Apple hasn't just rekindled interest in tablet devices, it has created the kind of hysteria that only Apple can. There's no denying that the iPad is a beautifully crafted device that's a joy to use, but not everyone wants to buy into Apple's design and marketing hype.
With that in mind, TechRadar have rounded up 10 alternatives to the iPad to prove that Apples are not the only fruit.
10. Archos 9 PC Tablet
Archos has been making touch-screen media players for a very long time, so it comes as no surprise that the French technology company has also turned its hand to tablet devices.
The Archos 9 PC Tablet has an 8.9-inch, LED backlit display with a resolution of 1,024 x 600. However, that touch-screen is of the resistive type, rather than the capacitive goodness seen on the iPad.
9. Dell Mini 5
Originally dubbed the Dell Streak, the Mini 5 looks to be Dell's first attempt to grab some of the iPad's market share. As the name suggests, it's going to be a far smaller device than the iPad, with a 5-inch capacitive touch-screen.
Like the latest breed of high-end smartphones, the Dell Mini 5 will be driven by Qualcomm's excellent 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and should be running the latest version of Google Android.
8. Panasonic ToughBook CF-U1
If you're worried that the sleek lines and beautiful design of an iPad won't last long in your butter fingers, you need something a little more, well, rugged.
Panasonic specialises in mobile computers that can survive almost anything, and the CF-U1 tablet is no exception. This is a fully rugged device that can survive drowning, mud, dirt, dust, drops and pretty much any other abuse, accidental or intentional.
7. Archos 5 Internet Tablet
If it's a 5-inch tablet device that you want, but you can't wait for the Dell Mini 5, check out the Archos 5 Internet Tablet. Unlike that Archos 9, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet doesn't run Windows 7, instead sporting a mix of Archos' own OS and Google Android.
The result is a pretty decent user interface that's easy to navigate even for the non tech-head.
6. X2 iTablet
Although many had assumed that Apple would name its tablet device the iTablet, Steve Jobs clearly had other ideas. Of course that left the door open for another manufacturer to produce an iTablet, and that's exactly what UK company, X2 did. The X2 iTablet sports either a 10.2-inch or 12.1-inch multi-touch screen, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and 2GB of memory.
5. Asus Eee Pad
When Asus created the Eee PC it revolutionised the mobile computing landscape, and essentially created a new class of device in the netbook.
It's therefore no surprise to hear that Asus will be hot on the heels of Apple with a tablet PC product. The Asus Eee Pad is set to be based on the Nvidia Tegra 2 platform, which will put an ARM processor in the driving seat.
4. Dell Looking Glass
The Mini 5 isn't the only new tablet device that Dell has up its sleeve according to a report on Engadget . Like the Asus Eee Pad, the Dell Looking Glass will be based on Nvidia's Tegra 2 platform and should be running the latest version of Google Android.
3. Archos 7 Home Tablet
Yes it's another Archos, but since the company has been producing touch-screen, tablet style devices for years, it comes as no surprise that it has the widest selection.
The Archos 7 Home Tablet is the latest device from Archos, and everything from its name to its design, to its feature set, shows that this device is being pitched as an iPad competitor.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad U1
For anyone who thinks that a tablet device, with no proper keyboard, is no more than a toy, Lenovo has the answer. The Lenovo IdeaPad U1 is dubbed a "Hybrid Notebook" because there's more to it than first meets the eye.
1. HP Slate/Hurricane
The HP Slate has been the subject of a huge amount of hype and rumour, despite the fact that few people outside HP and Microsoft ever got their paws on one.
Despite the Slate looking like the strongest contender to the iPad, the latest rumour is that HP has now scrapped the whole project. Well, scrapped is probably a bit strong…
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