Google’s Nexus 7 2 is the second-generation 7-inch slate commissioned by the Android creator and boasts an updated set of specs, including a full HD display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

The Nexus 10 is an older model but is still a competitive alternative, offering a larger but still high-resolution display and a slightly different approach to the processor with a dual-core ARM Cortex-A15 setup.

Being a 10-inch device, the Nexus 10 is one of the larger options on the market but manages to remain relatively portable despite this. It’s quite a thin device at only 8.9mm and although it weighs in at 603g – not exactly lightweight – the balance is fairly good so you shouldn’t find it a struggle. In terms of build quality it’s an extremely well put together device, there’s a teensy bit of flex in the middle of the rear panel but on the whole it’s solid, while a rubber textured back panel gives good grip and a nice-looking matte finish.

The real stand-out feature is the display. Not only is it a large 10.1-inch expanse of glass making it ideally suited for multimedia consumption, but the use of Super PLS TFT (Samsung’s home-grown equivalent to IPS) with a sky-high resolution and pixel density at 2560x1600 pixels and 300 pixels-per-inch (ppi) respectively. Visuals are not only crisp and clear, but colour is punchy and the brightness levels are excellent.

Google’s Nexus 10 also fares well in the performance stakes thanks to a carefully distilled and optimised combination of capable hardware and the latest Android software build. It comes with a Samsung Exynos 5250 dual-core processor based on ARM’s high-end Cortex-A15 architecture which, in short, is much faster and more efficient than the old Coretex-A9 even in a quad-core setup. This is clocked at a respectable 1.7GHz with 2GB of RAM and a Mali-T604 graphics processing unit backing things up.

As a Nexus device, the Nexus 10 enjoys the very latest Android updates as they’re issued by Google, so it’s currently sitting pretty on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The end result is a slick, reliable and ultimately rewarding experience with smooth performance, a fantastic UI (stock Android is great) and plenty of useful functionality, such as multitasking, drop-down quick settings and expandable notifications, to name but a few.

The Nexus 10 has a decent amount of onboard storage with either 16GB or 32GB options depending on how much you’re prepared to pay. There is no microSD slot, however. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth, NFC, microUSB, GPS and an HDMI port while the battery is rated at 9,000mAh (more on that later).

The Nexus 7 2 has a smaller 7-inch display with a 1920x1200 pixel resolution at 323ppi. It’s an LED-backlit IPS LCD and is suitably bright, clear and colourful.

Google’s latest slate also uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor hitting a nice mark between performance and affordability – it’s not a brand new chip but it’s by no means outdated either and should provide brilliant performance, particularly as it too enjoys the most recent Android 4.3 Jelly Bean build.

Plenty of effort has been put in to make a sleeker, more refined version of the Nexus 7 this time round, with a narrower bezel, a total thickness of 8.7mm and weighing in at a nicely balanced 290g. Generally the tablet feels more premium in the hand than its predecessor too.

The processor is clocked at 1.5GHz with 2GB of RAM and an Adreno 320 GPU letting you smoothly jump between apps and tasks as well as handling more intensive multimedia.

Onboard storage is either 16GB or 32GB and again there’s no microSD. As well as the usual Wi-Fi, microUSB, GPS and Bluetooth connectivity options there’s also wireless charging, HDMI, NFC and optional 4G LTE and HSPA+ 3G data capability. The battery is a 3,950mAh setup.