At 9.4in, the Sony Tablet S is smaller than both the iPad 2's (9.7in) and the Galaxy Tab 10.1v's (10.1in) Picture: Justin Lloyd Source: The Australian
IT'S hard to imagine tablet computers did not have a mainstream existence until 22 months ago.
First there was the iPad and soon after came a flurry of similar devices running the rival operating system Android.
The open nature of the Android OS means users are spoiled for device and brand choice.
You can pick up a no-frills Android tablet for about half the price of Apple's most inexpensive model.
The first thing that stands out about Sony's entry into the tablet market, the Sony Tablet S, is its shape.
The wedge-shape tablet (think doorstop) elevates the screen at a slight angle when placed on a flat surface and feels comfortable when held horizontally in your hands.
As a result, typing is much easier if you aren't adept at thumb typing.
The combination of Android 3.2.1 Honeycomb with the dual core ARM Cortex processor provides a smooth tablet internet browsing, working and gaming experience. Also onboard is a USB 2.0 micro port, one SD card slot and a headphone jack.
As well as running all the usual Android Marketplace apps, the S is loaded with Sony-specific software.
Access is provided to the Sony Entertainment Network, movie rentals via Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited.
You can also enjoy plenty of books with the Sony eBook reader application.
The only feature that disappoints and it is understandable why is the PlayStation games component.
While the S is PlayStation Certified - it can run a selection of PSOne titles - it lacks buttons.
Each of the PlayStation DualShock controller's buttons and control sticks are emulated on the touchscreen.
That's fine when you only need to move and press the face buttons but using the triggers - R1, R2, L1 or L2 is where players come unstuck.
You need to physically move your hand up the screen to press those triggers and a combination trigger and button press can be trickier than playing Twister.
Games downloaded from the Android Marketplace work well because they are obviously developed for touchscreen devices.
However, PSOne games are unlikely to be a deciding factor in whether or not you buy the Sony Tablet S.
Tablets are only as good as their apps and, like all Android tablets, while the quality is good, the Android Marketplace at the moment still can't complete
with the sheer number of apps available via Apple's App Store.
The 16GB Sony Tablet S costs $579 while the 32GB model has a recommended price of $689.
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