The top 3 for that budget are these:
1. iPad mini 2
The best value iPad out there
Weight: 331g |
Dimensions: 200 x 134.7 x 7.5mm |
OS: iOS 9 |
Screen size: 7.9-inch |
Resolution: 1536 x 2048 |
CPU: Dual-core 1.3GHz |
RAM: 1GB |
Storage:16/32/64/128GB |
Battery: 6470mAh |
Rear camera: 5MP |
Front camera: 1.2MP
£199.00
Amazing screen
Brilliant design
Similar-spec rivals are much cheaper
16GB too low storage
It may be a premium slate but it's been superseded by the
iPad mini 4 and the already discontinued
iPad mini 3 and as such it's dropped in price to under £250.
Better yet, as the iPad mini 3 is basically the same tablet with added Touch ID you hardly miss out on anything by buying this older model, though you do miss out on the power-boost found in the iPad mini 4.
Still, with a brilliant screen, a stunning design and quite a lot of power the iPad mini 2 is difficult to beat at this price point. It looks, feels and performs like something far more expensive.
2. Google Nexus 9
Pure Google in a tablet
Weight: 425g |
Dimensions: 228.2 x 153.7 x 8mm |
OS: Android 5.1.1 |
Screen size: 8.9-inch |
Resolution: 1536 x 2048 |
CPU: 2.6GHz dual-core |
RAM: 2GB |
Storage: 16GB/32GB |
Battery: 6700mAh |
Rear camera: 8MP |
Front camera:1.6MP
£199.99
Ideal 4:3 aspect ratio
Strong speakers
Subpar display quality
Uninspiring design
When the Nexus 9 launched it was going toe-to-two with the iPad in terms of screen size and price. However that was back in 2014 and the Nexus 9 can now be picked up for a lot less.
Shop around and you can get it for just a touch over £200 now, which makes it an incredibly attractive offering. Issues with screen quality are easier to handle at this price - it's still great, just not up to
iPad Air 2 standards.
There's a decent slug of power,
Android Marshmallow inbound and HTC's BoomSound speakers for excellent sound quality.
3. Lenovo Yoga 10 HD+
Big battery and a built in stand
Weight: 615g |
Dimensions: 261 x 180 x 8.1mm |
OS: Android 4.4 |
Screen size:10.1-inch |
Resolution: 1200 x 1920 |
CPU: 1.6GHz quad-core |
RAM: 2GB |
Storage: 16GB/32GB |
Battery: 9000mAh |
Rear camera: 8MP |
Front camera:1.6MP
£149.50
Huge battery
Built in stand
Slow to charge
Heavy and bulky
The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ combines a versatile and solid stand with a decently sharp screen, reasonable performance and amazing battery life.
It's not your run of the mill tablet with its folder book design, and that may put some off. It's also quite big and bulky.
That said, for those looking for a tablet which will last a transatlantic flight the 10 HD+ is one of the strongest contenders.