iPad alternatives: the ultimate Android tablet round-up

If you think about tablet computing these days then the chances are what you actually mean is the Apple iPad vision of a slate-based device. That's not altogether surprising when you consider how long Microsoft, and others, had been trying to break this market only to falter and fail. The iPad, without doubt, energized a genre by pretty much redefining it. Of course, that energy is boosted by competition and nowhere is this stronger than the small army of Android-powered tablets that are now available for the seasonal shopper. But should you hang fire until the Spring and see what iPad 2 has to offer (most likely an improved screen, a front facing video camera, more grunt under the hood plus a thinner profile) or opt for an Android now? DaniWeb has been playing with some of the contenders for your Christmas cash in an attempt to see if any are truly deserving of the 'iPad beater' title.