SubJeff on 7/3/2011 at 14:21
I don't like my netbook. It's too slow and I yeah I want a tablet to replace it. I'm never going to do serious work on either (I have my monster desktop for that) so it's just for portability and more functions than my phone.
The only 2 worth looking at seem to be the iPad 2 and the Motorola Xoom.
I'm a fully signed up and paid for Android drone so I'm thinking about the Xoom. The thing is which one, wifi-only or 3/4G, and whether I should get this or one of the other Android tablets?
The Xoom seems to be the main contender for some reason but I can't really figure out why.
Inline Image:
http://androidheadlines.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ipad2-vs-xoom-gslate-galaxy-tab1.png The LG Slate seems a little small but what's the problem with the Samsung? Samsung themselves have said, in recent days, that their device is behind the iPad2 but I don't see how it differs from the Xoom so much.
I've been looking at Xoom prices and here in the UK the wifi-only version is going for £499 at Dixons, though they have a 10% off (effectively £50) deal on at the moment that isn't quite working but will be (so they tell me). I understand the 3/4G version will be £599 and will come with a free dock (worth £35). If the 10% discount applies to that it'll be £539 which sounds reasonable.
Question is - will we ever get 4G in the UK? The 3G signal here is pretty poor and in fact in London it's worse than the 3G signal in the middle of the Serengeti Desert. Truth. Might I be onto my next tablet by the time we get 4G here? With the wifi-only version of the Xoom I'll be able to tether it to my Nexus One for 3G internet access on the move and in all likelyhood I'll usually be accessing the net over wifi anyway.
Thoughts?
SubJeff on 30/3/2011 at 08:53
Seriously, no one has a tablet of any sort nor is planning to get one?
addink on 30/3/2011 at 15:10
I'm planning to get an iPad2. Reason for this has little to do with technical specs. Being an iPhone owner I've got a ton of games that are iPad compatible. The iOS lack of Flash seriously irks me though.
SubJeff on 30/3/2011 at 15:17
I don't see what the big deal with Flash is. I don't use any sites that need it (I don't think) and I've uninstalled it from my Nexus One. It's never been a big draw for me.
addink on 30/3/2011 at 15:49
Well, I'm a webdeveloper specialized in clientside applications, a lot of projects of mine do involve Flash. So I wouldn't mind to have Flash supported on my iPad.
But there's no real need for me to have a tablet that supports it. For me it'll be more of a coffee table item than my main internet interface. Some light browsing, games and remote control via wifi is all I seek.
SubJeff on 30/3/2011 at 16:06
It's a weird one but I reckon if Apple products did have Flash someone would find some other thing to criticise them about. One criticism I've seen of Xoom is it's weight. It's a massive 130g heavier than the iPad2!
I think it says alot for the "tablet wars" when people are moaning about this things or going on about how thin these devices are (or not).
I've pre-order a wifi-only Xoom and it'll be arriving in a couple of weeks (I hope).
twisty on 1/4/2011 at 11:36
Yes, it's high time that screen hegemony be usurped by the majesty of the keyboard.
Matthew on 5/4/2011 at 11:11
I'm loath to get a tablet because I'll end up not using my laptop at all if I do, but at the same time I'm still eyeing up an iPad with some desire. Like addink, I have so many iOS apps that it is the logical choice.
TheCapedPillager on 5/4/2011 at 16:39
Not wanting to criticise your choice SE, but Ars has a pretty (
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/reviews/2011/03/ars-reviews-the-motorola-xoom.ars) negative review of the first generation Xoom, mainly due to missing day 1 features rather than any failings in the hardware itself.
I've stayed away from tablets so far, and probably will for some time, but my preference would either be iPad or the HP TouchPad (not yet released), though some of it's best features I think are apparent when you also have a Pre3 (which I would be considering if I hadn't already bought an iPhone).
