The tablets of Spring 2013 are thin, light, small (mostly), and evolutionary

If 2013 is the year of the tablet, then don't expect the excitement to start until spring. Here's a peek at what's coming.

Price: TBD

Availability: Spring

The outlook: Samsung's iPad Mini-size Galaxy Note 8 is the company's latest attempt to get users to eschew fingers in favor of pens. Preceded by two smartphones and one 10-inch tablet before it, the latest Note is an elegant-looking 8-inch tablet that feels comfortable in the hands, and thanks to the included S Pen stylus, boasts a level of functionality unmatched by any other small tablet.

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