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Android tablets to rival iPad
superboyac:
Anything you guys would like to know?
-superboyac (September 26, 2011, 04:58 PM)
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Yeah, do the Samsung and/or Asus feel as 'fluent' as the iPad, in normal use?
-Ath (September 26, 2011, 06:02 PM)
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No, definitely not. It's obvious that it's a more complicated interface. If you are not a computer person (i.e. you would call someone if you're internet wasn't working, etc.) you will very easily get lost in these Android interfaces. The swiping effects are significantly less fluid than an ipad. All that touch stuff is less responsive than the ipad, which is like uber-responsive. I'm saying it, the touch effects of the ipad is perfect...I really have no complaints about it.
That being said, it's not that bad. If you consider all the advantages you get with Android, like, well, freedom...it's really a toss up. Freedom vs. feels awesome to use. I mean, at least I can connect to my pc and transfer files back and forth and use those files in whatever app I choose. To do the same on the ipad requires all sorts of workarounds and jailbreaking.
But for me, if I were to buy one today, I'd choose the Samsung over the ipad. But I'm really hoping for a nice Windows tablet. However, if Windows and Apple continue to go down the roads they are going, I may just switch over to Linux. but if that is too harsh of a change for me, I may just give up on computing and software as a passion and focus on other things. It's the freedom I want, but not without the modern conveniences. If the only way to get freedom is to open a command line, I'm done with computers. Then it's just an appliance to me.
Darwin:
I have the Transformer and am generally pleased with it. I bought it with the keyboard dock, but would have preferred it to the Sammy even without for the simple reason that it has a number of expansion ports and HDMI out. The Samsung is gorgeous, thin, and light, but there are no expansion ports save the proprietary Samsung port that charges the unit and is able to receive adapters a la the iPad. The Samsung keyboard dock adds nothing to the unit beyond the keyboard; the Transformer keyboard adds a trackpad, 2 USB ports, a full SD/MMC port and an extra battery. I paid $496 for the combo; the same capacity Samsung without the keyboard retails for $499 here and the keyboard is an accessory I haven't seen in stores but which is $80 on the Samsung site. The HDTV dongle is $40 and the USB host dongle another $40. I have played with the Tab in stores alongside the other tablets and it seems pretty comparable in performance. The one unique thing about the Samsung offering, to my mind, is what they've done with Honeycomb. Almost none of the other tablet makers have done much to skin Honeycomb but Samsung has made some changes/improvements that I like.
I think if I wanted a straight consumer device, I'd probably have gone with the galaxy because of its dimensions and weight. However, my Transformer fills that role when undocked very nicely. It's certainly comparable to other Android tablets in terms of form factor and comfort (I've also used for extended periods the Xoom and the Acer A500 and W500). i suspect the Samsung is a step above and beyond these though due to its ergonomics (again, weight and thickness). Superboyac is in a much better position to comment on this, though.
xtabber:
The main advantage of the Samsung is the thin and light form factor, and in that regard, the 8.9 sounds like a better choice when it becomes available, with the same or better capabilities and screen resolution in a slightly smaller package, weighing less than 1 lb.
For my part, I decided to order a Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet (32GB). It is certainly bigger and heavier than the Samsung 10.1, but it includes a full sized USB 2.0 port that supports input devices, flash drives and external hard disks, a full sized SD card slot for memory expansion, and a digitizer pen that works across applications, in addition to HDMI and the usual micro USB. A folio case with a full ThinkPad keyboard is available for $100, although I did not order that at this time.
Lenovo has also substantially added to the stock Android interface, with a customizable fast app launcher, file manager (for attached storage, including through the USB port) and expanded settings. They also include some additional software like a full version of Documents to Go.
One thing that gives me comfort is that, like all other Think brand hardware, a full hardware maintenance manual can be downloaded from the Lenovo support site. I'm one of those people who likes to know I can take something apart and put it back together, even if I may never actually need to do so.
I expect it to arrive next week and will give my impressions after I get to play with it for a while.
superboyac:
Everything Darwin says is pretty much right on. There is a poweruser aspect to the Asus that I find attractive. The Samsung is more of an ipad competitor in looks than anything else. The Asus also has a larger "rooting" community which is cool, since I'm trying to root it and update the Android OS to the latest version, which is supposed to be much faster and responsive. The Asus seems to be the best bang for teh buck at this point.
Still, these tablets are just not powerful enough for me. I need to be able to interface more easily with my desktop applications. I'd like to have a Windows tablet, really. The rooters have been able to install Ubuntu on the ASus, so I may try that also.
Darwin:
100% agree with Superboyac - I am waiting with great hope and high expetcations for the next generation of Windows tablets running Windows 8. Android is frustrating because I can see the potential but the usability/power just isn't there yet.
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