lundi 26 janvier 2015

Updated: Best tablet 2015: Our top 10 ranking

Best tablets: From 10th to 6th


What's the best tablet for 2015? Today's latest tablets compared and rated - constantly updated


The tablet is now a thing - from the days when nobody thought a laptop without a keyboard to a good thing to today, where a slate full of more power than some games consoles is nestled in bags across the world.


And with that popularity comes the dreaded notion of choice. Do you eschew Apple's high prices, join the Android brigade and find the best iPad alternative? Or jump on board Cupertino's lovetrain, and use one of the most popular tablets on the planet?


We've made it easy for you and pulled together the top 10 tablets of the moment available in the UK.


It's a difficult process divining which place each of these excellent tablets should occupy in our list, so we take into account multiple elements including performance, battery life, screen quality and more.


Price plays a minor part, as does age: a tablet that's been replaced by a sequel will tumble down the rankings as you can get all the great features on a better slate.


If none of the top 10 tablets here take your fancy then head on over to our tablet reviews pages, where you'll find in-depth reviews for many more models.


Let us know your thoughts on the top 10 (and whether you think we've got the order wrong) in the comment box below.


10. iPad Air


iPad Air


People scoffed when Apple launched the first iPad, but the sector has grown exponentially since the first generation device landed and with the Air the Cupertino firm has now nailed the formula.


It's been usurped by the iPad Air 2, for obvious reasons, but with a price drop and a still-impressive spec list it has every reason to still be a viable purchase.


Impressive design coupled with a thinner, lighter chassis makes for a premium and quite frankly beautiful tablet, and Apple's powerful A7 and M7 chips under the hood means it chews through even the toughest tasks in next to no time, even if it's not in the same power league as the Air 2.


Quick verdict


"It's not just Apple's best tablet, it's the only tablet you should be considering if you're keen on a larger screen." That's what we said in the verdict of our in-depth iPad Air review. While the Galaxy Tab S is a brilliant tablet, the Air just took things to the next level.


It may not quite be a match for the iPad Air 2, but the original iPad Air is still one of the very best tablets around and it's not even among the most expensive any more.



9. Google Nexus 7


New Nexus 7


The new Nexus 7 took over from the original 7-inch effort from Google in 2012, packing a 1.5Ghz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and comes with either 16GB or 32GB of storage


Offered up at just 260g, it's the perfect tablet for slinging in a bag and hurtling down to the local supermarket, or is equally adept at being a long-haul saviour, with reams of apps, a decent slug of battery life and that all-new high-res 7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 display with 323 ppi.


It's unclear how long this tablet will stay on sale for, as it's been shifted out of the limelight by the new Nexus 9, but as a different form factor there's a good chance it will stick around on the virtual shop shelves for a while, along with the latest version of Android for a good long while.


But it has some top end features, a low-risk update policy and is built in a way that makes it feel both premium and robust enough to chuck around the house. That's a good mix in our eyes.


Quick verdict


If you're considering a tablet now and are already dabbling in the Android ecosystem, we see no reason why shouldn't take the plunge with a Nexus 7, especially if you don't like the size (or price) of the Nexus 9.


If you haven't invested at all with Android, you're still in a good place to start. You could check out the iPad mini 2, which is advisable for those who have racked up a lot of App Store purchases, but it's still not as affordable as the Nexus 7.



8. Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2


Note Pro 12.2

Never one to leave a tablet niche unexplored, Samsung pushed screen sizes up to new heights with the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2.


Thankfully that's not all it has going for it, as the Note Pro 12.2's 3GB of RAM and quad-core processor give it superior performance, while the S Pen becomes truly useful in combination with the slates large, bright screen.


It's an obvious choice for digital artists or anyone else who wants a device they can be productive on, but the bigger screen makes it great just for web browsing and watching videos too.


On the flip side the increased size makes it a little unwieldy and the build quality is a touch creaky thanks to the larger chassis, but is offset by the sheer expanse of screen to play with.


Quick verdict


Its big screen and S Pen support make the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 an extremely useful productivity tool - if you're a fan of the Note range, there's very little better on the market and Samsung seems to be successfully convincing the world that the stylu... sorry, S Pen is still relevant to today's gadget fans.



7. iPad Mini 2


iPad Mini 2


Hey, it's the iPad Mini 2... right next to the Mini 3? There's a reason for this: they're pretty much identical, apart from last year's model not having TouchID and now only coming in 16GB and 32GB flavours.


It's also has a substantial price drop, which is why it's hanging around so high in the list - in fact, we'd advise most people go for this older model if they're hankering for a smaller iPad, as it's got all the same power and display specs as the current model, for less cash.


Plus it has access to all those lovely apps and Apple's brilliant-for-tablets iOS 8 - not a bad choice at all.


Quick verdict


The iPad mini 2 is almost flawless in so many ways. The rich App catalog mean it's a device that will grow with you, and the 64-bit A7 chip and Retina display are certainly future-proofing users from an outdated device.


Yes, it's older, but it's still a very usable device and offers access to a brilliant ecosystem for a lot less cash than before.



6. iPad Mini 3


iPad Mini 3


The iPad mini range is still a brilliant proposition, offering the best of the iPad but squishing it down into a smaller package.


Well, that's what happened last year - this year Apple has basically rebooted the Mini 2, put TouchID on the front, made it gold and called it a new tablet.


It's only ahead of the older version ( a cheaper option while offering the same specs minus the biometrics) due to this being a list of the best tablets, and this is the best mini tablet from Apple, but it's not offering a lot more than last year's model.


What it does bring is good though: iOS 8 works very well on the mini 3, and the overall speed and compact size is still a very good combo, even at the higher price.


Quick verdict


The iPad mini 3 isn't a bad tablet. It's got a great OS, new features and is still attractively designed. It's just that all these features are available on the mini 2 for a lot less money.


Touch ID is a nice feature, but it's not enough to recommend this tablet. This year, it hasn't matched the Air 2 in tech spec, yet the price hasn't dropped. And you can get nearly all the good features cheaper on the iPad mini 2.


Buy the iPad mini 2, or wait a few months and see if Apple Pay and Touch ID-enabled apps start to roar in popularity unless you really want to make sure you've got the best iPad mini on the market.



Number 5: Nexus 9


5. Nexus 9


Nexus 9


The Nexus 9 is a bit of a weird one - it's both the replacement for the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 10, without really replacing either thanks to the all-new 8.9-inch screen.


It's mimicking the iPad range by going for a 4:3 screen ratio (which means wider viewing for web browsing, but annoying black bars above and below when watching movies) so you've got a wider device that's not quite able to be gripped in one hand.


But that doesn't mean it's not a great tablet, helped by the fact it's made by HTC. The brand has brought over its Boomsound speakers for greater front facing audio, and the screen is certainly high resolution too.


It's not as cheap as the Nexus 7, but it's not overly pricey either - in fact, were it not for the lack of expandable storage and a few other minor gripes, it would be vying for the top spot here.


Quick verdict


Google's Nexus 9 tablet has display size and price that's indicative of everything you need to know about how it stacks up against the iPad Air 2. It's just a little less.


Android 5.0 Lollipop gives Google's slate a software facelift, even if the hardware construction isn't exceptional. Material Design sets the right tone and lockscreen notifications and priority mode add overdue functionality to make this a very usable tablet.


If you're looking for a naked Android tablet, the Nexus 9 performs well and comes with some really premium touches to make it one of the best around.



Number 4: Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet


4. Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet


Sony Xperia Z2 tablet


Sony's done it again in the tablet world, making an amazing large-screened device, and while it hasn't nabbed the top spot, it's still given us a jolly good tablet.


The Xperia Z2 Tablet - so named to tie in more neatly with the phone version - brings an uprated Snapdragon 801 CPU, 3GB of RAM and an all-new Live Color LED screen that brings vibrancy and contrast to what you're watching.


Video is also improved thanks to the dual front-facing speakers, meaning you can ditch the headphones when watching in a hotel room and still get a decent experience.


Like its predecessor it's also water and dust resistant, so kitchen-based misdemeanours and reading an ebook in the bath are all on offer for you.


Quick verdict


If you're invested in the Sony ecosystem, you could do a lot worse than the Xperia Z2 Tablet, as it comes fully-loaded with access to Sony's music, movies and Playstation platforms. Well, you have to download an app to properly get gaming, but we'll overlook that for now.


There's an IR blaster on top to make this a great tablet for controlling the TV, and the speed and sheer weight (or lack thereof) make this a real sofa-friendly choice.


The screen could do with being sharper and you'll still be paying top dollar for this 10.1-inch tablet, but what you're getting is a really nifty, well-packaged slate - perfect if you don't like the more densely-packed features of the Z3 Tablet Compact.



Number 3: Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact


3. Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact


Sony Xperia Tablet Z3 Compact


Sony's gone a bit crackers in the naming department, but the Z3 Tablet Compact is still a pretty decent device despite the obvious attempts to shoehorn the word 'tablet' into the title to align it with the smartphone.


Let's get the main issue out of the way first: the screen isn't as high res as the competition, with Sony essentially sticking a stretched out smartphone display on the front. And the price isn't as palatable as some of the other options here.


But that looks past the fact Sony is pretty darn good at making these here tablets. Using its Bravia technology it makes the screen still look sharp and colourful, and the thin design makes the Z3 Tablet Compact easier to hold than you'd expect.


It's also waterproof, which is useful given its ebook-like dimensions, so you can happily use it next to the pool.


Quick verdict


It might not balance properly in terms of price to spec, and the screen resolution is lower than the top contenders, and this shows up when web browsing and in the interface.


However, it's not really a concern for watching video or playing games, where the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact excels.


Add in the thin, light body and you have a great tablet for long trips and boring work commutes, this makes sense a tablet as higher ranked tablet.



Number 2: Samsung Galaxy Tab S


2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S


Galaxy Tab S


Samsung has been pouring a lot of effort into making a really decent iPad rival, and that strategy has seen some hare-brained decisions (such as launching the Tab Pro in January, and then replacing it a few months later with the Galaxy Tab S).


But, apart from annoying anyone that's already bought into the Tab Pro range, this strategy has finally yielded a brilliant tablet in the shape of this Super AMOLED-shod Tab S duo. Available in both 8.4- and 10.5-inch screen sizes, Samsung has taken the best of its OS and technology ability, fused them with the best display on a tablet and created something pretty special.


The battery life is great, the screen has to be seen to be believed (and is excellent for media and internet viewing, which is really the point of a tablet) and the price is on a par with the rest of the industry. Well done, Samsung.


Quick verdict


Why isn't the Tab S at the top of the tree? Samsung's eternal problem returns to bite it: the design is still too flimsy, although having two sizes does help mitigate this problem.


Android still struggles to be a truly powerful tablet OS yet as well, which means the apps are still poor compared to iOS on larger screens.


The difference between the Tab S and the Xperia Z2 Tablet is minimal - it really comes down to design and extra features, but if you're not wedded to the idea of owning an Apple tablet these two are the choices you should be looking at.



Number 1: iPad Air 2


1. iPad Air 2


iPad Air 2

The iPad Air was an incredible achievement and yet somehow, remarkably, Apple has topped it with the iPad Air 2.


It's even thinner and lighter than last time around and to a noticeable extent. The screen is better, with more vibrant colours, it's more powerful thanks to its A8X processor and the battery life holds up just as well. It even benefits from Touch ID and Apple Pay and while these features aren't as exciting here as they are on phones they're still nice to have.


In short the iPad Air 2 really is the complete package and while you can always find things to niggle about there are no significant flaws.


In the time since the original iPad Air launched everything else is still struggling to match it and yet Apple has managed to raise the benchmark higher still. Everyone else really has their work cut out if the iPad Air 2 is going to be unseated from the number one spot.


Quick verdict


The iPad Air 2 is a spectacular achievement. Faster, better looking and more feature packed than ever, it's the slate to beat and we suspect it will be for a while yet.


With a starting price of £399 it's moderately expensive, especially since you'll really to want to spend more and get a larger storage size to get the most out of it, but it's worth every penny.



Tablet apps


As with today's best smartphones, applications play a big role on tablets – once you've decided which of these tablets if right for you, check out our top app lists so you can get your fill of Temple Run, update your friends on Facebook and read the latest news, all on a bigger screen.



Also consider


If the tablets on this list aren't enough for you then a) you're very hard to please but b) we think we can still help out a little.


The main thing to remember is that the tablet is still a new category, so devices can age really quickly and slow down if you start to use them too heavily.


That said, you can still pick up a bargain by going for one of these options, which come with a pretty high standard of spec without costing the most to buy:


Lenovo Yoga 10 HD+


Lenovo Yoga 10 HD+


It is quite hard to stand out in the mid-range 10-inch Android tablet market, but if anyone has a chance it is Lenovo.


Lenovo launched two Yoga tablets in 2013 to a mixed response, but didn't give up and has launched the Yoga 10 HD+ with some serious upgrades in all areas.


The cylindrical spine serves as an easy way to grip in portrait or as a stand for watching media in a lonely hotel room. Unlike the original Yoga 10, the 1920 x 1200 pixel screen resolution is rather nice. While its sharpness won't compare to an iPad Air 2 or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S, it is still very nice to use and has plenty of brightness, a major upgrade on the old model.


Quick verdict


If you are looking for a 10-inch Android tablet, you can do worse than the Yoga 10 HD+, but if its key features are not important to you, devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 come in at a similar price.


As a combined Android tablet for media consumption and a bit of work, the Yoga is appealing with its front facing stereo speakers enhancing media consumption and the stand working well with a Bluetooth keyboard connected.


If you fancy using it on the go, the LTE model isn't a lot more money than the main option, which changes the value proposition quite a bit. And at the end of the day, you won't find an Android tablet with better battery life right now.



Tesco Hudl 2


Tesco Hudl 2


The first Hudl was good - but this is a much better option.


The Intel Atom processor, the quad core speeds, the Full HD screen and the general interface is really something to behold.


The price tag is the best thing though: the Hudl 2 will cost no more than £129, and if you're a Tesco Clubcard holder it can be much, much cheaper.


OK, it's a bit slow to wake and the battery is suspect, but for the price you're getting something we'd be happy to recommend you buy for a loved one this Christmas.


Quick verdict


A great tablet even at a higher price. It brings more premium features like Dolby enhancement at a stunning price tag - if you're not after the best tablet, but the best value, this is one to certainly check out.



Microsoft Surface Pro 3


Surface Pro 3

Most tablets aren't true laptop replacements, but the Surface Pro 3 isn't most tablets. Microsoft has positioned its flagship slate as a true hybrid, that can fill the roles of both tablet and computer and for the most part it's up to the task.


With a whole lot of power, an impressive display and a useful Type Cover for when you need to get some serious work done it's got the muscle to compete with Ultrabooks and the portability and ease of use to be an iPad alternative.


It's not perfect. The battery life is seriously weak by tablet standards and it's a pricey bit of kit, but if you really want one device to fill both roles then this is the best option out there.


Quick verdict


The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is an impressively powerful and versatile device. There's a sense that it's a jack of all trades, master of none, but it's the best hybrid around and that's reason enough to consider it if you don't want or can't afford both a tablet and an Ultrabook.



Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1


Tab Pro 10.1


Samsung is no stranger to tablets, in fact the South Korean giant has flooded the market with more slates than we know what to do with and the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 is arguably the best of them.


It's clad in slightly underwhelming plastic like most Samsung devices, which is a bit of a shame given what a high end machine the Tab Pro 10.1 is, but once you experience its tremendous power and amazing screen it's a disappointment which quickly slips away.


In fact there's very little else to dislike about it. This is a top tier slate through and through and it's versatile enough to comfortably be used for work or play.


Quick verdict


The Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 might not have the premium build of the iPad Air or the waterproof credentials of the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet but in most other ways it's just as high end and it slightly undercuts them too.







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