Toshiba AT100 (aka Toshiba Thrive)UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.2, 1GHz dual core CPU, 1GB RAM, 8GB/16GB/32GB storage, 10.1-inch capacitive screen at 1280x800 (WXGA), 5MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 725g.
What we think: The Toshiba AT100 (known as Toshiba Thrive outside Europe) is a good choice for those who like the idea of full-size HDMI and USB ports.
For a specific use, including customisations and future upgrades, the Toshiba AT100 offers some extra flexibility.Yet, the hefty size and weight (plus the passable screen quality) is the main reason we prefer other recent tablets.
UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 2.3, 1.5GHz single-core Snapdragon, 1GB RAM, 32GB memory, 7-inch capacitive LCD at 1024x600, 5MP camera, 3MP front-facing camera, phone-call-friendly 3G, 415g.
What we think: HTC has decided to release its first tablet running on Android Gingerbread (2.3), which will upset some purists that only believe these tablets should run on Honeycomb. However, it does come with a new version of HTC Sense with dual-pane windows which works well with videos and email. As a single-core device in a dual-core world, though, the Flyer just isn't good enough. And the chunky form factor and lack of sparkling features are a real let-down.
UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.2, Dual-core CPU, 10.1-inch capacitive display at 1280x800, HDMI-out, rear-facing camera, front-facing camera, multiple storage options including 250GB HDD.
What we think:If you're in the market for a capable tablet, but have a limited budget, then this is one of the best options outside of price cuts that you can get.The potential problem is we're about to be bombarded by cut-price tablets, and much better units can be had for this kind of cash - tablets with more memory, built from better materials and generally put together with more love.
UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 2.2, Qualcomm MSM 7227 600MHz CPU, 512MB RAM, 512MB storage, 7-inch capacitive LCD at 800x480, 3MP rear-facing camera, VGA front-facing camera, phone call-friendly 3G, 375g.
What we think: Not technically built by Viewsonic, this tablet is also available under various different titles. Essentially it's a Chinese-built OEM device, but you'd be wrong if you think that means it's not very good. It is. It's responsive, it's a nice size and it's usable. The problem is that at launch it should have cost £200, not £400. And even though it can now be found for around £180, the ship has sailed!
UK release date: Discontinued
Specs: webOS 3.0, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB, 32GB storage, 9.7-inch capacitive screen at 1024x768, 1.3MP front-facing camera, 740g.
What we think: The HP TouchPad is less polished than the iPad, with a smaller range of impressive third-party apps. Yes, it's got features that the iPad lacks, but so do the Android tablets, and they have a bigger app selection, too. The interface appears more polished than many Android tablets, but in operation that doesn't really stand up. It's also lagging behind in many hardware features, such as HDMI output. And it's also not very tricky to get hold of, as HP killed it just a couple of months after it launched. If you can pick one up cheap though, it could be a good budget option.
UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.0, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 1GB RAM, 10.1 capacitive screen, 5MP rear-facing camera, 3G.
What we think: The A500 was ultimately a disappointment. It was relatively competitive on price, but it simply did not offer the same good looks as the likes of the iPad or Galaxy Tab. It will forever be known as an also-ran, but you can be sure that Acer will be back for more next year. If you can find this model at a crazy cheap price, it might be worth a splash. But otherwise, you should opt for one of the tablets higher up in this list.
UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 2.2, 1GHz Cortex A8 CPU, 512MB RAM, 16GB/32GB, 7-inch capacitive LCD at 1024x600, 3.2MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, phone-call-friendly 3G, 380g.
What we think: While the Galaxy Tab promised the world, it didn't quite deliver the tablet experience we were hoping for. As the first big-name tablet to take on the iPad, it failed to live up to its billing. That said, user response has been positive, and despite the ageing features, this first-generation Android 2.3 tablet can now be picked up for under £200 if you look hard enough.
UK release date: Out now
Specs: Android 3.0, Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core CPU, 7-inch capacitive screen at 1024x600, 5MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera, 3G.
What we think: The A100 is the little brother to the Acer Iconia Tab A500, and it's not a bad option all-told. It's hardly a great looker though, and ultimately fails to make a case for itself among better and more aggressively priced competitors.
UK release date: Winter 2011
Specs: TBC...
What we think: We don't know much about the Asus Eee Pad MeMo yet. What we do know is that there are four models in the Asus Eee Pad range, and the MeMo is the one yet to see even a hint of a release. We do know that Asus is taking its time with these Eee Pads, so we can be fairly confident that when it does finally go on sale, it'll be good. And the latest news suggests it may have a glasses-free 3D screen.
UK release date: Early 2012?
Specs: Heavily modified Android 2.3, 512MB RAM, 1GHz Texus Instruments OMAP 4 4430 CPU, 7-inch capacitive screen 1024x600, microUSB port, Amazon Sevices bundled, 8GB storage
What we think: After months of speculation, the Amazon Kindle Fire has been officially announced at an event in New York, marking the first time the company has entered the tablet market proper. The successor to the Amazon Kindle is a 7-inch device that comes with Android, albeit a version that has been heavily altered by Amazon to make the best use of the company's e-shopping spine.The screen is an IPS display that's made from Gorilla Glass, it houses a dual-core processor, and weighs in at 14.6 ounces. There is a tablet-optimised shopping app on board - this is said to comprise simplified and streamlined pages, so it is easier to buy stuff on than the actual Amazon website.
