There has been a massive turnaround in the technological scene in the 2014 calendar year, with lot of captivating, magnificent and killing-to-get devices, leaving so many consumers confused on what next to use. It has been no surprise seeing the sudden up-rise of tablets in the market, which has gone from being just mere consumer toys, to more than capable mobile computing devices.
Tablets are sort of like a more portable notebook built on a mobile operating system platform, with the upper hand of probability, functionality, less cumbersome, flexibility and battery life over smartphones and laptops. Which has made it a more better choice for mobile computing.
We have created a definitive list of the Top Ten Tablets of 2014 and we hope you agree with it.
10. iPad Mini 3
The iPad Mini 3 was unveiled alongside the iPad Air 2 . Unlike the iPad Air 2, the iPad Mini 3 is a touch up rather than redesign of Apple’s small form factor tablet offering. Most of the Key upgrades include Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a great new gold colour option.
While some may bemoan the lack of upgrades, the iPad Mini 3’s specs are still very good and the tablet will be a solid option for any Apple user on the market for a travel-friendly tablet.
9. Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1
Protected 7-inch tablet Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 is not intended for entertainment – it is a mobile computer for professionals who work in complex environments. These devices are popular among gas producers, oil companies and miners, military units etc. Protecting tablet from moisture and dust conforms to IP65, and shock protection – the military standard MIL-STD-810G.
It has the ability to perform well at temperatures ranging from – 10 to + 50 ° C and can be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. Of course, such a device is not cheap, so buying it for normal users are unlikely to come to their mind, but if you really need a “not killed” tablet with a powerful stuffing and Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 on board, this model may be the best value. Panasonic knows its bread and butter when it comes to rugged devices.
8. Lenovo ThinkPad 8
While 2013 saw an influx of new 10in and 12in Windows 8 tablets, the small form factor space continues to be dominated by Apple and Google, with their respective iPad Mini and Nexus 7 devices. This is sad as 7-inch and 8-inch tablets are actually very useful.
Being small and light, the tablets are ideal productivity aids for people who regularly travel or are constantly on the move. Because of this we were very happy when the Chinese PC maker chose to rectify the situation, unveiling its brand new ThinkPad 8 with some captivating exciting features.
Boasting all the inherent enterprise benefits of Microsoft’s Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad 8 has the potential to be one of 2014’s best tiny tablets.
7. Galaxy Note Pro 12.2-inch
Korean tech heavyweight Samsung has been edging its way into the enterprise space for the past year. But so far the shift has been software based, with Samsung limiting itself to releasing tools such as its Knox security service.
At CES 2O14 this all changed when Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Tab Pro and Note Pro series of devices. Both the Note Pro and standard Pro tablets came in a variety of size options, ranging between 8-inch to 12-inch. For us the 12.2-inch Note Pro is the most interesting, coming in with great captivating and exciting features that were appealing to a variety of businesses.
6. Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Microsoft’s been working hard to get a solid stake in the tablet market with its Surface line for the past three years, not until it finally nailed it with the Surface Pro 3.
This device redefines what tablets are capable of, proving they can be just as effective as laptops with the right mix of hardware and software. The Surface Pro 3 marries a large screen with great touchscreen and it’s also with a Windows 8.1 Pro operating system and a set of specs that leaves the iPad scared .
The souped-up screen makes the Surface Pro 3 large enough to work from all day, with ample screen resolution for multi-tasking. To use it as a proper workhorse, however, you’ll need to pair it with an external keyboard.
Microsoft offers the optional cheap Type Cover, which squeezes a full-sized keyboard into a thin cover that magnetically clips to the tablet. The typing experience is good, but it’s let down by a slow typing action and rale keys.
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S (8.4-inch)
When it comes to tablets Screen matters. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4-inch (16GB) is the best small tablet on the market right now largely because of its screen, a shimmering Super AMOLED panel that makes your Web pages, videos, and games look positively glorious.
It’s a crowded field out there right now, and you may be able to find a small tablet that’s better for you and your specific uses. But at the moment, the Tab S 8.4’s expandable memory and multimedia prowess make it best for the casual browsing and media playback most small tablets are used for.
4 Amazon Fire HDX 8.9
Amazon’s fire HDX 8.9 doesn’t look entirely different from the 2013 model of it , but it does offer a number of impressive enhancements, including a sharper screen, faster quad-core processor, Firefly and Dolby Atmos technology for immersive audio.
The premium tablet includes impressive parental controls and comes with Amazon’s multimedia content and unlimited photo storage. The HDX also lasts longer on a charge than the iPad Air 2 . For families in search of a premium, large-screen tablet, this is the device for you.
3. Nvidia Shield Tablet
Presented as the “Ultimate Gaming Tablet” by NVIDIA, the Shield Tablet has been designed specifically to offer excellent (Android) gaming performance and PC Game Streaming capabilities in this form-factor, and at a very reasonable price.
This is without a doubt an extreme tablet, and with the high performance for the price ratio, it is clear that something has to be given. Its a great news for game freaks.
2. Google Nexus 9
The Nexus 9 is Google’s new lead tablet, the first to be launch with Android 5.0 Lollipop and the first of the Nexus troupe to use a 4:3 screen rather than a widescreen one. People hoping for a tablet with which to replace their Nexus 7 may be slightly disappointed by the price, though it’s not the market-defining bargain that the earlier Nexus was.
Given the little issues here and there, it’s not as complete or coherent a device as the iPad Air 2 . There’s a slight spark of magic missing. However, what’s commendable is the direction it demonstrates. 8-inch non-widescreen tablets like this will no longer be ‘non-canon’ third-party oddities, and that’s a very good thing.
1. iPad Air 2
For the top position, It couldn’t have been anything less of this. It was hard to see how Apple could improve on the first iPad Air – arguably the finest tablet ever produced. And then it went on and did so with the iPad Air 2. Apple made the tablet of the year with the iPad Air and did it again with the iPad Air 2. It’s a razor-thin, lightning fast and also the best app selector, all thanks to the Apple App Store. It Stands first as Thegadgetsfreak Tablet of the Year.
</p
The iPad Air 2 is slimmer, lighter and faster than the original, while the screen innovations are just what we’ve always been looking for. The focus is based on improving the user experience. The most talked about new feature on the iPad Air 2 is the Touch ID. It allows your fingerprint to unlock your iPad. It’s about a lot more than that, though we can't help but think Apple's latest tablet will be one of the best seen this year.
One thought on “TGF: Top Ten Tablets of 2014”