Tue, 09/20/2011 - 22:35 — Anonymous With the recent influx of tablet
computers flooding the market, many frequent travelers are excited at the
possibility of being able to stay connected without ending up at the
chiropractor's office after carrying a 15 pound laptop bag through airports
and in and out of train stations. Earlier this year at 2011 CES, one of the
largest computer and electronics tradeshows, there were more than 80 models
of *tablet computers* exhibited. With so many contenders, it can be
difficult to know which model is right for you.To clarify the tale of the
tablets, we looked at three of the best selling options on the market from
the viewpoint of people on the go. We looked at three basic factors,
operating system, portability, and available features. Here is a side by
side comparison of Apple's iPad2, Motorola's Xoom, and Samsung's Galaxy
Tab.*Operating System*For many people, this is similar to whether you like
Coke or Pepsi, it's all about which operating system you prefer. Both the
Xoom and the Galaxy Tab use the Android operating system while the iPad2 uses
the Apple OS. Comparing the two operating systems is like comparing apples
to androids – it completely depends on your preference. I recommend
sticking with the iPad if you are already own an iPhone or a MacBook, and
choosing the Xoom or the Galaxy if you aren't already tied to Apple
OS.*Portability*In looking at what makes one tablet computer more portable
than the others, we looked at several factors including weight, screen size,
wireless/wi-fi connectivity, battery life, and Bluetooth accessibility. The
lightest tablet computer in our comparison is the Galaxy Tab weighing in at
1.2 pounds as compared to the 1.3 pound iPad2 and the 1.6 pound Xoom. The
Galaxy Tab and Xoom tie for largest screen, each boast a 10.1 inch HD display
which is slightly larger than the 9.7 inch display on the iPad 2. While
there are differences in weight and screen size, they are negligible enough
that from a best for travel perspective, all three tablets are on equal
ground.*Connectivity*Next we considered how portable each tablet is in terms
of connectivity. All three tablet computers are Wireless N Wi-fi devices,
meaning they meet the 802.11n wireless standard. Beyond that, it gets a bit
tricky. They all come in a Wi-Fi only version and a 3G version. If you
opt for the Wi-Fi only version, you will need to find and connect to a
wireless network or purchase your own hotspot, similar to how you would
connect remotely with a laptop computer. This option often carries a higher
price tag and may limit anytime, all the time accessibility, but it doesn't
require any long term contracts or additional monthly fees for access.All
three tablets also come in 3G models, which operate more like your cell phone
and use mobile phone networks to provide service. These models require a
contract with one of the mobile phone companies who may offer discounts on
the upfront cost of the device but will also require a service contract and
monthly fee. Not all tablets are available from all carriers which may
dictate which tablet computer will work best for you based on which carriers
provide the best service in your area.With a consistent average of 10 hours
of battery life with heavy use, Bluetooth integration for hands-free
operation, and the availability of a variety of optional docking stations
standard features across all three tablets, from a portability perspective,
the three tablets have negligible differences. The only factors than may
sway your decision to one tablet over another is which carrier offers the
best service in your area and the overall cost to use the tablet once all
costs are factored in including the upfront device cost plus either a monthly
access fee or the cost of an individual wireless hotspot.*Features*The key
difference between the tablets comes down to available features. While all
three tablets offer dual cameras to enable you to video chat or participate
in video-conference calls, the Xoom and Galaxy Tab have better cameras than
the iPad2. Internal memory is another key difference. The iPad2 seems to
be the clear winner with 64G of internal memory. However, although the Xoom
offers 32G out of the box, it also has the ability to expand that base making
it a better option over the longer term. The Galaxy Tab trails at the back
of the pack with 16G and limited expansion potential.Although the Xoom and
iPad 2 have comparable processing speeds, the Xoom jumps ahead by providing
almost twice as much RAM, 1G versus 520MB and a much better screen
resolution, 1280×800 versus 1024×768. Throw in the ability to run Flash
and the Xoom begins to set itself apart from the other two tablets in terms
of features and functions. The iPad2 does have an advantage in terms of the
availability of apps in the market, but Android-based app developers are
quickly closing that gap.*Best Option for Traveling*After the side by side
review, it is clear that you are really the only one who can decide which
tablet best suits your needs both while on the road and in the comfort of
your own home. The first factor is operating system preference, followed by
carrier service and cost. If neither of those are enough to sway you toward
one tablet over the other, deciding which features are the most important to
you will point you in the right direction.Do you travel with a tablet
computer? Which one and what do you like about it?/Disclaimer: This post
contains affiliate links./
