Top 5 Back to School Tablets for Students

The top of the line gadget for students this season is a tablet. They allow freedom and all the great features of a computer or netbook but in a smaller space. There are now more tablets on the market than ever before so you can choose the best for your needs and budget.

Apple iPad 2

$499
www.apple.com

The Apple iPad is synonymous with tablets and when it comes to the best tablets for students, it's a great choice, albeit a little pricey. The iPad 2 is thinner than its predecessor and it's super light at only 1.34 pounds, making it easy to carry around when you're already lugging heavy books. It comes with a dual-core A5 processor, 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 IPS display and more than 90,000 apps ready to download. When it comes to apps, the iPad far surpasses the other tablets for students.

HP TouchPad

$499
www.hp.com

For the same price of an iPad 2, you can also get the HP Touchpad. When it comes to features, this is the closest rival to the iPad. It comes with a bright 9.7-inch display, a fast 1.2-GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, as well as a front-facing camera for video chat or snapping pics. The software on the HP pad is a real winner. You can post to social networking sites right from the homepage, which is a real winner with the student crowd and it operates quickly, allowing you to multitask more easily.

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer

$399 for tablet, $149 for dock
usa.asus.com

ASUS has an option that's slightly cheaper but if you also choose the keyboard dock, it's going to jack the price a bit more. It has 2 USB ports, a mini HDMI for connecting it to a larger screen, 1280 x 800 IPS panel and up to 16 hours of battery life. It's powerful, light weight (but heavier than the iPad) and very easy to use. ASUS has a reputation for quality products and the Eee Pad is no exception.

HTC Flyer

$499
www.htc.com

Here's an interesting tablet for students because it allows you to take notes with a stylus. However, the pen costs you like an extra $80. You can sync your hand written notes with the software and you can also record audio while you use the pen. This is great for sitting in on classes and for taking notes and study sessions. It has a great interface and a fast processor as well as a sturdy design that will hold up well while traveling.

Nook Color

$249
www.barnesandnoble.com

From the moment I knew these existed I wanted one and they are a practical solution for students. They are small, lightweight and do not take up a lot of space. It's also cheaper than other options. For the student on a budget who also likes to read, this is a great option. It lets students borrow and share books with classmates which is a great feature and you can share what you're reading on Facebook and Twitter. It allows you to highlight sections of the books and stuff, too.