Holiday 2015: Tablet gift guide (in pictures)

7 of 9 NEXT PREV

Apple iPad Air 2
Considered by many to be the flagship tablet, and the device that's set the standards that others try to match up to.
Pros:
- Premium product
- Vast iOS apps ecosystem
- Excellent range of accessories
- Powerful hardware
- Excellent display
- Ideal for someone who already has an iPhone
- Touch ID makes accessing it quick and easy
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not particularly robust
- No microSD card slot
Alternatives:
- The First-generation iPad Air for $100 less
Price: Starting at $499.99
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Google Nexus 9
Google's pure Android offering just keeps on getting better and better. This latest incarnation brings high-end hardware to consumers at a reasonable price.
Pros:
- High-end hardware
- Excellent display
- Competitively priced
- Access to Android updates and upgrades
Cons:
- Flimsy design
- No micro SD card slot
Alternatives:
- Google Nexus 7
Price: Starting at $299.99
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
If you want to run Windows as opposed to Android or iOS, then Microsoft's new Surface Pro 4 tablet is well worth taking a look at.
Pros:
- Powerful hardware
- Runs Window, so you can use all your favorite applications
- Excellent keyboard (optional)
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Gets expensive at the higher end of the spectrum
- Microsoft's app store is nowhere near as comprehensive as the one on iOS or Android
Alternatives:
- Surface Pro 3 starting at $499
- Surface Book starting at $1499
Price: Starting at $899
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Amazon Fire HD 8
A middle-of-the-road tablet from Amazon. Ideally suited to those who are more interested in consuming than creating content.
Pros:
- High-quality hardware
- Access to a vast ecosystem of apps and content
- Wide range of accessories
Cons:
- Restricted to the Amazon ecosystem
- Accessory ecosystem much smaller than available for the iPad
- No micro SD card
Alternatives:
- The larger Fire HD 10 for $199.99
- The budget Fire HD 6 for $99
- The super-budget Fire for a mere $49
Price: Starting at $149.99
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Apple iPad Mini 4
Like the iPad Air 2, only smaller.
Pros:
- Compact design
- $100 cheaper than the full-sized iPad
- Runs the same apps as the full-sized iPad
- Touch ID
Cons:
- Smaller choice of cases and keyboards
Alternatives:
- The iPad Mini 2
Price: Starting at $399.99
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
This is a tablet specifically designed for people who like to read ebooks.
Pros:
- High resolution e-Ink display
- Lower eyestrain than traditional displays
- Perfect for day and night
- Battery lasts weeks, not days
- Lightweight
Cons:
- No apps
- Only really useful as an ebook reader
- Grayscale display
Alternatives:
- The 6-inch Kindle ebook reader for $79.99
- High-end Kindle Voyager for $199.99
- Kindle for Kids, featuring 2-year accident cover for $99.99
Price: Starting at $119.99
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Samsung Galaxy Tab S (10.5-inch)
Pros:
- Strong brand
- High-quality 10.5-inch display
- Powerful hardware
- Thin and light
- Can be picked up for well under $400
- Ideal for content consumption
Cons:
- System becomes laggy if pushed
- 2014 hardware
Alternatives:
- iPad Air 4
Price: From about $360
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Amazon Fire Kids Edition
A 7-inch Amazon Kindle tablet that's been kid-proofed.
Pros:
- Kid-proofed tablet
- No-questions-asked 2 year accident exchange policy
- Low price
- Built-in micro SD card slot
- Easy to use parental controls
- Access to a wide range of kid-friendly content
Cons:
- Expect to spend money on content and apps!
Alternatives:
- iPad Mini 2
- Amazon Fire HD 8
Price: $99.99
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Sony Xperia Z4
A slim, waterproof and dustproof tablet that's highly customizable and offers superb performance.
Pros:
- Powerful hardware
- Water and dust proof (ideal for the kitchen or workshop)
Cons:
- Expensive
- Optional keyboard is pretty dismal
Alternatives:
- Get a waterproof case for any other tablet
Price: Starting at $620
Published: November 20, 2015 -- 12:49 GMT (04:49 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Tablets are going to be a popular gift under many a tree this holiday season, but picking the right tablet for a loved one - or yourself - can be tricky. This gift guide will help guide you through the myriad of tablets out there to find the right one.