Welcome to the first installment of our 2011 Tablet PC Holiday Gift Guide where you’ll find suggestions for the best higher end model tablet PCs. For that special someone you’re buying for who wants it all and won’t settle for anything less, the following list of choices should certainly help you get started.
These are top of the line tablet computers and the best ones available for the 2011 holiday shopping season. They also happen to be the most expensive models, but lucky for you due to so much competition in the tablet PC market in 2011 compared to last year this has helped drive the prices down a little bit. So, enough of me talking, how about we get started!
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer
By far one of the best, if not the best, high end Android tablets on the market. The ASUS Eee Pad Transformer became an instant success due to it’s superb design, affordability and specs.
It sports a dual-core Tegra 2 processor, long lasting battery life, optional keyboard dock, a 1280×800 high resolution 10.1 inch IPS display, 16GB or 32GB models are available, and it uses the latest Android OS. ASUS also announced that it will in fact get the Android Ice Cream Sandwich update once it becomes available.
ASUS also made it clear to consumers that their highly anticipated Transformer Prime (aka Transformer 2) will become available in time for the holidays which is great news! As if the first generation Transformer isn’t an incredible enough device, the second generation model believe it or not will be even better. A few upgrades include a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, Android Ice Cream Sandwich, a slim new design and a stylish brushed aluminum metal body which is fingerprint resistant.
Price: $359.99 on Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
The popular Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is yet another well built and well designed Android Honycomb tablet. Its has a modern & slim design but packs a mighty big bang for your dollar. Samsung is well known for building plenty of high quality products and their tablet PCs are no exception.
With this high end Android powered tablet you’ll enjoy a long lasting battery life (12 hours), a vibrant and colorful high resolution 1280×800 Super PLS screen, lots of power with it’s mighty Tegra 2 processor, front and rear facing cameras and optional 3G packages for ultra fast web surfing and downloads among other great features.
If it’s style, durability, high end specs and performance as well as versatility that you want then the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a very tough act to follow.
Price: $499.99 on Amazon
Apple iPad 2
If you aren’t familiar with the Apple iPad 2 then, ah forget it, who hasn’t heard of this tablet? It doesn’t get much more high end than this. Apple doesn’t just design super high quality devices, they are well known for being trend starters, such being the case with the ever so popular line of iPad tablets. More people own the iPad or iPad 2 than any other tablet PC on the market.
So, what about specs and features you might ask? The iPad 2 runs on the all new iOS 5 operating system, has a powerful dual-core Apple A5 processor, front and rear facing cameras for video conferencing or taking photos, a brilliant 9.7 inch high resolutions IPS display, more quality apps to choose from than any other operating system out there and much more.
You can also take advantage of Apple’s new iCloud service which has many great features and advantages including the ability to sync data such as photos, videos, music downloads and more with all of your Apple devices in real time. No question, the iPad is truly what started this whole tablet PC frenzy.
Price: Starting at $511.99 on Amazon
Sony Tablet S
Last but certainly not least we present you with the 9.4 inch Sony Tablet S Android powered tablet. This is Sony’s first ever tablet to hit the market and they’ve done a brilliant job when it comes to design and functionality.
Sony has been around for over 65 years and it’s fair to say they know a thing or two when it comes to consumer electronics. Only a select few companies have been able to make any sort of impact on the tablet PC market yet but the Sony Tablet S is definitely one that stands out. It has a unique and ergonomic design, a visually appealing 1280×800 capacitive touchscreen display, a meaty Tegra 2 processor, front and rear facing cameras, Bluetooth and more! In other words, there’s no shortage of quality specs.
Another thing that makes the Sony Tablet S stand out above the rest is it’s powerful multimedia controls. Yes folks, this tablet is a multimedia powerhouse. It’s the first ever Android tablet to have the ability to function as an A/V remote for things like your home entertainment system and digital TV. It uses what is known as Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technology which, as Sony puts it, allows you to “throw” music to your connected HomeShare™ or other compatible wireless speakers directly from your tablet.
You might also be interested in checking out some of these Sony Tablet S cases!
Price: $499.99 on Amazon