Related
I guess the IPS Screen, Keyboard Dock, and 100$ - Price was enough to warrant it being "the best honeycomb tablet to date"
http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/18/asus-eee-pad-transformer-uk-edition-review/
really Engadget?
You tell me why can't eeepad better than xoom? I bought my xoom last week, and I still love it . But I really can't deny that eeepad is better, at least its screen and hardware design. I hate the volume button, power button on my xoom.
P/s: price comparison isnt big deal for me cause I bought my new xoom 32gb wifi version only $530^^
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA Premium App
I just read that review and must admit that it struck me as a little odd. They make more of the screen than the software quirks that they appear to be experiencing with it.
My experience with the xoom is not too bad but there are certainly some things that need to be improved. Mostly software and a honeycomb update would be good. The screen is certainly not terrible and it seems at least on a par with the iPad 2 that my wife has.
s.t.s said:
I just read that review and must admit that it struck me as a little odd. They make more of the screen than the software quirks that they appear to be experiencing with it.
My experience with the xoom is not too bad but there are certainly some things that need to be improved. Mostly software and a honeycomb update would be good. The screen is certainly not terrible and it seems at least on a par with the iPad 2 that my wife has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. Get software improvement is more important. I just wait for next honeycomb update, and my xoom will blow I-tampon away ^^
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA Premium App
This thing is way to big for me! Looks giant next to the xoom. It's obviously not all about thinness and weight.
rjoudrey said:
This thing is way to big for me! Looks giant next to the xoom. It's obviously not all about thinness and weight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the xoom is slightly heavier, but agree on the size. The eeePad Transformer looks to be over an inch longer and wider, making it just past the 'comfort' dimensions. For example, I can grasp the xoom in portrait mode with one hand; I wouldn't be able to do that with the transformer. This means that the xoom is superior for my needs until the Samsung 8.9 tab comes out...
gadgetluva said:
Well the xoom is slightly heavier, but agree on the size. The eeePad Transformer looks to be over an inch longer and wider, making it just past the 'comfort' dimensions. For example, I can grasp the xoom in portrait mode with one hand; I wouldn't be able to do that with the transformer. This means that the xoom is superior for my needs until the Samsung 8.9 tab comes out...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, because the bezel is larger, it looks like it makes it easier to grasp with one hand (haven't tried it, could be wrong).
I find the Xoom slightly difficult to hold in one hand after holding it up for some time because I can't grip it in as far as I like without touching the visible screen.
pure Google experience means faster updates. No thanks ASUS
shouldn't that say "engadget says the eee pad is better than the xoom based on their wonky criteria"? I've got to say, I don't really put much stock in the engadget reviews - ever since they gave the ipad2 a 9 and the xoom a 7 or a 6 or whatever they gave it. They seem to lionize the ability to consume content and summed up their review with "Overall, what attracts us to the Transformer over the Xoom is ASUS' intelligent button and camera placement". I've never had a problem with the xoom camera, but that's just me. Of course, it makes sense when you think about their jobs - they aren't quite journalists, aren't freelancers, and are all in their 20s. When you have real work to do your criteria markedly change.
when i compare my xoom to my iphone 4 I like the xoom a lot more and frankly, that's all that really matters: what i think about it.
rmmorse81 said:
pure Google experience means faster updates. No thanks ASUS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Asus is a pretty pure machine - contrary to rumours and speculation you may have read, it is not "skinned" and does not have a customised UI.
The only extras are Polaris Office, a DNLA WiFi network browser/player , some widgets and a screencap function (long press on "History") - Oh, they have also got a working Card Slot.
None of the above should prevent it getting fast updates.
It's taken Motorola a few months not to get their card slot working although they do blame Google.
htc6500uk said:
The Asus is a pretty pure machine - contrary to rumours and speculation you may have read, it is not "skinned" and does not have a customised UI.
The only extras are Polaris Office, a DNLA WiFi network browser/player , some widgets and a screencap function (long press on "History") - Oh, they have also got a working Card Slot.
None of the above should prevent it getting fast updates.
It's taken Motorola a few months not to get their card slot working although they do blame Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken. My bad
One item that is important to me that the Asus doesn't have is dual band wifi.
i recently got my wifi xoom the hardware is what sold me on it feels solid and clean I'm staying with my xoom because I feel motorola will support us
rmmorse81 said:
pure Google experience means faster updates. No thanks ASUS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. +1000 to you good sir. This is what I keep saying a s well. As an owner of a Motorola Xoom I know I will get updates before ANY Honeycomb'd device that is skinned. It's just like the Nexus line of phones. They got Gingerbread before anyone else (and still have it until a DEV bakes it into their ROM).
Pure Google Experience FTW. Everyday of the week.
DeerChaser said:
One item that is important to me that the Asus doesn't have is dual band wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is very important. How can Asus leave out such an important part of a WiFi device. Dual Band is NEEDED for a WiFi only device
kelvie said:
Actually, because the bezel is larger, it looks like it makes it easier to grasp with one hand (haven't tried it, could be wrong).
I find the Xoom slightly difficult to hold in one hand after holding it up for some time because I can't grip it in as far as I like without touching the visible screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry bigger is never better. At least when it comes to tablets.
i meant grasping like palming a basketball.
I think I would still go with the xoom. I am more confident in motorola's build quality than asus. Moreover, the xoom is pure google and should quickly get updates. I see the asus as more geared towards the asian market with its cheaper price, but probably worse support (at least that has been my experience with the tiawainese computer companies).
Having said that every android 3.0 device that comes out increases the install base and therefore pressure for google to release more updates for android and hopefully more tablet apps.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Who cares about Engadget anyway? Their "reviews" are hardly reviews and only seems to be a bashing contest everything non-apple.
htc6500uk said:
The Asus is a pretty pure machine - contrary to rumours and speculation you may have read, it is not "skinned" and does not have a customised UI.
The only extras are Polaris Office, a DNLA WiFi network browser/player , some widgets and a screencap function (long press on "History") - Oh, they have also got a working Card Slot.
None of the above should prevent it getting fast updates.
It's taken Motorola a few months not to get their card slot working although they do blame Google.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the Xoom has working SD card. (thanks Tiamat 1.3.1) In my experience, DLNA has been a pain, and most manufacturer software additions are pointless. that said, I haven't played with the Asus, but I would be willing to bet there is not much value added by those apps.
Im sure someone else has/will point this out, just had to say it.
Got the XOOM wifi for my Bday. Totally enjoying the android tablet experience (also a Fascinate phone user). There are a few minor nit-picks for me with the XOOM. Seeing the Samsung 10.1 at Google IO is making me reconside my selection:
XOOM Nit Picks:
A bit Heavy (but certainly sturdy). I don't have any real need to lug this thing too far from my home office, so not really a deal breaker.
Power button on the back. I lie the XOOM flat on my desk. I need to pick it up to wake it up - many time per day. I find this oddly annoying!
Display just feels washed out to me. I have gotten away from the conservative auto-brightness to manually adjusted to better suite my taste. This is surely an UNFAIR LED vs Super Amoled comparison (like on my phone), but nonetheless, it is an issue for me.
Non-USB charging - yep, one more cable to manage. Again, this is an Android Tablet general concern, not specific to the XOOM.
So, the Samsung hits a couple topics for me: Lightweight, thinner, button on edge. But has its own set of issues for me:
Not 3.1 yet, Samsung seem terribly slow to push out upgrades (maybe really a Verizon issue on my phone?).
No HDMI/USB support. I am guessing they will provide some sort of dongle to provide these features, but ONE MORE piece to manage.
No SD Card support. I don have a big concern here, but who knows in the future?
Construction. The Google IO devices really looked/felt like cheap-plastic with that funky white back - but this may be how they get the weight spec to fall just below the iPad2. This is one of my gripes with the Fascinate phone - cheap back. I've not heard any reports of the retail config in June. Will it be like the IO devices, or return to something more like the original 10.18.9 black back.
I am totally on the fence here. Any suggestions??
Thanks,
Mark
Have you held a tab 10.1? it does not feel cheap and plasticy.
Xoom:
Available now w/3.1
802.11 a/b/g/n (as far as I know it's the only device with 5ghz wifi)
OTA updates (kies LOL)
Weight:
I typically carry mine around in some sort of folio case, or padded bag. To me, a few grams of weight is 100% negligible because of that fact... if I had any other tablet I'd stick it in a folio or case of some sort as well which surely adds to the weight. I don't know very many people that use their tablets without any form of cover/folio/case/screen film/etc. Even when I'm "around the house" I put it in a gel sleeve which adds to the weight. So... truly... is weight an issue on any of these tablets?
Screen:
I've held an ipad, an ipad2, a xoom, and an acer all together (not at once) - generally the screen on the ipads just seem better. dont know what the trickery is because its not just the fact that its an IPS screen vs a TN panel... I played with an Acer which is supposedly IPS as well and I thought it looked practically the same as my Xoom. I did get to hold it side by side with my Xoom at a tradeshow, it was a fun little tablet but it felt a little awkward to me. The button and output placement on it was better.
Peripheral placement:
Where the Xoom "sucks" the most if i may say it... is where everything plugs in. Short of the contacts for the power dock being on the bottom everything else is just wrong. You can't dock it and plug it into USB at the same time, gee thanks motorola.
My opinion:
Someone gave you a Xoom and you're out nothing. If you want a samsung tablet just wait until it comes out and sell your Xoom for $399 to someone as a deal and use that money to subsidize your samsung purchase.
I've got until tomorrow to return mine if I want. I've owned the original iPad, the Playbook and rooted a Nook Color. Currently, I have a Transformer on order and who knows if it will ever ship. Anyway, I agree with the previous poster that a little weight really is of little importance, especially when you put on a case. Also, for me, the connectivity is a concern because I use HDMI out a lot.
The Galaxy Tab looks appealing and I'm sure the screen will impress. However, I wonder if it will suffer from the light bleeding issues other such screens seem to have. I am also hesitant to jump in because of the stated concerns about Samsung not updating their products. That wouldn't be as great a concern if 3.1 wasn't such a dang improvement in performance and stability. Personally, I think the wiser course of action is to wait until the Galaxy 8.9. By then, surely 3.1 will be implemented and you will get a better form factor for carry.
Hi MarkP,
I think it`s really a hard decision, every review is saying great things about the Tab 10.1, for me the mains CONS are exactly those you mentioned, lack of ports and SD Reader (to be confirmed, actually, there are rumors that the retail version will have an SD reader).
Just to correct one point, the Tab 10.1 is not AMOLED, Samsung did not mention the display technology and people is speculating that it could be a Super LCD (the qualitty is very good), but is no AMOLED for sure.
I would be very worried about the pace of updates from Samsung, specially in the case of the retail tab which is supposed to come with some sort of TouchWiz (TouchWiz in itself is a big MINUS in my opinion, I like the Google Experience).
I think in any case you will be with a nice tablet, dependes of what is more important to your specific use case.
Regards ans good luck.
Sandro
dulaney22 said:
I've got until tomorrow to return mine if I want. I've owned the original iPad, the Playbook and rooted a Nook Color. Currently, I have a Transformer on order and who knows if it will ever ship. Anyway, I agree with the previous poster that a little weight really is of little importance, especially when you put on a case. Also, for me, the connectivity is a concern because I use HDMI out a lot.
The Galaxy Tab looks appealing and I'm sure the screen will impress. However, I wonder if it will suffer from the light bleeding issues other such screens seem to have. I am also hesitant to jump in because of the stated concerns about Samsung not updating their products. That wouldn't be as great a concern if 3.1 wasn't such a dang improvement in performance and stability. Personally, I think the wiser course of action is to wait until the Galaxy 8.9. By then, surely 3.1 will be implemented and you will get a better form factor for carry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, weight is a non issue for the most part, and I also agree about waiting to see if samsung updates...I mean, I have a Samsung Vibrant and have had a Samsung Galaxy Tab, and the updates are slow to come(if they come at all.)...Don't get me wrong maybe Samsung will shape up in the future, but for now til I see it I am going to try to stay clear of Samsung Android devices.
I personally don't understand the argument of Xoom's weight. Did people become that fragile that they can't carry around a device that is less than 2 lbs?
Also, Xoom will have a superior build quality compared to Tab 10.1, this is why it is heavier. You cannot have a slim, lightweight device that will have fantastic build quality. When you make a device that lightweight, you are giving up quality.
To me, it seems Xoom will always get it's updates quicker than any other Honeycomb tablet. Don't forget, Iconia and Transformer will get it in June, even though they are already available. With Samsung having touchwiz, my guess it will get updates a few weeks if not more after Xoom. And remember I/O? Xoom was the device Google used through out their experiments. If this is any indication, Xoom will probably get more dev support in terms of hardware capabilities.
I guess I can't really add anything that numerous people here have already pointed out. My biggest disappointment with the xoom is the display. It's just not vibrant in any way. Pretty dull really, in my opinion. However, the fact that the xoom has pure honeycomb and will get updates much faster than other tablets that contain OEM bloat is the key factor in my wanting the xoom over others. And, the bootloader is open. My first and current android device is the Moto Atrix, and I really wish I waited or researched the android world more before I bought it, and go a device that didn't have a locked bootloader, or could be unlocked.
If you're really on the fence about it, just return the xoom before it's too late, wait for the Samsung to come out and go compare them side by side. Unless of course you must have a tablet to use between now and release.
holtenc said:
I guess I can't really add anything that numerous people here have already pointed out. My biggest disappointment with the xoom is the display. It's just not vibrant in any way. Pretty dull really, in my opinion. However, the fact that the xoom has pure honeycomb and will get updates much faster than other tablets that contain OEM bloat is the key factor in my wanting the xoom over others. And, the bootloader is open. My first and current android device is the Moto Atrix, and I really wish I waited or researched the android world more before I bought it, and go a device that didn't have a locked bootloader, or could be unlocked.
If you're really on the fence about it, just return the xoom before it's too late, wait for the Samsung to come out and go compare them side by side. Unless of course you must have a tablet to use between now and release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the display is bad from vibrant standpoint, but I wish there was some way to change the color temperature to make it a little warmer. Frankly, I don't care much for the overly saturated colors of the Samsung or iPad.
samsung has always been slow and lazy on updates.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
i think I need to see the galaxy 10.1 display in person because the colors I have seen in all the pictures look a little too saturated to me...I think that would get annoying after a while. From a color saturation standpoint, I would prefer the xoom over the GT 10.1
Thanks everyone!
A few notes to add:
The Bday gift was to myself
Yep. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 display is also LED, not amoled like my Fascinate (I wish!). Probably will look very much the same as the XOOM, unless Samsung is able to config color/contrast/saturation default levels before shipping - or provide an interface for these options.
I think I may just return the XOOM, and go tablet-less until ~June 4 timeframe, then try to find a Samsung 10.1 display to do the touchy-feely stuff.
Worse case (or best case) - I buy the XOOM again, probably for a discount over the $599 I paid ($569 prices around today).
Will be only a small issue to go tabet-less for the next 20-30 days!
Looks like the GTab 10.1 i/o devices are suffering from a bit of backlight bleed themselves.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=13959199#post13959199
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qVS8KhM_rtXC555bw011jg
Good luck being able to rip open 10 of them on launch day to find a good one. Sometimes the quality control (or lack thereof) just baffles me.
^something like that I completely allowed on my $200 nook color. But when you double-plus the price, my tolerance grows quite thin and I expect the hardware to be as close to perfect as possible. Meaning: no back-light bleed.
Why not return, then repurchase at a different merchant to re extend your return time so you can wait for the Samsung to come out and be able to make a more informed decision? Once you sign into Google with the newly purchased xoom, virtually everything but your movies music and photos will be loaded back onto it.
You probably shouldn't do this, I only did something like this one time when i had a wedding shoot and really needed the money but had just sold my Sony nex. I went to Walmart and bought a dslr camera and returned it after the shoot. I'm sure if lots of people do this, it could **** with the merchants and Motorola. But, you know, its all well within your rights, just frowned upon. Your call.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Xoom is not the best, but enough to make me satisfied. The problem is Honeycomb itself (lag, missing apps..) not the xoom hardware.
tritran18518 said:
Xoom is not the best, but enough to make me satisfied. The problem is Honeycomb itself (lag, missing apps..) not the xoom hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still having lag issues even after 3.1? Are you able to surf the net and listen to mp3 without any issues? I have a TF and I dont know if its worth waiting for 3.1 in June. My return date for my TF is at the end of May. I heard good things about 3.1. Listening to my music and surfing is one of the thing I do the most, and on 3.0 using either playerpro or PowerAMP cause so much lag that it will lock up the browser or the player. With PlayerPro it will actually stutter during playback
I was planning on waiting for the 10.1 but started having doubts when I heard about the lack of SD card, then in a moment of doubt I found a xoom on ebay for $405, I definitively think its worth it fr $405.
tritran18518 said:
Xoom is not the best, but enough to make me satisfied. The problem is Honeycomb itself (lag, missing apps..) not the xoom hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you not on 3.1?
erzhik said:
I personally don't understand the argument of Xoom's weight. Did people become that fragile that they can't carry around a device that is less than 2 lbs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no ****. you gotta laugh when someone complains how tablet x is soooo much heavier than tablet y... and the difference is only 100 grams!
I've been comparing the Transformer to the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 and thus far I've been riding on the Asus wagon. But it does seem the Transformer has many more problems than the Tab... Speaker balance, light bleed issue, creaking bezel, random shut downs, etc... I just want to know which TABLET is better, no keyboards attached.
Obviously since I'm posting in the Transformer thread, many will say Asus. I'll post in the SGT 10.1 thread as well.
Though both have annoying proprietary connectors, the Trans at least has a microsd slot and costs less. Heck, if Asus had put the connectors on the device, rather than force people to buy a keyboard (ASUS admits their cost model depends on people buying the keyboard for them to make money)- I would own a Trans right now.
BTW, the different issues impact all Honeycomb tablets to some degree and Asus will be FAR more reliable for firmware updates.
Transformer wins this fight.
I've been comparing the mentioned tablets for quite a while now, and browsing through various forums my obvious choice (samsung) doesn't seem so obvious anymore.
I've had the chance to try hands-on both the samsung and the asus tablet, and overall look&feel has left me longing for the samsung's european release. In my opinion, Samsungs industrial design is a little better in terms of weight and the feel of quality. Transformer is a bit heavy to my taste.
Samsung's battery life is going to be a little better as well, and I'm really looking forward for Samsung to support all the codecs they've handled pretty nicely in the past (mkv, xvid, etc). In the other hand, Transformer's connectivity is a lot better.
Samsung has verified HDMI and USB ports are going to be available as accessories, which of course add to the base price quite a lot.
I haven't had the chance to compare side by side, but I loved the Samsung's screen, even compared to Transformer's IPS-screen.
To sum it up:
Samsung
+ Battery life
+ Weight
(+3g option)
- Connectivity
- Price
Transformer:
+ Keyboard
+ Connectivity
+ Price
- Weight
- Battery life (without keyboard)
(-no 3g yet)
I'd say both devices offer great value for the money, and if you can live without the 3g, Transformer would be the obvious choice.
the 3g with most people having phones with tethering and such, I personally just connect it to my iphone with its 6 gig package and away i go.
Go with Asus instead of Samsung products...
Jardicel said:
I've been comparing the Transformer to the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 and thus far I've been riding on the Asus wagon. But it does seem the Transformer has many more problems than the Tab... Speaker balance, light bleed issue, creaking bezel, random shut downs, etc... I just want to know which TABLET is better, no keyboards attached.
Obviously since I'm posting in the Transformer thread, many will say Asus. I'll post in the SGT 10.1 thread as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would stay away from Samsung products... They are well known not to support their products in terms of software (or OS) updates... Just look at the Samsung Galaxy S lines and Galaxy tab 7 inch... took them almost one year to come out with Froyo (for Galaxy S) and (Gingerbread) for Galaxy tab 7... Asus had three or four updates already in three months... Now that's good OS/ software support!!!
Speaker imbalance is not a hardware problem. It's a software problem and it was resolved in the latest OTA.
@mikewong27: That is wrong. Stop being so judgmental.
Froyo for the Galaxy S (I9000) was released early. The delay was because of U.S. carriers approving of the ROM.
The updates ASUS are putting out are MINOR and they aren't big. I will admit that the Android 3.1 update was released pretty quickly and Android 3.2 is on the way.
The I9000 already has Gingerbread on their phones. The U.S. variants have yet to because of U.S. carriers. U.S. carriers tend to add bloat and custom features on top of the original ROM.
When it comes to manufacturers, Samsung is one of the better ones out there.
- Easy to root
- Bootloaders aren't locked (*cough* HTC *cough*.. don't even say they promised unlocked bootloaders. they have YET to deliver and still releasing phones with locked bootloaders. I'll pass HTC)
- Great screens (Super AMOLED is where its at)
- Samsung also gave a CM developer a free Galaxy S2 to dev on.
Awesomeness!
zephiK said:
Speaker imbalance is not a hardware problem. It's a software problem and it was resolved in the latest OTA.
@mikewong27: That is wrong. Stop being so judgmental.
Froyo for the Galaxy S (I9000) was released early. The delay was because of U.S. carriers approving of the ROM.
The updates ASUS are putting out are MINOR and they aren't big. I will admit that the Android 3.1 update was released pretty quickly and Android 3.2 is on the way.
The I9000 already has Gingerbread on their phones. The U.S. variants have yet to because of U.S. carriers. U.S. carriers tend to add bloat and custom features on top of the original ROM.
When it comes to manufacturers, Samsung is one of the better ones out there.
- Easy to root
- Bootloaders aren't locked (*cough* HTC *cough*.. don't even say they promised unlocked bootloaders. they have YET to deliver and still releasing phones with locked bootloaders. I'll pass HTC)
- Great screens (Super AMOLED is where its at)
- Samsung also gave a CM developer a free Galaxy S2 to dev on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha ha man you really got your facts down, we need more senior members like these around here!
SystemErrorOne said:
Ha ha man you really got your facts down, we need more senior members like these around here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty active around here. Don't know what you're saying
Just really hate it when people are HTC fanboy/Samsung fanboy/whatever fanboy.
I'll admit I'm a Samsung fanboy in some way when it comes to phones but that's just because I appreciate their openness for the development group. On top of that they make great hardware. Yeah, I'll admit I hate their plastic backcovers but when you put a case over it. It's pretty good. The plastic backcover makes the phone a lot lighter and to be honest. I use a Nexus S (highly criticized for not having a external sd card) but you have to admit it's a really attractive phone.
When it comes to HTC, for them to EVEN think about locking their bootloaders and when they do unlock them. I'll still have some kind of bias against them for even thinking that locking their bootloaders would be a good idea. Seeing them as the creator of the Nexus One and first Android phone. You'd think they would know better. The Android development community is what made HTC where they are now. Screwing them over and then changing your mind? Nawww.. I'll pass.
But back onto the OP's question. I'd go with ASUS Transformer without a doubt. It's the most popular non-iPad tablet out there and you can save $100 dollars and spend it on something else. Maybe even the dock?
I compared both and chose Asus too.
I too was between the Galaxy Tab 10.1 vs. the Transformer before making my purchase decision. In the end, what drove me to the Asus was the MicroSD & HDMI. And when you add the keyboard dock (which I don't own yet), the equation becomes even more skewed. The fact that I had to buy a dongle to get those features in addition to the $100 difference was a deal breaker for me. Why pay more for less? I'm not cheap, and I like to buy quality products. But I like to think that I have a sound fiscal mind, and paying more for less does not compute. I also don't think that the 1/4 pound weight difference is a big issue. At least that's my opinion.
The only other option for me was the iPad 2. This had a bigger chance of getting my $$ than the Galaxy Tab to be honest. Tons of apps and games, most compatible with my iPhone; Great. But iOS doesn't do flash (frash doesn't cut it), and the tablet I was going to purchase had to cover 8/10 of my PC needs (barely use my laptop anymore). Until the world of the web changes, I can't have a tablet without Flash, for better or for worse. Oh and the home screen widgets on Android are fantastic.
I had a Tab for a couple of weeks, having had a TF + dock before. I had the "Newton rings" problem on the first, but a quick chat session with Amazon and I had a replacement in my hands the next day. The replacement was absolutely perfect. Like, what people expect from the iPad kind of perfect. No dust, no rings, no light bleed even with the backlight turned to eye searing mode, no creaks, no lifting screen, etc.
Ultimately though I switched back to the TF because I was missing the keyboard dock. I thought the Tab with a stand case and a BT keyboard would do it for me, but found that having the option of typing with the tablet in my lap was important for me. By the way, the official Samsung book stand case is amazing: with the case closed around the Tab, it's still thinner than the TF.
If the lack of a TF-style dock or memory expansion is not a problem for you, and you're willing to pay a premium for fit and finish, then by all means get the Tab. All that said, I now have a B6O Transformer and it has none of the issues people frequently ***** about, including bleed.
pokey9000 said:
Like, what people expect from the iPad kind of perfect. No dust, no rings, no light bleed even with the backlight turned to eye searing mode, no creaks, no lifting screen, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The iPads (1 and 2s) we have have had both dust and light bleed issues. Also, the screens have cracked on a few. It is very difficult to build a screen that big that users can bang at all days with their fingers.
jerrykur said:
The iPads (1 and 2s) we have have had both dust and light bleed issues. Also, the screens have cracked on a few. It is very difficult to build a screen that big that users can bang at all days with their fingers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I said "what people expect". My wife has a recently out of warranty Macbook with a swelling battery registering only 25 charge cycles. It reminds me every day that they don't poop perfectly formed quartz spheres in Cupertino.
I'm leaving for college in mid August, and my tf B4O is experiencing worse and worse light bleed. I don't care about the laptop dock, and was wondering if I should go down $400 with the Staples coupon on a -xoom- EDIT: Galaxy Tab with greater assurance of build quality or risk the RMA down in Grapevine, TX? Any other suggestions are welcome.
Thewalrus0034 said:
I'm leaving for college in mid August, and my tf B4O is experiencing worse and worse light bleed. I don't care about the laptop dock, and was wondering if I should go down $400 with the Staples coupon on a xoom with greater assurance of build quality or risk the RMA down in Grapevine, TX? Any other suggestions are welcome.
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Hi, sorry for my english..
I have both of them.. eee pad transformer and the xoom tablet.. and both of them have some bugs.. eee pad transformer runs at the moment whit os 3.1 and overclocked cpu between 1.2 and 1.5ghz.. moves between the screens isnt fluent, moves in the app menu isnt fluent too. i try the launcher pro too, but the same problem. i have a one screen whit two widgets over the whole place, and on this screen i cant get the move between it and other screen fluent..
it didnt feel so good, and it looks very bad, i cant understand why google or asus are not in the position to fix that.. i cant belive that the hw whit dual core 1.2 ghz and 1gb ram isnt enough.
the feelings in the browser are not so good too.. most of pages works, but how? the same problem like whit the screen, the scroling up and down in the browser is not fluent.. playing from videos its not so good too.. its acceptable, but not perfect.. flash didnt work reliably, some site like facebook have problems.. google+ didnt work correct too..
i have some random reboots, but it can be from the overclock the cpu..
so, now some things to the xoom device..
here in eu(switzerland) motorola didnt roll out a update for our devices so we stay on 3.0.1.. its really terrible, i pay more then 800 CHF for it, flash didnt work, microsd card didnt work, widget on the home screen are not expandable, user agent in the browser didnt work, more correct, you didnt have the option to set the agent.. i install yesterday a us version whit 3.2, there are some modifications on it to run whit 3g on eu devices.. some things are better, but not perfect.. im not sure if flash works, i dont belive.. on youtube test speed website whit the video, i get between 5 and 9 fps on 720p, on 320p its ok.. the moves between the screens are not fluent too, the same in the menu with apps..
some problems are fixed, the widget are expandable, microsd work now, but you didnt have the feel you work whit a device which is top, dual core 1.5ghz, 1 gb ram and a graphic chip.. the big problem in browser stay on motorola whit os 3.2.. facebook didnt work correct and google+ too..
so all in all, i will wait until xoom get a officiall update here in eu and i will wate for the update from transformer to 3.2.. if things arent better, i will sell the devices and buy a real table pc whit win7 from hp which is convertable too.. this bugs in the system or whatever, im not a developer, is it the system, the hw or the work between it, its not for dayli use.. i would replace a notebook or a pc at home whit the asus transformer, but i cant do that, all this bugs make it unpossible..
and i look for a device "all in one" and didnt want to have one more.. im really a fan from android and my first device was the google phone g1/dream.. but the products like xoom or transfomer arent finished to be saled, really not.. and i cant understand firms like asus and motorola, how they cant push something that is not ready for it..
its just my opinion at the moment whit the devices..
have a nice day..
I could also get a new tf maybe a B6O or a B7O.
Thanks for the view on bugs, I actually don't get lag between screens and I get good frame rates on flash. I love the screen on this but the build quality worries me.
Thewalrus0034 said:
I could also get a new tf maybe a B6O or a B7O.
Thanks for the view on bugs, I actually don't get lag between screens and I get good frame rates on flash. I love the screen on this but the build quality worries me.
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What about a Samsung 10.1? If I did not care about a keyboard that would be my choice.
Yeah I'm thinking just getting the Galaxy Tab after seeing no prevalent issues plaguing their forum like this one.
Actually, I'm thinking that if I get it from Staples, their return policy is 14 days. So if I RMA on the same day I buy the Transformer, I can return the Tab if the Transformer is fixed. If the Transformer is worse off than it was before, I can hang on to it. This is assuming I get the Transformer back in under two weeks.
Thewalrus0034 said:
Yeah I'm thinking just getting the Galaxy Tab after seeing no prevalent issues plaguing their forum like this one.
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I dunno dude the other day I was looking at their forum and they havee alot of the same complaints such as random reboots, sluggish keyboard, sleep of death, etc so evidently that stuff is just inherent in Honeycomb thus far. Sure they don't have the battery drain one since there is no dock nor the light bleed since they have a diff display type but they appeared to have plenty of other issues themselves. I do agree though if it weren't for the dock the Galaxy looks to be the way to go for a Honeycomb tablet currently, though without the built in SD slot that kinda sucks but guess you can get a dongle for that if you really need it. Also I don't think light bleed "gets worse", you sure you just are seeing it better or paying more attention to it then you were?
darkonex said:
I dunno dude the other day I was looking at their forum and they havee alot of the same complaints such as random reboots, sluggish keyboard, sleep of death, etc so evidently that stuff is just inherent in Honeycomb thus far. Sure they don't have the battery drain one since there is no dock nor the light bleed since they have a diff display type but they appeared to have plenty of other issues themselves. I do agree though if it weren't for the dock the Galaxy looks to be the way to go for a Honeycomb tablet currently, though without the built in SD slot that kinda sucks but guess you can get a dongle for that if you really need it. Also I don't think light bleed "gets worse", you sure you just are seeing it better or paying more attention to it then you were?
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Well, I had these light blotches in the middle of the screen, and light bleed middle bottom and left hand corner (lower). The other day I noticed a huge amount of light bleed coming from the right hand lower corner. I may have not noticed it, but maybe through handling, the screen is less secure on the bottom frame? I'll just send it in, if they don't fix it, I'll just buy the Galaxy Tab (avoid restocking fee)
I would recommend getting the thinkpad k tablet.... I think its going to be the best android when it hits the market....had two transformers sold one to buy the thibkpad k.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Thewalrus0034 said:
I'm leaving for college in mid August, and my tf B4O is experiencing worse and worse light bleed. I don't care about the laptop dock, and was wondering if I should go down $400 with the Staples coupon on a -xoom- EDIT: Galaxy Tab with greater assurance of build quality or risk the RMA down in Grapevine, TX? Any other suggestions are welcome.
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Same thing happened to me. I have a B40 and the light bleed started at nothing and got worse and worse over the last two months. I just RMA'd it.
So I received my Transformer Prime today and am having wifi issues (very poor connection strength). Also, I have a group of very bright pixels on the screen.
I know there is a new Transformer tablet in the works that has significantly better specs...so I'd be best to wait. In the meantime, I found a mint TF101 with docking keyboard for $350. Everything checks out and it seems like a great package for the price. This coupled with ICS arriving in two weeks for the TF101 makes it a reasonable decision to return the defective Prime and get this original TF101 w/keyboard.
Is this a good move? I've never owned the original Transformer and hope that it is plenty fast to play flash content. Anyone care to offer a POV on this decision?
I plan on getting the newer Transformer in Q2 when it's rumored to release.
i think you should go for it !
I returned my Prime due to the "Unknown Serial Number", and bought the TF101. Although WiFi wasn't bad on my Prime, it is better on my TF101. My TF101 also performs flawlessly, and doesn't have any of the common issues some of the Primes suffer from. I'm happy I "downgraded".
I am in the same situation. I was contemplating the TF101 vs TF201. It was not an issue of money, though availability became an issue as TF201 stock got sold out. I just wanted a flawless Internet experience so having poor wifi was not good. It seems like Asus is in flux right now so better to get a stable machine. I will see what happens at the end of the year, maybe upgrade to TF700. I originally got a Windows tab which actually was not that bad of a touch experience. I had the Acer W500 which is the same form factor as the prime basically with the 10" tab and keyboard dock. It was also heavy, slow and the battery life was poor (<5 hours). I think the TF101 will be a lot of fun.
try the squeeze trick before returning. takes a couple seconds and ive heard it helps a lot of plagued tf201s. cant find the vid but just squeeze just above the entire top of the screen just enough to cause a little light bleed
try the squeeze trick before returning. takes a couple seconds and ive heard it helps a lot of plagued tf201s. cant find the vid but just squeeze just above the entire top of the screen just enough to cause a little light bleed
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But that isn't going to help the OP's pixel issue and pixel deformities are annoying as ****.
Just return it and either get the TF101 or wait for the TF700T. Really the TF101 should be much easier to find and much cheaper. You'll have less of a hassle finding it and it's tried and true. It was much too early for them to release the prime so it's not like you're losing something.
Interesting to see that I am not alone on this.
This week I returned my 3rd prime and was very close to say "Screw Asus" and look for a Windows tablet but then I thought why not give the original Transformer a shot. I got it yesterday and have to admit I am really impressed.
Everything works as it should, it has two USB ports instead of one, stereo speakers instead of one, a better hardware keyboard (at least in my opinion), the USB transfer rate seems to be much better, the screen seems to be more responsive and it is much cheaper.
And the funniest thing of em all: I don´t know why but it is even faster than Prime. Of course not in 3D games or stuff like that or 1080p videos etc.
But while doing normal usage, e-mailing, writing, watching videos, browsing etc.
And I havn´t even tried a custom ROM, yet.
Just to make this clear: I am comparing ICS Prime (three actually) to HC original Transformer. Which makes no sense to me.
So, the only few things that are better about the Prime are (in my opinion):
- It looks better
- It "look" better manufactured
- Slightly better battery life
- Slightly better display
- Smaller and lighter
And since I am planning to keep my Transformer only for a few months until the Padfone or the TF700 is out I think this was a really good decision.
prime is a prototype.. not ready for the public. it tells others that quad core is now possible/.
Came lookin' for the same question/answer. Have the T201 and has issues like 80% of everyone else. Bluetooth/wifi is a joke on the 201...I love using it for remote access to my Win7 box, but seems that when I'm streaming Spotify, if cuts out and loses connection. And, this is upstairs from my router 15 feet a way.
I guess it's time to research the h*** out of the T101 like I did the 201. 399 at bestbuy this week...will search for cheaper this week . . .
Me Too...Prime's WiFi WeaK Compared to Other Tablets
Thank you OP and other posters.
I too am about to return my Prime, and was wondering about the TF101 as a replacement.
I don't do much gaming but decided to buy the Prime since it was supposed to be state-of-the-art. Well, the WiFi just isn't as good as other tablets I've tested, both the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 and HTC Flyer get better WiFi at distance. I've moved my router and changed router settings so I get satisfactory WiFi now at home, but I'm worried about weak WiFi when I travel.
Son (who has the Galaxy 10.1) says I should return the Prime. So, now what to get? The Galaxy 10.1 looks like a very strong performer (especially so in WiFi), but was looking to see if the Original Transformer TF101 would be a good fit for me.
Just wondering what you all think? What will I "lose" if I "downgrade" to the Tf101?
Ride525 said:
Thank you OP and other posters.
I too am about to return my Prime, and was wondering about the TF101 as a replacement.
I don't do much gaming but decided to buy the Prime since it was supposed to be state-of-the-art. Well, the WiFi just isn't as good as other tablets I've tested, both the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 and HTC Flyer get better WiFi at distance. I've moved my router and changed router settings so I get satisfactory WiFi now at home, but I'm worried about weak WiFi when I travel.
Son (who has the Galaxy 10.1) says I should return the Prime. So, now what to get? The Galaxy 10.1 looks like a very strong performer (especially so in WiFi), but was looking to see if the Original Transformer TF101 would be a good fit for me.
Just wondering what you all think? What will I "lose" if I "downgrade" to the Tf101?
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Some pixels and the buggy software lol
I like Samsung, but galaxy does not have dock and Samsung had minimal support updates. Asus is spot on with their updates, despite the delay on ics for the tf101..
luna_c666 said:
Some pixels and the buggy software lol
I like Samsung, but galaxy does not have dock and Samsung had minimal support updates. Asus is spot on with their updates, despite the delay on ics for the tf101..
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Lose some pixels? What do you mean? Don't the Original Transformer and the Prime have the same resolution?
And what do you mean by buggy software? Is the Original Transformer's software more buggy, than the Primes? In what way? Or do you mean the Prime has more buggy software?
Thanks for any thoughts on my possible "downgrade".
Ride525 said:
Just wondering what you all think? What will I "lose" if I "downgrade" to the Tf101?
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Someone09 said:
So, the only few things that are better about the Prime are (in my opinion):
- It looks better
- It "look" better manufactured
- Slightly better battery life
- Slightly better display
- Smaller and lighter
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In short: If you can handle the size/weight and looks of the TF101, you should get it. Just my two cents.
EDIT: And of course the Prime´s camera is better and it behaves better with 3D games etc...at least in theory.
Ride525 said:
Lose some pixels? What do you mean? Don't the Original Transformer and the Prime have the same resolution?
And what do you mean by buggy software? Is the Original Transformer's software more buggy, than the Primes? In what way? Or do you mean the Prime has more buggy software?
Thanks for any thoughts on my possible "downgrade".
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You are right, my bad they do have the same size screen (I was thinking of the TF700) but the TF Prime has the 'Super IPS' screen and has more brightness (nits), but the ICS update has been bricking people's Primes, it also has crappy wifi/bluetooth as reported..
I say the TF101 is a safer bet, the TF201 is more a prototype as mentioned..not really ready for commercial consumption, more like the icebreaker paving the way for the real cargo ship (TF700)
luna_c666 said:
[...] but the TF Prime has the 'Super IPS' screen and has more brightness (nits), [...]
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That is true, too. The question is if it worth it.
I mean if you turn Super IPS mode + highest brightness settings you might easily get a sunburn from it...I don´t need that setting.
Your only really option is to get the TF101. Everything else is not preferable based on price : features or price : performance ratio.
With the Galaxy Tab 10.1 you're paying too much for what you're getting, that is good hardware and a good design but no or little updates. The hardware is roughly comparable to the TF101 so really all that you're getting out of it is good design, no expansion slot, no/little updates and pay more. Do not want.
The TF101 hits the sweet spot in terms of what you get for how much you pay and you're guaranteed to get ICS and most likely more updates after that. We've been getting updates for HC like what, once or twice every two months? Don't even think you'll see anything close to that with Sammy. Maybe one update a year or two.
The TF201 is good looking and good hardware and it shares the same Asus speed in terms of upgrades but the connectivity and build quality + launch issues leave a lot to be desired. It's confidence shaking, would I want to keep a tablet where the Wi-Fi and GPS are already **** and there's a possibility it might get worse? For $500 and with a successor already on the horizon? Do not want. Really it was a rushed, piece of garbage that's DOA. This is what happened when they decided to rush something rather than do their time with more R&D and releasing it in a more suitable time frame. They should have released the Prime when the TF700T is scheduled to be released (whatever date that is) which in my eyes puts the TF700T as what the Prime should have been, AKA the fix.
Tubular said:
They should have released the Prime when the TF700T is scheduled to be released (whatever date that is) which in my eyes puts the TF700T as what the Prime should have been, AKA the fix.
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Amen to that.
Plus, I hope the same applies to the Padfone.
The TF101 has much better WiFi than the Prime.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
ericshmerick said:
I know there is a new Transformer tablet in the works that has significantly better specs...so I'd be best to wait. In the meantime, I found a mint TF101 with docking keyboard for $350. Everything checks out and it seems like a great package for the price. This coupled with ICS arriving in two weeks for the TF101 makes it a reasonable decision to return the defective Prime and get this original TF101 w/keyboard.
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Honestly, the TF101 will likely be better than that successor model, too. The latter has far too high screen resolution, which will lead to problems in some apps, give no advantage at all in most apps (just extra blur from scaling), and cause eye strain in some apps. As an added bonus, it'll reduce battery life and make everything slower.
All so Asus can put a bigger-is-better number on a spec sheet.
They got it right with the TF101, by and large. They're struggling to invent a reason for people to upgrade, and not doing a great job of it.
Being an early adopter of the TF101(my first one was a B40) I had to deal with the pain of owning a new model. Asus has been right on time with their updates and they pay attention to what people post on the internet. It is my opinion that in a few months the Prime will be ready for prime time. But until then I will do my best to wear out my B50 Transformer. It is a great little device totally stock.