Consultsteimel blog

 Tablets are all the rage right now and with due respect.  They are great devices that provide a lot of technoluge in a confortable small package.  The problem with such a small UI focused device is getting it right.  Even a crappy mobile phone can still make phone calls, if your tablet is crappy it's just a really expensive thin brick.  Really right now there are only a few options  for decent tables.  If your not looking at this small list don't bother.  They are ridden with bugs, hardware problems and general overall crappiness.

Amazon Fire $199

Amazon has expanded there kiddle E-Reader line with a full blown tablet.  Amazon also is a power hosue of digital media to pack into any device they offer.  The kindle fire boasts access to that powerhouse with video player as well as browsing the web with it's new silk reader.  Amazon's Android app store is growing and becoming a real player.  It is still missing the girth of google or apple but it's respectrable.  All of the goto apps are there, facebook, netflix, email, etc.  The best thing about the fire is it's price point $199.  While there are other options that pack more features and are alittle more ironed out, at the price you might be able to live with some of the rough edges.  The main compaint about the fire is the software is a littel buggy and the speed is not on par with it's name.  Amazon is declaring that most of this can be fixed with a software update but we will wati and see.  Personally, I'm doing just that it's real tempting but I'm going to wait until software update number 2 or 3.  If they can fix it great otherwise we might see a fire2 that is smooth and everything we have hoped for.  The downsides that also see are no expandable media and no 3g.  Amazon's kidles come with free 3g, it would be awesome if that was included here.  Although amazon offeres 5GB of free cloud space it's not weaved well into the fire.  I wish it has a sd reader that I could prvoide myself like most smart phones do.  

Ipad2

The ipad2 is the cream of the crop with tablets.  It's the pioneer of the current tablet craze and rightly so.  It's a great feature packed device that provides a lot fucntionality into a small package and it does it with less learning curve or complicated then other products.  it also is at a price point that explains why it's so good.  it's  

Galaxy tab is an option while not as refined as the ipad or the firesale price of the fire it offeres a solid set of features at a comparable price.  

Motorola Xoom, Xyboard = terrible
Rando andoird tablets = even worse.