What about that New iPad? Cheaper Tablets

I am typically not an apple fan. In fact, I could be considered someone who dislikes apple. This new iPad that Apple has recently been talking about is one attractive beast though. It's probably the best tablet out right now by a decent margin, not necessarily by hardware, but due to the combination of hardware and software. The one problem, which really is a problem for all comparable tablets, is the price. At a minimum of $500, it's not a choice to be made lightly. The specifications of this new device are below in a comparison image, courtesy of PCWORLD.

The significant changes over the previous ipad 2, which is now going for as low as $399, are the new processor and graphics processor along with a new higher resolution display. We have an A5X processor which is a dual core processor and a quad core graphics processor. The new resolution is 2048 by 1536 pixels with 264 pixels per inch. It is definitely an attractive option if you are willing to buy a device in this price range. Apple currently has the most games on their iOS devices so those interested in some mobile gaming on their iPad have a clear choice. They also have some unique app choices not present on the android app store. I can imagine a lot of people who own an iPad 2 will not care for this device, or will hold it in contempt for making their device less than what it was when they bought it so recently. Such is technology however. 

Reviews (will be updated)

Techradar

That is all well and good, but for those not willing to spend the funds on a glorified e-Book reader (bitter?), I have some options. These exclude a whole range of cheap tablets that are considered knockoffs of the iPad, from China. Only known manufacturers are included.

Tablets after the break (click "Read More")





Kindle Fire 

A device released by amazon as the latest update to their kindle line. This device comes with 8GB of storage, WiFi, dual-core processor and a screen with a higher ppi (pixels per inch) than the iPad 2's screen. Unfortunately, the storage is not directly upgradeable with micrSD cards and you would have to either use the Wi-Drive from Kingston, other similar options or use Amazon's own cloud storage option to satisfy your expanded storage needs. Detailed specs can be found here


Lenovo IdeaPad A1

 




Lenovo has a series of tablets that go by the name "IdeaPad". The A1 version seems to be the cheapest and, based on the specifications of the device, it is worth taking note of. The typical price is around the same as the Kindle Fire. The one spefication I could find in which the Kindle fire clearly wins was in terms of processor capabilities. The Lenovo IdeaPad A1 only has a single core processor while the Kindle fire sports a dual-core processor. In most other details, it comes out at the top.





Acer Iconia TAB A100

This is not as cheap as the Kindle Fire and IdeaPad A1, but at ~$280 it is worth a mention. It can be found for as low as $250 on Amazon. The specifications of this device beat the previously mention above and I would select this with ease.

Le Pan TC 970

From the Manufacturer

This is made for today's lifestyle. 

Le-Pan TC970 Tablet offers a slim design and intuitive touch navigation via its bright 9.7-inch display. With the Android 2.2 OS (Froyo), the tablet offers full support for Adobe Flash Player 10.2 for accessing Flash-enabled sites, watching 720P video and playing games.
This tablet weights 1.6 pounds and just 0.48 inches thin, Le Pan Tablet has a super slim and sleek design and feels very comfortable in your hands with its smooth beveled edges. It's great for multitasking, viewing multiple apps, browsing entire web pages, and sharing entertainment and photos. 

With integrated Google technology, TC970 brings one-touch access to the popular Google mobile services millions use every day, including Google Search by voice, Google Maps with Street View, YouTube, and Picasa. Gain access to thousands of leading Android apps via an Apps Store icon located on the home screen. 

You'll enjoy 720p HD video and speedy responsiveness from the ARM Cortex-A8 processor and 512 MB of DDR2 RAM. Typing messages or notes is simple and easy with the TC970 virtual QWERTY keyboard. It's outfitted with a 2.0-megapixel front-facing camera for video chat. 

Other features include Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, Micro SD memory expansion (via optional card up to 32 GB), and up to 6 hours of on-the-go battery power.

There is a newer version out called the Le Pan II, coming in at around $280 and with a dual core processor

Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet (16g)

I wasn't too impressed when I first heard about this device based on the looks alone, but the specifications are impressive. It has everything the Kindle has, but includes more storage which is further expandable by using a MicroSD card (up to 32GB). It also has more RAM. The device comes in at roughly $240. If it ever gets to $199 it would be the clear choice up against the Kindle and even the other devices in this article. This is my choice. Note that the 16gb and 8gb versions of this device seem to include different hardware. The RAM, I have noticed, is only 512MB in the 8GB version and 1GB in the 16gb version (according to Barnes and Noble website.)

Comparison of listed Tablets.

	Kindle Fire	IdeaPad A1	Iconia A100	Le Pan TC 970	Nook Tablet (16gb)
Manufacturer	Amazon	Lenovo	Acer	Le Pan	Barnes and Noble
Price (amazon.com)	$199	$199	$269.99 (new) $219.99 (used)	$198.98	$241.00
OS	Android OS, v2.3 (customized)	Android 2.3	Android HoneyComb (3.0)	Android 2.2 OS (Froyo)	Android 2.3
Dimensions	190 x 120 x 11.4 mm	7.68 x 4.92 x 0.47 (195 x 125 x 11.95mm)	195 x 117 x 13.1 mm	236 x 187 x 12.4 mm (9.29 x 7.44 x 0.48 inches)	205 x 127 x 12.2 mm
Weight	413g	14.11 oz (400 g)	16.58 oz (470 g)	730 grams (1.6 Lb.)	~400g
Display Size	7.0 inches, IPS TFT capacitive touchscreen	7” premium display with capacitive multitouch capability	7.0 inches Multitouch	9.7" (4:3) Capacitive Multi-touchLCD Screen	VividViewTM 7" Touchscreen
Display Resolution	1024 x 600 pixels	1024 x 600 pixels	1024 x 600 pixels	XVGA LCD, 1024 x 768 Resolution	1024 x 600 pixels
Pixel Density	170ppi	170ppi	170ppi	240ppi	169ppi
Processor	Dual Core Ti OMAP 4430 @ 1GHz Cortex-A9	TI Cortext A8, 1GHz, single core processor	TI Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9	TI OMAP 3630, ARM Cortex A8 at 1 GHz Processor	Dual Core Ti OMAP 4430 @ 1GHz
Graphics	POWERVR SGX540		ULP GeForce		POWERVR SGX540
RAM memory	512 MB RAM	512 MB RAM	512 MB RAM	512MB Flash Memory DDR2 RAM	1GB RAM
Storage	8GB storage	16GB	8/16 GB storage	Internal storage: 2GB NAND Flash, 2GB Micro SD Card Included	16 GB eMMC
Expandable Storage	No	microSD, up to 32GB	microSD, up to 32GB	microSD, up to 32GB	microSD, up to 32GB
Back Camera	No	No	5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus, LED flash with Geo-tagging, image stabilization	No	No
Front Camera	No	3.15 MP with Geo-tagging. 2048x1536 pixels	Yes, 2 MP	2.0 Megapixels	No
WiFi	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot	802.11 b/g/n	802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth	No	v2.1 with A2DP, EDR	v2.1 with A2DP, EDR	Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR	No
GPS	No	Yes	Yes	Built In	No
Sensor	Accelerometer	Accelerometer, compass	Accelerometer, gyro, compass, light sensor	3D G-Sensor, E-Compass Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor	Unknown
Microphone	No	No	No	Built in	Yes
Speakers	Stereo	Stereo	Stereo	Stereo	Mono/Single
Accessories				• 30 pin to USB Connector Cable • Charger • Hand-Ring • 2GB Micro SD Card • Screen Clean Cloth
Battery	Li-Ion 4400 mAh	Standard battery, Li-Ion	Li-Po 1530 mAh	6800mAh Rechargeable Battery
Connectors	microUSB v2.0, 3.5mm audio jack	microUSB v2.0, 3.5mm audio jack	microUSB v2.0, 3.5mm audio jack, Micro HDMI (Type D)		microUSB v2.0, 3.5mm audio jack

Comment below if there are other tablets that you have found and think worth mentioning. More will be added as they are found.