Phew! If you’re reading this, it would appear that the Mayan nightmare scenario didn’t exactly pan out as feared! So we’re all set to enjoy Christmas, which by the sound of the cash registers ringing all over the country, is going to be very tablet-y indeed! Everywhere you look, customers are picking up tablets with this one simple realisation — most of what they do can be done with a tablet. So, this Christmas, go out and get a tablet for yourself or your loved ones (or both!). But which one, you ask? I break down the options for you!

iPad mini: Launched just in time for Christmas, the iPad family has finally added a long overdue 7.9-in variant — the mini. Like its bigger brother, the mini is made from the same high-quality materials and is every bit the premium product you would expect from Apple.

And at 7.2mm thickness, it’s easy to clasp in the hand and…it’s gorgeous to boot! More crucially, when I was using it, I found the weight and the smaller form factor quite the compelling proposition. At 308g, it’s about half the weight of the regular iPad, and the weight difference makes the mini so much more a take-everywhere device. Even over prolonged use like a long subway ride, it’s easy to hold in one hand, like you would hold a paperback. It also slips in easily into a small bag or a large jacket pocket, so it’s always with you — not something one can say about the suddenly much heavier iPad.

Yet, it can be argued that there’s an element of compromise with the mini. It packs in the same dual-core processor and memory as the iPad 2, which in pure hardware terms was getting long in the tooth. It runs the latest iOS6 just fine though, so everyday tasks like browsing, YouTube and email work just fine, but you can feel the difference in demanding apps and games.

And possibly the most critical omission — the mini doesn’t pack in the high-resolution Retina display of the larger iPad, opting instead for a 1,024x768 pixel iPad2-spec display. The bigger iPad’s screen is much sharper, and there really is no going back once you have experienced a superior screen. For those who haven’t, the mini’s display won’t irk as much. Convenience and portability and a great Rs 21,900 (16GB) starting price versus bleeding-edge hardware? Either way, you can’t go wrong.

…and the contenders

NEXUS 7

Nexus 7: I’ve reserved nothing but high praise for Google’s first tablet attempt, and had Asus kept India pricing somewhat similar to the rock-bottom $199 (Rs 12,000) US pricing, the Nexus 7 would have been the no-questions-asked pick for a tablet to buy this Christmas. Just look at the hardware it packs in — a high-resolution 1200x800 pixel display, a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor and the latest Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system. At Rs 19,999 (16GB), it’s still a great buy if you’re looking for the latest Android experience in a 7-in package.

ASUS TF201

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201: If hammering away at a physical keyboard tops your list of needs from a tablet, the Asus TF201 is one to strongly consider, more so if you can score a deal on this tablet. Sit the tablet down on the slim keyboard dock, and you get a full keyboard, a USB port and a card reader and a big boost to battery life —an excellent choice for productivity-obsessed power users.

 

Samsung galaxy tab 2

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2: A sub-20K price tag, 3G and voice calling, the latest Android update and a nice portable 7-in form factor — if you want a device, which does it all without being remarkable in any one department, this is the device to buy.

 

Micromax funbook pro

Micromax Funbook Pro: Want to buy big on a shoe-string budget? The Funbook Pro (Rs 9,999) from Micromax may not pack in the latest greatest hardware, but it will work for anyone looking for a device for casual web surfing and the occasional movie. Not recommended for gaming enthusiasts, though.

 

 

Samsung galaxy note 800

Samsung Galaxy Note 800: This is the tricked-out 10-incher to pick up — besides the sizeable HD display and Jelly Bean, the Note 800 (Rs 37,500) includes a S-Pen stylus for jotting your thoughts (or doodles) down, and it can run apps side by side.