Apple Vs. Everyone Else: The Top 4 iPad Alternatives

News
By Devin Connors
published

Apple's iPad appears to be winning the tablet war for 2010 or 2011, but we want to keep you up to date on the stiffest competitors coming down the pipeline.

OpenTablet 7 (OpenPeak)

The OpenTablet 7 by OpenPeak is the relative unknown in this group. However, the company’s partnership with Intel makes this device very potent, with a lot of potential in the application arena.

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OpenPeak OpenTablet 7
Operating System
Custom Linux w/ Custom UI
Display Size, Reolution
7", 1024x600
CPU
1.9 GHz Intel Atom (Moorestown)
GPU
Unknown
RAM
Unknown
Onboard Storage
Unknown
Touchscreen
Capacitive
Camera(s)
1080p front, 5 MP back
Ports/Expansion
USB, HDMI, microSD
Connectivity
WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G
Availability
2011 via AT&T

The OpenTablet 7 has a custom Linux variant and UI, and the heart of the machine is a 1.9 GHz Moorestown chip from Intel. RAM and storage are still unknown, but the dual-camera setup (1080p on the front, 5 megapixels on the back) is enticing. There is port replication via a dock, but the tablet itself still has HDMI, USB and microSD. Like the PlayBook and Galaxy Tab, the OpenTablet 7 is a seven-inch tablet with a 1024x600 resolution screen.

OpenPeak is really pushing home automation and integration with this platform. From energy consumption monitoring to security integration to controlling your home theater, the OpenTablet has a lot to offer in its own custom application space. You aren’t dealing with the Android Marketplace here, but rather OpenPeak’s own SDK and application service platform.

As for availability, OpenPeak has some sort of deal with AT&T in the works. The tablet might stay “vanilla” and simply use AT&Ts 3G network, or the carrier could rebrand the tablet and tie in its own services. Either way, the OpenTablet 7 is a potent device with a lot of apps and services to offer.

Devin Connors

Devin Connors currently works as a community manager for Rocket League at Psyonix Studios, but he was previously a senior editor at Tom's Guide, writing about gaming, phones, and pretty much every other tech category. His work has also appeared in publications including Shacknews, GameZone, The Escapist, Machinima, and more. 

19 Comments Comment from the forums
  • sliem
    What about the (estimated) prices?
    How about Archos tablets?
    Reply
  • dconnors
    sliemWhat about the (estimated) prices?How about Archos tablets?
    Pricing for a few of these tablets is still not available...but honestly, the price range is going to be the same range as the iPad.

    ARCHOS is making some great tablets, but the company and their products lack the clout that Microsoft, HP, and Samsung bring to the table.

    -Devin
    Reply
  • Luscious
    HP will have a hard time marketing an already-obsolete Atom platform to the educated consumer and enthusiast. I'm hoping they actually go with an N550 or better, but that Broadcom solution has already been proven to be too driver dependent for reliable playback across multiple HD codecs. AMD's Nile platform is much more elegant and works far better, but it would be a tough job squeezing Nile into a sub-10" form-factor. I like Windows 7, especially when it comes to media streaming and remote connect, but not on a puny Z530.
    Reply
  • Archos has been around doing these types of devices for a while now. And though i've never owned one, their current lineup looks pretty decent. Maybe it's time you guys started giving them a little respect and included them in these types of lineups.
    Reply
  • I own an iPad and the one thing that makes the device much more useful than 99% of the devices I have ever owned is its battery life. All the bells and whistles are worthless on a mobile device if you lose power. None of these reviews mention anything about battery life.
    Reply
  • What about the Blackberry PlayBook's battery life? Huh?
    It uses a faster CPU with more RAM and a faster GPU. It is sure to eat up battery life.

    If it doesn't last 12 hours a charge like the iPad does, then it is going to fail.
    Reply
  • cknobman
    I hate apple and will never own one of their products.

    That being said I think its stupid to have an "iPad alternatives" article covering a bunch of products that technically don't exist (at least to the consumer). All that is covered here is a bunch of pre release and prototypes which means little to nothing for someone actually looking for an iPad alternative today.
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    How about just bringing them to the market, letting us buy them, use them and then write our own reviews on them.
    Reply
  • These four can not be seen as alternatives, since not a single one of them is for sale. The title is misleading at best. Should have been "Future iPad Alternatives". It is not even guaranteed that any of these devices will survive long enough to hit the market at all.

    So what are the "The Top iPad Alternatives AVAILABLE TODAY"?
    Reply
  • farrow099
    I waited months hoping SOMEONE would actually bring a legit android tablet to market. They have all been vaporware.

    The only android tablet expected to actually hit the market this year is the samsung galaxy tab. And I don't think that is an accident as samsung seems to produce most of the ipad components as well.

    If anyone is wondering; I own an EVO 4G phone, an iPad, and a win7 x64 desktop.
    Reply