Tablet

PC? Tablet? A Different Approach. Microsoft calls its long-awaited tablet Surface a PC: the first PC from Redmond. We extensively tested the tablet and Windows 8 RT and found that this device truly is a PC, and a very exciting one at that.

The calm before the storm? October was a rather quiet month in the realm of smartphones and tablets. There were very few big releases, with the exception of the Samsung Galaxy Note II, that captured the attention of the technology press. It feels that everybody was waiting for the release of the new product from Microsoft.

The new number one? Apple has now introduced a smaller tablet featuring a 7.9-inch IPS screen called iPad Mini besides its iPad 4. The older Apple A5 dual-core SoC and a lower screen resolution reduce costs. But will this also have an impact on performance and quality?

Apple's new iPad: 3+1 = Retina. Apple presents two new iPads. The Mini is small and the 4th version of the iPad is named "iPad with Retina display". Got it? The question is: do the A6X chip, a better front camera and Lightning interface justify a new name?

Mixed double. An Android smartphone and tablet in one - will that work? Asus is the first manufacturer to release a combined solution, dubbed PadFone, which is to kill both birds with one stone on the market. We also ask ourselves what this mixed double is capable of in view of the upcoming market launch of the PadFone 2. Can the smartphone and its tablet casing score as a power duo?

Small tablet. Toshiba installs Nvidia's high-performance Tegra 3 platform in an awesomely compact case in the AT270. The AMOLED screen is only 7.7-inches but provides a high resolution. Will this work?