While demand for tablets has waned over the past few years, that doesn’t mean a tablet isn’t a great gift! With a few generations into product cycles, many consumers are looking to replace older tablets. This guide will help you cut through the noise and find exactly what you should buy for your family and/or friends (or yourself!) this year.

Buy This for Someone Who Won’t Shut Up about Apple: iPad Air 2 / iPad Mini 4

While the iPad Pro stole the show at Apple’s conference in 2015, it will still brutalize your wallet at a $599 starting price point for the 9.7-inch model and $799 for the larger screen. You are much better off going with nearly anything else in the iPad line. We recommend the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 4, both which will see solid discounts this holiday. We also recommend passing on the original iPad Air and sacrifice an inch of screen size to pick up the feature-loaded Mini 4 for the same MSRP.

MSRP (32GB model): $399 | Lowest Price on Ben’s: $300

Search Ben’s for iPad Air 2 Deals

Buy This for Someone Who Won’t Shut Up About Android: Google Pixel C

Definitely a gorgeous tablet due to the high resolution, 10.2-inch screen, the Pixel C tablet was announced at the end of 2015 in response to the iPad Pro. Replacing the Nexus 9, the Pixel C comes with the NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor, Android 7.0 and a native multi-window display feature. The one downside is that the table is a bit pricey at a $499 MSRP.

MSRP: $499 | Lowest Price on Ben’s: n/a

Search Ben’s for Pixel C Deals

Buy This for an Office Drone Workaholic: Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Yes, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 is still the flagship, but the price tag is way up in the clouds at a $899 starting point. The Surface Pro 3 received killer reviews over the last year and the price is still falling! It’s also compatible with both the Surface 4 Pro Type Cover and the new pen.

MSRP (128GB model): $999 | Lowest Price on Ben’s: $480

Search Ben’s for Surface Pro Deals

Buy This for a Little Whippersnapper: Amazon Fire HD 7 Kids Edition

Not only is the Fire 7 an awesome bargain tablet, Amazon has the strongest parental controls of all regular tablets. While the LeapPad3 and LeapPad Ultra XDi are also solid picks for this category, the Fire HD 7 Kid’s edition edges out the competition with a 2-year guarantee that replaces the tablet no matter what happened as well as 1 year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited included.

MSRP: $99 | Lowest Price on Ben’s: $70

Search Ben’s for Amazon Fire Kids Deals

Buy This for an Video Game Addict: NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet

Providing killer graphics performance at a competitive price point, NVIDIA’s SHIELD tablet will do an admirable job of running relatively recent games and handle popular MMORPGs. While a Surface Pro 3 may be a better choice for someone who wants to play games and be productive, the SHIELD tablet is vastly more affordable for gamers.

MSRP (16GB model): $199 | Lowest Price on Ben’s: $185

Search Ben’s for NVIDIA SHIELD Deals

Buy This if You are on a Budget: Dragon Touch X10

Blowing out performance at the budget price point, the Dragon Touch X10 is the best tablet that you have never heard of. Sporting a octa-core CPU that runs up to 2.0 GHz as well as a 10-inch screen with 1366×768 resolution, the X10 tablet offers an amazing 178 degree viewing angle. It’s the ideal tablet for watching Netflix or other streaming video services.

MSRP: $125  Lowest Price on Ben’s: n/a

Check Amazon for Dragon Touch X10 Price

Tablets Worth Buying This 2016 Holiday Season

If you haven’t heard, Amazon announced a new Kindle this week for release on April 27. Adding a new model that’s more expensive than the already pricey Kindle Voyage, the Kindle Oasis is Amazon’s new top-tier model in the Kindle lineup. However, we don’t like it. Here are a few reasons why the Kindle Oasis is the worst:

1. The Price Point is Freaking Insane

Amazon wants $290 for a Oasis and that’s the version with special offers! You have to pay an additional $20 to get the model without special offers, which pushes the price point over $300. $300 for a e-reader is absolutely insane. You can purchase two Kindle Paperwhites for less than it would cost to buy a single Kindle Oasis.

And that’s just the price in America. Canadians get the privilege of spending $400 for an Oasis and Australians get to pay $449! Of course, those are just the models with Wi-Fi. If you want 3G service added into the mix for complete mobility, add another $100 onto the price.

2. Upgrades are Minimal

If you look at the chart of differences on Amazon’s site, the differences between the Paperwhite and Oasis aren’t that far off. It gets even worse when comparing the Voyage and Oasis. For example, both the Oasis and Paperwhite are 300ppi, utilize a 1440 x 1080 screen resolution, offer a 6-inch screen size and include a touchscreen. Battery life isn’t even that better, only increasing from six weeks to eight weeks when upgrading to the Oasis.

The core differences are a lighter weight, brighter screen and the buttons for changing pages. The charging cover is also an addition, but you can pick up a case for a Paperwhite for less than $10. Sure, it’s not a “charging case”. But the battery already lasts for weeks, so who really cares about a fancy case?

3. Why isn’t it Waterproof?

Waterproof devices aren’t exactly a new innovation anymore. There are tons of Android mobile devices that are waterproof, so why can’t Amazon make any of the Kindle devices waterproof? There are even services, like WaterFi, that will sell you a Kindle that have been waterproofed, at a premium price of course.

The Kindle is a device that Amazon wants you to take on vacation. They want you to take it to the beach or the pool, so it would make perfect sense for Amazon to waterproof their devices. Unfortunately, that’s simply not the case with a Oasis. You get to pay nearly $300 for a device that will stop working after you accidentally get it wet.

4. Where’s the Color?

Color e-ink is very real, but Amazon seems to be ignoring it. Color would open up the Kindle to new markets like comic books, graphic novels and children’s books. It’s likely that magazines an cookbooks would also see a jump in sales if color e-ink was an option. Instead, tablets will retain those customers since a tablet can offer a full-color experience while a Kindle cannot.

Amazon had an opportunity to provide a color option with the release of the Oasis, but decided to keep the upgrades to a minimum instead. But hey, you get to choose the color of the mandatory cover that you have to purchase with it. So I guess that’s something….

So Should I Buy It?

OF COURSE NOT. It’s a terrible deal. Get a Paperwhite instead.

We aren’t the only ones that are disappointed in the Oasis. Just take a look at the Amazon Questions and Answers on the Kindle Oasis page:

(click to enlarge)

Four reasons why the Kindle Oasis is the worst

While Apple seems content to push prices higher and higher with each new tablet release, Amazon is taking the opposite approach this year and reducing the cost of nearly all tablets in their Fire HD lineup.

The retailer is also introducing an entirely new tablet to the lineup, the $50, 7-inch Fire tablet. It’s outfitted with a Quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, 8GB of storage, single-band Wi-Fi and a resolution slightly less than HD.

In addition, the new Fire HD Kids edition has plummeted in price by $50 and increased in screen size form 6-inches to 7-inches. It also still comes with 1 year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the kid-proof case and the 2-year worry-free guarantee in case a kid smashed it.

Amazon is also introducing two more budget tablets, an 8-inch model and a 10-inch model. While neither tablet supports the dazzling resolution of the HDX series, both offer a respectable 720p resolution of 1280 x 800. Both also offer Dolby Atmos support for audio, dual stereo speakers, dual-band Wi-Fi, Quad-core processors up to 1.5 GHz and expandable memory up to 128GB.

Outside of the tablet changes, Amazon also announced a push into 4K support on the Fire TV platform as well as Alexa voice support without raising the $99 price on the set-top box. This is the first set-top box from a major manufacturer to include 4K support, a feature that Apple ignored when creating the new Apple.

With the push to 4K, the Fire TV has a stronger processor, 2GB of memory, support for dual-band 802.11ac and a dedicated graphics engine. Amazon also announced a $50 version of the Fire TV streaming stick with Alexa voice support in the remote control and a $140 gaming edition of the Fire TV, which includes two bundled games valued at $25, a 32 GB microSD card and the Fire TV game controller (regularly $40).

All of the new tablets are currently available for preordering with release dates on September 30, 2015. The Fire TV products will be available on October 5, 2015 with the Fire TV stick with the voice remote available on October 21, 2105.

Amazon retools tablet line to attract budget-minded consumers

As a learning tool, a personal tablet can be extremely useful for children of any age. In addition, buying a tablet for a teenager entering high school is useful for gaining an edge in preparation for college as well as fostering a sense of personal privacy by allowing them to get away from a family computer.

Each year, retailers attempt to get parents into stores to purchase new tablets for students with sales throughout August and early September. While you can find a constant feed of the best tablet deals on Ben’s Bargains, it’s also good to know what brands and models to keep an eye out for when shopping for students of all ages.

We have put together a list of five tablets that will be ideal to own at the start of the school year:

Ideal for Early Learning

LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra

• Includes parental settings to control app downloads
• The Web browser is safe and protects kids from adult content
• More than 1,000 apps ideal for kids between 4 to 9
• Retail cost around $150, Deals in the $125 range

Search Ben’s for this Tablet

Great for Avid Readers

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX

• Kindle Freetime allows parents to limit time of specific activities
• Kindle Unlimited subscription service great for kids that love to read
• Available in 7-inch and 8.9-inch models
• Retail cost starts at $229, Deals in the $150 range

Search Ben’s for this Tablet

Excellent for Writing Notes / Drawing

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

• Handwriting-to-text engine converts your written notes to digital type
• High resolution display (2560×1600) excellent for drawing
• Offers up to 9 hours of battery life
• Retail cost around $600, Deals in the $500 range

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Perfect for College-level Work

Microsoft Surface Pro 3

• Fantastic for using Microsoft Office for schoolwork
• With keypad, excellent for taking notes while in class
• Processor upgrades ideal for games during downtime
• Retail cost starts at $799, Upgrades available

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Fun after Finishing the Homework

Apple iPad Air / Mini

• Excellent for entertainment like movies, television or games
• Also ideal for checking up on email or surfing the Web
• Light weight of Air (1 lb) ideal for carrying around the house
• Air starts at $499, Mini with Retina at $399

Search Ben’s for this Tablet

The Best Back-To-School Tablets for Students

Recently announced last week and arriving in the hands of consumers on June 20, 2014, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is already garnering positive reviews. Receiving accolades for a vibrant, high resolution 12-inch screen as well as solid performance and a slimmer form factor compared to previous models, the Surface Pro 3 will debut at an MSRP of $799 for the base 64GB / Intel i3 model. Microsoft is also offering four other options with additional storage space up to 512GB and processors up to the i7 at price points between $999 and $1949.

Of course, just because Microsoft is releasing a new tablet doesn’t mean you should run out and order it immediately. Historically, Microsoft has struggled to gain market share on the Surface line of tablets and will be fighting against the extremely popular iPad models form Apple as well as the plethora of Android tablets from companies such as Google, Samsung, ASUS and Toshiba. This high level of competition has translated to aggressive price cuts within the first nine months of a Surface tablet release as well as an escalated release schedule on new models.

Another factor that could be important in any potential Surface 3 price drops is the accessibility of the tablet before the start of the new school year. During 2013, Microsoft was particularly aggressive in offering sales on Windows 8 tablets that included a bundled Office 365 subscription. It’s possible that students (with a valid student email address) will be able to get a 10 percent discount on one of the new Surface Pro tablets shortly after the tablet launches in June.

To help you figure out, based on your budget, when the best time to purchase the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 will be, we dove deep into Ben’s deal history data to analyze all the previous generation deals that we posted since the Surface RT was first released during October 2012. On average, Ben’s posts about 40 to 50 deals per year for each entry level model in the Surface line of tablets as well as deals on the previous generation’s more expensive models when the new model is released. We know exactly when tablets go on sale and can predict some obvious price drop trends that the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 will follow over the next 12 months.

What do the previous Microsoft Surface models tell us about the Surface Pro 3?

At launch, you aren’t going to see any discount on the tablet, unless you pre-order it or it’s being bundled with Office software. In fact, there’s currently a 5 percent off deal for pre-orders. Regarding the difference between the prices of models with higher storage capacity, be aware that the Surface Pro 3 comes with a microSD card slot. That slot is capable of taking a card up to 128GB in size, thus you could expand your 64GB model to 192GB if you choose (128GB MicroSD cards run about $120).

3 months from the release date, it’s unlikely that you will see any significant discount on the base model of the Surface Pro 3. In fact, pre-orders are already sold out until late August. At best, you may find small sales between 5 to 10 percent off. However, it’s likely that those sales will be limited to holiday sale periods, like back-to-school.

6 months out from release and you will finally start to see some price movement. Historically, Microsoft has specifically cut the price on the Surface tablets by $100 within the first six months of launch. Look for that price cut during late December. However, it’s possible that you will see a similar sale price during November 2014 since the Microsoft Store gets extremely aggressive during Black Friday. Be aware that many of those Black Friday deals are offered on a limited time basis, some of which only last an hour or two before expiring.

9 months out, this was the tipping point for all previous Surface Pro and RT tablets. At this point, the Surface tablets drastically drop in price and cut another $200 to $300 off the purchase price just three months prior. You will also see an influx of refurbished tablet deals for even lower prices. Interestingly, the Surface Pro 2 tablet is getting ready to make that slide. By late July 2014, you will see deals on the Surface Pro 2 around $500 to $600. In fact, the price drop could be even more precipitous since the Surface Pro 3 is debuting at a cheaper price than the Surface Pro 2 did during October 2013 ($799 versus $999). However, if you have your heart set on the Surface Pro 3, look for a $500 price on the base model around March 2015.

12 months from launch, the price drops level out a bit with just another $75 to $100 off the 9 month price. By June 2015, the base model of the Surface Pro 3 will be between $400 to $450. However, you will see a larger quantity of deals for the Surface Pro 3 models with more storage capacity and faster processors. It’s also likely that Microsoft would release the Surface 4 by that point in time. In fact, it could come even earlier in the life cycle, perhaps the 9 month mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the release of a new iPad drive down the price of the Surface Pro 3?

• No. Microsoft has released models of the Surface during various times of the year, but has followed the exact same price reduction model despite the influence of competing tablets.

Does it matter which retailer I purchase the Surface Pro 3 from?

• Possibly. Microsoft has been extremely aggressive with sales on the Microsoft Store, particularly during shopping holidays. For instance, we ranked their recent Memorial Day sale as an ‘A’ on our grading scale due to some massive price cuts. Be sure to watch the Microsoft Store on Black Friday if you are interested in the Surface tablets. In addition, both eBay and Newegg have offered aggressive cuts on Surface tablets late in the life cycle.

So When Should I Buy the Surface Pro 3?

Our advice would be to wait until the 9 month tipping point to get the maximum value on the tablet for your dollar. However, if you are shopping for a Windows tablet right now, watch for the upcoming price drop of the Surface Pro 2 tablet happening during Summer 2014. Also, if you set up a deal alert on Ben’s, we will be able to email you the second that we post a deal on the Surface Pro 2 or 3 that meets your price point!

Search for Surface Pro Deals on Ben’s

When will the price drop on the Microsoft Surface Pro 3?

I’ve been using Wacom pen tablets since the first generation Bamboo consumer series tablet (the Bamboo MTE-450). Later I moved on to the 2nd generation Bamboo Pen and Touch tablet (CTH460), which I reviewed back in late 2009. It introduced touch capabilities, although limited, to the traditional Wacom pen input.

The CTH-460 was solid enough that I skipped the third iteration released in 2011 — the Bamboo Capture Pen and Touch (CTH470). The 3rd generation tablet introduced an optional wireless kit which is still regrettably optional in the latest 2013 version that I’m reviewing here. Now known as the Intuos Pen and Touch tablet, it’s available in two sizes: small (CTH480) for $99 and medium (CTH680) for $199.

Good-bye Bamboo, Hello Intuos

Compared to Wacom’s professional Intuos line, the Bamboo tablets were aimed at mainstream consumers with affordable price tags frequently under $100. For this latest generation, Wacom has merged the naming of the two lines, with the pro versions now designated Intuos Pro (formerly Intuos5).

Aside from the new name, there are variety of mostly subtle but positive changes to Wacom’s entry level pen and touch tablet. In other words, the Intuos Pen and Touch is an evolutionary product, not a revolutionary one, but there’s enough here to appeal to the old users as well as new users.

Like other Wacom products, the unboxing experience is evocative of Apple. Inside the sleek slide-out box with gatefold cover, you’ll find the tablet, pen stylus, micro USB cable with right angle connector and installation disc. You also get an extra stylus band and pen holder in the color black (vs. the default blue).

In the tradition of previous Bamboo pack-ins, there are license keys to some valuable downloadable software: this time, Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 (previous version), Autodesk Sketchbook Express, ArtRage 3 Studio and Nik Color Efex Pro 3 WE6 are included. Plus, there are promotional offers like a coupon code for a free Shutterfly 8 x 8 Photo Book, so all in all the extras feel worthwhile.

What’s also stayed the same: a resolution of 2540 lines per inch (lpi), 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity and an active area measuring 6.0″ x 3.7″ for the small version (8.5″ x 5.3″ for the medium).

Form Factor

The entry level tablets have moved away from a flat form factor and adopted the wedge shape of the pro line. It’s a very subtle incline as opposed to the steeper slope of, say, the Apple wireless trackpad. The bottom lip of the tablet tapers off to a mere 0.2″ thickness, making it very comfortable to rest your wrist on the edge. It’s about 0.4″ on the top end.

The most obvious change has come in the tablet’s size. The width has shrunken down, making it an easier fit on a crowded desk or keyboard tray. It measures 8.3″ x 7.0″, whereas the 2011 model was a longer 10.9″ x 6.9″ and the 2009 model was 9.78″ x 6.9″. Wacom also dropped the left/right orientation by moving the physical buttons back to the top of the tablet where they were located in the first generation Bamboo tablet. The four physical buttons seem easier to press and still feature a small raised dot which helps you find the button without looking.

Pen and Touch Features

The texture of the touchpad is slightly coarse vs. the smoothness you would find on the Apple wireless trackpad or Macbook Pro trackpad. It’s very responsive and not uncomfortably rough as you move your hand over it. The surface is closer in texture to the coarseness of paper. Since you can also use the touchpad with a pen stylus, this is actually a very good choice.

For me, the biggest improvement over the second generation tablet came in the responsiveness of the touchpad. It now allows for true multi-touch gestures compared to the two-finger limitations of the older model. Its ease of use is equal to the Apple trackpad and, although the gestures differ slightly from standard Apple gestures, they are easy to learn. I found myself using the touch gestures a lot more than on my old Bamboo tablet.

The pen stylus is lighter and narrower this time around, closer in dimensions to a regular pen and easier to hold for longer periods of time. The nib (the plastic tip that makes contact with the tablet) feels slightly squishier or softer now when tapping the surface. Overall, however, I found that these minor changes to the pen were a wash.

It’s still very easy to use the pen as a mouse substitute because the active tablet surface very accurately mapped my dual monitor setup and I was able to move the cursor freely with the pen by hovering it over the surface. Wacom also brought back the “eraser” which was left off the third generation entry level tablet.

Connectivity

Like the 2011 model, the micro USB cable is detachable, which is a good thing because the included 3-ft. cord is way too short. It’s suitable for plugging into a laptop, but making a connection to a separate desktop PC located farther away is inconvenient. It’s a universal cable, so it’s very easily upgraded — but it’s something to keep in mind.

You still have to pay separately for upgrading to wireless connectivity. The wireless kit (pictured right) will run you $40, which is almost half the price of the tablet. It seems like Wacom could sell the whole package together for around $120 and make people a little happier, but the wireless functionality is not essential. However, we’ve long since moved our keyboards and mice to wireless, so it seems to make sense that the pen tablet should be, as well.

Conclusion

The Intuos Pen and Touch is a worthwhile update to Wacom’s fantastic line of consumer pen and touch tablets. If you’re a new user or picky old user like myself, the fourth generation has enough improvements to make it a good purchase, and I highly recommend it for its versatility as an input device, mouse substitute and, of course, tool for artists and illustrators. Plus, it’s a lot easier to sign your name on PDFs!

Check for Intuos Pen and Touch Deals on Ben’s

Wacom Intuos Pen and Touch Small Tablet Review

These days, our world revolves around mobile devices, the smartphone in particular. Take a few calls, answer some text messages, watch a couple YouTube videos, play a few minutes of Tiny Death Star during a break, wander through the social wasteland that is Facebook–it all takes place on our smartphones. Of course, we need power to do all these things.

Anyone who uses their smartphone for work each day or travels with the device knows that keeping it charged is extremely important. Enter the Jackery Fit, a new portable battery with fast 2.1A charging. This is a new external battery in Jackery’s lineup of batteries and it’s positioned between the Jackery Giant and Jackery Bar in regards to power capacity. If you are unfamiliar with Jackery, one look at the stellar Amazon reviews of the company’s battery lineup will give you an idea of how well they make these devices.

Hardware

Only slightly taller than a deck of cards, the Jackery Fit is housed within an aluminum case with slick, white plastic caps on each end. On the front of the Fit, you will find three slim LED lights that provide a visual indication of the total power left in the battery. Those three blue lights also blink when the Fit is plugged in to indicate how much of a charge has been stored so far. To the right of the LED lights, the user will find a white power button. Pressing it once will activate the LED lights to check the power level.

Jackery has also included a white LED flashlight feature next to the charging ports on the Fit. This can be activated by tapping the power button twice. This could be useful during outdoor camping trips where power and lighting are scarce. The two ports on the Fit include a Micro USB input to charge the device as well as a 5V, 2.1A USB output (similar to the Apple iPad charger) to charge various mobile devices. The Fit also comes with a Micro USB to USB 2.0 cable, ideal for both charging the battery and charging other devices that use the same connection.

Regarding the battery, the power capacity is rated at 7800mAh. That’s nearly five times the capacity of the battery within the iPhone 5S and three times the capacity of the battery in the Samsung Galaxy S4. According to Jackery, the Fit should be able to charge the iPhone lineup of smartphones between three to four times fully or two to three times for the Galaxy S4. The battery will also hold a charge for up to six months and is rated for a minimum of 500 full charges.

Does It Work?

During testing, I was able to get four charging cycles for my iPhone 5 before the Fit was completely out of juice. I generally let my iPhone fall to about 10 percent before recharging it. I could really notice the difference in the charging speed when compared to the standard Apple charger that comes with the iPhone 5. It should be useful when I’m roaming the CES floors in Las Vegas during January and constantly draining my smartphone battery when posting updates.

I also tried testing it on a first generation Kindle Fire HD tablet and it performed moderately well. Charging time wasn’t as fast, but I could continue watching Netflix without draining the battery within the tablet. It’s pretty clear that the Fit would be ideal for long plane rides or extended car trips, especially when attempting to keep small children entertained.

Should I Buy It?

If you can’t get through the entire day without requiring a recharge, you should most definitely pick up the Jackery Fit. This type of portable battery is crucial for a road warrior or anyone who’s going to spend time traveling over the holidays. The Jackery Fit exceeded all my expectations and will be my primary device for mobile charging in the foreseeable future.

Regarding pricing, the MSRP for the device is around $60. However, you can currently find the silver Jackery Fit at a $40 price point on Amazon here. The orange version can be found at Jackery’s Store here.

Final Rating: Success Kid

Jackery Fit Review: Fast Mobile Charging for Minimal Cost

Released by ASUS this month, the T100 Transformer Book is a new 10.1-inch Windows 8.1 tablet that has the tech community buzzing due to the combination of competitive pricing and the impressive performance of Intel’s Bay Trail processor.

Reviewers are also praising the fact that it includes a keyboard, has an 11 to 12.5 hour battery life on a single charge and comes with a free version of Microsoft Office 2013 Home and Student.

Priced approximately $100 to $150 cheaper than the Microsoft Surface 2 (depending on the storage size, 32GB versus 64GB), the ASUS T100 Transformer Book performs extremely well in benchmark tests. While you won’t be playing the latest games on the tablet, it’s an extremely efficient and speedy work companion device as well as a media consumption device.

For anyone who needs more storage space, the device includes a Micro SD slot that can take a SDXC card up to 64GB in storage capacity. This gives you the option of picking up the 32GB SSD version for $349 rather than the 64GB version for $399. The 10.1-inch IPS panel has a 1366 x 768 resolution and there’s a high definition camera included on the front of the display for video chatting.

Be aware that complaints about the tablet include a cramped layout to the included keyboard and slow charging speeds. However, it’s easily becoming the top budget tablet to own this year, assuming you are interested in the Windows operating system over iOS or Android. It’s also extremely difficult to locate at this time due to high demand for the tablet.

Here’s a selection of expert reviews of the device. You can also find pictures of the ASUS T100 Transformer Book below.

• LaptopMag
• AnandTech
• Computer Shopper

Check the Price of the ASUS T100 Transformer Book on Amazon

Shut Up and Take My Money: ASUS T100 Transformer Book

Rolling out the new line of Kindle Fire tablets today, Amazon has added two new models into the mix with the 7-inch and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDX tablets. Starting at $229, these updated models offer higher resolution, faster processors, longer battery life and increased storage capacity when compared to last year’s models. In addition, both of the previous models received a much needed price cut taking the old 7-inch down to $139 and the 8.9-inch down to $269.

But how does this stack up to the range of popular tablet competitors? We break it all down for you in our 7-inch tablet showdown between the 7-inch Amazon Kindle Fire HDX, 7-inch Google Nexus 7 and 7.9-inch iPad Mini.

Display Quality

Both the 7-inch Kindle Fire HDX and Nexus 7 sport a 1080p (1920 x 1200) resolution screen with 323 pixels per inch (PPI). Alternatively, the iPad Mini’s 7.9-inch screen isn’t even high definition. It’s a woeful 1024 x 768 resolution pixels with 163 ppi.

While all three tablets feature an ambient light sensor to adjusting the display, the Nexus 7 is the only tablet to sport Corning Gorilla Glass scratch resistant glass. The Kindle HDX does offer a slightly higher brightness output than the Nexus 7, thus it may be easier to see in the sunlight.

Tie: Kindle Fire HDX / Nexus 7

Processing Power

Amazon is storming out of the gate with a 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad-Core processor basically blowing away the Nexus 7’s 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro and iPad Mini’s 1 GHz A5 Dual-Core processor. If I had to guess, the extra processing power is going to make the operating system and applications run smooth as silk. That was a problem with the original Kindle Fire HD, ever-so-slight lag when launching different applications. Regarding RAM, both the Kindle Fire HDX and the Nexus 7 have 2GB of RAM while the iPad Mini has 512MB.

Winner: Kindle Fire HDX

Operating System

While we still need to take Fire OS 3.0 “Mojito” for a test drive, it’s likely that it will be just as user friendly as the original Kindle Fire OS (if not a bit limited). One really interesting feature on the HDX is the inclusion of live, 24/7 tech support with Amazon’s “Mayday” button (check out the video below). This could help Amazon pull ahead of competitors, especially for older audiences that don’t have the same level of tech skills as the younger generation of consumers. The operating system is definitely geared towards media consumption, however there is a greater focus on email and the Web browser in this version of the OS.

I’m not going to launch into the pros and cons of Android versus the latest version of iOS. If you have an Android or iOS smartphone, it’s probably best to go with what you are comfortable with. Be aware that Android is typically a more flexible platform for content creation, but Apple seems to be making strides with their core production applications.

Winner: Toss-up (based on your core needs)

Storage Space

If you need a tablet with 64GB of space, you will simply have to go with the Kindle Fire HDX or the iPad Mini. Google maxes out the storage of the Nexus 7 at 32GB and there’s no SD card slot to add additional memory. However, be aware that storage space is less of an issue than it was a few years ago due to the growing popularity of cloud storage.

Tie: Kindle HDX / iPad Mini

Price

The base price of the 7-inch Kindle HDX and the Nexus 7 is $229. Alternatively, the iPad Mini is still (and quite astoundingly) $100 more expensive at $329. You should also be aware that the base price of the Kindle Fire HDX includes the “Special Offers” that Amazon is notorious for. To opt out of the advertisements, you will need to pay Amazon an additional $15 raising the price of the 7-inch model to $244.

The Nexus 7 is also the better deal if you want a 32GB version with LTE access, coming in $35 cheaper than the Amazon model without special offers. However, if you want a LTE version with smaller storage space (16GB), that’s an option at Amazon for $329. Google doesn’t offer that option.

Winner: Ad-free Nexus 7 at $229

Overall

At this point, it would be foolish to purchase the 2012 iPad Mini when you can get significantly more value and hardware upgrades with the Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HDX. How should you approach choosing between the remaining two competitors? Ask yourself what you will be using it for.

If you are looking for a media consumption device, it’s tough to beat the Amazon ecosystem, especially when adding the benefits of Amazon Prime into the mix. If you are looking for a device that will support you in the workplace or the home office, the open Android platform of the Nexus 7 is significantly more advantageous for content creation and general business.

While it’s likely that Apple will refresh the iPad Mini before the end of the year, the price point is unlikely to change based on Apple’s typical launch process. Even with upgraded specs on a new iPad Mini, you really can’t go wrong with the Nexus 7 or Kindle HDX right now. The Nexus 7 is currently available for purchase on Google and Amazon. The Kindle Fire HDX can be preordered now with a launch date of October 18.

Tablet Showdown: Kindle Fire HDX vs. Google Nexus 7 vs. iPad Mini

Seemingly just to prove that the mega-fast food chain is still a mover and a shaker, McDonald’s has tapped into Near Field Communication (NFC) in order to turn the tables on technology-obsessed children.

Starting in Singapore, McDonald’s is deploying the “Happy Table,” which contains the ability to turn NFC-enabled smartphones and tablets into race cars. Smartphone-carrying children simply need to hold an NFC-compatible phone up to the table, follow the onscreen prompts and, voila, the phone becomes part of a deadly Hamburgler race kart-style race. You even get to play as classic McDonald’s characters like Birdie, Grimace, Mayor McCheese, and Captain Crook.

Given the simple installation — the race track is really just a set of NFC stickers stuck under the table — racing is not the only thing that McDonald’s has in mind. There’s a whole set of McD’s-themed mini-games to entertain the young customer, including Whac-a-Mole and Battleship.

It’s worth noting that this interesting concept is coming first to Asia. As many travelers already know, McDonald’s can be like mini-sanctuaries for Americans abroad, but at the same time, these fast food restaurants are often fancy overseas. They offer restrooms, air conditioning, ice, and even Wi-Fi.  Once this “Happy Table” takes off, there’s no telling where it will end — Happy Meal, Happy Table, Happy Garage, Happy Heart Check, Happy Tax Return…

[via TAXI]

McDonald’s Debuts NFC-Powered Happy Table