Tablets equipped to challenge iPad’s authority in 2012

The challenge

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime with its fascinating docking keyboard had created a wave of palaver in the tablet realm. Now (in CES 2012), Asus has announced a newer version of Transformer Prime: TF700T, with a bigger battery and greater screen resolution.

Why better

Powered by a robust quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset and ULP GeForce GPU, the Android 4.0 tablet has other boisterous attributes as well. These includes a 10.1-inch HD display providing a resolution of 1920 × 1200 pixels, 8 MP rear camera capable of capturing videos in 1080p and a 2 megapixel camera on the front for video calling.

The challenge

Simply put, Lenovo's $1,199 IdeaPad Yoga exhibits an intriguing dual nature of both a tablet and a laptop. The laptop mechanism is defined by a dual-hinge design that bends back all the way (360 degrees) to also form a tablet.

Why better

In normal circumstances, the laptop has a 13.3-inch display, while the transformable tablet has up to 10 point multitouch capability, with a whopping 1600×900 resolution. Moreover, when it comes to the OS, the laptop (with keyboard peripheral) showcases a normal Windows 8 interface. But when it shifts to the tablet, the interface changes to touchscreen oriented Metro.

The challenge

Already touted as the thinnest and lightest tablet on the market (at 7.7mm thickness and 535 g weight), the Toshiba Excite X10 notches it up with its fascinating craftsmanship and a better ergonomic quality.

Why better

But beyond the sleek magnesium alloy allure, this classy 10.1-inch device also has the specs to go with it. Powered by a dual-core Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 1.2 GHz processor and 1GB RAM, the 1280×800 display supports up to ten finger multi-touch. The Android 4.0 tablet also boasts of a 5 MP rear camera, 1.3 MP front camera and a slew of other features like gyroscope, accelerometer and GPS capabilities. As for pricing, the Excite X10 comes in two iterations: $530 for 16GB version and $600 for 32GB version.

The challenge

Acer debuted its Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) powered Iconia Tab A200 in January of this year. The basic specs consists of 1GHz Tegra 2 chipset, paired with 8GB or 16GB of storage and a 10-inch 1280 x 800 display.

Why better

While the power train may not seem to be boisterous as compared to iPad 2, its $329.99 price tag can seriously excite the budget customers. The Iconia Tab A200 also has other small features that are not found in iPads. These include a full-size USB 2.0 port, a MicroSD slot and micro-USB port and even a separate 'SocialJogger' software that compiles social networks like Facebook,Twitter and others into one spot.

The challenge

Alluding to a more compact bearing of tablets, Sony's very own Android fueled Tablet P can conveniently pose as the bantam yet accessible evolution of computers. Exhibiting a dual screen mechanism of 5.5-inch LCD displays, the surfaces can be folded to improve upon portable considerations.

Why better

While enhancing upon its ergonomic and minimalist visual allure, the clam shell-like dual screen system also has important user oriented functions. For example, in an open mode, one of the screens can act as the main interactive display, while the other connected screen can bring up a virtual keyboard on its surface. This essentially turns the foldable contraption into a mini-laptop.

The challenge

Quite interestingly, Evolve III Maestro S tablet is endowed with a Window 7 platform, but the designers have heavily modified its interface to work as a Windows 8 Metro-esque 'tiles and touch' oriented system.

Why better

And beyond the deft feel of the OS, the machine in itself is powered by a powerful 1.5GHz processor and a whopping 2GB of RAM. Other features include full 1080p HD video playback capability (but, no rear camera) with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. Moreover, the designers are also touting the tablet to have a battery life of around 10 hours, which is more than the majority of other tablets.

The challenge

When we come to ergonomic features, it’s not only the slim designed tablets that score higher. This is aptly proven by 7-inch ZTE T98, with its characteristic round chamfered corners with a rubber material at the center of the rear part.

Why better

Coming to the powertrain, the Ice Cream Sandwich tablet is infused with a quad core Tegra 3 processor with 1GB of RAM. As for its display attributes, the contraption showcases a credible 1280 x 800 resolution, with 5MP rear camera and 1.3 MP front camera.

The challenge

In most cases, tablets are structurally designed to cope up with normal circumstances. Well, in this regard, the Pantech Element has rather notched it up a level by its fascinating waterproof qualities. According to the creators, the tablet can withstand one meter volume of water for up to 30 minutes without damage (though the screen gets switched off immediately).

Why better

But beyond the intrinsic hardy nature, the tablet certainly packs a punch when it comes to specs. The machine is endowed with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU, 8-inch TFT XGA display, 5MP rear camera, 2MP front-facing camera and finally a powerful 6,400 mAh battery, which can push battery life up to a whopping 12 hours.

The challenge

Still in its prototype stage, the Lenovo IdeaPad K2110 Tablet will be the second device to be infused with the company's very own, low powered Medfield processor (created with 32 nm process).

Why better

Though we are not clear on many of the important features, what we do know is that the Android 4.0 tablet has a high resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, along with the ubiquitous dual camera system. Other user friendly aspects like NFC, SIM slot and the conventional micro HDMI, microSD and microUSB ports are also expected to be included within the scope.

Yes, we know the Kindle Fire isn't a traditional tablet and it isn't from 2012 too. But from an unbiased perspective, it is the only 'tablet' that has shown spirit of competition in view of the exalted iPads (with estimation that over 6 million Amazon Kindle Fire had sold by end of 2011). Moreover, beyond the scope of robust specs, it is the core functionality and price that has attracted the newer consumers towards Fire. This expansive user experience is deftly defined by the massive ambit of Amazon cloud. And finally, the Fire comes at a relatively paltry cost of $199 in comparison to $499 of the lowest model iPad.