Tom's Hardware's Reader's Choice Awards 2013

Miscellaneous: Web Browser, eBook Reader, Wi-Fi

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (Approved)
From the article: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Review: The Best E-Book Reader? Written by Andrew Ku, March 11, 2013

Here's what we said: The Paperwhite is enough of an upgrade over past Kindles that we're awarding it our Tom's Hardware Approved Award. There's a lot to like here, though we'd like to see an even lower price to keep the e-book reader more differentiated from modern $200 tablets. But for what it's designed to do, this is definitely the Cadillac of e-book readers.

Asus RT-AC66U (Tom's Hardware Elite)
From the article: Gigabit Wireless? Five 802.11ac Routers, Benchmarked, Written by William Van Winkle, Jan 13, 2013

Here's what we said: Then there’s Asus, which won this contest hardly breaking a sweat. The company simply out-engineered its competition and came up with a best-in-class feature set. Even more amazing is that the RT-AC66U accomplished this in essentially a first-generation product and delivered it at a price point that handily bests its closest competition. For all of the above, we believe the RT-AC66U deserves our infrequently-bestowed Elite award.

Google Chrome (Approved)
From the article: Web Browser Grand Prix: Chrome 25, Firefox 19, IE 10, Written by Adam Overa, March 13, 2013

Here's what we said: While it was a close race, Chrome's showing in all four of the remaining non-performance metrics was superior to Firefox, closing the deal. Firefox does place a very close second, especially inWindows 8, where it has an apparent advantage. In fact, looking at the performance index reveals that Firefox receives an even larger boost from the new version of Windows than IE10.

Speaking of, Microsoft's newest browser doesn't exactly shake the earth on either version of the company's ubiquitous OS, earning a mediocre third place. Opera and IE9 share last place, halving Chrome's score. It's hard to believe that the Norwegian browser went toe-to-toe with Google just a few short years ago. With version 12 a continuing disappointment, perhaps it's best that Opera join the ranks of Chrome clones.

Mozilla Firefox 22 (Approved)
From the article: Chrome 27, Firefox 22, IE10, And Opera Next, Benchmarked, Written by Author & Date: Adam Overa, June 30, 2013

Here's what we said: With no apparent weaknesses and generally strong finishes all-around, combined with near-native start times, greatly-improved hardware acceleration scores, and almost-perfect reliability, the latest version of Firefox soundly wins this installment of the Web Browser Grand Prix.

Fritz Nelson
Fritz Nelson is Editor-at-Large of Tom's Hardware US.
  • Conrad925
    On the ballot/entry form, the PowerColor HD7870 PCS+ Myst Edition is listed twice.
    Reply
  • lunyone
    "On the ballot/entry form, the PowerColor HD7870 PCS+ Myst Edition is listed twice."

    Sooo your supposed to vote twice, right? Lol! I noticed that too. I guess when copy/pasting that it got pasted twice :)
    Reply
  • rolli59
    Lol It was a great Card on release so definitely a winner. You guys don't get the hint?
    Reply
  • zichus
    Don't get it - outside US residents should vote or will the answer discarded anyways? I just want to vote, but if its useless then why bother?

    7. I am a legal resident of the USA (excluding RI) and 18 years of age or older. *This question is required.
    Yes
    No, Your Entry Will Be Discarded
    Reply
  • Mike Friesen
    This is good.
    Reply
  • AndrewJacksonZA
    You kinda excluded the Nanoxia Deep Silence 2... If I have some spare cash for myself this year I'm getting it as a Christmas present To Me, Love Me. :-)
    Reply
  • ubercake
    Another article by which the Tom's models could enhance the look and feel of the hunks of plastic and metal.
    Reply
  • Cryio
    I can't wait 'till the next Browser Grand Prix. Let's see what damage does IE11 do against Opera 18, Firefox's crumbling engine and Chrome's staleness
    Reply
  • Avro Arrow
    As is usual, sweepstakes for Americans only. I guess the rest of us just don't count as far as tomsharware is concerned. I haven't seen a single contest that included anyone outside the USA the whole time I've been here.
    Reply
  • ubercake
    12137202 said:
    As is usual, sweepstakes for Americans only. I guess the rest of us just don't count as far as tomsharware is concerned. I haven't seen a single contest that included anyone outside the USA the whole time I've been here.

    Hooray for Canadians!
    http://www.tomshardware.com/news/virgin-mobile-nexus-5-canada-sweepstakes,25240.html

    I'm sure there are legal and tax restrictions for these things.
    Reply