Compiled by
CIARA O'BRIEN
HP Slate 2
€760
While everyone is waiting patiently for a glimpse of Windows 8 tablets, HP has been busy working on its Slate 2. The device is slightly thicker than your average tablet, and has a lot going for it. The Windows 7 device has an eight-inch capacitive multi-touch display, and is aimed at the business user, featuring everything from web browsing to productivity software. It even comes with additional security protection, with a TPM embedded security chip. There’s a stylus too, which feels more like a chunky pen than the wafer-thin ones that used to come with PDAs. Battery life is six hours.
Nikon D3200
From €667
The Nikon D3200 is aimed at entry-level digital SLR users, combining a powerful still camera with a HD movie video device. Take the guide mode, for example: if you are a newbie to photography, this handy guide teaches you how to capture the best images. So you can just pick it up and begin shooting without much trouble. It has 24.2 megapixel resolution – meaning you can blow up your best images to mammoth proportions – and advanced technology to help adjust focus, light and to capture fast-moving scenes. You can even do some editing on it.
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Pencil Touch screen stylus
€10
Were all used to touch-screen devices, but every now and again a stylus just comes in handy, especially if you have trouble operating touch screens properly or have a serious addiction to DrawSomething. This stylus will not only solve those problems but it will also make you feel a bit retro. It is styled like a cartoonish pencil, and will work with everything from your tablet or mobile phone touch screen to the less advanced screens at kiosks and the like. It even has a cartoon eraser on the end: nice to look at, but serves no real function.
