Since the Apple iPad was released people have been searching for non-Apple equivalents and have been finding it difficult. Not surprisingly, Apple's competitors have been having a close look at the iPad, and while most have yet to be released to the public, here is a quick preview of what is to come, including one or two that may already have reared their heads to the public gaze.

Few are available right now, and those that are available will rapidly be swamped by the new models when they are released, so this review is not intended to take current existence significantly into account. Positions # 1, 4 and 5 are based largely upon availability or the lack of it, and this list is liable to change significantly within the next 6 months.

1. Blackberry Playbook

The Blackberry Playbook (RIM) is going to make Apple exceedingly jealous when it is released sometime next year. It holds first spot here, even though it is going to be several months before you can purchase it. Buying electronic technology is very frustrating: you buy something now and something else comes out next month, and so on and so on. So when do you decide to buy, and when do you wait? If you are only buying one Tablet over the next couple of years, then wait for this one.

It is a 7" tablet with a 1024 x 600 resolution screen, 1 GB RAM, 1GHz ARM Cortex AP dual core CPU and a capacitive screen. Storage is 32GB, although other models will vary. The Playbook offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but lacks the 3G of the Samsung Galaxy below. However, it has a camera front and back with 3 and 5 Megapixels respectively. It runs QNX rather than the usual Android, and this is some mean machine that will be well worth waiting for.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab

Available sometime in 2010, the 7" Samsung Galaxy Tab runs Android (the 2.2 Froyo version) and offers 3G, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and a micro SD slot. The design is good and it is easy to hold with a good feel, even though it is lighter than the iPad. It is generally better than the iPad, and would hold First Place in this review but for the fact that it will likely shortly be superseded by the Blackberry Playbook.

However, the Galaxy appears to be a complete machine while the Blackberry is still very much being taken on trust. It was a debate as to which would be top, but the Blackberry swung it on reputation. The Galaxy might also have competition later from the Dell 7" Tablet when available.

3. Toshiba Folio

Only placed at #3 due to the scanty information available for the HP Palm Pad, the Toshiba Folio is the only device in the list with the full 10.1" screen to compete with the iPad visuals. It runs the Froyo 2.2 version of Android with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with no 3G in evidence. With and SD slot like the Samsung device, it also offers a HDMI output for HD video playback on a monitor or HDTV. It also has a front camera, but overall does not match the Samsung Galaxy.

4. HP Palm Pad

This is based on the WebOS that was a major reason for Palm's acquisition by HP. Due to be launched early in 2011, there is still not very much known publicly about this machine that may be released under a different name. It is difficult to know where to place this, but was placed at #4 though may end up higher, perhaps even #2, once released and we find the impressive hardware that HP has in mind for the impressive OS.

5. Dell Streak

At only 5", the Dell streak has limitations that render it virtually impossible to rival the iPad. Running Android 1.6 (disappointingly), the streak offers many features, including a mobile phone (though rather a large one running an earlier version of Android). However, it is available now, and if you want a mobile phone that doubles as a small tablet with lots of features (though not an iPad clone) then the Dell Streak is worth considering. However, it is placed at #5 because of its size and its forthcoming big brother.

The 7" version, named only the Dell 7" as yet, will overcome the size problem, and although the features available on it are very sparse, its imminent availability renders the Dell machine worthy of reaching number 5 above some other very worthy contenders for this list of top 5 alternatives to iPad.