The tablet is fast becoming a popular device for business, communication and personal entertainment. Tablets vary in terms of features, but they're appealing because they're more portable than a laptop yet more powerful and productive than a smartphone. Here are a few key features of three top tablets on the market.

 

The Apple iPad is arguably the most well-known tablet on the market today. It comes with three options for memory capacity (16, 32 or 64 GB) and can be purchased as a stand-alone Wi-Fi device or with a monthly data plan. The tablet includes a very sharp Retina display as well as a 5-megapixel camera. As with most tablets, the iPad can run a number of apps and sync with Apple's iCloud service. The iPad runs on the Apple operating system and syncs with a variety of proprietary software products. Prices start at $499. Visit apple.com/ipad for more information.

 

Unlike the iPad, which comes in one size, the Samsung Galaxy Tab comes in a variety of sizes, which range from 7 inches to 10.1 inches. The Galaxy Tab runs on the Android platform, which may be more familiar to some consumers, particularly PC users. Like other tablets, the Galaxy Tab can run a wide variety of productivity and entertainment apps and house different types of media. Prices start at $199.99, and additional details can be found at www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxytab/10.1/index.html.

 

Picking a third tablet is a challenge because there are so many great products on the market. However, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer is quickly becoming a popular choice due to its competitive pricing and flexibility. The Eee Pad offers a number of configurations and has the ability to pair easily with a dock-style keyboard. This makes the Android-based tablet more like a compact laptop. The Eee Pad starts at $349.99. More information can be found at www.asus.com/tablet.

 

If you're in the market for a tablet, be sure to review operating systems, memory, functionality, apps, size, price, peripherals and battery life. Also consider how you plan to use it on a regular basis — will it be a home office tool or reserved mainly for home entertainment like movies, gaming, music and e-books? Other products for comparison include the Motorola XOOM™, Sony Tablet S, Toshiba Thrive™ and Blackberry® Playbook™. There are also devices like Amazon's Kindle Fire that have blurred the lines between e-book reader and tablet. Ultimately it's worth taking time to shop around and compare.