A review of the top 5 tablet PCs - that aren't an iPad in 2011  

While tablet PCs are not new to many and have been around for years, it was only the past year that they have become desirable and popular because of numerous innovative features incorporated into them by their manufacturers. And since this is the case, the market is now starting to be flooded with loads of them which make us ask -- which ones are the best? So allow me to walk you through 5 of the best tablet PCs around today.

Lenovo X201 Tablet PC

Powered by Intel Core i7-620LM processor, the Lenovo X201 is one of the most powerful tablet PCs in the market today. It comes pre-loaded with 32-bit Windows 7 Professional but you can order the 64-bit version. You also have the option to choose from a variety of hard drives, from low to high capacity or a 128GB SSD. 2GB of DDR3 RAM is standard but you can expand it to 4GB. The X201 sport the latest anti-glare capacitive touch screen and some major enhancements were made to its screen contrast, saturation and brightness rendering a superb visual even while outdoors. The keyboard was set just right and a trackpad that comes with an erase stick pointer is a great addition. 3.5 hours of battery life is expected from its 4-cell battery but you can opt for an 8-cell battery to double the runtimes. With superb multi-touch functions and great performance, the X201 is clearly a winner in this class.

HP Touchsmart TM2T

The touchsmart TM2T from HP was built from some respectable hardware. It is powered by Intel Core i5-430UM processor at running at 1.20 GHz speed with an option to go 1.73 GHz when its turbo-boost is selected. Multi-tasking is handled easily with 8GB of RAM with plenty of storage space made available by a 640GB hard drive. But downgrading this to 6GB of RAM and 500GB of HDD will save you around $400. The TM2T allows you to play 3D games with its ATI HD 5450 Radeon video graphics when it is plugged into an external power source but it employs an integrated graphics when the battery is used. Its multi-touch screen is very receptive and high temperature is not a problem. This is a solid performing tablet PC overall.

Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3t

The S10-3t can be your netbook and tablet PC in one neat package. The multi-touch screen that can be swiveled is 10.1 inches. This screen is quite responsive with a 1024 x 600 resolution delivering a decent multi-touch experience. Entry-level models are powered by Intel Atom N450 1.66 GHz but you can have the N470 1.83 GHz for a faster processing speed. The S10-3t is also packed with 2GB of RAM, GMA 3150 video graphics, 250GB hard drive, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a built-in camera that has a 1.3-megapixel. The system is controlled by 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium. This netbook cum tablet PC is a good option for those who are a bit short in budget.

Fujitsu Lifebook t730

You can choose from a variety of configurations if you order the Lifebook T730 of Fujitsu. Choices of processors include the Intel Core i3, i5 and i7, and RAM options range from 2GB to 8GB. Hard drive options are also available ranging from 160 to 500GB, or 128GB SSD. The T730 features a built-in integrated HD graphics rendering a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 port, ExpressCard slot and optional mobile broadband. The modular bay located at the right side of the chassis can receive a DVD Multi drive, a Blu-ray drive, second hard drive or a second battery. A 32-bit Windows 7 Professional comes standard with the package but you have the option for the 64-bit version. The Lifebook T730 offers an outstanding performance but for a hefty price.

Asus Eee PC T101MT

The T101MT is a well-designed tablet PC that provides outstanding performance and a long battery life. It is powered by Intel Atom N450 processor with 1GB of RAM expandable to 2GB and ran by Windows 7 Starter Home Premium edition. It has a touch screen monitor, 3M webcam, 160GB HDD, 801.11 wireless connection and memory card reader. The T101MT is thin and very portable tablet PC measuring 7.1 x 10.4” and 1.22” in height. This nifty system weighs only 2.86 lbs which can be placed in a small bag, and can be used anywhere. The T101MT is a superior mobile computer for business or personal needs, and you will be pleased to find that it is very reasonably priced.

We repair tablet PCs in London.

Back to DIY articles