Tablet computers & cases

Bing Shopping: Microsoft Surface

Microsoft's first salvo in the tablet wars is a major rethink of touch-screen technology. Robust hardware, a larger screen than other tablets and its Type Cover gets major kudos from top review sites. Preloaded with Office 2013, plus Wi-Fi connectivity, Surface gets a 4-out-of-5 rating on PCMag.com, which also notes that, it "bridges the distance between tablet and laptop for many users."

Bing Shopping: Apple iPad Mini

Good things come in small (and smaller) packages, as Apple unveils the latest tweak in its uber-popular iPad line. Lauded by reviewers for being more ergonomic and easier to tote around than full-sized versions, the Mini packs as much firepower as the iPad 2 into its superslim, featherweight frame. Endless apps keep the familiar Apple iOS fun rolling.

Bing Shopping: ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700

ASUS' newest Transformer Pad gets as many high marks as its predecessors, with special praise heaped on its iPad-rivaling bright and crisp display. This Android-based tablet is also souped-up with a faster processor, an improved camera and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Reviewers also like the optional, and well designed, keyboard dock.

Bing Shopping: Google Nexus 7

Tagged by reviewers as the best 7-inch tablet on the market, the Nexus 7 (and its newest iteration, the just-released 10) is quad-core fast, and with its slick Android "Jelly Bean" OS, this baby looks - and acts - like it cost scads more. The smaller format means it's easier to carry, and well-respected manufacturer ASUS is behind the robust hardware.

Bing Shopping: Kindle Fire HD with Wi-Fi

Reviewers at both CNet and PCMag.com laud the multimedia dazzle of Amazon's tablet, with special kudos going to its audio quality and gorgeous screen. Like the Nexus, it's also offered at a relative bargain price of $200 and is lighter and simpler to carry than a larger-scale tablet. (Keep in mind that this is an Amazon-only content system, although the offerings are pretty vast.)

Bing Shopping: Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight

Previous versions of the Nook Simple Touch got great reviews for overall design, performance and ease of use, so this illuminated upgrade "sets the standard for e-ink e-Readers going forward" according to CNet. Long battery life and that cool GlowLight will keep you reading no matter your surroundings.

Bing Shopping: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

Amazon's entry into the lit display e-reader race impresses with zippy performance, a super-crisp display and all the reading riches the Kindle store has to offer. There's a Web browser here, too, plus excellent battery life (as long as Wi-Fi is off) and a wonderfully responsive touchscreen.

Bing Shopping: Kobo eReader Touch

Small scaled at 6.5" x 4.5" and weighing a mere 7.1 ounces (PCMag.com compliments it as "tiny"), this e-reader offers touchscreen-only controls, a month of battery life (when Wi-Fi isn't in use) and a micro-SD slot to add a max of 32 GB extra storage to the onboard 2 GB. Kobo's store offers more than 2 million books for the browsing.

Bing Shopping: Sony PRS-T2

Recently released, this sleek new Sony slab bundles e-reading with Facebook and Evernote support, a memory expansion slot, six preloaded dictionaries, and unlike other e-readers, the PRS-T2 has a stylus for writing notes (or anything else you'd like) on the screen. With up to two months of battery life, this is the top pick for Sony fans.

Bing Shopping: Barnes & Noble Nook HD

CNet dubs this brand new e-reader "very good," calling it "a reading tablet for non-techies." The HD is the latest release in the well-respected Nook line, and true to its name, it's the screen that gets the lion's share of praise here. CNet's reviewer considers it "the sharpest screen of any 7-inch tablet," and PCMag.com agrees.