Okay Geek Farm
The Top 5 Android tablets to look out for in 2011
Daniel Carey
Android has come a long ways since the days of under powered smartphones and cheap KIRFish Shenzhen tablets. Just about everything under the sun, that isn’t running iOS, is under Google’s robust software, which is why here at T3ch H3lp, we’ve decided to compile a top 5 list of Android based tablets due to drop in 2011.
1. Motorola Xoom:
First appearing on stage as a prototype device with Andy Rubin at the Dive Into Mobile conference, the Motorola Xoom has long since been desired. Most Android fans were a flutter with excitement after learning one specific on board component… Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Designed specifically for tablet use, Honeycomb combines what most people love about Android and presents it to them in a new, more natural, touch-based environment.
Moving back to the device itself: Motorola’s soon to be, much coveted tablet has a 10.1-inch HD display at 1280 x 800 pixels, a dual-core 2GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 CPU, Verizon LTE, full 1080p video output via HDMI, a 2-megapixel front facing camera, a 5-megapixel rear facing facing camera, and finally 32GB of internal storage. Currently there isn’t a price point, however the device itself is set to launch in Q1 of 2011 as a 3G/WiFi model and Verizon’s LTE/WiFi variant is due to launch in Q2 of 2011.
We’ve included a video walk-through of the device as featured on Engadget. Be aware that the device shown off at CES was not final, hence the “quasi-fake” walk-through. With that said, much of what is shown in the video will be included in the final shipping model.
2. Lenovo LePad:
Lenovo’s LePad is more than just an Android tablet. It just so happens to be the first decent netbook-tablet hybrid. By itself, the LePad is nothing more than your standard heavily skinned Android 2.2 based slate; however, when docked in netbook mode, the full power of Windows 7 is presented to your finger tips.
Spec-wise, Lenovo’s first Android based tablet makes use of a snappy 1.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, LeOS (which is Lenovo’s name for their heavily skinned version of Android 2.2), and finally a 10.1-inch capacitive multitouch display at 1280 x 800. As we said previously, the real money maker here is the LePad’s ability to be docked in a netbook style base-station. This in turn allows users to run a full version of Windows 7 with a 1.2GHz Core i5 processor, and a full chiclet style keyboard.
Currently the LePad is due to launch in China for $520 or $1300 bundled with the docking station. There’s no real mention on when on the LePad will hit other markets, with Lenovo’s official press release stating:
“Detailed pricing and availability for other markets, please contact your Lenovo representative.”
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab - WiFi Only Model:
The Samsung Galaxy Tab made quite a reasonable splash when it hit markets — despite some hesitation by consumers, mostly due to the cumbersome 2 year carrier contract needed — however, as with most high-end Android devices, it eventually laid most hesitations to rest. Now, Samsung’s ever popular iPad competitor will be coming to markets in a WiFi only capacity. We won’t bore you with the details, as you’ve most likely heard everything there is to hear about Sammy’s tablet. But should you be willing to purchase one, all you need to know now is that it will be available in Q1 of 2011.
There’s currently no mention on pricing, notwithstanding a probable inventory slip-up at Best Buy — which, based on previous events is more than likely to occur.
4. ASUS Eee Pad MeMO:
Debuting at CES 2011; the ASUS Eee Pad MeMO blends form, size and function into one alluring 7-inch Android based tablet. And when you look at it, you’ll understand why.
What makes the device different to other products on the market (or even the one’s mentioned above) is ASUS’ added inclusion of pressure sensitive entries. This specific feature-set hasn’t really been incorporated into current tablet offerings, so it is more than warming to see a company move into uncharted waters. As a side note: Pressure sensitive entries are made possible due to the bundled capacitive stylus.
Whilst adding pressure sensitive entries is one thing, incorporating them is another. In its current state the MeMO utilises two custom applications to get the previously aforementioned action completed.
The first application is called Media Note, and true to its name it combines both media and note taking in a familiar scrap booking environment. Second up is the ironically named “Painter,” — which basically allows users to draw to till their heart’s content. Painter is by far the more interesting of the two applications, not because it makes better use of pressure sensitive entry. But because of the way ASUS implemented said software to meet the needs of both a professional / amateur artist, and the everyday consumer looking to be creative.
Specification wise, the MeMO runs Android 3.0 (which actually wasn’t on the models shown off at CES) underneath a 7-inch 1024 x 600 display. Its also got a dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, a 1.2-megapixel front facing camera, and a 5-megapixel rear facing camera with an LED flash. Currently the MeMO is due to ship in June, and will cost around $499 — a considerable chunk of change, but considering what can be done with it, the ends most definitely justify the means (or in this case, the price).
5. Dell Streak 7:
For most, the love affair with Dell phones / tablets began with the original Streak — a 5-inch slate, that wasn’t quite a phone nor a tablet, but magically it seemed to be a good combination for those wishing to carry a 5-inch device. But now, the computer giant is planning on releasing a follow up to their semi-successful slate; now known as the Streak 7.
As with most “originally” (and we use that sarcastically) named Dell devices, common sense dictates that the Streak 7 will, well, make use of a 7-inch display. Hence the naming convention. Sadly however, the Streak 7 hasn’t received an update in the resolution department, meaning that those wishing to purchase one will have to tough it out at a resolution of 800 x 480. Now, we’re not looking to start a flame war, but a resolution that low in this day and age is certainly unacceptable especially on a 7-inch tablet.
Other than the moderately disappointing display, Dell’s Streak 7 comes equipped with Android 2.2 underneath Dell’s custom StageUI, a Nvidia Tegra 2 clocked at 1GHz, a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera, a 5-megapixel rear facing camera, either 16 or 32GB of internal storage (depending on which model you purchase), and lastly, the ever faithful, indestructible, scratch proof gorilla glass display.
Now that you’ve seen them all, which tablet tickles your fancy? We’d love to know, honestly. So how about sounding off in comments?
