The best tablets for you as of July 2014

WHETHER you want one for work or play, the choice of which tablet is right for you is a hard one but we can help steer you in the right direction.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S

TABLETS are those weird devices that sit somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop.

More so than a phone, different types of tablets serve different purposes, so choosing the right one for your needs is important because we all know, they ain’t cheap!

Here’s a guide to clue you up on what the most popular tablets on the market offer to help your decision making process.

If you want to replace your laptop — Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (Available from August) - $979+

If you want something that you can use as both a tablet and as your laptop, look no further than Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3. The Surface Pro 3 runs full Windows 8.1, which means you can install any software you had on your old laptop or desktop, plus it can run any Windows tablet specific apps. There’s a detachable keyboard (available separately), a pen for you to digitally draw with and several configurations for you to choose from. But if you’re buying the Surface Pro 3, you’re buying it for its hardware.

It’s thinner and lighter than a 13” MacBook Air, has a great screen and the kickstand has been improved to help it work as a laptop and tablet.

It is a mostly fantastic device, but be aware of its average battery life. It also works better as a laptop than a tablet and it doesn’t pack a full sized SD card slot.

Much improved. Surface Pro 3 is by far your best option if you want something to replace your laptop.

If you’re on a budget — Google Nexus 7 — $299

Google’s seven-inch tablet is not only your best option if you want something on the cheap, but also your best small tablet. It’s extremely portable, receives regular software updates, is just as quick as most higher-end tablets and has a fantastic screen. If you just want something a bit bigger than your phone to browse with on the lounge, watch a casual TV show on the train or play a few games on, then this is your best bet.

It may be a bit older now, but it’s still the best cheap tablet.

If you want it for purely entertainment purposes — Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (Available July 14) — 599+

The Galaxy Tab S is one of those devices that you pick up, turn on and think ‘wow’. The screen is that gorgeous. This fact makes the Galaxy Tab S perfect for your entertainment needs.

The fact that it has a microSD slot gives it a big advantage over the iPad, allowing you to store 150GB worth of movies, TV shows, music or apps for you to consume wherever you are. Samsung has a few exclusive content deals as well, giving you access to media that other Android tablets cannot.

Seriously. That screen.

If you want a bit of everything — Apple iPad Air — $557+

Apple’s flagship tablet is still the king of the tablet. Much like the iPhone, it’s simply the jack of all trades. While it might not have the best screen (like the Tab S), it still has a great screen. While it might not be the most productive (like the Surface Pro 3), it can still easily be used as a work machine. But, while it is great at those things, and has a brilliant design, what it comes down to is Apple’s ecosystem. The apps available on the iOS App Store are always of higher quality than on the Android or Windows tablet stores, and what’s the point of a device like a tablet without great apps?