Well, using the new tablet comparison tool from FindTheBest, we can answer this question by comparing the features of the top tablets in the market today.

To find the best tablet for the college student, tablets using the iOS (iPad 2), Android (Samsung Galaxy Tab), and Windows 7 (iView M1 Touch) operating systems need to be analyzed in three main categories: price, screen size and weight, and battery life.

When looking at the screen size and weight of each tablet, the Galaxy and M1 Touch both have screens that measure 10.1” while the iPad has a smaller 9.7” screen.  The screen size of each tablet may not be a deciding factor for the average college student, but the weight associated with is very important.  The larger 10.1” screen on the M1 Touch along with its components total out at a whopping 2.2 pounds while the iPad weighs only 1.35 pounds and the Galaxy weighs a minimal 1.25 pounds.

Three Options, Best Tablets for College Students:
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab
2. iPad 2
3. iView M1 Touch

With the average student spending a majority of their day on campus away from their chargers, battery life is a major deciding factor in this comparison.  The iPad 2 barely edges out the competition with a battery life of 10 hours, while the Galaxy will last for 9 hours on a charge.  The real loser in this category is the M1 Touch as its battery only lasts 3 hours, less than the length of some college classes.

Finally, the most important aspect for many college students… price. The M1 Touch will cost you over $100 less than the others at $359, while the iPad comes in the middle over the three at $499 and the Galaxy is the most expensive at $549.

Taking all features into account, the M1 Touch can be ruled out because of its very short battery life and weight.  As for the better of the iPad and Galaxy tab, the iPad 2 is slightly more qualified to the needs of college students because of its lower price and longer battery life, even when sacrificing screen size.

1. Sleeve for iPad from Golla – this cute sleeve from Golla is great for the ladies who want something protective but stylish at the same time. It’s made of durable polyester with a soft corduroy lining and features a nice feminine applique front and center. We found it online via Best Buy for less than $25.

2. Moshi Sleeve for iPad – here’s a nice modern looking sleeve in brown from Moshi that is great for those who want something hip and a tad on the unique side. It has no zipper, you simply slide your iPad in through the top and the flap keeps it secured inside. It’s made from padded microfiber.

3. iPad Sleeve from Hard Candy – this all black bubble sleeve from Hard Candy is all the rage with those who seek safety above all else. This one boasts that it has bumpers inside that help cushion and keep your iPad protected from bumps and shock. No case is 100% safe, but this one is known for extra security. Plus it looks sharp as well with its exterior EVA molded foam bubble design.

4. Origami Stand Sleeve for iPad – this sleeve from InCase is quite unique in that it folds to become a vertical or horizontal stand, which is a neat feature considering that many use the iPad for viewing videos, voice chat with Skype or Google Voice, comic book reading, e-reading and so on. It has a neoprene exterior and a faux-fur interior.

5. Case Logic iPad Sleeves – this sleeve from Case Logic is a great and affordable option for on the go mobility. It’s lightweight, thin and sleek. Made from durable nylon to keep your iPad protected from the elements of wear and tear along with screen protection. It’s available online for less than $16 shipped.

That concludes our round up of cool sleeves for iPad. We plan to update this list as we run into more and as usual – do comment below with your thoughts and if you liked any of these sleeves, share it on Twitter or Facebook.

If you’re looking for something not pictured above, just send us an email via our contact form – and we will search high and low for you.

p.s. We also have a page dedicated to iPad 2 covers. Have a look.

image via The Next Web

1. Software – the iPad is unlike any device out there. It’s not like your netbook, laptop or desktop. It’s not like your cell phone either. It’s an entirely new category of tech and as such carries its own special type of software. One you may or may not like. I bought an iPad in April 0f 2010 and sold it shortly thereafter because I just couldn’t get used to the software, just didn’t like it. You might also feel the same way. Best bet is to try before you buy, visit an Apple store and take a test drive first.

2. Email – again this has to do with the software of the iPad, but we didn’t care for the email app either. Maybe we’re just sticklers for what we already use.

3. Price – $500 is nothing to sneeze at. That’s alot of money. Really what you’re buying is the Apple name and although I consider the iPad to be a high quality device, the tablet itself doesn’t justify the steep price. If you don’t fancy buying a name, then the iPad is not for you.

4. Do you really need it? – this what it all comes down to, doesn’t it. Here are some of the reasons that an iPad would fit into your life; to couch surf, to consume media as opposed to create it, have bragging rights over the  neighbors, to feel superior in every way, to support (and make even richer) the big money machinery known as Apple.

5. Be A Rebel – are you one of those types that likes to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing? Then you can’t get an iPad for Christ’s sake, that’s what everyone else is doing. Go against the the grain, either stick with what you have or get yourself an eMachines. Nobody is doing that!

Fact is if you get the iPad because of the noise and hoopla, once you get it, you’re gonna be let down because it isn’t as Apple claims a “magical device”.

It’s just a gadget. A cool gadget. Yes. But surely not magical. No.

Having said all that, stay tuned for our next article where we cover five reasons to get an iPad, follow us on Twitter for updates.

Cheers!

The bamboo iPad 2 cover from ClearMax is a handsome looking case that slides over your tablet and protects the sides and back. It doesn’t come with screen protection so a screen protector will be needed, but otherwise this case is solid.

Since this case is made from 100% renewable bamboo, it’s perfect for eco friendly tech nerds and those with a sustainable bent. You can use it vertically or horizontally and it also comes with a stand, we found it online for less than $50 via Amazon.

The Etch A Sketch ipad cover is one of the more unique cases we’ve come across that makes the iPad even more fun than it already is. Simply place it over the tablet like you would any other cover and see it transformed into a one-of-a-kind fun device.

This cover is also great as gift for a teen, or anyone with a playful sense of style. We found the Etch a Sketch iPad cover online via Amazon for less than $40.

via Amazon

It’s made from a hard plastic and looks great on the iPad, but it doesn’t offer screen protection – so keep this in mind.

You can go to Gazelle the leading nationwide electronics recycler and see how much you can fetch for your iPad 1. As of right now it seems you can net a whopping $240 for the first generation 16 GB WIFI tablet from Apple.

Not bad for a device that is close to a year old and losing value fast with new editions on the horizon. It’s a fair value if you ask me.

If you have the 64 GB model or the 3G model, you will get even more from Gazelle. The $240 valuation above is for the entry level iPad 16GB WIFI model.

All you do is fill out their form with the iPad version you have and your personal details, then they send you a check in the mail after they receive and inspect the tablet. It’s easy, painless and quick.

Visit Gazelle today and trade in your iPad for top dollar.

Yes! it can.

Pandora is a super cool (and free) web-based musc streaming app that allows you to download your iTunes music and listen to it on the iPad. You can create playlists and listen to a certain band, artist or genre of music.

Like the Beatles and only want to listen to Beatles music on the iPad every Saturday? No problem, you can create a playlist and set it up to play when desired. It’s really a versatile and multi-faceted iPad app that makes listening, recording and adding music – just  plain fun!

Try Pandora for the iPad now via iTunes.

Don’t have (or want) an iTunes account? No problem as Pandora works without it as well, simply choose the type of music you like listening to, and it chooses cool music based off your interests.

It has a built-in capability that remembers what you like and then plays music that fits your specific and personal profile. For example, are you a big country western fan? Then when you pick a country music artist such as Tim Mcgraw, the Pandora software will choose other artists or bands that are similar in nature as Tim Mcgraw. It remembers what you like and gives you more.

You can also save certain artists, bands or genres of music and call upon it at will. Pandora is a lot of fun and a great iPad music app.

Many ask what is the difference between an iPad and a laptop, well one thing is the slim light body. Why lug around a heavy laptop (or even a netbook) when the smaller and lighter iPad will do the trick. Especially for couch or late-night surfing while in bed.

Which brings me us to this cool case I just found  on Amazon which supports my theory of the iPad as an ideal surfing device. It’s an iPad case with keyboard for writing letters, updating your blog site, composing a hearty email and so on.

If you’re a new iPad owner, you will notice right away how slippery the Apple tablet is and how quickly it can slip from your hands. Also you will notice how thin it is and how getting a good grip on it might pose a slight challenge. This is why it truly is vital you get a case, any case. But get one.

However if you seek something sleek, practical and cool. Give this iPad case with built-in keyboard a good look. It’s like getting two much needed accessories for the price of one. This awesome case comes from well known accessory manufacturer Kensington.

As of this writing, the case is available online via Amazon for less than $50 shipped. Have a good look and let us know what you think.

Cheers,
Admin

p.s. Looking for something else altogether? Let me know and I’ll scour the web looking for it.

1. Amazon – who doesn’t know the grand daddy of retail marketplaces online. This retailer is number one for a reason, actually several reasons. One which is inventory, they have it all and then some. Second is variety, they have just about anything and everything you can think of, including cool iPad 2 covers and cases for your Apple tablet device. The well known brands as well as lesser known mom and pop brands, along with third party International vendors. This is my #1 pick for scoring a good quality, name brand iPad 2 cover on the web.

2. Case Mate – this brand is known for their cool designs and offbeat styles on everything from cell phone cases to tablet covers and more. Many who’ve purchased from this brand before are repeat customers who have already gotten several of their cute covers for the original iPad. When the iPad 2 covers come out from this brand, better hurry and get in line because they tend to sell out fast.

3. Griffin – for a higher quality name and designs to match, Griffin is for you. They have an impressive selection devoted entirely to the iPad from Apple. Everything from cases, covers and even bags are available. But not just one or two, they have a veritable line up that includes the Elan line, the Air Strap, the FlexiGrip, Jumper, and the hugely popular Reveal line. There’s something for everyone here whether you like your cover or case thin, bulky, light, heavy, unique, fashionable, traditional, clean, sleek, etc. They have it for the iPad and soon iPad 2.

4. Otterbox – a well know name in the cell phone case arena, they also carry covers and cases for pc tablets. Their signature line (the Commuter and Defender Series) is preferred by those with heavy use and those who like a rugged case. These are not flimsy fragile covers, these are built tough to withstand daily heavy usage. As for design? They’re clean, sleek and quite traditional with mostly black as the color of choice. Simply put, they’re great cases and covers for the iPad 2.

The above brands are our top picks for scoring a cool and high quality iPad 2 cover, sleeve or case. Keep in mind that some manufacturers need a bit of time after a new model is introduced – before the case or cover is made and ready to be shipped out.

The new iPad from Apple comes out in March, so no doubt the above accessory brands will need a few weeks to get their new cases out.

Cheers,
Zack

p.s. We also have a page dedicated to sleeves for iPad. Have a look.

1. Dell Streak Screen Protector from Skinomi – protect your screen with this military grade shield from Skinomi. Although the screen on your Dell Streak is made from tough and durable Gorilla glass, it doesn’t hurt to add an extra thin layer of protection to keep the screen scratch and dust free.

2. Amzer Jelly Case for Dell Streak – colorful and bright is how best to describe the jelly cases from Amzer for the Dell Streak. The case comes in several colors including pink, grey, blue, purple, burgundy, white, orange, black and green. It’s made from a soft but long lasting rubber material which is great for constant on the go action.

3. Otterbox Case for Dell Streak – one of the best case manufacturers on the web, Otterbox is known for high quality and good looking mobile tech accessories including smartphones and tablets, this time they don’t disappoint with the release of the Impact series for the Dell Streak tablet. Made from silicone, the case also comes with a free screen shield.

4. Ocean Fest Skin Decal for Dell Streak – great looking skin for the Dell Streak. This isn’t a case so much as it’s a skin decal you place on the front and back of your device. It’s made of a strong and durable vinyl material it will protect your Streak from dust, fingerprints and light scratches. Great choice for those want some personality with their protection.

5. Neoprene Case for Dell Streak – we don’t do leather here at PTG and with that in mind, we found this super cool neoprene case for the Dell Streak that will hold your tablet/cellphone nice and snug but without bulk and because it’s tailor made for the dimensions of the mini 5 inch tablet, fits like a glove. This one is great for when you normally tote around a bag, purse, backpack or carry it on it’s own. Retails for less than $10 on Amazon.

That concludes our round up of the top five Dell Streak cases, covers, sleeves and skins. Keep our list in mind next time you’re looking for a protective accessory for your Dell tablet and feel free to share this list with your friends.

If you’re a manufacturer for cases and covers – drop us a line via our contact form. We love to hear about new tablet accessories!