Tablets with high screen resolution. Tablets (tablet computers)

The tablet PC market today is not growing as actively as the smartphone segment. Firstly, such devices rarely change annually, and secondly, the very niche for their sale is narrowly focused. This makes the rating of tablets with a good screen even more interesting, because choosing a gadget for several years you want to get a really high-quality option. In order to save you from the agony of choice, we have selected the best models of 2017 based on user reviews, among which you will surely find a solution for your individual preferences.

Xiaomi MiPad 2 16GB

Opening our rating was awarded the Xiaomi MiPad 2 tablet, which made a splash among many users. Devices of this class do not deserve such special attention so often. This success is due to the fact that this inexpensive, but good tablet, bypasses many of its competitors in the higher price segment. There is a high-quality 7.9 ″ IPS-matrix with a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels, an Intel Atom processor operating at 2.2 GHz, and even a powerful 6190 mAh battery, which sometimes even larger models cannot boast of. If you are looking for a budget tablet that features compactness, good performance, nice design and good workmanship, then Xiaomi MiPad 2 should definitely interest you. The only drawback of this model can be called a slightly outdated Android 5.1 version, but this is a rather subjective drawback, so it will not be critical for all users.

Looking for a tablet with a good, bright 8-inch display at a reasonable price and no frills? In this case, the still current Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 might suit you perfectly! This is a very popular tablet with 4G, offering a very convenient 4: 3 screen format (resolution 2048x1536 pixels), high-quality body materials, a capacious 4000 mAh battery and good hardware. According to reviews about the tablet on the forums, it perfectly copes with any task, and even modern games on it run without any problems. As for the autonomy, this model will work on a single charge for about 14 hours in video playback mode. The manufacturer managed to achieve this result not only with the help of excellent optimization, but also thanks to the use of a proprietary Exynos 5433 processor. It has 4 Cortex-A57 and A53 cores each, operating at 1.9 and 1.3 GHz, respectively.

If you are looking for the best tablet in terms of weight and size, then be sure to pay attention to this model. The name of the Phab line in itself suggests that we have a phablet, and therefore it is quite possible to use it both as a smartphone and as a convenient tablet. At the same time, the device is quite compact, which is provided by minimal frames on the sides, although it is unlikely that it will work to carry it in trouser pockets. In terms of price and quality, the tablet is a good choice, because for its price the gadget offers a 6.4-inch display with Quad HD resolution, 16 and 8 MP camera resolutions allow you to create excellent shots when shooting, an 8-core processor from Qualcomm, and 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of onboard storage, respectively. The battery, which has a capacity of over 4000 mAh, did not disappoint either. This is enough for a day of work with an average load. If you still don't know which tablet to choose with a good screen and battery, the Phab 2 Pro will be an excellent choice for you.

Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4 32GB LTE

Even some 5 years ago, it was difficult even to imagine that a high-quality Chinese tablet with a good screen could get into the rating. However, Huawei has been proving its value in the mobile device market for several years now, which it again managed to do with the MediaPad M3. An excellent 8.4 ″ IPS screen with a resolution of 2560x1600, a proprietary Kirin 950 processor, which is one of the best on the market, Android 6.0 "on board" and the presence of two SIM card slots at once. The amount of RAM is also very impressive here, amounting to 4 gigabytes. The built-in storage can be 32 or 64 GB, but it can be easily expanded using a micro SD card up to 128 GB (replaces one of the SIM). It is noteworthy that in the online store this tablet can be bought within 24,000 rubles, which makes it a very interesting option to buy.

ASUS ZenPad 10 Z500KL 32GB

Asus' ZenPad 10 Z500KL is one of the top quality devices on the market that the manufacturer demonstrated this year. Despite this, the company does not seek to reinvent the wheel by adding expensive but completely unnecessary features to its 10-inch tablet. Instead, the manufacturer offered only the necessary elements for a reasonable price: a wonderful 9.7 ″ screen with a resolution of 2048x1536, a good Snapdragon 650 processor, a USB Type-C input, 4 GB of RAM and a SIM slot. There are also several useful audio technologies to improve the sound quality, and video reviews of the tablet note their excellent work (you do not need to use headphones for watching movies and listening to music). There is also a larger 7800mAh battery, so if you are still wondering which tablet to buy with a good battery life, then this model from ASUS may well put an end to your thinking.

Apple iPad Pro 9.7 32GB Wi-Fi

Closing our TOP tablets with a bright screen is a very attractive device from Apple. The name of the manufacturer itself, which many associate with excellent quality, can serve as an argument for buying it. First of all, the device impresses with an IPS-display with an amazing resolution of 2048x1536 pixels. Another advantage is the presence of four speakers in the iPad Pro 9.7 model, which provides excellent sound in games and when watching movies. Thus, we have one of the best tablets for today with a good screen and sound, although it is often called the undisputed leader. Yes, the cost of this gadget cannot be called modest, but it is 100% justified by the build quality, the components and hardware used by the manufacturer, as well as the speed of the device even when performing the most resource-intensive tasks.

[Total Votes: 22 Average: 2.6 / 5]

Full HD screen is not a necessary attribute for a tablet, but desirable. Such a display is distinguished by excellent picture detail, and it is a pleasure to watch movies, photos or play games on it. In this review, we will present the best tablet computers with a 1920 × 1080 screen, that is, Full HD. But remember that this review will be based on real customer reviews, but we will honestly point out the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

1st place - Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70L (16-17 thousand)

One of the best tablets with good performance characteristics. And this is not only the best model among Chinese gadgets, but in general. It was she who collected the largest number of positive reviews among models with Full HD screens, so this device is in 1st place.

Characteristics:

1. Display with a diagonal of 10 inches. In the TOP of tablets with such screens, this one is also in first place. You will find the rating by.
2. Processor from MediaTek with 4 cores, 1.7 GHz;
3. 2 GB of RAM;
4. 16 GB of memory and the ability to insert a flash card;
5. Support for 3G, LTE;
6. 7000 mAh battery.

The very first and obvious plus is a cool IPS screen with Full HD resolution. Watching movies on it is a pleasure. Moreover, its diagonal is ideal for a tablet - 10 inches. As a result, the device cannot be called a shovel, but the diagonal is quite enough for comfortable use. Among the Chinese tablet computers, the model is in the first place (details on).

The second plus is performance... Rather, the components that provide this very performance. This model uses a standard good set - a 4-core processor and 2 GB of RAM. The device can handle all modern games, but it is worth clarifying that there is no power reserve for the future. It is likely that today there are applications and games that this device will not be able to pull. But on the other hand, it is ideal for surfing the Web and reading books - it took first place in the corresponding review (you will find it).

The body is thick and sturdy, and the back is made of nice material. The only drawback of the case is the lack of a stand (as in the Yoga line), but these are minor details.

As for the cameras, although they have good resolution (8 and 5 megapixels), but the quality is simply disgusting. Suitable only for photographs of text (scanning documents, for example) and communication on Skype, no more.

Verdict: The best Full HD tablet to date. Yes, it is not devoid of flaws, but there are "jambs" in all models.

Video review:

2nd place - Huawei MediaPad X2 (22,500 rubles)

Yes, it is expensive, but one of the best gadgets from Huawei, which has collected many positive comments from the owners. It is also logical, since the device not only has a cool Full HD screen, but also a powerful hardware based on the HiSilicon Kirin 930 processor, but first things first.

Options:

1. 8-core HiSilicon Kirin 930 processor;
2. 3 GB of RAM;
3. Good video accelerator Mali-T628 MP6;
4. Quite good cameras for 13 and 5 megapixels;
5. Support for 3G, LTE;
6. 5000mAh battery.

A lot of good things can be said about this tablet, and the screen with a resolution of 1920x1080 is far from the only plus. A big advantage is the slim linear dimensions and "telephone" frames around the 7-inch screen. Therefore, he can easily replace the phone not only by the very fact of receiving calls, but also by design.

Metal body and quality materials, good build - users write about this in the comments. The device can also boast of autonomy: the device easily survives a full daylight hours, and even there is a battery reserve for the night.

Considering the cost, the hardware here is also excellent: it is an 8-core CPU of its own production and as much as 3 GB of RAM. You can freely play games, surf the Internet and run many "heavy" applications at once. Well, 4G is a separate plus. This standard is supported on both SIM cards and is available in all domestic bands. Some gadgets in many places do not catch 4G, but Huawei MediaPad X2 does.

Disadvantages: poor support for the Russian version of the firmware. Updates, even if they are released, are extremely rare, and there are enough "jambs" in the firmware, albeit not very serious. Although the cameras have a high resolution, they are much inferior to the cameras of tablets in the same price category in terms of photo quality. But they never played a key role, so you can put up with it. The processor is not bad, but by no means popular with game and application manufacturers. As for the video accelerator, that is, in the same price category, there are models with better graphics.

In general, this device is not bad, and it is not just that it collects positive reviews. Recommended.

Video review:

3rd place - Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 SM-T585 (19-25 thousand)

It is worth considering that the price range is very wide for this gadget: if in one store you can buy it for 19,000 rubles, another may well have a price tag of 25,000. So choose the seller carefully. The model was previously present in our rating and took 1st place in the TOP of the best 10-inch tablets. You will find the review itself.

The main thing: it uses a cool proprietary processor from Samsung - Exynos 7870 with 8 cores at 1.6 GHz. RAM 2 GB, 16 GB of memory and the ability to use a flash drive. The 7300 mAh battery guarantees good autonomy, the device supports LTE, 3G and, of course, has an excellent Full HD screen with a diagonal of 10 inches.

Pros:

1. Assembly (no backlash in the case);
2. Design;
3. Fast wi-fi module (connection is instant);
4. Bright display with rich colors and a responsive touchscreen
5. High performance;
6. Battery providing 2 days of operation.
7. The fourth place in the previous review of tablets that will replace the mobile phone. Watch it.

Minuses:

1. Great weight. This model is inconvenient to carry with you in transport, on the street in a bag;
2. The speakers are located illiterately. If you watch the film in a landscape position, then the audibility will be poor;
3. The quality of both videos and photos is poor.

There are drawbacks, but they cannot be called significant. So we quite confidently put the model on the 3rd place of the best tablets with a Full HD screen - we recommend it.

Video review:

4th place - Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 2 (17-18 thousand rubles)

One of the tablets with an excellent camera and a decent Full HD screen. This gadget is positively responded to by users, therefore, he found a place in this review.

Characteristics:

1. 10-inch screen;
2. Intel Atom Z3745 processor with 4 cores 1.33 GHz;
3. 2 GB of RAM;
4. 32 GB memory and card slot;
5. LTE, 3G support;
6. 9600mAh battery.

The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 2 has plenty of competition at this price point, but it holds up well. There is not only a high-quality assembly, but also a good performance. Any application works smoothly and without friezes. Online video, games and surfing the Internet - all this is available without freezes and brakes. In addition, the device reproduces sound cleanly and goes without charging for a long time. Of course, there is a 9600 mAh battery, which can last 3-4 days under normal use.

There are drawbacks. First, automatic brightness does not work well and is best adjusted manually. The screen is excellent, but easily soiled - that's the second thing. Thirdly, there is a bunch of unnecessary pre-installed software that cannot be removed in any way. And it takes up memory, and a lot.

Video review:

5th place - Huawei MediaPad M2 (18-20 thousand rubles)

And again, a device from Huawei with good reviews from the owners. Performance and screen are the main advantages of the gadget, and more on that.

Characteristics:

1. HiSilicon Kirin processor, 8 cores 2 GHz;
2. 3 GB of RAM;
3. Video accelerator Mali-T628 MP6;
4. 8-inch Full HD display;
5. 32GB memory and card slot up to 128GB;
6. 8 and 2 megapixel cameras;
7. Support for 3G, LTE;
8. 4800mAh battery.

The model has certain pluses:

1. Fine-tuning the device for the user;
2. Excellent technical parameters and high performance. Any tasks can be performed by a tablet;
3. Build quality and cool metal body
4. The sound is clear and free from defects;
5. Few unnecessary pre-installed programs. There are only branded and really useful "features" from Huawei;
6. Stable Wi-Fi and Cellular. Even LTE it perfectly catches and holds it confidently;
7. Autonomy.

Minuses:

1. Cameras are below average;
2. The light sensor is too sensitive. It is better to remove the automatic brightness adjustment and set the brightness manually;
3. High price. Buyers complain about the high price, but in our opinion it is quite justified.

Verdict: the model is decent, but given the smaller number of positive reviews, we put it in 5th place in the rating.

Video review:

Tablets have long and firmly taken place in the life of a modern person. With their help, a huge number of tasks are performed every day, from relaxing in games to serious work with graphic editors. User requirements for build quality, power and screen parameters are constantly growing, and developers regularly delight with new models. It is almost impossible to evaluate them all, so in this article we have selected the three best tablets with a good screen released in spring 2017 - ASUS Transformer 3 Pro T303UA i7, Archos 80 Oxygen, Acer Iconia Tab A3-A40. Detailed overviews of these devices are presented below.

Tablet ASUS Transformer 3 Pro T303UA i7

Here is one of the flagships of the ASUS brand, which the company proudly presented to the world in the spring of 2017. Selling for a fairly large amount, this tablet has unique characteristics - you can compare them with the TOP stationary computers or gaming laptops. It is up to the user to decide whether such power is needed for a mobile device, but it should be said in advance that this model is able to completely replace even a home computer. Judge for yourself:

1. Design as strict as possible. It is necessary to immediately select the 2-in-1 system, i.e. the tablet turns into a full-fledged laptop with just a few movements thanks to the connection of a docking keyboard, which is large and comfortable enough. The gadget itself has an aluminum-magnesium body with high strength indicators. It does not differ in any external decorations, while standing out for its neatness and clearly business style. The dimensions of the tablet are 298.8x210.1x8.4 mm and weighs 790 grams.
2. Performance amazes even the most demanding users. For control, a processor of the latest generation Core i7 6500U with 2 cores of 2.5 GHz each is installed. Interesting is the TURBO mode, in which you can overclock the clock frequency up to 3.1 GHz. The graphics chipset is Intel HD Graphics 520. The only drawback of this video card is that it does not have its own RAM, and under high loads it takes up the RAM of the tablet itself. Fortunately, this is not a big problem, because the built-in RAM is enough - 8 GB. ASUS has implemented one more feature in this device. It is possible to connect ROG XG Station 2 - a special external module through which you can synchronize removable video cards. This allows you to turn an already powerful tablet into a full-fledged gaming computer that even supports virtual reality technology. Physical on-board memory is 128 GB, it can be expanded up to 1 TB using removable media. The operating system Windows 10 is installed as a user interface.
3. Display even for a device from this price category, it has more than decent performance. Diagonal - 12.6 inches, of course not the largest, but this is completely enough for a tablet, because it is, nevertheless, a mobile device, the main advantage of which is compactness. Another thing is important - permission. This parameter is 2880x1920 pixels and provides ultra-high quality, i.e. the image is broadcasted in WQHD + format. It is also necessary to note the maximum color rendition among tablets, whose indicators are equal to 121% in the sRGB range, and for the NTSC palette they are 85%. The screen can be turned in any direction, because the viewing angles are as much as 178 degrees. ASUS TruVivid anti-glare coating allows you to see what is happening on the screen clearly even in direct sunlight. The display is equipped with a multitouch IPS matrix with active pixel optimization to improve image clarity (ASUS Tru2Life Video system). The sensor is extremely responsive and reacts quickly even to light touches. The screen has a slight deviation towards blue, but the manufacturer knows about this, so the Eye care technology is used, which restores the color balance. All this high technology has only one drawback, expressed in high energy consumption. As a result, the battery charge ends quickly. Although, in general, the screen is beyond praise.
4. Additionally I must say about the battery of small capacity - only 3900 mAh. The charge is often not enough even for 10-12 hours of full-time work. It is also important to have additional data exchange interfaces - USB 3.0, USB Type-C, HDMI, Thunderbolt 3. They allow you to connect your tablet to anything: from another computer to a home theater, and transfer information up to 40 GB per second. The cameras are not TOP - the usual one is 13 MP, but the front one is 2 MP. However, this is enough for everyday shots. Photo and video recording is not the strongest point of this device.

As a result, we can say that ASUS Transformer 3 T303UA i7 is an expensive but high-quality and productive tablet. It is suitable for both work and play, by the way, the most modern ones will also go on it. Thanks to the removable keyboard, the model easily turns into a convenient netbook - for a full-fledged laptop, the screen size still does not hold out.

The price of ASUS Transformer 3 Pro T303UA i7 in Russia is 84,000 rubles. See the video review below:

Archos 80 Oxygen Tablet

This device can be safely attributed to the budget price segment of the market, although the manufacturer is a completely European company. The price paid for the low cost was the performance and durability of the case. Nevertheless, the device made it to this list thanks to the beautiful screen, on which the developers decided to bet. However, about everything in order:

1. Design looks more like a large smartphone, except perhaps without the speaker and microphone. There are no unnecessary decorations, under the screen on the front panel the manufacturer's logo is the same as in the middle of the back cover. Two camera lenses on top - in the middle of the front and on the right on the back cover. On the side are mechanical control buttons. And on the lower and upper edges there are ports for various purposes: 3.5 mm, HDMI, USB. The size of the case is 208x120x8 mm with a weight of 400 g.
2. Performance it is difficult to call TOP, but quite acceptable. The MediaTek MT8163 processor has 4 cores with a frequency of up to 1.3 GHz each, and the graphics chip is presented by the ARM Mali-T720 MP. RAM is only 2 GB. In principle, there is nothing to surprise the modern user here. Many smartphones have similar performance levels. The built-in physical memory is also small - 32 GB, which, fortunately, can be increased by removable media. The operating system is Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It should be noted that this shell has already proven its stability and usability many times.
3. Display - this is the undoubted pride of the Archos 80 Oxygen tablet. A small diagonal of 8 inches allowed the gadget to get minimal dimensions, so there are no problems with its transportation. But the rest of the parameters are much more interesting. The working resolution of 1920x1200 pixels provides a FullHD picture, and the IPS matrix guarantees screen responsiveness, low power consumption, and, of course, multitouch support. At the same time, the range of 16 million shades speaks of natural color reproduction. The display is equipped with LED backlighting and a brightness control, and the top is covered with 2.5D glass, however, without an air gap. But the protective coating is securely fixed on the side panels of the case. The built-in G-sensor will provide timely positioning of the picture vertically or horizontally. The antiglare coating is available and even works effectively - under the sun's rays the image is seen quite clearly. Viewing angles of the screen are pleasantly pleasing, allowing you to hold the tablet in a position close to horizontal. In general, the display is as good as possible for an inexpensive device.
4. Additionally it should be noted that there are Wi-Fi, microUSB, GPS positioning, Bluetooth and modern OTG adapters. Also available is a miniHDMI connector for connecting to TVs and projectors. For many, an important nuance will be the lack of a slot for a GSM card (SIM or microSIM), which makes it impossible to use the mobile Internet.

The conclusion is not difficult - this device is not suitable for solving complex work tasks, but it is quite capable of becoming a good entertainment gadget. The tablet is useful for mid-level games, surfing the Internet and watching videos. Accordingly, taking into account its cost, the device will become a good entertainment for children and not demanding users.

The price of Archos 80 Oxygen in Russia is 10,500 rubles. You will learn more information from the following video review:

Tablet Acer Iconia Tab A3-A40

This model, like the previous one, cannot boast of high performance and TOP equipment, but its obvious advantages include the appearance and high-quality screen, which was the reason for its inclusion in this list. The cost of this device has already gone beyond the budget segment, but still remains available to most domestic users. A detailed review of the novelty showed that:

1. Design extremely unusual and stands out from the "classmates". Firstly, it is worth noting the beveled side panels, and secondly, the combination of black and gold colors. The contrast is strong enough, and visually translates the tablet into the category of business class. However, with tactile contact, this sensation is lost. Despite the fact that Acer uses high quality and durable plastic, the feel of metal with fingers would still be more appropriate with this look. A solution that makes the look of the device even more unique is the placement of mechanical power and sound control buttons on gold panels around the screen from the side edges. Front-facing and conventional cameras are located, respectively, on the front panel above the screen and behind. The case is non-separable, which further increases the similarity with expensive tablets. Dimensions are 269x168x9 mm with a weight of 529 g.
2. Performance You can roughly imagine by evaluating three parameters: a MediaTek MT8163 processor with a clock speed of 1.3 GHz and 4 cores, a Mali-T720 MP2 graphics chipset and 2 GB of RAM. Not exactly what users expect from Acer, but more power would inevitably drive up the price. And so it is quite acceptable for simple games and applications that do not require a lot of system resources. The built-in physical memory is 32 GB, SSD media up to 200 GB are supported. The operating system is Android 6.0 with a standard shell from Google.
3. Display good enough for the price. Actually, it is he who makes up most of it. With a diagonal of 10.1 inches, the user gets FullHD quality and a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels. The IPS matrix supports up to 10 simultaneous touches (multitouch) and is equipped with a protective glass with an oleophobic coating. The viewing angles are wide, the color reproduction is as close to natural as possible, and even at maximum brightness settings there is no skew in cold or warm tones. This is provided by the screen color palette of 16.7 million shades. The anti-glare coating works well, although not ideal - it cannot cope with direct sunlight, so in most cases it will not work to use the device outdoors. It is also worth noting the LED-backlit display and a convenient brightness control. The matrix has high sensitivity, quickly responding to touch. The text input does not cause any problems either. In principle, this screen is perfect for games, and for text editors, and for surfing the Internet.
4. Additionally you need to highlight a few nuances. Firstly, the presence of 4 speakers is able to provide surround sound. Secondly, there are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth interfaces, as well as a USB port, but there are no slots for standard SIM cards. This means that the mobile Internet will have to be abandoned. Thirdly, the tablet is equipped with weak cameras - the main one is 5 MP and the front one is 2 MP, so you won't get very beautiful pictures, especially in motion. Fourth, we are pleased with the satellite navigation modules, which are represented by three protocols: Glonass, GPS and A-GPS. And fifthly, a good 6100 mAh battery is installed. Such capacity will be enough for the whole working day without any problems.

Overall, this is a good device for most users. You should not expect from him to perform super tasks and high-quality work with complex graphic editors. Although the tablet will cope with games of average demand, surfing the Web, watching videos and social networks without problems.

The price of Acer Iconia Tab A3-A40 in Russia is 16,000 rubles. Check out the video review below:

The spring of 2017 gave fans of mobile electronics quite interesting and useful devices, especially in the field of tablets, although there is still debate about their necessity. Of course, it is difficult to surpass the ASUS Transformer 3 T303UA i7 in terms of build quality and general parameters, but its cost cannot be called generally available. But the other two, listed in this review of the best tablets of spring, are classic gadgets for middle-income users, and will be a good purchase.

We continue our cycle of guides to choosing mobile devices. After articles about fitness bracelets and smartwatches, we decided to summarize our experience in testing tablets in one material. We will periodically update the article and re-publish it, so that you can always find the latest information here, a description of the best models at the moment and the current prices for them.

The fashion for tablets turned the IT industry upside down in 2010 thanks to the appearance of the Apple iPad (everything that was earlier cannot be called a mass phenomenon), reached its peak in 2012-2013 and has since begun to fade away. Already in 2015, there was a clear feeling that everyone was tired of the tablets - both manufacturers and the public. And even the release of the iPad Pro could not reverse the trend.

However, fashion is fashion, and nobody canceled everyday needs and tasks. Over the years, during which almost all families have acquired tablets, users are accustomed to the fact that such devices are convenient for reading books, surfing the Internet, flipping through social networks and mail (especially lying on the couch or in bed), watching videos and films, playing some types of games ... It is worth noting that tablets turned out to be an ideal device for children: it is with them that most of those born in the late 2000s begin to get acquainted with technology.

In general, whatever one may say, a tablet is a useful and pleasant thing. Maybe it is not as necessary as a smartphone and not as versatile as a laptop, but if there is an opportunity to acquire at least one tablet per family, it is worth doing it. Therefore, the question of choice arises. Yes, and already existing tablet users sooner or later face the need to update the device - either because of the breakdown of the old one, or because of its obsolescence (which, however, happens more slowly than in the case of smartphones).

So, if you decide to buy a tablet, you need to answer the main question: why and where in the first place will you use it (or are these two questions already? ..). The answer depends on the answer to two other fundamental questions: on what operating system the tablet will be and with what screen diagonal.

Separate large articles can be written about the nuances of choosing between different OS and screen diagonals, but we will not go into details here and will try to highlight the main thing. With operating systems, it all comes down to whether you plan to use your tablet as a full-featured laptop replacement or not. That is, if you are going to travel with him on business trips, open and edit MS Office documents, run some professional programs such as Adobe Photoshop or 1C Accounting (at least occasionally), then it makes sense to purchase a Windows tablet.

But if the tablet is supposed to be used for entertainment (games, especially for children, videos, reading books and magazines, social networks ...), then in this case it is worth looking towards iOS / Android devices.

As for the diagonal, the key point here is the place of use. For home use, especially if the tablet is purchased for children or the elderly, a diagonal of about 10 inches is optimal. For constant carrying with you, a smaller device is more convenient (for example, if you get to work by train or take the subway for a long time, then reading is most convenient from a tablet with a screen diagonal of about 8 inches). Well, diagonals of more than 11 inches are designed for that rather narrow category of users who use a tablet for professional tasks, but they need a tablet, not a laptop. These can be artists, lecturers, etc. Finally, if you buy a tablet on the “let it be, but there is a use” principle and cannot decide in advance on the format of use, then take a device with a diagonal of about 10 inches, this is the most versatile option.

Now, having decided on the diagonal and the operating system, we can go directly to the choice. We decided to make the rubrication on the diagonal, at the same time taking Windows tablets into a separate category, since they have their own specifics, which are even more significant than the diagonal itself.

We warn you right away that we did not include in the article the products of little-known Chinese brands and their Russian "avatars", because we cannot vouch for their reliability and durability, and besides, there are a huge number of them, and they replace each other rapidly. so if you really want to save money, choose at your own peril and risk, focusing on the characteristics and reviews.

Tablets 8 '' or smaller

The most famous compact tablet is by far the iPad mini. Although Apple did not recognize a diagonal of less than 9.7 inches for a long time (it was exactly what Jobs considered ideal), Tim Cook did not want to give the market of compact tablets at the mercy of competitors. This is how the iPad mini appeared, and if the first model turned out to be inferior in all respects to the large iPad, then in the second generation iPad mini acquired a Retina display and a very powerful hardware filling.

Since then, there have been two more updates: one is cosmetic (iPad mini 3), and the other (that is, iPad mini 4) is more serious. But all the same, iPad mini 2 remains quite relevant option, optimal in terms of price and quality. So, the cheapest version (with 16 GB of internal memory and without LTE) can be found for less than 20 thousand rubles.

Of course, if you plan to actively use a tablet for taking photos / videos, then 16 GB is not enough, but as a portable reader and compact game console this is enough (again, if the games are not several gigabytes or ten, but smaller). The best option is perhaps 64 GB. But in the case of the iPad mini 2, the 32GB version can be a good compromise (newer generations no longer have such an option).

Among Apple's competitors, Samsung has the widest range of compact tablets. There are models for every taste and wallet, although most of them, of course, occupy the lower segment. In this article, we will not recommend tablets with a screen resolution below Full HD, because, in our opinion, in 2016, it is possible to abandon normal image clarity only if there is simply no opportunity to buy more expensive models. And if, in principle, there is money and you want to choose some reasonable option, then you can save on everything except the quality of the screen. And although high resolution does not always mean that the screen is really good, the inverse relationship is undeniable: 1280x800 or 1024x768 clearly indicate that the screen has been saved.

So, going back to the Samsung models, we would recommend the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. The option is not the cheapest, but interesting, first of all, the Super AMOLED screen (which means that there will be bright juicy colors and high energy efficiency when reading on a black background), which competitors cannot boast, as well as a fingerprint scanner and the current version of Android ( 6.0 Marshmallow).

Another great iPad mini alternative is the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. Water resistance draws attention here (of course, we do not recommend using it under water, but lying on the beach with it without fear of getting sand and splashing the sea is quite possible. Add to this the minimum weight (270 grams) and quite powerful filling (Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 3GB RAM) - and we have a great option, especially for fans of the Sony brand.

By the way, an important nuance: the iPad mini and Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 have a 4: 3 aspect ratio. And the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has 16: 9. The first is more convenient for the Internet, the second - for watching movies.

An interesting solution (primarily in the area of \u200b\u200bdesign) is Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 2. This tablet has a stand along the long side of the case, and the center of gravity of the device is shifted towards it. Therefore, without additional accessories, you can set the tablet in a convenient position for watching movies or reading, or place it on the table so that its side farthest from you rises slightly above the table. This is a convenient option for typing on the virtual keyboard.

The specifications of the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 2 are not bad, but the Android version is old (4.4), and this, of course, is a minus. But the price is also low.

As you have already noticed, all the models that we talked about in this section have a screen diagonal of about 8 inches. But what about the seven-inch models? Of course, they are also on the market, especially in the budget segment. But today it seems to us inappropriate to purchase them, since their display is not much larger than that of tablet phones with a 5.5-5.7-inch screen, but using them as a smartphone is already inconvenient. That is, neither here nor there.

9 '' to 10 '' tablets

Of course, we start with the iPad - over the past six years since the release of the first iPad, Apple has never lost its leadership in the tablet market (as opposed to the smartphone market). And the 9.7 ″ iPad remains the de facto standard.

True, among the current models, Apple has two options: iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro 9.7 ″. The Pro's trump card is support for a keyboard cover and stylus (but they need to be purchased additionally, and they are expensive), a more productive SoC, stereo speakers and a better camera.

But iPad Air 2, and without all this, remains an excellent choice, while the price for it is significantly lower. In general, we recommend the iPad Air 2, and only if you are firmly convinced that you need the above features, then grab the iPad Pro. In our opinion, the price / performance ratio of the iPad Air 2 is significantly better.

Competitors are the same: Sony, Samsung, Lenovo, as well as Huawei, whose MediaPad M2 10.0 seemed to us a good alternative to the iPad Pro 9.7 ″. Let's start with him. Like the iPad Pro, the Huawei tablet allows you to use a pressure-sensitive stylus (there are versions available with or without a stylus). In addition, the tablet has a fingerprint scanner and stereo speakers. In general, the design is very decent.

We cannot say that Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 amazed us with something, it does not have any unique or outstanding features, but the balance of features and price is quite good.

The flagship solutions from Sony and Samsung are somewhat more expensive, but they are also more interesting. In principle, their key features are identical to the eight-inch models described above: Samsung has a Super AMOLED Plus display, and Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet has water resistance.

Sony, however, has a higher resolution (2560 x 1600) and a more comfortable aspect ratio for watching movies (16: 9). And both tablets are very thin and light.

Lenovo offers a very interesting model. The Yoga Tablet 3 Pro has not only the original design, similar in concept to the Yoga Tablet 8 2 described above, but also a built-in projector, four JBL speakers and a very capacious battery (10200 mAh).

The screen of the tablet has a resolution of 2560 × 1600, and inside is an Intel Atom x5 Z8500 processor. True, the dimensions and weight of the Yoga Tablet 3 Pro are significantly less attractive than those of the flagships of Samsung and Sony, and the advisability of having a projector (naturally, rather weak) is questionable.

Windows tablets and / or tablets larger than 11 inches

An interesting fact: there are practically no tablets with a diagonal of 11 inches or larger on Android. Previously, the Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 was on sale, but now it is not available either. In fact, the only player in the large-format tablet niche with a mobile operating system is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

What can I say? Highest performance on a mobile ARM platform, superb display, stereo speakers, support for the Apple Pencil, perfectly suited for professional artists, an attachable cover keyboard for touch-typing ... say, biting. But there is one more problem: with all its advantages, the iPad Pro cannot be called a universal device - just because of the mobile OS (and therefore - the lack of traditional ports and access to the file system). Therefore, the iPad Pro cannot replace the laptop.

Realizing this, Apple's competitors have relied on Windows 10, which, in general, is quite logical. After all, such devices, approaching in size to laptops, already imply not only entertainment, but also professional use, and for professional tasks a full-fledged operating system is, of course, better.

The range of Windows tablet brands is different from what we've seen with Android. Dell, Lenovo, HP, that is, manufacturers of business laptops, come to the fore here. This is understandable: such tablets are, in fact, laptops without a keyboard (more precisely, with a detachable keyboard). For example, Dell XPS 12.

12.5-inch display with 4K resolution (3840x2160), 6th generation Intel Core m processors (like in MacBook 12 ″), up to 8 GB of RAM, 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, Thunderbolt interface ... Impressive! As, however, and the price.

Simpler and cheaper option: Lenovo ThinkPad 10 2. 10.1 ″ Full HD screen, Intel Atom x7 Z8700 processor, 4 GB of RAM, stylus support, USB 3.0 and Micro-HDMI ports.

An important nuance: such tablets can be connected using hubs and adapters to an external monitor and peripherals, using them as a full-fledged Windows computer. It is clear that on such a computer you will not particularly work with Adobe Photoshop or Premier, and, moreover, you will not play. But for demonstrating presentations, working with documents and other professional tasks that do not require high performance, they are perfect.

One of the top options (alas, not officially sold in Russia, but available from many resellers) is Microsoft Surface Pro 4. It is already based on a full-fledged laptop configuration - Intel Core-i generation Skylake, SSD-drive from 128 GB, from 4 GB random access memory. Plus to this - an impressive screen resolution: 2736 × 1824 with a diagonal of 12.3 ″.

True, in the case of Windows, it's not always worth chasing an ultra-high screen resolution, because the interface of far from all Windows programs is optimized to use scaling of 150-200%. And without scaling, all icons and icons will be tiny on a small tablet screen. So here you can save on resolution, taking, for example, HP Elite X2 (with 11.6 ″ display and 1366 × 768 resolution) or something similar.

Note that when buying such devices, you should pay attention to whether there is a keyboard in the kit or not, because if it is not there, then the cost of the keyboard must be added to the price. To use a Windows tablet without a keyboard seems odd to say the least.

We have only listed products from the most famous brands here. If you wish, you can pick up something similar from less titled companies. Of course, it will be cheaper. And you can also wait for the appearance of two new players on the market: Huawei with the MateBook model (it will be released the other day) and Asus with the new Transformer line. Judging by our acquaintance with them at presentations, these are very powerful devices that can correct the alignment on the market.

conclusions

Having studied the modern tablet market, we can draw several conclusions, which at the same time turn out to be tips for buyers.

First of all, it's worth keeping in mind that the Android tablet market is in deep decline. Firstly, there hasn't been a single really big announcement over the past year. That is, the manufacturers themselves do not really believe in the prospects of this direction. Secondly, many very good models of 2013-2014 are already problematic to find on sale. For example, Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and Z3 Tablet or Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 / 8.4. There is no significant progress here, so you can safely buy tablets from two or three years ago, including at online flea markets and sales. But if you want to keep up with the times and expect to get a really up-to-date device, then look at either iOS or Windows models.

The second point: there is practically no point in purchasing tablets less than 8 inches - only something completely cheap for some specific task (for example, taxi workers). But among the 8-inch models there are already good options, including those on Android (although this does not change the above about Android tablets in general). But Windows tablets less than 10 inches are not worth taking, since there will not be much sense in this.

But among the models over 11 inches, just Windows tablets seem to us the most interesting solution. The choice here is quite large, and the price range is huge (although top brands do not have very cheap options). True, here you need to think carefully: do you really need a tablet, and is it not worth spending the same money on a compact laptop if you plan to use the device for work, or on a 10-inch iOS / Android tablet if you have fun? Still, no matter how Microsoft promotes its tiled interface and Windows Store, for entertainment and purely tablet use, iOS and Android are more convenient with their huge selection of applications.

And the third point. If you bought a tablet two or three years ago, and it suits you on the whole, that is, it does not slow down, does not bother with external defects, etc., then there is no point in buying a new tablet. You won't get anything qualitatively new.