[Q] a500 vs galaxy tab 7 (screen) - Acer Iconia A500

I wanna know how is its screen quality comparing to galaxy tab 7?
and what are the disadvantages of not having an unlock bootloader ?
tnx

I can compare a tomato and a steack ?
what the advantage to sit on my sofa ?

Hard to tell. Glaxy tab 7 is a sub par product of a previous generation, doesn't come close to iconia in any way.
On the tabs 10.1 and 8.9 the screen quality is certainly better but you wouldn't notice without the tablets side to side.
The locked bootloader has been hacked so that point is irrelevant. It's purpose is to install custom roms.
The disadvantage of all other tablets over iconia is the lack of a full size USB port. Caring all kinds of proprietary adapters isn't exactly the ideal solution.

tnx
I wanted to buy iconia, but the screen quality made me hesitate
I saw galaxy tab 7's screen before and it was so good
so I'm going to buy Iconia
tnx

Bec07 said:
Hard to tell. Glaxy tab 7 is a sub par product of a previous generation, doesn't come close to iconia in any way.
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Click to collapse
I don't know where you have got that idea from, but it simply isn't true.
First of all, the GTab 7 has a very good IPS display that is better than the Iconia's display. That's not to disparage the Iconia's panel though.
Secondly, the GTab 7 is a far better media player than any of the current crop of Honeycomb tablets due to much broader codec and container support.
Thirdly, given the dearth of Honeycomb optimised applications, the fact that the GTab 7 doesn't have Honeycomb is not the disadvantage that it should be.
The GTab 7 is most definitely not a sub-par product, and in many ways it is still very current - there is no better 7" tablet on the market in my opinion, which is quite impressive given it is nearly a year old.
However, it tends to serve a different purpose than its larger brethren, so can't really be directly compared.
Regards,
Dave

foxmeister said:
Secondly, the GTab 7 is a far better media player than any of the current crop of Honeycomb tablets due to much broader codec and container support.
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Click to collapse
That might be true if this was an iPod where you're stuck with a stock video player, but this becomes a non-factor as soon as you install RockPlayer or MoboPlayer, which plays everything thrown at it. Does anyone really use the stock video player on any Android device? They're all just so limiting that I question why anyone would do that unless they have an iPod mentality and/or just don't know that there are superior 3rd-party video players available for free.
foxmeister said:
Thirdly, given the dearth of Honeycomb optimised applications, the fact that the GTab 7 doesn't have Honeycomb is not the disadvantage that it should be.
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Click to collapse
This will only improve with each passing day. Honeycomb is now the standard OS for tablets, just like Gingerbread is now the standard OS for phones. Anyone who would say that it's better to run an older version of an OS is likely someone who is stuck with a device that cannot upgrade.
They're really not comparable devices. They're a full year apart, significantly different size screens, and a huge OS version difference. With the Galaxy Tab being about the same price as the A500, unless you HAVE to have a smaller tablet or built-in 3G, there's really no reason to choose the Galaxy Tab at this point.
A better comparison would be between the A500 and a newer Galaxy Tab model, which is the comparison I made and the A500 won out (for me) for a variety of reasons, specifically price and feature set.

internetpilot said:
That might be true if this was an iPod where you're stuck with a stock video player, but this becomes a non-factor as soon as you install RockPlayer or MoboPlayer, which plays everything thrown at it.
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Click to collapse
Sorry but no it doesn't - try some high profile 1080p/720p MKVs on *any* Tegra-2 Honeycomb tablet with Moboplayer/Rockplayer and compare the same to the 7" Galaxy Tab.
This will only improve with each passing day. Honeycomb is now the standard OS for tablets, just like Gingerbread is now the standard OS for phones. Anyone who would say that it's better to run an older version of an OS is likely someone who is stuck with a device that cannot upgrade.
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Click to collapse
The problem is that it *isn't* improving with each passing day. Personally, I'd expected Honeycomb optimised applications to explode onto the scene, but frankly it hasn't happened. The majority of apps that I run on either tablet are all pre-Honeycomb. It will change, but it isn't changing as quickly as I'd hoped.
Honeycomb desperately needs more apps, because for the most part we are using upscaled "Phone" apps. This isn't as big an issue as it is/was for the iPad, since a well written Android app will scale properly, but it's not taking advantage of what Honeycomb has to offer.
They're really not comparable devices. They're a full year apart, significantly different size screens, and a huge OS version difference. With the Galaxy Tab being about the same price as the A500, unless you HAVE to have a smaller tablet or built-in 3G, there's really no reason to choose the Galaxy Tab at this point.
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Click to collapse
I agree they are not comparable (I even said so myself), but that doesn't make the Galaxy Tab sub-par which is the point of my post. In some ways it is still superior to *any* Honeycomb tablet and that is a fact I'm afraid (mostly due to Tegra-2).
A better comparison would be between the A500 and a newer Galaxy Tab model, which is the comparison I made and the A500 won out (for me) for a variety of reasons, specifically price and feature set.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I agree that a better comparison is against the 10.1" Galaxy Tab, but that's not the point of this thread is it?
The OP was asking about the screen of the GTab 7 vs the Iconia, and frankly the GTab 7 does have a better screen than the Iconia!
FWIW - screenwise, it's:
Xoom < Iconia < Transformer < GTab 7 < GTab 10.1
Having said that, I would only consider the Xoom's screen to be actually "bad".
Regards,
Dave

I have both devices! Here is the simple comparison:
Display: Galaxy TAB (better picture quality, better warmer colors)
Codec support: Galaxy TAB (I've thrown everything but the kitchen sink and it plays it) Rock Player/MoboPlayer are good players but software rendering is NOT for 1080p!
But then again, I'm selling my TAB now and keeping the A500!

tnx everyone
now I'm just confused
I want to buy Iconia but the only thing that makes me worry is the screen quality
in comparision vids I saw galaxy tab 10 is far better in this field
but USB 2 on this and dust and moisture under g tab 10 screen makes me choose this
I heard Iconia have a much better screen compare to Xoom
I wanna now those who have Iconia, is it noticable in real life usage? I mean the bad quality

foxmeister said:
Sorry but no it doesn't - try some high profile 1080p/720p MKVs on *any* Tegra-2 Honeycomb tablet with Moboplayer/Rockplayer and compare the same to the 7" Galaxy Tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would 1080p be necessary for a 7" screen? I'm finding 720p on my 10" A500 screen to typically be overkill and definitely not worth the file size required. There's a Law of Diminishing Returns here, and I'm pretty sure that 1080p on a 7" screen is just that. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should" also likely applies.
I guess that's why I haven't had an playback problems you mention, but I'm a pretty picky videophile when it comes to movies, and I've yet to be disappointed with 720p or less movies on the A500. I suspect I'm enjoying a lot more room on my SD card, too.

internetpilot said:
Why would 1080p be necessary for a 7" screen? I'm finding 720p on my 10" A500 screen to typically be overkill and definitely not worth the file size required. There's a Law of Diminishing Returns here, and I'm pretty sure that 1080p on a 7" screen is just that. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should" also likely applies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You misunderstand the point entirely - it's not that 1080p is necessary on a 7" screen, it's that if you have a large movie collection in 1080p, you want to be able to play them on all of your devices without having to re-encode. For some people, re-encoding simply isn't an option.
In the context of this discussion, it's only relevance is that an earlier poster said that the GTab 7" is a sub-par product that doesn't close to the Iconia in any way, which isn't true.
Regards,
Dave

Sub-par and that it belongs to a previous generation.
Single-core CPUs don't belong in tablet space and Froyo or Gingerbread don't belong on tablets.
I've had the 7" for a while and I have an SGS, I know what I'm talking about.
While smaller screens will always look better and sharper, the processing power, the speed, the memory, the GPU are outdated.
The user experience and build quality don't come even close to Iconia and the 7" screen size is irrelevant.
I do, from all my heart, believe it's a sub-par and useless product and while getting it this time last year might not have been one's most inspired idea, getting one now is the worst idea or recommendation one could make.

Bec07 said:
I've had the 7" for a while and I have an SGS, I know what I'm talking about.
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Click to collapse
Well, if we're going to play the "who's is bigger game".....
I've had Android phones since the T-Mo G1, followed by an Hero, 2 HTC Desire's, a Desire HD, and an HTC Sensation. I've had a cheapo KIRF tablet (which definitely was sub-par crap), a Toshiba AC-100, a Kogan Agora Internet TV Portal, a GTab 7" and a Honeycomb tablet, so I guess that I must know what I'm talking about too??
Interesting to note that whilst you have posted on the SGS forums, you've never posted on the GTab 7s. Perhaps you've not been keeping abreast with the development on the GTab 7, and thus can only really comment on the stock experience, but it is vastly improved with a Gingerbread ROM and a few tweaks here and there - which is something it shares in common with pretty much all Android devices.
The user experience and build quality don't come even close to Iconia and the 7" screen size is irrelevant.
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Click to collapse
The build quality of the GTab 7" is very good indeed - at least as good as the Iconia's IMO, and it *does* have a superior screen. Also, to say that a 7" screen size is irrelevant is pure nonsense - portability is crucial for some people. Irrelevant to you perhaps, but that isn't the same thing!
I do, from all my heart, believe it's a sub-par and useless product and while getting it this time last year might not have been one's most inspired idea, getting one now is the worst idea or recommendation one could make.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Given that there are hardly any Honeycomb applications, the GTab 7 runs practically all the same applications so if it is useless, surely all the HC tablets too? The GTab 7 can also run the so-called "Tegra-2" only apps like GOF2 very well indeed with CF3D, so clearly the GPU and processor are still very much up to scratch for the applications that are currently available!
There are plenty of reasons why the GTab 7 is still a good tablet - it's not a direct competitor to the 10.1 HC tablets though because it serves a different set of requirements.
All this is not to say that your opinion isn't any less (or more!) valid than mine, but that is all they are - opinions! I've merely presented a couple of areas where the GTab 7" is verifiably superior than the current crop of Honeycomb tablets.
Regards,
Dave

I'm going to go out on a limb and say you are to easy to please You've seen android so early that the current versions look awesome no matter what.
I only know how much it changed from 2.1 to 2.2 and the difference was huge!
As for GOF2 it was one of my assessment points. It's damn heavy on that cpu, it heats it up a lot, it drains the battery fast and has long loading times.
On tegra 2, it barely gets warm-ish and runs like a dream. I wouldn't want to catch 2012 single-cored.
As for honeycombs apps, only one so far didn't scale right for me, some startup app remover that kept staying in 800x480 but since it's more of an utility, doesn't bother me that much.
I don't like the 7" size because it's too small for documents. Before I tried out the tab 7" I was obsessed with a viliv x70 (win 7) and the dream of full office in the palm of my hand.
Now with Iconia I think 10 is a minimum, and this with dedicated apps.

Bec07 said:
I'm going to go out on a limb and say you are to easy to please You've seen android so early that the current versions look awesome no matter what.
I only know how much it changed from 2.1 to 2.2 and the difference was huge!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should've seen 1.6 (Donut) to 2.1 (Eclair) - makes the jump from 2.1 to 2.2 look quite small!
I don't like the 7" size because it's too small for documents. Before I tried out the tab 7" I was obsessed with a viliv x70 (win 7) and the dream of full office in the palm of my hand.
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Click to collapse
It's a case of horses for courses - I want a 7" tablet for when I travel for work (which is quite frequently these days) because it can comfortably fit in a jacket pocket, which means I can take it out and about without having to carry a bag.
For home use, a larger tablet is likely to be the better choice, which is why I have both!
Now with Iconia I think 10 is a minimum, and this with dedicated apps.
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Click to collapse
I'd possibly be tempted by the Galaxy Tab 8.9 as a single device, but I think it's probably too large to be pocketed, and not that much smaller than a 10.1" tablet to make a different.
I was hoping to buy Iconia A100, but that seems to have dropped off Acer's radar, and there are alternatives (e.g the Huawei MediaPad, Viewsonic ViewPad 7x, and Asus Eee Pad Memo) that might come to the market first.
Regards,
Dave

Related

Poor reviews!

Any one else finding that most of the reviews of the Tab seem to be written by people who just don't get it?
I'm the first in line to call a spade a spade (that would be "shovel a shovel" for our American cousins) but I truly believe the Tab is a fantastic device and I cannot see where most of these reviewers are coming from.
I'm sure that some would say that us Tab buyers are trying to justify our purchase, but I'm honestly finding that the Tab has exceeded my expectations which were already quite high.
I've been in the market for a device that could sit between my laptop(s) and smartphone for casual media consumption and web browsing, and since buying my Tab last Friday, my Macbook has sat on my coffee table untouched and my HTC Desire has only really seen use as a phone.
I was seriously considering an Advent Vega, Toshiba Folio 100, or Archos 101 as they were all around half the price of the Tab, but after my experience with the Toshiba AC100 Android smartbook I decided that I really wanted the full Google experience (Market, Gmail etc) because it was just so much easier than faffing around with APKs etc.
In less than a week, beyond sitting at my desk, the Tab has become my primary device for Internet and media consumption, and I honestly did not expect that to occur.
Whilst the poor reviews don't affect me directly, I'm concerned that many people would be put off this fantastic device without giving it a fair crack of the ship which I can assure anyone who is sitting on the fence, the Tab most surely deserves!
Regards,
Dave
I tend to agree Dave.
The Tab is one of the best, if not THE best, android device i have used to date (and i have used many).
but its not for everyone and it does have some issues that needs to be addressed (such as the laggy browser).
It does seems like Samsung were able to overcome the issues the SGS had with the SGT and all the power to them.
I do think the reviewers just don't get it.
Some if the reviews i have read are just full of lies and totally biased (see BGR's review).
I really like the stock browser, but it is too laggy compared to others. Samsung should definitely have worked harder on that.
I'm also not convinced by swype on a device of this size but I could be convinced, if I could have swype automatically in portrait and something else in landscape.
Regards,
Dave
I don't think the reviews I've read have been overly negative but I've only read a handful:
Oddly, I found the review on Engadget to be one of the better ones, even if they only scored it 7/10.
They seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the Tab, which flies in the face somewhat of their general pro-Apple bias. I guess it just proves that some of the Engadget writers are genuinely enthusiastic about tech and not just stuff made in Cupertino.
GSMArena, normally a beacon of decent reviews, seemed to get a bit too hung up on trying to compare it to the iPad whilst avoiding declaring one better than the other. That and criticising the price a lot.
They also mentioned issues like the screen having ghosting issues, which I just couldn't reproduce when I used the Tab.
There was a 'review' on the BBC site by one of their tech bloggers which was beyond pitiful.
It just compared web-browsing and playing videos but was so lacking in any genuine insight or intelligence that I would advise not wasting your time on it.
Then the review on BGR, that one really did annoy me.
The reviewer criticised the pixel density of the Tab compared to smartphones and criticised the screen as too small compared to the iPad whilst conveniently ignoring the iPad's poorer pixel density.
If I was being generous, I'd say the review just didn't 'get' the Tab but it smacked much more of pro-Apple bias IMO.​
So, one good review, one in-depth but indecisive review, one non-review and one advert for the iPad...
However, reading a lot of the comments left on various sites in response to their reviews, I would say there is a definite lack of 'getting' out there.
A lot of people just don't seem to see the appeal or usefulness of the Tab, which is fair enough everyone's entitled to their opinion but like you Dave, I'm not convinced they've actually given the Tab a fair go before reaching that decision.
Read WIRED review
http://m.wired.com/reviews/2010/11/galaxy_tab/
Sent from my GT-P1000 using Tapatalk
antz88c said:
Read WIRED review
http://m.wired.com/reviews/2010/11/galaxy_tab/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For those of us not on a mobile device: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2010/11/galaxy_tab/
well, comparing the tab with full fledge tablet will be useless
as i see it, tab is a phone that have tablet capabilities, considering they're still using FroYo which was a phone OS primarily
but when google OS for Tablet is ready in the market, and the tab get it, Ipad will get some rivalry from galaxy tab for sure, as Ipad cant be used as a phone, at all
Justin^Tan said:
well, comparing the tab with full fledge tablet will be useless
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Click to collapse
I would say that comparison to any other Android tablets or the iPad is far from useless as they're all running similarly-capable OSs.
True, comparison to something running, say, Win7 would be a bit of a waste of time but I fail to see why comparing a 7" Android tablet to a 10" Android tablet would be useless.
Justin^Tan said:
as i see it, tab is a phone that have tablet capabilities
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what, if you don't mind me asking, are 'tablet capabilities'?
My vibrant feels so small now.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Step666 said:
I would say that comparison to any other Android tablets or the iPad is far from useless as they're all running similarly-capable OSs.
True, comparison to something running, say, Win7 would be a bit of a waste of time but I fail to see why comparing a 7" Android tablet to a 10" Android tablet would be useless.
And what, if you don't mind me asking, are 'tablet capabilities'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well let me put my fair understanding on both devices.
IPAD ADV
---------
- Bigger Screen: More Space for applications, pleasant for the eye
- Brighter Screen
- Longer Battery Life
- Applications tailored just for IPAD
IPAD DISV
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- Heavy.. use on one hand for a long time is just not comfortable.
- Can't Make Call without Jail Breaking / Additional Support
- Bulky, It would mean that you have to carry a bag with you all the time.
- Most of the stuffs don't work in IPAD. e.q. Flash
This is critical for some reason and at least for now, most websites run flash: Videos or Games and it's extremely cumbersome to get the contents to be played on the IPAD. Tethering not working right out of the box (if i remember correctly)
- No support for widgets. why is this important? well, because it's a feature that enable us to glance through information easily or access certain function easily. Plus, it's beautiful and pleasing. Imagine, you want to check your Data Usage, all you have to do is open your screen and you know straight how many have you used instead of opening the program and do a check button again. >.<!!
SGT ADV
--------
- Connectivity: you can make call, browsing using wifi or 3G.
- Light in size and pocket-able on most jeans or clothing.
- All in One? compared to IPAD, you will need an extra pair of device as a phone but with tab, you have it all.
- Device capable for honey comb & ginger bread.
- As android is open source, it's open to development and customization. This would mean that if samsung doesn't make SGT good enough for people, a team or someone can make that customization to provide more battery life, better interface etc.
SGT DISADV
------------
- Built on TFT technology.. which the screen is slightly distorted on certain angle.
- Compared to IPAD, the battery life sucks. However,
you get widgets, connectivity and multi tasking done right and still it's enough to be used as a daily phone / tablet.
- Not many application tailored for SGTab yet and my feeling about this is the future is a bit unknown .. With so many screen resolutions out. 7inch 8.9inch 10 inch.. it's just making it hard for developer to tailor the application but all in all, the android tablet coming to the market is definite so it's possible that the tailored applications will be growing steadily.
My Summary:
--------------
While ipad offers better battery life, applications, screen and performance. It does have certain disadvantages such as lack of flash support, customization, calls and it's bulky. And for some who wish to have portability and entertainment on the GO, Tab is definitely superior than IPAD in many ways. However, taking apps into consideration, the Apps in IPAD is amazing simply because they are tailored. Android is still evolving. We will see more applications tailored for Android tablet size become available in the near future. Having said that i would say all in all, the pro and cons between these two devices is 50:50 and at the end of the day, it's up to your preference whether you want a device with good apps support but lack portability or you want one with all in and portable.
foxmeister said:
I'm the first in line to call a spare a spare (that would be "shovel a shovel" for our American cousins)...
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that should be "call a spade a spade" - for the non-Americans...
-Daniel
Why is everyone comparing to an IPAD...this isnt an IPAD! Forget the reviews....I can show you 100 reviews that say it's a fantastic device....ask the users....
dweidman said:
I believe that should be "call a spade a spade" - for the non-Americans...
-Daniel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curse predictive keyboards!
Dave
Sorry for my bad english.
Then my point of view :
The SGT is not the better yes i agree with that.
But for me the point of view is different for everybody. Why ? Because i buy my 'item' because all off my requested features are in my 'item'.
If you havn't yet, look up the review that carrypad has done.
shollywood said:
Why is everyone comparing to an IPAD...this isnt an IPAD! Forget the reviews....I can show you 100 reviews that say it's a fantastic device....ask the users....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly. and also this flash nonsense always. yes we can do flash. but this is not the killer argument here.
this is a handy tablet with a nice os. thats it. and it can be used as a phone too.
it has a great speaker, which makes conference calls very nice.
widgets with that screen size rocks. gamings is brilliant on the device.
there is no need for comparison to some other device. this one is great.
Most of the reviews I've seen have been positive if not amazing, the Giz article is not an outstanding review or the best piece of journalism I've seen!
My iPad is a lounge device, my SGT is my RoadWarrior device. I wouldn't compare them as they fill 2 very different roles for me.
foxmeister said:
I'm also not convinced by swype on a device of this size but I could be convinced, if I could have swype automatically in portrait and something else in landscape.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello have you try to use keyboardmanager on the market
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

[OT] Asus eee pad transformer...viable alternative???

I know the Samsung Gtab 10.1 is appealing but the Asus EEE Pad Transformer is looking very appealing. And if the cost stay as low as they say $400, that would make it a steal for me.
I know that the Samsung display is a PLS and the Asus is IPS, but the price...
Asus EEE Pad Transformer
Hope this is in keeping with this thread's intent?
There (apparently) is a tab called NotionInk that's been recommended to me as a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy but the info that I can find appears a little scant.
t-c said:
There (apparently) is a tab called NotionInk that's been recommended to me as a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy but the info that I can find appears a little scant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's called Notion Ink Adam - but it's not cheaper (than old 7'' Galaxy Tab) and it's hard too get. There is a forum here for Adams.
IF, you do not need docking station with keyboard.
IF, GT 10.1 will have Samsungs own SoC instead of Tegra 2 and you want something that does not require hours to convert video material in order to be able to watch it on tablet than NO. It is NO alternative to GT 10.1
Iv been thinking about this too. Its a great price and has a good screen. Tegra isn't **** and we still don't know what chip will be in the GT and its still a while to release.
In terms of video. The only problem is high profile stuff .. I'm thinking as soon as vlc gets released for android that may solve our problems
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
VLC realease should be close. I'll probably wait. I waited years for a good tablet, I can wait a month longer. I can (really).
italia0101 said:
Iv been thinking about this too. Its a great price and has a good screen. Tegra isn't **** and we still don't know what chip will be in the GT and its still a while to release.
In terms of video. The only problem is high profile stuff .. I'm thinking as soon as vlc gets released for android that may solve our problems
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't call the Tegra 2 "****" specifically, but by todays standards it is only decent. The Tegra fails in comparison to Apple's A5, and many people are looking to Samsung's Exynos to even the field. We can only hope it will, as Samsung's Hummingbird processor was amazing... Samsung is oddly keeping very quiet about this.
Yea I get that. But at the end all it really gives is tthe video potential.. games are developed and optimized for tegra so they will def work with tegra...
Yea the apple processor kills it in graphics but so what? Games are the same .. no lag on tegra in gaming ..
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I will have an eee pad transformer on Saturday. It will keep me going until the 10.1 arrives. By that time I will be able to upgrade if I feel the need. The eee is certainly an attractive tablet at an attractive price.
redmongoose said:
I will have an eee pad transformer on Saturday. It will keep me going until the 10.1 arrives. By that time I will be able to upgrade if I feel the need. The eee is certainly an attractive tablet at an attractive price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't upgrade from a transformer to a tab 10.1, if you read the specs the transformer has the better spec especially of you use the keyboard dock with full USB 2.0 at another £50, the screen is total class the best i've seen on any android device anywhere and a zillion times better than the xoom, plus full HDMI etc.
It's released next week in the UK 16th April, already cancelled my xoom order
Can't believe there's no froum on here
Yes, you can upgrade.
New GT 10,1 will have a better bat. life and better screen
If you do not need full USB 2.0 (in keyboard!!! only) and keyboard itself) no reason to go for Transformer.
Probably it will have worse cpu (tegra 2 against exynos), is thicker and heavier...
If one needs just an Android tablet GT 10.1 seems to be the best one coming (in 10.1 size)
galtom said:
Yes, you can upgrade.
New GT 10,1 will have a better bat. life and better screen
If you do not need full USB 2.0 (in keyboard!!! only) and keyboard itself) no reason to go for Transformer.
Probably it will have worse cpu (tegra 2 against exynos), is thicker and heavier...
If one needs just an Android tablet GT 10.1 seems to be the best one coming (in 10.1 size)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true. Agree 100%
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
galtom said:
Yes, you can upgrade.
New GT 10,1 will have a better bat. life and better screen
If you do not need full USB 2.0 (in keyboard!!! only) and keyboard itself) no reason to go for Transformer.
Probably it will have worse cpu (tegra 2 against exynos), is thicker and heavier...
If one needs just an Android tablet GT 10.1 seems to be the best one coming (in 10.1 size)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A better battery than 18 hrs the asus tab has a 9.5 hr battery and the keyboard holds another 8.5, and if you compare prices the asus will still work out over £50 cheaper than just the samsung on it's own
Better screen than the IPS one doesn't think so does one
If buying android devices has tought me anything it's that just paying more doesn't automatically mean you get better
checkbox111 said:
A better battery than 18 hrs the asus tab has a 9.5 hr battery and the keyboard holds another 8.5, and if you compare prices the asus will still work out over £50 cheaper than just the samsung on it's own
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is why I wrote about keyboard. I just want a tablet - I do not need keybord and I do not plan to carry anything like that with me. I already ave a netbook... why would I want another one?
When tablet itself is considered... GT 10.1N (N for new) has bigger battery (+), is thinner (+), is lighter (+).
For me (and I suppose all ppl. that do not need keyboard docking station) winner is clear - even if it is slightly more expensive.
One more thing... no one knows how this docking thing will actually work in 6 months... and just to have physical buttons to write few posts and e-mails...? Unless you really work with text but than again - wouldn't Windows 7 device be better choice to work?
One more thing.... with GT10.1 I can have small. sexy stand... maybe use it as a second screen with my desktop... with keybord docking station one needs extra space. You either have all the time with you (extra weight) or you need spece in drawer for it (but than why would you buy it?) or extra cover and space on the dest so it will not gather tons of dust! In my opinion in case of tablet (and according to MY NEEDA ) this is not money well spend.
checkbox111 said:
Better screen than the IPS one doesn't think so does one
If buying android devices has tought me anything it's that just paying more doesn't automatically mean you get better
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better screen??? How???
IPS (Transformer) vs Super PLS (Tab) http://bit.ly/h2smoN (another PLUS)
As I said - for me there is only one winner here... GT10.1 seems like the best 10.1 tablet announced so far.
galtom said:
That is why I wrote about keyboard. I just want a tablet - I do not need keybord and I do not plan to carry anything like that with me. I already ave a netbook... why would I want another one?
When tablet itself is considered... GT 10.1N (N for new) has bigger battery (+), is thinner (+), is lighter (+).
For me (and I suppose all ppl. that do not need keyboard docking station) winner is clear - even if it is slightly more expensive.
One more thing... no one knows how this docking thing will actually work in 6 months... and just to have physical buttons to write few posts and e-mails...? Unless you really work with text but than again - wouldn't Windows 7 device be better choice to work?
One more thing.... with GT10.1 I can have small. sexy stand... maybe use it as a second screen with my desktop... with keybord docking station one needs extra space. You either have all the time with you (extra weight) or you need spece in drawer for it (but than why would you buy it?) or extra cover and space on the dest so it will not gather tons of dust! In my opinion in case of tablet (and according to MY NEEDA ) this is not money well spend.
Better screen??? How???
IPS (Transformer) vs Super PLS (Tab) http://bit.ly/h2smoN (another PLUS)
As I said - for me there is only one winner here... GT10.1 seems like the best 10.1 tablet announced so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to have the keyboard docking station of you don't want it, they're both available seperately, you can always use the standard touchscreen honeycomb board or swipe.
I know I do not have to buy keyboard. But without keyboard GT 10.1 (new) is lighter, thinner and with better battery.
Again, if it will be confirmed that it will also have different CPU (without Tegra'2 video playbeck limitations) FOR ME it is a better choice.
If it will be based as 10.1v and Transformer on Tegra 2 I think I will buy Transformer since it will be sooner in the shops.
But I will wait for official confirmation (either way) by Samsung
I already ordered Transformer because I don't mind converting from time to time and I feel that Samsung will want to throw 10.1v in Europe first and 10.1 will be late here.
I ordered my Transformer on Saturday from Comet for delivery yesterday morning, and it turned up 15 minutes before I had to leave to catch the train to Paris. I've been playing with it off and on and it really is very nice - the screen is beautiful and it really feels like a quality item.
However, it is much bigger and quite a bit heavier than my 7" Galaxy Tab, so I suspect it will likely stay at home on the coffee table in future. The Galaxy Tab 8.9 may occupy the sweet spot between the 7" Tab and the 10.1" Transformer in terms of size/weight, but the Transformer is excellent value for money.
I did originally have it on preorder with Amazon for the bundle with the keyboard dock, but decided I couldn't wait - the keyboard dock has already been ordered and paid for direct from AsusTek for £54.98p!
Regards,
Dave
Can you say if it has the same problems with video playback as Xoom?
My main interest is mkv (high profile) 720p.
Also (as I can not find it at asus web site) I suppose it has DLNA. If by any chance you have NAS drive - how is with playback from this device?
If someone would like to help me out and write a review for tabletowo.pl (it will be translated to Polish by me and your name will be used) I will be grateful - please PM me.
I'm travelling for work at the moment, so I can't test much in the way of video since I don't have much here to test.
What I can tell you is, it does have a DLNA client/server, though it is rather odd since some of the language is in Spanish (may be italian) even though the Tab is configured to be in English. I did try connecting to my Galaxy Tab, using the Tab as a DNLA server and a WiFi hotspot, but when I started AllShare on the Tab, it switched off the mobile hotspot and turned regular WiFi back on.
Unlike the Galaxy Tab, the Transformer has no native DivX support, so I've installed RockPlayer and VPlayer, and will probably give them a try tonight on a DivX or too, but I've no 720p MKVs to test.
Regards,
Dave

[Review] Xoom vs Galaxy Tab 7"

After having a bit of time to play with my Xoom, I'd thought I'd tell everyone how I felt about the Xoom and whether you should be think of upgrading from your Galaxy Tab.
Build quality
The Xoom is very will built, all the components are solidly put together - there are no rattles or any bendy bits. That said the extra weight of the tablet is definitely noticeable compared to the Tab, and certainly makes reading while holding the tablet in one hand less comfortable - plus you don't really need the larger screen for this use.
The screen does not go quite as bright as the Tab, and is not so readable in sunlight. Also it attracts fingerprints like moths to a light, after an hour of using it it looked worse than an iPad does after a whole day, though you can't really see the fingerprints while the screen is on.
Software
This is the main part I was excited about - there has been quite a bit of hype surrounding Honeycomb. Sadly, IMHO, quite a bit of it is just hype -- the main changes are in the home screen and the task/notifications bar. Both of these work really well, the 3D carousel effect when turning pages of the Home screen is really smooth, and the new notification system works really well giving you a system which works quite like a desktop. Sadly you can't pinch the screen to show all of your desktops at once.
The rest of it though, it is pretty buggy. The settings app and gmail apps have force-closed on me a number of times - these are pretty important parts of the OS and so it's seriously disappointing to see them not quite finished. The Facebook app seems to work for a few mins then crashes and won't work until I restart the device.
The browser is very nice, with proper tabs (and incognito tabs!), but if you dare to switch on Flash 10.2 all the time then the whole thing is no faster than the Tabs browser with Flash enabled -- in fact it's quite possibly worse than my Tab with an OC kernel and the latest leaked ROM.
But main problem is - where is the software? Google made much issue about Android 2.x not being fit for tablets but the truth is all they've mostly done is what Samsung did - the email app now has one pane with a list of your emails in and another showing the content of your email. It's the same with the other apps, nowhere is there an incredibly large difference in functionality between the modified Samsung apps and the new Honeycomb ones.
Sure you get a film editor app, but that was pretty much put in to grab a bit of press after Apple put iMovie on the iPad - I'm sure most people, me included, would prefer a decent photo editing/retouching app more than a pretty basic video editing one.
No free, Xoom optimized apps with the device or a store for them like you get with Samsung.
And then we get to media playback, or rather, the almost complete lack of it. So you've just bought a nice new tablet that will play "HD". Like to play your MKV on it? Nope. AVI? Nope. Xvid? Nope. DivX? Nope. WMV? Nope. MP4 and MP4 only (to the point where you have to rename M4V files to MP4 to make them work even though they are the same thing but with a different extension). Yes I know I can use RockPlayer etc but this simply isn't as good as native support. If Archos could afford it the Moto sure can.
That might not be so bad if there was a store like the Samsung Movies Store or iTunes where I could buy or rent a movie in a compatible format. Except this being a "Google Experience" device there are no apps apart from the few that Google put on there (and aside from film studio that's just upgraded standard Android apps). So you have a tablet that doesn't support that vast majority of media formats used by the largest desktop OS; I feel justified in saying that is a slight fail -- is Youtube supposed to be my entire source of entertainment? It's not like you can call the quality of most Flash videos on the web HD.
The one upside is the tegra 2, and all the nice games it will let you play. Except there are only a couple at the moment, and if the Tegra Zone app is to be believed, most of them won't be out for another couple of months. That said the few that are available are very nice, and run perfectly smooth.
Overall
Overall I'd give the Xoom 7/10. It's good, and the first Honeycomb tablet, but I think it will probably not be in the top 5 come the end of the year.
I can understand some people might buy it over others on the promise of slightly quicker updates, but I'm seriously considering taking mine back and waiting for the Tab 8.9, I have a few more days to play around with it before I decide. Sure it will have customized interface so it might not get updates as quickly, but actually it will do much more out of the box than the Xoom does, and it will still probably do more than the Xoom will even after the Xoom has received an update.
I used to be someone who bought plain Android devices on the basis that they quicker updates (have an NS, had an N1, etc), but a lot of the time it makes little difference. Google doesn't actually release updates often enough anymore for that to be much of an issue, and in some cases these days manufacturers have actually made things better than Google did (e.g. the standard browser in the Galaxy S on 2.2 is far better than the stock browser on a Nexus S on 2.3).
Sadly in this case the bad experience reflects badly on Motorola even though it isn't really their fault - they've had nothing to do at all with the software. At the same time that is their fault - it's their tablet and if I was head of a Motorola I'd want to make sure the software I was putting my name on did everything I wanted and worked properly - Android manufacturers should stop getting so desperate to compete with Apple and actually focus on the quality of their own products.
So my advice would be wait. And possibly in this case don't let the factor of whether it's a pure Google device affect your decision so much -- Honeycomb is still an infant and it really needs some features added on for a full tablet experience.
* I was completely aware the Xoom would come with no added extras like the Tab did when I bought it. I just thought Google would have put more work into making Honeycomb for great for tablets.
That's a pretty accurate description. I went through 2 XOOM's which I bought once they released the WIFI only model, and my experience was the same if not worse. Lots of potential, but they really missed the mark with that one. The second XOOM had a hardware failure and refused to charge, and since I was pretty let down overall, and that needle thin power adaptor is just waiting to snap off, I got rid of it entirely. I bought my first Galaxy Tab WIFI model Monday from Tigerdirect, got it Wed and have used it since and I absolutely love it.
That's an interesting review.
It surprised me that honeycomb still isnt working perfectly. I thought that they would update it regularly.
The Xoom seemed to me, to be a liitle bit too fast released device.
I also agree that it probably wont be the best in the flow of the year - off course.
I think HTC looks quite promising, if they release a bigger version of their Flyer.
Let's see if the Companies learn from the others - if a company releases later, it always has a lower risk of failing, because it can learn out of the mistakes of the others...
And then we get to media playback, or rather, the almost complete lack of it. So you've just bought a nice new tablet that will play "HD". Like to play your MKV on it? Nope. AVI? Nope. Xvid? Nope. DivX? Nope. WMV? Nope. MP4 and MP4 only (to the point where you have to rename M4V files to MP4 to make them work even though they are the same thing but with a different extension). Yes I know I can use RockPlayer etc but this simply isn't as good as native support. If Archos could afford it the Moto sure can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This, x1,000. I own an original iPad, and picked up a T-Mo Galaxy Tab for $100 on Craigslist. Once the wifi Xoom came out, I went to Staples to pick one up.
Disappointment doesn't begin to capture it. Such a lovely screen...why, why, why wouldn't you include a Movies app with the tablet? Videos that played flawlessly on the Tab would stutter and whimper on the Xoom. That's just inexcusable.
I also co-sign everything you said about Facebook; I had the same experience with Seesmic.
I bought it on Friday evening. I returned it on Sunday afternoon. I can handle rough edges with software, but this goes beyond that. And selling it for $600? Yeah...not so much.
That said, I'm keeping an eye on the Asus Transformer; $399 is a sweet price point.
rnoboa said:
That said, I'm keeping an eye on the Asus Transformer; $399 is a sweet price point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're interested, here's my short review of the Transformer, originally posted in the Transformer XDA forum. I do compare it to my Galaxy Tab, so I don't think it's unreasonable to post here!
Regards,
Dave
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I've had my Transformer for 4 full days now, and I've a few comments to make for prospective purchasers.
First of all, a little background - I've had Android phones since the original G1 was released in the US (I was there when it was released), and since then have owned the HTC Hero, the HTC Desire, and now the Desire HD (and a Pulse Mini as a backup device).
I also have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7", which I've been using since October last year and I still think is a fantastic device, so most of my observations on the Transformer (henceforth called the TF) will be in comparison to Galaxy Tab (henceforth called the GT). As an aside, I also have a Toshiba AC100 Android netbook, so I think I have some feel for how the TF will be once the keyboard dock arrives.
Build quality
The TF feels like a really high quality device. I know some people have reported issues with back light bleed etc, but I've had no such issues. The aluminium case is really nice to the touch, as is the back of the device which is a plastic made to look a bit like carbon fibre.
Design - the design is generally really nice, though if I had one criticism it is the size of the bezel is rather large. Additionally, it does feel a little odd holding the device in portrait mode as it comes over as very tall and thin, especially when compared to the GT.
The IPS display is lovely and crisp, though it does seem a little less bright than the display on the GT.
OS and software
This is both simultaneously the best and worst feature that the TF has over the GT. In general browsing use, the TF is much more like a laptop/desktop experience than the GT, and you can see Honeycomb has great potential. However, it does feel very much like an unfinished product.
When the GT first came out, the stock browser was notoriously laggy (fixed in later iterations), and the TF suffers from the same issue - in fact it is worse because whilst the GTs browser was basically just laggy, the TFs browser is laggy and buggy.
Specifically, clicking on links in other applications often causes the browser to pop up, but it doesn't load the new page - this can be fixed by "killing" the browser and restarting it, but it shouldn't be this way. Whilst I much prefer the native browser when it works correctly, I'm now using Opera Mobile for day to day use.
Honeycomb Gmail on the TF is a revelation - it is a far superior client than the client on the GT.
Other minor Honeycomb/TF complaints are:
1. There doesn't seem to be a way to clear all notifications easily.
2. Just getting to the Settings menu is overcomplicated.
3. The keyboards do seem overly large in my opinion, and there don't seem to be enough long press options to get to alternate characters, though I'm aware these are easily replaceable.
4. Overall the TF performance is good, but I don't feel that Honeycomb is taking advantage of the dual core Tegra 2, and thus in general use it doesn't really feel any faster than my single core GT.
Media Playback
This is an easy one - the GT is a better media player than the TF, simply because it natively supports more formats (e.g. DivX).
I'm not unused to transcoding video to H264, as I had to do this often on my earlier Android devices, but with the advent of Cortex A8 class devices with Neon, I found software players like RockPlayer more than acceptable. This does not seem to be the case for the TF, since Tegra 2 doesn't support Neon instructions. However, the AC100 is a Tegra 2 device, and the built-in media player is much better than the stock TF one too, so really I think that Asus should have done more here.
With the TF, I'm back to having to transcode media, and to be honest for the most part that means I'll just my GT instead.
Overall Usage
Here's where it gets interesting!
The TF provides a very different experience to the GT and for the most part it is very enjoyable- when I bought the device, I knew it be mostly be a "coffee table" device, and that the size, weight, and built-in 3G of the GT was going to a distinct advantage over the TF when it comes to travelling.
What I didn't expect is that the GT still holds some advantages at home too.
Put simply, the TF is still too big and heavy sometimes - when I get up in the morning, I usually take my GT off charge and slip it into the pocket of my dressing gown, and this means it goes with me when I go to make a coffee, visit the "office" in the bathroom etc.
Also, late at night, if I want to watch something whilst lying in bed, the GT is simply much more comfortable to hold for any period of time, and coupled with better media support is always going to be the preferred option.
The Future
I don't think it is really fair to judge the TF until the keyboard dock becomes available, because I honestly think this will significant change the nature of the device.
When I first got my AC100, it was running Eclair and to be honest it was pretty rubbish, but it got so much better when Froyo landed.
I can see the TF similarly getting a completely new lease of life once the dock arrives.
Also, Honeycomb does feel like a work in progress, and I'm hoping for regularly updates to this device, which again should improve the experience, along with more Honeycomb specific apps on the market.
Conclusion
I think the TF is a fantastic product and the price is extremely good for what it is. I certainly wouldn't want to put anyone off buying one if they have a genuine interest this form factor. In the UK at least, I think the Xoom has priced itself out of the market massively, which currently leaves the TF as the 10.1" tablet of choice.
The biggest issue for me is that 10.1" tablets are generally too big and heavy, and whilst newer tablets may be lighter, they will still be similarly sized unless they can dramatically reduce the size of the bezel.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9" may well be a better compromise, and I will be looking closely at this once it arrives. However, it won't fit in a jacket pocket, so would still likely just be a coffee table tablet for me.
Ultimately, I think my ideal tablet device would be a 7" form factor device like the GT, similar internal hardware to the TF (dual core, IPS, memory etc), and built-in 3G. Until something like this ships, I think my GT will still be my primary media consumption/browsing device.
Steve Jobs may think that there is no market in 7" tablets, but in my case he's wrong!
Thank you soooo much for the Tab vs Xoom reiew. I was looking at the Xoom a couple weeks ago, but when I saw Sprint marked the Tab down to $199, I bought it instead. Although the Xoom is a gorgeous device, I am becoming quite sold on the 7" size. After using my Tab for a week, I love it! Now if the Xoom was only, say $100 more than the Tab, I may change my mind, but as it is now, it's way too expensive for what it offers out of the box. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Xoom have a price drop soon.
How bad is Honeycomb? The reviews of the G-Slate, Xoom, and even Eeepad Transformer suggest that Honeycomb itself is... not ready and quite laggy. How does it compare to plain old Froyo on a 7'' Tab?
so if understand correctly, android market does not install the tablet version of gmail or any other app on the galaxy tab?
You will have special section of apps created for the Honeycomb and for 2.2 or 2.3.
Apps that are not suppose to work will not be shown on the Market.
Some apps created for phones freeze or fail to work but overall you can find apps that suit your needs. I would agree that at this point software has rough edges but this is always an issue for the early adopters. The 1st iphone had no software choices at all and it took more than half a year to get something else.
Screen size and resolutiin make Xoom almost a laptop.
I like Xoom but prefer Galaxy Tab because of size and weight.

I like the Playbook more than the Xoom because...

I currently have the 3G Xoom that I bought the first week that it was out.
I also bought the 64 GB Playbook on its release day.
This thread is for people who is thinking of getting a smaller device than the Xoom.
Playbook vs. Xoom:
Advantages of the Playbook:
1. More portable and lighter. I carry it almost everywhere I go because it can fit into my leather jacket pocket. I can hold it up longer than I can do with my Xoom while laying in bed without the fear that it will fall on my face.
2. Better screen. The whites of the playbook is whiter. The picture looks sharper. It seems to have a better viewing angle.
3. It can play high-profile h.264 movies. It cannot play .mkv container movies yet but if you convert the high-profile h.264 movies to .mg4 (using the free program called XenonMKV) then it plays flawlessly with its high-profile h.264 quality unchanged from original....only the 5.1 DTS sound is downsample to stereo AAC.
4. Multitasking is better on the Playbook than the Xoom.
5. The speakers are better on the Playbook because it directs the sound toward you instead of away from you.
------------------------------
Disadvantages of the Playbook:
1. Smaller screen than the Xoom
2. No default email (yet)
3. Cannot play .mkv container file (yet)
4. No micro SD card (but if you buy the 64 GB version then you don't have to worry about lack of space)
5. Not rootable (hope someone at XDA developer or any skilled person can hack it in the future)
6. No cellular feature (for the wi-fi only version)
7. Less apps (will improve in the future)
---------------------
For me, I like the Playbook better despite the negatives. I am trying to sell my 3G Xoom but I am keeping the 64 GB Playbook. I don't even have a blackberry phone and yet I still like the Playbook more.
It comes down to how I use the tablet the most that make me decide which is better. For me, it is portability (will use it more often) and watching high profile hi-def movies.
What does no default email mean? Like I could not use Gmail or Exchange?
Really I appreciate your opinion and if you would like I would take the inferior Xoom off your hands if u are giving it away.
Brenardo said:
Really I appreciate your opinion and if you would like I would take the inferior Xoom off your hands if u are giving it away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not giving it away. I am trying to sell it.
Ok, that's nice... thanks.
I don't really care though. If I was in the slightest bit interested in Blackberry, I would have waited around for the Playbook. If I wanted something 7", I would have gotten one of the many 7" Android tablets by now.
okie dokie
4. Multitasking is better on the Playbook than the Xoom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Explain. 10char
Why is this even in a xoom forum...troll elsewhere please.
www.facebook.com/redcardgreencardpage
jondwillis said:
Explain. 10char
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mutitaking seems to be better on the Playbook because I can open more windows. I believe that the Xoom can only have the most recent 5 that you can choose to mutitask. The Playbook can have more than 5.
Will the apps come for the playbook? Apps never came for Blackberry phones...
they will have the ability to use Android apps, but its still to be seen how well it will be integrated into the ecosystem.
csseale said:
Why is this even in a xoom forum...troll elsewhere please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, because there is no forum that is dedicated to the Playbook here in XDA-developers forum.
Also, I also have the Xoom so I can make a comparison between the two devices.
Earthbrain said:
Mutitaking seems to be better on the Playbook because I can open more windows. I believe that the Xoom can only have the most recent 5 that you can choose to mutitask. The Playbook can have more than 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll give you that, the 5 item back history seems arbitrary and limiting. Its not like the apps are killed, you just can't get back to them super quickly.
Earthbrain said:
Mutitaking seems to be better on the Playbook because I can open more windows. I believe that the Xoom can only have the most recent 5 that you can choose to mutitask. The Playbook can have more than 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't base my opinion on that, seeing as how there aren't really any decent apps for the Playbook, according to the Ars review posted today ;-)
Don't get me wrong, I liked the Playbook when I first heard about it. The specs are awesome, but it has two major downsides: lack of good 3rd party apps, and no native email/calendar/contacts sync support. It has to sync via a Blackberry handheld. Frankly, that sucks, and it's a gaping hole in design.
ANY other tablet, even the cheapo Android tabs, can sync your email without requiring any 'bridging' to a mobile phone.
The QNX OS is great, a lot like webOS, very intuitive and flexible. But without even basic messaging available out of the box (unless you already have a blackberry mobile), this is an epic fail in my book, and a major lost opportunity. "I coulda been a contender..."
The Xoom has its issues of course, but it isn't hampered out of the box like the Playbook is. I'm disappointed in RIM.
Earthbrain said:
I currently have the 3G Xoom that I bought the first week that it was out.
I also bought the 64 GB Playbook on its release day.
This thread is for people who is thinking of getting a smaller device than the Xoom.
Playbook vs. Xoom:
Advantages of the Playbook:
1. More portable and lighter. I carry it almost everywhere I go because it can fit into my leather jacket pocket. I can hold it up longer than I can do with my Xoom while laying in bed without the fear that it will fall on my face.
2. Better screen. The whites of the playbook is whiter. The picture looks sharper. It seems to have a better viewing angle.
3. It can play high-profile h.264 movies. It cannot play .mkv container movies yet but if you convert the high-profile h.264 movies to .mg4 (using the free program called XenonMKV) then it plays flawlessly with its high-profile h.264 quality unchanged from original....only the 5.1 DTS sound is downsample to stereo AAC.
4. Multitasking is better on the Playbook than the Xoom.
------------------------------
Disadvantages of the Playbook:
1. Smaller screen than the Xoom
2. No default email (yet)
3. Cannot play .mkv container file (yet)
4. No micro SD card (but if you buy the 64 GB version than you don't have to worry about lack of space)
5. Not rootable (hope someone at XDA developer or any skilled person can hack it in the future)
6. No cellular feature (for the wi-fi only version)
7. Less apps (will improve in the future)
---------------------
For me, I like the Playbook better despite the negatives. I am trying to sell my 3G Xoom but I am keeping the 64 GB Playbook. I don't even have a blackberry phone and yet I still like the Playbook more.
It comes down to how I use the tablet the most that make me decide which is better. For me, it is portability (will use it more often) and watching high profile hi-def movies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thanked your post because as I see you do actually own a Xoom you are giving us a brief rundown of a feature comparison between the two devices.
When I heard about this device on the radio I was interested until I heard all the **** it just can't do.
No email app out of the box? Really? That's hilarious, what a worthless peice of equipment if I can't read e-mail on it. App support? Lol WHAT App support have you seen in overwhelming display from Blackberry? All I know about Blackberry is that my experience in supporting their god awfull devices is just that... god awfull.
The screen is better, thats good.. smaller size is cool but then I agree with another guy... I'd just get a smaller android device.
With all that said, thanks for your write up and I hope that we dont get a huge proliferation of non-Xoom comparisons as a result.
cwizardtx said:
With all that said, thanks for your write up and I hope that we dont get a huge proliferation of non-Xoom comparisons as a result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me, I love to read about device comparison. The more, the better. However, I would prefer that the person who writes the comparison actually own the devices and have been using it for at least 1 week.
I actually currently have 4 tablets. They are the jailbroken ipad, T-mobile Samsung Galaxy tab with custom ROM Overcome 1.6.3, Xoom 3G, and the 64 GB Playbook.
Each has its strong and weak points. I use each one according to the situation that I am in. I don't like to bash other devices (or the people who buy them) because of the reason that I just mentioned. I just like to point out the advantages and disadvantages and let people decide for themselves.
You must have really weak arms if the Xoom is a challenge for you to hold up for long periods of time. Try going to the gym?
Also, I can see why the Playbook would be able to play high profile h.264, it's pushing less pixels and has a higher clocked CPU. How does it do playing 720p Youtube videos in browser though? You know how often I've played 720p video files on my Xoom? Once, because I wanted to try it. How often do I Youtube? Just about every day and the new Flash 10.2 makes 720p video playable on the Xoom(granted overclocked to 1.5ghz, the Xoom at stock clock does pretty poorly with 720p video on Youtube still).
Earthbrain said:
For me, I love to read about device comparison. The more, the better. However, I would prefer that the person who writes the comparison actually own the devices and have been using it for at least 1 week.
I actually currently have 4 tablets. They are the jailbroken ipad, T-mobile Samsung Galaxy tab with custom ROM Overcome 1.6.3, Xoom 3G, and the 64 GB Playbook.
Each has its strong and weak points. I use each one according to the situation that I am in. I don't like to bash other devices (or the people who buy them) because of the reason that I just mentioned. I just like to point out the advantages and disadvantages and let people decide for themselves.
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Well there's also the fact that if people in this forum were at all interested in other devices I'd wager that we'd be in other device forums looking for those reviews. Honestly... I want to come to the XOOM Forum to read about the XOOM and not a bunch of other stuff which is why I left my reply off with the comment I did. I gave you thanks for your comparison between two devices but something tells me that a new rash of "im taking my xoom back for XYZ thing" is around the corner and let me tell you those get old and boring fast.
Again... appreciate your write up. From the looks of the features of that tablet... I wouldn't even be able to use it for the most menial of day to day things and thats laughable (to me).
Elysian893 said:
You must have really weak arms if the Xoom is a challenge for you to hold up for long periods of time. Try going to the gym?
Also, I can see why the Playbook would be able to play high profile h.264, it's pushing less pixels and has a higher clocked CPU. How does it do playing 720p Youtube videos in browser though? You know how often I've played 720p video files on my Xoom? Once, because I wanted to try it. How often do I Youtube? Just about every day and the new Flash 10.2 makes 720p video playable on the Xoom(granted overclocked to 1.5ghz, the Xoom at stock clock does pretty poorly with 720p video on Youtube still).
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If you ask 100 people if they would prefer a lighter tablet or a heavier tablet, I would bet that more than 50% of the people would say that they prefer a lighter tablet. I would even bet that most professional weight lifter would prefer a lighter tablet.
The Playbook is great at playing 720p youtube videos. In fact, flash seems to be better on my Playbook than on my Xoom, even when I just upgrade to the latest Flash version on the Xoom yesterday.
Earthbrain said:
If you ask 100 people if they would prefer a lighter tablet or a heavier tablet, I would bet that more than 50% of the people would say that they prefer a lighter tablet. I would even bet that most professional weight lifter would prefer a lighter tablet.
The Playbook is great at playing 720p youtube videos. In fact, flash seems to be better on my Playbook than on my Xoom, even when I just upgrade to the latest Flash version on the Xoom yesterday.
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I weight train, I'm not a professional but I do alright, the weight on the Xoom truly doesn't matter. 1.3lbs or whatever it is is next to nothing. Your experience with Flash on the Playbook doesn't seem to match that of anyone reviewing it.
To OP, I think you are compare two devices with different usage.
I’ve a Xoom mainly to use at home, and a Samsung Galaxy tab as media consumption device for daily commute.
I think the playbook cost too much and not offer any advantages over Android and Apple products.
For example, the Playbook doesn’t have enough apps to attract any android and Apple users and it don’t have 3G version.
I’d recommend 7” Android tablet for anyone who wants a mobile device.
I.E. the cheaper Galaxy Tab have all the advantages you listed, plus with Overcome ROM is very fast and lag free. Since its running Androide 2.2, nearly all the apps in market will work on the device. Also it can play mkv files.
P.S. I use MultiTasking Pro as work around for the limited app switching in Xoom, works well and I can also close most of the apps.

[Q] Nexus 7 - how good is it at handling games?

I want to buy a tablet for playing games, but I also need it to handle 3G, have some decent GPS and a camera. Since Nexus doesn't have 3G, a decent GPS (it doesn't have GLONASS) and a rear camera I'm not happy with it (I can buy 3G modem, but with other things there's not much I can do), but I read that it is totally awesome when it comes to games.
So my question is: is it? I presume it has access to some Tegra3 exclusive games, but are there so many of them and are they unique enough to make me care? Also, since it's Tegra3 it probably handles most games better than older devices, but do higher details and more FPS compensate for small screen? I wonder whether to buy some 10 inch tablet instead (eg. Galaxy Tab 2 P5100, Acer Iconia A501, Motorola XOOM MZ601, Galaxy Tab P7500).
It seems like you would be happier with a Transformer Prime or TF300. The Nexus has a fine GPS (I always lock within seconds) and is great at playing games (Tegra 3 is second to none in regards to gaming right now).
Lack of 3G and a rear camera seem like deal breakers for you though. Get the tablet that has everything you need, or you will end up regretting it.
Off course tegra 3 is great at handling games....
But as far u want 3g ang gps too u can look for galaxy tab 2 7"(dont go for 10" it is a over priced waste.u can look for note 10.1 instead).it have everything u want and its also perform great in games....
For 10" variant my suggestion is note 10.1
Transformer or Note are a little too expensive for me. I should've mentioned that I have limited budget (I live in Poland and Nexus 7 costs about 300$ here, and that is the most I'm willing to spend on a tablet).
I was just wondering whether I will be able to live without a camera and with an additional device for 3G thanks to the Tegra3 gaming experience. That's why I'm trying to figure out how good is it. I'm not convinced that a 7inch screen will provide a significantly better gaming experience than a 10inch screen, even when details and FPS are better (I have 32inch HD Ready TV and 21inch Full HD monitor and I prefer the former). Also, I read that Tegra2 exclusives are available on other devices thanks to Chainfire 3D, although I can't find any information about how those games perform on eg. Samsung Galaxy 2 10.1 (P5100). And as for Tegra3 exclusives, there are not that many of them out there, right?
humanista said:
Transformer or Note are a little too expensive for me. I should've mentioned that I have limited budget (I live in Poland and Nexus 7 costs about 300$ here, and that is the most I'm willing to spend on a tablet).
I was just wondering whether I will be able to live without a camera and with an additional device for 3G thanks to the Tegra3 gaming experience. That's why I'm trying to figure out how good is it. I'm not convinced that a 7inch screen will provide a significantly better gaming experience than a 10inch screen,
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you're telling me that you're hands will do better on a 10" screen then a 7" screen? you cant even compare the gaming experience between the two. 7" wins hands down. how are you gonna hold that 10" clunky piece of garbage in your hands and be comfortable?
MRsf27 said:
you're telling me that you're hands will do better on a 10" screen then a 7" screen? you cant even compare the gaming experience between the two. 7" wins hands down. how are you gonna hold that 10" clunky piece of garbage in your hands and be comfortable?
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It isn't that hard to hold a 10 inch tablet. Unless you of course have fairly small hands.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
MRsf27 said:
you're telling me that you're hands will do better on a 10" screen then a 7" screen? you cant even compare the gaming experience between the two. 7" wins hands down. how are you gonna hold that 10" clunky piece of garbage in your hands and be comfortable?
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I'm talking about the visual experience, not the convenience of holding a tablet. I have large hands, 10" screen won't be a problem.
humanista said:
I'm talking about the visual experience, not the convenience of holding a tablet. I have large hands, 10" screen won't be a problem.
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bigger screen = the need for more pixels so they dont look stretched
smaller screen = could have the same amount of pixels for less space to make it look better.
I've have tegra 3 games such as modern combat 3, nova 3, and some pinball game, that I'll tell you right now, look absolutely crazy. If you decide to get a nexus 7, root it, overclock it and it'll run even better.
For me a bigger screen is better, unless there is some radical difference in quality. It seems we have different taste.
I've looked on those titles you've mentioned and they look impressive indeed. Are there more of those Tegra3 exclusives? And do Tegra2 exclusives look better on Nexus than on Tegra2 devices?
humanista said:
For me a bigger screen is better, unless there is some radical difference in quality. It seems we have different taste.
I've looked on those titles you've mentioned and they look impressive indeed. Are there more of those Tegra3 exclusives? And do Tegra2 exclusives look better on Nexus than on Tegra2 devices?
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im pretty sure if you go to the google play store website and type in "tegra 3 games" it'll show the variety
On Google Play website it isn't even mentioned that Modern Combat 3 is optimized for Nexus 7. Even on tegrazone most of the games are not exclusives. It's pretty confusing.
humanista said:
On Google Play website it isn't even mentioned that Modern Combat 3 is optimized for Nexus 7. Even on tegrazone most of the games are not exclusives. It's pretty confusing.
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modern combat 3 may have been a bad example because I don't think that game was made specifically for tegra 3 devices. Check out dead trigger, shadowgun, riptide gp, or fort courage is a good one to
Tegra optimized games will usually have THD in their title
Sent from my Nexus 7
Well, I've just read several reviews and absolutely everyone claim that for gaming there is no better device than Nexus 7 and that a 7 inch screen is better than a 10 inch screen. I'm pretty surprised by this concept, since I thought that I will just put a tablet on my laps and then play, but somehow it seems that you have to hold your device while playing. It is pretty weird, but that many people probably cannot be wrong.
Coming from an iPad, I prefer the N7 for gaming. Its smaller and lighter when playing games and the GPU is absolutely amazing. I find that android has a lack of games and apps in comparison to iOS though. I have already played most of the games on my iPad that I find in the play store now.
Well, you've pretty much convinced me to buy a Nexus 7. Now I have to figure out how to overcome the lack of 3G, because that's the most serious deal-breaker for me. I can probably handle lack of camera and GPS without GLONASS, but I absolutely need my tablet to have 3G. MiFi seems like perfect solution and those devices have a microSD slot, but I don't know whether I will be able to install games on a card accessible through WiFi. I guess I'll just buy it and find out.

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