PHOTOS: Top 9 PREMIUM tablets

Their features, design and usability stand out in a highly crowded tablet market.

Budget tablets are all the rage these days, whether they come from manufacturers like Karbonn, Wicked Leak and Micromax or from big names like Google with the recently released Nexus 7. However, they are budgeted for a reason -- and that is the power they provide being limited to their price range.

For users who want a bit more, there are more expensive premium tablets out there. These tablets come with more expanded feature sets as well. You arguably won’t find a Windows 8 tablet for less than Rs 30K, for example. So here we present our top 9 premium tablets and what makes them stand out in the highly crowded tablet market.

Apple iPad (4th Gen) 64 GB with Wi-Fi and 3G
Price: Rs 51,900

With its 9.7-inch, 2048x1536 resolution Retinal Display, 64 GB of internal storage and 3G capabilities -- not to mention the latest A6X CPU and a quad core GPU -- the fourth generation Apple iPad is the most expensive tablet one can buy at this point.

It also features an extremely strong battery life for its weight (662 grams) and thickness (0.37-inches). The fourth generation Apple iPad comes with a 5 megapixel rear camera that records full HD video and 1.2 megapixel FaceTime HD camera.

Dell Latitude 10
Price: Rs 35,990

Dell’s Windows 8 tablet features an Intel Atom Z2760 dual core CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz with 2 GB of RAM and 64 GB internal storage. It also has a 10.1-inch, 1366x768 resolution IPS display and an 8 megapixel camera capable of capturing 3264x2448 resolution images.

The addition of a removable battery -- which offers extended life thanks to the relatively lighter Atom CPU -- sets it apart from most tablets around.

It weighs 658 grams and measures 0.41-inches thick.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Acer W510 Tablet
Price: Rs 39,499

The Acer W510, which runs Windows 8, compares very interestingly to the Dell Latitude 10. It also has a dual core 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z2760 CPU with 2 GB of RAM but comes with 32 GB of storage instead.

The device has a 10.1-inch Acer CineCrystal LED backlit display with a 1366x768 resolution.

A rear camera is also present with an 8 megapixel sensor that is capable of full HD video recording, along with a 2 megapixel Acer Crystal Eye HD front camera. Overall the device weighs 580 grams and measures 0.35-inches thick.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5100
Price: Rs 30,900

The 8-inch tablet version of Samsung’s popular Galaxy Note series comes with an S-Pen. However, it sets itself apart from other devices in the series but allowing you to use the S-Pen even when navigating with the capacitative buttons.

It features a quad-core Exynos 4 CPU, which is essentially an ARM Cortex A9, clocked at 1.6 GHz. This comes with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB internal storage along with a microSD slot for 64 GB more.

The 8-inch display has a 1280x800 resolution, while the rear camera features a 5 megapixel CMOS sensor with auto focus.

It also weighs just 345 grams and measures 0.31-inches thick, and features Android 4.1.2 Jellybean.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Samsung Galaxy Note 800
Price: Rs 34,500

This can be considered the 10-inch tablet version of the Galaxy Note line, marketed primarily as a hybrid drawing tablet for artists.

The Galaxy Note 800 has a quad-core Exynos 4 CPU clocked at 1.4 GHz with 2 GB of RAM. It features 2 GB of RAM along with 16 GB internal storage a microSD slot for adding up to 32 GB more space.

The 10.1-inch display has a 1280x800 resolution, and the rear 5 megapixel camera is capable of HD video recording besides featuring an LED flash and auto focus.

The device weighs 600 grams overall and measures 0.35 inches in thickness.

It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich but can be upgraded to Jellybean, along with featuring an S-Pen.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Apple iPad Mini 64 GB with Wi-Fi and 3G
Price: Rs 41,900

Despite being billed as Apple’s “budget tablet”, the Apple iPad Mini can also qualify as a premium tablet if you opt for 64 GB internal storage and 3G capabilities.

In terms of features, it has the same aluminium unibody construction that the iPad is renowned for and a dual core A5 CPU. It weighs in at 312 grams and measures only 0.28-inches thick.

The 7.9-inch IPS display also features a 1024x768 resolution and LED backlit technology.

A 5 megapixel rear camera and 1.2 megapixel FaceTime HD camera are also present along with all the new camera features that iOS 6 brings such as Panorama. 

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Sony Xperia Z Tablet
Price: Rs 44,990

The Sony Xperia Z Tablet is arguably one of the most powerful premium tablets currently available.

It features a 1.5 GHz quad core Snapdragon S4 Pro along with 2 GB of RAM. Internal storage is 16 GB with a microSD slot enabling 32 GB more.

The 10.1-inch display relies on Sony’s BRAVIA Engine 2 for video processing, and also features a 1920x1200 resolution.

It also takes advantage of an 8.1 megapixel rear camera with Exmor R sensor and 16X digital zoom along with full HD video recording.

Like the Sony Xperia Z smartphone, the Xperia Z Tablet is water resistant and dust-proof. It weighs 495 grams and measures 0.27-inches thick.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

HP ElitePad 900
Price: Rs 43,500

Aimed at the business class, the ElitePad 900 features a range of applications for added security and note-taking.

It packs in an Intel Atom Z2760 CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz with a 32 GB eMMC solid state drive and microSD slot for further expansion. The 10.1-inch display has a 1280x800 resolution, and can also support various types of connectivity such as 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi and even 3G via USB dongle.

It comes with Windows 8 and weighs630 grams while measuring 0.36-inches thick. An 8 megapixel camera with full HD recording and image capture up to 3264x2448 resolution is also present.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

Huawei MediaPad 10 Link Tablet
Price: Rs 24,990

Perhaps the cheapest “premium” tablet on this list, the Huawei MediaPad 10 Link boasts a 1.2 GHz Hisilicon K3V2 Cortex A9 quad-core CPU along with a 16 core GPU.

This comes with 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB internal storage, along with support for both microSD and SDHC for expanding on storage.

The 10.1-inch IPS display features a 1280x800 resolution and 10 point touch.

A 6600 mAh battery life provides a good day’s worth of performance, while Android 4.1 Jellybean provides all the features you need.

It also features an aluminium unibody that weighs 640 grams and measures 0.39-inches.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.