TABLET: iPad by Apple Inc.

PRICE: $499 to $899

FEATURES: Ten-inch tablet offers excellent performance and the best variety of apps. Higher-end models connect to 4G LTE cellular data networks.

TABLET: Nexus 7 by Google Inc.

PRICE: $199 to $249

FEATURES: Seven-inch Android tablet with powerful quad-core processor and high-end graphics chip delivers strong performance at a low price. Runs thousands of educational apps. Offers no cellular data option.

TABLET: Kindle Fire by Amazon.com

PRICE: $199

FEATURES: Seven-inch tablet delivers decent performance. Runs thousands of educational apps. Subscribers to Amazon Prime service ($79 per year) can borrow electronic books at no charge. No cellular data option.

TABLET: Nook Tablet by Barnes & Noble.

PRICE: $199 to $249

FEATURES: Seven-inch tablet with bright, sharp color screen and micro SD memory slot for up to 32 gigabytes of additional data storage. Runs thousands of educational apps. No cellular data option.