If you followed closely the touch tablet niche in the past two year you surely have spotted a trend: companies announce various tablets that are not on market even after a few months after the initial announcement. The strongest sub-niche is the 10 inch tablet, which currently features the Apple iPad 2 at the crown (its screen is actually 9.7 inches) plus a lot of Android tablets trailing it, models that look really interesting and have raised consumer’s attention to this growing segment making for a sizeable percentage of the 2011 sales. 2012 is expected to see new members from the Windows 8 family, but right now the ten inch tablet niche is dominated by iOS and Android models (Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sanwich).

    So, in this post we’ll try and make a list of the best 10 inch tablets (slate tablets) that you can buy in stores now, plus models that will show up really soon (according to their manufacturers) or models announced with uncertain date of availability. If you know of any other tablet that should have made it into this post don’t hesitate and let me know so I’ll update this top accordingly. Till then here’s the offer of 10 inch tablet models available or announced.

    Asus EEE Pad Transformer Prime TF201 – starts at $499

    The second generation Transformer tablet is called Prime (from Optimus Prime, the Autobots leader from the Transformer movies) and is world’s first quad-core tablet, powered by the Tegra 3 chipset. It improves in performance, thickness (about the same thickness as the iPad 2) and comes with Android 3.2 Honeycomb, but also with a promise for upgrade to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The starting price is a little bit higher, but that makes up for that with the aforementioned improvements. This is currently the best and post powerful 10 inch tablet. Here’s the hightlight of specs:

    • Super IPS+ display with 600 nits brightness
    • 1.4 GHz quad-core processor
    • 1GB RAM, 32GB/64GB storage
    • 12 hours of battery (tablet alone), 18 hours with the keyboard dock
    • 8MP rear, 1.2MP front cameras
    • micro HDMI port, micro SD card slot, 3.5mm mic/headphone combo jack
    • Dimensions: 10.4″ x 7.1″ x 0.33″
    • Weight: 1.29 pounds
    • Dock dimensions: 10.4″ x 7.1″ x 0.41″
    • Dock weight: 1.18 pounds
    • Android 3.2 Honeycomb (upgradable to ICS 4.0)
    ASUS EEE Pad Transformer Prime

    ASUS EEE Pad Transformer Prime

    ASUS Transformer Prime – where to get it

    Toshiba Thrive – starts at $377

    If you want a powerful tablet that doesn’t break the bank and that features connectivity options not met by other tablets look no further than the Toshiba Thrive, a 10 inch Honeycomb 3.1 tablet (you’ll finally be able to use that USB port to connect peripherals). The power comes from a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 CPU helped by 1 GB RAM. Storage is done on a 8/16/32 GB internal Flash drive. Personally I would get the cheapest Thrive and add a microSD card in case I need more space (yeap, Thrive also features an SD card slot).

    What makes this tablet stand out, besides the plethora of ports is the rubberized back case, which can be exchanged with one featuring the color you need. Toshiba went the extra mile to offer a custom (visual) experience to everyone. Add the low starting price and you get a very capable 10 inch tablet. Here are some specs and a photo with Toshiba Thrive [read full review]:

    Toshiba Thrive quick specs:

    • 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual core processor
    • 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 “Adaptive Display” for better outdoor visibility and viewing angles
    • 1 GB RAM
    • 8/16/32 GB storage options
    • WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth
    • SD card slot, mini USB, USB, HDMI and headphones jack
    • Twin cameras – 5-mp back, 2-mp front
    • Dimensions: 77 x 273 x 15.8 mm
    • Weight: 765 grams
    Toshiba Thrive

    Toshiba Thrive

    Toshiba Thrive – where to get it

    ASUS EEE Pad Transformer – starts at $380

    This is one of the most innovative designs of tablets we’ve seen till now, and still deserves to be in our top tablets even if the second generation is out (see above). It’s a normal 10 inch slate (with a high quality 1280 x 800 pixels IPS screen), powered by the upcoming Android 3.0, but it can also be docked inside a keyboard base, that also employs a battery good for 16 hours. Add to that the 8 hours provided by the tablet itself and you’ll get a tablet that will last you a few days of normal use. What more can you want? Adobe Flash, smooth HD video conferencing and playback are available thanks to the powerful dual core Tegra 2 CPU found inside the EEE Pad Transformer. Dual cameras and HDMI output are also on the table here. You’ll be able to opt out for 512 MB or 1 GB RAM and 16/32 GB internal storage options, expandable with up to 32 GB more from flash cards. The tablet itself weights only 680 grams. We still don’t know the weight of the docking keyboard. [read full review]

    • 10.1″ IPS display (1280 x 800 px)
    • Tegra2 dual core CPU @1.0 GHz
    • 1 GB RAM, 16/32 GB storage
    • WiFi N, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, A-GPS, optional 3G (not available yet)
    • Ports: microSD, micro HDMI 1.3a, 3.5mm audio jack
    • Sensors: accelerometer, proximity sensor, g-sensor, light-sensor, gyroscope
    • dual cameras, 5 Mp back, 1.3 Mp front
    • Li-Ion 24.2Wh rated at 9.5 hours
    • (Optional) Docking station with extended battery, 2xUSB 2.0 slots, standard HDMI, 4-in-1 card reader
    • Android 3.2 Honeycomb
    • Weight: 1.49 lbs (680 g)
    • Dimensions: 10.6 x 6.9 x 0.51 inches  (271 x 176 x 12.9 mm)
    Eee Pad Transformer

    Eee Pad Transformer

    The EEE Pad Transformer has arrived at price point between $389 and  $419 (plus $149 for the docking keyboard).

    Lenovo Thinkpad tablet – starts at $429

    If you want a business Android tablet this is the one to go for. It’s slim, light, looks like a true Thinpad device, has an active screen digitizer and a stylus that works in all apps thanks to a custom input panel that allows you handwrite notes that are then converted to text. Be default you get Documents to go that allow you to view and edit Microsoft Office documents, just like a real business tool. Lenovo also offers its one app store together with the Android Marketplace. In this special app store there are only business oriented apps that are tested for security and performance. In the future companies will be able to implement their own app store from where employees can install new titles. This is your still your typical Android tablet, but with a strong business suit on top.

    The Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet comes with a full size USB 2.0 port with host functionality and a micro USB port. There are tons of accessories you’ll be able to buy, but if you opt for the cheaper model that doesn’t come with a stylus you’ll have to get one yourself from here. If you want to know more about Lenovo’s Thinkpad Tablet read our full preview.

    • NVIDIA Tegra 2 Dual-Core CPU @1GHz processor
    • Android 3.1
    • 10.1” WXGA (1280×800) IPS panel with Corning Gorilla Glass
    • Multitouch display with digitizer input (pen optional)
    • Starting at 1.65 lbs
    • Up to 8 hours battery life (with WiFi enabled)
    • Up to 64GB storage
    • Bluetooth, WiFi and 3G connectivity
    • Native USB 2.0 and micro-USB ports, full-size SD slot and mini-HDMI
    Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet

    Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet

    Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet – purchasing details

    Acer Iconia Tab A500 – starts at $382

    If you want a distinctive 10 inch Honeycomb tablet go for the Acer Iconia Tab A500, which features a metallic silver aluminum finish that extends a little bit on the front black screen bezel. Inside there’s not much difference to other 10 inch tablets so you get the same Tegra 2 CPU with 1GB RAM and two digital cameras. The only major difference from competitors are the two batteries that add up to over 10 hours of battery life in normal conditions and a minimum of 8 hours for video recording and playback.

    The strongest point of Acer Iconia Tab A500 is the pricing: $450 for the WiFi only version with no subsidized contract. It’s lower than the iPad 2 starting prince and features a solid design with proven hardware [read full review].

    • Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system
    • 10.1-inch 1280×800 pixels TFT display
    • NVIDIA Tegra 250 Cortex A9 1GHz processor (dual-core)
    • 1 GB RAM
    • 16 GB / microSD supporting up to 64 GB cards
    • 5 MP rear-facing camera / 2 MP front-facing camera
    • Two 3260 mAh Li-polymer batteries
    • WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, bluetooth, and GPS
    • Dimensions: 10.24(w) x 6.97(d) x 0.52(h)-inches
    • Weight: 1.69 pounds
    Acer Iconia Tab A500

    Acer Iconia Tab A500

    Acer Iconia A500 – get one from here

    Sony Tablet S – starts at $458

    Sony Tablet S is by far one of the best looking tablets, with an offset centre of gravity design that looks like an open magazine. Sony says this is meant to make the tablet easier to hold in hand and earlier reviews tend to agree. The configuration is pretty standard: 1GHz dual core Tegra 2 CPU, 1 GB RAM, 16 and 32 GB models expandable via a full size SD slot, a huge 5000 mAh battery and a smallish 9.4 inch IPS display that features Sony’s TruBlack technology that increases contrast and offers deep blacks.

    From the things that make Sony Tablet S stand out is the universal remote control functionality thanks to an IR sensor (you can control even devices not made by Sony), DLNA streaming (you can output videos, music and pictures from your tablet to compatible devices wirelessly) and Playstation Network certification so this is really a gaming tablet. All in all Sony really managed to offer a good tablet priced exactly as the iPad 2. [read full review]

    • Processor: NVIDIA Tegra2 @1GHz
    • OS: Android 3.1 Honeycomb
    • Display:  9.4 inch, 1280 x 800 multi-touch capacitive IPS display with TruBlack technology
    • Connectivity & ports: 3.5mm audio jack, MicroUSB, Wi-Fi N, Bluetooth 2.1
    • IR remote control function
    • Installed Storage : 16GB/32 GB expandable via a Full-size SD Card slot (for media exchange only)
    • RAM: 1GB
    • Battery: Li-Ion 5000mAh
    • Dimensions: 9.5” L x 6.8” W x 0.3”D (24.13 cm L x 17.27 cm W x 0.76 cm D)
    • Weight: 1.33 lbs (600 grams)
    Sony Tablet S

    Sony Tablet S

    Sony Tablet S – pricing detailed

    Samsung Galaxy TAB 10.1 – starts at $500

    After the launch of the iPad 2 back in March, Samsung needed to do something so it decided to redesign completely the Galaxy TAB 10.1 v1 tablet, showcased in January at CES, so it announced the new Samsung Galaxy TAB 10.1 tablet, which is slimmer and lighter than the iPad2, while having similar computing power thanks to the dual core Tegra 2 CPU helped by a capable integrated graphics and 1 GB RAM. Add to that 16 or 32 GB of storage and there’s plenty of space to store music, video and pictures, which you can then watch on the gorgeous PLS capacitive touchscreen with 1280 x 800 pixels. That’s a lot of pixels for such a small screen, but Honeycomb was designed with a high pixel count in mind, so you’ll be getting very crisp text and graphics.

    The tablet is price competitively to match the iPad 2, and features great build quality, so all you have to do is decide between iOS and Android, which in this case is Honeycomb 3.1 with no custom UI modifications (Samsung says Touch Wiz will arrive soon and will enhance the default Honeycomb user interface.

    • Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Tegra 2 processor
    • 10.1″ 1280 x 800 (WXGA) PLS TFT capacitive touchscreen
    • 1GB RAM
    • 16 GB/32 GB internal storage
    • WiFi n, Bluetooth v2.1
    • Read facing 3.15 MP camera with autofocus, LED flash, Front facing 2 MP camera
    • Size (LxWxH): 0.34 inches, 6.9 inches, 10.1 inches
    • Weight: 1.31 pounds
    • Android Honeycomb 3.1
    Samsung Galaxy TAB 10.1

    aSamsung Galaxy TAB 10.1

    Samsung Galaxy TAB 10.1 – shop for one

    Lenovo Ideapad K1 – starts at $350

    This is one of the recently launched Android Honeycomb tablets and marks the Lenovo’s entry into the slate tablet arena. This is company’s consumer tablet, (Thinkpad tablet is the one for business users) and uses Android Honeycomb 3.1 with a probable upgrade to 3.2. You do get the typical dual core 1GHz Tegra 2 CPU, 10 inch screen with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution, 16/32 and 64 GB storage options, Gorilla glass edge to edge display and a rounded back shape you haven’t seen on any other tablet. [read full preview]

    • NVIDIA Tegra 2 T20 CPU @1GHz
    • Android 3.1
    • 1 GB RAM, 16GB/32GB/64GB storage
    • 10.1’’ display (1280 x 800 px)
    • Cameras: Front 2.0MP, Rear 5.0MP
    • Ports: Micro SD card reader, Micro HDMI out, SIM card port, mic, headphone
    • Battery up to 10 hours autonomy
    • Connectivity: WiFi N Wireless, Bluetooth2.1 + EDR, 3G (WCDMA/EVDO) in some regions
    Lenovo Ideapad K1

    Lenovo Ideapad K1

    Lenovo Idea Pad K1 – get one from here

    ASUS EEE Pad Slider – starts at $479

    This is a variation of the EEE Pad Transformer presented above, one which uses a sliding keyboard mechanism that slides under the screen, making for a more compact device. This 10 inch IPS tablet also uses a dual core Tegra 2 CPU and will come by default with Android 3.0 OS. Dual cameras and HDMI output are also on the table. There’s also an USB port that will allow you to connect some peripherals. You would even be able to order the EEE Pad Slider with an optional 3G chip to help you achieve total mobility. The gorgeous 1280 x 800 pixels resolution screen will ensure smooth text and picture rendering. You’ll be able to get the EEE Pad Slider with 512 or 1 GB RAM and with 16 expandable with up to 32 GB flash cards. [read full review]

    ASUS EEE Pad Slider

    ASUS EEE Pad Slider

    Asus EEE Slider – available here

    Archos 101 G9 – 8 GB $319, 16 GB $359, 250 GB $469

    Archos is usually known for its multimedia products, and the company’s tablets were not quite what you would call hi-tech. That changed with the G9 models (generation 9) that bring top notch features and specs: ARM dual-core CORTEX A9 OMAP4 1.0 GHz, Android Honeycomb 3.2, high res 1280 x 800 px screen and up to 250 GB of storage via a Seagate Momentus Thin hard drive. Yeap, Archos was mad enough to include a large hard drive instead of the typical flash memory. Android Marketplace support is included and you can buy an optional 3G modem that connects via USB to the tablet. [our preview here]

    Archos 101 G9

    Archos 101 G9

    Acer Iconia W500 – starts at $498

    If you want a taste of Windows on a small but powerful tablet then look no further than the Acer Iconia W500, a 10 inch tablet with a high resolution 1280 x 800 pixels screen and a docking keyboard similar to the one on the EEE Pad Transformer. The difference is the lack of an included battery and the fact you can’t adjust the inclination angle, but there’s also the advantage that you don’t have to pay for the docking keyboard: it’s included in the default package.

    What makes the Iconia W500 further interesting is the fact it’s powered by the Full HD playback capable AMD C-50 dual core CPU and comes with a speedy 32 GB SSD drive that makes the whole thing feel very fast. And it all comes under 600 bucks, which is impressive compared even to Android tablets, not just other Windows tablets that sell north of 900 bucks. Give it a try and you won’t regret it, especially if you’re a PC guy.

    • 1GHz dual-core AMD  C-50 CPU
    • 10.1″ LED TFT LCD Display (1280 x 800 px)
    • 2GB RAM, mSATA SSD 32GB
    • Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit
    • Wi-Fi n, Bluetooth
    • Ports: HDMI, RJ-45 LAN, Dual USB 2.0 Ports, 2-in-1 card reader
    • Dual Acer Crystal Eye WebCams
    • AMD Radeon HD 6250 Graphics
    • 3-cell Li-Ion battery (up to 6 hours life)
    • Integrated Bottom US Keyboard Dock
    • Dimensions: 10.8 x 0.6 x 7.6″ (27.4 x 1.5 x 19.3 cm)
    • Weight: 2.14 lb (0.97 kg)
    Acer Iconia W500

    Acer Iconia W500

    Acer W500 tablet – get yours from here

    No 1: Apple iPad 2 – starts at $499

    Currently it’s the best tablet to buy, no doubt about it. Sure others have made great progress, especially those Android Honeycomb models, but the iPad 2 is clearly the tablet of 2011 thanks to its great feature set that improve significantly over the original iPad and the best price on market for a 10 inch tablet (9.7 to be exact). It sells for the same price as the original model but it’s one third thinner and a few ounces lighter than the 1st generation. The processor was updated to a dual core A5 model that’s 2x faster than the previous A4 model and offers 9x the graphic performance of its predecessor. [full presentation of iPad 2]

    Other novelties include dual cameras, one front facing for videoconferencing and one rear facing for stills and HD videos. Resolution of those cameras is very very low (lower than the screen resolution, which is a record). The screen remains the same as the 1st generation, which translates in the same great viewing angles and color reproduction, but slightly lower resolution compared to current 10 inch tablets. As a conclusion if you have the 1st iPad it’s still a great upgrade if you’re getting the new iPad 2 and for those who don’t have a tablet this is the one to get right now.

    • Processor: 1 GHz A5 dual core
    • Display: 9.7 inch, 1024 x 768 pixels (132 ppi), fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating
    • WiFi n, Bluetooth 2.1
    • Camearas: Rear 720p HD video recording, FrontVGA video or still photos
    • 3G options: UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, GSM/EDGE or CDMA EV-DO model for Verizon
    • Storage: 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB
    • Battery: 25 Whr, up to 10 hours life (9 hours over 3G)
    • I/O: 30-pin dock connector, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, mic and speaker
    • Sensors: 3-axis gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light sensor
    • A-GPS: 3G model only
    • Dimensions: 9.5″ x 7.3″ x 0.34″
    • Weight: 1.33 pounds for WiFi, 1.34 to 1.35 pounds for 3G models
    iPad 2 tablet

    iPad 2 tablet

    Apple iPad 2 – get the best 2011 tablet from here

    Help needed

    Have I missed something important? If you think so or have another 10 inch tablet personal top, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll try and take your option into consideration. Just leave a comment below with your own picks.