Having trouble finding that perfect tablet for you or a loved one? You’re not alone. With considerably more options this year than in years past, finding the perfect tablet to match both your needs and your personality can be a headache. At the end of the day, you want to find a tablet that fits your lifestyle, is user friendly and is [somewhat] affordable. Below are the 5 best tablets to fit your personality type. Use this guide to help you pick the right tablet, whether you’re buying it for yourself, a friend or a family member this holiday season.
The Entertainment Junkie: Amazon Kindle Fire HDX
(image courtesy of Amazon)
What you need it for: You are a hardcore media junkie who loves entertainment. Packed with Amazon movie, books and music, the HDX delivers on all fronts. The latest Amazon tablet comes in both a 7-inch and 8.9-inch option in a variety of capacities and configurations.
Why you need it: All your books, MP3 downloads and free Prime movies are just a click away on the HDX. And there’s good news for folks who don’t have Prime yet (get it ASAP): Amazon will give you a free 30-day trial when you purchase the Kindle Fire HDX. This HDX simply represents the best bang for the buck when it comes multimedia and content.
Key specs: 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB, 32GB or 128GB of storage, 1.2-megapixel front and 8-megapixel rear cameras, 7-inch or 8.9-inch display options.
Price: Starting at $229
The Executive: Microsoft Surface Pro 2
(image courtesy of Microsoft)
What you need it for: You are a serious business user who needs the portability of a tablet with the functionality of a laptop. With the addition of the $80 wireless touch cover, you can make your tablet a full powered laptop in seconds.
Why you need it: The Surface Pro 2 is considered more of a full laptop replacement than a companion tablet. With the Surface Pro 2, you get full access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, which other tablets don’t offer. For those who need a tablet primarily for work and school, while still getting that multimedia tablet experience, the Surface Pro 2 is your best choice.
Key specs: Intel Core i5 quad-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB or 512Gb of storage, 720p HD front and rear cameras, 10.6-inch display.
Price: Starting at $899
The Sophisticated Adventurist: Sony Xperia Tablet Z
(image courtesy of Sony)
What you need it for: You are the extremist X-Games type who needs to stay connected while kayaking, mountain climbing or roughing it, and still want a good-looking tablet to compliment your sleek and stylish personality (or you have young, drooly children who your husband just built a sandbox for).
Why you need it: The Xperia Tablet Z is the only tablet on the list that is fully dustproof and waterproof. The ultra thin 7.9mm tablet is easy to take on trips while also giving you all day power. Style and durability come together to produce a rugged tablet that looks great and works well, too.
Key specs: 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of storage, 2.0-megapixel front and 8-megapixel rear cameras, 10.1-inch display.
Price: Starting at $499
The Tech Geek: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014 edition)
(image courtesy of Samsung)
What you need it for: You are the tech savvy Android lover who has to have the latest and greatest device at any cost. You want features that other tablet owners will be jealous of and you love showing off your new technology.
Why you need it: The Note 10.1 is jammed packed with features and tricks that scream for attention thanks to the S Pen. Prepare to “ohh and ahh” your friends with the cool features, like on-the-fly editing, drawing and writing that Samsung crammed into the new Note 10.1. With all the cool tricks that the S Pen can pull off, you will make owners of iPads and Windows envious of your new shiny toy.
Key specs: 1.9GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage, 2.0-megapixel front and 8-megapixel rear cameras, 10.1-inch display.
Price: Starting at $549
The Social Butterfly: Apple iPad Air
(image courtesy of Apple)
What you need it for: You are a social butterfly who spends the majority of your tablet time on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, while simultaneously trying to Pin new winter fashion trends on Pinterest.
Why you need it: The new A7 chip, 5MP camera and iOS 7 will make all your pictures of your dinner, your friends and your “selfies” just pop on Instagram and Facebook. With its amazing screen, fast processor and over 475k iPad-specific apps, the iPad Air is the most complete tablet on the market. If you’re a social media extraordinaire, a first time tablet owner or just an average Facebook user, you really can’t go wrong with the new iPad Air.
Key specs: A7 64-bit processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of storage, 1.2-megapixel front and 5-megapixel rear camera, 9.7-inch display.
Price: Starting at $499
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