By Ruben Corbo:
Many consumers are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the iPad 2. Android OS is also offering consumers viable competition to the tablet computer. Unlike Apple’s iOS, Android OS is appealing to many consumers because of the open-source software. This allows manufacturers to make numerous tablet styles of varying degrees of affordability and performance. Consumers that purchase tablets with mobile Internet capability will benefit from the cheap SIM only deals.
The top five Android tablets will be discussed below to inform consumers of their options:
Sony Tablet S
The Sony Tablet S features the Honeycomb Android 3.2 operating system with numerous exclusive applications and features. The ergonomic design reduces fatigue from frequent use of the tablet. The wedge design contributes to the ergonomics of the device and is preferred by most users over the flat device. The screen is also slanted slightly forward. Many consumers comment that typing is easier with this unique design. While the tablet does not feel as thin as others because of the wedge design, the tablet only weighs 1.3 pounds.
The tablet is ideal for DLNA video and music streaming. The 9.4-inch screen allows consumers to view video with incredible screen contrast from TruBlack technology. The device also features an integrated IR universal remote control. PlayStation certification enhances the mobile gaming experience. The designers paid attention to every detail of the tablet to make the tablet a leader in its class. For $499, consumers may purchase a Sony Tablet S with 16 GB of memory. The 32 GB version will cost slightly more at $599.
(Courtesy of Flickr User:Â Masaru Kamikura)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 features the Honeycomb 3.1 operating system. Numerous applications are designed specifically for the device and are featured in the Samsung applications store. With 1280×800 pixel resolution, the screen produces sharp images that may be viewed at nearly every angle.
The tablet is as thin and as light as the iPad 2. The device weighs an impressive 1.24 pounds. By contrast, the iPad 2 weighs 1.34 pounds. The slim design and footprint does not accommodate a USB port or HDMI port. The tablet also does not feature ports for SD cards or SIM cards. A headphone jack and a universal connection port are also present. The tablet features two cameras: A front-facing 2-megapixel camera and a rear facing 3-megapixel camera.
(Courtesy of Flickr User: BestBoyZ Germany)
Asus Eee Pad Transformer
The Asus Eee Pad Transformer is an economical performer. In fact, the tablet only costs $400 and is the lowest cost tablet that features the Honeycomb operating system. The Asus tablet features a high quality screen and displays images in high resolution.
With a length of 10.7 inches in width, this tablet is one of the largest in the market. The screen measures 10.1 inches and is a capacitive touch screen. The display yields 1280×800 resolution. On the front, a 1.2-megapixel camera is featured. A 5-megapixel camera is found on the rear. A mini-HDMI port, a microSD card, a headphone jack and a microphone pinhole are present on the tablet. Compatible docking stations include two USB ports, a battery and a SD card reader port.
The Asus Eee Transformer is a WiFi only tablet. There is no cellular capability. The tablet features a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core mobile processor with 16 GB of storage. Advanced accelerometers, gyroscopes and other sensors are necessary for fast rotations and manipulation of data. Contextual menus and other options are easily accessible from the top of the screen.
(Courtesy of Flickr User:Â bm.iphone)
Toshiba Thrive
Toshiba Thrive’s affordable tablet is equipped with full HDMI and USB ports. A mini-USB port may also be found behind the 3-inch door that is located on the bottom right side of the tablet computer. The dock connector port may be found on the lower edge of the unit. A camera is located on the front side and back side of the Toshiba Thrive tablet. The tablet is more bulky than its competitors, but may also be more durable.
The Toshiba Thrive has a slightly larger profile and weighs 1.66 pounds. Bluetooth capability allows consumers to connect to external devices such as printers, keyboards and other electronics. The unit will accept cards that have a capacity of 128 GB. The battery may be found in the removable back panel.
(Courtesy of Flickr User:Â mastermaq)
Motorola Xoom and Acer Iconia Tab
Motorola Xoom and Acer Iconia Tab specifications are so similar that the two are almost indistinguishable. Both tablets are equipped with 10.1 inch screen, dual core processors, front and rear cameras, full HDMI ports and full USB ports. Both tablets feature the Android Honeycomb operating system and 1280 x 800 resolution on each device. The Acer Iconia Tab is slightly heavier than the Motorola Xoom at 1.69 pounds. The Motorola Xoom has a slot that will accommodate a 4G SIM card for those that want to take advantage of cheap SIM only deals.
(Courtesy of Flickr User:Â gezellig light)
Summary
Perform adequate research before selecting a tablet. Not all of the tablets will allow consumers to take advantage of cheap SIM only deals. Consumers should be informed prior to purchase to avoid surprises.
This is a guest article by Ruben Corbo, a writer for the website Sim Only where you can find cheap SIM only deals. When he’s not writing about technology, he’s producing and composing music for visuals or enjoying a good post-apocalyptic novel or film.