If you are one who is willing to drop Rs. 25,000 on a tablet, you are looking for a device to give you a complete tablet experience without compromising on quality. Sure, you can get the best device available in the market for a budget of around Rs. 40,000, which will include the likes of the iPad (4th Gen) and the Sony Xperia Tablet Z, but for the relatively modest budget of Rs. 25,000, you can get a tablet that will fulfill all your requirements without the added shenanigans.
For a budget of Rs. 25,000 you get tablets with 3G as well as Wi-Fi only capabilities. You have the option of the Android or iOS ecosystem, whichever you prefer to choose. These tablets not only have the ability to run apps from their respective app stores but also have the ability to give you a pretty good battery life. These devices look great and you can show them off in the market.
Nexus 7 (3G variant)
For the hardcore Android user, the Nexus 7 is the ideal weapon of choice. Why? Well, to start with it gives users a raw Android experience and secondly, it will be the first device to receive the Android OS updates. For Rs. 22,000 approx., you will get 32GB of storage, which is quite decent, and also the ability to access the Internet on the go as the tablet can house a SIM card for 3G connectivity. If you are on a tight budget, there is a Wi-Fi only option available of the tablet, but if connectivity on the go is a must for you and you aren’t willing to tether, then the 3G Nexus 7 is a really good tablet to have. It is light, compact and easy to use.
The Tegra 3 processor along with the IPS display makes multimedia consumption, gaming and browsing the Internet, multitasking and reading books on the tablet a real treat. The 7-inch form factor is comfortable to use too.
Huawei MediaPad 10 Link
If a 10-inch Android tablet is what you desire then the Huawei MediaPad 10 Link is a good option to consider. It has some impressive specifications under the hood with 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1GB RAM and 8/16GB built-in storage expandable to 32GB via a microSD card. The package is powered by a 6,600mAh battery. The Android OS on the tablet is skinned with Huawei’s Emotion UI. The UI may take a bit of getting used to even if you are a part of the Android ecosystem.
The Huawei MediaPad 10 Link is very well built and gives you the feeling of using a premium device – beauty and a beast. The tablet also boasts of Dolby Surround Sound, dual speakers, which make consuming multimedia content on it a real treat.
iPad Mini
If an iOS-powered device is what you desire then the iPad Mini is the tablet for you. Starting at Rs. 21,900 for the Wi-Fi only 16GB variant, the iPad Mini has the same internals as the iPad 2, but with a 7.9-inch display, giving it a really compact form factor that is ideal for those looking for something smaller than a 10-inch device.
Apple’s app ecosystem is the best there is, and the number of free apps available is plentiful. The build of the device too is extremely sturdy and looks like a mesh between the latest gen iPod Touch and the iPad. It has the ability to play all the games and run all the apps smoothly.
iPad 2
If the complete iOS tablet experience is what you are looking for and you are on a budget, then the iPad 2 is the ideal weapon of choice for you. Even though this is the second-generation iPad, it is a very good deal for its price. The device can be picked up for as low as Rs. 23,000. It is also slimmer and lighter than the current-gen iPad, and that says a lot.
The iPad 2 is a very good tablet to own, and doesn’t feel short on performance or battery life at all. The app ecosystem is also the best there is (for a tablet) and the iPad 2 can be updated to Apple’s latest OS with ease.
Amazon Kindle Fire HD
If you are someone who loves reading a lot and isn’t really interested in app or any of the shenanigans brought about by a tablet then the Amazon Kindle Fire HD is the device for you. The display of the tablet is really gorgeous and great for both consuming multimedia content as well as reading books. Even though the tablet runs on Android, the apps ecosystem and the interface is quite limited. You do have access to some popular apps like IMDB and more, but apps on the tablet are limited.
For Rs. 15,999, the Kindle Fire HD 7 basically asks you to invest in the Amazon ecosystem of apps, books and eventually music and movies. While deep down it has Android roots, neither does that matter nor does that show up for the user. The device feels premium in its build and has a good battery life. You should consider this device if you are heavily invested in purchasing and reading eBook’s.