iPads and Slates and Tabs, oh my!

A comparison of newly debuted tablets and how they compare to the iPad

I have a sad confession to make: I don’t own a tablet yet.  But I want one…so, so badly. Unfortunately, I don’t make enough to be part of that “early adopter” demographic, so this Holiday season I’m going to start a fund among my friends and family.  For as little as $500, you can help this girl get a tablet. 

In the meantime, while I wait around for Christmas morning, I’m comparing and contrasting some of the top brands that I’ve come to know and trust, and would love input from anyone who already owns a tablet on what they would recommend. 

iPad--the default option

At the top of my list, of course, is Apple’s iPad.  Whatever your opinion of Apple and Steve Jobs, Apple has earned its place at the top of the list as the global leader in the consumer tech revolution.  I guess there’s really only one true reason why the iPad naturally wins out: Apps.  With hundreds of thousands of apps already available and more to come out, the iPad simply has more to offer.  But, that said, I want to give equal consideration to some of the other tablets that have followed in the iPad’s wake.

HP Slate 500

HP jumped in the tablet game on Friday with the release of its Slate 500 tablet.  I’ve had HP computers before and have been quite pleased with them, so the Slate 500 should have some good offerings.  The Slate runs on the Windows Phone 7 operating system and offers several features that the iPad lacks, such as cameras.  The Slate 500 has front- and rear-facing cameras, which will allow for video conferencing (the Slate is aimed at workplace users rather than everyday consumers).  It also has a USB port that allows it to be connected to other devices. 

Now the downside…the Slate 500 retails at $799, almost double that of the lowest priced iPad, and it has half the battery life of the iPad (five hours compared to the iPad’s ten).  Additionally, the Slate 500 does not have mobile OS connectivity, unlike its Apple counterpart of the same price.  Its connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi only.  What gives, HP?

Samsung Galaxy Tab

But HP isn’t the only company getting in on the tablet action.  Samsung is scheduled to release its Galaxy Tab on November 11, and I like the looks of this one… Personally, I like the idea of a compact tablet that I can tuck away in a purse or a coat pocket (to do that with the iPad I would have to carry around a diaper bag or something).  Thus, while I’m getting a richer user experience than I would on my iPhone, I don’t have to buy a special carrying case or folder.  When I’m on the go, I can just stash it in my purse and leave. 

Like the Slate 500, the Galaxy Tab will include front- and rear-facing cameras, and has twice the memory of the iPad.  It’s also cheaper, retailing for $599, which is $30 less than its iPad equivalent.  The Galaxy Tab will operate on Google’s Android 2.2 mobile operating system and will not offer a Wi-Fi only version.  

I really like the Galaxy Tab, but the one spot I keep getting stuck on is the App Store.  While I love the idea of a smaller, cheaper tablet with more memory and cameras, the iPad has a smorgasbord of apps.  And let’s face it, wherever you stand on the open/closed iOS versus Android debate, you have to admit that Apple’s singular platform allows app developers to innovate and experiment, which means that all of the best new apps will always come out on Apple’s iOS first (like the very cool new Flipboard, for example, which turns your Facebook and Twitter feeds into a social magazine—and is only available on the iPad.  Nowhere else!).