Ipad Alternatives

These iPad alternatives may be the way to go for gadget addicts who want something other than an Apple product or are on a shoestring budget. The original iPad and the newer iPad 2 are excellent tablet computers for those who need a device to fulfill their daily computing needs that also offers superior portability. The iPad alternatives listed below share the same form factor as Apple's offering but may outperform the iPad in some aspects or are priced more affordably.

1. Motorola Xoom. The Xoom may be the best non iPad tablet currently in the market. It has a comparable 1GHz dual core processor and comes with 32G of storage space. The Xoom runs on the popular Android 3.0 operating system which supports Adobe Flash. The iPad or the iPad 2 does not support Flash means the Xoom offers a fuller web browsing experience. Those who use their tablets to watch movies should also consider the screen dimensions of each device. The Motorola Xoom sports a 10.1” screen while both Apple tablets have a 9.7” display. While the difference may be minimal, watching video content in landscape mode will highlight the difference between the two devices. The Xoom retails for around $599.

2. Blackberry Playbook. The Blackberry Playbook from the fine folks at Research In Motion (RIM) is by no means an iPad killer. It uses a similar 1GHz processor, it is smaller and has a screen size tinier than the iPad. With the 16GB version going for around $499, it similarly priced to the iPad 2. In a marketplace full of affordable iPad alternatives, Motorola's product certainly is not cheap. The main thing going Playbook is best for loyal Blackberry smartphone users who want a tablet that complements and works well with their mobile phone. It is also optimized for web browsing. It handles Flash beautifully and is also able to handle HTML5.

3. Nook Color. An e-reader in a list of iPad alternatives? This is blasphemy! This is madness! Seriously though, the Nook Color is not your grandmother's e-reader. For a start, equipped with a stunning 7.0” color touchscreen display, it runs on the popular Android 2.2 Froyo operating system. More than a few iPad users actually use their tablets primarily for web browsing and reading e-books which the Nook color is built for. With a $250 price tag, it is a real competitive to the iPad or iPad 2. Even if it is relatively more inexpensive, the Nook still comes with a nice “coolness” factor enjoyed by iPad owners.

4. Velocity Micro Cruz T103. Sounding like a Tom Cruise offspring, this baby is has all the features needed to effectively browse the web, handle email, play music and videos. Admittedly, it is geared more towards buyers on a tight budget. The Velocity Micro Cruz has a small 7.0” screen, a paltry 512MB of memory, a miniscule 1GB of storage and no camera to speak of. Selling for only $250, it is very enticing especially for Android fans. 

5. Sylvania SYNET7LP. Because Sylvania is best known for its line of light bulbs and light features, buying a cheap Sylvania tablet may make some consumers feel like they are scraping the bottom of the barrel. Much like budget iPad alternatives, it has a 7.0” screen, a 1GHz processor, 256MB of RAM and 2GB of built-in storage. Make no mistake about it though, this gizmo is no iPad 2. It does not even compare to the antiquated iPad. It is a cheap device that probably works as well as a smartphone. As an inexpensive tablet though, it is small so it's size makes it extra portable for those who want instant web browsing and do some light computing work on the go. Retailing for a mere $149, if you end up hating it, you can always give it to your kids to keep them preoccupied during long road trips.