Apple iPad (4th generation)
Shopping for a tablet or e-book reader this holiday season? Good news. You now have more excellent options than ever before. Here are our top picks for tablets and e-readers right now.
If you're buying a tablet this holiday season, you'll want to stop here first. The iPad has more apps and faster performance of any other tablet. Its ecosystem of content runs the gamut through movies, TV shows, music, games, and books. Its 9.7-inch screen is beautiful, and its simplified OS makes it palpable to both the young and old.
The good: The newest iPad's faster A6X processor adds extra system speed and graphics power. Improved worldwide cellular compatibility makes the LTE model a more appealing proposition. And the iOS App Store remains best in class, with the widest selection.
The bad: The fourth-gen iPad is otherwise identical to its recent predecessor -- same size, weight, and Retina screen. It's heavy to hold in one hand, and most older accessories won't work without investing in a pricey Lightning adapter.
The bottom line: The latest iPad adds several tweaks and improvements to secure its position at the top of the tablet heap. It's better all around, but third-gen owners need not apply.
October 31, 2012 9:33 PM PDT
Photo by: Sarah Tew/CNET
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