Best sub 8-inch tablets (February 2013 edition)

More column inches have been devoted to Apple's iPad mini than any other sub 8-inch tablet in existence. If hype is what counts, this is undoubtedly the king of the small tablets.

Apple has released a no-compromise product. It is a full-sized iPad that's been hit with a shrink-ray. Anything you can do on the 9.7-inch iPad you can do on this 7.9-inch device.

• Processor: A5;
• Operating system: iOS 6;
• Screen: 7.9-inch, 1024 x 768 resolution;
• Battery life: 10 hours.

Pros:

• Solid, well made;
• Incredible array of apps;
• Excellent camera and speakers.

Cons:

• Pricey;
• On-screen keyboard a little cramped;
• If you dislike iOS or have an Android handset, it’s probably not for you.

Price: Starting at $329 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model.

Image source: Apple.

Over the past few years Amazon has come from nowhere to become a major player in the hardware sector. It started out with the Kindle e-book reader, and has now extended its reach with the Kindle Fire range of tablets.

While the Kindle Fire HD runs Android, it is a heavily modified version of the operating system.

• Processor: 1.2 GHz dual-core ARM Cortex-A9;
• Operating system: Modified Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich";
• Screen: 7-inch, 1280 x 800 resolution;
• Battery life: 11 hours.

Pros:

• Android, but not Android, which works for a lot of people;
• Superb screen;
• Excellent selection of apps;
• Vastly superior speakers to any tablet.

Cons:

• If you want a pure Android experience, this is not for you;
• Amazon products and services are pushed at every turn;
• No support for expandable storage.

Price: Starting at $199 for the 16GB model.

Image source: Amazon.

Android is Google's operating system, so who better to design a tablet for the platform.

The Nexus 7 offers the purest Android experience of any of the tablets here, running the stock Android 4.2.1 "Jelly Bean" operating system, free from third-party customizations and crapware.

• Processor: 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A9;
• Operating system: Android 4.2.1 "Jelly Bean";
• Screen: 7-inch, 1280 x 800 resolution;
• Battery life: 10 hours.

Pros:

• Pure Android experience;
• Quad-core power;
• Price.

Cons:

• No support for expandable storage;
• Some build quality complaints.

Price: Starting at $199 for 8GB model.

Image source: Google.

One of the biggest players in the smartphone and tablet market is Samsung, and its Galaxy range of hardware.

Samsung brings to the table not only excellent build quality, but also custom features that appeal to hardcore business and enterprise users, features such as on-board virtual private networking (VPN) support.

• Processor: 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A9;
• Operating system: Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich"(upgradable to Android 4.2 "Jelly Bean");
• Screen: 7-inch, 1024 x 600 resolution;
• Battery life: Not specified, but tests suggest about 8 hours.

Pros:

• Expandable storage;
• Enterprise features;
• Front and rear facing cameras.

Cons:

• No near-field communications (NFC) support;
• Glass can scratch easier than the competition;

Price: Starting at $249 for 8GB model.

Image source: Samsung.

While Archos is better known for making media players, it also makes the Arnova range of tablets which are aimed at the more budget end of the market.

The Arnova 8 G3 is the company’s 8-inch offering. However, in order to get it in at a recommended street price of $150, corners have had to be cut in terms of the hardware.

• Processor: 1.0 GHz dual-core Cortex-A8
• Operating system: Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich”
• Screen: 8-inch, 800×600
• Battery life: Not specified, but tests suggest about 3 hours

Pros:

• Cheap price

Cons:

• Low resolution screen
• Poor battery life
• Poor speakers

Price: $149.99.

Image source: Archos.

Think of tablet makers and you'll probably come up with Apple, Amazon, and Samsung. Huawei is not a name that springs to mind, but it is a big player in China when it comes to budget-priced consumer electronics, and it s a company making massive in-roads in Western markets.

While the iPad mini or the Kindle Fire HD is light years ahead of this unit, this is a solid, well-made, reliable tablet. It might not have the best screen, or the most powerful processor, but as a cheap tablet to throw into a bag, keep on the coffee table, or give to someone working out in the field, it is well worth considering

• Processor: 1.2 GHz dual-core Cortex-A8;
• Operating system: Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich";
• Screen: 7-inch, 1024 x 600 resolution
• Battery life: Not specified, but tests suggest about 2 to 3 hours.

Pros:

• Cheap price;
• Solid build quality;
• Expandable storage.

Cons:

• Low resolution screen;
• Poor battery life.

Price: $199.99.

Image source: Huawei.