I'd say: that depends very much on your primary purpose for the tablet. * For example: I'd like to read college-level textbooks on a tablet. So: ideally I need an e-reader (e-ink) tablet that is as large as a typical college textbook page with at least a 300 pixel-per-inch screen (300 ppi is laser printer quality, which is far short of ink-on-paper resolution). Color would be nice, but not absolutely necessary. AFAIK that doesn't exist yet even in B&W (though the largest Onyx e-reader is approaching that goal). * But if all I wanted was to read novels (for example), a much smaller e-reader tablet would be sufficient, and I could probably stand 150 ppi. * On the other hand: if my primary planned use was to watch movies, video speed and download speed would be important issues, color would be a necessity, but I wouldn't need e-ink, and screen size would depend on my personal visual abilities and preferences. * So: consider what you want it to do, try to establish a list of "minimum specs" and "ideal specs" that will allow the tablet to perform the tasks you want it to perform, and *then* go shopping reliable brands that fit your specs.