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[Q] quiz: why did you return your g-tablet?

I got my g-tablet from Sears on November 2 and returned it to the store yesterday. I told them it does not have flash as stated on the box and the display is of very poor quality. I got full refund.
Why did I return it?
- Nvidia quality sucks: I had dead laptop, because of defective nvidia chip. If you don't believe it check this: Apple, Dell and HP got a class action suit against Nvidia: www nvidiasettlement com. OpenGL drivers are full of bugs they may have fixed Angry Birds, but there are plenty other bugs I'm sure.
- Nvidia does not conform to standards. No NEON instructions in Tegra. They try to play their desktop video card game, by providing custom APIs and making their applications incompatible with other ARM CPUs. So far it is the opposite - applications that run good on every other Cortex A8, does not play on Tegra.
- Nvidia keep their specs closed. I tried to get information on how to hook a hardware JTAG debugger, but all specs are opened only for partners.
- The device has the worst display I've seen. In portrait mode it gives me distorted colors even when looked at 90 degrees angle.
- The device is made by Malata and not Viewsonic. There is no track history for this company and I don't want to risk my money with unknown hardware quality (software we all know sucks)
For all folks expecting Notion Ink Adam: I'm sorry but this is going to be the same crap. Notion Ink has no proven record (neither Pixel Qi),combined with a low quality Nvidia chip, this is going to hurt.
I'm going to wait for the upcoming Acer tablet with a 10-inch screen that will run a Qualcomm dual-core 1 Ghz processor (produced on the new 28nm technology, supports out of order execution).
One good word about the G-tablet: the apx mode allows you to flash any OS, but the tablet has only 512MB internal Flash, which is not enough for dual boot.
My perfect tablet needs to be a laptop replacement: that means dual boot Android/Gentoo Linux, ability to boot every other ARM OS(windows phone,etc) from a sdcard. Also it has to have a case with keyboard and mouse pad (to be used as laptop when needed).
The TnT interface shows how clueless are Viewsonic about what the people actually need.

I bought mine about 3 days ago.. and I'm returning it today because of the poor viewing angles on the screen.. and also because of the laggy ui.. even with custom roms
edit: changed my mind and I'm going to keep mine for a while. there's a lot of great work being done with custom roms that might fix the lagginess. looking forward to notion inks announcement on december 9th!

i have had mine for about a week, the only way i'm returning it is if something better comes out within my 30 day window. it certainly does have flaws but i'm gonna give it more of a chance.

I am keeping mine because I am running Android 2.2 which doesn't take advantage of the dual-core processor, and because it is more of an accessory than a laptop replacement for me. This is definitely a hacker's unit more than an out-of-the-box laptop replacement.
-=Sent from my ViewSonic G Tablet using Tapatalk=-

To get a better one
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Keeping mine. Roebeet has been working hard to make this tablet worth something. I have no compaints with this device while running tnt lite other than the screen viewing angles. Even still, 9 times out of 10, im holding my device right in front of me so viewing angles are not as big of factor. This device is really just ahead of its time. The hardware is there, just the operating system is yet to be optimized for a 10 inch tablet with a tegra 2 processor. Roebeets tnt lite is just a sneak peak at what this thing is capable of. Once there is a 100% stock android it will run even faster, or even android 3.0. With this thing being completely open, its only a matter of time. This is a hackers paradise. Its so new that not everyone was able to get their hands on it yet. Give this thing time, i think you will be suprised what this thing can do and regret returning it.

I'm keeping mine. With a good bit of modding its actually nice to use. The screen angles are pretty bad in good lighting but is fine in low light situations. So I just use it in landscape in good light areas. Aside from the screen and sadly the TnT software this Malta pad is great. It even has a potential to be a beast as new products are released and Tegra 2 support becomes stronger.
Anything we get until Feb of next year is going to be a bit of a mess. All the top tier companies who only want to release a 100% consumer friendly product are holding off for Honeycomb. The current releases are either mid tier companies hungry for market share, bottom of the barrel companies releasing crap, and start ups like Adam using time as an opportunity.
We're on the bleeding edge and it shows. Likely the only company thats going to put in the effort needed to make this a good experience is Adam. They're a new company with something to prove. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the their tab ends up going for $600 and still selling well.
Bottom line: If you can put up with the viewing angles and 1 reboot a day this is a decent deal. Especially if you got it for $280 like I did .

Keeping mine and bought up Sears stock for today's sale, sorry about that anyone who shops near me. These rock after being loaded up correctly

No way I'm taking my back. After flashing to TnT Lite 2.02 it's a keeper. Now if I could only get wireless tethering to work it would be golden.

does this question really belong in development?

switt said:
Bottom line: If you can put up with the viewing angles and 1 reboot a day this is a decent deal. Especially if you got it for $280 like I did .
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Click to collapse
For $280 this tablet is a steal. There is no doubt in my mind that I would keep this tablet at that price.
However, at $417 after tax I'm on the fence about keeping this tablet. Performance wise, I can't complain. It's easily the fastest tablet on the market right now. After loading up TnT Lite with flash, this tablet is amazing. It's so much fun surfing the web. Battery life is great, this thing sips power.
but the screen, OMG the screen. It's just bad. I don't know any other way to say it. In portrait mode, it's usable but you can tell the image looks different at the top than it does at the bottom. I've found that there is really only one way to hold the tablet to get a good view and that is directly infront of you slightly below eye level.

linckraker said:
does this question really belong in development?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my question also, but I decided not to comment as I had assumed that a mod would've moved it to general by now.
Anyways ATM I'm keeping it. My primary reason for returning it would be driven by the form factor, as I REALLY MUCH prefer 7" for tablets. Just more portable and better for reading fiction, which means IF I keep that I'll also want a complementary 7" tablet. I just find 10" to be unwieldly.
As secondary reasons I would point out the absence of various features advertised on the box itself.
Just wish that a 7" Tegra2 would come out... I'd be all over it.

Where do i get one for $280
switt said:
I'm keeping mine. With a good bit of modding its actually nice to use. The screen angles are pretty bad in good lighting but is fine in low light situations. So I just use it in landscape in good light areas. Aside from the screen and sadly the TnT software this Malta pad is great. It even has a potential to be a beast as new products are released and Tegra 2 support becomes stronger.
Anything we get until Feb of next year is going to be a bit of a mess. All the top tier companies who only want to release a 100% consumer friendly product are holding off for Honeycomb. The current releases are either mid tier companies hungry for market share, bottom of the barrel companies releasing crap, and start ups like Adam using time as an opportunity.
We're on the bleeding edge and it shows. Likely the only company thats going to put in the effort needed to make this a good experience is Adam. They're a new company with something to prove. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the their tab ends up going for $600 and still selling well.
Bottom line: If you can put up with the viewing angles and 1 reboot a day this is a decent deal. Especially if you got it for $280 like I did .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where do i get one for 280$, see them at staples for 399$?

acuralegendz said:
Where do i get one for 280$, see them at staples for 399$?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
some sears outlet stores have refurbs for 279

I think the problem with the question of "why did you return it" is that the people who did return it are probably not scanning this forum anymore.
I've been scanning the negative comments (which are mostly valid crticisms, I might add), and I've compiled a list in my head:
- The crappy UI
- The crappy UI (important enough to be mentioned twice)
- The viewing angles, especially when watching while laying on a desk. (btw, flip the device around, so that the camera is on the bottom, and you can get around that).
- No official Flash yet, even though the darn icon is on the box.
- App compatibility issues, in particular the g-sensor issue in games.
- Lack of h264 high profile playback support (this is a Tegra 2 hardware limitation, btw).
- Performance, even with the UI mods. That seems to be more of an Android limitation, given that dual core is not being exploited.
- Lack of HDMI given that there's no dock, and a lack of accessories like a case.
- The bang-for-the-buck.
The last one is important because I have seen more than few posts from people returning the item who mentioned that they might have kept it of were $300, or if they could snag a $279 outlet device. It's not that the device is "bad", but more that you didn't want to break the bank for a device that is really not fully optimized yet. And I can understand that 100%.

roebeet said:
I think the problem with the question of "why did you return it" is that the people who did return it are probably not scanning this forum anymore.
I've been scanning the negative comments (which are mostly valid crticisms, I might add), and I've compiled a list in my head:
- The crappy UI
- The crappy UI (important enough to be mentioned twice)
- The viewing angles, especially when watching while laying on a desk. (btw, flip the device around, so that the camera is on the bottom, and you can get around that).
- No official Flash yet, even though the darn icon is on the box.
- App compatibility issues, in particular the g-sensor issue in games.
- Lack of h264 high profile playback support (this is a Tegra 2 hardware limitation, btw).
- Performance, even with the UI mods. That seems to be more of an Android limitation, given that dual core is not being exploited.
- Lack of HDMI given that there's no dock, and a lack of accessories like a case.
- The bang-for-the-buck.
The last one is important because I have seen more than few posts from people returning the item who mentioned that they might have kept it of were $300, or if they could snag a $279 outlet device. It's not that the device is "bad", but more that you didn't want to break the bank for a device that is really not fully optimized yet. And I can understand that 100%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm FIRMLY in the $300 camp as BOTH Staples & Sears had the gTab right next to a $299 and $249 Atom based netbooks(ASUS, Acer, Toshiba and something else...). Kind of a smack in the face to be asked to pay $400 for a less functional device, although I can kind of understand part of the reason being that the Tegra2 SoC isn't quite as cheap as ALL of the other SoCs. $400 still just seems like a hype price to me, and I do feel kind of ripped... would feel better IF it had a better camera(maybe 2) and GPS builtin... ...and if I had any REAL expectations of longterm VS support and OS upgrades, e.g. next Android version...
Yes, and I'd have to add viewing angles to my list of possible return reasons from using it a bit last night(in bed) with some sideloaded apps that forced portrait mode...

gturnersr said:
I got my g-tablet from Sears on November 2 and returned it to the store yesterday. I told them it does not have flash as stated on the box and the display is of very poor quality. I got full refund.
Why did I return it?
- Nvidia quality sucks: I had dead laptop, because of defective nvidia chip. If you don't believe it check this: Apple, Dell and HP got a class action suit against Nvidia: www nvidiasettlement com. OpenGL drivers are full of bugs they may have fixed Angry Birds, but there are plenty other bugs I'm sure.
- Nvidia does not conform to standards. No NEON instructions in Tegra. They try to play their desktop video card game, by providing custom APIs and making their applications incompatible with other ARM CPUs. So far it is the opposite - applications that run good on every other Cortex A8, does not play on Tegra.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, glad you were given an opportunity to complain about NVidia.... The class action suit you're referring to was in reality a problem of the OEM which NVidia and most OEMs covered completely. My Dell laptop at work died and was replaced with a newer model in ONE WEEK. Two year old information = FUD.

I returned mine after about 2 weeks. Didn't work well out of the box and wanted something with smaller screen. I went ahead and got the Galaxy Tab instead.
But I will be checking out the Sears Outlet for the blackfriday returns to play around with it.

Because of touch screen
I got my g tablet from Sears the day before Thanksgiving and had a lot of time to play with it. I had gotten to market to work and installed several apps and had even gotten used to the stock UI. But I am extremely disappointed in the responsiveness of the touch screen. There are time you have to press very hard on the icon to open a program. And typing is a chore. Unless there is something you have to do to calibrate the screen I will be returning it Monday. Also, I thought I read that it came with a temporary plastic film over the screen, but mine did not. There was a foam protector attached to the inside of the box.
Is there anything I can do to increase the sensitivity of the touch screen? I would love to keep it - but not with the way the touch screen is working (or NOT WORKING)

cutterjohn said:
I'm FIRMLY in the $300 camp as BOTH Staples & Sears had the gTab right next to a $299 and $249 Atom based netbooks(ASUS, Acer, Toshiba and something else...). Kind of a smack in the face to be asked to pay $400 for a less functional device, although I can kind of understand part of the reason being that the Tegra2 SoC isn't quite as cheap as ALL of the other SoCs. $400 still just seems like a hype price to me, and I do feel kind of ripped... would feel better IF it had a better camera(maybe 2) and GPS builtin... ...and if I had any REAL expectations of longterm VS support and OS upgrades, e.g. next Android version...
Yes, and I'd have to add viewing angles to my list of possible return reasons from using it a bit last night(in bed) with some sideloaded apps that forced portrait mode...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tegra 2 is in the starting point of it's cost curve, so about $75 of the price is cost and correlating profit margin, since companies are not going to scale to their cost
You will find that the newer Tegra 2 devices in Q1 & Q2 2011 will all be around $500, since you will then also be paying for better displays and brand names too
The display on this device is how they were able to put a Tegra 2 in it -cost balancing. Ironically, if the OEM would have rotated the display 180 degrees when building them, it would not be an issue. Display looks as good as the Archos 101- when upside down

Why G-Tablet seems to be losing steam..

New eLocity Tablet:
NVIDIA Tegra 2 T250, 1GHz, 1MB L2 Cache
•Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) ** When available (2.2 on release)
•DDR2 512 MB, 667MHz RAM
•10.1″ IPS Multi Touch 1366×768
•4GB – 256GB Flash Memory
•1.0W Stereo Speakers
•3MP Front Facing CMOS Cam
•Analog Microphone
•Haptic Feedback
•3.5mm Stereo Headphone Output
•802.11b/g/n w/Internal Antenna
•Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
•3G &3.5G Options w/GPS
•1 x USB 2.0 Host
•1 x Micro USB
•1 x Micro SD Card Slot (Up to 32GB)
•HDMI Output (1080P)
•Docking Port
•3-Axis Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor, Vibrate Mode.
Ships in a few weeks.. starts at $449
http://www.mytabletlife.com/2011/01/15/video-elocity-a10-ces-2011/
Not too shabby...

Nice catch.....IPS YES!!!!

These tablets remind me of Blackberry phones. They're all different, yet they're all the same. You have a Curve,Bold,etc..one or two things may be different, other than that, you can't tell them apart. Perfectly fine with my GTab, until something really major is brought to the table.

Aside from the better screen I can't see a good reason to ditch my g tablet.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0B5.1 using Tapatalk

well as someone that was planning on buying on g-tablet i was waiting for nice screen to show up
but with someone already coming up with this yeah im getting this instead...

kxs783kms said:
These tablets remind me of Blackberry phones. They're all different, yet they're all the same. You have a Curve,Bold,etc..one or two things may be different, other than that, you can't tell them apart. Perfectly fine with my GTab, until something really major is brought to the table.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Big ditto!

Colour me surprised if they can actually deliver all that and still keep that price point...
With the 3G/3.5G + GPS Option included I don't expect it to stay @ $449
I got my gTablet because it was a great value for the cost...I still think it was a great deal...
Will be nice to compare how this tablet measures up once it is released and we have a better idea on the real cost...
Thanks for the link!

Couldn't really tell from that video, but are the viewing angles any better on that screen? If they are, maybe a replacement screen for the Gtab is in our near future. ;-)
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0B5.1 using Tapatalk

No offense, but the OP is pure conjecture, considering that device has not released yet. How can the G lose steam to a device not even out or (until now) made notice of?
That same premise could be used for several other devices coming out, as you could for any device "losing steam". I would say sucky out of box experience lost the steam for the G for most but modders.
Not to mention this device still has to actually ship in a few weeks and at $450. Not to mention mod support. G is already locked in for that.
I will take my $350 G with 13gb of extra space and proven mod community ANY day over that. Unless Webtop is being used, 1gb is is yet to prove a big difference maker for speed. Webtop needs 1gb ram just to not choke the system down. Seriously.

I am in total agreement with rushless. Our gTabs are a piece of electronics. And like all electronics there is a never-ending march of newer and "better" models on the horizon. Personally, at this moment in time, I can't think of a better tablet for me.
Thanks to the efforts of the gtab-devs here I have been thoroughly enjoying this tablet for the last month. This tablet was the perfect mix of price, performance, and the right amount of support from the xda community.
I wish nothing but the best for the OP and hopefully he enjoys the tablet he ends up with as much as I enjoy my gTab.

IPS screen is the only thing (if true) that would be of interest to me.
I will wait and see what the final specs are - I for one hope that this is true, and that we find this at some B&M stores to try out.

As much as I would like a better screen, the Gtablets' will do for me till there is an option with a minimum 720P (1280x720, 1280x800 or 13##x768 ) screen, posibly IPS, with a tablet optimized OS ( Honeycomb ); oh, and resonably priced. Think I might be waiting a while. Well I did buy a second one in December so I'd stop haveing mine taken by the familly to play 'Angry Birds'.

This post cracks me up..you want to play the waiting game? go ahead...shortly after you buy the next great thing something better will be out. I myself was going to wait but i'm tired of waiting. I have a gtablet and i am very happy with it.

TeutonicWolf said:
Colour me surprised if they can actually deliver all that and still keep that price point...
With the 3G/3.5G + GPS Option included I don't expect it to stay @ $449
I got my gTablet because it was a great value for the cost...I still think it was a great deal...
Will be nice to compare how this tablet measures up once it is released and we have a better idea on the real cost...
Thanks for the link!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a 10" version of their current 7" device. The specs seem smack talk at $450, due in part to both the radios it will have, extra 512mb ram and ESPECIALLY the display.
Following the path of their 7" model, expect two months or so wait for the device and then a little more for mods- G serves me well now and at less cost.
The Moto Zoom seems interesting, but since tied to phone carriers, it will be artificially too high prices (like the Galaxy Tab) because of it.
Side note:
A positive about our display is when on a plane or other places, you have less spectator viewing. VS should have marketed it as a "private display" Then again, based on the out of box effort- there was NO marketing in the first place.

Gtablet vs Elocity A7
I have both and the Gtablet is the king. The Elocity A7 I enjoy but it has not been tweaked yet. The forum is just sort of getting started. The initial firmware updates are slower than what Viewsonic has been doing.
Cifs, NTFS, IPV6, and more in new kernels everywhere for the Gtablet and there are no kernel options yet for Elocity. No source code has surfaced from Elocity which could be bad for user development.
Don't get me wrong, the Elocity has its place in my hands, for size, weight, slightly better display.
Pros: Both devices
Gtablet - long life battery, flexibility, Great developer community and user support, 3300 on Quadrant
Elocity - Size, portability, fast out of the box, stock UI, rooted out of box, however need root manager to access /system. Has tremendous potential when firmware matches hardware.
Cons: Both devices
Gtablet - Weight
Elocity - Battery is far from the monster the Gtablet carries

I'm sticking with this until something completely different or superior comes about that I have to change.

Keep in mind that they announced 7 different configurations for the 10" model. I'm guessing for the min at $450, it'll be 4gb internal with 512mb ram wifi only with no 3g/gps.

wrong specs i see online it says 7
" inch screen not 10"

Not for me
this one did not tickle my taste buds, with the extent of customization, low price tag, battery life and not to mention incredible dev support; so far Gtab is more hot and spicy. Need a better recipe on table to loose my gtab. Regarding screen on this g string i do not mind it, with restricted viewing angle it works like privacy screen so that i can enjoy my stuff....
Hats off to the g tab dev for transforming this raw beauty to bombshell..
their efforts are really appreciated.

It is official: Xoom = $800

Slightly better specs, and only an extra $400! I'm happy with my gtab.

VERIZON is also disabling wifi unless you buy a minimum of one month of subscription service. That is a MAJOR turn off in my eyes and makes me sooooooo glad I got my gTab!!!!!
Sent from my GTablet-TnT-Lite using Tapatalk

I am certainly glad i picked up a g tab. $800 is a little much, and one month data on top of that is just greedy imo.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0B5.1 using Tapatalk

The gtab certainly works great for me. I'm looking forward to the ROM's that are sure to follow the Xoom's release though.

I feel like the market value of my g-tab just increased
Xoom scored 1823 in quadrant
Lulz.
*Yes, I know it has higher screen res

first i would like to correct the people saying that $800 is a little much. you're incorrect. its way too much. a price point around $500 would make this device a hit.
the specs are a bit better. but enough to make someone want to spend an extra 400 bucks? i believe it will sell well to apple haters that want a tablet and aren't aware there are android tablets outside the galaxy tab and xoom.
viewsonic could make a killing if they would announce the g tablet was going to get honeycomb on a specific date. that would be enough to bring a lot of customers.

http://www.techtree.com/India/News/...t_800_Launching_on_Feb_24/551-114391-893.html

Umm ....Yeah. Now I'm glad I bought 3 G Tablets. I was thinkin, 499.00- 599.00...Maybe I can justify that. But 8 bills? gonna save my money and put it towards the BIONIC instead.
Tickled pink w/ my GTab's

$800 gets you a better hires screen, 32gb storage, 1gb ram, and 3g/gps. If we look at the various versions of the ipad, and how much the other configurations add on to it, I would imagine it would be similar for gtablet/xoom if it had other configurations.
If there was a xoom hardware version that is truly equivalent to the gtablet, it would come down to this:
$800 for current xoom
-100 for 16gb less storage
-130 for no 3g/gps
-50 for 512mb less ram (i'm guessing on this one)
=$520
This number sounds more reasonable, I just wish they would come out with more options similar to what we get for the iPad.
I'm looking forward to the toshiba tablet assuming the price is right, one thing I like most about it is FULL SD card (no more micro sd card crap) meaning cheaper and larger storage options. It also has a user replaceable battery.
http://www.thetoshibatablet.com/

no way
well i was waiting for the xoom, i was gonna get it based on the first rumor of feb 17th release date and $699. but now no way especially since wifi comes disabled, thats so lowbrow and nickle and dime the consumer to death. looks like ill just go get a gtab now. seems like everyones happy with theirs.

I refuse to buy any tablet or device crippled by someone unless I take their appendages in my orifices. Don't support these bastages if you ever want to see this crappy business practice stop(not that it will, but I'd die before I support it).

When nobody buys the thing expect this price to drop...fast. Manufacturers need to realize most people aren't using their tablets walking down the street, all we want is wifi!
Drop a wifi only for 500 and it will sell. I'm still a firm believer that the average consumer won't bite at $800, and would rather buy a new laptop for just a little more. Not to mention the ipad can be cheaper and has more name recognition.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

Agreed. If someone has $800 to drop on this and extra $20 may not appear to be such a big deal IF it didn't smack of extortion. Look at the HP Slate that rolled out at a similiar price point geared toward the business community. Not sure how that did but one doesn't hear much about it these days. Now if the XOOM was a dual-boot (Honeycomb/Win7) I for one might, MIGHT, be tempted. And as long as the Win7 flavor was better than Win7 Starter.
Just my 2 cents

Very sad
I think it's overpriced. The specs are good, but I don't see how they arrived at that absurd price. And it's very, very sad Google chose Motorola to feature Honeycomb! I'll just sit and wait the gtab devs release their version of Honey in the near future.

abstrusius said:
I think it's overpriced. The specs are good, but I don't see how they arrived at that absurd price. And it's very, very sad Google chose Motorola to feature Honeycomb! I'll just sit and wait the gtab devs release their version of Honey in the near future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure the 3G components (and Verizon) had alot to do with driving up the price. Plus if they are launching the first tablet that officially competes head to head with the iPad, I think there is alot of, for the lack of a better word, snobbishness out there whereby some folks in the market for an iPad wouldn't consider an alternative if it was significantly cheaper - I know, sounds counter-intuitive but I've heard it from enough people to believe it actually is a factor. If its alot cheaper, it must also be a physically cheaper product and therefore inferior to the mighty iPad.

I'll just wait until its released so somebody can figure out how to get honeycomb off it and let the ports flow.

So sixvolt you raise a question for me. I'm no stranger to development (being in the field) and I've played with the android SDKs before as well as compiling various linux kernels (never an android kernel though). Is it currently possible to produce a working rom from the honeycomb SDK? Or is there something that I am missing here? How was this achieved on the nook?

I heard LG may be right behind at a much lower cost.... Im betting on that tablet right now... Motorola I am writing off as if I were someone looking for an amazing tablet in that price range with tons of developers and applications - why wouldn't I just buy an iPAD (or actually just wait for the iPAD 2).
The differentiating factor to apple has been its openness and most importantly the price. Most consumers dont care about the geek factor ("openness") as long as they can start playing at a reasonable price... the Xoom just is NOT that... I say it will be as good with consumers as the Galaxy Tab was which in all tense and purposes was a flop (technically ever android tablet has been a flop if we were to compare its sales to its competitors)..
I think Android 3.0 definitely has a very very strong chance of overtaking the iPAD - especially since Google has confirmed that all 2.x applications should work on 3.0 BUT only if these devices come in at reasonable pricing. If not - even I would potentially jump ship to just have a mature platform.
I personally like fiddling but fiddling only goes so far once you realize that you cant get work done... Right now the GTablet is a great fiddler -but honestly with the corruption (ie force closes of the core, reboots when in sleep) , battery life and very poor viewing angles I just cant use it for prime time work. I truely am hopping for a great competitor to the iPAD... lets hope and see..

Misprint?
I think this may be a misprint. Should say plan activation required to receive data. The $20.00 a month 1 gig plan is the same that was offered with the Galaxy Tab. Don't forget the activation fee of $30.00 or was it $35.00.
$800.00 is allot for a gimped lap tap, but compare the price to the top ipad and it seems what the market will bear.
Personally, after using a tablet for awhile now, I'm coming to my senses. The premium for their portability is too steep considering the limitations that a tablet has compared to a laptop. I would not spend $800.00 for any tablet. I would consider this unit in the $500.00 to 600.00 dollar range, but that would be driven more by want than an actual use for it.

This does seem like a steep price but we also need to remember this is the first heavily marketed Android tablet and is also running Honeycomb. This will be no different than any other overpriced handheld device, they demand a high price tag initially with no competition, but we all know the slew of tablets that are about to be released this year. I give them 15-20 days at this price point before competition/lack of sales drive them down.

[Q] Best Tegra 2 tablet under $500?

I've been doing some research for buying an android tablet for about a month now. Things that have become a must for me:
512mb (or better) of ram
Tegra 2 cpu
Around 10" high res (enough for honeycomb) screen
Under $500
Rootable, and has good dev support
Most you will be thinking, "you're describing the viewsonic g-tab, right?" Well, that's mainly what I'm thinking about. I'm wondering if there are any other great tablets that I'm missing. Any advice, comments or whatever would be appreciated. Thanks!

Id stay away from the g-tablet. The specs seem great for the price, but the screen is a HUGE disappointment. The viewing angles are terrible, it washes out when moved the slightest bit. In fact, straight on doesn't even seem to be the best angle.
I didn't even bother rooting mine, which anyone would want to do since the tap n tap UI on it is terrible. The screen was an immediate dealbreaker. My flytouch 2 screen is leaps and bounds better, and that's kinda sad since it was less than half the price of a g-tablet.

Philthechil said:
I've been doing some research for buying an android tablet for about a month now. Things that have become a must for me:
512mb (or better) of ram
Tegra 2 cpu
Around 10" high res (enough for honeycomb) screen
Under $500
Rootable, and has good dev support
Most you will be thinking, "you're describing the viewsonic g-tab, right?" Well, that's mainly what I'm thinking about. I'm wondering if there are any other great tablets that I'm missing. Any advice, comments or whatever would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Click to collapse
I think you're looking for something that doesn't exist yet. The best bet will probably be the Tablet Toshiba is dropping soon, assuming its around that price. Otherwise you might as well keep waiting with me.

Ah, ok. I had been hearing that. I didn't think it played that much into it. I wish I could buy one just to test it out

mobius999 said:
Id stay away from the g-tablet. The specs seem great for the price, but the screen is a HUGE disappointment. The viewing angles are terrible, it washes out when moved the slightest bit. In fact, straight on doesn't even seem to be the best angle.
I didn't even bother rooting mine, which anyone would want to do since the tap n tap UI on it is terrible. The screen was an immediate dealbreaker. My flytouch 2 screen is leaps and bounds better, and that's kinda sad since it was less than half the price of a g-tablet.
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Click to collapse
The view angle of the G Tablet certainly could be better, but this guy is exaggerating too much. The screen looks terrific when seen at the best angle. And I can highly recommend the G Tablet for you. It isn't perfect but no Tablet out there for any price is perfect.

Thanks guys for your input. I've decided I'm just gonna have to go with the risk and buy one. If the viewing angles really are that bad, I'll simply re-sell it on ebay

Viewsonic Gtab
Viewing angle is NOT that bad, accessories are the problem. Can't find them in the US! But once you get a good rom on it, I have had no regrets dropping a few hundred on the toy.
Notice I say toy, cause there is no 'need' for this equipment yet. No honeycomb, no easy out of the box use, but I enjoy the speedy vegan tab rom and have used it for movies, email, and just tom-foolery android apks. Get an atom laptop if you want something out of the box that is based on functionality if you need to buy before Q4 2011.

I have a g-tab, like it more than the ipad I had.

You should check out the Barnes and Noble Nook Color! I got one just for the ereader and have since rooted it and then even installed CM7. The only thing it doesn't have is a camera and Bluetooth mic support(yet).
BN really under sold its capabilities. It is the little tablet tablet could...
P.S. the dev community is amazing around it...

klaiii said:
You should check out the Barnes and Noble Nook Color! I got one just for the ereader and have since rooted it and then even installed CM7. The only thing it doesn't have is a camera and Bluetooth mic support(yet).
BN really under sold its capabilities. It is the little tablet tablet could...
P.S. the dev community is amazing around it...
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As much as I agree with how awesome the value of the Nook color is... It doesn't meet any of his requirements.
I believe the Acer Iconia Tab and Asus EEE transformer meets all of your needs and price range.

I have Toshiba Folio 100 and I'm not happy with it, little dev support, bad screen, lots of bugs that Toshiba don't fix and if you buy one, you'll surly get one with bad part(s), because Toshiba made bad parts and every tablet has another parts. New Toshiba tablet seems OK, but I won't buy any from Toshiba. I have same problem and I'll wait. In near future(2012), tablets will better and they'll have dual boot(android,ubuntu;androd, windows 8), faster processors(nvidia quad core processor), new OS's(windows 8, ubuntu, android ice cream sandwich tbat will be universal, chrome os) and the best of all, they'll cheaper!
After this, I think you will wait

I have the Acer Iconia A500 Tab which was bought in Germany.
Has a few small issues as you would expect from a fresh honeycomb device but nothing that you couldnt live with until Acer put out the update for Honeycomb 3.1 before the end of June.
If you can get past the little niggles, it has an excellent screen with amazing viewing angles, bright, crisp and clear. Fantastic build quality, including a thin brushed aluminium skin and a reasonable weight that wont flare up your RSI.
After the usual tweaks and additional root apps for improved battery life, you can quite happily use the device constantly for between 10-12 hours (mixed media)
has 1gb of ram, 32gb space, wireless -n, USB, Mini USB, Mini HDMI, encryption etc etc etc.
Baring in mind that it is almost 'stock' honeycomb 3.0 (Still includes the mobile phone elements even though this is wifi only, there is a reason bhind the choice ), i believe the slab has a lot of potential and cant wait till people start improving it.
Im very happy with the device so far and fully expecting the issues to be resolved in the first customised version of the 3.1 update from Acer.
All for 499 Euro
There's your deal...

new one ever?

Think Nvidia will ever create another one? Shield tablet. I hope so! I do enjoy my K1

I doubt it they don't seem interested in maintaining competition with tablet makers. There was a comment made by a high up member at Nvidia that they were not interested in what they view as a dying market.

Nvidia had once a phone..
Either way, their chips are top notch.

mirrin said:
I doubt it they don't seem interested in maintaining competition with tablet makers. There was a comment made by a high up member at Nvidia that they were not interested in what they view as a dying market.
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Yes unfortunately, just about all the decent manufacturers have decided it's a dead market. At least in the smaller format, the only real tablets currently available (with updated hardware) are the iPad Mini and the Amazon Fire (neither of which I want, due to their closed ecosystems).
You can't get a decent spec 7-8" tablet with current hardware anymore. Samsung gave up, they offered the Galaxy Tab S2 in 8" size in 2015 (having offered higher-end 8" tablets for a few years running), but then skipped an update last year, and are now only offering the S3 in 9.7" size. And for a ridiculous price of $600 US (and only 32 GB of storage!), so they seem to be trying to compete more with the iPad Pro, than anything else. And I'm pretty much done with Sammy, with their horrible skinning of Android (even if they no longer call it TouchWiz - still the same garbage) and stifling development with unlockable bootloaders.
NVIDIA seemed to bail on an updated tablet as well, last year. NVIDIA seemed to be gearing up late last year for an update to the Shield. The stock of existing K1's seemed to be disappearing, and I think they even filed with the FCC for a new tablet? But then NVIDIA basically bailed on the whole ting, announced they would not update the Shield, and more K1's would be back in stock.
I'd love an updated version of the Shield, but NVIDIA doesn't seem interested.

I own both, the s2 Tab 8" and the Shield and screen-wise the s2 blows the Shield away. Performance-wise (gaming) it's the other way around.
IMO nowadays it's all about the screen. If Nvidia came out with an OLED screen device plus their power chipsets.. win-win.

redpoint73 said:
Yes unfortunately, just about all the decent manufacturers have decided it's a dead market. At least in the smaller format, the only real tablets currently available (with updated hardware) are the iPad Mini and the Amazon Fire (neither of which I want, due to their closed ecosystems).
You can't get a decent spec 7-8" tablet with current hardware anymore. Samsung gave up, they offered the Galaxy Tab S2 in 8" size in 2015 (having offered higher-end 8" tablets for a few years running), but then skipped an update last year, and are now only offering the S3 in 9.7" size. And for a ridiculous price of $600 US (and only 32 GB of storage!), so they seem to be trying to compete more with the iPad Pro, than anything else. And I'm pretty much done with Sammy, with their horrible skinning of Android (even if they no longer call it TouchWiz - still the same garbage) and stifling development with unlockable bootloaders.
NVIDIA seemed to bail on an updated tablet as well, last year. NVIDIA seemed to be gearing up late last year for an update to the Shield. The stock of existing K1's seemed to be disappearing, and I think they even filed with the FCC for a new tablet? But then NVIDIA basically bailed on the whole ting, announced they would not update the Shield, and more K1's would be back in stock.
I'd love an updated version of the Shield, but NVIDIA doesn't seem interested.
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unfortunately at around the 7" mark is where people would rather just go for one of the big phones that is one reason for the lackluster sales of tablets. In the 8"+ setting you are competing with the ipads and laptops. And honestly the power of even a budget laptop blows all tablets away... So there is a slim number of consumers who want a 8-12" tablet. Honestly I would pick up a 2018 shield x2 tablet in a heart beat...

i would for one like a bigger nvidia tablet.

mirrin said:
unfortunately at around the 7" mark is where people would rather just go for one of the big phones that is one reason for the lackluster sales of tablets.
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I've heard people say similar, that basically folks don't want a small tablet when they can just use their phone. And I personally can't agree. Anyone who thinks that, must not actually have ever used a tablet (or at least otherwise convinced themselves they don't need a tablet for different, unrelated reasons - cost/budget, don't want to own too many devices, etc.). While the diagonal screen "size" on paper of a big phone/phablet versus a smaller tablet may not look that different (say around 5.5" versus 7"); that is a deceptive way of looking at screen size, as the actual difference in area is huge. Literally, the tablet will have double the area of the phone (while the difference in diagonal length is only 27%), which makes a big difference when viewing videos, web browsing, etc.
I own both a decently large phone (OnePlus 3T, with 5.5" screen) and the Shield, and they both serve their purposes. The 3T is better for portability, as it's what I carry whenever I leave the house. But when I'm at home, I find myself reaching for the Shield most all the time (unless I'm actually making a call, sending a text, or taking a pic) as the larger screen real estate make it much more pleasurable to use. But it never leaves the house (unless I'm going on an overnight trip) as it's not convenient to carry around on a daily basis (plus WiFi only).
mirrin said:
In the 8"+ setting you are competing with the ipads and laptops. And honestly the power of even a budget laptop blows all tablets away...
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Agree that larger tablets compete directly with iPads. But for me personally, Apple devices are not a choice; as I'm simply against Apple's closed ecosystem, proprietary standards (ports, etc.) and generally dictating to people what they should want/like instead of actually listening to what customers want.
Laptops, while they also have their place, are too bulky for my normal usage (mostly media consumption & web browsing). I have a nice laptop provided by my work, which often goes home with me. I never take it out for my own personal purposes (only for work) even though it's readily available. Simply too big and bulky.
BTW, not arguing with you, so hopefully doesn't come off that way. I agree with your points in general. But everyone has their own personal preferences. And unfortunately for me, mine contradict the masses or majority. And it's unfortunate that most all the manufacturers have decided that is not even enough of a niche market to provide a decent small tablet this year.

Thats why Microsoft did it right with the surface. If Nvidia went that path, but not as aggressive as in the laptop area performance. but made a nice tablet that can be used like a laptop per say.
Like the prior poster stated. outside i have my phone for portability. but anytime im sitting still ie. traveling and staying. i always have my Nvidia with me.

Spadizzle said:
Thats why Microsoft did it right with the surface. If Nvidia went that path, but not as aggressive as in the laptop area performance. but made a nice tablet that can be used like a laptop per say.
Like the prior poster stated. outside i have my phone for portability. but anytime im sitting still ie. traveling and staying. i always have my Nvidia with me.
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Problem is microsoft surfaces don't sell well either. Imagine 12 inch screen all of the power of a netbook or low end laptop at best the surface has a i7 6650U which hits the $500-600 laptop mark. a surface pro 4 with the max specs is around 1400. vs an ipad for 800 or less
For 1400 the surface has to compete with laptops and for that price you can get way more powerful laptops.
To sell well a tablet needs to be in the 8-10" size category it needs to have at least the power of the latest ipad and it must be priced under 400 anything higher the masses will just jump to an ipad. Anything under 180 will have too many corners cut to make a profit build, quality, function or appearance will suffer.
So that leaves us we need a tablet 8-10" with a good ips or oled display it needs to have the power of a tegra x1 or better and at least a sot battery life of 5-8 hours priced somewhere between 200-399