Select from the Top 10 tablets

1. Apple iPad 2

 

Apple's latest tablet beauty is still the best tablet around, thanks to the combination of an intuitive operating system, the most numerous, best-quality apps, a nimble processor and highly attractive aluminium casing. There are higher-resolution screens out there, but this 9.7-inch one looks pristine and effective. 

2. Sony Tablet S

 

Among Android tablets, Sony's is the best-designed, with its case styled to look like a folded newspaper. This makes one side thicker than the other, so the weight sits more comfortably in the hand. As well as usual tablet functionality, you can use it as a universal remote control, transfer content wirelessly to an internet-enabled Sony TV and play PlayStation games on its 9.4-inch screen.

3. BlackBerry PlayBook

 

The 7-inch-screened PlayBook looks opulent and classy. The display has very high resolution, so video playback is good. For now, you need a BlackBerry phone as well to make the most of email, for instance, though an update will change this soon. Operating system is also delightful.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

 

The super-skinny Galaxy Tab is both chic and snappy because  of high-resolution screen and fast processor. It's lighter and slimmer than the iPad 2, though the Android OS isn't as easy to master. 

5. Motorola Xoom 2

 

A gentle upgrade on the first Android tablet offers hugely improved styling, a faster processor and a cool music and video streaming feature called MotoCast. The 10.1in screen looks good though the Xoom 2 will be better when the latest Ice Cream Sandwich tablet software arrives.

6. HTC Flyer

 

The Flyer is a single-core seven-inch tablet with the same cool design language as the company's mobile phones. It even has a special stylus so you can take notes and draw on the screen. HTC's treatment of Android is so skilful that you don't even miss Honeycomb, the Android tablet software - it uses the earlier Gingerbread version, with an update expected soon.

7. Asus Eee Transformer

 

This is the tablet for the person who wants it all - it comes with a detachable keyboard so you don't have to type on glass for those text-heavy tasks. It's not as versatile as the iPad when it comes to playing back video but the combination of touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard is great.

8. Viewsonic ViewPad 7x

 

 The ViewPad 7x comes in a striking black and red livery and runs at speed. It has a seven-inch display, decent memory and reasonable battery life. It even has a five-megapixel camera on the back, though the quality is not great in anything other than perfect conditions. The Android Honeycomb software also works well on this ultra-portable smaller-screened device.

 9. Kogan Agora

 

While this is definitely a budget tablet, it at least has the better kind of touchscreen (capacitive - no stylus needed here). There is an access to the apps on Android Market. It can't match other tablets for build quality or processor speed, but if you want a seven-inch tablet at cheap rates and are prepared to make some sacrifices in performance, it's not too bad.

10. Acer Iconia Tab 500

 

Another competent Android 10-inch tablet, this one from Acer has haptic feedback like on a phone. Styling is on a par with Motorola's Xoom and while it can't compete with some other tablets. It is slim, has strong battery life (around 10 hours), decent sound from the speakers and access to the Android Market.