iPad, Google Nexus 7 and Microsoft Surface Table

iPad, Google Nexus 7 and Microsoft Surface Tablet

An early review of the latest iPad in Which (May 2012) provides a useful baseline for assessments of the relative merits of other products. The review notes that this new version has pretty much the same appearance as its predecessor iPad2. However, the images are sharper on the screen because the resolution is higher – in fact, doubled. You can by in three capacities – 16, 32 and 64 gigabyte.

The review judges that this represents a considerable improvement on iPad1, on the grounds of the screen being easier (sharper) to read and the colours better. You have to bear in mind that if you set the brightness higher then this reduces the life of the battery. Potentially, on the highest setting it may last just over 5 hours. But at normal settings it should last more than twice this.

The main drawback is that the iPad2 needs a heavier battery with more capacity – about 51g heavier than the previous model as a consequence.  Also, it won’t function on the faster 4G LTE mobile networks due to be launched in the UK. I wish I knew what an LTE mobile network is. Sorry, at the limits of my extremely limited knowledge here.

Anyway, on with the reviews. The latest tablets to be reviewed by Which (August 2012) shouldn’t be ignored.

First is the Google Nexus 7. This is a 7-inch tablet produced by Google and Asus and it’s not to be ignored. The main reason for this is the affordable price. At £169 for the 8 gigabyte and £199 for the twice as powerful 16 gigabyte version it is as fast as any Android and uses the latest (version 4.1) Android operating system. Also, it is smaller than the iPad and about half its weight (340g). This makes it easier to handle.

The main drawback is that although you can watch or read already downloaded material on it you can’t browse or stream material whilst on the move. Also there’s no expansion slot to increase the memory.

Second is the Surface Table by Microsoft. This retails at approximately £400. It’s the first tablet to be produced by Microsoft. It’s main attraction is that it uses the state of the moment Windows 8 operating system with which few of us have yet become acquainted. The tablet will have two versions of this. The upmarket one is Pro, selling at something around £750, which is designed with business in mind. The more basic version is RT which will be selling somewhere around the price of an IPad - £400 ish. Actually, it is quite heavy – about half as heavy again as the iPad.