Toshiba showed four prototype tablets at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. However, they didn't give very much opportunity for up-close and hands-on time with the handheld devices. That leaves us wondering: Is a 13.3-inch tablet too big to swallow?
For the home theater enthusiast, the oversized screen may be well prescribed. It allows more than one viewer to watch video and look at other content.
A second model, a 7.7-inch tablet, is more comparable to other tablets on the market. While the screen size is smaller, group viewing is certainly an option. A Super AMOLED display, the same technology being used by Samsung for its Galaxy Tab 7.7, allows for a wider viewing angle. In other words, it's better for multiple viewers.
The overall design on the new tablets showed off a thinner form factor and brushed aluminum backing on the case. This is a change from rubbery grips on previous Toshiba tablets, which made the devices seem bulky.
The Excite X10, a 10.1-inch screen tablet, runs on the Android Honeycomb operating system. The company is promising to upgrade the unit to Ice Cream Sandwich, the Android 4.0 operating system. Expect the Excite X10 to retail for $529.99 for the 16GB model and $599 for 32GB.
Toshiba also had a 5.1-inch tablet on display, which supports a 21:9 screen. The size puts it in a similar category to a phone, though maybe with a slightly taller perspective. That could make it a tough sell for consumers who can get tablet-like performance on their smartphones. That said, it may never see store shelves in the U.S.
Where to Buy:
More News from CES
