My Birthday is Aug. 26th and my Mom has offered to help me buy one. Which one should I get? Please no iPad suggestions. I like the Sony S2 but with all types of different stories about release date, price, and rumors about no wifi only model I don't know what to think.

The Xoom seems to be up-to-date a bit faster as far as the software goes. I have a friend with an Acer Iconia tablet (about the cheapest Tegra 2 Honeycomb tablet you can buy) and it seems to work pretty well. It's lacking Netflix, Skype with video, and a few other things I would expect it to have, but maybe that's all of the Honeycomb tablets. It does have Google Talk with audio/video though and it was just updated to 3.1.

Also, unlocking it is kinda slow sometimes but otherwise it seems pretty solid and it has the same specs/hardware features as all of the more expensive Android tablets.

Looking at the Iconia a500 as you posted. Loading a review on PC World. Also looking at the EEE Transformer ($400).

I know it's not a tablet,but a Dell Inspiron Duo will do for a tablet and a netbook at the same time at the price of $549.And it will propably be ideal for the upcoming version of Windows,Windows 8.But if you want an android one,I would suggest the Motorola Xoom.

Update: It looks like a tie between the HTC Flyer and the EEE Pad Transformer. Wish we knew more about the S1 and S2.

Asus Eee Slate EP121
That's a real computer, not a toy.

The HTC one's a little poor so I'd stay away.

I'd recommend the Galaxy Tab 10.1 or any running Android 3.X. Or if you want a Windows 7 Tablet to prepare for 8.

Dell Inspiron Duo

http://www.dell.com/outlet

The Asus Eee Slate EP121 is epic.

HP TouchPad. Avoid Windows tablets like the plague until Windows 8 is actually released and plans / specifications are more certain. Windows 7 makes a horrid tablet OS (and yes, I have used it as one extensively - my father has a Lenovo tablet with Windows 7 installed).

Indeed. Apparently Dell are in the process of creating a tablet with insane killer specifications (including Sandy Bridge i5, damn) which will be released with Windows 8. I'd wait for that, if you wanted a tablet and spending a good amount of money was possible.

the HP TouchSmart tm2 is definitely a good contender.

The problem with modern Windows tablets is they are driven by a finger. If you want a currently useful tablet find one with a stylus, preferably one with one of the Wacom digitizers.

Bleh. No.

As nice as their hardware usually is, a 7" screen with Android 2.2?

To totally honest, and I know you said don't mention it, but unless you want a Windows tablet, the iPad is probably the best for the money and is definitely worth considering.

Andy you can mention anything you want. You're in charge.

I was only interested because of the HTC overlay of Android.

Agree with you but it is way out of my price range.

16GB Acer Iconia A500 < $400

Dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2, 1GB RAM
10.1" 1280x800 screen
Android 3.1, rootable
DLNA software built in (stream from/to your other devices; PC, PS3, etc)
USB Type-A Micro and Standard with USB host support
Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g/n, MicroHDMI output
The stanard accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, and a compass
5MP rear and 2MP front camera
MicroSD slot (max 32GB card)

Of course the battery doesn't last as long and it's bulkier than the iPad, but it's $100 less than the cheapest iPad. Strangely there is a dock, but no keyboard dock. However, Bluetooth and USB keyboards and mice will work.

Oh, and don't forget tabbed browsing with flash.

My local target has it at $350.

Not bad.

Consider also that the iPad2 only has 512MB RAM, no USB port unless you buy an additional adapter, no video output without a special adapter, no camera flash (A500 has rear flash), no SD slot, no stereo speakers, both cameras are ~1MP (compared to 5MP & 2MP), no tabbed browsing, no flash player, requires iTunes for file transfers, a lower screen resolution, and I'm sure there is more

iPad 2 definitely gets a few more hours battery life and is lighter/thinner though. I imagine most people think it looks a bit nicer too. Then, your preference between iOS or Android.

The Iconia is at $350, not the iPad. Wasn't sure which you were talking about.

The Iconia, just pointing out that you would pay more for something lighter/smaller/looks nicer but that has worse specs. LOL, now I'm thinking I could use one of these tablets. You might look at the ASUS Transformer TF101 too, it has almost exactly the same specs and supposedly a nicer screen for around the same price.

Thanks for being so nice, QuiescentWonder.