The hype surrounding the new iPad—the sharpest, fastest tablet on the market—is well deserved.

This tablet can take summer reading to a whole new level with four times the number of pixels as its predecessor, making everything sharper than ever. With amazing apps such as iBooks, a beautifully designed digital bookshelf, and the Stanza with over 50,000 books available for download, the third generation iPad has some of the best selections available.

Though the new iPad starts at $499 for the 16 GB version with Wi-Fi only, which makes it the priciest option on the market, it’s also the most multi-functional, with many of the same capabilities as a computer.

Crystal clear photos can be taken and 1080p HD videos can be shot on the iSight, and if users buy the higher-end model, which has 64 GB, and with an AT&T or Verizon contract, they can use 4G cell phone signals to connect to the internet from anywhere.

Expectations were set high for the new iPad, and this new product lives up to them with just a few exceptions. Users have noticed that their new purchase tends to overheat and that the battery doesn’t seem to charge as well. It is also slightly heavier than the iPad 2.

With the excellent reading features the new iPad offers, it is sure to provide the highest level of entertainment possible to all readers.

–Marissa Mulligan, reporter

A LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION

It can be hard to find a tablet that is affordable, but for those who don’t want to spend the money on an iPad, the Kindle Fire is as good as it gets.

Although not as grand as the newest iPad, the Kindle Fire is highly recommended, especially for avid readers.

It has access to Amazon’s impressive collection of music, videos, magazines and books, which makes it a handy summer reading tool that allows owners to pack all their favorite books without splitting their suitcase at the seams.

At $199, it is affordable compared to most other tablets, and it has great screen quality. It runs Android apps and comes with an internet browser.

But because of its cheaper price, the Kindle Fire isn’t a full-featured tablet; it skips features such as 3G wireless, cameras, microphone and GPS.

One of the biggest issues is lack of storage, as it has only 8GB, which can limit downloads.

The screen’s brightness also makes it difficult to use in daylight, which makes reading on the beach hard.

Compared to other tablets on the market, the Kindle Fire provides the basics needed for books, media and internet connectivity at an affordable price.

–Madeline Hoskinson, reporter