Sony Tablet S review: Classy iPad alternative

CNET Senior Editor Donald Bell talks about his review of the Sony Tablet S, an elegant Android tablet with a unique set of features.

Donald Bell Senior Editor / How To

Donald Bell has spent more than five years as a CNET senior editor, reviewing everything from MP3 players to the first three generations of the Apple iPad. He currently devotes his time to producing How To content for CNET, as well as weekly episodes of CNET's Top 5 video series.

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Donald Bell

Sept. 16, 2011 4:48 p.m. PT

Watch this: Sony Tablet S

02:05

As of today, Sony's Android 3.2 Tablet S is shipping across North America. The target audience: Apple-averse tablet fans with $500 to $600 to spend on a tablet newcomer (minus the 500,000 or so potential customers that bought discontinued HP TouchPads). OK, honestly, I have no idea who these people are. If they're the same people (not) buying RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook, Sony might be in trouble.

Sony Tablet S (photos)

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Ever the optimist, I really want to believe there's a market for premium-quality Android tablets out there. If so, Sony is poised to capitalize on it with the Tablet S.

Sony's tablet offers a welcome change from the cookie-cutter world of Honeycomb tablets. From the light, asymmetrical design, to the series of helpful software customizations that are more than just window dressing--the Tablet S comes across as the BMW of tablets. We like it.

To learn more, read CNET's full review of the Sony Tablet S, including screen test results and camera galleries. Also, be sure to check out CNET's Prizefight between the Tablet S and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

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