With the year now drawing to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on some of the great product releases of 2014, and with numerous big-named companies having rolled out some exceptional tablets over the past twelve months, we’ve compiled a list of our top five.
This ranking, as chosen by the editors here at RP, is based on price, features, specs, and other key aspects of any tablet, and with so many solid releases this year, it was really hard to whittle it down to just five.
Still, we managed it, so without any further ado, here’s the countdown:
1. Apple iPad Air 2 (starts from $499 for 16GB)
Apple’s latest flagship slate, with a tri-core processor and 2GB of RAM, is a beast in terms of performance, but despite the enhancements, is still incredibly thin and light.
The release of the tablet two months ago has cemented the iPad’s position as the best in the business, and as such, tops our list for this calendar year.
You can check out our full coverage on iPad Air 2 right here.
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (starts from $799 for 64GB)
Speaking of power, the Surface Pro 3 is teeming with high-end hardware, and for those in search of a hybrid computer-tablet with a large display and an underbelly ready to cope with any task thrown at it, the Surface Pro 3 is essentially peerless.
You can check out our full coverage on Surface Pro 3 right here.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S (starts from $399 for 16GB 8.4-inch)
Samsung’s smartphone endeavors mightn’t have been too impressive this year, but the Tab S is easily the company’s best slab to date. With 8.4- and 10.5-inch models available, it covers all bases as a genuine iPad competitor, and with both treated to octa-core processors and 3 gigs of RAM, it’s every bit as powerful as any other tablet one could care to name.
You can check out our full coverage on Galaxy Tab S right here.
4. Google Nexus 9 (starts from $399 for 16GB)
The Nexus 9 hasn’t exactly blown anybody away, but is still a worthy entrant into our top five. Given that it’s manufactured by HTC, many hoped that the design ethos of the One M7 and M8 smartphones would spill over, but while it’s still very easy on the eye, it’s nowhere near the aesthetic marvel of the iPad.
Still, the 8.9-inch 2048 x 1536 screen is simply beautiful, and with BoomSound speakers and Android Lollipop right out of the box, is a great option if you don’t want to spend iPad money.
You can check out our full coverage on Google Nexus 9 right here.
5. Nokia N1 (starts from $249)
Completing our list is the Nokia N1, which enters the market as a direct competitor to the iPad mini 3. Surprisingly, Apple’s 3rd-gen mini is considered by many as the worst value for money, and the cheaper N1, which is also thinner and lighter than its rival, looks a very good value Android tablet indeed.
You can check out our full coverage on Nokia N1 right here.
So, that’s our top five, but do you agree with this? What are your top five picks for tablets this year? Share your comments, as ever, in the field below.
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