Nokia N1, iPad Air 2, Nexus 9, Surface Pro 3: Top 10 tablets 2014
Find out which tablet is best
2014 has been a crazy year for technology enthusiasts and has seen a number of game changing events and first time occurrences that are sure to have a lasting effect on the industry.
Key events have ranged from the release of uber-thin iPads and HTC-built Android Nexus devices to an Android tablet built by former Microsoft poster-boy Nokia.
In fact, 2014 has been so busy with technology firsts some buyers have struggled to keep up with the news and become confused about which tablets are available and which are on the horizon.
Here to help, we've created a definitive list of the 10 best tablets due to arrive this year.
10. Nokia N1
Nokia was expected to leave the device market behind when it sold its phone business to Microsoft.
However, mere weeks after Microsoft officially dropped the Nokia branding from its Lumia range of Windows Phones, the Finnish firm shocked the world, unveiling its first ever Android tablet, the Nokia N1.
Powered by an unskinned version of Google's latest Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system, the Nokia N1 is blissfully free of the bloatware plaguing most Android tablets.
In fact the only major software addition to the Nokia N1's software is a custom "Nokia Z launcher" that aims to let the tablet remember users behaviour and intelligently push content to them.
Add to this the Nokia N1's impressive components, which include a super fast 64-bit 2.3GHz Intel Atom Z3580 processor, 7.9in, 2048x1536 IPS LCD display and reversible Type C USB port and we can't help but get a little excited about the Finnish firm's hardware comeback.
Hopefully the Nokia N1's on paper promise will ring true when the tablet arrives in Europe next year.
9. Asus VivoTab Note 8
The Asus VivoTab Note 8 should go beyond your standard media-consumption device. This 8in unit packs a handy set of specifications including a quad-core fourth-generation Intel Atom processor, eight hours of expected battery life, 2GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage.
The Taiwanese firm's slate comes pre-installed with Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Office Home and Student and also includes a Wacom stylus.
Several device makers have entered the 8in space recently, with Dell, HP and Lenovo all offering their own Windows 8 devices in this class. Asus' rendition is quite promising, especially because Asus is touting this device to be perfect for creative and professional types. It's entering a crowded marketplace, but it has every possibility of succeeding.
Nokia N1, iPad Air 2, Nexus 9, Surface Pro 3: Top 10 tablets 2014
Find out which tablet is best
8. iPad Mini 3
The iPad Mini 3 was unveiled alongside the iPad Air 2. Unlike the iPad Air 2, the iPad Mini 3 is a touch up rather than redesign of Apple's small form factor tablet offering.
Key upgrades include Apple's Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a new gold colour option.
Outside this, the iPad Mini 3 uses the same 7.9in Retina display, A7 64-bit processor and storage options as the 2013 iPad Mini 2.
While some may bemoan the lack of upgrades, the iPad Mini 3's specs are still very good and, with prices starting at £320, the tablet will be a solid option for any Apple user on the market for a travel-friendly tablet.
Panasonic's latest 7in device is the toughest in this list by a long way. Featuring IP67 certification and a chunky feel, this looks to be exactly the sort of device you'll want to send out with employees whose workplaces are outdoors, such as in the utility or construction industries.
Powered by a fourth-generation Intel Core i5 Haswell processor, Panasonic's slate should be more than powerful enough for most workers' needs.
It will be pricey, however, with prices starting at a hefty £1,183. That said, you certainly get what you pay for and, as we noted in our full Toughpad FZ-M1 review, Panasonic knows its bread and butter when it comes to rugged devices.
Nokia N1, iPad Air 2, Nexus 9, Surface Pro 3: Top 10 tablets 2014
Find out which tablet is best
6. Lenovo ThinkPad 8
While 2013 saw an influx of new 10in and 12in Windows 8 tablets, the small form factor space continues to be dominated by Apple and Google, with their respective iPad Mini and Nexus 7 devices.
This is sad as 7in and 8in tablets are actually very useful. Being small and light the tablets are ideal productivity aids for people who regularly travel or are constantly on the move. Because of this we were very happy when the Chinese PC maker chose to rectify the situation, unveiling its brand new ThinkPad 8 at CES 2014.
Featuring an 8.3in 1920x1200 full HD screen, powerful Intel Z3770 quad-core 2.4GHz Bay Trail processor and boasting all the inherent enterprise benefits of Microsoft's Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad 8 has the potential to be one of 2014's best tiny tablets.
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S
While Samsung has had great success with its smartphones, it has struggled to gain much ground in the tablet market, with many consumers still showing a preference for Apple's iPad series of devices.
This year Samsung has come out guns blazing, releasing its latest flagship Galaxy Tab S tablet. Featuring a wealth of technology innovations, including a custom fingerprint scanner, Super Amoled display and powerful octa-core processor as well as support for Samsung's latest Knox security service, the Galaxy Tab S is one of the finest Android tablets currently available.
However, with prices for the basic 16GB WiFi only version of the Galaxy Tab S starting at £400 the tablet's perks come with a premium cost.
Nokia N1, iPad Air 2, Nexus 9, Surface Pro 3: Top 10 tablets 2014
Find out which tablet is best
4. Galaxy Note Pro 12.2in
Korean tech heavyweight Samsung has been edging its way into the enterprise space for the past year. But so far the shift has been software based, with Samsung limiting itself to releasing tools such as its Knox security service.
At CES 2014 this all changed when Samsung unveiled its Galaxy Tab Pro and Note Pro series of devices.
Both the Note Pro and standard Pro tablets come in a variety of size options, ranging between 8in to 12in. For us the 12.2in Note Pro is the most interesting.
Featuring a 12.2in 2560x1600 resolution display, productivity-focused Magazine UX Android skin, Knox security and a dockable S Pen stylus, as we noted in our full review, we can see the Galaxy Note Pro appealing to a variety of businesses.
3. Google Nexus 9
Unveiled a day before the Apple iPad Air the Google Nexus 9 is on paper one of the most interesting Android tablets to arrive this year.
Built by HTC, as opposed to tablet veteran Asus, the Nexus 9 houses a number of top-end hardware and software features in its sleek metallic frame. Chief of these is the inclusion of Google's latest Android Lollipop operating system.
Android Lollipop, formerly known as Android L, was unveiled by Google in June and features a completely reimagined Material Design that makes the OS simpler to use. It does this by creating a 'flatter' interface more akin to that seen on iOS than past Android versions.
The Nexus 9 will also be the first Google device to take advantage of Android Lollipop's 64-bit support and will run an Nvidia Tegra K1 2.3GHz processor and 2GB of RAM.
With prices starting at £320, the combination of features mean the Nexus 9 should be great value for money for any business buyer looking for a top-end travelling companion.
Nokia N1, iPad Air 2, Nexus 9, Surface Pro 3: Top 10 tablets 2014
Find out which tablet is best
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Microsoft's been working hard to get a solid stake in the tablet market with its Surface line for the past three years. However, a number of niggling flaws in the robust Windows tablets' designs and hardware put many buyers off.
So Microsoft listened to its customers' feedback and went back to the drawing board, designing its latest Surface Pro 3 and created its highest-specced tablet to date.
Running the latest version of Microsoft's Windows 8.1 software the Surface Pro 3 is full of top-end hardware. Key selling points include its new redesigned digital stylus, a larger 12in, 3:2 aspect ratio 2160x1440 ClearType display and wealth of Intel Haswell chip options.
As we noted in our review, the Surface Pro 3 is capable of replacing a dedicated laptop and is currently the finest business tablet to arrive this year.
1. iPad Air 2
Apple created what in our mind is its finest tablet ever in 2013, the iPad Air. Featuring an, at the time, powerful host of internal components and unprecedentedly thin design, the 2013 iPad Air was so good we were left wondering how Apple planned to improve on it.
Luckily, one year on Apple managed to find a way. As well as being 18 percent thinner than the original iPad Air, measuring 240x170x6.1mm, the iPad Air 2 is one of the first Apple tablets to come with a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. Debuted on the iPhone 5S, Touch ID is a security feature that lets users set the iPad Air 2 to unlock only when the user has proved their identity.
Add to this the iPad Air 2's powerful A8X processor, upgraded 8MP rear camera and glare resistant screen coating, and we can't help but think Apple's latest tablet will be one of the best seen this year.