TBR's Best Tablets for 2016 – Android, iOS, Windows and Fire OS

With the year just picking up, its already a certainty that its still going to be another Tablet-year, owing to the constant shedding of marketshare in the PC zone. After recovering from a slump at the tail end of Q3 2015, the Tablet giants are once again ready for war. With so much focus on building even more powerful products to displace conventional Laptops from the hands of the upwardly mobile user as well as the social-savvy, the likes of Google, Apple, and Microsoft are expected to use 2016 to settle scores.

Though this market had belonged to Android and iOS since inception, a lot may happen between now and the next couple of years. Windows 10 may finally be the push Microsoft needs to establish itself as a key player in tablets. A new report from Strategy Analytics recently predicted that by 2019, Windows will be running on 18 percent of tablets globally, nearly doubling its current 10 percent market share.

The report claims that 2015 has been the year that Microsoft finally got it right on tablets. It's been a long road from Windows 8, which merged tablet and desktop interfaces in a less-than-convincing way. Windows 10, with features like the Continuum interface switcher, may be the push the system needs to cement itself in the tablet space.

IOS is expected to claim 23 percent of the market in 2019, increasing market share by one percentage point. The big loser in the shift will be Android, whose current 68 percent share will be eroded to 59 percent towards the end of the decade. “Windows Tablet market share has dwindled in the mid-single digit range for the last few years but Windows devices now run the gamut from 2-in-1 Tablets from E-Fun in the U.S. starting at $139 retail, to Microsoft’s Surface Book starting at $1499 retail," said Eric Smith, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics.

One of the key factors that will swing it to Windows will probably be the sudden interest from the business sector, hitherto occupied exclusively by Apple. While Android has found strength in its low-tier offerings, Apple has positioned itself towards capturing the high end with the new iPad Pro, aiming at the enterprise customer and graphics pros. Windows, on the other hand, is opting for a more balanced approach with a combination of value and premium offerings.

The Surface Book, one of Microsoft's newest additions to the 2-in-1 hybrid space, looks like a traditional laptop, but can detach to form a tablet at a moment's notice. The company poured resources into addressing the finer details like the hinge, and its asking price means Microsoft is clearly aiming for the high end.

But even before the Surface Book was announced, analysts had been predicting a major increase in Windows tablet marketshare. An August report from IDC pointed to the release of the 2-in-1-friendly Windows 10 as a driver of growth, with its 8.4 percent market share estimated to grow to 17.5 percent by 2019.

From a 6.55% level in the market in 2013, Amazon has continued to rise with its Kindle brand in the Tablet market. Its currently rated very highly in the market and may improve on its rating this year, especially at the detriment of Android. Packing a punch in the area of E-books, Movies and social apps, Kindle deserves a place among the big players. So using the reviews of Cnet, PC World, Forbes and TBR analytics, here's our pick of the best products from the four major platforms in 2016:

Google Pixel C:

The Good The Google Pixel C has a slim, compact aluminum build that feels sturdy. Its optional Bluetooth keyboard is equally solid and doubles as the tablet's cover and it has a powerful, long-running battery. The tablet runs the latest version of Android and its performance is lightning fast. The screen is sharp, bright and colorful, and gaming graphics look stellar.

The Bad It's a bit heavy when attached to the keyboard (which is sold separately). Big-name apps and games still tend to hit iOS before Android.

The Bottom Line The Google Pixel C is the best Android tablet money can buy.

The Pixel C starts at $500 and has a high-end design, spectacular screen, fast performance and long-lasting battery. But with interest in Android tablets decreasing more and more every year, Google's best effort at a high-end tablet may fall upon deaf ears.

iPad Air 2:

The Good The iPad Air 2 has a great balance of size and weight. Crisp, bright display. iOS 9 runs perfectly, including split-screen apps.

The Bad Priced relatively high for a tablet; single speaker isn't that loud compared to iPad Pro.

The Bottom Line Apple's mid-range tablet is a year old, but it's still the perfect mix of size and performance for nearly anyone.

It's rare to revisit a piece of tech one year later and find it's still the best of the bunch. That's the case with the iPad Air 2, a product that somehow seems better now than it did in when it was first released in late 2014. And here's the best part: the Air 2 is less expensive now. It can be found on sale frequently, and if you can get the 64GB version at a great price.

Microsoft Surface Pro 4:

The Good The Surface Pro 4 fits a larger screen with a higher resolution into a slightly slimmer body than last year's model. The pen and keyboard cover are also improved, and this is one of the first mobile systems shipping with Intel's latest processors.

The Bad Microsoft still refuses to include the Type Cover keyboard by default, forcing a separate purchase. Battery life still isn't enough for a full day.

The Bottom Line A host of small refinements cements the Surface Pro 4's position as the best-in-class Windows tablet -- so long as you're prepared to pay extra for the required keyboard cover accessory.

The new Surface Pro 4 is Microsoft taking a victory lap -- and a well-deserved one at that. After three generations of pitching "a tablet that can replace your laptop" -- with mixed success -- the formula has finally clicked. The 2015 version of Microsoft's tablet adds the latest Intel processors, a slightly larger screen (perfectly sized at 12.3 inches with a just-right 3:2 aspect ratio), and a handful of hardware and software tweaks, but doesn't radically change the DNA of its predecessor, 2014's excellent Surface Pro 3 .

Amazon Fire HDX 8.9:

The Good The Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 is the first tablet with Dolby Atmos audio-enhancing technology and Amazon's item-identifying Firefly function. Its user-friendly operating system includes Mayday instant customer service, extensive parental controls and the ability to set up individual profiles. It's still one of the lightest and slimmest tablets around.

The Bad Amazon's curated app store has far fewer apps and games than Google and iOS app stores. The heavily modified OS leaves little room for customization and there's no microSD card slot.

The Bottom Line Impressive Amazon features and an outstanding display make the the Fire HDX 8.9 one of the best and most affordable media consumption tablets.

The Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 is one of the most understated high-end tablets of the year. Though physically it's virtually indiscernible from the 2013 model, it packs a more powerful processor, an updated OS with more family-friendly functions, and exclusive features like audio-enhancing Dolby Atmos and item-recognition software, Firefly.