This top 10 of tablets is by no means the be all and end all. There are plenty of new tablets to get excited about this year, which could challenge the Sony Xperia Tablet Z for top spot.

If none of the tablets in our top 10 take your fancy then maybe you will be enticed by the ones we could see later this year.

Windows 8 tablets




Windows 8 tablets

The Microsoft Surface Pro is already in our top 10 and there's probably going to be a Surface 2, but a number of manufactures are hungry to get in on the Windows 8 tablet action, with the likes of Samsung, Asus, HP, Dell, Nokia and Lenovo all reported to be working on one.
So expect a flurry of new devices to arrive towards the end 2013, right on time for the holiday season.
Read more: Windows 8 tablets: what you need to know

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0





Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 didn't get a big, fancy launch event, instead being quietly announced via the firm's website.
Packing a 7-inch display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 8GB and 16GB storage options, microSD slot, 3MP rear camera and 1.3MP front camera it's not going to set the world alight, but if Samsung get its pricing right we could have a budget winner on our hands.

BlackBerry PlayBook 2





BlackBerry PlayBook

Not to be confused with the PlayBook 2.0 software upgrade for BlackBerry's initial tablet, the PlayBook 2 is set to run the new BB10 software RIM has spent a year and a half developing.
BB10 is expected to launch later this year and we hope RIM makes a marked improvement on the first PlayBook, which had several key flaws leading to poor sales.

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 2





Kindle Fire HD

Amazon is on a roll - with three e-readers and three tablets, all successful so far, it's only logical they would expand to include even better HD models.
We expect to see the Kindle Fire HD 2 in September 2013.
Read more: Kindle Fire HD 2 release date and news

iPad 5 & iPad mini 2





Apple iPads

We know how good Apple products can be (though they're typically boring and lack the personal customization of other tablets) so it's no surprise that rumors are constantly swirling about Apple releasing follow-ups to its successful tablets.
Following its September announcement of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, Apple may also have anOctober event planned as well where the company might just unveil an iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.
This all makes sense as the surprisingly refreshing iOS 7 is set to be released Sept 18 as well.
Read more: iPad 5 release date and news
Read more: iPad mini 2 release date and news

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014





Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014

A tablet we know you'll be seeing for sure is the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014.
Announced with the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung Galaxy Gear at IFA 2013, the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 was a surprise reveal (for once) and a welcome one too.
The black and white versions of the Note 10.1 will release Sept. 25, with a complete global roll out expected by October. Like the Note 3, it will be compatible with the Galaxy Gear smartwatch at launch.


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