Seven alternatives to the Apple iPad
Wait! Stop. Before you hand over Apple your credit card and pre-order the iPad, you may want to check out the other touchscreen options available now and in the near future. The iPad isn’t the only game in town. Sure, it might have a fancy-pants interface, but each of the follow seven tablets win the hardware fight, which is just as important to a lot of consumers.
Of course the hardware only tells part of the story. The iPad has a leg up on all of these options because of the user-friendly iPhone interface, but it’s not like you’re dropping $600+ on a tablet for your parents, right?
Currently available
ModBook
The ModBook is the original Apple Tablet — besides the Newton of course. Except it’s not made by Apple proper, but rather Axiotron who has been making them since 2007. Prices start out at $899, but customers have to provide a pre-polycarbonate unibody Macbook making the total price closer to $2,000.
Advantages over the iPad
- Full OS X
- Multitasking
- Flash support
- Built-in camera
- Built-in optical drive
- 13.3-inch screen
- 120GB hard drive
- Windows compatibility
Disadvantages
- No 3G modem
- No multitouch
- No access to the App Store
Viliv X70
Advantages over the iPad
- Windows
- Flash support
- Multitasking
- Unlocked 3G GSM modem
- GPS
- SD card slot
- Camera
- USB slot
- Haptic-feedback touchscreen
- Video out
- 128GB SSD
Disadvantages
- No multitouch
- No access to the App Store
- Only a 7-inch screen
Archos 9 PC tablet
Advantages over the iPad
- Windows 7
- Flash Support
- Multitasking
- Two USB slots
- SD Card slot
- Webcam
- A kick stand
- Optical trackpad nub
Disadvantages
- No multitouch
- No access to the App Store
Upcoming
Viliv S10 Blade
Advantages over the iPad
- Windows 7
- Multitasking
- Flash support
- Unlocked 3G modem
- Webcam
- 2 USB ports
- SD card slot
- Video out
Disadvantages
- No access to the App Store
Notion Ink Adam
Advantages
- Android
- Multitasking
- Nvidia Tegra 2 platform
- 10-inch Dual-mode display (full color to ePaper)
- Rear-facing trackpad
- USB and HDMI ports
- Unlocked 3G modem
Tie
- Android Market to Apple’s App Store
- Multitouch
HP Slate
We joked that CES 2010 would be full of tablet computers. It wasn’t and only a few major players like HP and Dell showed off prototypes. Both take a totally different approach too as the HP Slate (the unofficial name, btw) opts for a Windows with full flash support. It should hit the market this year at a rumored price of between $500-$600.
Advantages
- Windows 7
- Multitasking
- Flash support
- Camera
- USB ports
Disadvantages
- No access to the App Store
- No 3G modem (at least not yet)
Dell Streak
Advantages
- Android
- Multitasking
- Front and rear facing cameras
- USB ports
- Dual microSD slots
- Rumored unlocked 3G modem
Tie
- Android Market for the App Store
- Neither support Flash
Disadvantages
- Smaller screen
- No 3G modem