Amazon is refreshing its lineup of tablets and has unveiled a large-screen model with a better screen and less weight. It follows Microsoft’s announcement of new Surface tablets. Here’s how the new Kindle Fire HDX compares with the Surface and other tablets of similar size.
Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ (shipping Nov. 7, 2013):
— Price: $379 with 16 gigabytes of storage, $429 with 32 GB, $479 with 64 GB. Add $100 for versions with 4G LTE cellular data access
— Screen size: 8.9 inches diagonally
— Screen resolution: 2560 by 1600 pixels (339 pixels per inch)
— Size: height: 9.1 inches; width: 6.2 inches; thickness: 0.31 inch (231 by 158 by 7.8 millimeters)
— Weight: 13.2 ounces, or 0.83 pound (374 grams) for base model, 13.5 ounces, or 0.84 pound (384 grams) for cellular version
— Cameras: 8 megapixel rear camera; lower-resolution front-facing camera.
— Battery life: 12 hours of mixed use, 18 hours when reading.
— Operating system: Modified version of Google’s (GOOG) Android
Pros: Cheap and portable. Convenient access to Amazon store. Integration with Amazon Prime subscription benefits such as book-borrowing, videos.
Cons: Third-party applications limited to what’s available through Amazon store, not broader Google Play store.
Apple iPad, fourth-generation (released Nov. 2, 2012):
— Price: $499 with 16 gigabytes of storage, $599 with 32 GB, $699 with 64 GB and $799 with 128 GB. Add $130 for versions with 4G LTE cellular capability.
— Screen size: 9.7 inches diagonally
— Screen resolution: 2048 by 1536 pixels (264 pixels per inch)
— Size: height: 9.50 inches; width: 7.31 inches; thickness: 0.37 inch (241.2 by 185.7 by 9.4 millimeters)
— Weight: 1.44 pounds (652 grams) for base model, 1.46 pounds (662 grams) for cellular version
— Cameras: 5-megapixel camera on back and a low-resolution camera on front, for videoconferencing
— Battery life: 10 hours.
— Operating system: Apple’s (AAPL) iOS
Pros: Unmatched access to third-party applications, high-quality Apple software and the iTunes store.
Cons: More expensive than many Android tablets.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition (shipping in October):
— Price: Unspecified.
— Screen size: 10.1 inches diagonally
— Screen resolution: 2560 by 1600 pixels (299 pixels per inch)
— Size: height: 9.57 inches; width: 6.75 inches; thickness: 0.31 inch (243.1 by 171.4 by 7.9 millimeters)
— Weight: 19.75 ounces, or 1.23 pounds (560 grams)
— Cameras: 8 megapixel front camera, 2 megapixel rear camera
— Battery life: Unspecified.
— Operating system: Google’s Android
Pros: Comes with pen for writing notes, other tasks on the screen. Access to a variety of games, utilities and other software for Android devices, though not as extensive as apps available for iPad.
Cons: No current plans to bring cellular version to U.S., so it won’t be compatible with Gear smartwatch.
Microsoft Surface 2 (shipping Oct. 22, 2013):
— Price: $449 with 32 gigabytes of storage, $549 with 64 GB. Keyboard cover is extra.
— Screen size: 10.6 inches diagonally
— Screen resolution: 1920 by 1080 pixels (208 pixels per inch)
— Size: height: 10.81 inches; width: 6.79 inches; thickness: 0.35 inch (275 by 173 by 8.9 millimeters)
— Weight: 1.49 pounds.
— Cameras: Front and back cameras
— Battery life: 10 hours.
— Operating system: Microsoft’s Windows RT.
Pros: Comes with free Microsoft Office software. Attaches to keyboard covers, which are sold separately.
Cons: Runs only apps designed for Windows RT; selection is relatively small. No option for wireless broadband.
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 (shipping Oct. 22, 2013):
— Price: $899 with 64 gigabytes of storage, $999 with 128 gigabytes, $1,299 with 256 gigabytes and $1,799 with 512 gigabytes. Comes with pen, but keyboard cover is extra.
— Screen size: 10.6 inches diagonally
— Screen resolution: 1920 by 1080 pixels (208 pixels per inch)
— Size: height: 10.81 inches; width: 6.81 inches; thickness: 0.53 inch (275 by 173 by 13.5 millimeters)
— Weight: 2 pounds.
— Cameras: Front and back cameras
— Battery life: Unspecified.
— Operating system: Microsoft’s Windows.
Pros: Compatibility with programs available for traditional Windows computers. Attaches to keyboard covers, which are sold separately.
Cons: No option for wireless broadband. Pricey.
