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Gitex Special: The best tablets to go for

Tablets are supported largely by three types of operating systems: Apple, Android and Windows, so figuring out which one suits you best is key to making a smart buy.

The popularity of tablets is rising rapidly, and with so many new devices on the market, it’s easy to get confused.

The demand for tablets is being fed by rapid innovations and launches by every tech company across the globe, and consumers are being spoilt for choice. Tablets are supported largely by three types of operating systems: Apple, Android and Windows, so figuring out which one suits you best is key to making a smart buy.

We have compiled a list of four of the best tablets on the market, taking into consideration factors like performance, aesthetics and value for money.

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9


If you’re looking for a tablet with media consumption in mind, look no further than the Amazon Kindle Fire HD — being touted as the best Kindle Fire yet. With a bigger screen and greater ease of use, Amazon’s latest tablet is a winner across the board. The 8.9-inch screen scores high for beautiful definition, and the operating system uses incredibly fast 4G LTE technology for seamless streaming. However, it weighs low in its web performance and aesthetics due to its fairly plain design.


Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro

Powered by Windows 8, Microsoft Surface is counted among the best productivity tablets — giving a complete ultrabook experience in a compact 10-inch tablet. The device offers ingenious ‘Type and Touch’ covers for a comfortable interface and typing experience. The clean, crisp design and sharp 1080p screen outranks most of the competition. However, its battery life is a little disappointing and it scores low on the number of available ports. 


Apple’s iPad MINI

The Apple Mini is among the best in the category of small screen tablets, but that quality is also reflected in the price. With a 7.9-inch screen, the little genie is easy to handle and a breeze to use, especially on the go. Powered with an A5 dual core chip, the apps run smooth and quickly. The Mini also features Apple’s famously sturdy and slick design, user-friendly interface and a plethora of applications. The only shortcoming on the device is its mediocre screen resolution, which will reportedly be addressed in the soon-to-be launched Mini 2 that is expected to boast high-resolution retina display technology. In terms of storage, you can opt for the standard 16gb, 32gb or 64gb capacity as well as cloud storage (at an extra cost). 


Google NEXUS 7


Powered by Android, Nexus 7 is yet another formidable player in the small tablet world. It features a 7-inch screen and scores points on its apps compared with the competition. On the design front, the Nexus 7 is clean and minimalistic with most of the Android interfaces available on the home screen. Thanks to its sharp resolution, images are crisp and vibrant. Its operating system, Jelly Bean, is the most refined version of Android. It’s fun to use and can be customised by adding new screens and widgets to make it truly yours. The tablet’s standard internal storage capacity is limited to 8gb or 16gb, but this can be supplemented with cloud storage (at an extra cost). On the price front, the tablet scores well. Even at the top end of the line, the Nexus 7 is cheaper than the lowest version of Apple’s iPad.