Best tablet PCs to buy in 2013

Posted on 5 Oct 2012 at 11:17, by Tom Morgan

Discover what are the best tablet PCs to buy in 2013 and read our in-depth tablet computer reviews, as rated by our team of expert reviewers. Not sure if a tablet is right for you? We've got something for everyone here, from 7in budget bargains to the latest flagship models from all the major brands. Our always up-to-date list will help you make the right choice.

Asus FonePad

A compelling 3G alternative to the Nexus 7

Our Expert Opinion As the manufacturer behind Google's Nexus 7, it should come as no surprise that Asus knows how to make an excellent budget tablet. The FonePad is incredibly similar to Google's 7in slate, but uses an Intel Atom processor instead of Nvidia's Tegra chip and runs a customised version of Android 4.1, rather than the stock operating system. However, it's the integrated 3G modem, MicroSD card slot and low price that sets it apart - at almost £100 less than a 3G nexus 7, it's now the clear choice for anyone that has to stay connected when on the move.

Read our full Asus FonePad review

SPECS
CPU 1.2GHz Intel Atom Z2420
RAM 1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
DISPLAY 7in 1,280x800 LCD
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.1
DIMENSIONS 196x120x10mm, 340g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE FonePad

BUY IT FROM £179 for the 16GB model from the Carphone Warehouse
 

Google Nexus 7

The best budget Android tablet around

Our Expert Opinion Google made its tablet debut earlier this year with the Nexus 7, and despite stiff competition from the likes of Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, is shifting close to a million units per month. There's good reason for these impressive numbers: the Nexus 7 is the ideal entry-level tablet. It’s affordable, beautifully-made and runs on the latest Android software - 4.1 Jelly Bean, which gives users access to a raft of nifty features and apps via Google’s Play Store (the Android equivalent to iTunes).

Read our full Google Nexus 7 review

SPECS
CPU 1.3GHz Nvidia Tegra 3
RAM 1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
DISPLAY 7in 1,280x800 LCD
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.1
DIMENSIONS 199x120x10mm, 340g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE ASUS-1B16-CB

BUY IT FROM £159 for the 16GB model from the Google Play Store
 
 

Apple iPad 4

Apple's best iPad yet

Our Expert Opinion The original and, some would say the best, Apple's iPad is undeniably the most popular tablet around. The fourth generation model is better than ever, pairing an incredibly high resolution 2048x1536, 9.7in display with a dual-core A6x processor. Quad-core graphics make it up to twice as fast as last year's model in games, and UK customers now have the option of 4G mobile broadband as well as Wi-Fi models. Storage capacities range from 16Gb to 64GB, so you shouldn't run out of room in a hurry, although the iTunes App store has such a massive selection you might fill it up faster than you think.

Read our full Apple iPad 4 review

SPECS
CPU 1.4GHz Apple A6X
RAM 1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
GRAPHICS Apple A6X
DISPLAY 9.7in 2,048x1,536 LCD
OPERATING SYSTEM Apple iOS 6
DIMENSIONS 241x188x9mm, 652g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE iPad 4

BUY IT FROM£399 from the Apple Store
 
 

Google Nexus 10

The best display on any tablet, ever

Our Expert Opinion Google’s second tablet takes a different approach to the Nexus 7 by taking on the high-end. With an even higher pixel density (2,560x1,600) than the new iPad, text and graphics appear stunningly sharp – ideal if you’ll be using it for playing games or reading books. It’s also light and has a soft-touch underside for extra grip in case of any slippery fingered foul-ups. That stunning screen is protected by scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass display and the tablet has a capable 5-megapixel camera for photos and video. Inside, you get Bluetooth and NFC technology - which allows for wireless payments - as well as up to 32GB of internal storage.

Read our full Google Nexus 10 review

SPECS
CPU 1.7 GHz Samsung Exynos 5
RAM 2GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
GRAPHICS Mali-T604
DISPLAY 10in 2,560x1,600 IPS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.2
DIMENSIONS 178x264x8.9mm, 603g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE Nexus 10

BUY IT FROM £319 for the 16GB model from the Google Play Store

Microsoft Surface RT

Great for on-the-go productivity

Our Expert Opinion The Surface RT is Microsoft's first tablet, as well as the first Windows product to use an ARM CPU instead of an x86-based processor - in this case a quad-core 1.4GHz Nvidia Tegra 3. The Surface RT runs a cut-down version of Windows 8 is available with 32GB or 64GB of storage; the 64GB model costs £559 inc VAT, but it comes with the incredibly useful Touch Cover keyboard, giving you a laptop-like experience. It's one of the more expensive tablets, but the Surface comes with Microsoft Office 2013 and a USB port for connecting external devices to it, such as a keyboard and mouse – handy if you’ll be using it for work.

Read our full Microsoft Surface RT review

SPECS
CPU 1.4GHz Nvidia Tegra 3
RAM 2GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 32GB
GRAPHICS ULP GeForce
DISPLAY 10.6in 1,366x768 IPS
OPERATING SYSTEM Windows RT
DIMENSIONS 172x275x9.5mm, 682g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE Surface RT
BATTERY LIFE 10h 47m

BUY IT FROM £399 for the 32GB model directly from Microsoft
 
 

Apple iPad Mini

An iPad for frequent travellers

Our Expert Opinion With smaller tablets such as Google’s Nexus 7 eating into iPad sales, Apple mounted its offensive by launching a miniature tablet of its own – the iPad Mini. Despite its size, it’s quite pricey: prices start from £269 for the basic 16GB Wi-Fi model and climb all the way up to £529 for the 64GB 4G version. Unless you’re a diehard Apple fan it’s worth weighing up your options before diving into your wallet – there are plenty of cheaper alternatives available. However, the 7.9in display is superb for reading and web browsing, and iOS has the largest app library for any mobile device, so there's a huge selection to choose from.

Read our full Apple iPad Mini review

SPECS
CPU 1GHz Apple A5
RAM 512MB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
GRAPHICS Apple A5
DISPLAY 7.9in 1,024x768 LCD
OPERATING SYSTEM Apple iOS 6
DIMENSIONS 200x135x7mm, 308g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE iPad Mini

BUY IT FROM £269 directly from the Apple Store
 
 

Amazon Kindle Fire HD

Amazon's content library makes this hard to beat for film fans

Our Expert Opinion Not to be outdone when Google launched the Nexus 7, Amazon fought back with its own 7in tablet. The Kindle Fire HD is a huge improvement over the original Kindle Fire, with a faster processor, more storage, a newer version of Android and, most importantly, a lower price. Amazon's custom UI isn't as tweakable as Google's default interface, but it has been streamlined to make the most of Amazon's expansive content libraries. If you want to rent movies from LoveFilm, buy eBooks from the Kindle store or download music, there's no better way to do it than with a Kindle Fire HD.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Fire HD review

SPECS
CPU 1.2GHz TI OMAP4460
RAM 1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE 16GB
GRAPHICS PowerVR SGX540
DISPLAY 7in 1,280x800 IPS
OPERATING SYSTEM Android 4.0 (customised)
DIMENSIONS 137x10x193mm, 394g
WARRANTY one year RTB
PART CODE Kindle Fire HD

BUY IT FROM£159 directly from Amazon