Which tablet?

KraniX · 6 Aug 2011 at 16:53

Can't fault the build quality or slick interface of the iPad but I'm considering an Android tablet myself as I hate iTunes and the walled garden approach from Apple, but for some people it is perfect.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 and love that I can just drop a divx vid on it and it'll just play without have to mess about converting anything into approved formats.

alex24 · 6 Aug 2011 at 17:04

kevpuk said:
As ever, horses for courses....really depends on your intended use and so on.

No doubting the iPad2 is a lovely piece of kit, but it is very much a walled-garden too.....the Transformer is also a great piece of tech (I have one + dock myself) and offers a really good experience......Galaxy 10.1 is much of the same, allegedly as 'beautiful' as an iPad, but 'droid based...

With Apple stuff, everything just kinda works, but the flipside to this is seriously limited tinkering et al.
With Android, one can tinker to their hearts desire, but Google's baby is still playing catch-up on the overall package, arguably.

For me, I like to just plug in a cable and drag and drop; I like to fiddle with Widgets; I like to be able to view Flash websites; I like to not have to use iTunes; I already have an Android phone.......but, equally, there are no doubt plenty of Apple-peeps who have their own list of 'likes'

I think this is pretty much the correct balanced opinion. The iPad 2 is probably the best overall, but it's also more expensive and has it's limits (and I guess you need to use the abomination that is iTunes for Windows), so depending on what you want to do, Android might be just the ticket.

The Motorola Xoom is, along with the Galaxy Tab 10.1, probably the best looking and nicest to use of the Android offerings, but the Xoom has serious support issues in the UK (less so in US). The Tab would be a good bet, but if you want even more freedom (and a little more cash left in your pocket), the ASUS Transformer is a great option. Probably the cheapest of the bunch and it offers the most flexibility. The textured finish on the back is nice, but the large bezel on the front makes it look slightly old-tech, and the build is arguably not quite as good as the Xoom/Tab and certainly not as good as the iPad 2.

If you're not that fussed what it looks like, I'd go with the Transformer, if you are, I'd go with the Tab 10.1, and if you want to game on it or share it with non-tech savvy folk or just fancy flashing it about, the iPad 2 is probably best.

V4NT0M · 6 Aug 2011 at 17:15

alex24 said:
The Motorola Xoom is, along with the Galaxy Tab 10.1, probably the best looking and nicest to use of the Android offerings, but the Xoom has serious support issues in the UK (less so in US).

I have to disagree, the Transformer is superior in pretty much every way except the Xoom looks marginally better.

Dream tablet = TAB 10.1 with samoled+ and kal el.

alex24 · 6 Aug 2011 at 17:22

Skyfall said:
I have to disagree, the Transformer is superior in pretty much every way except it looks marginally better.

Dream tablet = TAB 10.1 with samoled+ and kal el.

Wait, except? Or do you mean the looks are superior? That's pretty subjective anyway. The thing I don't like about the transformer is the size of the bezel around the screen - it seems bigger than the other tablets it competes against. That said, if I were buying today, I'd get the Transformer.

V4NT0M · 6 Aug 2011 at 17:35

lol distracted typing, I meant to say the Xoom looks better.

bam0 · 6 Aug 2011 at 17:39

alex24 said:
Wait, except? Or do you mean the looks are superior? That's pretty subjective anyway. The thing I don't like about the transformer is the size of the bezel around the screen - it seems bigger than the other tablets it competes against. That said, if I were buying today, I'd get the Transformer.

I agree the bezel is huge on the Transformer and that really put me off it. Also you can get a 32GB Xoom for less than a 32GB Transformer if you look around, the Transformer is only cheaper if you get a 16GB one which they don't do the Xoom in.

alex24 · 6 Aug 2011 at 17:43

Skyfall said:
lol distracted typing, I meant to say the Xoom looks better.

Then we don't disagree at all!

bam0 said:
Also you can get a 32GB Xoom for less than a 32GB Transformer if you look around, the Transformer is only cheaper if you get a 16GB one which they don't do the Xoom in.

Good info.

KraniX · 6 Aug 2011 at 18:03

What are the Xoom and Transformer on-screen keyboards like guys?

Not sure if the Ipad2 is different but the one on the original iPad was rubbish, what I really hated was the fact the keyboard itself didn't change between lower and uppercase, it always looked like uppercase but wasn't and you just had the shift key thing lit up to distinguish, really annoying.

V4NT0M · 6 Aug 2011 at 18:19

Keyboards on honeycomb tablets are good but thumb keyboard is where it's at.

roboffer · 7 Aug 2011 at 00:35

KraniX said:
What are the Xoom and Transformer on-screen keyboards like guys?

Not sure if the Ipad2 is different but the one on the original iPad was rubbish, what I really hated was the fact the keyboard itself didn't change between lower and uppercase, it always looked like uppercase but wasn't and you just had the shift key thing lit up to distinguish, really annoying.

Only used an iphone briefly but I think they are the same too. Really strange implementation.

alex24 · 7 Aug 2011 at 01:30

Yeah they are - even on the latest software I noticed on the iPhone the keyboard always appears in upper case.

maun · 7 Aug 2011 at 23:51

I cant decide which tablet to choose either.

For me, its between the Moto Xoom and Galaxy tab, both have their good and bad points from what i can see.

I am leaning towards the moto, main gripe i find with it on paper, its heavy/bulky compared to the galaxy.

V4NT0M · 8 Aug 2011 at 00:07

I can't see any reason to go for the Xoom over the tab, can you tell me the pros over the tab?

bam0 · 8 Aug 2011 at 07:57

Skyfall said:
I can't see any reason to go for the Xoom over the tab, can you tell me the pros over the tab?

It's cheaper (32GB Xoom is under £400). It has expandable memory. It has built in HDMI out. It has built in USB port that also does host USB (for connecting cameras, hard drives etc).

Now while you can make the Tab do most of these (can't expand the storage) you have to buy adaptors from Samsung to do it.

maun · 8 Aug 2011 at 08:17

bam0 said:
It's cheaper (32GB Xoom is under £400). It has expandable memory. It has built in HDMI out. It has built in USB port that also does host USB (for connecting cameras, hard drives etc).

Now while you can make the Tab do most of these (can't expand the storage) you have to buy adaptors from Samsung to do it.

Yes, basically this

Nikumba · 8 Aug 2011 at 08:52

I went for the tab in the end. Granted the features of the xoom were tempting but the weight of the tab or lack of weight is what swung it for me.

Thanks for all the advice, now to find the tablet essentials thread that I am sure I saw but can not find any more

Kimbie

V4NT0M · 8 Aug 2011 at 09:15

bam0 said:
It's cheaper (32GB Xoom is under £400). It has expandable memory. It has built in HDMI out. It has built in USB port that also does host USB (for connecting cameras, hard drives etc).

Now while you can make the Tab do most of these (can't expand the storage) you have to buy adaptors from Samsung to do it.

Makes sense, I don't think I had read up enough about these kinds of features.

Nikumba said:
I went for the tab in the end. Granted the features of the xoom were tempting but the weight of the tab or lack of weight is what swung it for me.

Thanks for all the advice, now to find the tablet essentials thread that I am sure I saw but can not find any more

Kimbie

This one?

Xinn · 8 Aug 2011 at 09:15

Bare in mind that 3.1 isn't out for the Xoom yet which bring the USB host support and enables the Micro SD slot. Update is due for pull from Moto by tomorrow for all Euro Xoom's but I have a feeling it will slip.

Xoom is a decent tablet but Moto support sucks, currently getting rid of mine to support a house move or I'd be keeping it.

V4NT0M · 8 Aug 2011 at 09:16

R34P3R said:
Xoom is a decent tablet but Moto support sucks, currently getting rid of mine to support a house move or I'd be keeping it.

That's one of the best things about Asus, spot on with updates amazed at how fast they turn around the latest honeycomb vs other tablets and especially phones.

bam0 · 8 Aug 2011 at 09:29

R34P3R said:
Bare in mind that 3.1 isn't out for the Xoom yet which bring the USB host support and enables the Micro SD slot. Update is due for pull from Moto by tomorrow for all Euro Xoom's but I have a feeling it will slip.

Xoom is a decent tablet but Moto support sucks, currently getting rid of mine to support a house move or I'd be keeping it.

It is very annoying how Moto have screwed over people, after announcing the Xoom as a google experience device it turns out they only meant in the US. So while the US Xoom's are up to 3.2 everyone else is still waiting for 3.1. My solution to that was to flash the US Xoom firmware to mine, being as I only have the Wifi one.
They say that it voids the warranty but it doesn't get them out of their SOGA obligations regarding physical/manufacturing defects.