Let the battle of the tablets begin! Or rather, which tablet blows out the rest in the digital slate competition?
As Microsoft, Apple, and Samsung gear up for the upcoming relase of their latest tablet iterations, we take a look at the current models on offer and let you be the judge on which is the best of them all.
The Surface Pro 3, iPad Air 2, and Galaxy Tab S2 represent three different mobile OS - Windows, iOS, and Android, respectively. Deciding which is the best of the three would also be like declaring which OS is superior. However, the specs and features can make one of them edge out the rest even though the operating system doesn't appear to be the better choice. As such, it's worthwhile to take both the software and hardware in consideration when choosing which one is best. Plus, there's personal preference and needs, but more on that later.
"The Galaxy Tab S2 will be available in 8-inch and 9.7-inch form factors at 5.6mm, weighing 265 grams and 389 grams, respectively. Samsung calls Tab S2 its 'thinnest and lightest' tablet in that size, obviously to take on the Air 2 and the alleged Air 3," Tech2.com noted.
"At 5.6mm, it is 0.6mm thinner than the iPad Air 2 launched last year. The larger variant is the same size as the iPad Air 2, and manages to offer the same display resolution while weighing less. When it comes to storage space, 32GB and 64GB models are available with expandable slot of up to 128GB, something Apple doesn't offer," the site added.
The S2 also has a fingerprint scanner and allows users to "video two apps on the display."
Then there's Microsoft's Surface Pro 3, dubbed by CNET as the "best productivity tablet." It has been marketed as the tablet that can work like a laptop.
"The Surface Pro 3 is thinner and lighter than the previous two versions, despite having a larger 12-inch display and higher screen resolution," the tech news site's review stated. "A new kickstand makes it easier to set up and use, and the keyboard cover remains a best-in-class example. The Surface Pro 3 is now optimized for a digital pen, which is included."
However, the site added, the Pro 3 could use some tweaks to make it a truly excellent laptop alternative. As a tablet, the gadget is considered one of the best personal computers ever to roll out Microsoft's doors.
Apple's current tablet, the iPad Air 2, is considered the best slate the company has ever made.
"It's even thinner and lighter than last time around and to a noticeable extent," TechRadar said. "The screen is better, with more vibrant colours, it's more powerful thanks to its A8X processor and the battery life holds up just as well. It even benefits from Touch ID and Apple Pay and while these features aren't as exciting here as they are on phones they're still nice to have."
"In short the iPad Air 2 really is the complete package and while you can always find things to niggle about there are no significant flaws," the site added, also commenting that other competitors need to up the ante if they want to beat Apple's latest slate.
Which one is the best? Tell us what you think!
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