Which tablet to get?

[Nawid_A]

@Editer

As someone who bought an iPad 2 for comics – and absolutely loves the device – I’d say wait for this fall. 1024x768 is slightly too low a resolution to read comics zoomed out all of the way. If the rumors of a higher-res iPad coming in the Fall are true, that’ll be perfect. If not, you’ll probably see higher-res Android tablets by then, at least.

(The mere 32 extra horizontal pixels on the Transformer don’t make a significant difference in 100% magnification readability.)

That said, I’m not dissatisfied with the iPad as a comic reader. I just find myself wishing the screen was a little sharper.

An iPad update is highly unlikely to happen considering iPad 2’s are just now fully in stock.

For comics, the reason why the iPad is better than a Xoom is more apps and the screen dimensions are more similar to a comic book (the Android tablet’s widescreen approach leaves a lot of blank space even when rotated).

[Editer]

@Nawid A

An iPad update is highly unlikely to happen considering iPad 2’s are just now fully in stock.

I thought that too – which is one reason I got an iPad 2 – but there’s this.

It’s all over the Internet, so it must be true, right? I mean, it’s not like web journalism consists of one website publishing a poorly sourced story and dozens of others parroting the story without doing any fact-checking of their own. Because that would be ridiculous!

[Canuck]

@Canuck

.

To be honest I think I’ll probably wait for the next generation

Resolve…crumbling…

[Nawid_A]

@Editer

I thought that too – which is one reason I got an iPad 2 – but there’s this.

It’s all over the Internet, so it must be true, right? I mean, it’s not like web journalism consists of one website publishing a poorly sourced story and dozens of others parroting the story without doing any fact-checking of their own. Because that would be ridiculous!

I think that rumor is ridiculous.

[Timex]

@Nawid A

Using your criteria, easily the iPad 2.

Eh?
The ipad fails completely on two of his criteria. It can’t display flash, and does not have expandable memory.

Honestly, at this point I highly recommend the xoom to anyone, as it works exceptionally well since the software update. I use it constantly for surfing the web and stuff while on my couch or porch.

However, the transformer is newer, and may be better. The keyboard is very cool too. I thought the xoom build quality was better, with that solid feel motorola devices tend to have. I haven’t gotten any hands on time with the transformer though, so I can’t compare the overall usability. Like I said, since it’s newer than the xoom, I would tend to assume it’s better…also, keyboard awesomeness.

What I can say though, is that at this point, honeycomb is a sweet tablet os, and has ironed out the
issues out had at first.

[mkozlows]

@Timex

Eh?
The ipad fails completely on two of his criteria. It can’t display flash, and does not have expandable memory.

Also it doesn’t have a higher resolution than the iPad, for reasons of tautology.

[Nawid_A]

@Timex

Eh?
The ipad fails completely on two of his criteria. It can’t display flash, and does not have expandable memory.

Honestly, at this point I highly recommend the xoom to anyone, as it works exceptionally well since the software update. I use it constantly for surfing the web and stuff while on my couch or porch.

However, the transformer is newer, and may be better. The keyboard is very cool too. I thought the xoom build quality was better, with that solid feel motorola devices tend to have. I haven’t gotten any hands on time with the transformer though, so I can’t compare the overall usability. Like I said, since it’s newer than the xoom, I would tend to assume it’s better…also, keyboard awesomeness.

What I can say though, is that at this point, honeycomb is a sweet tablet os, and has ironed out the
issues out had at first.

@mkozlows

Also it doesn’t have a higher resolution than the iPad, for reasons of tautology.

No, but the resolution isn’t as big a deal as the fact that the iPad is a 4:3 device not a 16:9 one. That’s a big difference.

The lack of Flash isn’t a big deal, OP, any half-decent video site has H.264 video ready. Even the porn sites.

Also, he mentions a decent app store. The Android Market is not up to par on tablets on a longshot.

If the OP wants to actually consume media, then the iPad 2 is a no brainer. It’ has all the major apps for reading, watching, and playing (and the best screen for comics).

Does Netflix or HBO even have apps made specifically for Android tablets yet?

[rei]

B-b-but you can pirate all your media because DRM is evil and write your own kernel if something isn’t supported. /Micro$oft.

[JeffL]

So, what can you NOT do on an iPad2 that would require you to go back to a notebook? My assumptions, based on ignorance:

1. Can’t edit videos with an application the equivalent of Vegas or (my new fave) Cyberlink Powerdirector? And then burn them to a DVD/Bluray?

2. Can’t edit photos with something like Adobe Photoshop?

What else? (Beyond playing Panzer Corps? ;) )

[rei]

You can use iMovie on the iPad.

You can manipulate photos using many different apps. There’s an Adobe Photoshop app but also PhotoForge2, PhotoGene etc in addition to the many specialized ones with filters that have tilt-shift, retro filters, photo-booth type frames etc.

I doubt there are this many high-quality video editing apps on Android Tablet.

[Gordon_Bleu]

I don’t understand these “I want a tablet because the iPad is awesome, but I don’t want an iPad” threads.

[rei]

Apps and fit and finish are apparently unimportant because irrational hatred trumps all.

[MichaelD]

There’s still nothing remotely approaching the combination of hardware, software library, and battery life of the iPad 2. So, right now there’s only one realistic answer to “which tablet to get”, absent personal grudges. It’s the iPad 2.

[mkozlows]

@Gordon_Bleu

I don’t understand these “I want a tablet because the iPad is awesome, but I don’t want an iPad” threads.

I personally don’t want any tablet at all, but they’re not so hard to understand: They saw a friend with an iPad and were like, “Hey, that’s pretty cool, I could use that,” but then there’s some deal-breaky thing with the iPad (iTunes dependency, locked-down app store, shiny back, whatever) such that they don’t want an iPad.

“I’d love to have one of those, if it weren’t for x” is a pretty common sentiment about all sorts of things.

[Canuck]

A couple of points. Actually I don’t have an an irrational dislike of apple-it’s completely rational-they’re assholes and their actions of late have shown that pretty clearly. That said, I wouldn’t not buy a product simply for that reason. I am now typing this on an iPhone for example. I think my reasons for not diving in for an iPad are reasonable enough. I know they have a great apps store. However with the exception of Instapaper and ixpenseit, I think the android app store would probably cover my needs. These are my concerns:

1. expandable memory. Currently to go from a 16gb tablet to a 32 it costs on average about $100. I haven’t checked prices of memory cards recently but I’m pretty sure 16gb costs a he’ll of a lot less than $100.
2. Screen resolution. My friend let me take a look at his iPad to see how comics are displayed and they looked absolutely beautiful. The only problem is that the bottom panel was cut off and to had to scroll to see the bottom. I don’t want to do that. I thought that maybe the more widescreen tablets would allow a whole page to be viewed at once when viewed vertically.
3. Flash. I probably should have been more specific here. Basically I want to watch The Daily Show on a tablet rather than on my laptop. If someone would be so kind as to check out the Comedy Central page on their iPad and see if it actually plays I would really appreciate it.
4. Hulu. I live in Japan. That means that iPad exclusive apps like Hulu or Netflix or any other wonderful service which the rest of the world doesn’t get an opportunity to share in doesn’t mean piss to me.

I hope that clears things up a little. Believe me if the iPad proves to be the in the clear winner of best tablet then that is the one that I will buy. But if it turns out to be the winner simply because it has Netflix and 35,000 more fart apps then I will definitely consider my options. I hope you guys can educate me.

[Nawid_A]

@Canuck

2. Screen resolution. My friend let me take a look at his iPad to see how comics are displayed and they looked absolutely beautiful. The only problem is that the bottom panel was cut off and to had to scroll to see the bottom. I don’t want to do that. I thought that maybe the more widescreen tablets would allow a whole page to be viewed at once when viewed vertically.
   .

Quite the opposite. The 4:3 ratio is way closer to print comics than 16:9. It’s actually the reason I was looking for a cheap 4:3 laptop prior to the tablet craze.

And no comic app I’ve ever used has required scrolling.

[Wendelius]

@Michael Fortson

There’s still nothing remotely approaching the combination of hardware, software library, and battery life of the iPad 2. So, right now there’s only one realistic answer to “which tablet to get”, absent personal grudges. It’s the iPad 2.

I have to disagree with that. My wife has an iPad and I never feel in any way that there is anything missing from my experience using the Transformer. In fact, for some of the reasons mentioned by the OP and with the keyboard acting like a charging station, I actually feel like I’m getting the better experience as far as my own wants and needs are concerned. YMMV, of course.

But that’s why I tried to tailor my wall of text answer to the OP’s specific requirements.

Wendelius

[Hans_Lauring]

@Wendelius

I have to disagree with that. My wife has an iPad and I never feel in any way that there is anything missing from my experience using the Transformer. In fact, for some of the reasons mentioned by the OP and with the keyboard acting like a charging station, I actually feel like I’m getting the better experience as far as my own wants and needs are concerned. YMMV, of course.

But that’s why I tried to tailor my wall of text answer to the OP’s specific requirements.

Wendelius

I agree with Michael overall, but I think your post was a good rundown of pros and cons and devoid of the annoying puerile fanboyism most of these threads quickly degrade into.

[Wendelius]

@Hans Lauring

I agree with Michael overall, but I think your post was a good rundown of pros and cons and devoid of the annoying puerile fanboyism most of these threads quickly degrade into.

Thanks. Fanboyism is not useful and certainly not a good basis to decide whether to spend money. I tend to avoid it. :)

Android 3.2 is due for the Transformer “soon”. But I don’t know what it brings.

I must reiterate that if occasional instability or lesser polish bothers you more than the lack of flash or extensible memory, and if you don’t mind the walled garden that is iOS, then you should really consider an iPad. It works great. But I won’t call the OS slicker because I miss certain things like Widgets and the comprehensive Android notifications on it.

EDIT: one other thing that occurs to me, is that I use Gmail and have an Android phone. So the fact that my emails and contacts sync seamlessly between the web and both devices is a plus. Also, all the apps I bought on my phone were available to download on the tablet and vice versa. But Canuck is using an iPhone. So the iPad family might be a better match. Or an Android tablet could be a good complement giving him access to both sides. Thought for food.

Got to agree the Xoom looks slightly better built. But it’s lacking the keyboard / charging station. Does it have a USB port?

Wendelius

[Warning]

@Nawid A

Does Netflix or HBO even have apps made specifically for Android tablets yet?

There are Android versions which run perfectly fine on tablets. Is that what you mean?