Our Tablet Life!

Big trend in Technology is the Tablet for this year.  It was started with the iPad last year and the bar has been set very high.  I feel this trend will sick around and make its way right into the standard for small portable computer alternatives.  The netbooks never really caught on but the tablet will and has.
It has been a race for the tablet war since Apple launched their iPad.  Here is what I think will be the top 4 tablets in the coming year.  3 of them are yet to hit the market but the specifications and first look reviews have been very promising (looks good on paper).  The last one has been SOLID for the last year and is already rumored to have an upgrade coming in the near future.

In no specific order:
1. BlackBerry PlayBook - The smallest tablet of this list sporting a 7 inch display.  On paper this is a very powerful and very capable device.  It will also sport duel core (simple saying twice a fast), and have front and rear facing cameras.  The PlayBooks is also HD ready in both camera and video.  If you are already a BlackBerry user (like I am) the PlayBook will ship with an app called BlackBerry bridge.  This bridges all your smart phone functions (BBM, e mail, calendar, contacts and files) to the PlayBook.  You use any of those app on either device and the other will automatically update and change.  Pricing has been rumored to be $499.99 for the 16 GB but will also be in a 32, and 64 GB memory size.  Office Depot, Sprint, and Staples have confirmed they will be selling the PlayBook when launched. 

2. Motorola Xoom Tablet - Another very powerful (again on paper) tablet that has had some very great review by some big names. CNET named it their pick for tech at the Consumer Electrics Show in Vegas.  the Xoom will be running Android's optimized (for tablet) OS called Honeycomb.  Those who are used to Android phone OS will be very familiar with Honeycomb and its operations.  Honeycomb is still very user friendly and has more customization then all the other tablets listed.  If you are brand new to tablet and mobile computer Xoom will have the largest learning curve for you. The Xoom will have 32 GB storage and will have an expandable for up to 32 GB SD card.  The Xoom tablet will be sold at Best Buy (among other places) and will be at a $799 price tag.  UPDATE* Will be available at COSTCO starting February 24th. 

3. Toshiba tablet - As Toshiba is know for in some of their product lines to be tough and rugged. Sturdy and rugged are the name of the game for this tablet.  The back as a special grip so it is easier to hold with glove or dirty hand on a constructions site.  Or if you are just clumsy this is a good one for you.  It is the biggest tablet of this list size wise.  Toshiba tablet is slated to hit the market for later winter or early spring and is said to be competitive with iPad pricing.  

4. Apple iPad - this one is the only tablet that is currently on the market out of these picks and it is AMAZING.  It works very well.  It has proven that mobile computing can work and is working.  If you are used to how and iPhone or iPod touch works the iPad is the same UI but does do bigger scale things.  It also have all the familiarly Apple and Mac apps that is for  file sharing and editing on the go called MobleMe.  This is a proven product so if you want something that is great right now the iPad is the way to go.  It is so ahead of the game there will be a second generation iPad out near the same time many of these other tablets are introduced to the market.  Something the iPad does not have but all other tablets listed here have it front AND rear facing cameras.  The current iPad has no cameras but Generations 2 is rumored to have both front and rear camera upgrade.  You can get the iPad in 16, 32, and 64 GB sizes either WiFi or WiFi and 3G connectivity at Apple or many tech store like Best Buy and Future Shop.  Price start $549 and go to $879.  It does appear that the iPad has the easiest UI and thus the smallest learning curve of all four devices that i have listed.

All four other these tablets should be great.  We have seen the iPad in action for almost a year now and it was amazing!   I would totally get my own PlayBook, Xoom, or iPad, one day I will have all three!