Tablet discussion: Acer, iPad, Xoom, Galaxy Tab, ect....

[mistergoodman]

I'm fed up with the iPad 2, I sell electronics for a living and tablets have become such a big part of the daily flow and I can't even tell you how many iPad's I've taken back or sent out for repair because I lost count a long time ago. The iToy really needs to be taken back to formula and Apple really needs to add the things that consumers want, instead of what Apple want's them to have. I sell 60-100 tablets a week, depending on the week, and I can't keep track of how many iPad 2 sales go down the drain in favor of an Android tablet because it lacks such basic functions.

I know Apple has the biggest market share with it's iPad, but they'd be even better off if they made modifications to it to make it, you know, functional. Until this happens they can have market share all they want because those looking for a real tablet are buying Android, no market share or Apple fan boy nonsense will ever change that.

Weird, everyone I know who got an iPad loved it, and I'd heard local reports of Android tablets having a higher return rate. How is the iPad not "you know, functional"? It sure seems functional to me. It's got word processors, spreadsheets, databases, remote access programs, ereader programs, drawing programs, web browsers, video editing programs, games, magazines, email, organizers, etc. Over 100,000 iPad optimized apps.

What does a "real tablet" have?

[Xiroteus]

What does a "real tablet" have?

For awhile things like flash (I still want it) UBS, SD or Micro Sd slots (maybe for transferring photographs etc.. in a sense I still think a real tablet means running a full OS like Windows, however, it is true you could install any program on a Windows tablet yet would that make up for a full OS not being the most user friendly experience?
And there would be many things that a full OS tablet would have issues with. Ease of use, user friendly, apps designed for said tablet. It would be nice to have a bit better control with file formats you wish to have on your tablet. They really are in two different classes and I like the idea of both for different reasons. If an iPad had pressure sensitivity that would be a amazing bonus.

[Manga4life]

I got a chance to visit a friend of mine today who happens to own an iPad 2, so I got a chance to play with it quite a bit and to explore the unit in detail aside from just toying around with it at the Apple Store or at Best Buy. All in all it's a nice system and offers a premium feel and look, it still lacks some important features found on hardware that's housing Android, but it's nice and it felt great in my hands. The only problem that I have with the mechanics of the tablet is that iOS is extremely basic, but at the same time that could actually be a selling point when someone is looking for a tablet, but to me the exclusion of widgets really made the screens kind of boring. It was screen after screen of nothing but icons, which would drive me nuts on a day to day basis, the addition of widgets make for much better productivity when navigating certain types of content. The exclusion of micro SD, HDMI, and USB ports annoyed me as well, but apparently there is a $40 adapter that handles those issues, but that sucks to have to buy an adapter to get it to do the most simple of things.

Like I said before, the iPad 2 felt great to hold and the screen was nice and responsive, I also liked the smart cover thingy that he had on it that put it into "sleep mode" when you closed it. Really cool. The biggest complaint I have about it as a whole is the terrible camera's, they're really quite bad with the front being a 0.3MP and the back being a 3.2MP, I would have expected Apple to include better cameras. Oh, and the fact that iTunes is the "hub" for everything is annoying since I hate that program and swore off it when I left iPhone for something better (Android). But yeah, as a whole the iPad was kind of cool, if not limited. I still don't think it's the true answer for those who want a real tablet and that it's a fashion accessory more so than anything, but if one was given to me I'd probably keep it as a secondary unit instead of selling it or whatever. It's no Android tablet, but it's not complete trash either, it's a nice "beginners" tablet IMO.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

The only problem that I have with the mechanics of the tablet is that iOS is extremely basic, but at the same time that could actually be a selling point when someone is looking for a tablet, but to me the exclusion of widgets really made the screens kind of boring. It was screen after screen of nothing but icons, which would drive me nuts on a day to day basis, the addition of widgets make for much better productivity when navigating certain types of content. The exclusion of micro SD, HDMI, and USB ports annoyed me as well, but apparently there is a $40 adapter that handles those issues, but that sucks to have to buy an adapter to get it to do the most simple of things.

So the important features you feel it lacks are widgets - because you are more used to them than the Ipad2 screen layout - and the lack of ports - which isn't an issue anyone with an ipad2 has, as you just load anything from stick onto your computer and then bring it across.

But yeah, as a whole the iPad was kind of cool, if not limited.

It's a problem it's not limited?

Oh, you meant the opposite?
You've not really made a case, if that's what you think.

I still don't think it's the true answer for those who want a real tablet and that it's a fashion accessory more so than anything,

Haha.

How jealous of the ipad are you?

I'm also kind of curious how you sell electronics for a living, have to deal with ipads getting returned all the time, slag them off a heap on here... but have only just gotten to use the ipad2.

It's no Android tablet, but it's not complete trash either, it's a nice "beginners" tablet IMO.

I would have thought a beginners tablet was the one with the USB ports, and a reliance on Flash, rather than the one pushing aside those things as outdated?

[Manga4life]

So the important features you feel it lacks are widgets - because you are more used to them than the Ipad2 screen layout - and the lack of ports - which isn't an issue anyone with an ipad2 has, as you just load anything from stick onto your computer and then bring it across.



It's a problem it's not limited?

Oh, you meant the opposite?
You've not really made a case, if that's what you think.



Haha.

How jealous of the ipad are you?

I'm also kind of curious how you sell electronics for a living, have to deal with ipads getting returned all the time, slag them off a heap on here... but have only just gotten to use the ipad2.



I would have thought a beginners tablet was the one with the USB ports, and a reliance on Flash, rather than the one pushing aside those things as outdated?

Jealous of a piece of equipment that does half of a real piece of equipment? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense (rolls eyes)

I have a sincere question though: Say you have a ton of MP3's on your computer and you want to add them to your iPad, do you really have to import them into iTunes and then convert them into whatever format iPad recognizes? If so than that's the pits and I actually feel sorry for those duped into purchasing such a machine. If not than it's still a sorry and limited OS that has decent hardware (that's still lacking) to live on. So glad I chose a superior product, myself.

[InSovietRussia]

Someone just ported Ice Cream Sandwich to the Kindle Fire. It's still in its preliminary stages, but once it gets all the kinks worked out later this month, it'll be worth a look, if you're technically inclined enough to install it.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Jealous of a piece of equipment that does half of a real piece of equipment? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense (rolls eyes)

Yeah, JEALOUS.
You've completely failed to make a case that it can do anything less than any of the other tablets, yet feel the need to act like it's a crippled piece of machinery - even though sales figures and pro-reviews show it to come out on top.
Outrageous claims about it being a failure just don't seem reasonable.

Also, how do you work at an electronics store dealing with heaps of returns for ipads, witnessing heaps of people choose an android due to the features that Ipads lack, yet had only played with one's at other stores until recently?

I have a sincere question though: Say you have a ton of MP3's on your computer and you want to add them to your iPad, do you really have to import them into iTunes and then convert them into whatever format iPad recognizes?

I don't know.
I copied across the songs I wanted from my Mac onto my ipad, via itunes. Since then I've used my ipad for any music purchases, sending them back the other way.

I imagine though I'd put them in itunes and move them across.
If I had a different music player maybe I could use that.
It's just not been an issue for me.

If so than that's the pits and I actually feel sorry for those duped into purchasing such a machine.

This is what makes me certain you are jealous - no one with one feels duped, or upset with their purchase.

If not than it's still a sorry and limited OS that has decent hardware (that's still lacking) to live on. So glad I chose a superior product, myself.

How is the OS limited, other than it doesn't have widgets - which is only a limitation to you?

[Xiroteus]

Someone may want to take a memory card from a camera and load them to the tablet directly. Otherwise they then need to bring their laptop camera and tablet, or an adapter which is just silly as it could just be built in. We know the reason is because Apple is a control freak to annoying levels.

I would have thought a beginners tablet was the one with the USB ports, and a reliance on Flash, rather than the one pushing aside those things as outdated?

That just makes it more functional, the more it can do the better.

My entire time on this topic I a talking about what works and does not work for me. If I call something limited it most likely means there is something I want to do that I cannot. I will even call Mac OSx limited because it cannot do everything I want.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

Someone may want to take a memory card from a camera and load them to the tablet directly. Otherwise they then need to bring their laptop camera and tablet, or an adapter which is just silly as it could just be built in. We know the reason is because Apple is a control freak to annoying levels.

We know the reason is because Apple is a control freak to annoying levels?
You reckon that's how the conversation went in their boardroom?
Or, in aiming for the next generation of use, they discarded tech that was on it's way out?

That just makes it more functional, the more it can do the better.

Not necessarily.
Would you rate a tablet with floppy disk drives better, because it's more functional?

[Manga4life]

Yeah, JEALOUS.
You've completely failed to make a case that it can do anything less than any of the other tablets, yet feel the need to act like it's a crippled piece of machinery - even though sales figures and pro-reviews show it to come out on top.
Outrageous claims about it being a failure just don't seem reasonable


How is the OS limited, other than it doesn't have widgets - which is only a limitation to you?

My case that iPad can't do things other tablets can do? Well, the Acer Iconia has a build in USB 2.0 port for easy swapping of media, documents, pics, or whatever it is you wan't to put onto the tablet, it also reads keyboards, mice, and real USB external hard drives. Pretty much 80% of real tablets have a microSD card slot that allows for the same purpose as the USB port, which is nice in case you ever want to print something while on the go at a Wal-Mart or CVS or a place like that. The screens on other tablets are widescreen which makes for a nicer movie watching experience, almost everyone I know and every review I've seen highlights this as a major advantage. What else, what else.....oh yes, the camera's on most Android based tablets are capable of 5MP-8MP with full 1080P video shooting, iPad's rear camera shoots at 720P and it's 3.2MP camera is lamented by most reviewers for only providing 1MP stills. Also, most Android based tablets have an HDMI port which allows for easy connection to the television, Apple offers this for an extra $40 more, same with the memory card and USB inputs, that in itself is sad. The addition of widgets is nice and very helpful when navagating through the tablets interface, not essential, but a benefit that Apple does not offer. Tablets such as the Acer Iconia have speakers that blow iPad's away, it offers true Dolby sound that may not be perfect, but it's head and shoulder better than iPad.

I could go on and on but I'm getting tired of proving you wrong, so I'll sit back and watch you grasp at straws. ;)

[Manga4life]

We know the reason is because Apple is a control freak to annoying levels?
You reckon that's how the conversation went in their boardroom?
Or, in aiming for the next generation of use, they discarded tech that was on it's way out?



Not necessarily.
Would you rate a tablet with floppy disk drives better, because it's more functional?

The problem with that argument is that almost nobody uses floppy disk's anymore, yet USB is used by billion in everyday computing. So, that in turn makes a tablet with a full USB port more functional, it's silly to think otherwise.

Apple likes to police the customer into doing what they want you to do, which annoys me as a consumer and is a major reason as to why I go with a superior product instead of being policed by an electronics company.

[Tadhg]

iOS vs. Android, the next generation of nerdy dick-measuring.

[Iangould]

I just used the micro USB port on my Android tablet to transfer pictures from the camera on my tablet to my computer.

I don't use it every day but I probably use it once or twice every week.

(For example, the Kindle app doesn't like mobi format text files that weren't bought via the Kindle store so I'm downloading stuff from the Bean Free Library to my tablet via the USB cable.

Oh and since the cable doubles as the power cable I carry it with me all the time anyway.

[Manga4life]

I just used the micro USB port on my Android tablet to transfer pictures from the camera on my tablet to my computer.

I don't use it every day but I probably use it once or twice every week.

(For example, the Kindle app doesn't like mobi format text files that weren't bought via the Kindle store so I'm downloading stuff from the Bean Free Library to my tablet via the USB cable.

Oh and since the cable doubles as the power cable I carry it with me all the time anyway.

That's another great feature. When we lost power a month ago due to a crazy snow storm I was able to charge my phone through my tablet, sure, it killed my tablet battery life but since it was fully charged it was able to supply my phone with power for the time being. It was pretty nice to have.

[FunkyGreenJerusalem]

I could go on and on but I'm getting tired of proving you wrong, so I'll sit back and watch you grasp at straws. ;)

I'm not going to even try - if the best you can do to back your claims that it can't do half the things android tablets are, and you whinge about the lack of widgets again, and complain that the screen is bigger, so not widescreen shaped?

Sorry dude, it's just not a convincing argument.

Still wouldn't mind to know what you've been basing all your ipad complaints on up until now, if you've only gotten to use one.
(Especially as you are an electronics salesman).

The problem with that argument is that almost nobody uses floppy disk's anymore, yet USB is used by billion in everyday computing. So, that in turn makes a tablet with a full USB port more functional, it's silly to think otherwise.

Give it a year or two and USB's will be on the way out - as someone constantly searching for them at work, I say good riddance.

I'm sorry you aren't an early adapter.

Apple likes to police the customer into doing what they want you to do, which annoys me as a consumer and is a major reason as to why I go with a superior product instead of being policed by an electronics company.

It's amazing that tech reviewers seem to think the ipad is the superior product, and most of your arguments about it being lacking is that it doesn't do what old computers already do - they made it with an eye on the future, not making it beholden to the present.