[Guide] How to select the perfect full-size tablet

Tablets are definitely going to be on the top of several shopping lists this holiday season and in the years past, anyone looking for a new full-size tablet would generally end up purchasing an Apple iPad. However over the years Apple’s competitors have matured and this year you may find yourself having to select from a range of devices.

There have always been two tablet sizes to choose from – The smaller 7 inch variants which are generally cheaper and are best suited for reading e-Books and the full-size 10-inch variants which cater to richer content like magazines or productivity.

Today we will look into helping you select the best full-size tablet to suite your needs this holiday season

Apple iPad 4 ($ 499 and above)

The Apple iPad 4 was released back in October, with a faster processor and a Lightning connection port, similar to the one available on the Apple iPhone 5. The tablet also features a Retina display, which translates to a 2048 by 1536 pixel resolution and is even higher than the 1080p displays on your HD TVs

Apple iPads have a great selection of apps and it is not likely you will be disappointed with its selection of tablet friendly applications. You can also select a wide array of movies, TV shows, books, magazines and music from the iTunes store.

But keep in mind that the base model comes with just 16 GB of storage, which you may soon run out of. Since Apple doesn’t have the option to increase your storage with microSD you may have to purchase a new tablet if you run out of storage.

If you purchased an Apple iPad 2 last year, the newest iPad may be a great purchase with all its new features and improvements. However if you are looking for a cheaper iPad, you may still find great deals on the Apple iPad 3 ($50 off) or the iPad 2 ($100 off) at your local retailers.



Microsoft Surface RT ($ 499 and above)

Microsoft has now joined the tablet lineup with the Microsoft Surface RT. The Surface RT is not the lightest or the thinnest tablet in the Market, but it is probably the most feature rich. Where it lacks in apps in makes up by offering users a full Windows desktop experience along with the ability to connect and use several USB devices like cameras, USB drives keyboards and mice. Microsoft has made the Surface RT to be stood up on any surface and used with Microsoft’s own Touch Cover which doubles as a keyboard.

The Surface RT has an HD display, but at a lower 1366 by 768 pixels, compared to some of the other devices. However it’s the same resolution on most of our laptops and PCs and we don’t see it as a reason to complain about the device. One think to note is that the Surface RT doesn’t have a cellular data option, and you will have to use Wi-Fi for all your connectivity needs.

You may be wondering how a Windows device has no apps. This is because the Surface RT doesn’t run the same Windows we use on our computers and laptops. Instead it runs Windows RT which can only run apps downloaded from the Windows Store. On the bright side Microsoft will include a full copy of Microsoft Office 2013 with the Microsoft Surface, making it a great companion at school or in your office.

Keep in mind that most of the 32GB of storage in the $499 model is used up by the operating system and you will be left with a little more that 16GB for your own files and content. The optional keyboard cover will cost you an additional $100, but is a must have with the tablet.

If you enjoy the Windows experience on your tablet,you may also like to take a look at the Asus Vivo Tab RT ( $599 and above) which is visually similar to the company’s Transformer Android tablets. The Vivo Tab RT will offer a very similar user experience to the Surface but it is thinner and lighter. Plus the additional $100 in its price includes the keyboard dock.

The advantage on Windows RT tablets is the inclusion of microSD storage, which allow you to add an additional 64GB of storage at a very reasonable price.



Google Nexus 10 ($ 399 and above)

Google joined the full-size tablet market this year with the introduction of the Google Nexus 10. The Nexus 10 manages to match the iPad’s features while remaining thinner and lighter while offering a 2560 by 1600 pixel display which is a third more than the iPad 4.

Nexus 10 users have access to apps, games, movies, music, TV shows, books and magazines through the Google Play Store. While Android gets great developer support like iOS, you wont find the same collection of tablet optimized apps on this platform you would find on iOS. Hopefully this will change with the introduction of the Nexus 10.

The base model comes with 16GB of storage and you can get the 32GB model for the same price you would pay for a 16GB iPad. However like the iPad, the Nexus 10 doesn’t feature microSD storage, so you may find yourself running out of space for your content. Also note that the Nexus 10 doesn't have an option with cellular data and you will have to rely solely on Wi-Fi connectivity.

If you aren't satisfied with the pure Android experience, you can check out the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ($ 499 and above) which includes a pen that allows you to write and draw on your screen. Samsung has included a collection of apps which support the S-Pen input, making the tablet a good choice for users who want to be productive.



Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 ($ 299 and above)

The Amazon Kindle Fire was known for sparking interest in the small tablet category and the online retailer is attempting another success story with the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9. The larger tablet starts at a very reasonable $299 for its 16GB model, making it one of the cheapest in the category.

Its display may not be as high as the one offered on the iPad or Nexus 10, but at 1920 by 1200 pixels it offers a very pleasant viewing experience.

While the Kindle Fire HD does run Android, the operating system has been heavily customized and offers an experience tightly integrated into  Amazon’s services. You can access Amazon’s collection of books, movies and music and apps and games can be downloaded through the Amazon App Store.

It is important to note that you will require an Amazon Prime membership for the best experience with the Kindle Fire HD, and that will cost you an additional $79 per year.



Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ ($ 269 and above)

The folks at Barnes and Noble decided to follow Amazon and release their own full-size tablet. The Nook HD+ is the cheapest tablet among the lineup of devices we have looked at and costs only $ 269 for the base model with 16GB of storage. However you wont have to worry about running out of space as you can expand your storage through microSD. The device also has a full HD display which has a 1920 by 1280 pixel resolution.

The Nook HD+ also runs a customized version of Android like the Amazon tablets, which the company has tied up with their own ecosystem of books and content. Apps and games will have to be downloaded from the Barnes and Noble App Store, so you may find yourself behind on getting some of the latest apps.

The Nook HD+ is also family friendly, as it allows you to create multiple accounts and restrict your personal content from another user. This allows you to keep your personal files safe.

For what the device makes up in price it lacks in features as the device doesn’t feature a camera. With a poor selection of apps and no cameras, this device may not be the best buy for everyone, but if your requirement is media consumption with a low price, the B&N Nook HD+ may be the right tablet for you.



With a  wide array of choices, we hope we have made selecting a full-size tablet easier on you… Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays.