Tablet Advice: Ipad vs Android Tablet?
 

Looking to buy a tablet but I am very new to it so i am hoping someone can give me some expert advice.

I borrowed my bro's ipad and used it for a while and really liked the convenience of tablet. (surfing on sofa while watching tv or taking a dump, reading receipt in kitchen..etc)

I think i like everything about the ipad2....except for itunes. I have an iphone and I absolutely HATE using itunes...
I hate having to organizing everything in itune...i hate how i can't just copy and paste files from my pc to the tablet like I do on my laptop. It just feels restrictive and annoying..

so I am looking at other tablet choice, and the 1st ones that come to mind are the android tablet...
How does file transfer between PC and android tablet work? Can I transfer files in and out like a laptop or usb storage? (i.e. without using specialized program like itune.)

What are the pro an cons between ios and android at the moment? What are their differences beside the obvious things like user interface?

As bad as itunes is (especially for Windows, I call it the new "IE6"), I just found out from a frustrated friend that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has removed USB Mass Storage Mode, and uses a proprietary USB connecter... seemingly just to be more like Apple. Like what the fuck?

My friend who uses Lion can't install KIES (Samsung's sync software they are forcing you to use with the Tab 10.1) so I told him to use Mass Storage Mode. THen I found out they have removed that feature, so he has to use an app with wifi to transfer files to his tab :seriously:

So if you hate itunes, just know that if you go with Samsung's 10.1, you will be stuck using software that is even worse than itunes. Not sure about the Eeepad, but I think they kept it "normal"

Oh it looks like there is a mass storage driver for Windows at least. So that is no longer an issue if you use a proper OS :)

When I was looking at grabbing my first tablet, I REALLY wanted a galaxy tab just because I know how versatile the android platform was. What kept me from buying an ipad2 was that I'd have to convert all of my movies first, which is time consuming, but paying $2 for an app solved all of that.

Now all I need to do is download the movie, open itunes and select it from my storage location. Or if I'm feeling extra lazy I can download straight onto the ipad from the app

If you're just wanting it for web surfing/movies, the ipad 2 is great. Battery life is top notch imo, and it was rated longer than the galaxy tab.

I own a Motorola Xoom. It works great for what I need. Movies I don't care about as they take almost no time to convert in handbrake for me which is not a dealbreaker.

I can drag and drop stuff using the USB mass storage mode pretty easily too. Just remember that these are 2 totally different operating systems so choose what's more comfortable for you.

Asus transformer is great. Plug in a USB and you can transfer files like a PC. Only problem is that you need the dock.

Just wait two weeks. iOS 5 will be out (most likely) which will have significant changes for any iDevices (including much less need for iTunes). Then you can make a proper comparison.

My dream tablet is the Tab 10.1 running iOS.. that in my mind is the perfect tablet.

But since we can't have that.. it really boils down what you want the Tablet to be used for.

I actually had the Touchpad and Tab 10.1 for a while. I actually decided to return the 10.1 and use the Touchpad on daily basis instead! And it was nothing to do with the price. Everyone is different.

iOS 5 changes aren't that significant. An improvement certainly, but it won't likely make or break your purchase decision.

The split keyboard, newstand (for reading magazines, if you're into that kinda thing), and notifications centre should be great.

Not ground breaking, more like further polishing the platform.

There's a split keyboard?

Edit: Oh shit there it is! lol

Cool

People are complaining that iTunes is the one thing they hate about using any iDevice (uncluding the OP).

iOS 5 can work by itself without needing iTunes or a computer even. I'd say removing the one thing that bugs people the most is a significant upgrade.

Then there's that little feature called iCloud....

You'll still need to use itunes if you want to transfer music or video files to it. I suppose you could install a file manager app to copy over wifi, if you wanted to.

But if you really don't like itunes or buying software from Apple, you shouldn't be considering an ipad or iphone, period.

As for icloud, there are reasonable alternatives to its features. Google Docs (soon to be renamed Google Drive) will get even more file storage features, and DropBox is great as well, and can be integrated into android (IE any app can use it as a "Send To" solution)

I've been using the Acer Iconia A100 and I have no complaints so far. Honeycomb 3.2, dual core with Tegra, 1GB ram. Rooted the device easily. Very fast performance as well.

It's $299 only!

If it had an 8 hour battery life I'd be all over it. That was the only reason preventing me from getting the acer.

I am thinking if I should pickup a 16GB touchpad instead..
a brand new 16GB touchpad are selling for roughly $200-250 on craigslist...and it looks like it can do everything I want for less than half the price....

The acer iconia is cheap too (less than $250 with staples coupon), but I prefer a 10" screen much more than a 7" screen

if you got it for 99 bucks it would be even better...i suggest not to feed people who sells it for a huge profit in cl...then again thats just me..

If I were to play games or watch YouTube nonstop, then 5 hours is right. I use my tablet sparingly. I don't go on it for more than 10-15 minutes each time, and only a few times a day. The battery lasts me one whole day and a bit more. I'm considered a light user, so I'm sure some of you will hate the battery life.

Yeah with that light use, that sounds pretty horrible compared to the standard set by the iPad.

The best part about HP Touchpad.. I bring it everywhere with me and handle it roughly.. as in, I don't really care about it since it's 99. For me this is great, where I can have my tablet everywhere and just use it

Compared to a 600$ iPad or something, I'd be alittle more paranoid to bring it around.. (I travel a lot).

I'd rather have a physical keyboard. Tablets in their current state are a fucking waste of money.

FOr you.

My Galaxy Tab 7" ran 8 hours straight without shutting down as well as my Nook color. Now that's what I'm interested in. Disappointing that Acer skimped out on the battery.

I can't wait till Galaxy Tab 7.7" is available.

Awesome. I didn't realize it was available already.

Waiting for the 7.7 as well. Personally i find 10" tablets to be too annoying to be constantly carried around everywhere, thus they all ended up sitting on my desk or next to my bed. I might just pickup the GT 8.9" for the time being since it hits that sweet spot between 7 and 10"...