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Best iPad Pro Alternatives. Select ZOOM. Subscribe to news How do you like this miracle from the Middle Kingdom?

Competitors iPad mini

Since the release of Apple's tablet, competitors have tried in every possible way to prove their superiority by releasing devices that are thinner, more powerful, and in different sizes. Thanks to this, the tablet market today is so diverse. But the diagonal iPad screen mini at 7.9 inches turned out to be a successful combination of size and convenience. Needless to say, competitors immediately began to follow this model. True, some managed to appear on the market even before the “mini-Apple” device.

Why was there a need to look for a replacement for such a convenient and really cool device? The fact is that Apple, with its limitations, simply cannot please all users. Some people are quite satisfied with applications from App Store, while others want to connect flash drives, memory cards, delve into the depths of the system, improving it to suit their taste. So an alternative is in demand - something similar in size, but with different capabilities.

In our search for worthy competitors to the iPad mini, we will not take into account the large group of seven-inch tablets. After all, ease of use in this case is determined slightly large size screen. And the seven-inch devices themselves have already become very close to representatives of a new class of devices, tablet phones. They have already easily surpassed the six-inch mark. So, what's interesting on the market that can replace the iPad mini? Considering that iOS can only be installed on Apple devices, alternative options Most of them run Android.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. This is an amazing device that has been on the market for over two years. With it, Samsung seems to have betrayed itself by deciding to experiment. There is no abundance of plastic here, which is typical for most tablets from this manufacturer. The metal body makes the design really stylish.

The hardware platform is still relevant today - a dual-core processor, a gigabyte of RAM and a beautiful screen with a decent resolution of 1280x800. By the way, this is the world's first tablet display made using Super AMOLED Plus technology. The screen aspect ratio is not the narrow 16:9, but the increasingly traditional 16:10. And you can watch movies without much loss of space, and reading is much more enjoyable. Adding to the charm of the device is its light weight - 335 grams and thin body - 7.9 mm. The battery lasts for 8-9 hours of video viewing. We also note the presence of GPS and 3G.

Yes, this is a potential hit! But Samsung still kept the device in the premium segment, even today selling it at a high price. 22 thousand rubles for a two-year-old device is a lot. Besides software support has long been abandoned. The device is very, very interesting, taking into account the quality of execution. All that remains is to find it at a good price, which, alas, is possible only on the secondary market.

Total: one drawback - high price, everything else can be listed as merits.


Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 . This device was truly a worthy answer from Samsung to its enemies from Apple. The case is made of classic plastic for the Galaxy line, but there is a hardware Home button. The eight-inch screen has a resolution of 1280x800 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10. It is made using PLS technology, which is inferior in color gamut to the company’s other development, Super AMOLED.

The main feature of the device is a pen with support for Wacom technology. Here the tablet has no direct competition, being a worthy representative of the Note family. As a device for reading, surfing and watching videos, this is a good, powerful option, but is it worth overpaying for a stylus that not everyone needs? Prices start at 12 thousand rubles, which is almost half the cost of the previous candidate.


Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 and iPad mini

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0. But this device is the latest in the Galaxy Tab line. It can be considered an improved version of Note 8.0. Samsung offered an option with such a popular screen size (a compromise between seven and ten inches), but did a little work on the bugs.

Noteworthy are the reduced frames on the sides of the screen (compared to the iPad mini!). Home button remained, as did the touch buttons next to it. Compared to Note 8.0, the width has decreased by 12 mm, and the weight seems to be a record 314 grams for this size. And although the power has decreased compared to the previous competitor (two cores versus four and one and a half gigabytes of RAM versus two), this is quite enough for almost all tasks.

The tablet turned out to be really successful - thin and fits well in the hand. Its only drawback is the same annoying design of the Galaxy line with plastic as the main material. Everything is fine, but the tablet doesn’t look stylish or expensive. But the price is really good. So powerful and modern devices can be found in stores for ten thousand rubles.


Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 and iPad mini

The new iPad/iPad 4/iPad Air. And although the review is focused on devices relatively similar in size to the iPad mini, I would like to mention this option. The fact is that all this variety of Android and Windows tablets lacks something that only Apple products have - a branded store Apps Store. This attracts many, because there are simply no analogues of some useful and really cool programs for other platforms. And if you choose an iPad, then why not look at its older brothers? Moreover, the last two models have a gorgeous display with a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels. The iPad mini is attractive due to its compactness, but the large and even better screen (compared to the first generation mini) is a significant trump card. Those who are preparing to purchase a tablet from Apple will have to experience the agony of choice - a pleasant one, really.

Senior and Junior iPad

Acer W3. Tablets with full Windows are a curiosity. Only in the last couple of years have relatively compact (at least in terms of weight) models begun to appear. After a series of devices with a diagonal of ten inches or more, I wanted to see slightly more compact ones.

It was not Samsung that decided to experiment, but Acer. Her Acer W3 device has a diagonal of 8.1 inches and a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The tablet runs a full (not RT!) version of Windows. The hardware inside is, although not high-performance, as by the standards of premium options with Core i5/i7, but decent. A dual-core Atom and two gigabytes of RAM allow the owner to feel more or less comfortable when solving simple tasks. But if you try to load the system with heavy videos or 3D games, the result will be sad. And the quality of the screen, made using TFT technology, leaves much to be desired - color rendition will change greatly when changing the viewing angle.

What's nice is the presence of a physical keyboard as an accessory, allowing you to create a very compact and stylish netbook. And the main advantage of this option is complete Windows version, allowing you to solve the usual range of tasks on your tablet. Plus, the manufacturer dropped the price for this model due to the lack of hype.

iPad mini and Acer W3

LG G Pad 8.3. This tablet was presented recently at the IFA-2013 exhibition. The model undoubtedly turned out to be a potential hit. The 8.3-inch screen is made using IPS technology and has a Full-HD resolution of 1920x1080. We also note the thin frames on the sides. The quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor is almost the most powerful on the market, and the weight of 338 grams makes the device light and convenient. LG has released an excellent competitor for both the iPad mini and the second-generation Google Nexus. Just how massive will sales be at the announced price of $400?

iPad mini and LG G Pad 8.3

Archos 80 g9. We already had a review of this device on our website. Today, the model attracts only its price (from 5 thousand rubles), and successful solutions in the form of a leg and a full-fledged USB slot. A cheap plastic case and a screen made of the same material did not allow the model to become a hit. And in terms of its physical dimensions, the model practically corresponds to the older one iPad versions. Against this background, even modern Chinese tablets look nicer and work faster.

The hit iPad mini showed that tablets can and should be not only seven- and ten-inch. A new segment has appeared - tablets with a diagonal of eight inches. The intermediate option turned out to be extremely successful and in demand. The market immediately responded - both independent developments of similar sizes appeared, as well as clones on Android, and even representatives of the Windows family. We can say with confidence that the iPad mini will only have more competitors. And Apple itself released the second generation of its hit tablet. Users received a much more powerful processor and quadrupled screen resolution. The race continues!

  • WiFi
  • Wi-Fi + Cellular

Size and Weight 1

  • Width: 7.31 inches (185.7 mm)
  • Depth: 0.37 inch (9.4 mm)
  • Weight: 1.44 pounds (652 g)

Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • Height: 9.50 inches (241.2 mm)
  • Width: 7.31 inches (185.7 mm)
  • Depth: 0.37 inch (9.4 mm)
  • Weight: 1.46 pounds (662 g)

Storage 2

  • 128GB

Wireless and Cellular

Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • Model A1459*
    • LTE (Bands 4 and 17)
  • Model A1460*
    • CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900, 2100 MHz)
    • GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
    • UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz)
    • LTE (Bands 1, 3, 5, 13, 25)
  • Data only 3
  • 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz and 5GHz)
  • Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology

Display

  • Retina display
  • 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
  • 2048-by-1536 resolution at 264 pixels per inch (ppi)
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating

Chip

  • Dual-core A6X with quad-core graphics

Cameras, Photos, and Video Recording

FaceTime HD Camera

  • 1.2MP photos
  • 720p HD video
  • FaceTime video calling over Wi-Fi or cellular 4
  • Face detection
  • Backside illumination
  • Photo and video geotagging

iSight Camera

  • 5MP photos
  • Autofocus
  • Face detection
  • Backside illumination
  • Five-element lens
  • Hybrid IR filter
  • ƒ/2.4 aperture
  • Tap to focus video or still images
  • Tap to control exposure for video or still images
  • Photo and video geotagging

Video Recording

  • 1080p HD video recording
  • Video stabilization
  • Face detection
  • Tap to focus while recording
  • Backside illumination

External Buttons and Connectors

External Buttons and Controls

  • On/Off; Sleep/Wake
  • Silent/Screen rotation lock
  • Volume up/down

Connectors and Input/Output

  • Microphone
  • Lightning connector
  • Built-in speaker

Power and Battery 5

Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • Built-in 42.5-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
  • Up to 9 hours of surfing the web using cellular data network
  • Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

Input/Output

  • Lightning connector
  • 3.5mm stereo headphone minijack
  • Built-in speaker
  • Microphone

Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • Lightning connector
  • 3.5mm stereo headphone minijack
  • Built-in speaker
  • Microphone
  • Micro-SIM card tray

Sensors

  • Three-axis gyro
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light sensor

Location

  • WiFi
  • Digital compass

Wi-Fi + Cellular

  • WiFi
  • Digital compass
  • Assisted GPS and GLONASS
  • Cellular

Audio Playback

  • Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
  • Audio formats supported: AAC (8 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), HE-AAC, MP3 (8 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, 4, Audible Enhanced Audio, AAX, and AAX+), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
  • User-configurable maximum volume limit

TV and Video

  • AirPlay Mirroring to Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation)
  • Video mirroring and video out support: Up to 720p through Lightning Digital AV Adapter and Lightning to VGA Adapter (adapters sold separately)
  • Video formats supported: H.264 video up to 1080p, 30 frames per second, High Profile level 4.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps per channel, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) up to 35 Mbps, 1280 by 720 pixels, 30 frames per second, audio in ulaw, PCM stereo audio in .avi file format

Mail Attachment Support

  • Viewable document types: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx ( Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key(Keynote); .numbers(Numbers); .pages(Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx ( Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt(text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)

Languages

  • Language support for English (U.S.), English (UK), Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek , Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazil), Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
  • Keyboard support for English (U.S.), English (Australian), English (Canadian), English (UK), Chinese - Simplified (Handwriting, Pinyin, Stroke), Chinese - Traditional (Handwriting, Pinyin, Zhuyin, Cangjie, Stroke), French , French (Canadian), French (Switzerland), German (Germany), German (Switzerland), Italian, Japanese (Romaji, Kana), Korean, Spanish, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Cherokee, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Emoji, Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, Greek, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), Romanian, Russian, Serbian ( Cyrillic/Latin), Slovak, Swedish, Thai, Tibetan, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
  • Dictionary support (enables predictive text and autocorrect) for English (U.S.), English (Australian), English (Canadian), English (UK), Chinese - Simplified (Handwriting, Pinyin, Stroke), Chinese - Traditional (Handwriting, Pinyin, Zhuyin , Cangjie, Stroke), French, French (Canadian), French (Switzerland), German (Germany), German (Switzerland), Italian, Japanese (Romaji, Kana), Korean, Spanish, Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Cherokee, Croatian , Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Flemish, Greek, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malay, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal), Portuguese (Brazil), Romanian , Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic/Latin), Slovak, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese
  • Siri language support for English (U.S., UK, Canada, Australia), Spanish (U.S., Mexico, Spain), French (France, Canada, Switzerland), German (Germany, Switzerland), Italian (Italy, Switzerland), Japanese, Korean , Mandarin (China mainland, Taiwan), Cantonese (Hong Kong)

Accessibility

  • VoiceOver screen reader
  • Guided Access
  • Support for playback of closed-captioned content
  • AssistiveTouch interface for adaptive accessories
  • Full-screen zoom magnification
  • Large text
  • Option to invert colors
  • Left/right volume adjustment

Environmental Requirements

  • Operating ambient temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
  • Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
  • Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing

System Requirements

  • Apple ID (required for some features)
  • Internet access 6

  • Syncing with iTunes on a Mac or PC requires:

    • Mac: OS X v10.6.8 or later
    • PC: Windows 7; Windows Vista; or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
    • Download iTunes at www.itunes.com/download

In the Box

  • iPad with Retina display
  • Lightning to USB Cable
  • USB Power Adapter

Built-in Apps

  • Safari
  • Photos
  • App Store
  • Photo Booth
  • Reminders
  • Camera
  • FaceTime
  • iTunes
  • Music
  • Clock
  • Calendar
  • Messages
  • Newsstand
  • Videos
  • Game Center
  • Contacts
  • Notes

iPad and the Environment

Apple takes a complete product life cycle approach to determining our environmental impact. Learn more

iPad embodies Apple's continuing environmental progress. It is designed with the following features to reduce environmental impact:

  • Mercury-free LCD display
  • Arsenic-free display glass
  • BFR-free
  • PVC-free
  • Recyclable aluminum enclosure
  1. Actual size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process.
  2. 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less.
  3. Cellular data plan is sold separately. The model you purchase is configured to work with a particular cellular network technology. Check with your carrier for compatibility and cellular data plan availability.
  4. FaceTime video calling requires a FaceTime-enabled device for the caller and recipient and a Wi-Fi connection. Availability over a cellular network depends on carrier policies; data charges may apply.
  5. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2012 using preproduction iPad (4th generation) units and software. Testing consisted of full battery discharge while performing each of the following tasks: video playback, audio playback, and Internet browsing using Wi-Fi or cellular data network. Video content was a repeated 2-hour 23-minute movie purchased from the iTunes Store. Audio content was a playlist of 358 unique songs, consisting of a combination of songs imported from CDs using iTunes (128-Kbps AAC encoding) and songs purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Internet over Wi-Fi and cellular data network tests were conducted using dedicated web and mail servers, browsing snapshot versions of 20 popular web pages, and receiving mail once an hour. All settings were default except: Wi-Fi was associated with a network (except for Internet browsing over cellular data network); the Wi-Fi feature Ask to Join Networks and Auto-Brightness were turned off. Battery life depends on device settings, usage, and many other factors. Battery tests are conducted using specific iPad units; actual results may vary.
  6. Wireless broadband recommended; fees may apply.

Released in 2015, the iPad Pro was Apple's attempt to attract business and creative users to its product.
And although I received the tablet positive reviews from technical experts and critics, but still some users considered it not the most the best option for business.

The price for the 12.9-inch model starts from 65,990 rubles (without mobile communications), while the 9.7-inch model will cost you 49,990 rubles. If you are a business person and have a large budget, then it makes sense for you to invest money in more expensive and functional models.

You'll certainly get better specs and features, but it's worth looking at other options before spending so much money on an iPad. A number of other manufacturers are releasing iPad alternatives that aim to improve business productivity and creativity. In this review I have collected the best of them.

Without a doubt, the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is probably the biggest and most famous rival to the iPad Pro. Working for Windows based 10, this tablet comes with a 12.3-inch display with a resolution of 2736x1824, Skylake processor Intel Core and RAM up to 16 GB. For storage, you can choose between 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB options. It has two cameras - a 5-megapixel front and 8-megapixel rear (the second, by the way, you can shoot video in 1080p quality).

Lenovo is one of the leading high-tech companies, and the ThinkPad 10 proves this once again. This worthy competitor works under Windows control 10 and offers a 10.1-inch Full HD IPS display, which is ideal for working with important documents. Also available front-camera with 1080p resolution for video calls, and a quad-core Intel Atom Z3795 processor that ensures smooth operation of all applications. The battery offers 10 hours of use, with it you also get two USB port 2.0. In addition, this tablet also offers HDMI and Ethernet ports, and just like the iPad Pro, you can purchase an optional smart pen for this device.

Samsung is also looking to compete with Apple and is offering its own tablet alternative. Galaxy TabPro S from the Korean company offers a decent-sized 12-inch display with a resolution of 2160x1440, Intel Core M processor, 4 GB random access memory, 256 GB of internal memory, a 5200 mAh battery and two 5-megapixel cameras. What's especially nice is that you can choose the color, as this Windows 10 tablet comes in black and white. After all, a business tablet doesn't have to look boring.

If you are not ready to spend a lot of money on a tablet, but want to get good device for work and play, pay attention to . While it's not as well-known as the iPad and Galaxy Tab, it still offers stylish design and powerful functionality for under $200. This tablet is equipped with a 7.9-inch screen with a resolution of 2048x1536, a quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8500 processor, 2 GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of internal memory. Unfortunately, the Mi Pad 2 does not have a microSD card slot, so you will have to be content with what the manufacturer provides. You also get two cameras: an 8-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing one. This device can run on both Android and Windows.

Sony does not produce laptops, but competes quite successfully in the tablet and smartphone market. Now it offers its alternative to the iPad - Xperia Z4. It offers an impressive 10.1-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, GPU Adreno 430, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory (expandable up to 256 GB) and a 6000 mAh battery. Concerning operating system, the tablet comes with Android Lollipop OS, although an upgrade to Nougat is planned. Like many other tablets, this one also has two cameras.

PC manufacturers have been producing laptops with rotating touch screens and tablets for about 10 years, but still similar devices were not particularly popular. Now that a number of compact tablets with long battery life are entering the market battery life and relatively low cost, everything can change. This is proven by the extraordinary popularity Apple iPad, of which more than half a million have already been sold. In this article we present the most interesting tablets that are an alternative to the iPad. Most of them have little functionality compared to a PC and a simplified interface designed for touch control. These devices are suitable for reading, surfing the Internet, listening to music and watching movies. There is no point in asking more from them. The iPad has its weaknesses: the difficulty of typing on it, insufficient performance for such a high price, and lack of support Adobe Flash, and tight binding to the service Apple App Store, only through which installation is possible additional applications. Luckily, the iPad has alternatives. Dell, HP and almost every well-known PC manufacturer are preparing their own analogues. The Wired resource decided to collect 8 of the most interesting solutions that will be available to customers this year. JooJoo, a tablet from the Singaporean company Fusion Garage, is clearly positioned by the manufacturer as a competitor to the iPad: it was released almost simultaneously with Apple tablet and has a similar design, but JooJoo is unlikely to be the device that will change the future.

JooJoo has a 12.1-inch screen, but weighs almost 0.5 kg more than the iPad with half the battery life. It runs its own Linux-based OS and Atom processor, supports HD video viewing and plays Flash. After the tablet was released, it was discovered that it had problems with the functioning of the interface and at times it was difficult to navigate using the touch screen. It's good for working with social services and reading web pages. After a few hours of getting to know JooJoo, a person will definitely have a question: does he need a tablet at all? Agree, it is unlikely that the owner of the tablet would want such a question to arise before him. Price: $500 in the USA. Availability: Through online ordering on the JooJoo website. In the last couple of weeks, HP has brought attention to its Slate tablet with a commercial. Externally, this device is very similar to the iPad. Judging by the data leaked online, the Slate tablet has an 8.9-inch screen, an Atom 1.6 GHz processor, Wi-Fi support and optionally 3G. It runs Windows 7 and supports Adobe Flash. Other features include a built-in webcam, video recording, a USB port and an SD card reader. The iPad doesn't have all this.

However, this is undermined by the battery life, which is only 5 hours: less than many laptops can offer today. Price: rumored to be between $550 and $600, depending on 32GB or 64GB storage capacity. Availability: Expected to be released this year. Dell was able to enter the market mobile phones, but will it also be able to capture tablet market share? At least we know that Dell is preparing a Mini 5 tablet, amazing small device With Sony sizes PSP and 5-inch screen. It looks more like a large smartphone.

The screen is only slightly larger than the iPhone or Motorola Droid, but Dell is keeping in mind the fact that people like compact devices. The Dell Mini 5 has a 5-megapixel camera on the back, a separate camera on the front for video conferencing, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, support for Wi-Fi, 3G and a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Runs under control latest version OS Google Android 2.0 or higher. Its screen has an aspect ratio of 16:9. A 5-inch screen may seem too small to many, so Dell is also preparing 7-inch and 10-inch models. The 7-inch should come out this year, and the 10-inch tablet next year. Price: unknown Availability: this year WePad The German WePad tablet with an 11.6-inch touchscreen is closer in size to the JooJoo than the iPad. WePad runs on Android OS, has two USB ports, a 1.3-megapixel camera, Flash support, Atom 1.6 GHz processor and 6 hours of battery life.

WePad will support all popular formats e-books, including EPUB. Neofonie, the company that develops WePad, is going to introduce models with 3G and Wi-Fi support. Price: 16GB model with Wi-Fi will cost $600; 32GB 3G version - $775. Availability: Pre-orders in Germany begin April 27, with deliveries expected in July. A device for reading e-books with the functionality of a computer - this is Google's vision of the tablet. The search giant is not afraid to explore new markets. It looks like the time has come for tablets.

According to the New York Times, Google is working on a tablet that will run Android OS. Judging by the first concepts, the Google tablet interface will use icons to provide quick access to services like Pandora, Gmail, Google Calendar and others Google apps. The tablet will support multi-point touch capabilities, smooth rewind and zoom. Google has already introduced its own smartphone, the Nexus One, created by HTC. It is not surprising that the company is planning to enter the tablet market. Price: unknown Availability: unknown Not only large companies are going to develop new market. An example is India's Notion Ink, which has never made hardware before and is looking to take on the big sharks with its Adam tablet.

Notion Ink is quite ambitious: its Adam tablet will be the first device with a Pixel Qi screen, allowing you to switch from economical black-and-white mode to full color with one touch. The manufacturer promises a 10-inch screen, a 3-megapixel camera, an NVIDIA Tegra processor and battery life of up to 16 hours. It will support Wi-Fi and 3G, and will weigh only slightly more than an iPad. Price: $350 to $800 Availability: July Archos has been producing tablet-style devices for quite some time, but tricky interfaces and weak hardware have been the reason for their lack of popularity.

The company's latest tablet, Archos 7 Home, will run Android OS and have a 7-inch touch screen and ARM 9 processor @600 MHz. Wi-Fi support and 7 hours of battery life are also promised. Archos is also working on a tablet with an 8-inch screen, however, given the company's past products, we can hardly expect miracles. Cost: £150 or about $200 Availability: In Europe - April, in the US - later this year It seems that the reader has never heard of Innovative Converged Devices or simply ICD. However, this manufacturer is also preparing a number of tablets.

An American company is working on a line of tablets based on Android based with screen diagonals from 7 to 15 inches. ICD is currently creating an 11.2-inch Gemini tablet with multi-touch support. Gemini features include an NVIDIA Tegra system-on-a-chip, SD card reader, FM radio, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G, 2-megapixel front and 5-megapixel rear cameras. Impressive specs, although the user interface is still unknown. Price: unknown Availability: unknown Materials