Since tablet manufacturers are not always completely truthful in disclosing their exact tablet sales, one way of determining the popularity of the various tablets on offer could be to have a look at what's selling well over at the world's largest online retailer, Amazon.
Let's take a look at the top 10 sellers in the Tablet section of its UK store. Note that this list is as of 09/08/11 so is subject to change; you can check out the latest best sellers here.
If you ever feel like checking out the core stats of any of the tablets on this list, click its name and you'll be directed to the relevant tablet comparison table.
When the Xoom was released earlier this year, a number of issues (such as web pages not rendering properly and a non-functional SD card slot) threatened to prevent Xoom sales ever taking off. Many issues have since been fixed by the release of Android Honeycomb 3.1, although an unsatisfactory level of European customer support has left consumers frustrated, with no timeframe of when their device will be up and running exactly as they expected it to.
This doesn't seem to have affected sales too much and the Xoom just scrapes into Amazon's best sellers at number 10.
The only Windows tablet on this list, Eee Slate's huge 12.1" screen and bluetooth keyboard (included) seem to have impressed a number of customers, particularly those who don't quite feel ready to venture into the world of Android, although for the price the poor battery life reported by consumers is a disappointment.
Nevertheless, Windows should be thankful that it seems like people still can't part ways with their familiar OS, and probably won't for a while yet.
In at number 8 is the Tabtech M7. Yeah, we hadn't heard of it either.
Priced at up to 3x lower than more mainstream tablets, the Tabtech M7 is the first of a few budget tablets that you'll find on this list. It runs Android Froyo 2.2 and has a capacitive touchscreen; the latter is often left out with budget tablets in favour of a cheaper resistive screen.
Matching the iPad 2's 512MB of RAM, the specs initially seem adequate, although will likely be left behind once the more tablet-friendly Android 3 is adopted by other budget tablets.
As we mentioned in our 'almost recommended' tablet list, the Acer Aspire covers all the bases that a high-spec 10" tablet should - its just that it slightly pales in comparison to the Asus Transformer (see below) for a similar price.
If you're an existing BlackBerry user who is used to the interface, this could be the tablet for you. However, requiring a link to a BlackBerry phone to perform basic functions could restrict demand for this tablet hugely, with potential consumers fearing they are being further pushed into a 'walled garden', even moreso than Apple iOS users.
Nevertheless the tablet continues to sell and just loses out on a top 5 position in our list.
Released in October 2010, the Galaxy Tab was the first Android tablet to pull in significant sales.
Nearly a year later, the price of the 3G model has reduced significantly so its understandable that this lightweight tablet continues to sell, and just sneaks into Amazon's top 5.
The second budget tablet on our list, the A1CS is slightly more expensive than the Tabtech above. It is largely similar but features a 10" screen, although a slightly worse camera.
However, the glowing reviews on Amazon may need to be taken with a pinch of salt - one reviewer has claimed foul play, implying a bit of self-reviewing may be going on. A number of reviews exist with links to the actual product INSIDE the review (overkill surely?), and upon closer inspection these reviewers have only reviewed - you guessed it - one item. However, I do suspect this may be going on with a number of budget-tablets, and perhaps in more subtle forms all over Amazon, so it would be unfair to focus on this one.
The X220 tablet continues to sell well regardless and makes it to number 4 on our list.
Its no surprise that the iPad 2 is at the top end of this list. The iPad will likely sell millions more this year than the rest of these tablets put together, but as the majority of their sales come from their official website and Apple stores, it's also no shock that it doesn't take the Amazon top spot.
If we were handing out awards, the 'Best Newcomer' would have to go to this fantastic offering from Asus. The Eee Pad Transformer ticks all the boxes as far as specs are concerned, and extras such as a built-in battery in the optional keyboard dock may well do enough to earn the Transformer a reputation of the iPad alternative.
When counted together, this dual offering from unknowns Tabtech/NATPC occupy the top spot - why?
Well at a price of just £10 more than a black leather 'SmartCase' for iPad 2 - yes, i'm serious - this tablet definitely deserves a closer look.
First off, it only has a resistive touchscreen. This means no multitouch, which will take a bit of getting used to if you've played around with a friends' iPad in the past.
The 800x480 resolution is also on the (very) low side, so if crystal clear display is what you're after then keep looking.
The tablet is shipped with Android 2.2 and you'll have full access to the Amazon marketplace for all your favourite apps - although without Android 3.0 most will still be optimised for smaller smartphones.
At least they're not trying to con you, as the official manufacturers description clearly states: 'We won't lie and say to you that this will be the best tablet PC that you have ever used'. Fair enough, I say!
If the iPads and Eee Pads of this world
don't quite take your fancy, perhaps due to their high prices and the subsequent fear of dropping it/losing it/getting it stolen, this budget offering could be exactly what you're looking for.
