It’s been an exciting week for tablet aficionados, as both Google and Apple have unveiled their highly anticipated slate offerings for 2014. Google has teamed up with HTC this year to build and officially introduce the new Nexus tablet, dubbed the Nexus 9, while Apple, despite rumors of a huge 12.9-inch iPad, has introduced a super-thin Apple iPad Air 2, alongside a modest upgrade to the iPad mini, with the iPad mini 3 (which only got a fingerprint scanner in addition to last year’s model).

The Nexus 9 is available for pre-order directly from Google — after being listed earlier on Amazon — and you can choose between Indigo Black, Lunar White, and Sand color options (though the latter is only available in 32GB storage option). You can also choose between 16GB and 32GB variants, as well as WiFi-only (16GB version) and LTE-enabled (32GB, which can also be WiFi only as well). In the US, prices are between $399 and $599, but the price in your local currency might vary, depending on which localized Google Play Store page you’re accessing (depending on your country of residence, where available). According to Google’s website, your pre-orders will leave the warehouse in two to three weeks, which is a rather vague shipping estimate, but that’s what you’ll have to deal with at the moment.

As far as Apple’s tablet offerings for 2014 are concerned, the iPad Air 2 is available in Silver, Gold, and Space Grey, 16-, 64-, and 128GB storage options, with WiFI and WiFi + Cellular connectivity features. Prices here range between $499 and $829 in the US, but, just like above, they might cost more in your local currency.

Last, but not least, the iPad mini 3 is available in the same color and storage options as the Air 2 above, and even connectivity features are identical. The prices, however, vary between $399 and $729, depending on the exact configuration you are choosing. As far as shipping is concerned, the situation is somewhat more optimistic. Apple estimates that your pre-ordered tablet will be shipped between two to four business days.

Beyond the eternal question of “Android vs iOS”, let us know whether you’ve preordered a tablet, are intending to, and what make, model and configuration you fancy.

Source: Google, Apple (1)(2)