Below is a compilation of what we consider are the best options either currently available or announced so far, complete with metascores from our Product Finder engine and review links where available.
Full-size Tablets
Click on the arrow to the right to view the full comparison chart (7 tablets)
Seven and Eight Inchers
Making your pick
The same advice we’ve offered before applies today: If you mostly care about specs or price, it shouldn’t be hard picking out a winner. But you should know that when you are buying a tablet you’re buying into an ecosystem. The fastest processor or sharpest screen are worthless if you can’t use them for the things you want. Apple’s iOS often comes on top when it comes to app availability. Not because it offers the largest app catalog – the total number of apps is a meaningless metric after a certain threshold – but because high profile apps and games usually launch for Apple’s platform first and sometimes remain exclusive for a while. Android isn’t that far behind. They are definitely doing much better in smartphones than tablets where they are still catching up a bit, so it’s your job to do a little research based on your intended usage. It’s another story for Windows RT. Microsoft’s Windows Store is growing but despite the company’s best efforts a lot of the big names are still missing. For this reason we feel the Surface 2 just doesn’t measure up to the competition unless you live inside Office and that’s one of the key uses you plan to give your next tablet. The Lumia 2520, sadly, is destined to be afflicted with the same limitations as the Surface 2, though if you are set on getting a Windows RT tablet at least Nokia’s offering includes LTE for an extra $50. On the other hand, the Surface Pro 2 is great if you definitely need desktop applications but you should note that at $899 without a keyboard (or $999 with) it’s dangerously close to ultrabook territory. Arguably, the original Surface Pro was already one of the best ultrabooks around, so the Pro 2 simply reinforces that. If you don’t mind the sacrifice in horsepower and screen real estate consider the cheaper yet still full Windows 8.1-powered Acer Iconia W4.
