Barnes & Noble Nook HD
does not include GPS. For an additional $130, you can get a mini that connects to the cellular data network and has GPS. If you’re still undecided, and keep wondering whether a different 7-inch tablet might suit your needs better, let’s take a look at the three that seem to be the most popular: those sold by Amazon, Google, and Barnes & Noble.
This tablet has the best screen resolution at 1440 x 900. The Nook HD starts at $199 with 8GB of memory; the 16GB model is $229. At 0.7 lbs, it’s almost as light as the iPad mini, and is lighter than the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. Unlike the other tablets, it has a slot for a microSD card, letting you expand the memory. There’s no camera or GPS, and no option for purchasing a model that connects to the cellular data network.
Other 7-inch Tablet Specs
Other Important Factors Overall, I’m impressed with the options now available. However, the most important consideration may not be the specs. Here are other important factors:
Amazon Kindle Fire HD In October 2012, Amazon introduced their Kindle Fire HD, which has a 1280 x 800 HD display—greater resolution than the iPad mini. It has Dolby speakers and speedy Wi-Fi for streaming HD movies. It lacks a rear-facing camera and GPS, but does have a front-facing camera for videoconferencing. It starts at $199 for 16GB of memory. This has so far been the second-bestselling tablet. There’s no option for purchasing a model that connects to the cellular data network. Note that because Amazon sells these at cost, they come with on-screen ads. If you want to dump the ads, it’ll cost you an extra $15. Google Nexus 7 The Nexus is also reportedly selling fairly well. There’s no camera on the back, but it does have a front videoconferencing camera and GPS. The Wi-Fi-only model starts at $199 for 16GB of memory. A version that connects to the cellular data network starts at $299. It uses the HSPA+ network offered by AT&T and T-Mobile. The screen resolution is 1280 x 800, like that of the Kindle Fire HD. The processor is quad core, making it the speediest of the 7-inch tablets.
©iStockphoto.com/ Nikada
Apps There are over 275,000 apps designed specifically for the iPad, whereas other tablets can boast only a fraction of that. If you want to use your tablet as a computer, i.e., a powerful and versatile tool for performing a wide range of functions, in my mind your only choices are the iPad and the Google Nexus tablets. The Nexus runs Android, as do the Kindle and Nook, but with a difference. You get pure Android on the Nexus, not the modified version on the other devices. Not only does the Nexus have the most apps available, it will also always be able to run
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