Which Tablets are Best?

Determining just the right tablet computer may be a challenge. In most cases, its necessary to wade through the manufacturer’s volumes of specifications and promotions. At Pilewire, we have always depended on third-party testing sources like Consumer Reports for accurate, unbiased information.

In their December 2011 issue, Consumers takes a look at a number of electronic devices. They compare 25 tablets, classifying them into 9 to10-inch screen and 7 to 8-inch screen. Maybe not surprising, they rated the Apple iPad 2 in the first and second place in the 9 to 10 inch category. The 3G model finished first.

Not far behind was the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Consumers rates most of the Tablets well and recommends several. Eleven of the 12 9 to 10-inch tablets are recommended and the top four out of the 13 7 to 8-inch tablets. Two of those are also rated a Best Buy. Those tablets are the Samsung Galaxy Tab 16GB with Wi-Fi and the HTC Flyer tablet, 16GB with Wi-Fi. The bottom two tablets in the 7 to 8-inch list did not rate very well.

Other notables in the 9 to 10 inch group were the Motorola Xoom 3G, 32GB with Wi-Fi, which finished in fifth place and the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, which was tied with the Xoom with the same point total. Tablets from Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer and T-Mobile were the other recommended models on the 9 to 10-inch list.

We carry a wide assortment of tablets for every budget and every need. Several of the tablets reviewed by Consumer Reports can be found here. The Apple iPad 2 and the Xoom can be found below.

Filed under: Tablets