The worst tablets of 2011

Pandigital SuperNova

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 (OK)

The good: The Pandigital SuperNova tablet is light, smooth, and comfortable to hold. It includes a Micro-HDMI slot and two cameras.

The bad: The tablet's screen is dim and low-resolution with narrow viewing angles. There's no native access to the Android Market and the build quality feels plasticky and toylike.

The cost: $180 to $229

The bottom line: Though priced to compete, the Pandigital SuperNova lacks the performance and features to seal the deal.
Velocity Micro Cruz Tablet

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 (OK)

The good: The Velocity Micro Cruz T301 delivers Android 2.2 on a 7-inch screen for an affordable price.

The bad: We're not fond of the dim, low-res screen and bulky design. Also, core Google Mobile apps aren't included, including Android Market.

The cost: $137 to $200

The bottom line: The Velocity Micro Cruz T301 is a decent, low-priced option for general Web and e-mail tasks, but its bulky size and mediocre screen quality make it a poor choice for e-books, multimedia and games.
ViewSonic ViewPad 10

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 (OK)

The good: The compact ViewSonic ViewPad 10 dual-boots into both Windows 7 and Android, and was recently updated to jump from Android 1.6 to 2.2.

The bad: The device lacks physical controls for volume or screen orientation, and the Android side is stuck at version 2.2 and doesn't include the Android Market. There are some frustrating interface issues, and we spent too much time troubleshooting network connectivity problems.

The cost: $510 to $600

The bottom line: Mixing a sluggish Windows tablet with an outdated Android one makes the Intel Atom-powered ViewSonic ViewPad 10 less than ideal for either OS.
Archos 80 G9

Rating: 3 stars out of 5 (good)

The good: The lightweight, 8GB Archos 80 G9 tablet runs 1080p video smoothly, and its kickstand is a useful addition.

The bad: The tablet is uncomfortable to hold, with disappointing viewing angles and awkward button placement. Its single camera has poor recording quality.

The cost: $270

The bottom line: The 8GB Archos 80 G9 delivers a complete Honeycomb experience at a low price, but its rough design, low-quality camera and awkward button placement make it feel rushed to market.