Database Users

galaxy tab vs notebook?

should i buy the usa tmobile version of the galaxy tab or Acer Aspire TimelineX AS1830T-3505 Notebook? to me they both are around the same price with a bit of a difference here and there but the most noticeable difference is the keyboard. i know i should get the notebook because ill use it mainly to scan my textbooks and put them in pdf so i dont have to carry heavy textbooks and can view them on these light devices but besides that i want a more usage comparability. just want to get some input from those who have used either or and can perhaps help me decide. thanks.

Go to best buy and play with the tab. See if you like it. Best advice I could give
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I am not a specialist, but I own an Eee Pc and a galaxy tab. Now that I have my Tab, I use my Eee Pc much less. Reading is much better on the tab. Also it is nicer to hold in your hands. An laptop is different, so I use it for different tasks. I read Ebooks on my tab, browse the internet, visit these forums, compose small e-mail messages etc. When I really have to write something, I use my Eee Pc. On Holidays I take both with me. My photos are stored on the Eee Pc (it has a 64GB SSD), but I read my mail on the Tab.

Get the Acer 1830T netbook - yep, anything below 12-inches is a netbook for me. You will be able move between documents at a much faster rate than the Tab. Also, don't forget the extra real estate on the 1830T (1366x768) and feature-rich PDF readers.
I am not a Tab-hater, but for OP's needs, a netbook will be a better option.

For your needs i'd get the netbook, i have a high spec laptop and an msi netbook and i only use the tab, unless i really need processing power.

yea i think the galaxy is very "cool" for entertainment not so much for me (college) because im planning to put chapters to pdf/ebook so i dont have to carry so many textbooks plus writing notes is always better with a actual keyboard. damn i kinda wanted the galaxy though because its light and looks cooler but notebook is better for my needs. thanks for the replies.

Donesnt the acer timeline x (all of them) have a really flexy keyboard
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There is a keyboard dock and you can use a bluetooth keypad with the gsm ones
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Galaxy Tab - hands down
the most useful thing i have invested in
It's my browsing device, secondary music player, secondary emergency phone, portable movie/picture dvd/viewer, emergeny camera, e-books, gaming machine (replaced my ipod)
Get one, you won't regret it

olyloh6696 said:
Galaxy Tab - hands down
the most useful thing i have invested in
It's my browsing device, secondary music player, secondary emergency phone, portable movie/picture dvd/viewer, emergeny camera, e-books, gaming machine (replaced my ipod)
Get one, you won't regret it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i would use it for those very reasons but if only it could be more note taking capable i would have got it on release date.

D200P13 said:
i would use it for those very reasons but if only it could be more note taking capable i would have got it on release date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ade these for any specific reasons? are you a student? i would say yes,the note taking capabilities are good, but a bigger screen could help abit. also a better notes app (quick office, or what ever it is for MS Office) is rubbish! this is where my WM comes in handy

olyloh6696 said:
Ade these for any specific reasons? are you a student? i would say yes,the note taking capabilities are good, but a bigger screen could help abit. also a better notes app (quick office, or what ever it is for MS Office) is rubbish! this is where my WM comes in handy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is WM? yes i am a student and about to go get me that notebook unless im convinced otherwise. ive never liked typing on touch screen and unsure how i will use the galaxy as a on the go student getting school things done (ie some sites dont let me in because i am on a android) so this is another reason.

D200P13 said:
what is WM? yes i am a student and about to go get me that notebook unless im convinced otherwise. ive never liked typing on touch screen and unsure how i will use the galaxy as a on the go student getting school things done (ie some sites dont let me in because i am on a android) so this is another reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WM =Windows Mobile. it has official MS Office. i suggest yoh can get a data plan to use free internet and acess any site in your college/uni. you can buy an extended keyboard dock for the Tab which is awesome! it is £40

olyloh6696 said:
WM =Windows Mobile. it has official MS Office. i suggest yoh can get a data plan to use free internet and acess any site in your college/uni. you can buy an extended keyboard dock for the Tab which is awesome! it is £40
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i think ima just stick to a notebook and get the galaxy when it comes in wifi only because ill get more use out of a notebook (compatibility).

I think you should get the tab and a keyboard for the long typing sessions. CourseSmart is coming out with an Android app soon, but it is very useable in the browser too.
I take my tab to every class. Very handy for classes with small seats. (my 17' laptop doesn't fit on some desks)
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The acer timelines do have the keyboard issue though
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I use my tab for my textbooks in classes and it works great. I use the Dropbox app to store the scanned pdf files of the textbooks and I can access them from anywhere, my Tab, home desktop, and my laptop.
I don't type very well, physical keyboard or onscreen, so I still take notes the old fashioned way, paper and pencil. I do scan my notes into the tab using an app called CamScanner.
I also use an app called Class Buddy for class scedules and assignment organization. So far the tab is working out great for my school related needs. I wish I would have had it when I first started. Lugging around my laptop got old really fast.

D200P13 said:
i would use it for those very reasons but if only it could be more note taking capable i would have got it on release date.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can take notes very easily using a stylus! I forgot the name of the app but its on the market.

I just picked up a Tab on eBay for $469, bought a pre-paid data SIM from the TMO store for when I need/want mobile connection without wifi (which I expect to be rare). After <1 day with the Tab, I've already decided my EEEPC900 is going on eBay. No one in the family uses it.
Have 3 15" notebooks and 2 Vibrants in the house too. Just realized that's 6 screens for 4 people, WTF?!? Five y.o. watches Thomas the Tank Engine videos on YouTube pretty much unassisted on one of the laptops. Haven't taught him to use YouTube on the Vibrants or Tab -YET!

You probably made a decision already but I thought I would give my two cents since I'm a college student as well. I do not carry around any textbooks; I haven't for a couple years. I find PDF versions of my textbooks or I make them by scanning them. I have all my textbooks on my tab and it works great. Yes sometimes 7" is too small but its manageable. I bought one of those cases that fold into a stand and I just prop up the device on my device and do my work. When I'm doing math I have my textbook open on the tab and my notebook to write and do my problems. When I'm in chem class taking notes I use a paper notebook. If those Bluetooth styluses came out I would have bought one; I think it would have worked very well. Multitasking is limited of course and I wish there was a faster way to switch between apps. I saw the new version of iOS4 which incorporated gestures for switching apps. That's something I desperately need! I've tried different app switchers but its not the same. I use my tab as my primary phones/notebook. Sure it pisses me off when it doesn't act right but that's technology for ya. I have learned to touch type in landscape mode using Smart Keyboard so its easy for me to take notes on my tab when I have write something (like in political science) and use conventional pen & paper when I'm drawing mechanisms in chem. I passed on a netbook because it was just too big and it ran windows (didn't wanna take the time to make it into a hackintosh). With capable PDF readers like ezPDF it makes reading textbooks great. I have connected a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (Apple trackpad) to it and it works great. Almost feels like a netbook, especially when surfing the internet. I'm in the market for a cheap mini Bluetooth mouse, I might pass on the keyboard since I mentioned I can touch type prettying quickly. Ultimately, the decision is yours but for me, I said no to a netbook for college.
From the Tab.
www.twitter.com/ayman07

[Honest Answers] should i buy a tablet?

hi. i finished school with good grades so my dad told me he will buy me what i want (but not ANYTHING like 1000$ or something)
anyway, i told him i wanted a galaxy tab 10.1
i waited until it arrived then i was going to go and buy it then my bro told me "Do you really need it?"
so i head to the store and before buying it i remembered what he said and i headed home without buying it.
it have been days and i am over my head thinking and especially that i can buy anything else" i need" (but idk what i really need) and that my dad offered me to deposit in my bank account the same price of the tab in case i did not buy it.
here is why i want it: games, web browing , chatting.
do i really need it ?

If you don't have smartphone it will be a whole new world for you and you will love it. Now if you are a techie with a lot of gadgets its simply going to be an accessory, a very convenient one still. then comes all the in depth customizing. It could most likely eliminate the use of others if you can find its use. At the same price you can get a good laptop or even a better super phone. Its all up to your standards of living, if you can use such a product productivly and willing to put the time into getting to understand the product, standard ergonomics.
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i had samsung 7, and now 10.1. For myself i would buy it again. But it wont answer your question.
Read following feature list. If you will use following features regularry, its for you.
- reader : comfortable way to read books ( write anot.) you can keep thpusands of books with variouse format
- light weight : important, if you travel often
-good access to internet, mail, exchange
- remote access over vpn to remote desktop etc
For me, it is useless to have netbook. I have also laptop, but heavy i7 proc, 16Gssd. Its hardly portable, but i run on it network simulation.
Personaly if i would be fresh graduate, i would wait. This market is really new.

I love my Tab but if you don't have a computer or a laptop I would get as lightweight of a laptop that you can afford. A 14 inch screen around one inch thick would be a great portable sized one, I have an HP that size and it is great.
But if you do have a computer/laptop already then the Tab would an awesome addition, but it is really a toy IMO.

Love my tab
I love my Tab. I never bought into the smartphone craze, mostly due to the price of data plans, the Tab allows me into the world of smartphones, just on wifi instead. Between Netflix,games, browsing on the net, reading Game of Thrones on the kindle app, RSS readers I have not used my computer nor my PlayStation all summer long. With all the customization I am very happy with my decision, save for no love from an actual Netflix app or HBO GO.

I say yes and here is way. Tablets are changing the consumption of media, and they do everything from web browsing, email, IM chat, video calls, movies, tv shows, games, media storage, news, books, and on and on. My gtab is playing second fiddle to my iPad right now but it is a really nice convenient way to be connected.

You say you don't really know what you need...so it sounds like there's really nothing you need. I suggest you do buy it! It's pretty sweet! You could use it for many things on a daily basis. You said you finished school, I don't know if you're going back or not, but you can also use it to take notes in class instead of wasting paper.
If you buy it you have 14 days to return it without a problem. If you buy it at a Best Buy they won't even charge you for a restocking fee so give it a try!

While it is definitely true that no one NEEDS a tablet I have found it to be a fantastic device and worth every penny. I was always an apple person and was super excited about the ipad until I discovered it was basically a big phone. So I waited for something more approaching a computer to come along and finally decided on the tab.
Pros
1. Super light weight: makes my netbook seem like a brick. This is majorly useful for heading out of the house and for holding while lounging around or whatever.
2. Fast for email and web browsing.
3. Emulators - plays snes and genesis games... what more do you want.
4. Touchscreen - with keyboards designed for honeycomb e.g. thumbkeyboard it is surprisingly easy to type. Browsing etc feels great.
5. Always on and ready to go (though mac laptops / chrome are simillar)
Cons
1.for writing it is still not quite able to give a good experience (though that should be obvious) it struggles with large documents and Google docs is badly implemented. For instance I was reading a manuscript on here marking places that needed editting using polaris office (included free). It worked nice as a reader but did not inform me that it failed to save the last 20 of my 60+ bookmarks.
2. More bugs and lag than on a fully fledged computer, but not too bad.
3. Not post-pc enough to justify purchase over desktop or laptop depending on what you already have - in terms of what you can do, the tablet is no replacement for either. But if you have them already you will find you use them far less.

My suggestion (as a GTab 10.1 Owner) is... don't buy a Galaxy Tab 10.1
Get a Nook Color... root it, overclock it... etc... you'll learn much more this way and you'll save several hundred dollars
... or get the original galaxy tab 7, which you can find for less than 200 dollars on craigslist.
and maybe get an ipod touch with your extra cash and have the best of both worlds. I dunno, up to you.
Either way, at this point 500 is too much to pay.
I'm disappointed there is no official netflix app, no official google voice support... lack of quality tablet apps, and I'm worried about Samsung supporting the device once the next version comes out.

Consumption v. Production
Nice contrast between pros and cons. About the question, really depends on what you plan on using it for. I think the tab is more often used for information consumption versus production. I use it for work as a sales rep to view email and work files quickly and easily. I tether it through my HTC Inspire and almost always have it connected. Again, more for information consumption versus production. However, I know there is a docking keyboard I may get down the road, and not carry my laptop anymore! And, its cool to pull up videos/pics/industry news on the spot to show clients without the hassle of booting up a laptop...
Jake-CT said:
While it is definitely true that no one NEEDS a tablet I have found it to be a fantastic device and worth every penny. I was always an apple person and was super excited about the ipad until I discovered it was basically a big phone. So I waited for something more approaching a computer to come along and finally decided on the tab.
Pros
1. Super light weight: makes my netbook seem like a brick. This is majorly useful for heading out of the house and for holding while lounging around or whatever.
2. Fast for email and web browsing.
3. Emulators - plays snes and genesis games... what more do you want.
4. Touchscreen - with keyboards designed for honeycomb e.g. thumbkeyboard it is surprisingly easy to type. Browsing etc feels great.
5. Always on and ready to go (though mac laptops / chrome are simillar)
Cons
1.for writing it is still not quite able to give a good experience (though that should be obvious) it struggles with large documents and Google docs is badly implemented. For instance I was reading a manuscript on here marking places that needed editting using polaris office (included free). It worked nice as a reader but did not inform me that it failed to save the last 20 of my 60+ bookmarks.
2. More bugs and lag than on a fully fledged computer, but not too bad.
3. Not post-pc enough to justify purchase over desktop or laptop depending on what you already have - in terms of what you can do, the tablet is no replacement for either. But if you have them already you will find you use them far less.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

*Bump*
so should i get a laptop/ computer or a tab ?

No. You NEED a computer if youre attending another type of schooling. I'd get a tablet later because having a computer has more uses especially for school, where a tab(especially a HoneyComb one) is for play and mobility(or as I call lazyness).
When I had my iPad, I used it for internet because I was lazy to get my laptop out. Went back and returned it (I'm 16, so I have to be allowed to return regardless, within the return period, this case being 3 months ), thought I wanted an iPad 2, bought a laptop, and don't regret it.
Laptops last much longer if you buy the ones $600-$900(they are mainly above average these days).
In short, GET A LAPTOP, THEN A TAP YOU REALLY WANT LATER, like a quad core one hahah.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

hnakhi said:
*Bump*
so should i get a laptop/ computer or a tab ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have all 3. This is order of how much I use each device.
Laptop > Netbook > Tab 10.1
Laptop is still the best for overall productivity.
I like my tablet, but there is no way it could be my only device.
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For games, get an iPad.
Big MMORPGS, got a Laptop.
Web browsing, a 15-17 inch laptop.
If you want it to be portable, iPad/XOOM, Tab 10.1 is too thin and easy to snap, also doesn't take a memory card, XOOM does.
Chatting, all will work.
If you don't have a dual core phone, get a laptop, but get a good one, my Toshiba Satallite for $600, dual core at 2.3 ghz I believe, 4 Gb of ram, 640(really 500)gb hard drive, etc. I don't regret picking my laptop over the iPad 2. Yes, I've had iphone 3g since launch, the 3gs, then 4 until February, had android since(like 5 android phones, all getting better).
I have a strong feeling you will be happy with a computer over a tablet. If not, you got 15-30 days to return But you will want a tablet. go play with a tab at bestbuy, not a game, just see what it can do, the speeds it does. My dads employee lent him a 10.1, I played with it for about 10 minutes, then got bored. Go try it out, tabs are limited, not computers.
If none of that made sense, I explained why to get a laptop.
To answer your Original Post(no, I'm not lazy, I wont us OP), GET A LAPTOP FIRST, THEN A TABLET LATER.
But seriously, he might be right. Do you really want a tab? Go play with one first then tell me what you think.
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matistight said:
No. You NEED a computer if youre attending another type of schooling. I'd get a tablet later because having a computer has more uses especially for school, where a tab(especially a HoneyComb one) is for play and mobility(or as I call lazyness).
In short, GET A LAPTOP, THEN A TAP YOU REALLY WANT LATER, like a quad core one hahah.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the best advice in your case. Unless you already have a nice laptop, get yourself a MacBook Pro, because you'll need it for any school related and/or creative projects you will embark on in the future. Throw Parallels, then Windows, and any games you can think of on it, and you'll be set for a while. MBP may be approaching your dads budget, and I feel for him, but a 13" at Macmall/Microcenter with $50 8GB ram upgrade from NewEgg is the route I'd want my smart, savvy son to take.
If your laptop shreds already, tell dad to find you a $99 HP Touchpad, and spend the rest on an educational father/son trip to Vegas. ;D
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matistight said:
If you want it to be portable, iPad/XOOM, Tab 10.1 is too thin and easy to snap, also doesn't take a memory card, XOOM does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF? That's a reason for NOT buying a Tab? Because it'll be more likely to break by putting massive force on either side?
I'd also like to see a survey of how many Xoom or Transformer or Iconia users actually, you know, swap SD cards on a regular basis.

I have a laptop (a gaming one at that)
A tab 10.1
and an HTC evo...
I use my laptop quite a bit 4-10 hrs a day
phone about 2-5hrs a day
tab 10.1 >2 hrs a day
so in the end was it worth the 499.99 no, am i glad i bought it yes.
im the kind of person who always has to get something when i see it that looks cool...
I do love how fast and easy it is to surf web and stream music. once i get the logitech Zagg bt keyboard case will i use it for school, yes. I would much rather carry that around than a 17" laptop...
The tab is very convenient when in bed and doing some last minute XDA reading (lol i love this site) or when playing a game on my laptop, to be able to look up something w/o having to ALT+TAB is wonderful... idk about some people but i think its pretty snappy when it comes to browsing the web (w/ dolphin browser)...
start with a laptop or a MBP (they are nice but im still a M$ person) if you go with a Windows machine check out HP's website they always have great GREAT deals on high performance laptops (HP makes very nice laptops and you would be wrong to think any less IMO)
(tons of free upgrades and i think they still have the deal going on where you buy a laptop and get a free 4Gb Xbox)
I love my Tab... only downfall for me is the homescreen/launcher (TW) is pretty laggy... esp when moving apps or creating shortcuts
hope this helps...

OK, I found an article on Engadget and that might answer most of the questions you are looking for. And then you can decide for yourself whether you need tablet or a netbook or notebook, etc.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/editorial-tablets-arent-the-third-device-id-hoped-for-fr/
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Here's what I'll tell you,
Tablets are a great internet viewing device and fun to pay games on, but they are more of a filler between a phone and a laptop. If you do not have a laptop or your own computer I would suggest the computer.
At this point in time, if I were you, I would get an HP TouchPad for $99 (if you can find one) and play around with it. If you like it then good, if you don't you can sell it on ebay for most likely more than you paid or keep it because it is only $99. Then you have the rest of your money to get a laptop or Galaxy Tab if you find the need for them.

krips2003 said:
OK, I found an article on Engadget and that might answer most of the questions you are looking for. And then you can decide for yourself whether you need tablet or a netbook or notebook, etc.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/21/editorial-tablets-arent-the-third-device-id-hoped-for-fr/
Sent from my GT-P7510 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The writer seems to be someone that hates tablets as a whole.
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android tablet not useful

I've had the transformer for 3 months.
It does some things great but it is neither a tool or a laptop replacement. The tablet effect may be real at the moment but it will pass.
I love this tablet for movies and email and calendar on the road. And for battery life.
That's where my love ends
It is slow. The browser is deadly slow and buggy as ****. How does a Google product have such a **** browser?
It is not useful as a tool.
Letters, documents spreadsheets... can be done but not effectively.
It is a fun toy and nice to have on the road. But I still need me macbook for anything work related. So now I just have one more thing in my travel bag. Not the direction I want to go.
And worthy of note, of all my computers and devices, I like my full desktop with dual monitors and 6core Intel CPU best. The desktop isn't dead yet either.
Ty.

I use it as a terminal into my computer. So when I go to a meeting or travel I can access my computer with remote desktop.

Do you have the docking? And did you try other browsers?
Because with docking and with opera mobile i do not reckognize any of your points.

I never buy my TF in order to replace my Ubuntu laptop or my desktop computer.
I have it for the battery life, the GPS, the portability, to do emails, downloads, games and surfing lazy in my salon listening TV at same time, copying my camera movies or pictures in holidays, etc ...
I'm doing that before with a net book, but now I have also a Tablet and this is so Geek
The TF is somewhere between my HTC Desire and my Laptop !
I like also to see Honeycomb and the market growing with butty full applications.
This is my new precious and I enjoy it so much
Regards.
PS: Try Dolphin Browser HD, is not to bad and faster.

I wouldn't say it's not useful...just not exactly a laptop replacement.
I do use it for documents, emails, games, and such...the same thing I use my laptop for...the only difference is that the TF allows me to do all that at the coffee shop with my feet up on the hearth, eating a scone...
It is what it is...

I would say that you picked the Transformer up for all the wrong reasons. You have a Macbook yet you're looking for something portable for work. That doesnt' really make sense to me. You're probably not the best use case for this device.
This thing is for people who like the price point and portability of a netbook, but enjoy the tablet form factor for general or on-the-go use. This doesn't seem to be you and I wouldn't call Android tablets "not useful" when you're basically looking for a full laptop replacement - which this is not.
Edit: Re-read, you have a Macbook, didn't specifically say an Air, but maybe one would be better suited for your needs? It's light, has a full OS and is about as portable as laptops can be.

Having the TF now means that I can leave my laptop in the office for the week & only carry my TF to & from home each evening for email, browsing & other work related things.
On the train I watch a TV show or listen to music on the TF & when home I use kindle to read books in bed.
It isn't a laptop or even a netbook, as someone else said, it is what it is, you just have to find out how to fit it into your life.

Honestly, I love when people come in to a device specific forum and complain about how they don't use/need it. Personally, I found that using wireless tether and tablet keeps it with me and in use everywhere i go.

Huh, for me I've essentially replaced my Work windows laptop with my Transformer.
I use a Combo of the stock browser and Dolphin for Pad for web browsing (stock set to tablet, Dolphin set to desktop). I randomly will have a site act funky, but never been a show stopper.
I picked up a bluetooth keyboard that works great for longer emails and document creation via Polaris Office. None of the Android Office suites are MS Office replacements yet, but Polaris suites my needs.
I have VPN Connections working to connect to my corp network when needed.
2X Client is an amazing RDP client for connecting to boxes on my home network or on the corp network when VPN'd in.
The only thing I have an issue with is printing support for Emails/websites/documents when needed. I can print pictures to my HP via their iPrint app. I haven't researched printing solutions that much yet (open to any good suggestions).
Since I got my Transformer in June, the only time I've gotten my laptop out at home was to run a specific app that is Windows only for my golf league and to print those reports. I inquired with the developers about an Android port, but they said it wasn't on their timeline.

I disagree,
Its not useful to you maybe, but to me its exactly what I bought it to be.
I have read more books on my TF in the past 3 months than I have read in the 2 years before that.
I can browse my PC network from any room in the house, view any pictures, listen to any music and watch every video format I have, wherever, whenever.
I can browse the web conveniently, quickly and almost perfectly on my WiFi connection or using 3G from my Desire.
I can waste a few minutes playing a game, or reading a comic.
I can show off my artwork to customers or friends via the gallery.
I can sketch an idea or write a note, even draw some artwork.
I can see whats on TV next or even watch that thing I missed the night before on catchup.
It's not a PC or laptop replacement, its not meant to be, its the thing you use when you don't have time to boot up your PC, or when you don't want to carry that laptop, or know that you will need more than 3 hours of battery life.
its Amazing....

My TF with the dock now fits neatly between my Evo and my Mac Mini in terms of functionality. My portable computing needs are not that taxing, so the Macbook Pro I had was overkill. Sold it last month and now my TF is my portable. I miss some things about the MBP, namely OS X, but I'm getting used to it.

My TF fits perfect for what i need. Reading news feeds, books, PDF's/documents, emails, taking notes with my stylus, and a quick check of the internet with the browser.
Any heavy usage i rely on my chromebook or work laptop and any heavy reading done with my nook color since it's lighter.

Hungry troll is hungry....
I sure wouldnt lug my desktop out to the back yard for some hammock surfing, nor would I use a laptop for extended reading. I see tablets an extension of my current setup, not as a replacement for anything.
If you don't see a use for tablets, why get one? Personally, aside from nitpicking, I couldn't be more happy about my Transformer. I simply love the little thing.

It's definitely not as effective for some pretty important work related things (ie. I had a lot of trouble making fine details on my presentation slides, but I just decided to do the tiny things on my laptop instead). Of course, I don't expect it to be a desktop/laptop replacement. It's a netbook (and tablet of course), and it's meant to be ultra portable. I love it.

For all of my the things I used to used my netbook for (email, web surfing, basic photo editing, games, movies, books, etc.) the Transformer is more than enough. Anything beyond that I use my desktop. The only thing that I wish would happen is a decent screenwriting application (Celtx hopefully). Opera mobile has no lag for me though the stock browser is pretty slow as you say. I don't think the TF was ever pitched as a netbook replacement. The dock inclusion is mainly aimed for those who want a tablet form factor (touchscreen, thin, high resolution screen) with the occasional benefit of faster input through a keyboard (it also serves as an extended battery and stand).
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium

the TF is my new laptop. I have my desktop forgaming etc..
The TF does everything else.. this was one of the best buys i have ever made.

what an utterly pointless thread ..... wheres this Iron Fist ????

IMHO, the thing that will make or break the 'usefulness' of a tablet is the software. And of course, everyone's needs will be different.
If you've got to do serious work on it, yeah, you're gonna be better with a full-on laptop. Period.
Myself, I don't need the horsepower of a full laptop, but I do find that the browser on the tablet is pretty slow. Some apps could use a lot of improvement (for instance, I use Polaris Office to interface with Google Docs, but I hate the little return carriage icon it puts after every line in the editor...)
I'm going to hang on to mine because it is useful to me, and as software improves, it will get even more useful.

Its good for books and magazines.
Listening to audio any format
watching movies in SD format only, any higher and experience lag and desync audio
games are enjoyable
internet browsing is ok would be alot better if websites considered ppl touching a screen rather then using a mouse.
some apps beat the website but not many

OP, cry me a river. You don't have anyone to blame other than yourself about the fact that you purchased a device you didn't have the need for.
I've got a gaming desktop with dual 24 inch IPS screens setup; a 15 inch windows/ubuntu Asus laptop; an old iBook acting as a home server; a Galaxy S 4 inch Android smartphone; and an iPod Touch 4th generation (solely for work related testing purposes).
In addition, I was pretty skeptical about the tablets as a device class as a whole before.
Know what? The TF did actually fit me so damn well that I can't imagine not having it now. I had never imagined I'd have those situations and use cases before I actually started using it.

Motorola Xoom and tablets in general

Hey guys, I had a nook color but after I got bored of all the experimenting with different roms, I found no actual use to it and sold it.
Prices of the Xoom have been dropping dramtically here and the gadget addict in me just cannot resist it much. I know that answers here are going to be biased but would you recommend the Xoom? Also, what do you use your Xoom/tablets for so I know what to do with it instead of getting bored of it like I did with the nook color.
Thanks

I use it for a browser, really. The dual core makes the browser actually somewhat effective. Mainly that and games. Nothing a PC can't do better.

If I were you, I'll wait for the quad-cores and Ice Cream Sandwich to come out first and see how the tablet scene is affected.
Anyway, I use my Xoom for surfing the net, watching youtube vids, reading my ebooks and my comics. Oh and the occasional gaming of course.

surfing the net, watching movies/youtube, music and playing around with apps

SuicideMyk said:
surfing the net, watching movies/youtube, music and playing around with apps
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All of the above and productivity too. I use it whenever I'm away from the office instead of a laptop and it works brilliantly. The BT keyboard and occasionally my BT mouse, Office Suite Pro and I'm set.
I even use it at work, where I get a really good 4G wimax signal on my Clear mifi, because our servers are sometimes so sluggish, I can browse the web a heck of a lot faster on the Xoom.

The Xoom has great hardware and computing speed which, when exploited properly using the right apps in combination with a home network, can actually afford its user nearly the productivity abilty of a laptop.
Before I get flamed, let me explain...
First you need to set your home desktop up as if it were a data base. Not a server so much, but there are great apps that can bring your home desktop right to your tablet. I will use examples, but do the research for these apps and see if alternatives might be better for you. (Most good productivity apps are paid apps, and not cheap, so when someone has shelled out for them, they naturally tend to stick with them even if competition has surpassed the ones they use. Just bear that in mind.)
Here's an example; I use "Phone My PC" to access my computer from anywhere. It's great. I mean really KEWL! BUT!- It won't download a file to your Xoom. So I use "Dropbox" for that. Now I not only have access to the files on my home PC, but I have a means to upload them to my tablet.
Simple enough.
I bought "Documents To Go" about 18 months ago, thinking they would continue to improve. They didn't. But there are a few other Microsoft editor Suite apps (Polaris Office is great, IMO, and ironically, it's free.).
Now I can actually edit the documents I pull from my home computer.
It's tedious compared to a laptop, make no mistake about it! Go here, do that, load this, etc, etc, whereas with your laptop everything is already right there, including the fast editor.
If you are actually looking for the versatility of a tablet regarding productivity, you simply can't do it without a keyboard.
I'm on my Moto BT keyboard now. The Xoom is "mouse ready", so the keyboard along with a nice compact Bluetooth mouse will make your tasks a lot easier.
Let's seriously take into consideration application...
I've been very proud to have accomplished tasks for work regarding productivity. I wrote that just as I meant it; "accomplished". It was an accomplishment, but I know that the next Excel spreadsheet I make from scratch on my Xoom will go faster. I also know that I will need to load that to a Windows machine to finish it the way I need it because all 4 of the Office apps I have are very much incomplete.
If a student asks if a Xoom can replace his/her laptop, I say "NO!" Networked like I say, you can accomplish anything that you could do on a laptop, but it will take at least twice as long, and that's after you get used to learning how to deal with it's limitations.
The apps are fantastic, though. I bought "printer Share" last year, and can print right to my home printer (and others) from anywhere in the world. I didn't have that on my laptop; wifi on the same network, sure. But now there are even free apps that will allow this in a limited capacity.
Anyway, that's my schpiel. Right now I put the Xoom at 30% productivity and 70% media, but the productivity capability is growing all the time.

thanks for your replies guys. still not convinced I need a tablet but they are selling really cheap here, like 450 bucks for the 32gb wifi model so i'll see how it goes

Well I think a tablet is a luxury item. I bought it because I do not own any laptop or netbook, just my trusty desktop PC so it made my decision to get a tablet that much easier. If you have a laptop, you might think twice on dropping money on a tablet.
Something to think about.

I use mine for amusing the kids, a bit of web, youtube and kindle.

dpakrr said:
thanks for your replies guys. still not convinced I need a tablet but they are selling really cheap here, like 450 bucks for the 32gb wifi model so i'll see how it goes
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Try like $350 today on WOOT.com

[Q] Nexus 7 as Laptop replacement?

Hey guys, I wanted to get your guys' opinions since i havent gotten a chance to get my hands on a nexus 7 yet. I am a Graduate Assisstant at my college and i graduate in december. With my GA position i was given a laptop to use, well I was wondering what you guys think about using a Nexus 7 as a replacement for a laptop when i graduate since i have to return my laptop. I do have a desktop that runs linux, so for any real computing power i can use that, but for laying in bed, browsing the web, email, watchign youtube, hulu, and other streaming sites as well as visiting lots of forums, do you think the nexus 7 is suitable as a daily device for that? thanks

ontoptherock said:
Hey guys, I wanted to get your guys' opinions since i havent gotten a chance to get my hands on a nexus 7 yet. I am a Graduate Assisstant at my college and i graduate in december. With my GA position i was given a laptop to use, well I was wondering what you guys think about using a Nexus 7 as a replacement for a laptop when i graduate since i have to return my laptop. I do have a desktop that runs linux, so for any real computing power i can use that, but for laying in bed, browsing the web, email, watchign youtube, hulu, and other streaming sites as well as visiting lots of forums, do you think the nexus 7 is suitable as a daily device for that? thanks
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Click to collapse
Since you already have a desktop I would say replacing the laptop with a Nexus 7 would be fine.

Agreed for those, but no tablet is a replacement for a laptop.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Agreed, there are nice office suites in the play store for any document you need, lots of power and it just runs great. Also to, it has NFC built in for beaming files and paying for stuff w/Google wallet.
Sent from my De-Sensed HTC Vivid using xda premium

I'll eventually get a laptop but right now just dont have the money to get one that would be suitable or what i would want spec wise. So i figure with the low cost of the nexus i would use that in the meantime

I am a grad student and school teacher. I bought a tab to replace my laptop because I didn't need everything the laptop could do. My wife has a desktop, so I use that for doing any heavy tasks. I use my n7 with a bluetooth keyboard when in grad class and as a notebook for recording nots and ideas when working g with students.
I originally had a 10 inch tab, but that was too big. Love the n7,and I do not feel like a need a laptop.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

For what you said you'd use the tablet for I'd say yes but get the 32gb version cause you never know when you'd need the extra space

I bought my n7 to compliment my atom netbook for my university course. One Bluetooth keyboard and an otg cable and I haven't even turned my netbook on in over 3 months. Office apps are good enough for editing and some changes to PowerPoint presentations etc.
Half of the time now I don't even take a bag to Uni, my n7 in my pocket and I am good.
I have 3 computers at home (wife and kids use them) I find most of my browsing, YouTube etc. Is being done on the n7. My comps I use only for mmo gaming and large projects.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Tablet is nice but it will never replace a PC/laptop for me. If I'm home alone, I am still always on my desktop. I'd rather sit at my desk with a sound system to listen to Pandora than being alone on the couch with ear buds. There are still many times I need to use my PC because a page won't display correctly or is difficult to use.
While I love my N7, it's still for casual use. It will never replace a PC for me unless I have no choice.
For sitting on the couch or in bed, a tablet will probably be good enough you.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Honestly if I had a hard keyboard for my nexus 7, I wouldn't really ever use my laptop. Jellybean is a pretty good operating system getting better everyday, serves as a pretty good windows replacement.

I use my tablet for most things but still can't completely replace my laptop yet.
-Brought to you by Marino's Nexus 7-

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I use my nexus for internet now more then my desktop, laptop, EP121 combined. Only thing it hasn't taken over yet is my pen and paper character sheet duties. So yeah for what you listed it will do fine.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

I've got a Nexus 7 to replace my Asus EEPC 701 as my travel partner .
My major task for my travel partner is look for a map , get some simple translation , upload picture from my DSLR to my facebook account .
And now , all these task are completed by my N7 . And it is always on , the battery even can survive a single of heavy usage !
But of course , I would still keep my EEEPC , since it is still a standard IBM PC , there are still lots of works that require a standard computer to complete . For example , briefing with VGA out , connect some uncommon hardware (e.g. 3G usb modem , printer with no network) .

one last thing i do alot also is use torrents, is that something that can be easily done on the N7. I saw utorrent just released a beta for android, so i assume that this is a task easily done now on the N7. Thanks guys i think i am going to go with the N7 as my go to mobile device. For only $250 you cant really beat it.
On another note, is anyone using the tablet UI, and if so what do you like better by chance?

Nutshell version:
In most situations laptops are orverkill. Web browsing, torrenting, music, gaming can all be done BETTER on the N7. You don't NEED a laptop for this. CREATING a lot of content then you'll NEED a laptop. The N7 can handle SOME of this but when you get into doing a lot of it it's clunky and you'll run into limitations.
TL-DR version:
An N7 is NOT a laptop replacement. If you're looking to replace an entire laptop, just buy a laptop. HOWEVER... if you realize you don't NEED a laptop.. the N7 is perfect.
Here's a little illustration to help:
I personaly have come to realize that I don't NEED a laptop. I have one.. but it never leaves my house. When I go out, I take my N7 instead. My needs on the go are different than my needs at home. I realize what I need (I say "need"... but who really "needs" luxury devices like laptops and tablets though) is a beefy and powerful desktop at home and some periphery computing accessories like a chromebook and a good tablet. If i want to do graphics, music or gaming.. I do it at home on the desktop. If i'm on the go, i'm not trying to do graphic editing or create music... i'm consuming content or gaming.. the Nexus is perfect for this. If i'm trying to create content on the go... it's not going to be heavy duty stuff.. it's most likely going to be document editing or coding.. the chromebook will do nicely.
I hope that illustration helps. Thats a real world use for the N7 as opposed to something unrealistic like trying to do all of your college work (i'm also in school.. the N7 can handle some things like documents, but it's DEFINITELY better to use a full computer/laptop) you're going to run into limitations you'll be forced to work around.

^ well put

Reply
Honestly if I had a hard keyboard for my nexus 7, I wouldn't really ever use my laptop. Jellybean is a pretty good operating system getting better everyday, serves as a pretty good windows replacement

It comes down to a decision about content consumption vs. content creation and which & when you do more of. Because of variability in what people do and how much they travel around, I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all answer. The need to use a single PC application that can't be substituted for with a tablet app can easily force the decision.
Three years ago I was down to two computers - a laptop and an android phone. When the laptop finally died, I switched to a deskside, even though I knew I would sorely miss it for one kind of multitasking: watching TV and web surfing simultaneously.
Why? Screen real estate! You simply can not be as productive (say as a programmer) when you need to refer to several things simultaneously (docs, code, deguggers, etc) on a single 15-17" diagonal screen. Multiple monitors are a game-changer when it comes to productivity. (Sure, you can use stacks of windows or multiple virtual desktops on a laptop, but switching back and forth between them is lost time).
Along the same vein, appreciate that Android style multitasking - a single activity on the whole screen - makes cut-n-paste operations or quick referral to info in a 2nd app clumsily slow. A tablet (Android or Apple) isn't productive for work that needs frequent use of that type of activity.
Same goes for using a finger for text entry - pathetically slow. If you must capture notes of any length ("content creation") on the tablet, use a physical keyboard.
Still, I missed surfing from the couch, and a 3-in android phone screen wasn't cutting it. Tried Google TV for a while, but sharing the same display just seems unnatural and is an irritation to a 2nd person watching the same TV screen.
So, now I still don't have a laptop - just the big iron for being productive (read: not in front of the TV!), and an entertainment/reading device that can be used anywhere - couch/bed/crapper.
In a way, that's good as it helps enforce a decent separation between work and play.
At this point, I miss the laptop only for situations that require both a full-up OS and portability. I don't need that for work; but if I did I probably would have all three.
If it came down to a matter of money, and I could only afford one, it would probably be the laptop that got the nod.