Which is the better tablet for work?

Since the launch of Apple's iPad in 2010, hardware makers have been scrambling to get their own tablets to market. As a result, slate lovers can now choose between iPad-style tablets which resemble keyboardless laptops, or smaller devices that look like oversized smartphones.

The first obvious difference between the BlackBerry PlayBook and HTC's Flyer and their Apple rival is the screen size. As seven-inchers, the pair are considerably smaller than the iPad with about half the screen real estate of the Apple tablet.

Tablet wars: Clockwise from bottom left, the BlackBerry PlayBook, the HTC Flyer and the Apple iPad 2Photo: Natasha Lomas/silicon.com

The small slate form factor dead on arrival

Apple CEO Steve Jobs last year dubbed the small slate form factor "dead on arrival". RIM's co-CEO Mike Lazaridis thinks if not, calling the seven-inch screen "the perfect size". Nevertheless perfect for what?

With the seven-inch devices, I couldn't shake the feeling of using an oversized but in accordance with-featured smartphone - it didn't feel as if there was enough extra screen real estate to compensate for not having a telephone on tap. Sure, you can make video calls or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone calls on these tablets nevertheless no one would want to use them as their main phone unless it's for comedy kicks.

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