[Ferra]

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?

[SkinnyPupp]

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"

[SkinnyPupp]

Oh it looks like there is a mass storage driver for Windows (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1128220) at least. So that is no longer an issue if you use a proper OS :)

[!Yaminashi]

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.

[!MiKrofT]

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.

[JKam]

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

[dangonay]

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.

[LiquidTurbo]

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.

[SkinnyPupp]

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

[LiquidTurbo]

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.

[SkinnyPupp]

There's a split keyboard?

Edit: Oh shit there it is! lol

Cool

[dangonay]

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

[SkinnyPupp]

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)

[rageguy]

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!

[!MiKrofT]

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.

[Ferra]

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

[JesseBlue]

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..

[rageguy]

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.

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.

[SkinnyPupp]

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.

[LiquidTurbo]

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).

[_Hotsauce_]

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

[LiquidTurbo]

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

FOr you.

ASUS Eee Pad Slider SL101 Hands-on Review - YouTube

[!MiKrofT]

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.
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.

[!MiKrofT]

FOr you.

ASUS Eee Pad Slider SL101 Hands-on Review - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugOKSrWAQaw&feature=feedu)
Awesome. I didn't realize it was available already.

[jeff19]

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.

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"...

[SkinnyPupp]

Anything over 5" will be 'too annoying to carry around everywhere' anyway, so it will be the same. And anything under 5" is obviously no more useful than a phone.. Which is why we just carry our phones around, and use tablets sparingly. Which is why tablets should just be considered as toys.

[!MiKrofT]

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"...
One of the reasons I chose the Xoom was because it was physically the smallest 10.1" android tablet available. The tab 7.7 is gonna be so expensive.

[rageguy]

Let's hope the Tab 7.7 will be $299 or less. Beautiful amoled screen, and hopefully decent processing power.

[jeff19]

^ 1.4ghz dual core, most likely Samsung's exonys processor. considering the 8.9 being only $30 cheaper, i doubt the 7.7 will be anywhere below the $400 price range

[!MiKrofT]

Let's hope the Tab 7.7 will be $299 or less. Beautiful amoled screen, and hopefully decent processing power.
Will be at least $599 is my guess.

[taylor192]

FOr you.

ASUS Eee Pad Slider SL101 Hands-on Review - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugOKSrWAQaw&feature=feedu)
That is friggin cool, yet the weight would prevent me from buying it: 960g vs 600g for the iPad/Galaxy tab.

I know the keyboard is going to bring the weight up, yet I'd rather have the transformer and detach the keyboard when I just want to hold the tablet.

[underscore]

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.

The fact that you have to buy an app to perorm a relatively simple task is why I would never buy anything starting with "i"...

[SkinnyPupp]

Yes, TWO DOLLARS is FAR too much to ask for an app that plays every movie format in use.

[.Renn.Sport]

ipad2 by far has the best hardware build quality, anything else still feels cheap and plasticky

[underscore]

Yes, TWO DOLLARS is FAR too much to ask for an app that plays every movie format in use.

I appear to have mis-read that then, I was under the impression that he was needing the app to get the movies on there period. My bad.

[JKam]

ipad2 by far has the best hardware build quality, anything else still feels cheap and plasticky

Asus transformer would like to say hi.

[taylor192]

ipad2 by far has the best hardware build quality, anything else still feels cheap and plasticky
That's just a marketing feature to people willing to pay $5 for the same $2 coffee I drink. Just like Dell putting metal covers onto of laptops, it doesn't improve the actual quality, yet suckers will pay for for the perception of better quality.

[!Aznboi128]

I have the transformer and the iPad

I got the dock for the transformer I found I use it more for surfing/ just cause it's easier and with the dock the usb + sd card slot makes it a lot more functions for it.

the iPad is really just for games, my gf has Pages on it and lately she's been taking it to school with a bt keyboard with a long ass battery life she can play games with taking notes in class.

Both are awesome devices, sadly I must say I use my phone for taking notes more simply because it's much smaller device and easier to carry around.

For the people that says videos and what not, VLC is a simple download same with Buzz player no need to convert or anything simply plug and play. Best part with 6GB I generally Stream videos from my server from home.

[!Yaminashi]

That's just a marketing feature to people willing to pay $5 for the same $2 coffee I drink. Just like Dell putting metal covers onto of laptops, it doesn't improve the actual quality, yet suckers will pay for for the perception of better quality.

I've never really bought into the apple hype/marketing, I buy what best suits my needs and what I like.

The ipad2 is built quite well imo, not saying that other tablets feel like toys because I havent played with half of them, but the ipad2 is pretty high quality

[!MiKrofT]

ipad2 by far has the best hardware build quality, anything else still feels cheap and plasticky

I have a Xoom. It's not plastic and doesn't feel cheap and plasticy.

[Ferra]

That's just a marketing feature to people willing to pay $5 for the same $2 coffee I drink. Just like Dell putting metal covers onto of laptops, it doesn't improve the actual quality, yet suckers will pay for for the perception of better quality.
but being pretty is one of the most important quality nowadays...
and this applies to people and products :alone:


FYI: staples has the Asus 32GB Transformer for $429, you can stack up to $60 worth of coupons on it making it $379

Any reason I should pick something else instead of this?

[Sky_High]

FYI: staples has the Asus 32GB Transformer for $429, you can stack up to $60 worth of coupons on it making it $379

Any reason I should pick something else instead of this?

Could you explain about those coupons?

[Devastator]

Yes, TWO DOLLARS is FAR too much to ask for an app that plays every movie format in use.

What app would that be?

TIA

[SkinnyPupp]

For iPad? AVPlayerHD (http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/avplayerhd/id407976815?mt=8)

For Android, DicePlayer (http://www.appbrain.com/app/diceplayer/com.inisoft.mediaplayer.dice)

[Devastator]

For iPad? AVPlayerHD (http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/avplayerhd/id407976815?mt=8)

For Android, DicePlayer (http://www.appbrain.com/app/diceplayer/com.inisoft.mediaplayer.dice)

For iPad.

Thanks

[Razor Ramon HG]

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!

Where can I find it at that price?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[rageguy]

Acer Iconia 8GB Tablet (A100-07S08H) : Tablets - Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/acer-acer-iconia-8gb-tablet-a100-07s08h-a100-07s08h/10169201.aspx?path=86767792825b36b4e964be0ee70f126 1en02)

[Ferra]

ended up buying the 16gb ipad @ staples ($519-$65 coupons = $454)

as much as I hate apple products (proprietary system, hyped and over priced hardware), the ipad just feels nicer on my hand than the transformer.
it also comes in white and it feels easier to use which is good for my gf...

[Ferra]

Could you explain about those coupons?
Staples has bunch of coupons they send out every weeks...
usually for $15/20/30 off $100/200/300...etc

i brought mine with the following coupons:
$15 off $100
$20 off $200
$30 off $200

I still have a few $15 off $100 laying around if anyone needs them
however, when you stack coupons, they have to be of a different promo codes (first 4 letters)
i.e. you can't stack 5x $15 off $100 coupon on a $500 ipad because all the $15 off $100 coupons have the same promo code

[roastpuff]

Any thoughts on the new Sony Tablet S vs the other Android tablets? I love the design, and the features seem competitive to the others, and battery life seems to be good as well.

[mos_skeeto]

Android: Flexible, free apps, more hardware options
iPad: Stable and sleeker apps, iTunes and Apple product integration, more apps

I owned both. Android annoys me sometimes when stuff crashes. iOS apps crash too but much more gracefully. iOS apps are restricted in what they can do but they do work way better in general.

If I had to buy a pad, ~300-400 price range I would go android. ~500 price range iPad.

[seakrait]

Staples has bunch of coupons they send out every weeks...
usually for $15/20/30 off $100/200/300...etc

i brought mine with the following coupons:
$15 off $100
$20 off $200
$30 off $200

I still have a few $15 off $100 laying around if anyone needs them
however, when you stack coupons, they have to be of a different promo codes (first 4 letters)
i.e. you can't stack 5x $15 off $100 coupon on a $500 ipad because all the $15 off $100 coupons have the same promo code
pm'd

edit: used coupons that Ferra pm'd me. had to phone in the order. ipad 2 not on the staples website anymore. two out of three coupons worked. not too bad as the one that didn't was the $10 off. ended up getting $50 off. :D

[threezero]

I really wish iPad can do flash. I dint mind not having flash on the phone but for me it's so useful on a table which I might bring to travel in place of a real laptop. Use iPad extensively than switch to the a500 for a month. Love the flash than hate the unstableness and things not working well together unlike the iOS =\ where is the perfect tablet.....
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[!Yaminashi]

IMO there wont ever be a perfect tablet. That alone would kill the tablet market.
I mean look at the mobile phone market. These manufactueres are always trying to outdo each other and none have ever made the "perfect" phone

[threezero]

For me all that would take is an iPad with flash :D
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[see.lai]

any thoughts on the playbook? since it is on sale right now

[LiquidTurbo]

any thoughts on the playbook? since it is on sale right now

Don't waste your money
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[JesseBlue]

For me all that would take is an iPad with flash :D
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)
ipad and skyfire browser

[threezero]

ipad and skyfire browser

doesn't work on almost all the site i'm interested in. namely porn and chinese drama stream or justin tv. unless thats been changed

[Gh0stRider]

touchpad :troll:

[SiRV]

Hm.... I never have any issues with flash on my mobile device... CNN is the only site that I'd probably use that has extensive flash, but they have an App for that. What other popular sites .. aside from porn and streaming movies.. require flash?

I've owned (and resold) two droids, the Galaxy 10.1' and ASUS transformer.. both of which were pretty nice devices to have. The droids are highly customizable which is a total plus, but their App store sucked. It was very limited in the apps that I use alot of, online banking apps, netflix (wasn't on the marketplace.. but you could download the apk file from elsewhere) among others.

[SkinnyPupp]

I gave my mom my old ipad 1, and she told me "it keeps saying that I need to get Flash. how do I get that?"

Sorry mom :okay:

[Iceman_2K]

if i didn't have the ipad right now, I'd probably get the Barnes and Noble Nook color and flash it.