to build apps based on a range of technologies, including Java, Flash, Adobe Air, OpenGL, and RIM's "WebWorks" HTML widget platform.
Finally, Barnes & Noble's recently announced Nook Color, while billed as an ebook reader first, is a full-blown 7-inch Android tablet with a touch-screen LCD. It looks like it could be the first best-selling ereader with a color screen. This $249 device, which hooks into the booksellers' store, does a lot more than the average ebook reader—in color, and for a lot less than the iPad. With the Nook Color, B&N just might have what it takes to grab some customers away from Apple.
It will be interesting to see how the tablet space unfolds over the next year. For now, though, we're betting these will be the major players. See how they stack up spec-wise in the chart below.
Looking for more Tablet coverage? Check out our Tablet Product Guide.
