The 10 Coolest Tablets Of 2014

Innovation Continues

This year, we saw a lot of new tablet models from some big-name brands, many with new and unique features.

Some tablets have come out with innovative 2-in-1 designs, while others feature some of the best displays we've seen, and some have come out with the thinnest measurements of a tablet ever.

While the tablet market is expected to slow in growth to 7.2 percent from last year's 52.5 percent year-over-year, according to IDC, the devices themselves are, without a doubt, the most impressive we've seen yet.

Companies are using new ideas to draw attention from both the consumer market and the mobile enterprise.

Here are 10 cool tablets released in 2014.

Amazon Fire HD 7

Amazon launched its latest tablet in September, dropping "Kindle" from the name, and adding a slew of new features and a boost in its internal specs.

The new tablet runs on a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, has a 7-inch HD display (1,280-x-800, 216 PPI) and connects directly to Amazon's ecosystem via Amazon Prime.

Users enjoy unlimited cloud storage for all Amazon content and photos taken with the device for free.

The Amazon Fire HD 7 features 8 hours of battery life with mixed usage, and runs on Amazon's Fire OS.

Amazon's app store includes over 33 million movies, TV series, songs, books and, new this year, a selection of Android apps.

Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 Pro

Even if you're not intrigued that Ashton Kutcher helped design it, you'll be impressed by some of the unique specs that Yoga Tablet 2 Pro by Lenovo has to offer.

The most unique feature in the device is its built-in projector, an industry first. Whatever users have on the display, whether it’s a picture, movie, home screen or any app, it can project it up to 50 inches on any wall or screen.

To go with the projector, the device comes with an 8W sound system to deliver an all-around entertainment device. Running on Android KitKat, the Yoga 2 Pro has an impressive 13.3-inch LED LCD display (2,560-x-1,440) runs on an Intel Atom quad-core processor, and adjusts into four different modes.

Sony Xperia Tablet Z2

The Xperia Tablet Z2 by Sony is ultralight, weighing less than a pound, and ultrathin, measuring at a quarter of an inch thick.

The waterproof tablet has a 10.1-inch Live Color LED HD display (1,920-x-1,200, 16M colors) and runs on Android KitKat, a 2.3GHz Qualcomm quad-core processor and has about 9 hours of battery life.

The device also features an 8.1MP camera, up to 32 GB of storage and 3 GB of RAM.

The Sony tablet is designed to work seamlessly with Sony PlayStation, and is perfect for watching movies. As an entertainment center, it works with a stereo and connects to a keyboard to be used as a laptop.

Lenovo ThinkPad 10

Launched in May, the Lenovo ThinkPad 10 is a business-oriented tablet running on Windows 8.1 Pro, with HD graphics four times faster than the previous model. The device runs on a 1.59GHz Intel quad-core processor and comes standard with the most up-to-date office apps for on-the-fly updates.

The ThinkPad 10 has a 10.1-inch-wide-view HD display (1,920-x1,200) and an 8MP primary camera, in addition to a 2MP front-facing webcam.

The tablet has up to 10 hours of battery life and 128 GB of storage.

Apple iPad Mini 3

Apple launched its newest iPad mini in October, making it thinner (7.5mm), lighter (331g) and faster than before. The new mini iPads come with a 7.9-inch Retina display (2,048-x-1,536, 326 PPI) and a fingerprint-resistant coating.

The display covers Apple's powerful A7 chip and up to 128 GB of built-in storage. Just like the new iPhone 6, Apple's iPad mini 3 comes with iOS 8, Touch ID and Apple Pay with Touch ID when confirming purchases online.

The Mini 3 has about 10 hours of battery life, and a 5MP iSight camera.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5

When launched in June, Samsung partners were calling the new Galaxy Tab S 10.5 "an iPad killer" for its 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display (1,600-x-2,560) and impressive internal specs.

The Tab S weighs just over a pound and is about 6.6mm thick. It features a fingerprint scanner and a multiwindow option for multitasking apps. The device has about 9 hours of battery life, and runs on Android KitKat. It has a 1.9GHz quad-core processor, an 8MP camera, 3 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of built-in storage and up to 128 GB of upgradable storage.

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro

The business-focused Galaxy tablet launched in February and wowed with its large 12.2-inch LCD display (2,560-x-1,600). It also packs up to 13 hours of battery life and a 1.9GHz Exynos 5 Octa processor.

Users enjoy its 64 GB of built-in storage and 3 GB of RAM, in addition to its built-in, business-oriented software, such as Samsung KNOX, keeping information secure, and Samsung e-meeting, allowing users to collaborate in realtime with co-workers. The Note Pro comes with the S Pen and features enhanced multitasking capabilities.

The Note Pro runs on Android KitKat and has an 8MP camera.

Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Launched in June, Microsoft has marketed its Surface Pro 3 as a 2-in-1 tablet that has comparable internal specs to Apple's MacBook Air, but more impressive features and versatility.

The Surface Pro 3 has a 12-inch HD display (2,160-x-1,440) and runs on Windows 8.1 Pro. It is 9.14mm thick and weighs 1.76 pounds. The device has a detachable keyboard, a versatile stand for multiple positions, and the new Surface Pen for writing and drawing.

The device runs on a 1.5GHz Intel Core i3 Processor with 64 GB of built-in storage, and 4 GB of RAM in its entry-level model.

It also features a slew of built-in Microsoft apps and two 5MP cameras.

Google Nexus 9

Manufactured by HTC, Google launched its flagship tablet in November, along with its new flagship smartphone, the Nexus 6.

The Nexus 9 comes packed with Google's latest Android operating system, Android 5 Lollipop, and features a clear 8.9-inch LCD display (2,048-x-1536). The device runs on a 2.3GHz dual-core 64-bit processor, and has the option of either 16 GB or 32 GB of internal storage with 2 GB of RAM.

HTC has added its BoomSound speakers to the tablet and lightweight design. The device weighs 15 ounces and is 7.95mm thick. In addition to its 9.5 hours of battery life, the Nexus 9 features an 8MP camera.

Apple iPad Air 2

The new iPad Air, Apple's new flagship tablet, launched in October. The Air 2 comes stocked with iOS 8 and Apple Pay, Apple's new mobile payment platform. The iPad Air's most innovative feature is Touch ID, allowing users to unlock their tablet with the press of a finger, and confirm online purchases just as easily.

The Air 2 is just 6.1mm thick and weighs less than a pound. It has a 9.7-inch Retina display (2,048-x-1,536, 264 PPI).

The device runs on Apple's powerful A8 chip and comes with 16-GB, 64-GB or 128-GB of built-in storage. The Air 2 offers up to 10 hours of battery life and has an impressive 8MP camera.