Database Users

Poor reviews!

Any one else finding that most of the reviews of the Tab seem to be written by people who just don't get it?
I'm the first in line to call a spade a spade (that would be "shovel a shovel" for our American cousins) but I truly believe the Tab is a fantastic device and I cannot see where most of these reviewers are coming from.
I'm sure that some would say that us Tab buyers are trying to justify our purchase, but I'm honestly finding that the Tab has exceeded my expectations which were already quite high.
I've been in the market for a device that could sit between my laptop(s) and smartphone for casual media consumption and web browsing, and since buying my Tab last Friday, my Macbook has sat on my coffee table untouched and my HTC Desire has only really seen use as a phone.
I was seriously considering an Advent Vega, Toshiba Folio 100, or Archos 101 as they were all around half the price of the Tab, but after my experience with the Toshiba AC100 Android smartbook I decided that I really wanted the full Google experience (Market, Gmail etc) because it was just so much easier than faffing around with APKs etc.
In less than a week, beyond sitting at my desk, the Tab has become my primary device for Internet and media consumption, and I honestly did not expect that to occur.
Whilst the poor reviews don't affect me directly, I'm concerned that many people would be put off this fantastic device without giving it a fair crack of the ship which I can assure anyone who is sitting on the fence, the Tab most surely deserves!
Regards,
Dave

I tend to agree Dave.
The Tab is one of the best, if not THE best, android device i have used to date (and i have used many).
but its not for everyone and it does have some issues that needs to be addressed (such as the laggy browser).
It does seems like Samsung were able to overcome the issues the SGS had with the SGT and all the power to them.
I do think the reviewers just don't get it.
Some if the reviews i have read are just full of lies and totally biased (see BGR's review).

I really like the stock browser, but it is too laggy compared to others. Samsung should definitely have worked harder on that.
I'm also not convinced by swype on a device of this size but I could be convinced, if I could have swype automatically in portrait and something else in landscape.
Regards,
Dave

I don't think the reviews I've read have been overly negative but I've only read a handful:
Oddly, I found the review on Engadget to be one of the better ones, even if they only scored it 7/10.
They seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the Tab, which flies in the face somewhat of their general pro-Apple bias. I guess it just proves that some of the Engadget writers are genuinely enthusiastic about tech and not just stuff made in Cupertino.
GSMArena, normally a beacon of decent reviews, seemed to get a bit too hung up on trying to compare it to the iPad whilst avoiding declaring one better than the other. That and criticising the price a lot.
They also mentioned issues like the screen having ghosting issues, which I just couldn't reproduce when I used the Tab.
There was a 'review' on the BBC site by one of their tech bloggers which was beyond pitiful.
It just compared web-browsing and playing videos but was so lacking in any genuine insight or intelligence that I would advise not wasting your time on it.
Then the review on BGR, that one really did annoy me.
The reviewer criticised the pixel density of the Tab compared to smartphones and criticised the screen as too small compared to the iPad whilst conveniently ignoring the iPad's poorer pixel density.
If I was being generous, I'd say the review just didn't 'get' the Tab but it smacked much more of pro-Apple bias IMO.​
So, one good review, one in-depth but indecisive review, one non-review and one advert for the iPad...
However, reading a lot of the comments left on various sites in response to their reviews, I would say there is a definite lack of 'getting' out there.
A lot of people just don't seem to see the appeal or usefulness of the Tab, which is fair enough everyone's entitled to their opinion but like you Dave, I'm not convinced they've actually given the Tab a fair go before reaching that decision.

Read WIRED review
http://m.wired.com/reviews/2010/11/galaxy_tab/
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antz88c said:
Read WIRED review
http://m.wired.com/reviews/2010/11/galaxy_tab/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For those of us not on a mobile device: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2010/11/galaxy_tab/

well, comparing the tab with full fledge tablet will be useless
as i see it, tab is a phone that have tablet capabilities, considering they're still using FroYo which was a phone OS primarily
but when google OS for Tablet is ready in the market, and the tab get it, Ipad will get some rivalry from galaxy tab for sure, as Ipad cant be used as a phone, at all

Justin^Tan said:
well, comparing the tab with full fledge tablet will be useless
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Click to collapse
I would say that comparison to any other Android tablets or the iPad is far from useless as they're all running similarly-capable OSs.
True, comparison to something running, say, Win7 would be a bit of a waste of time but I fail to see why comparing a 7" Android tablet to a 10" Android tablet would be useless.
Justin^Tan said:
as i see it, tab is a phone that have tablet capabilities
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And what, if you don't mind me asking, are 'tablet capabilities'?

My vibrant feels so small now.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Step666 said:
I would say that comparison to any other Android tablets or the iPad is far from useless as they're all running similarly-capable OSs.
True, comparison to something running, say, Win7 would be a bit of a waste of time but I fail to see why comparing a 7" Android tablet to a 10" Android tablet would be useless.
And what, if you don't mind me asking, are 'tablet capabilities'?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well let me put my fair understanding on both devices.
IPAD ADV
---------
- Bigger Screen: More Space for applications, pleasant for the eye
- Brighter Screen
- Longer Battery Life
- Applications tailored just for IPAD
IPAD DISV
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- Heavy.. use on one hand for a long time is just not comfortable.
- Can't Make Call without Jail Breaking / Additional Support
- Bulky, It would mean that you have to carry a bag with you all the time.
- Most of the stuffs don't work in IPAD. e.q. Flash
This is critical for some reason and at least for now, most websites run flash: Videos or Games and it's extremely cumbersome to get the contents to be played on the IPAD. Tethering not working right out of the box (if i remember correctly)
- No support for widgets. why is this important? well, because it's a feature that enable us to glance through information easily or access certain function easily. Plus, it's beautiful and pleasing. Imagine, you want to check your Data Usage, all you have to do is open your screen and you know straight how many have you used instead of opening the program and do a check button again. >.<!!
SGT ADV
--------
- Connectivity: you can make call, browsing using wifi or 3G.
- Light in size and pocket-able on most jeans or clothing.
- All in One? compared to IPAD, you will need an extra pair of device as a phone but with tab, you have it all.
- Device capable for honey comb & ginger bread.
- As android is open source, it's open to development and customization. This would mean that if samsung doesn't make SGT good enough for people, a team or someone can make that customization to provide more battery life, better interface etc.
SGT DISADV
------------
- Built on TFT technology.. which the screen is slightly distorted on certain angle.
- Compared to IPAD, the battery life sucks. However,
you get widgets, connectivity and multi tasking done right and still it's enough to be used as a daily phone / tablet.
- Not many application tailored for SGTab yet and my feeling about this is the future is a bit unknown .. With so many screen resolutions out. 7inch 8.9inch 10 inch.. it's just making it hard for developer to tailor the application but all in all, the android tablet coming to the market is definite so it's possible that the tailored applications will be growing steadily.
My Summary:
--------------
While ipad offers better battery life, applications, screen and performance. It does have certain disadvantages such as lack of flash support, customization, calls and it's bulky. And for some who wish to have portability and entertainment on the GO, Tab is definitely superior than IPAD in many ways. However, taking apps into consideration, the Apps in IPAD is amazing simply because they are tailored. Android is still evolving. We will see more applications tailored for Android tablet size become available in the near future. Having said that i would say all in all, the pro and cons between these two devices is 50:50 and at the end of the day, it's up to your preference whether you want a device with good apps support but lack portability or you want one with all in and portable.

foxmeister said:
I'm the first in line to call a spare a spare (that would be "shovel a shovel" for our American cousins)...
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that should be "call a spade a spade" - for the non-Americans...
-Daniel

Why is everyone comparing to an IPAD...this isnt an IPAD! Forget the reviews....I can show you 100 reviews that say it's a fantastic device....ask the users....

dweidman said:
I believe that should be "call a spade a spade" - for the non-Americans...
-Daniel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Curse predictive keyboards!
Dave

Sorry for my bad english.
Then my point of view :
The SGT is not the better yes i agree with that.
But for me the point of view is different for everybody. Why ? Because i buy my 'item' because all off my requested features are in my 'item'.

If you havn't yet, look up the review that carrypad has done.

shollywood said:
Why is everyone comparing to an IPAD...this isnt an IPAD! Forget the reviews....I can show you 100 reviews that say it's a fantastic device....ask the users....
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Click to collapse
exactly. and also this flash nonsense always. yes we can do flash. but this is not the killer argument here.
this is a handy tablet with a nice os. thats it. and it can be used as a phone too.
it has a great speaker, which makes conference calls very nice.
widgets with that screen size rocks. gamings is brilliant on the device.
there is no need for comparison to some other device. this one is great.

Most of the reviews I've seen have been positive if not amazing, the Giz article is not an outstanding review or the best piece of journalism I've seen!
My iPad is a lounge device, my SGT is my RoadWarrior device. I wouldn't compare them as they fill 2 very different roles for me.

foxmeister said:
I'm also not convinced by swype on a device of this size but I could be convinced, if I could have swype automatically in portrait and something else in landscape.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello have you try to use keyboardmanager on the market
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[Q] Motorola Xoom vs iPad 2, and Honeycomb Apps

I'm on fence on whether to buy a Motorola Xoom (32GB WiFi EU) or an iPad 2. In terms of price, here in Malta the Xoom seems more worth it as I can get it for 498 euro whilst the iPad 2 Wifi 32GB is at 609.
My main concerns are regarding software, and more importantly, apps availability. Now, before you bash my question, I've read a lot of reviews for both devices, and I've gone through lists for Honeycomb apps, but I'd like input from actual Xoom owners that are using it day to day.
Thanks in advance,
Emmanuel

well email and surfing is alot more fun and productive on a Xoom compare to an Ipad2 because of the integrated email and the flash enabled full size browser experience
but if you look at the build quality of them it sure looks like the Ipad2 went thought a lot more intensive QA then the Xoom since on the back of the xoom you kind of able to push in the plastic a bit.... thats makes me a sad panda
anyway comparing xoom vs ipad 2... there is only one logical answer
android =widgets
IOS = no widgets
and with widgets you get your information a lot faster like news, socks and twitter on one page... so yeah and i do use that alot
productivity = xoom
build quality = ipad2
that said i still think the ipad2 really rocks since it's a finished product but it does not have the widgets

I've owned an iPad and now I own a XOOM. For me personally, the ipad doesn't come close - the OS is far too restrictive and the dependency on iTunes was a killer for me (I use linux on all of my home machines, forcing me to run a windows virtual machine just to activate the damned thing).
With that said, the XOOM, or rather, Honeycomb doesn't even come close with regards to app availability. Even if you take the huge headstart that apple have (1 year+), the ipad has simply always been better marketed and there are a lot more apps available. Let's not even get started on the android market place; it's dire. The worst. And for some reason, it's even worse on honeycomb than it is on phones; no ability to rate apps, plenty of bugs (some of which have been addressed in 3.1), no ability to view only tablet apps, terrible filtering and search in general, etc. Apple's app store is how it should be done, the android market place has a long way to come.
The situation is improving for honeycomb and I personally wouldn't dream of going back to the ipad, but for friends and family who couldn't care less about the restrictive nature of iOS and the other things that I dislike, I would recommend the ipad.
With all that said, it looks really weird to see me almost recommending Apple, because I personally can't stand the software. Oh well...

Well, I've never owned an I pad but I have just purchased the xoom and I LOVE it!!!
Most comparisions regard the xoom better, but with the I pad having loads more apps - to some people, this is the deal breaker.
However, if you want a true tablet experience and not just an oversized iPod touch, then go for the xoom.
The xoom has better OS, greater browser and keyboard, better cameras and support flash, it is also not tied down to any PC software such as iTunes and includes more customization options such as widgits. (Android includes a free turn by turn navigation system too)
Oh and the maps and YouTube apps are better on the xoom and have more features (Google property pays off)
I made my decision and I'm happy with my xoom - but the choice is yours.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

I have to disagree. I think the xoom build quality is top notch and better than the iPad. It's just when I hold the iPad I feel like it will break... to thin for my liking.
Now applications look better in my opinion on the iPad. Like it was mentioned here the Apple eco system keeps me away.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk

I have owned an iPad, and will likely own an iPad 2 when the current shortage lets up. There is very little left to say about the iPad (either version) that hasn't been said already. They are exceptional devices, gamechangers, perfectly designed to introduce mobile technology to mainstream users. Almost anyone can be up and running in 15 minutes with an iPad, even with no experience and iOS rewards those who embrace its deliberate limitations.
My first experience with Android was with an Archos 5 tablet, and then an Archos 101. I bought both as relatively inexpensive ways to get acquainted with Android. and both were very frustrating experiences in different ways. They really made me begin to view Android as a very niche market.
However, when I needed a new phone and decided that I couldn't wait for a Windows Phone 7 device to be offered here, and refused to get an iPhone, I opted for the Galaxy s and a whole world opened up to me...which then led me to my new Xoom.
I have been playing with it for about half a day now after doing a great deal of reading...I unlocked it, tried to root it and ran into the "stuck on the red M" problem, spent about 2 hours reading and sorting out how to get myself out of the trap via adb, rooted it at last, installed CWM then flashed the Tiamat kernel and finally began loading up my apps. Loved every moment of it. The build quality of the device, in my opinion, is excellent. It feels much better and more substantial in my hands than the iPad. The screen is top notch and I really like the honeycomb environment for work and play.
Most of all, I like the fact that Android is a living, breathing OS. SO much to explore and learn and investigate.
The iPad, for all it's many good points, as I said before rewards those who embrace its limitations. The Xoom rewards those who refuse limitations, who are willing to spend the time and effort to learn how it works and discover ways to do it better.
The iPad is the USS Enterprise...sleek and beautiful but cold and a bit sterile for all its power. What you see is what you get.
The Xoom is the Tardis...a hodgepodge of history and possibility, all wrapped in a shell of sweet wonder....and it is bigger on the inside.

With a Xoom I could have never ever owned a PC and set it up and get it working. It does not require you to hook it up to itunes first. With the iPad... yea I dont know about 15 minutes but after you hook it up to your computer to unlock it (lol) you can finally use it. In my house we have both, I like the Xoom better

you said
"The iPad, for all it's many good points, as I said before rewards those who embrace its limitations. The Xoom rewards those who refuse limitations, who are willing to spend the time and effort to learn how it works and discover ways to do it better."
I couldn't have said it better. The Xoom is my third Android tablet, my second Tegra2 tab, and the most hands-on and most rewarding and fun to own. I have never liked the Apple zeitgeist and have always avoided that product. I prefer the freedom to mess around, get into scrapes and come back from the brink with a better tab and a lot more knowledge. I think that as an open source, Android will continue to grow and evolve in wonderful ways and I want to be along for the ride.
Also, this thing is built like a tank.

rschenck said:
The iPad is the USS Enterprise...sleek and beautiful but cold and a bit sterile for all its power. What you see is what you get.
The Xoom is the Tardis...a hodgepodge of history and possibility, all wrapped in a shell of sweet wonder....and it is bigger on the inside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That made me giggle . But I think the ipad are like the dalek. Cold personality and desire only perfection. seek only to dominate the world!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

inspiron41 said:
That made me giggle . But I think the ipad are like the dalek. Cold personality and desire only perfection. seek only to dominate the world!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Steve Jobs as Davros ...*shudder*
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i'll keep this short as can be...
iPad/iOs = Checkers.
Xoom/Honeycomb = Chess.

I have played around with both Ipad and Xoom. I currently own a Xoom. Ipad is probably fine if you want something simple with few options(not talking about apps).
The Xoom is pretty cool, and even cooler after unlock & root. The downside is app / game availability, but it's getting better every day.
The killer for me between the two is multitasking. The xoom has it, the ipad not so much.
And also, no itunes. The xoom works out of the box.
The Ipad on the other hand has more accessories, wee..

Keep in mind that these sorts of issues are ultimately a matter of taste, so the things I don't like the iPad may not bother you at all.
I bought an iPad2 and returned it within 48 hours. I really can't explain my utter contempt for that device, but I just hated everything about it. I'm not an Apple hater, mind you; I owned every iPhone through the 3GS and was one of those dorks standing in line on launch days. I really, really wanted to like the iPad 2, but after having owned two Android handsets (and being a big gadget whore) I couldn't stomach going back to an iOS product.
What I hated about the iPad 2:
-Screen resolution sucks
-Too thin and flimsy feeling
-Stock keyboard is HORRIBLE and there's no way to change it
-No widgets
-No UI customization, period
-Cameras suck
-"Notification system" is sort of a joke
-"Multi-tasking" is also sort of a joke
-Far higher cost for iPad apps vs. iPhone/iPod apps, developers nickel & dime you for every little thing (subscriptions, in-app purchases, etc) - seriously, the whole ecosystem was like a giant money sucking vacuum
-QA on my particular unit was terrible - massive light leaks around the edges of the screen and 3 stuck pixels within 1 day of use (and this is not an isolated issue, though Apple is replacing defective units but making sure to blame their supplier)
iOS is getting long in the tooth, and this is hugely magnified in tablet form, especially with the crappy-looking display. I felt like I was using old technology, despite the awesome internal specs. The best comparison I can come up with between Honeycomb and iOS on a tablet is something like Windows 7 compared to Windows 3.1.

hello,
i'm maltese too, on a xoom us wifi .. from amazon.com
worked out to 508 eu including hsbc's 'conversion charge' of 8 eu or so.
ipad vs xoom.. depends on what you need.
if you want a platform to play stuff from itunes.. ipad
if yiu want a portable computer you can meddle with.... xoom of course.
build quality, screen and battery life are excellent too.
cheers

btw where is that price from?
when i bought mine it was closer to 600eu for wifi eu
which is why i got the us one..

While I will state now I am no expert on iOS or the Ipad1/2 I will say this:
My Xoom has me constantly entertained and I've NEVER felt I needed an app that I didnt have at least 4 decent choices of. I have also never left limited on my Xoom for any tasks I wish to undertake, I stream all my media from my computer (via WiFi OR 3G) so everywhere I am I have access to all my media (and now thanks to Google Music moreso) and with Remote Desktop I have access to my Linux and Windows machines no matter where I am. The Xoom constantly feeds me information without having to do anything but look at my homescreens.
I have played with friends Ipad1/2's and while for the most part things seemed smooth and work well I always had this feeling of being lost when looking through the app screens, its like all the icons look the same (same size, many of them same colors) just felt very sterile and un-enjoyable and you get ZERO information without going from one app to another just felt like so much work for simple basic information readily available on my Xoom.
I've never been a fan of iOS or Apple's strategy towards their customers but I really tried to look at my 2 options without bias before choosing my Xoom. As several others are stated you really dont have any choices with Apple products, you take what your given and if you dont like your options you dont have any more to look at.
Android (despite its fragmentation in some areas and flaws, hiccups in others) is the best choice if you like options and a desire to learn more and have real options with your chosen device. If you want something simple that tells you what you want then Apple products are for you. If you dont mind a hiccup with something here and there and having the ultimate say in the apps and add-on parts for your device then I say without a doubt Android is the way to go. Widgets are the best thing to happen to phones/tablets as it gives you so much information without having to do anything to get it and you can always enter into that app for a more detailed look and more options.
As for the comment on Apple App Store having more options, maybe it does but judging by the amount the Android Market has grown over 1 year I highly doubt Apple will be able to say the same thing next year. More and more developers either jump ship from Apples restrictions in apps or choose to release their products on both Android and iOS platforms which means in many cases the Apple App Store is slowing down and stagnating in some areas due to the open nature of app development for Android OS, its infinitely easier to write and sell and app for Android than iOS.
As a side note a friend of mine and I compared apps, we both had some niche apps and some common ones... my total cost was about $40 (like I said I have some apps that cost about $15, my phone apps only had a grand total of like $10) but all in all his total for all similar (sometimes the same app) was about $200, that alone pushed my decision for another android device with the Xoom vs Ipad2.

If your cheap and want to hack get the Xoom. If you want to easily be able get VIDEOS to play fluently for rent or TV episodes get iPad. I got the ipad because it was so gay to get Videos on the thing. Having to convert then drag to device verse iTunes makes iTunes seem easier. Especially is JB.
Xoom =iPad none is clear winner
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

jamaicansolja said:
If your cheap and want to hack get the Xoom. If you want to easily be able get VIDEOS to play fluently for rent or TV episodes get iPad. I got the ipad because it was so gay to get Videos on the thing. Having to convert then drag to device verse iTunes makes iTunes seem easier. Especially is JB.
Xoom =iPad none is clear winner
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure I would call the Xoom cheap (not in build quality and certainly not in price) and I don't see what the sexual orientation of the iPad has to do with the issue.
I feel the video converting question is a non issue. For me, converting via iTunes or by a third party app is just as big a pain, and the iPad's native video app is even more limited codec-wise than the Android stock Video. Anyway, just use a player like MoboPlayer or VPlayer which can show pretty much anything, and you are golden.
However I agree that there is no real BEST TABLET...it is just a matter of personal preference.

jamaicansolja said:
If your cheap and want to hack get the Xoom. If you want to easily be able get VIDEOS to play fluently for rent or TV episodes get iPad. I got the ipad because it was so gay to get Videos on the thing. Having to convert then drag to device verse iTunes makes iTunes seem easier. Especially is JB.
Xoom =iPad none is clear winner
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So spend more money for the more restrictive device? Also, you don't have to hack the xoom. The Xoom has more option out of the box than the ipad.
You didn't manage to get gay videos on the Xoom?

Croolis said:
btw where is that price from?
when i bought mine it was closer to 600eu for wifi eu
which is why i got the us one..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's on www.expansys.com.mt, excluding VAT.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

10.1 vs Transformer vs Ipad2

After I could compare the Ipad2, 10.1 and Transformer for days now, I decided to go and buy an Ipad2. Yes, I turned my back on Android and here's why:
10.1:
Very nice lookings, high quality and hardware but there is a big problem: the colors. On some pictures the saturation is so high that it kills lots of details every time 2 similar colors are nearby. Here you can see what I mean, check the right circle where orange and red meets - if the orange circle would be more reddish, you could hardly tell there are 2 rings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1bkovoLXw4&feature=player_detailpage#t=208s
If you compare it to a perfect calibrated monitor, it looks like crap. Flashy, colorful and nice but details are gone. That's the one and only weaknes from what it offers. It's 16:9 display is a winner when it comes to videos but video playback is poor. Ipad2 is much better, even for flash, later more to come about it.
Another MAJOR problem is Samsung support. Android is a fresh system and needs tons of support. Samsung provides NONE. For EU, they still have no release dates or closer info about their device - just lol. For me, the 10.1 is just a step in the process to upgrade to Tegra3. They built the shell now and can use it for the next device to compete with Apple. Same like they did to the 10.1v - no support, they just forgot about it.
Transformer:
Diplay is pretty good but the build quality is crap. After I saw the Archos tablets with the bronze frame, I knew where Asus bought their stuff. Both have those sharp metal frames which are wrapped around the screen. TF and Archos have gaps between the frame and glas, with some kind of rubber to fill it. Asus tried to even out the sharp edges but you can see how cheap it is. Archos tablets can cut in your finger if you swipe around the edges ! For me: complete garbage quality, should cost 250$ max to satisfy the minimalist who just want's to read or something.
Ipad2:
This device is pretty awesome. First I thought the 4:3 diplay sucks for reading but after I measured books and calculated ratios, they were ALL closer to Ipad2 standards. That menas you will have less wasted space on Ipad. When surfing internet you will learn to love 4:3, everything fits perfectly while you feel how broken sites are on 16:9. The drawback are 16:9 movies without a border and the good about it, you have FULLSCREEN ! in emulators without scaling. There are also a lot of older movies/series with 4:3, which I prefer on travel anyway.
It is fluent everywhere and feels like my Galaxy S after getting the lagfix. Stock 3.1 is bull**** compared to it. The only point where it is superior, are widgets.
Root/Jailbreak/Flash:
Jailbreaking an Ipad is a piece of cake, visit a website, click on a button, your done. No bull**** to flash around or to risk your device. After that you have Cydia which is an alternative market. You can also add repos to it, so you gain access to apps of all kind, also the not so legal ones.
You can play Flash Videos on Ipad using Iswifter or other apps. Inconvinient sometimes but to my surprise, they are fluent on the Ipad - Androids are sluggish. The Ipad even played a movie fluent with 10 other flash animations around it !
The crappy part about the Ipad is itunes and the structure how app files are arranged. Every app has it's own folder, so if you use FTP or something to transfer via network, you have to put those files IN the app folder, so they can find it. Not a big deal, if the app folder wouln't be named like 429403290239203023948393. Android is way better, copy somewhere on SD and browse it. Sure you can use itunes to put everything together but Itunes won't work with Jailbroken apps from Cydia. This breaks the use of my NAS server at home, leaving me with ****ty USB-to-PC solutions if I want it the easy way. Music and Videos which are supported by NAS can be played over UPNP but I found more nice apps for that on Android as I could on Ipad.
Conclusion:
10.1 is a nice device but it's like to own a ferrari and only have crappy roads to drive on. Android kills the Tab, sadly. It's good for smartphones but not for tabs - it's worse as an alpha build of windows. Every manufactuerer does what he wants, there are no standards. Compatibility between Android versions are a joke - imagine you upgrade from win7 to win8 and everything stops working - arrrrrrrgh.
This may be fixed with 4.0 but it will take another 1-2 years for the software. Until then, there will be Win8, which could break Androids neck (if it's compatible to Win7 programms!). Also I can sell the Ipad2 for 200-300 bucks, even if Ipad3 is released, so screw it, will lose ~150-200€ to it. But it will buy me at least 6 months of fun.
The best is, I don't have to care about the future. There is no "will it work after OS upgrade" problem with Apple.

Wow there are so many problems with this post I don't even know where to begin. I think I will just address your last line:
The best is, I don't have to care about the future. There is no "will it work after OS upgrade" problem with Apple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try telling that to the iPhone 3G users who upgraded to ios4 and had a device that was next to worthless. Apple pushed that update out to ose iPhones knowing it would turn it into a piece of **** 100% of the time.

dcc22 said:
Root/Jailbreak/Flash:
Jailbreaking an Ipad is a piece of cake, visit a website, click on a button, your done. No bull**** to flash around or to risk your device. After that you have Cydia which is an alternative market. You can also add repos to it, so you gain access to apps of all kind, also the not so legal ones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having met way more people with iPodTouch4/IP4/IPad1&2 that do this than those who DO NOT do this, it makes me wonder if the ideology of app devs to take preference to iOS for financial considerations is not completely flawed.

....what is the point of this post?
your inability to play with android OS and tweak it is not an excuse for you to say that android is flawed..with that said, i agree some stuff need to be fix, but its minor stuff such as typing on the browser...and...well thats it for me.
if you want something that work out of the box, agreed pick ipad 2, but if your geeky or you like linux pick android, more custimization then IOS can ever dream of.

THE firmwares with ripped features for different devices, as they become incompatible with every next release the iphone 3g and now 3gs with ios5. Don't tell me jailbreak is easy, it took the developers 3 months to make a jailbreak for ipad 2 which is still raw with compatibility issues! If buying the idevice is an excuse for free apps...probably games in your case with a new handheld gaming device than off board ye pirate! People jailbreak the device for customisation which is the soul of android os (which is not fresh but time tested and evolving i need not wait a whole year for new features to sprout, mostly inspired and already popular in other os!).
Ever heard of DFU mode, recovery mode? Similar terms and combos are used here! Atleast in android thanks to diversity if one model ain't suitable there is a myriad to choose from! Compare two devices of same platform when making a point.

I agree with G1 and the person above but since you decided to share...let me take a turn.
Why you felt the need to justify your iPad 2 choice in an Android related forum is beyond me.
You either realize or fail to see that Apple purposefully limits their tech. Minimal upgrades between generations. Even the newest iPhone won't support 4G from what I have heard yet they want to use LTE patents against Google?
Your train of thought that the iPad 2 is perfect is already starting to form.
The iPad's dimensions do not in any way make it better for video, reading, and web surfing. I was just having a debate with a friend who started complaining about where the dock port was on my Galaxy Tab 10.1. He was quickly shut up when I pointed out that cell phones have the port at the bottom so our hands can grip the sides. However a tablet is meant to be held in LANDSCAPE...that's why sticking the port in a different place was a smart decision.
Point being...he turned into another person claiming everything is horrible with Android. Guess what? He never owned an Android device. He actually has a Touch Pro 2 right now. IGNORANCE!
Look I've had an iPad. I know that jailbreaking it is POINTLESS. Your battery dies out super fast, the app selection is fairly weak, and all of that jailbreaking does nothing but try to replicate an Android experience. But it fails.
Unlike you, I do care about the future. I don't want to live in a world where everybody has the same glossy tablet with a slippery back so you can drop the darn thing. I don't want to be told what I can and cannot do on my tablet. I do not want to support any company intent on holding back technological progress for the sake of money or who buys patents just to sue other companies out performing them.
You have EVERY right to buy an iPad 2 but just know that your choices and who you choose to support speaks volumes. I have friends just like you. One day they're talking about freedom and openness. The next day they're justifying EVERYTHING Apple does. Cool. As long as I have a choice too.
As for your claims about Windows 8, it only serves to buttress how you allowed us yourself to come to your decision.
"Ignorance is bliss." That should be Apple's new tagline.

I love the OP and how he compares the worst of Android tablets to the best of iPad2 lol
4:3 is perfect for reading books with less wasted screen space. Yay! Now try reading comics and watching WS movies You prefer 4:3 movies? Good for you
Jailbreaking is easy for the iPad2 NOW! But do you know how long it took for the jailbreak to come out? That's right, they've been working on it since the iPad2 was released in March. Four months for a jailbreak to give you the 3rd party features equivalent of... Android. Who knows how long it will be the next time a new iPad/iDevice comes out. Compares that to the usual quick turn-around of rooting an Android device.
I'm happy that you're happy with your iPad 2. It's a nice device. But it sounds like you're just an iOS fan who tried Android and didn't like it.

I'm so glad you guys posted such thorough responses, so now I don't have to. I particularly like the point about why an Apple Fanboy felt the need to post his decision in an Android forum was beyond sensible.

goalweiser said:
I agree with G1 and the person above but since you decided to share...let me take a turn.
Why you felt the need to justify your iPad 2 choice in an Android related forum is beyond me.
You either realize or fail to see that Apple purposefully limits their tech. Minimal upgrades between generations. Even the newest iPhone won't support 4G from what I have heard yet they want to use LTE patents against Google?
Your train of thought that the iPad 2 is perfect is already starting to form.
The iPad's dimensions do not in any way make it better for video, reading, and web surfing. I was just having a debate with a friend who started complaining about where the dock port was on my Galaxy Tab 10.1. He was quickly shut up when I pointed out that cell phones have the port at the bottom so our hands can grip the sides. However a tablet is meant to be held in LANDSCAPE...that's why sticking the port in a different place was a smart decision.
Point being...he turned into another person claiming everything is horrible with Android. Guess what? He never owned an Android device. He actually has a Touch Pro 2 right now. IGNORANCE!
Look I've had an iPad. I know that jailbreaking it is POINTLESS. Your battery dies out super fast, the app selection is fairly weak, and all of that jailbreaking does nothing but try to replicate an Android experience. But it fails.
Unlike you, I do care about the future. I don't want to live in a world where everybody has the same glossy tablet with a slippery back so you can drop the darn thing. I don't want to be told what I can and cannot do on my tablet. I do not want to support any company intent on holding back technological progress for the sake of money or who buys patents just to sue other companies out performing them.
You have EVERY right to buy an iPad 2 but just know that your choices and who you choose to support speaks volumes. I have friends just like you. One day they're talking about freedom and openness. The next day they're justifying EVERYTHING Apple does. Cool. As long as I have a choice too.
As for your claims about Windows 8, it only serves to buttress how you allowed us yourself to come to your decision.
"Ignorance is bliss." That should be Apple's new tagline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
God, I really like this post. Spoke about everything I wanted to say.
I dont want to be told what I can or cannot do. I want to tweak, optimize and control every setting that I can. There are tons of problems with JB and everyone, even a non-apple user like me, knows it. And without JB youre just living in a matrix that Steve Jobs dictates.
I would really like to hear the OP thoughts on flash. My friend tried to buy something on the web and couldnt use her credit card on the iphone. in the end I bought it for her using-yes my samsung 10.1- and she wrote me a check. And Steve Jobs is saying people dont need/shouldnt use/ cannot use flash on their mobile device.
This kinda makes me think of how I am training my 2 year old son to use the potty.

hmmm
I just recently got a galaxy tab 10.1, after spending the last month using an ipad2, I need both tablets for an app i am building.
And I can tell you this much, anyone that has an iphone will love an ipad2. Anyone that uses an ipad2 will be very very very happy with it.
But trust me, use that device for a month, then switch to honeycomb..... and it will blow you away.

One think I can say about apple is so easy to use, than it becomes boring after a while.thats why I have the samsung galaxy tab.

evolishesh said:
One think I can say about apple is so easy to use, than it becomes boring after a while.thats why I have the samsung galaxy tab.
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Click to collapse
Apple's draw over its competitors has been its simplicity for years - well before Android. Back in the day it was Microsoft. The sad truth is that reduced functionality in a shinier package is what most people want. Thankfully for those of us with a bit more intelligence, we have products like Android to keep us entertained.

SolusCado said:
Apple's draw over its competitors has been its simplicity for years - well before Android. Back in the day it was Microsoft. The sad truth is that reduced functionality in a shinier package is what most people want. Thankfully for those of us with a bit more intelligence, we have products like Android to keep us entertained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right. I love android and its platform

Um, wow. Glad everyone else said already literally everything I could think of responding to the OP with.
And personally, I will never buy a Win8 tablet until I can wipe it and install Android, Ubuntu or MeeGo on it.

Lorddeff07 said:
hmmm
I just recently got a galaxy tab 10.1, after spending the last month using an ipad2, I need both tablets for an app i am building.
And I can tell you this much, anyone that has an iphone will love an ipad2. Anyone that uses an ipad2 will be very very very happy with it.
But trust me, use that device for a month, then switch to honeycomb..... and it will blow you away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the non-ipad users, could you elaborate some points on that? I just want to know some actual comparisons aside from the well advertised facts, ex: flash.

All of these tablets have their quirks and flaws. Mostly with the software. I actually need to return my second 10.1 because it's been randomly turning off like my first. Must be due to heat.
In any case, I will wait for the next batch of tablets instead. Hopefully we start getting some stuff that's really spectacular. Like a processor that can handle the native resolution of HC and has more video codecs.

Colors are pretty drab on ipad and saturated on tab. Both screens need calibration.
Tabs screen is brighter and higher Res. Side by side with same pics regardless of source tab wins everytime. Anyone saying otherwise needs prescription checked.
There's a reason ipadhd is coming. Apple knows full well there display is now second rate.

dcc22 said:
After I could compare the Ipad2, 10.1 and Transformer for days now, I decided to go and buy an Ipad2. Yes, I turned my back on Android and here's why:
10.1:
Very nice lookings, high quality and hardware but there is a big problem: the colors. On some pictures the saturation is so high that it kills lots of details every time 2 similar colors are nearby. Here you can see what I mean, check the right circle where orange and red meets - if the orange circle would be more reddish, you could hardly tell there are 2 rings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1bkovoLXw4&feature=player_detailpage#t=208s
If you compare it to a perfect calibrated monitor, it looks like crap. Flashy, colorful and nice but details are gone. That's the one and only weaknes from what it offers. It's 16:9 display is a winner when it comes to videos but video playback is poor. Ipad2 is much better, even for flash, later more to come about it.
Another MAJOR problem is Samsung support. Android is a fresh system and needs tons of support. Samsung provides NONE. For EU, they still have no release dates or closer info about their device - just lol. For me, the 10.1 is just a step in the process to upgrade to Tegra3. They built the shell now and can use it for the next device to compete with Apple. Same like they did to the 10.1v - no support, they just forgot about it.
Transformer:
Diplay is pretty good but the build quality is crap. After I saw the Archos tablets with the bronze frame, I knew where Asus bought their stuff. Both have those sharp metal frames which are wrapped around the screen. TF and Archos have gaps between the frame and glas, with some kind of rubber to fill it. Asus tried to even out the sharp edges but you can see how cheap it is. Archos tablets can cut in your finger if you swipe around the edges ! For me: complete garbage quality, should cost 250$ max to satisfy the minimalist who just want's to read or something.
Ipad2:
This device is pretty awesome. First I thought the 4:3 diplay sucks for reading but after I measured books and calculated ratios, they were ALL closer to Ipad2 standards. That menas you will have less wasted space on Ipad. When surfing internet you will learn to love 4:3, everything fits perfectly while you feel how broken sites are on 16:9. The drawback are 16:9 movies without a border and the good about it, you have FULLSCREEN ! in emulators without scaling. There are also a lot of older movies/series with 4:3, which I prefer on travel anyway.
It is fluent everywhere and feels like my Galaxy S after getting the lagfix. Stock 3.1 is bull**** compared to it. The only point where it is superior, are widgets.
Root/Jailbreak/Flash:
Jailbreaking an Ipad is a piece of cake, visit a website, click on a button, your done. No bull**** to flash around or to risk your device. After that you have Cydia which is an alternative market. You can also add repos to it, so you gain access to apps of all kind, also the not so legal ones.
You can play Flash Videos on Ipad using Iswifter or other apps. Inconvinient sometimes but to my surprise, they are fluent on the Ipad - Androids are sluggish. The Ipad even played a movie fluent with 10 other flash animations around it !
The crappy part about the Ipad is itunes and the structure how app files are arranged. Every app has it's own folder, so if you use FTP or something to transfer via network, you have to put those files IN the app folder, so they can find it. Not a big deal, if the app folder wouln't be named like 429403290239203023948393. Android is way better, copy somewhere on SD and browse it. Sure you can use itunes to put everything together but Itunes won't work with Jailbroken apps from Cydia. This breaks the use of my NAS server at home, leaving me with ****ty USB-to-PC solutions if I want it the easy way. Music and Videos which are supported by NAS can be played over UPNP but I found more nice apps for that on Android as I could on Ipad.
Conclusion:
10.1 is a nice device but it's like to own a ferrari and only have crappy roads to drive on. Android kills the Tab, sadly. It's good for smartphones but not for tabs - it's worse as an alpha build of windows. Every manufactuerer does what he wants, there are no standards. Compatibility between Android versions are a joke - imagine you upgrade from win7 to win8 and everything stops working - arrrrrrrgh.
This may be fixed with 4.0 but it will take another 1-2 years for the software. Until then, there will be Win8, which could break Androids neck (if it's compatible to Win7 programms!). Also I can sell the Ipad2 for 200-300 bucks, even if Ipad3 is released, so screw it, will lose ~150-200€ to it. But it will buy me at least 6 months of fun.
The best is, I don't have to care about the future. There is no "will it work after OS upgrade" problem with Apple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the same thing,I had the transformer for week return it and waited for the galaxy tab,I love the galaxy tab but too much force closes and app crashing.I exchange tab for ipad2 and jailbreak it.
I am very happy with the ipad,but I miss honeycomb,hope ice-cream sandwich and all manufactures they stop using nvidia Tegra

The hardware is there, and Google is revving up for Ice Cream Sandwich right now, which will hopefully bring some much needed changes to current Android
Tablets.
Sent from my Fascinate with MIUI Gingerbread

The fact that you're here means you don't mind getting your hands dirty.
So you have one simple choice - have your device running as you want it by managing the device yourself, loading ROMs from XDA - or not and wait until Apple decide to fix something.
XDA is fantastic - here there's talented bunch of guys & gals mixing & matching the best features from roms of different vendors into something unique.
There is no comparison between Apple & Android.

[Q] UK Users

I'm an iPhone 4 user who was going to buy an iPad but came across the Xoom. I want to buy it but have never used Android and am concerned about updates to the UK where I live. I would be interested in hearing from fellow UK or European users of the Xoom regarding whether its worth buying it against the benefits of an iPad 2. Cheers.

In my personal opinion, I advisebyou to buy an ipad2.
I consider myself an advanced user and had numerous smartphones with all three main OSs, I had the Xoom since launched in the UK, honestly, put aside all issues with Xoom and all 'promised' advantagrs, the screen display remains the main gactor in prefering the ipad2 over all honeycomb tablets, until you compare them head to head and if you only read/watch reviews, you might be still convinced that there is no big difference, but in reality, there is a huge difference, the ipad2 display is 10x better than the Xoom. Another najor factor is the weight and size, Xoom is much heavier and thicker. At the end of the day I believe at least in the UK, you can do with your ipad2 all what you can do with Xoom as sd and usb functionalities are not working yet and by the time they are enabled, the next generation of android tablets will be out and the next major update for ipad2 is out as well.

zoum79 said:
In my personal opinion, I advisebyou to buy an ipad2.
I consider myself an advanced user and had numerous smartphones with all three main OSs, I had the Xoom since launched in the UK, honestly, put aside all issues with Xoom and all 'promised' advantagrs, the screen display remains the main gactor in prefering the ipad2 over all honeycomb tablets, until you compare them head to head and if you only read/watch reviews, you might be still convinced that there is no big difference, but in reality, there is a huge difference, the ipad2 display is 10x better than the Xoom. Another najor factor is the weight and size, Xoom is much heavier and thicker. At the end of the day I believe at least in the UK, you can do with your ipad2 all what you can do with Xoom as sd and usb functionalities are not working yet and by the time they are enabled, the next generation of android tablets will be out and the next major update for ipad2 is out as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, thats really helpful. I've seen a few head to head reviews and now looked at the Android apps on the market many of which seem the same as what I've already purchased for the iphone. To be honest, I do want something different as I'm not keen on a large iphone, however, I agree, that from what I've read, the Xoom may not be worth my while in the UK. I should wait for the next generation of tablets but want something now!!

I know a guy who sent the xoom back and got an ipad2 in the UK.
i think if you have an iphone and are happy with that already you probably should get an ipad instead of an android tablet.
it's also a little sad with updates for anyone outside the US for the xoom - transformer has better update-policy it seems
to get around that you can flash the US image on (for wifi) - 3g ones take a bit more effort from what I read

Yeah I've read on the forums about flashing or rooting, which I'm assuming is another method of jailbreaking but to be honest I just want to take it out of the box and be able to receive the same as USA customers. I like the thought of being able to attach an external hard drive as I assume, this would make it easier to transfer video over as aside from comics, I want to take it on holiday in case the hotel room tv is rubbish! I'm not keen on having to convert or watch films in apples preferred format as all of my stuff is in avi.
Ive seen the Xoom online for just under £400 for 32gb and I assume the future option of a 32gb SD capability so really tempting but think I will order an ipad today or tomorrow and guess when its time to change in a few years the market will have matured a little. Thanks for your help all.

I have a nexus s so went for a xoom tablet, since you have an iPhone I would suggest you stick with an apple tablet.

Essentially the Xoom is a nice device which takes a bit of dicking about to make work the way it should. Once you've completed that process, it's probably more capable than the iPad 2, but for consumers who want something that works out the box the iPad is the better product. Android for tablets is currently where Android for phones was back in the 2.0 days.

I've got an iphone 4 and love it for being a phone.
I do love my xoom but my two biggest bug bears are 1 the screen, not so much the overall quality but the reflection from light and it just attracts finger smudges.
The second is the lack of MS Exchange support. There is nothing that comes close to the apple and microsoft usability for email and calendars. Ive tried almost every app and nothing works in the way exchange is designed to work.
Yes i love my xoom, the apps are being developed and improved daily, android is very customisable over IOS even without rooting, the tablet is great and works well with rdp apps, few good games and great fr browsing the net. The fact that someone somewhere has probably created an app for what you need (with the exception of exchange, although some of the apps may work for you). If you are looking at replicating iphone apps then you may be disappointed with some, even well known apps may have slight variations, logmein is one that has greater functionality on IOS, the ipad version is far better than the android versions.
The ipad works much better for video, like steve jobs said, why would you want to waste time re-encode video, click click and your done with ipad.
Standby battery is far better with ipad as well but constant use is on par with ipad. Find myself charging xoom every two or three days, when u was using an ipad 1 i got a week of use with breif browsing and receipt of 60 to 80 emails per day via exchange.
Need to work out what you want from the tablet. Post your uses and we can advise.
Sent from my MZ601 using XDA Premium App

ukc101 said:
I've got an iphone 4 and love it for being a phone.
I do love my xoom but my two biggest bug bears are 1 the screen, not so much the overall quality but the reflection from light and it just attracts finger smudges.
The second is the lack of MS Exchange support. There is nothing that comes close to the apple and microsoft usability for email and calendars. Ive tried almost every app and nothing works in the way exchange is designed to work.
Yes i love my xoom, the apps are being developed and improved daily, android is very customisable over IOS even without rooting, the tablet is great and works well with rdp apps, few good games and great fr browsing the net. The fact that someone somewhere has probably created an app for what you need (with the exception of exchange, although some of the apps may work for you). If you are looking at replicating iphone apps then you may be disappointed with some, even well known apps may have slight variations, logmein is one that has greater functionality on IOS, the ipad version is far better than the android versions.
The ipad works much better for video, like steve jobs said, why would you want to waste time re-encode video, click click and your done with ipad.
Standby battery is far better with ipad as well but constant use is on par with ipad. Find myself charging xoom every two or three days, when u was using an ipad 1 i got a week of use with breif browsing and receipt of 60 to 80 emails per day via exchange.
Need to work out what you want from the tablet. Post your uses and we can advise.
Sent from my MZ601 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I think my mind is sort of made up now. I originally wanted an ipad 2 for comic reading and possibly the odd video to watch as my iphone covers off lots of stuff for apps. My brother suggested looking at alternatives as the ipad is an expensive bit of kit for what I want. To be honest, I know that whatev er I buy, I want restrict it just to comics etc and will end up using it for all and sundry.
After some research, I feel that the Xoom is the best alternative at the moment but I mistakenly thought 'other' tablets are like mini laptops but some of the base principles such as apps are the same as the ipad format although appreciate I'm being simplistic.
It feels after lots of reading what others think, that the Android market is very exciting and certainly something that I want to get into but I think the next releases will have less challenges. One thing that has interested me after reading over the last few days is the apparent 'animosity' between some Android and Apple users. I dont get it?? As someone in his early 40's I think all of this technology is exciting and I think most of what is on sale is just a matter of preference without many major differences. I think the iphone is the best phone ever, however, I'm sure if I had picked up an Android first, I would have thought otherwise!

Why I bought and returned 8 tablets to finally end up with the Note 10.1

Hi everyone, I've had a problem over the last year or two, habitually testing out tablets and returning them. My wife has gotten concerned that my tablet buying would beome obsessive, but I really was just looking for the right tool for me. I have finally chosen the Note 10.1 as my preferred choice thought some forum posters might want to hear my thoughts on a variety of tablets and why I chose the Note.
My use case - I'm sort of a techie, I go to a lot of meetings, I have a wicked awesome x100e thinkpad netbook that I absolutely love and that I use for casual and work, and I have a media center computer at home for watching xvids on my TV. But I've wanted a tablet for meetings and other times when pulling a laptop out would not be acceptable. I also really wanted a wacom pen for electronic notes, I seem to believe that might help keep me more organized. One last thing I wouldn't mind from a tablet is learning games to play with my daughter.
I used to have a thinkpad windows xp convertible, which was nice, but heavy and the battery died. So last year when the thinkpad android tablet came out, I jumped on it. But it didn't live up to the hype, too big, too slow, android wasnt really ready and frankly the ntrig pen on it was horrible, the battery on the pen died twice in the month I had it. Returned.
I bought a blackberry playbook, was sleek, ahead of the times, fast. But too small, not enough apps, and no wacom pen. Returned.
I bought a ipad 2, was pretty impressed with it actually. Really great selection of apps, jailbroke it and was quite excited about it, but it really wasn't suitable for notes no matter what I tried. Why doesn't this thing have a microsd port? And the Apple ecosystem is hugely frustrating. And as a techie, I can't really walk around holding an iPad, just way to emberassing I wouldn't be able to look myself in the mirror. In the end this was a great purchase as a learning tool for my daughter with lots of learning games we play with at night, but it wasn't really suitable for what I needed.
I was really eager when the note 10.1 came out, preordered it and got it in september. Fast, perfect size, speakers are awesome, and the microsd port was really appreciated! But it didn't have USB, android can be pretty quirky and Windows 8 was coming out. I had some problems with polaris office and thought to myself I have to give windows 8 a try before I commit.
So I bought the Microsoft Surface RT. This was an impulse buy, mostly cause I couldnt see it in the store and I had to know what it was like. Frankly its awesome, sleek, quick, the keyboard is amazing. But... not a lot of apps, no wacom pen, pretty much its a netbook with office, and I already have a wicked lenovo netbook, so it went back because what I really wanted was the Samsung Ativ Smart PC!
The samsung Ativ Smart Pc with windows 8 was pretty impressive. This atom cpu flies, I mean flies for office use. It was quicker at reading pdfs then any other tablet I tried including the Note 10.1. It had a wacom pen that worked well. It had a USB port and a mini-hdmi! It has windows 8, which is by far the best windows I tried. Things are so much simpler, sleeker and logical in it. The OS is a joy to use, and the best part it runs ALL of my intel x86 programs so I can load it up with virtually anything. But its still windows, so be prepared for Norton, daily updates and the usual Windows annoyances that I have come to love, this wasn't really a negative for me, but I could see how it would be for my wife. The main problems with this tablet:
1. It couldn't connect to my work wifi. Some windows 8 bug that aggravated me, I'm sure they'll fix it... eventually.
2. Its 11.6 inches, its huge and more to the point it's widescreen. The widescreen aspect ratio is too wide, hard to read a pdf, its a joke to hold this thing in portrait mode.
The Ativ Smart PC is an awesome low power windows ultrabook/tablet, but not a good tablet for occasional use when a netbook won't suffice, too big, too wide. (PS I live in canada, and in canada the ATIV Smart PC does not come with a smart pen, so I returned it, bought the american version....... and returned that).
So I rebought the Note 10.1 on a cyber sale for 449, saved myself 50 bucks from my original purchase and you know what, I'm loving it. I think Windows 8 has a bright future, but not right now. And android is getting better every day
The only cons to the Note I know of for me are:
I am missing audio recording while writing notes, snote and lecture notes can do this but they won't play and fast forward the notes like OneNote or Livescribe do, oh well.
I'd also give props to the niche area apps available on the ipad that has tons of learning games for my daughter that no other platform can rival.
Sucks that it takes so long for samsung to update, Android is finally going to have multiuser ability, and I doubt the Note 10.1 will ever see it. Oh well, wasn't really all that necessary anyways.
The note can do virtually everything I need it to do. Since I last used the Note I have come to see Polaris office is actually pretty good, and I am impressed with Astro file managers improvements. I love how dropbox works with my note, and I have a microsd 32gb card ready to hold all my work files from dropbox on it. I love being able to pull up a doc during a meeting and append, highlight and make notes, thanks polaris office for that. Right now I'm connected to an adobe connect meeting for my work through my tablet, and I'm loving it, switch windows to skype my wife on my tablet, and I marvel at how powerful this small tool is. I just bought a case for the note, I'm keeping it this time, I better or my wife is going to kill me lol.
Edit - Oh yeah, I just have to add this cause other review sites mention it. The whole "thing feels like cheap plasitc" is a bunch of bs in my view. The note is slim, light, and awesome. The screen is also bright and crystal clear.

It's hard to ignore all the hype and praise the other tablets are receiving, huh.
I mainly use my Note for drawing and having an Intuos at home, I already know Wacom is the bee's knees. But I came pretty close to buying an iPad w/ an Adonit Jot anyway just b/c everyone kept telling me and I kept reading the iPad's the greatest. But after trying the Note w/ Wacom and the palm rejection... there was no way I could pick anything else

" And as techie, I can't really walk around holdin an iPad, just way to emberassing I wouldn't be able to look myself in the mirror."
Thank you. The the two don't equate. :laugh:
Also made the same mistake with the TPT, but didn't bother with other tabs until the GNote was released. After the horror show that was the ThinkPad, and the poor reviews on the Note, I was afraid of it. Glad I got over it. It's been perfect since day one.

My wife has a IPAD and she wants my Note 10. No way, Jose I said. You can do so much more on the Note 10 than a IPAD. IPAD is great for reading, better than the Note 10 but that's it, Note 10 exceeds everywhere else.

toenail_flicker said:
" And as techie, I can't really walk around holdin an iPad, just way to emberassing I wouldn't be able to look myself in the mirror."
Thank you. The the two don't equate. :laugh:
Also made the same mistake with the TPT, but didn't bother with other tabs until the GNote was released. After the horror show that was the ThinkPad, and the poor reviews on the Note, I was afraid of it. Glad I got over it. It's been perfect since day one.
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As someone that certainly prefers the Note 10.1 over the ipad, i still really dont understand this statement. Some of the "techinest" people i know use ipads and its their preferred tablet of choice. Im guessing the usual will get thrown out the lack of flexibility and closed ecosystem, but ive seen some very impressive things performed on an ipad, especially when jailbroken.

I have them all and thought the Note would be impossible to beat but the Ativ may beat them all. If you are looking for note taking you can't beat OneNote and an spen
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GaresTaylan said:
As someone that certainly prefers the Note 10.1 over the ipad, i still really dont understand this statement. Some of the "techinest" people i know use ipads and its their preferred tablet of choice. Im guessing the usual will get thrown out the lack of flexibility and closed ecosystem, but ive seen some very impressive things performed on an ipad, especially when jailbroken.
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Like what
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GaresTaylan said:
As someone that certainly prefers the Note 10.1 over the ipad, i still really dont understand this statement. Some of the "techinest" people i know use ipads and its their preferred tablet of choice. Im guessing the usual will get thrown out the lack of flexibility and closed ecosystem, but ive seen some very impressive things performed on an ipad, especially when jailbroken.
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Agreed, if you could customize the ipad a bit it would be unbeatable. But no wacom pen, no microsdcard (which is embarrassing really), and just the hunk-a-junk file system and primitive ways of putting files on the thing annoy me to no end. Even jailbroken, I put a couple seasons of big bang theory on there, had to get vlc player from cydia (not in the app store). And had to install them through vlc so they weren't accessible to other programs. Little things just frustrate me about the device, and I dont get that in note 10.1. The multi window thing is pretty cool too. Not to mention philosophically I believe in Gnu/Open source, and while google isn't a saint there, they are much better then apple. I love my sleek lil note
Edit - one thing that annoys me in general about android is the file system as well. Why am I putting everything in /mnt/sdcard? And I know of no way to organize this thing. I tried making /mnt/sdcard/home and have all my personal files/directories in there, but some programs wont configure where they save so you inevitably had to go into that mess of /mnt/sdcard. Not to mention you can't keep that directory clean cause every app wants to put a directory there. I guess I just have to use the "favorites" tool in astro and just mark directories I like as favorites.
As for techies and ipads.... maybe its an age thing? Im 35 maybe that is a factor? I'm not really sure... but to give you some background I have a masters in comp sci, I work with tech, I know a lot of techies and not one has an ipad they would publicly admit too. Only people I know who have ipads are people who never really had computers or didnt know they could do cool stuff like "teleconference" or "photoshop" or "take pictures and share them" or "edit videos in premiere" or "play online games" and now that apple made this stuff popular with products like "facetime" and the "instagram app" and "draw something" they are obsessed with running around telling people like me (who don't find it all that impressive) and it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I just had a conversation with someone today about how cool her iphone was cause it could send voice messages with the app called voxie! I found it hilarious that she was unable to easily send sms voice messages on her phone and needed an app for it to make it useable. Oh well, I just think their way of popularizing and "owning/stealing" things "techies" like me have been doing for a long time leaves a bad taste in some of our mouths. Might be different with different groups tho.
Don't get me wrong, they occasionally make great products, the Ipod was a work of art, and compared to the other mp3 players I had at the time it was light years ahead. The first ipod belongs in a museum, and my creative jukebox deserves to be run over by my car, if I can find it lol. It's just I don't really respect the brand, it makes me think "locked down", "over priced" and "less functional" so I will avoid it if possible

inmnbob said:
I have them all and thought the Note would be impossible to beat but the Ativ may beat them all. If you are looking for note taking you can't beat OneNote and an spen
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I spent two weeks with a canadian ativ, and another two weeks with an american ativ. I can say that lil atom is much faster then you might think. And the OS is a dream on tablets once you get used to it. Still... its a new-ish OS, and its got kinks. In a year or two, I think windows 8 tablets will be awesome, right now Android has so much available and working out of the box. Not to mention size wise the ativ is more of a computer, forget bringing it to bed or bringing it to meetings while holding a coffee. Its just too big. I like reading pdfs in portrait, so I can see a whole page, the widescreen ativ is unusable in portrait.... unless all my pdfs go widescreen in the near future, that aspect ratio is done. Incidentally if you use apps like bing/news, the tiling layout is awesome cause it's formatted for that screen. Unfortunately my dungeon magazine is in portrait and its much more readable on the note 10.1

GaresTaylan said:
As someone that certainly prefers the Note 10.1 over the ipad, i still really dont understand this statement. Some of the "techinest" people i know use ipads and its their preferred tablet of choice. Im guessing the usual will get thrown out the lack of flexibility and closed ecosystem, but ive seen some very impressive things performed on an ipad, especially when jailbroken.
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Sorry, but as a long-time techie, before there were laptops and pads, my statement and sentiment about the OP's post stands. As to the techies you know- there's no accounting for some people's taste. JMO

Don't trust the people who tell you that an adonit jot pro with a capacitive screen is anywhere near the wacom stylus on this.. I used the jot pro (meh, waste of money because of the issues regarding the conductivity between the ball and the plate) with the asus transformer. Even at its best, it cannot be compared to the Note.

I agree with you absolutely. Coming from a Galaxy Tab 7.7 with a Jot Pro was an exercise of frustration. The Jot was over rated. For true note taking experience on tablet form factor, nothing beats the S-Pen.
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I have always owned an ipad since the first generation. They are excellent devices and I consider myself a "techie". I am never ashamed of carrying it or my Note 10.1 because my self-esteem has this weird quirk where I just dont give damn what other people think of me because I own it. I certainly wouldn't judge someone because they owned an apple product. The whole premise is ridiculous and immature.
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Kopi-O said:
I agree with you absolutely. Coming from a Galaxy Tab 7.7 with a Jot Pro was an exercise of frustration. The Jot was over rated. For true note taking experience on tablet form factor, nothing beats the S-Pen.
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I tried about every stylus available with my TF101 in just about every app available. Ended up using LiveScribe instead. Happy stopped using both when I got my Note 10.1, the S-Pen and lecture notes. It simply cannot be beat and after years of trying to be paperless for meetings I have finally done it with the Note. Oh, and I love using my AllShare cast dongle with presentations. I can look at my notes, display full presentation and do markups with my S-Pen. Pretty slick. I'm sure you can do that with iPad somehow but I wouldn't consider another tablet without a wacom.

Wow, I didn't think there was anyone as "crazy" as me lol. I actually do have OCD and it takes me forever to make a decision. I've also tried and returned many phones and tablets. More so for phones. I'm never satisfied with the one I have. I just got the Note 10.1 today tho and I'm loving it! Just put on JB.
I agree with the second poster also. It is hard to ignore the hype and praise for these different tablets. You never truly know which one is going to be the best until you've tried them out. It was between the Note 10.1 or the iPad 4. I've had iPads before but for some reason I thought this one would be different. I decided on the Note 10.1 and the whole time I was waiting for it to arrive I kept thinking that maybe I should have taken the iPad but now that I have the Note I have to say I'm glad I stuck with my decision.

I'm still on part where I try the ativ before getting the 10.1, but I'm currently abroad until after christmas, so I can't try/buy yet since I haven't seen an ativ smart pc here. I've tried the note 10.1 and it feels a bit strange to me. The stylus and the screen don't have that feeling that I can draw on it like on my tablet pc. So I'll found out after christmas. I'm at a stage in my life where I don't know if I am going to replace my tablet pc with an ativ smart pc or replace my xperia play with a 3g 10.1. I may end up getting both though.