Database Users

Asus Tranformer on 3.1 Honeycomb: Comments and problems?

Hi,
I can't decide between Iconia and transformer
asus+50$=Acer(USB2 port)
Acer+50$=ipad(no port)
I read some where in this forum that asus have more bugs than acer. I know honeycomb 3.1 for asus has been released. I would like to know if 3.1 fix all the problems.
And USB2 port, is it worth 50$ more?
My problem is transformer I have to get online but iconia, I can get it from futureshop local store.
I also here that battery of asus is better then acer.
I would like to hear a comment from asus 3.1 honeycomb user.
Thank

kivawolf said:
Hi,
I can't decide between Iconia and transformer
asus+50$=Acer(USB2 port)
Acer+50$=ipad(no port)
I read some where in this forum that asus have more bugs than acer. I know honeycomb 3.1 for asus has been released. I would like to know if 3.1 fix all the problems.
And USB2 port, is it worth 50$ more?
My problem is transformer I have to get online but iconia, I can get it from futureshop local store.
I also here that battery of asus is better then acer.
I would like to hear a comment from asus 3.1 honeycomb user.
Thank
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Transformer with the docking keyboard. It can be bought without the keyboard but that would be like buying a bike without any wheels. Pointless.
With the ASUS docked you have 2 fully functional USB2 ports which you can plug a mouse or flash drive or even an external disk drive into. There is also a battery in the keyboard which charges the tablet when docked. I have had 2 days CONSTANT use (about 14 hours) out of a single charge without any worrys. Just those facts alone would be enough for me to choose ASUS over ACER but theres more..
The ASUS uses an IPS panel to give a far beter viewing angle and its gorilla glass will stop it getting scratched. The whole unit feels great to hold and when undocked its lighter than the ACER so I imagine it will feel better to hold over a period of time. I rooted and flashed the 3.1 OS from xda and I have absolutely no problems with it so far. When the brightness is turned up full the screen looks absolutely amazing putting it on par or even better than the ipad2 display.
I would definitely choose the ASUS over ACER. Yes you can get a bluetooth keyboard for the ACER but it wont have the extra connectivity or a built in keyboard to suppliment your tablets lifespan. The OS will be a bit buggy as with any new OS but any problems will soon be ironed out and as I said before I havent had any problems with mine. The only problem I had was that after the 3.1 upgrade my pop3 email widget wouldnt connect but a 3rd party app soon sorted that out.
Hope this gives you something to think about
Mark.

mskip said:
I have the Transformer with the docking keyboard. It can be bought without the keyboard but that would be like buying a bike without any wheels. Pointless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to disagree on that point, but I suppose it depends on our personal requirements. I'm on the other side of the fence, I can't see the point of buying a tab with a keyboard, but I know that there are many who will disagree and have valid reasons for paying extra for the keyboard.
I've compared the Acer and the Asus and I think the Transformer is the better of the two, both in design and smoothness of operation. That's just my opinion though.

For me, the Transformer without the dock would be like a bike with no wheels. Depending on what and where I'm doing it, I use the dock or not. I really like being able to pull off the dock without a glitch and keep going. While I can appreciate the slimmer Samsung - no dock - no go.
Bye.

I would like to add few more things, besides those already mentioned above.
The USB ports in the Transformer keyboard dock, supports NTFS formatted HDD out of the box. Asus went one extra step to add that NTFS support incorporated into the Transformer, plus they also added the File Explorer/Manager.
Not sure if that's the case with Acer or other honeycomb tablets, but please go ahead and check.
The Transformer also has a micro SD card reader plus a full SD Card reader in the keyboard dock. You pretty much will have no problem with memory/storage expansion, copying files around, backing up pictures from camera, USB drive, etc.

And the biggie most people forget about , connecting your mobile to the dock via usb charges you mobile which is a brilliant feature when out and about
DESIRE HD using leedroid. ASUS TRANSFORMER using prime

Whoa!
You just made me realize I had a portable 24 Wh battery and didn't even know it! Does that work even when the TF is not docked, i mean just the dock?
I love the dock anyway, and I keep docking and undocking all the time. More than the keyboard, I end up using the dock as a hinge to hold the TF at an angle to watch videos without killing my arm. That I can plug back in and get extra juice doesn't hurt either.
Coming back to the title of this thread though, I have the FOTA with 3.1 but my Flash in browser is still slow. The difference is noticeable between youtube site and youtube app. HD Videos play smooth on youtube app but not on the website. Am I missing something?
combat goofwing said:
And the biggie most people forget about , connecting your mobile to the dock via usb charges you mobile which is a brilliant feature when out and about
DESIRE HD using leedroid. ASUS TRANSFORMER using prime
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

CrunchyDoodle said:
For me, the Transformer without the dock would be like a bike with no wheels. Depending on what and where I'm doing it, I use the dock or not. I really like being able to pull off the dock without a glitch and keep going. While I can appreciate the slimmer Samsung - no dock - no go.
Bye.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to agree with you. My transformer is almost always on the dock, except for when I play certain games. It really is a laptop replacement for me. The battery life with the dock is almost unbelieveable - I've never felt worried about running to a charger to get some extra juice - I couldn't use it enough to run down both batteries. Awesome stuff.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Thank every one.
The dock is useful, but you have to add a other 150$.
For me, I will not buy a dock righ now. wait for the price goes down.
So i am comparing transformer vs iconia without any addition add-on.
I hear camera is very bad and no camera flash for asus.
For Iconia, USB2 is very very good sell point. For exemple you can transfer picture or word documents directly to your friend with USB key. Is any other way to use USB key on transformer without dock?
I am worry about battery. Asus claim 9.5h and acer, 8h.
I know that 1.5h is not much but... For people using 3.1 how battery is doing? longer or shorter?
Metallic feel vs plastic feel.
Some people said asus feel cheap.
Arrrr... can't decide.

kivawolf said:
Thank every one.
The dock is useful, but you have to add a other 150$.
For me, I will not buy a dock righ now. wait for the price goes down.
So i am comparing transformer vs iconia without any addition add-on.
I hear camera is very bad and no camera flash for asus.
For Iconia, USB2 is very very good sell point. For exemple you can transfer picture or word documents directly to your friend with USB key. Is any other way to use USB key on transformer without dock?
I am worry about battery. Asus claim 9.5h and acer, 8h.
I know that 1.5h is not much but... For people using 3.1 how battery is doing? longer or shorter?
Metallic feel vs plastic feel.
Some people said asus feel cheap.
Arrrr... can't decide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ASUS feels about as cheap as my new 51inch Full HD 3D TV
Mark.

Forget Acer. The screen of Acer is pretty pathetic. Go for the TF

kivawolf said:
Thank every one.
The dock is useful, but you have to add a other 150$.
For me, I will not buy a dock righ now. wait for the price goes down.
So i am comparing transformer vs iconia without any addition add-on.
I hear camera is very bad and no camera flash for asus.
For Iconia, USB2 is very very good sell point. For exemple you can transfer picture or word documents directly to your friend with USB key. Is any other way to use USB key on transformer without dock?
I am worry about battery. Asus claim 9.5h and acer, 8h.
I know that 1.5h is not much but... For people using 3.1 how battery is doing? longer or shorter?
Metallic feel vs plastic feel.
Some people said asus feel cheap.
Arrrr... can't decide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used the Acer for about two weeks... I'm glad I stuck with the Transformer.
The "metallic feel" of the Acer is just brushed plastic... and it's thick and heavy too!
The screen has very poor pixel density, you can actually see dots on your screen like a CRT monitor!
Battery life... I would say they are both the same with real world use. Of course with the TF dock, you can go day and night without worry.
The USB on the Acer is nice... on paper, but I couldn't get it to work well with a few usb devices I had - made the USB port useless. Also, it couldn't tether to my Android phone... this would be a huge dealbreaker as I use tethering all the time.
Now, the Acer was on sale the other day on an Ebay deal for $380.. at that price, you can't really go wrong, but even still, for $20 more, you get the Transformer The dock can be found for $115, so it's a great deal for the combo.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

kivawolf said:
Thank every one.
I am worry about battery. Asus claim 9.5h and acer, 8h.
I know that 1.5h is not much but... For people using 3.1 how battery is doing? longer or shorter?
Metallic feel vs plastic feel.
Some people said asus feel cheap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The battery life on the tablet alone is very good. The only exception is that the battery doesn't last as long as something like the iPad when its in a sleep like state. However, otherwise, the battery life is excellent. Even without the dock, I flew across the country with no worry about battery life. With the dock, battery life is just incredibly ridiculous. You can't run it down in a day. Even if you never use the keyboard, think of it like an extended battery you can put it on when your not using it.
Before I bought it, I was worried about the plastic too. However, this is not an issue. The plastic feels great, and the frame around it as well. I don't think you'll find the feel of it at all disappointing. Like others have said, the screen is far better than the Motorola Xoon or the Acer Iconia tablet.

Honestly take a look at a acer and a transformer side by side the choice is clear.I love my transformer
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App

EP2008 said:
I've used the Acer for about two weeks... I'm glad I stuck with the Transformer.
The "metallic feel" of the Acer is just brushed plastic... and it's thick and heavy too!
The screen has very poor pixel density, you can actually see dots on your screen like a CRT monitor!
Battery life... I would say they are both the same with real world use. Of course with the TF dock, you can go day and night without worry.
The USB on the Acer is nice... on paper, but I couldn't get it to work well with a few usb devices I had - made the USB port useless. Also, it couldn't tether to my Android phone... this would be a huge dealbreaker as I use tethering all the time.
Now, the Acer was on sale the other day on an Ebay deal for $380.. at that price, you can't really go wrong, but even still, for $20 more, you get the Transformer The dock can be found for $115, so it's a great deal for the combo.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can not find anywhere on ebay for 380$
did you return your acer? did you feel that TF has more bug than iconia?

EP2008 said:
I've used the Acer for about two weeks... I'm glad I stuck with the Transformer.
The "metallic feel" of the Acer is just brushed plastic... and it's thick and heavy too!
The screen has very poor pixel density, you can actually see dots on your screen like a CRT monitor!
Battery life... I would say they are both the same with real world use. Of course with the TF dock, you can go day and night without worry.
The USB on the Acer is nice... on paper, but I couldn't get it to work well with a few usb devices I had - made the USB port useless. Also, it couldn't tether to my Android phone... this would be a huge dealbreaker as I use tethering all the time.
Now, the Acer was on sale the other day on an Ebay deal for $380.. at that price, you can't really go wrong, but even still, for $20 more, you get the Transformer The dock can be found for $115, so it's a great deal for the combo.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanna point out something. The Acer IS made of brushed aluminum, not plastic, aside from the two little strips on the side, and the micro SD hatch. Also, every USB device I've tried has worked...

Both tablets are equivalent as far as I can tell. The transformer will offer more in terms of upgrade (mainly, the dock) which you just don't have with the acer but the acer has more ports on the tablet itself, which is only usefull if you plan to use them. To me, at the time (wich is only a month ago...) having the option to get the dock later was a bigger advantage than an aluminium back which I don't mind not having as I never worry about the type of surface I can rest my transformer on (best plastic back I ever felt too!).
The only bug I have ran into is the typing lag in the stock browser.
I actually got the dock now and it is really cool. You can wait for "bundles" to be available wich will bring the total to 500$ for the 16Gb instead of 550$ if you get them separatly.
For me the real choice is either the Transformer with the dock or the iPad2. Anything in between just doesn't seem worth it feature wise.

lord_voldemort666 said:
Just wanna point out something. The Acer IS made of brushed aluminum, not plastic, aside from the two little strips on the side, and the micro SD hatch. Also, every USB device I've tried has worked...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's true, but I really got the sense that it was just brushed plastic... I mean, my phone (HTC Legend) has an aluminum body and you can certainly tell 100% that it's not plastic - the Acer, I was mulling over the case, tapping, trying to scratch it with my fingers and it still felt like plastic. LOL
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Some people said the camera 5MP is terrible. Is this true?

It's a run of the mill 5mp phone camera. It'll take a picture of what you want.

TF vs Thrive

So bought a Transformer then switched it out for an Iconia which I promptly returned and picked up my TF. I had thought that the Iconia with its USB port would be a better unit, bu the screen just doesn't compare to the TF. Add in the better battery life on the TF, the 3.1 upgrade, etc etc and well it was a tough weekend using the Acer. Now we hear that the Toshiba is about to arrive in the US and soon after here in Canada. Now on paper this unit seems to have it all, and by all I mean FINALLY a 'User Replaceable' battery. Add in SDXC support on the device, a Full size USB port, HDMI, a screen lock switch etc etc and frankly I'm about to abandon the TF once again.
I've not been able to find if indeed the Thrive is an IPS screen, and I guess it's unlikely to see much in the way of reviews until these units finally hit the market.
Still, I'd very much appreciate any comments from other TF users. As it stands I have until June 27th to return the TF for a full refund. Grr I wish the Thrive was out now.

Uhhh, what? You want opinions on a different tablet from transformer owners? And one on a tablet that isn't on the market?

The Thrive will not sport an IPS screen.
It's also thicker, if that matters to you. Quite a bit thicker.
Anyway, the TF with the dock is still my favorite tablet. The Thrive's lacking screen and substantial thickness are the main downsides.

The way i see it any tablet is not good enough for you.If you get the Toshiba, 1-2 months from now there will be another one with better specs and you will want to change again.
And there is nothing bad about it, if you have enough money.

berbecverde said:
The way i see it any tablet is not good enough for you.If you get the Toshiba, 1-2 months from now there will be another one with better specs and you will want to change again.
And there is nothing bad about it, if you have enough money.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, buying a new Tegra 2 tablet now seems a bit harsh. They'll be obsolete soon enough, after all.

dorino1 said:
The Thrive will not sport an IPS screen.
It's also thicker, if that matters to you. Quite a bit thicker.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's .1" thicker (the TF tapers at the edges creating an illusion of thinness). I don't think it's "quite a bit thicker." For some reason the photos of it make it look chunkier than the dimensions would have you believe.
And I don't think anyone knows what sort of screen technology it will have -- if you Google it, you'll find some say IPS, some say it doesn't.

Thrive does come with full usb/hdmi ports..but it's also a lot thicker and probably heavier...

For comparison:
Transformer: .5" thick, 1.49 pounds
Thrive: .6" thick, 1.6 pounds
As the post above mentions, for that extra .1" and .1 pounds, you get a full-sized USB, full-sized HDMI, and full-sized SD slot. All the full-sizin' without adding much thickness or weight is pretty impressive.
Also has status/notification lights, removable battery, charging dock, and a hardware orientation-lock. If this thing does come with an IPS screen, then ... wow.

if TF101 was .5" All Around then no way in Hell Would I Have bought it. Because its so thin at the edges and only .5" in the center back then It makes is seem very thin still, which looks good. Thrive is Alot thicker all around the unit. It looks way too big. If it was Thin on edges and thick in center like TF then maybe it would have been an option.
Then again it Needs Thickness for all those ports soo hmm...Cant be too thin if you want to add those.

Whipping my TF out of the case and eyeballing it, it looks like it begins tapering only about 1.5" from the edges all around. I dunno, I'll have to handle a Thrive myself to see if all the additional features are worth the slightly added bulk and weight.

Its the replaceable battery that is big IMO...I wonder about the fixed batteries 2 yrs down the road and if it will make any sense to send them in for a retrofit and if not they just become garbage. Personally i think our Gov should legislate that batteries can be replaced by the user otherwise add in an additional tax on the product

I don't have issues with my TF's battery life, but I can definitely see where that's a plus for some. The things about it that intrigue me the most are the status lights (I like knowing I have a notification waiting), the rubberized back (I find the TF kind of slippery), and the inclusion of a charging dock. The full-sized ports are things I may not use, but it'd be nice to have them just in case. The 8GB of internal memory is annoying but not dealbreaker. A crappy screen would be, though.

Toshiba has said, officially, that it is not an IPS display. It's an "IPS like" display, which is what Acer said about the Iconia... And Motorola about the Xoom... And Samsung about the GT10.1. It's still up in the air whether it's a good display or not, but it is not an IPS. That's for sure!
It is 0.11 inches thicker. Over 20% thicker than the Transformer. It is a small difference, but it's noticable!
Anyway, since I use the dock, having the ports built in don't really matter to me. I've already got them.

I bought the toshiba thrive, the 1hr fast charge did it for me.... I tell you this right now.. if I get it in hand, and the screen is not up to par, I will send it back that day with out even trying out the rest of it!
a tablet is 90% screen, so you better put a freaking GREAT screen! lol
the only thing I dont like about my transformer is the creeking on the left hand side, if it didnt have this problem, then I would be A OK!
toshiba looks like it will be a quality tablet, I love how it's put together, looks tough!
I dont know why "thin" is a good thing, I simply dont get it..

Thremix said:
I bought the toshiba thrive, the 1hr fast charge did it for me.... I tell you this right now.. if I get it in hand, and the screen is not up to par, I will send it back that day with out even trying out the rest of it!
a tablet is 90% screen, so you better put a freaking GREAT screen! lol
the only thing I dont like about my transformer is the creeking on the left hand side, if it didnt have this problem, then I would be A OK!
toshiba looks like it will be a quality tablet, I love how it's put together, looks tough!
I dont know why "thin" is a good thing, I simply dont get it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like thin devices. I don't necessarily care for ultra-light devices, though. To each their own.

The new toshiba thrive

Did anyone see the new toshiba thrive yet? Sure, it's got nice features, but it's thicker and heavier than the gtab. Remember all those whines about how humongous and heavy the gtab was? Some people even described it as weighing a ton. Well, how on Earth are the going to survive with the thrive? LOL

I have one. Bought one Sunday as an upgrade to the gTab for me and handed off the gTab to my wife.
And overall, it is an upgrade. Honeycomb stock out of the box. Screen is much better, no problems with viewing angles. It weighs more and is slightly larger, but I don't notice. And with the weight and the textured back, it is actually easier to hold onto than the gTab.
Also, GPS, full size SD, user replaceable battery, and rear camera...all big upgrades over the gTab. Not as much modding yet, and the bootloader is locked, but it's coming.
The few negatives over the gTab: price (obviously), the charging cable is a laptop-like brick, and the SD card fits in the top and sticks out slightly (vs being tucked away in the gTab). Volume and portrait are the reverse...not so much a negative, but having to get used to.

I'm all for more tegra 2-based tablets on the market; I doubt I'll buy one as my gTab does what I need after some fiddling, but if someone just wants something that works out of the box (and has good specs for a reasonable price), the Thrive looks like a decent option. Then again, so is the eeePad.

If I can sell enough crap on craigslist Im just going to buy an ipad2. I dont care what my wife says. She can wait for her damn diamond ear rings! Google OS = Fail in my eyes. I was hopeful, i waited, and with no out reach to the people who asked for help. They have failed us. With only a couple of months away, iOS5 is looking mighty fine. And believe me, its a sad day when I buy an Apple product. 20 year hater.....soon to be lover.

MechAniX.one said:
If I can sell enough crap on craigslist Im just going to buy an ipad2. I dont care what my wife says. She can wait for her damn diamond ear rings! Google OS = Fail in my eyes. I was hopeful, i waited, and with no out reach to the people who asked for help. They have failed us. With only a couple of months away, iOS5 is looking mighty fine. And believe me, its a sad day when I buy an Apple product. 20 year hater.....soon to be lover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's my take on apple vs google vs microsoft.
I love apple. I highly recommend it to everyone. I absolutely love the fact that they make their software with dummies in mind. Speaking as the techie that's been helping dummies for years, it is at times frustrating. I'm certainly glad there's a company out there that makes all their softwares with dummies in mind.
The only reason I don't use apple products is I want to keep myself on my toes. I don't want to ever become lazy minded. I want to constantly force myself to learn new things. This is why I regularly purposely do dumb things to my gadgets to replicate people's problems.
I say go for the ipad. It is a great product. I've used it before. I absolutely love it. You'll have a great time with it.

The Thrive looks great. The inclusion of a full size SD Card slot seems so obvious for a device this size. It frustrates me to no end that the Gtab requires a micro SD Card, which results in more expensive storage for slower throughput. A 32GB Class 10 SD card is $50 compared to the $80 Class 4 Micro SD equivalent. When I get my quad core tablet a year from now there better be a SD Card port.

TarheelGrad1998 said:
Not as much modding yet, and the bootloader is locked, but it's coming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bootloader is unlocked from the factory. I know, because I bricked my Thrive

I thought G-Tab didnt have an SD SLOT???
TarheelGrad1998 said:
I have one. Bought one Sunday as an upgrade to the gTab for me and handed off the gTab to my wife.
And overall, it is an upgrade. Honeycomb stock out of the box. Screen is much better, no problems with viewing angles. It weighs more and is slightly larger, but I don't notice. And with the weight and the textured back, it is actually easier to hold onto than the gTab.
Also, GPS, full size SD, user replaceable battery, and rear camera...all big upgrades over the gTab. Not as much modding yet, and the bootloader is locked, but it's coming.
The few negatives over the gTab: price (obviously), the charging cable is a laptop-like brick, and the SD card fits in the top and sticks out slightly (vs being tucked away in the gTab). Volume and portrait are the reverse...not so much a negative, but having to get used to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

jpinks said:
I thought G-Tab didnt have an SD SLOT???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a microSD slot and USB port on the left side under the cover right below the power button.

I just picked up a thrive and i think it is Awesome!! had a asus eepad and went through three of them because of screen bleed. the thrive is awesome full usb, HDMI, and sdcard the docks are dirt keep. battery backs comes in different colors. the asus doesn't compare in my book neither does the g-tablet. it was my first tablet and the viewing area sucked.

Rotary Parts said:
I just picked up a thrive and i think it is Awesome!! had a asus eepad and went through three of them because of screen bleed. the thrive is awesome full usb, HDMI, and sdcard the docks are dirt keep. battery backs comes in different colors. the asus doesn't compare in my book neither does the g-tablet. it was my first tablet and the viewing area sucked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's hope so since it is about double the price of a G Tablet.

TidBit said:
Let's hope so since it is about double the price of a G Tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but i loved the asus too but the screen bleed was killing me. don't get me wrong i loved the g-tab too used it everyday.

G tab thread FYI 9

Thought I only needed 10 posts to post in the dev fourms so here is 11

Its a nice tablet.
I got to check it out the other day at Best Lie.
It's beefy... But has a nice selection of ports to use.

Couple of pre-purchase questions
Hi, I have been considering the Thrive. I have several questions I hope some owner could answer:
1. I have a TripleHead2Go Digital Edition configured to 2-23" Asus monitors. Could a HDMI to DVI cable be used with the Thrive to power these two monitors thru the TH2GO?
2. Currently I have a laptop that I use wirelessly in our office to access the server files. Would this be possible on the Thrive?
3. How good is the speech to text for email composing?
Thanks for looking and especially if you can answer. Ken B

On the Fence Between the Thrive and Galaxy ab 10.1
I am leaning towards the Thrive cuz of the full usb, hdmi, replaceable battery,and sd slot. However, The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is sexy! I have an Ipad, so I think I might just grab the Thrive instead.

CROMWarGOD said:
I am leaning towards the Thrive cuz of the full usb, hdmi, replaceable battery,and sd slot. However, The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is sexy! I have an Ipad, so I think I might just grab the Thrive instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the same boat, but went with the thrive because of the included convenient full sized ports, and removable battery. For example, the HDMI adapter for the galaxy tab is 50-60$ alone. THOUGH I did hear from someone that it has a usb and micro sd slot under the back cover, though I've never actually seen it.

I have the gTablet and bought & tried the A500 and Transformer. My gTablet is rooted and bloat free, but is slow compared to any of the other devices. Display also is something only it's momma' could love.
Thrive wins for me due to the ports and 64gb sdxc cards work fine (I have a Ultra Sandisk). All three newer tablets have good and bad, but the ports combo and better display than the A500 won out.
All three have far more good points than bad, but the bad stuck out for me:
A500=
-Slip magnet
-USB host located where the tablet would normally be held
-Fine black stripes going vertically on the display (panel arrays)
-Weak wifi radio that had issues keeping connection in low signal areas
-Sleep/wake issue that persists for some, even after recent update
Transformer=
-Display less responsive than A500 or Thrive
-Proprietary connection needed for data and power
-Have to buy the keyboard to get the expanded connectivity
Thrive=
-Sleep mode issue (now fixed, BTW and an update should be anytime now).
-LED lights are obtrusive (nothing some tape can not block or reduce)
-A little thicker, but more comfortable and better to grip as a result
I got the 16gb Thrive for $402 after the $100 Staples coupon and then bought a Ultra 64gb sdxc card for $120. $522 for a 80gb tablet
None the less for all three tablets, they are all IMO worth a few hundred $ more than the gTablet, due to MUCH MUCH better displays, faster performance and more stable. Not to mention Viewsonic SUCKS.

Transformer vs Galaxy tab 10.1

I literally just put my order in about 3 days ago and will see my TF on Thursday, but I'm having second thoughts. A friend of mine just got his TF in today, and - well I dunno, I'm not all that impressed.
Out of the box came with the speaker issue (one side is louder than the other). The sound wasn't all that loud
Screen brightness was kind of low
The sharp edges were cutting my fingers
So I started to have a read about the differences between the Transformer & the Galaxy tab in the Galaxy Tab section. However, I think everyone posting there is biased toward the tab because they are now tab fanboys posting in their forum.
A few things I do like about the TF. Price of $399 (unbeatable) Expandable ports, dock option, memory slot, hdmi out, 5mpx camera. Do I think I'll use all of that (except price)? Probably not.
A few things I like about the Tab. Same size screen with less bulk, thinner, lighter, rounded edges, very solid build quality. Do I think its worth an extra $100 for these items? I think so. Plus I know the resale value will definitely be there because its a well known brand.
I haven't made up my mind completely on this but im about 80% of the way there in returning my TF and going with the Tab.
Thoughts, comments?

Nobody can decide for you. Do whatever you are happiest with.

Having used a hybrid tablet/netbook like the Transformer, I would never buy a tablet-only device.

^x2
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk

It's more than $100 (or here in germany 100€). You don't have a MicroSD Slot and HDMI-out. Do you need both options you must pay way more. And for the same price you can get a Transformer+Dock.
I don't see, why anybody would pay more for less...

Hi mate,
I have had the TF since release day and to be honest I'm very happy with it. It does what I need it to do very well: reading books, browse internet, playing games, plays movies (although there are some issues).
On the other hand I don't need and I will never get the dock, simply because if I wanted a netbook there are much better options on the market. And I have one of them as well.
Because of that I'm waiting to see the Galaxy Tab in real life, hold it in my hands. And if that offers everything that I need and is better than the TF I might go for it.
So good luck choosing! Let us know what you go for.
rio
PS: Actually what I'm considering at the moment is the small Galaxy tab 8.9 (I think). That one was on the Samsung website for a while, but I'm not sure what is the current status

rio911 said:
PS: Actually what I'm considering at the moment is the small Galaxy tab 8.9 (I think). That one was on the Samsung website for a while, but I'm not sure what is the current status
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually that is the "MEDIUM" Galaxy Tab. THe "small" one is the 7 inch versions and there are two of them. The powerful 3G/Wifi one and the neutered and less power Wifi only version.
The MAJOR downside to any Galaxy Tabs are :
1.) Updates are so slow....MONTHS behind the others.
2.) 10 inchers have no expansion slots.....and the 8.9 as well I think.
Get whatever YOU decide to be happy with. Others cannot make that choice for you. Only YOU can.

Some people like smaller I would not be able to stand a 7" tablet or laptop without optical media. My motto has always been its the size/shape that makes it portable it doesn't matter if its 20lbs its still light and easy to move around. But then again I compare it with moving around 300-400lbs.

Digiguest said:
Actually that is the "MEDIUM" Galaxy Tab. THe "small" one is the 7 inch versions and there are two of them. The powerful 3G/Wifi one and the neutered and less power Wifi only version.
The MAJOR downside to any Galaxy Tabs are :
1.) Updates are so slow....MONTHS behind the others.
2.) 10 inchers have no expansion slots.....and the 8.9 as well I think.
Get whatever YOU decide to be happy with. Others cannot make that choice for you. Only YOU can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Gtab. 10.1 also with build issues. Many are suffering from Newton rings. Dust under screen. Colors are way oversaturated.....
If u want android in an ipad like body then go Samsung. If Samsung would have made the device 1 or 2 mm thicker and put in micro SD and HDMI they also would have been able to prevent the Newton ring issue and have the one killer tablet.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

Digiguest said:
1.) Updates are so slow....MONTHS behind the others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how you can say that really.... there hasn't been any major updates for Samsung to pass onto the Tablets. The only time when you'll be able to use that point is when Ice Cream Sandwich comes out. I'd say that 1/2 months is a good enough turn around for manufacturers to update their devices a major version.
I'd also like to note that I have a Galaxy S. While Americans are still using Eclair because of their crappy carriers wanting to hack the firmware to bits, us using unbranded european devices got Gingerbread before any other device (bar the Nexus devices). Samsung know what they are doing.

The way I see it, from my experience with the TF is this:
16GB is not enough. My music alone is near this and more. Since there is no additional storage options on the GT, you are going to have to opt for a 32GB or more which equals greater $$$ to spend. But sacrifices could be made...
So, I would say the dock is the real reason to get this thing. If you are not too excited about the dock, I wouldn't bother. The GT excels in design, but the TF excels in utility and value.

If the "sharp edges" of the Transformer are really "cutting [your] fingers," that's a physical problem with the device (or your fingers, I guess!).

Buy sleeve m8,than will be perfect

Your not the first to have these concerns. I bought the tf and was considering selling it for a tab. But what you've stated (price, microsd, HDMI out, and KB option) kept me from doing so.
I played with the tab for an hour or so and still prefer my tf. I didn't like the button placement on the tab, (they're in a more natural placement on the tf.
I did have the speaker issue on my tf but it was an easy fix. Just root it (there's a very well written guide by yours truly ;-)) and read up on the thread in the development section and it's as easy as editing a txt file.
If the edges bother you, grab a case, I'm currently using the roocase multi-angle which I got from amazon for under $30.
Other than that the only downside of the tf I see is the charger. Proprietary connection, short cable and sometimes the adapter doesn't want to work.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App

I was in the same boat. I traded my iPad2 for an Android tablet and had lots of offers. I was looking at the Galaxy Tab and thought it was for me until I found that it didn't have any expansion ports like the iPad2. It is one of the reasons why I HATED the iPad2 because you had to carry around the special USB cable to sync it... then you needed special software for it to work...
Screw all that. I need to be able to quickly get files on and off the my tablet. I don't want to have to rely on another computer or a computer with special software to read my stuff.
90% of the time you'll have access to a Home or Work PC which you will probably have setup properly... but trust me... you WILL find yourself somewhere needing to pull a picture off or text or an attachment or something and you'll be stuck. It will happen more often the more you use it.
Plus the price point. I was trading my iPad2 for whichever I wanted. Did I need the keyboard dock? No. Will I use the keyboard dock often? No. Is it badass? Yes.
The keyboard dock has an additional battery that will charge the tablet battery when docked. It also increases the functionality of the tab.
Both tablets are identical in hardware except the Transformer has lots of additional ports. microSD is a must and HDMI out is actually very handy for throwing pictures, movies, games, etc on a larger screen.
I just can't see buying the Galaxy Tab 10.1 for the same price as you could buy the Transformer + Dock.

sontin said:
It's more than $100 (or here in germany 100€). You don't have a MicroSD Slot and HDMI-out. Do you need both options you must pay way more. And for the same price you can get a Transformer+Dock.
I don't see, why anybody would pay more for less...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't exactly call the Samsung as "less" than the Transformer. I think they're different enough that it's gonna come down to how you personally use it.
One thing I'd like to point out - the Gtab is much easier to hold in your hand than the Transformer. Corners aren't as sharp, it's lighter, and seems better balanced. The texture on the back of the Gtab is easier to grab, though this could be solved with a sleeve on the Transformer.
Another point is screen reflection. The Transformer's glass is much farther away from the LCD than the glass on the Samsung. IPS screens are nice, but unless you're always going to be in a optimally lit room, you'll see a lot more reflections with the Transformer than with the Samsung Tab. Some Samsung Tab's have issues with the screen actually touching the LCD and making oil marks, but most don't.
So - the differences are definitely there. I don't you can write off the Gtab's advantages. The reflection and ergonomics itself might be worth $100.

My experience is that I just bought the Galaxy Tab 10.1 16GB about 5 days ago. I played with it over night and returned it the next day.
The following day, I purchased the Transformer 16GB and a dock for $50.00 more.
Now that I've owned the TF for 3-4 days, I'm very satisfied with it for many reasons:
- Multiple media input/out options: mini HDMI out, x2 USB ports, and SD/MMC card reader. - Will work perfectly with my Nikon P100's SD card and I can use a external HDD and plug it right into the USB port if I want to watch my movies.
- Dock acts as extended battery: I also tether my HTC Thunderbolt and plug it into the dock to keep a charge on my Thunderbolt while tethering my 4G to the Transformer.(SO MUCH WIN!!!)
- Having a keyboard when I want to compose an email is x100 better than thumbing my words through the tab. - I still use the touchscreen kb for somethings.
- Dock/keyboard has shortcut buttons which I take advantage of all the time.
- Textured casing makes handling the tablet/net book very secure and eliminates any smudges.
*I do not see where in the world you could cut your hand/finger on the tablet or the docking station. - You should tell your friend to get an RMA because there's something wrong with the one he has. Either that or he may need to see a dermatologist about amyloidosis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Re: Samsung Galaxy 10.1
I chose that tablet first because of the sleek design. I was extremely impressed with the way that Samsung engineered the design.
HOWEVER, no more than 1-2 hours after playing with it, I came back to my senses and see how limited I was with any options. Not only does it look like an iPad but it also has all the shortcomings in hardware that the iPad does.
I have had a few Android devices and so it's practically a religion to have a microSD card for my stuff. Samsung decided to cut back on adding any option to extend storage and that was a the biggest decider for me. - All the selling points that a Android tablet has in terms of hardware-media expansion was nerfed on latest Galaxy Tab. Did Samsung want to imitate Apple so much that they even decided to try and sell a tab that requires additional parts to make it comparable to all other tablets?
In the end, this is only my real life opinion having owned both devices and what I still have now is the Asus Transformer.
Once I used the keyboard/dock with my tablet, I can not imagine another tablet without this option. Asus did a decent job in engineering the look/feel of the tab with the dock/keyboard.
*I did have to return both tab and dock/keyboard to Best Buy until I found the right Best Buy which had B60 as my previous ones were B50.
Good lucking in making your decision. If you buy it at Best Buy, you can at least return it in 14 days without restocking fee and get the other one. If you felt that first one was better than you can simply return it again and go back to the other model. I am in NO WAY suggesting to abuse a return policy but it's there and it works as mentioned.

coachclass said:
I wouldn't exactly call the Samsung as "less" than the Transformer. I think they're different enough that it's gonna come down to how you personally use it.
One thing I'd like to point out - the Gtab is much easier to hold in your hand than the Transformer. Corners aren't as sharp, it's lighter, and seems better balanced. The texture on the back of the Gtab is easier to grab, though this could be solved with a sleeve on the Transformer.
Another point is screen reflection. The Transformer's glass is much farther away from the LCD than the glass on the Samsung. IPS screens are nice, but unless you're always going to be in a optimally lit room, you'll see a lot more reflections with the Transformer than with the Samsung Tab. Some Samsung Tab's have issues with the screen actually touching the LCD and making oil marks, but most don't.
So - the differences are definitely there. I don't you can write off the Gtab's advantages. The reflection and ergonomics itself might be worth $100.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course the closer together glass in the gtab has led to the oil blob effect for Many
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

I've had my TF since right after it launched in the US and I do love it. With that being said, I do plan on picking up a galaxy tab tomorrow, the last day that you can use the $50 off coupon for any tablet at staples.
The TF definately has the advantage when it comes to storage, because of the SD card and dock if you want to buy it, which I have no interest in. The galaxy tab however has a great form factor and from my limited use with one seems to have snappier performance than my TF, even though they have almost idendical specs, and my TF is overclocked. I also prefer the screen on the tab compared to the TF.
Honestly I think that the OP will be happy with either one. My only real gripe against the TF is that the majority of them seem to suufer from light bleed or some manufacturing defect, thankfully I only have minimal bleed, and that Asus has been slow with delivering on most of the official accessories that they promised months ago. I really want the desktop dock, which is readily available for the GT at a reasonable price.
I will say that if the galaxy tab disappoints me in any way during my return window, I will gladly buy a second TF after returning it.

I own the TF since late May...only problem I have with it is that the right speaker is louder than the left.
This past Sunday I bought the Galaxy Tab for someone and yeah it looks very nice it's thinner and lighter, but it seemed to have less options than the TF (specially within the browser settings.) The browser actually froze up on me and didn't want to display any pages. Didn't like that fact that it doesn't have an external microSD slot! I ended up returning it 2 hours later because the person preferred a laptop! My short experience with it wasn't good

Galaxy vs thrive

I want to buy Galaxy tab but i got few question.
I had my eyes set on Toshiba thrive because it offer more ports.But galaxy tab screen and viewing angles and lightweight made me change my decision.
1)Which one got better screen like IPS?
2)anyway to connect some kind of connector to read USB/SD cards if i get galaxy tab.?
3)Is there a moisture issue with galaxy tab?
3)which one got better battery life?

From my experience seeing all of them in person the only two tablets with nice screens are the Samsung Galaxy and the Asus Transformer, the others are washed out looking and not as vibrant.
The Asus has some build issues according to the numerous posts in the Asus forum so it made me stay away.
There is a USB/SD Reader for the Galaxy.
I don't know about the other two questions.....

I just exchanged my thrive for the tab, the thrive was good because of the ports but in my opinion the much better looking screen, lightweight, and thiness makes the tab the better choice. So far I am happier with the Samsung, not to mention I got it for $100 cheaper with the staples coupon

I had 4 Asus Transformers, each with a unique build or operational issue. I bought the keyboard, sleeve, and invisible shield. I invested alot, especially since I had to keep replacing and installing the invisible shield after every swap at Best Buy. The whole Zagg warranty is nice but not when. You pay to have it installed and then pay for shipping. Its about the same as buying a new unit. I digress.
The Galaxy Tab is what I choose. I had a 32gb SD card for the 16gb tramsformer. Its been repurposed to my HTC Evolution 4G and I bought the 32gb Tab model in gun-metal. I can tell you the ounces and millimetersbetween the Asus and Samsung are some valuable ones! It feels so much better in your hand! Thumb keyboard is much better for me on the GT. The screens are very hard to tell any difference at all, to be honest.
Now the reason I did not go with the Thrive and all its ports... I had all those same ports on the Asus Tablet and KB dock. The only thing I used was the SD card slot. Well 32gb is alot of apps and media. And if I can't survive on that, its because I'm being lazy. Lol. Also, I found my primary use was internet and communication (IM, home amd work email, work citrix, etc...) as well as some light gaming and personalization. Android can be addicting when it comes to screen and home setup. Its almost a hobby to sit and mess with it.... and with this beautiful Galaxy screen. Wow!
The Best Buy guys liked the Toshiba alot for all the ports, battery, and back cover options. I thoughtvit mattered when I got the Asus. It really didn't. I just wanted space. With the USB dongle and a small SD card USB reader or thumb driver, you can expand lightly and easily for use. The keyboard and and accessories are starting to pour out as well for the Tab. That will mean alot in case choice and the keyboard and media dock are very nice. The Asus keyboard battery supplement was nice. But bulky too.
All in all, FOR ME, form and weight won because ultimately that boosts my operations. I had to find ways to prop the Asus after long periods of handheld use, and the Thrive was bigger and heavier. So I know I made the right choice ... again for me.
So bottom line.... is form and weight going to make your expierience more enjoyable? Or will direct port access give you the pleasure pleasure your looking for? That really is what helped with my decision and I could not be happier. GALAXY Tab10.1 all the way!
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

I had a look at a Thrive today (It got to New Zealand before the 10.1 for some reason) and it's got to be the most hideously ugly piece of electronic kit I have ever laid my eyes on.
Yuck. That camera bezel and its brick like appearance are massive turn offs.

ministerjee said:
I want to buy Galaxy tab but i got few question.
I had my eyes set on Toshiba thrive because it offer more ports.But galaxy tab screen and viewing angles and lightweight made me change my decision.
1)Which one got better screen like IPS?
2)anyway to connect some kind of connector to read USB/SD cards if i get galaxy tab.?
3)Is there a moisture issue with galaxy tab?
3)which one got better battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A friend of mine from work has a Thrive and I get to play with it a lot. But I still prefer my GT10.1 and this is why:
1) The GT10.1's screen is definitely superior. It takes some getting used to the vibrancy of the colors, but PLS is a bit ahead of IPS in my opinion (have an iPad 1 and owned the TF for a while). The viewing angles are just much better. It might be just me, but the Thrive is the worst fingerprint magnet I've seen. Don't have as much of an issue with my GT10.1 in that department. Also, the higher-def encoding that Toshiba introduced for the Thrive is unnoticeable to me. My friend also agrees that my screen is better.
2) There is def. a USB connector out already from Samsung. It's a bit pricey but does the job. I haven't really had the need for it, so I didn't invest. That is one of the advantages of the Thrive. If you see yourself needing that, then consider the Thrive (I'd get it over the TF. My friend also returned his TF for the Thrive and hasn't looked back).
3) I know some people have mentioned this moisture problem, but I believe the vast majority of us have NO issues with the GT10.1 at all. People tend to talk about what's wrong with their devices rather than praise it on forums. It's natural. Coming from the Tranformer, this thing is absolutely perfect. No light bleeding, dead pixels, bending, etc. Just perfect!
4) I believe the GT10.1 has the slight advantage there. Most HC tablets will yield 8-10 hours battery life. I get days and days on standby after setting the Wireless to turn off when the screen is off. If you think about it, you don't really need your tablet to provide immediate email notifications, etc. That's what your smartphone is for. Definetely can't complain about the battery life on either device. I feel that the Thrive's tiny inferiority on this department is due to having to power the other components (USB, HDMI, etc.). I might be wrong.
Basically, my decision to go with the GT10.1 came from the fact that I already have a laptop. If I didn't have a laptop/netbook, I would have considered the Thrive more. I want my tablet as a tablet nothing more. Never did I feel the need to do anything extra on my iPad 1 and I definitely don't feel that need with the GT10.1. It doesn't get any more portable and convenient than this.

Toshiba Thrive can accept SDXC cards up to 2 TB wow!
Sorry Samsung Tab 10.1

qipengart said:
Toshiba Thrive can accept SDXC cards up to 2 TB wow!
Sorry Samsung Tab 10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just too thick....there are win 7 tabs with tons of ports and more power in almost the same form factor....

I bet if you dropped the Thrive on your toe it would break your toe before the tablet. Lol. It just lacks so much in that department its a deal breaker.
If its the price you like, for the same price I'd over look the Transformer return rate, and keep returning until you get your hands on a July unit. The June units went through a less vigorous QA check to respond to demand (says the transformer forums.) Best Buy could not track which of their units were June vs. July.... or which when they would get any new ones at all(from July.)
I just needed something I could 'move into' and stay 'moved in.' There is only so many times you can setup your tablet before that is all you do is setup, tablet after tablet. I spent another $200 for the Tab10.1, but at least I am now using a tablet (and not setting it up again and again!)
The best thing to do is review the review and remarks on BestBuy.com and Amazon.com. Those reviews are easy to weed through user error and product praise or poor product.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

hardt2788 said:
I just exchanged my thrive for the tab, the thrive was good because of the ports but in my opinion the much better looking screen, lightweight, and thiness makes the tab the better choice. So far I am happier with the Samsung, not to mention I got it for $100 cheaper with the staples coupon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same, looked at the Thrive at OD , then went to Staples and paid $399.99 for the Galaxy.

thrive = toughbook
ugly!!!

qipengart said:
Toshiba Thrive can accept SDXC cards up to 2 TB wow!
Sorry Samsung Tab 10.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really? don't you have a primary device?
tablets are for secondary use only

Thank you everyone for your wonderful replies. I hope Gtab won't disoppoint me.Can any pne confirm if its a PLS display screen or just a TFT ???

Regarding storage.... I just saw a GoFlex Seagate 500gb drive that is 1) battery powered, 2) wifi and Bluetooth enabled, and 3) $199 at Best Buy. With this drive you can store 300 movies and access from most mobile OS's wirelessly. Forget $100 32gb micro SD card slots. This makes much more sense to me. No more eject and insert. Just share and access.
This completely solves the question of which tablet has more ports and compatibility. Do you have wifi or Bluetooth? Yes! Issue resolved! Don't event take it out of your pocket or bag.
The Galaxy Tab has a Samsung Amoled screed. They produce it. If you've ever been shopping for a new flatscreen TV, you will already know Samsung is top of the heap. The Amoled and Tegra 2 processor are top notch in the market of mobility. To me the Amoled screen is superior to the iPAD2 and Asus TF IPS display. Every IPS display I've seen had light leaks around the edges. Not seen a single Amoled screen with such a defect.
It makes a big difference when viewing dark images or movies.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

I like my tab but it doesn't come with amoled display .... that is still only on Samsung phones.
Hopefully we will get a tablet with amoled display soon.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

Sorry! It looks very similar. I had an Epic 4G and could swear the screen was Amoled. Here are the specs, just for further questions on specs.
http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab/GT-P7510MAYXAB-specs
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ad78 said:
thrive = toughbook
ugly!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol
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