Top 10 tablets and ereaders of 2012

2. Apple iPad Mini

The last 12 months have seen an influx of new 7in tablets, starting with the arrival of Google's first ever own-brand tablet, the Nexus 7 midway through the year.

Not wanting to lose its current top dog position in the tablet market, Apple responded to Google's flagship tablet with its own iPad Mini.

Now while some naysayers may claim the Mini is little more than Apple playing catch up with Google, we have to say the device is pretty damn nice, featuring a number of great features and perks that make it unique.

These include a sturdy, visually pleasing design, larger 7.9in display, 4G connectivity and astounding 10-hour-plus battery life that puts most similarly sized competitors to shame.

1. Google Nexus 7

The Nexus 7 was a game-changer. Launched in the summer it finally brought tablet computing to a price point that didn't sacrifice quality and provided a real alternative to the iPad, and in a form factor that's easier to carry around.

The device, branded Google but built by Asus, packs some impressive specs including a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, a 1.2MP front-facing camera and weighing just 340g. It also comes loaded with the 4.1 Jelly Bean version of Android from the off.

Its impact on the market is clear to see, with Apple forced into moving to the 7in space, admittedly at 7.9in, with its iPad Mini device that it unveiled in October that looks to cash in on those who want something smaller than the full-sized 9.7in offering from the firm.

For all these reasons we think it's worth its place as the top tablet of 2012.