The iPad may be the drool-worthy gadget du jour for all its sleekness and innovation but some people have managed to resist its charms. If the iPad’s price is making you run in the opposite direction, take heart – there are other options that can perform just as well (or even better, depending on who is judging) as the venerable iPad. Here are the 5 best iPad alternatives in the following.

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700T

The name and model is a mouthful but what it can do is nothing to be scoffed at. This is a new entry in the tablet wars, elbowing its way to the top with its 10.1-inch screen that offers a myopia-friendly 1920 x 1200 display screen that boasts of sharp and bright resolution. It runs on the impressive Tegra 3 T33 quad-core processor, fast Web browsing ability, has an upgraded 8MP camera and a virtual keyboard with an accurate Swype-style feature that allows you to create words by tracing a few lines between the letters. Had enough of the touchscreen? Take out the keyboard dock and type away. This is great for gaming and graphic art works and comes with a number of great apps.

Toshiba Excite 10 LE

Classy and sleek, Toshiba Excite is a rock star’s wet dream – especially if he or she is the type that would date a supermodel. It currently holds the distinction of being the thinnest tablet to land on your desk but it brings the goodies just the same. It has a lightning-fast dual-core processor, dual cameras, Wi-Fi connectivity and multiply ports and slots to expand its functionality. It has a 10.1-inch display that offers images of 1280 x 800 resolution. It runs on Android 3.2 Honeycomb and could be getting the Ice Cream Sandwich in the near future.

Samsung Galaxy Tab

Since you are looking to buy an iPad alternative, why not pick one from Apple’s current sworn enemy? The Samsung Galaxy Tab is a good choice and getting better. The bigger one (10.1 inches as opposed to the 8.9 and 7.7 inches) offers enough real estate for more comfortable movement. It runs on a 1GHz dual-core processor, has a GPS, gyroscope and Wi-Fi. It operates on Android 3.0 Honeycomb, weighs 470g and has 1280 x 800 resolution. The 3MP camera, however, leaves something to be desired.

Lenovo IdeaPad A1

Here is an entry that is light on the wallet. It is, admittedly, smaller at just 7 inches but it does have plenty of functionality to make up for its size. It runs on a full version of Gingerbread and is a sleek beauty you will not be embarrassed to whip out at any time. It has a Gorilla Glass with IPS display and a single core processor. It has a 3.0MP rear camera, a 16GB hard drive and a 0.5GB memory.

Google Nexus 7

Google for many was an unexpected entry but they still managed to bring it on. The hardware on this one is amazing and it boasts of NFC support. Google did not make the hardware – Nexus did, hence the suffix. Google Nexus 7runs on Tegra 3 processor supported by a 1GB RAM. Consumers have a choice between an 8GB and a 16GB onboard storage. The display is not earth-moving but it is fairly decent, especially considering the very affordable price tag this tablet comes with. For those who are fans of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, this is the perfect choice. This device offers a really good experience for gamers as well, with its large viewing area, better graphics and game control. Thanks to the larger touch screen, players can enjoy the full graphics of the game while they are playing. For people who like playing online games like online casinos without having to download them, some mobile casino games can be played through a web browser and you can play instantly whenever you want as long as you are registered. All the thrills of a casino experience at your fingertips!

Conclusion

The benefits of the new iPad are unquestionable but there are still those individuals who manage to look beyond its siren appeal to find a different yet similar gadget. The above, in my humble opinion, serve the purpose as an iPad alternatives. Of course, you might not agree with my selection of choices and preferred others. Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Peter Lee loves to write articles about computers and technology. For more information, check out his website and learn computers and technology updates at ComputerHowToGuide.com.