Tablets.. .Which one?
- Thread starter Mike
- Start date
Someone asked me via PM which tablet I went with, and I figured it best to answer here.
I ended up getting the Asus Transformer. Couldn't be happier. Love it.
I've got an iPhone 4 (already mentioned that) so I'm familiar with the way it works, and have played around with the iPad enough to know it works pretty much identically, only in a larger form factor. One of the things I absolutely hate about the iPhone / iPad is the way they handle multiple tabs. There are no tabs. Also - and I never thought this would be an issue - I never realized how much I used Flash with graphs and such, usually on sites where I'm checking stats. Apple doesn't like flash, and I didn't want to have to remote into my desktop just to get my pretty charts.
The Asus running Android is very intuitive for anyone used to PCs, so it was very easy for me to figure out.
Something I remember reading in several places was how the Transformer did not feel as "solid" as the iPad. I call Bullshit on that one. It feels just as solid as the iPad, OR maybe more accurately - just as flimsy. Anything that thin feels like it's going to break any minute. So saying one feels tougher than the other is kinda dumb IMHO. The iPad has a smooth back to it, the Asus has a textured back. I like the textured back personally...it's a tactile thing. In the end, textured or not, I have a cover for it, so who really cares?
The "lack" of apps really hasn't been a problem since the big ones I can't live without *are* supported. Teamviewer, Roboform, Dropbox, etc.
Something else that I've found I really like is the micro SD card port. I use it more than I thought I would, ferrying data between my desktop and the Transformer.
Now, this is something the guys at the Verizon store said, and I don't have enough experience with the iPad to agree or disagree: according to them the Asus is fast. One guy even said it's faster than the iPad, but I'm not confirming or denying that, I just don't know. It's fast enough that I don't feel the need to replace it like those fucking netbook pieces of shit.
Sorry, flashback to an Asus netbook I bought a year ago...owned it for 3 days before sending it to my nephew. Ungodly slow P.O.S.
(damn, I've owned a lot of Asus stuff...)
Some negatives to the Transformer:
While the screen is excellent, it is not as bright or crisp as the iPad. You can see the pixels if you stare hard enough. Not a big deal really, unless you have an iPad sitting next to it and can compare. Or you've been looking at your iPhone's retina display prior to usage. Compared to other tablets, it's a great display.
My other "complaint" would be the speakers. They are awfully quiet, so I end up having to use earbuds if I'm watching Netflix or Youtube.
Netflix: if you try to download it from the Android Market, it says it is not supported; however, you can install the apk file by downloading it and then saving to your tablet. I think it's called "sideloading". Whatever, it can be done and only takes an extra five minutes.
It does not have built in 3G or 4G. No big deal for me, but could be for you. I have a 4G mobile hotspot so I just use that - was using the iPhone hotspot, but it was just too slow.
Sidenote: if you're considering getting a Mifi hotspot router thingy from Verizon - DO IT. The speed rivals my hard line. 20 mbps most of the time. I'm only getting 30 mbps outta my wall, so impressed would be an understatement.
All in all, I would highly recommend the Asus Transformer.
I ended up getting the Asus Transformer. Couldn't be happier. Love it.
I've got an iPhone 4 (already mentioned that) so I'm familiar with the way it works, and have played around with the iPad enough to know it works pretty much identically, only in a larger form factor. One of the things I absolutely hate about the iPhone / iPad is the way they handle multiple tabs. There are no tabs. Also - and I never thought this would be an issue - I never realized how much I used Flash with graphs and such, usually on sites where I'm checking stats. Apple doesn't like flash, and I didn't want to have to remote into my desktop just to get my pretty charts.
The Asus running Android is very intuitive for anyone used to PCs, so it was very easy for me to figure out.
Something I remember reading in several places was how the Transformer did not feel as "solid" as the iPad. I call Bullshit on that one. It feels just as solid as the iPad, OR maybe more accurately - just as flimsy. Anything that thin feels like it's going to break any minute. So saying one feels tougher than the other is kinda dumb IMHO. The iPad has a smooth back to it, the Asus has a textured back. I like the textured back personally...it's a tactile thing. In the end, textured or not, I have a cover for it, so who really cares?
The "lack" of apps really hasn't been a problem since the big ones I can't live without *are* supported. Teamviewer, Roboform, Dropbox, etc.
Something else that I've found I really like is the micro SD card port. I use it more than I thought I would, ferrying data between my desktop and the Transformer.
Now, this is something the guys at the Verizon store said, and I don't have enough experience with the iPad to agree or disagree: according to them the Asus is fast. One guy even said it's faster than the iPad, but I'm not confirming or denying that, I just don't know. It's fast enough that I don't feel the need to replace it like those fucking netbook pieces of shit.
Sorry, flashback to an Asus netbook I bought a year ago...owned it for 3 days before sending it to my nephew. Ungodly slow P.O.S.
(damn, I've owned a lot of Asus stuff...)
Some negatives to the Transformer:
While the screen is excellent, it is not as bright or crisp as the iPad. You can see the pixels if you stare hard enough. Not a big deal really, unless you have an iPad sitting next to it and can compare. Or you've been looking at your iPhone's retina display prior to usage. Compared to other tablets, it's a great display.
My other "complaint" would be the speakers. They are awfully quiet, so I end up having to use earbuds if I'm watching Netflix or Youtube.
Netflix: if you try to download it from the Android Market, it says it is not supported; however, you can install the apk file by downloading it and then saving to your tablet. I think it's called "sideloading". Whatever, it can be done and only takes an extra five minutes.
It does not have built in 3G or 4G. No big deal for me, but could be for you. I have a 4G mobile hotspot so I just use that - was using the iPhone hotspot, but it was just too slow.
Sidenote: if you're considering getting a Mifi hotspot router thingy from Verizon - DO IT. The speed rivals my hard line. 20 mbps most of the time. I'm only getting 30 mbps outta my wall, so impressed would be an understatement.
All in all, I would highly recommend the Asus Transformer.
I'm glad you're happy with what you got. Just an FYI though reguarding the tabs situation. In iOS 5 there are tabs in Safari, which should be out in the next few weeks. Also in iOS 5 there is four-finger swipe to switch between apps and view the taskbar/dock.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edjLKY4UUas]Multitasking Gestures on the iPad with iOS 5 - YouTube[/ame]
Sorry to hijack, Im also considering the Asus or ipad2, leaning towards the Asus right now but would like to have a go at some iphone app dev but not enough to go out and buy a Mac. I have found conflicting reports online regarding development on the ipad2. Some say its never going to happen, some say the dev plaform is going to be ported to the ipad. Anyone know the deal?
In case anyone is interested, Target has the 16gb Asus Transformer on sale for $300 for today only (down from $400 retail). Theses sale may happen more often with Asus' next tablet being released very soon, but it's still a pretty slick deal:
16GB Asus Eee Pad Transformer 10.1" Android Tablet $300 + Free Shipping - Slickdeals.net
16GB Asus Eee Pad Transformer 10.1" Android Tablet $300 + Free Shipping - Slickdeals.net
