8 Half Marathon Training

Display: 10.1-A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Memory: 32 GB

I own the Fire HD 10, and it’s a fantastic all-around machine for consuming entertainment, shopping online, and of course tapping into Amazon’s ecosystem of music, movies, and more. Its biggest drawback is that it uses a special version of Android that doesn’t have access to the Google Play store. However, Amazon has its own app store, which should have most apps that you could want. The screen and sound quality aren’t ideal for gaming or movies, but are surprisingly good for the price.

Display: 12.4-in., 2800 x 1752
Memory: 128 GB

I recently spent some time testing out the Tab S7+ and can recommend it for those who want a top-of-the-line tablet to do work as well as provide entertainment. The highlight is the included S-pen, which lets you easily take notes. The high-resolution screen is sharp and features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and better picture quality while watching movies. Buy the optional keyboard to make this a reasonable work machine in a pinch.

Display: 10.3-in., 1920 x 1200
Memory: 32GB

If you don’t want to lock yourself into Amazon’s own OS with its Kindle tablets, the M10 Plus is a good affordable alternative. It’s got similar specs to the Fire HD 10 (above), but for just a few more dollars you get access to the Google Play store with its wider variety of apps. You also get a full HD screen that’s better for movies and gaming, and twice the memory. The M10 Plus has a metal back, which gives it a premium feel for this price range. The 8 MP rear + 5 MP front cameras take reasonably good pictures, although the resolution is limited if you actually want to print your shots.

Display: 8-All Gear & Accessories
Memory: 32GB

The Fire HD 8 is the little brother to the HD10, with a smaller screen but similar specs otherwise. The price saving is welcome, but you also get a tablet that’s easier to hold, superfluous for long reading sessions if you use it as an e-reader. As with the Fire HD 10, the screen quality won’t win any prizes, but it’s fine if you don’t expect cinephile-quality movies. The HD 8’s plastic casing feels a bit cheap but it’s easy to grip.

Display: 10.1-in., 1920 x 1200
Memory: 64GB

The Smart Tab has a unique shape with a bulge at one side that makes it handy for gripping and also provides space for a handy flip-out stand. The bulge also holds dual JBL Hi-Fi speakers boosted with an amplifier and Dolby Atmos. The 10.1-inch FHD display has enough resolution for highly detailed movie watching and gets bright enough at 320 nits to pick out details even during daylight.

Display: 8.0-All Gear & Accessories
Memory: 64 GB

The Tab A 8.0 offers solid specs at a reasonable price. The minimal bezel makes the most of the relatively small eight-inch screen. The HD resolution won’t be enough for serious screen hounds, but the Tab A packs in enough pixels to do most activities like browsing the web or playing some casual games. Like most compact tablets, the Tab A is small and light enough (12.1 ounces) to toss into a bag or even a large pocket without weighing you down.

Display: 10.4-Watch: What Its Like to Train With Eliud Kipchoge
Memory: 64GB

The slim, stylish design of the Tab A7 makes it stand out from tablets with similar specs. It’s an excellent entertainment system with a quad speaker system that plays in Dolby Atmos surround sound. Movies and games will look good, too, with a sharp screen that boasts a resolution of 2000 x 1200 that’s enough to pick out small details in your favorite show. Samsung throws in six months of a Spotify premium membership with the purchase.

Display: 10.4-Watch: What Its Like to Train With Eliud Kipchoge
Memory: 64 to 128 GB

Scribblers take note. The S6 Lite is great for handwriting with the included S-pen that allows you to write on the screen. This is one of the last expensive tablets you can buy with an included stylus and also boasts the same sharp display as on the slightly less expensive Tab A7 (above). It’s got an attractive, metal design that’s only .28 inches thick. Samsung claims you’ll get up to 12 hours of battery life with this tablet.