Related
I've been trying to decide between the G-Tablet and the Archos 101. I definitely want a 10.1 inch screen and am fine with rooting and installing custom ROMs. For those that have the G-Tablet would you recommend it? I had been leaning more toward it but then I realized after tax it would be about 430-445 so not far off from Ipad pricing. I was hoping to keep the price down but I've read good and bad things about it. Most of the bad seems just in regards to it as it is stock.
I guess I'm lucky because I'm stock with LauncherPro and a couple of other addons and have not seen the wifi or boot looping problems. I want to root but will stay stock to see what the updates are from Viewsonic.
The only thing I'm really disapointed in is that there is no Android Market and it doesn't look like there will be. The market that is being installed tomorrow is Pocketgear and I'm not impressed with it at all. I have searched for many things and have yet to find anything I was looking for. Maybe it will be different once it is on the Gtablet but I'm not going to hold my breath.
All in all I'm very pleased with the Gtablet. And with the support of the people here I'm sure it will only get better.
I had pre-ordered the 101, then found this device. First off, you might want to check out this forum, as the Gtab has been mentioned a few times:
http://forum.archosfans.com/viewforum.php?f=74&sid=14fbe18a3bde1b86944379a04044ace9
Here's my take on the 101 / Gtab pros and cons.
- Archos has a better media player and codec support. That's their bread and butter, so it's expected.
- The 101 is 256MB of RAM with a less powerful CPU than the GTab. This puts the GTab on more of the bleeding edge, with the issues that arise because of that. But it might be a better candidate for 2.3 or 3.0. Maybe.
- The 101 is locked down tight, as far as the firmware is concerned. The GTab is not and has an APX mode that makes it virtually unbrickable. Mods galore may arise, because of that.
- The prices are similar, assuming you compare the 16GB and you get the GTab on sale.
- The bad screen angles on the GTab seem to also affect the 101, from what I've read.
- Neither have the actual Marketplace, although I'm sure the 101 will get a hack sooner or later.
- Archos has been pretty good with ROMS, so far. Viewsonic support remains to be seen.
- The GTablet is popping up all over the place, in B&M. That means some decent return policies - Staples has a 14 day return on it, for example. The Archos is not as easy to find in B&M stores, at the moment.
- The Gtablet has Froyo today, and it has an (unofficial) Flash apk today.
I guess it's "pick your poison".
So I picked one up yesterday at Staples and am going to revert back to stock and return it... Here are my reasons why...
- Screen viewing angles are awful. Sitting at a table with the GTab laying flat is an impossible angle to view with.
- The device is heavy to hold. I found my hands hurting trying to use it while holding it.
- The image is not very crisp. I found that it hurt my eyes to use the device for long periods of time.
Again these are my perceptions and don't take them for anything beyond a personal review. I have been using a HTC Hero with CM6.1 and have been very pleased.
I am either going to get an iPad, wait for a better WiFi only tablet next year, or just stick with my trusty Netbook.
PS...Is there a link to instructions for reverting back to stock? Thanks!
If you haven't done anything fancy like install a ROM. You can just hit the factory reset under settings. If you have been playing around, then there is a stock TnT vanilla ROM on forum tegratab website (I can't link it) which you can install just like any ROM.
I don't know how to get rid of Clockworkmod (NVflash?), but I can't imagine the average Staples employee will dig that deeply.
I'm probably going to take mine back this weekend. I want to give the new OS update a fair shake. But otherwise I agree with you on virtually all counts.
packfan909 said:
So I picked one up yesterday at Staples and am going to revert back to stock and return it... Here are my reasons why...
- Screen viewing angles are awful. Sitting at a table with the GTab laying flat is an impossible angle to view with.
- The device is heavy to hold. I found my hands hurting trying to use it while holding it.
- The image is not very crisp. I found that it hurt my eyes to use the device for long periods of time.
Again these are my perceptions and don't take them for anything beyond a personal review. I have been using a HTC Hero with CM6.1 and have been very pleased.
I am either going to get an iPad, wait for a better WiFi only tablet next year, or just stick with my trusty Netbook.
PS...Is there a link to instructions for reverting back to stock? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the vanilla ROM - it's in the development area. It should get you very close to stock. And also do a data wipe, of course.
lintmail said:
If you haven't done anything fancy like install a ROM. You can just hit the factory reset under settings. If you have been playing around, then there is a stock TnT vanilla ROM on forum tegratab website (I can't link it) which you can install just like any ROM.
I don't know how to get rid of Clockworkmod (NVflash?), but I can't imagine the average Staples employee will dig that deeply.
I'm probably going to take mine back this weekend. I want to give the new OS update a fair shake. But otherwise I agree with you on virtually all counts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the ROM info. I am just going to return it at this point. The viewing angle and heft can't be resolved. And I appreciate the feedback on the Archos 101 with regards of viewing angle. A few friends tried the GTab yesterday when I brought it over, they were all unimpressed.
These tablets need to bake a little longer in the oven!
packfan909 said:
Thanks for the ROM info. I am just going to return it at this point. The viewing angle and heft can't be resolved. And I appreciate the feedback on the Archos 101 with regards of viewing angle. A few friends tried the GTab yesterday when I brought it over, they were all unimpressed.
These tablets need to bake a little longer in the oven!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Out of box the device sux, but with TnT 1.03 and market hack, it is solid. Archos 101 apparently uses the same display, so no better, but the device is lighter. Weak device though compared to the power of Tegra 2 and 512mb ram.
If you showed this device with stock rom- now wonder people were not impressed- yikes
rushless said:
Out of box the device sux, but with TnT 1.03 and market hack, it is solid. Archos 101 apparently uses the same display, so no better, but the device is lighter. Weak device though compared to the power of Tegra 2 and 512mb ram.
If you showed this device with stock rom- now wonder people were not impressed- yikes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ this ^
Besides wake up time... A necessary evil... This pad rocks with TnT lite .3 cannot wait for 2.0 at this rate.
TNT lite .03 + Flash + gapps install = Keeper
If you are OK with flashing ROMS then get it. With TNT lite and Flash, I'm willing to keep it in spite of the viewing angles.
As far as weight is concerned: It doesn't feel heavier than an IPAD. Most of that weight is battery. Great battery life by the way.
My first road test of the gtablet tonight. I am flying to Vegas with the gtablet and the Archos 43. I will let you know how they do. For TSA screening purposes, will they want me to remove the gtablet from its case and run it through the xray like a laptop?
I was showing it off with CM 6.1 Beta. That viewing angle is a deal breaker for me. With regards to the weight, are you saying it weighs as much as an iPad?
Not sure why people are so surprised by the viewing angles. If you want the display of an ipad or even a galaxy tab, you're gonna have to buy an ipad or galaxy tab. The display on the g is fine for me, for now. When the big name tablets start coming out like htc and moto, that's when I'll expect more out of tablets. I'll also expect to pay more than 399 too.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
The problem is that one can't be sure until they have it in their hands. I would think that a normal operating position (on a desk with user in front of it) would be something to expect out of any tablet. I would love a Galaxy Tab but I refuse to pay a carrier for mobile internet service. If they released a WiFI only Galaxy Tab, I would run to the store to get it.
The viewing angles aren't as good as the iPad, but not so bad that it really bothers me that much. Maybe it'll get more annoying after a while - I'd eventually like an Android tablet with an IPS or other higher end LCD screen, but this will do for now in terms of hardware.
For me, $420 (including tax) for the G Tablet and a carrying case sounded like a good deal, for the early adopter set on XDA-developers who like to customize and live on the bleeding edge.
There is no way I would recommend this device in its current form to friends or family, of course, until the software improves markedly.
I also don't think the drivers etc. are doing full justice to the Tegra 2 at this point. My Nexus One actually gets about 5-10% higher scores on Quadrant. That shouldn't be. And for a dual-core chip, it oddly lags when the system is waking up from sleep mode and runs choppily sometimes thereafter - some sort of memory management bug.
Such are the joys of the bleeding edge.
i would have liked for it to have better viewing angles too, it definitely can be a pain to have to look at a certain way. but i usually keep it on a little stand when on my desk, i'm trying to not let the screen thing bother me too much. the software and stock ui are both jokes and i knew that going in. the blue weather homescreen is horrid, i like a nice clean and clutter free homescreen. i'm just staying confident that the boys here at xda are gonna make this tablet a nice user experience. i think it scored around 1900 on quadrant when i ran it on the g, i usually get around 1400-1500 on my incredible. i think the g-tablet should be doing way better though.
I have been driving the g tab since last Saturday and I would recommend it as a keeper. I tried the Huawei S7 for a day and ran away from it screaming. By comparisons, I have had good success side loading most of my favorite apps here without compromise. The device is modder friendly as have been my last dozen or so phones. Rooting was quick and easy. I have some market apps available, but for those not open, I load them on my Liquid, then use Titanium, to "restore" them onto the g tab.
If you are willing to do as something as super simple as install TnT Lite 1.03, or the coming 2.0- YES! Here is copy from part of another post:
Gtablet with TnT Lite 1.03, Flash app & market fix:
1. Best performing Flash of any current Android device: CHECK!
2. Market: CHECK!
3. Great sound quality: CHECK!
4. Smooth browser: CHECK!
5. Comics & PDFs, regardless of size, smooth: CHECK!
6. PSX4Droid smooth for 3D games: Using PSX4Droid 1.5, CHECK! (1.7 sucks)
7. Capcom 1 & 2 and ALL Neo Geo games playing super fine: CHECK (TigerMAME)
8. Wifi tether works great
Archos 101 has a 3630 and half the ram of the Droid X. Droid X does not play Flash as smoothly, nor the games in items 6 & 7 anywhere near as well.
Gtablet rocks- warts and all- Looking forward to TnT Lite 2.0
6. PSX4Droid smooth for 3D games: Using PSX4Droid 1.5, CHECK! (1.7 sucks)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1.5 would not load the bios for me..
Gtablet weight same as ipad
packfan909 said:
I was showing it off with CM 6.1 Beta. That viewing angle is a deal breaker for me. With regards to the weight, are you saying it weighs as much as an iPad?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to Apple the Ipad weighs 1.5 to 1.6 depending upon model. The Viewsonic site lists gtablet at 1.55 pounds.
I've played with my gtablet since they first came out. I have to say, as a preface, that it's not that I dislike the device. I think, at this point, an Android tablet has more "wow factor" than sustenance. With a nice, dual-screen desktop, a convertible notebook, and a good Android-based phone, I can't figure where this device fits it. I'd hoped for a replacement for my aging laptop, but the tablet just doesn't cut the mustard.
I have known about the downfalls of the software (the main reason my local Sears will get for my return), and I really do think that with better developed software, this will be a good device for $400. It's got excellent hardware (the screen excepted) and immense potential for those willing to put in the time to get it working. However, for what I had planned to do with the device, it's just not up to par for the amount of time I have to invest in it.
I look at the issue in this light: for another $150, I can get a device that is much more in line with what I use a computer for in the first place. I take handwritten notes in class, and capacitive touch isn't good for that -- strikes to the Lenovo S10 and Dell Inspirion Duo. Also, with Android, I don't have a way to sync back to my network and my catalog of handwritten notes from previous semesters. It's not Google's fault. OneNote is really the best application I've used for taking and organizing notes, and if the online version allowed you to draw, I might even rescind this reason.
I suppose if I had a lot more free time, or if I were a developer / CS person, I'd attempt to port Ubuntu (something that I had contemplated anyhow) over and run it on my tablet. Beyond getting correct drivers for everything, I don't think it would have been that much of a stretch to have done. If I weren't returning the device, I would have even taken the time to make the side buttons on mine backlit.
I'm not jumping ship for an iPad either. The only piece of (cr)Apple hardware in my apartment is my girlfriend's iPod, and it rarely gets used (and when it does, it gets synced with Winamp). Right now, the tablet I would want isn't even on the market yet, and when it does surface, it's going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200.
So, if you're still reading, good luck. I hope my contributions to the community were of positive value. I would love to look back a few months from now and say that I should have kept it. I think it's going to take a lot of work from the community at large for that to happen, and you all are going to be the ones who lead the way. The work you guys have done (especially roebeet, et. al with the firmware mods) has been tremendous.
--
By the way, my tablet will be going back to the store at the University Mall in Tuscaloosa, AL if anybody is looking for one to pick up in the outlet. It will most likely still have clockwork recovery on it with the updated firmware in tow.
It was a pleasure reading your posts and I wish you well.
ehunyadi said:
It was a pleasure reading your posts and I wish you well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll be back. You're gonna return yours then by your own refurb haha.. jk. Is that even possible? Hmmmm
I also will be taking my tablet back at this point in time unless you can develop it cant really be a everyday dependable device. Iwent and bought the samsung galaxy tab while yes more pricey but i have since almost compltey replaced my smart phone and haven touched my computer for longer than 10 mins to sync some comic books
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
After all these mods, I'm keeping my g tablet, at least for the time being.
The galaxy tab is just awful.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
I don't think the galaxy tab is awful but I don't think any tablet out today can practically replace a smartphone/phone or replace a laptop for that matter. IMO, tablets are for leisure. I'm also keeping my gtablet because I have a great smarthphone and an okay laptop already. I just need something more accessible than a laptop and a bigger screen than my smartphone.
kitzuki said:
I also will be taking my tablet back at this point in time unless you can develop it cant really be a everyday dependable device. Iwent and bought the samsung galaxy tab while yes more pricey but i have since almost compltey replaced my smart phone and haven touched my computer for longer than 10 mins to sync some comic books
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just have to say ew, and I'm a sprint supervisor for technical support.
Out of box and no modding, I would not keep this device either. Modded is another thing, since the device is amazing with the Nvidia driver patch from last night.
TnT Lite 2.0 + 2.03 Nvidia patch + Flash + Market fix = Kick a55 device.
Catch is 90% or more that get this device during the holidays will be non modders, so I understand the perspective, since fits the majority.
Viewsonic now have a community made FW package that would save their butts for massive returns with this device and actually make money. No way current state results in net positive $, come January.
Seems to me which is cheaper?
60,000 units sold x 70% returns (fair guess) = 42,000 x $100 (repack/refurb costs).......... $4.2 million cost impact for mass return scenario, or put a rom package on devices that works great and people will love and result in sales and increased demand......WHICH would you pick?
Added:
Viewsonic's decision will probably be an absolute marginal swing of about $7.2 million (for 60,000 units $4.2 million hit and $3M profit: for entire system)
Almost Going Back but Now .....
I had issues last night connecting to the internet. I was running stock ROM with a few sideloaded apps including Dolphin browser. Thought I had screwed it up. Unistalled everything to bring it back (close) to stock before the return later today. Then found out my wife was also having issues on her MacBook last night (PCs were all o.k.). Chalking it up to router (which I could see from the tablet).
So decided to play with the TnTLite V2 and 2.02. Now I am back on the keeping side of the ledger. I would feel better about this decision if I had paid much less for the unit, and I think we will be able to find lots of these returned and available in the next few weeks, but I am not going to wait that long. I have some travel coming and want to have this operational.
Last things I am hoping for: Music and Video off SDCard 2, tether unit to my Blackberry, Video chat operational. I am sure over the next few weeks, 2 out of 3 items will be checked off my list.
I only have a few more days to decide (14 day return at Staples!) but the scale is tipped toward keeping the device this afternoon.
xmr405o said:
I don't think any tablet out today can practically replace a smartphone/phone or replace a laptop for that matter. IMO, tablets are for leisure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly... Tablet for surfing, video conf., emails, videos and games. Latop for work stuff. My wife does nothing more than surf the net, facebook, shop for stuff for the kids, etc etc. It's a perfect replacement for her aging laptop. If she needs to write a letter or do some "work" she can use my work laptop or the quad-core server in the office. For me, I just want something smaller than my laptop to surf and play games with.
So a replacement for a computer... No.
In addition to a laptop/computer... Yes.
anjenaire said:
I had issues last night connecting to the internet. I was running stock ROM with a few sideloaded apps including Dolphin browser. Thought I had screwed it up. Unistalled everything to bring it back (close) to stock before the return later today. Then found out my wife was also having issues on her MacBook last night (PCs were all o.k.). Chalking it up to router (which I could see from the tablet).
So decided to play with the TnTLite V2 and 2.02. Now I am back on the keeping side of the ledger. I would feel better about this decision if I had paid much less for the unit, and I think we will be able to find lots of these returned and available in the next few weeks, but I am not going to wait that long. I have some travel coming and want to have this operational.
Last things I am hoping for: Music and Video off SDCard 2, tether unit to my Blackberry, Video chat operational. I am sure over the next few weeks, 2 out of 3 items will be checked off my list.
I only have a few more days to decide (14 day return at Staples!) but the scale is tipped toward keeping the device this afternoon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I initially heard about the GTab I was pretty excited for the hardware, but the software made me throw up a little in my mouth, so I completely dismissed it as a serious contender, and thus had my eye on the Archos 101.
After getting completely frustrated trying to track one down for purchase (Archos did a HORRIBLE job with initial supply) I was doing more research and saw that not only was the GTab completely unlocked (read: Hacker's Playground) and that the XDA community was already behind the device with several ROMs and hacks I actually scoffed at myself for ever considering buying the Archos.
2x as much RAM, easily 2x better CPU and graphics, 1080p out, android 2.2, and i could run down to my local Sears and pick one up immediately!!!
Ran down to Sears, grabbed a GTab, and w/in 5 minutes of opening it up I already had CM6.1, flash 10.1, full market, and all GApps. It was too good to be true. Decided to try out TnTLite and definitely a better "everyday" ROM than CM6.1 at this point, but that may not be the case in another week.
With the Tegra update from last night this thing screams. Flash plays just as well as my PC and the battery life is insanely impressive. I can't even imagine Gingerbread which *should* hopefully add support for the second CPU core.
Only complaints thus far: horrible viewing angle on the screen (turns out it's not so bad when you're actually watching a movie) and no backlit buttons.
COULD NOT BE HAPPIER WITH MY PURCHASE! This thing is going to make traveling this X-Mas with my kids a breeze. w00t!
xmr405o said:
You'll be back. You're gonna return yours then by your own refurb haha.. jk. Is that even possible? Hmmmm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The thought's crossed my mind. All the convertible notebooks I want are like $2k and $3k, and I don't have that kind of money to throw around. I'm kinda swinging towards picking up either a Dell mini 10 and modding it, or grabbing one of the ASUS 101MTs. I've gotten the "eww, Atom" remark already, and what I use a laptop for, an Atom is fine. I've been working on a 14" tablet for 3 years now that's running a Core Solo (even started with a half-gig of RAM). It's starting to show its age, which is the whole reason I considered the gtablet to begin with.
rushless said:
Out of box and no modding, I would not keep this device either. Modded is another thing, since the device is amazing with the Nvidia driver patch from last night.
TnT Lite 2.0 + 2.03 Nvidia patch + Flash + Market fix = Kick a55 device.
Catch is 90% or more that get this device during the holidays will be non modders, so I understand the perspective, since fits the majority.
Viewsonic now have a community made FW package that would save their butts for massive returns with this device and actually make money. No way current state results in net positive $, come January.
Seems to me which is cheaper?
60,000 units sold x 70% returns (fair guess) = 42,000 x $100 (repack/refurb costs).......... $4.2 million cost impact for mass return scenario, or put a rom package on devices that works great and people will love and result in sales and increased demand......WHICH would you pick?
Added:
Viewsonic's decision will probably be an absolute marginal swing of about $7.2 million (for 60,000 units $4.2 million hit and $3M profit: for entire system)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree completely. I was running TnT Lite on mine with the Flash APK, market fix, and a few apps. Viewsonic's update helped with the UI responsiveness, but Android (or the speed...) wasn't my problem. It just felt like the tablet was more like a toy than what I wanted it for.
Like I mentioned in the OP, if I would have kept the device, I would have put Ubuntu on it (or give up trying...) and modded it hardware-wise. Really, time was my biggest enemy with the tablet. If Sears return policy was at 90 days, I would have probably ended up keeping the thing. With the end of the semester approaching and a ever-growing list of things I need to do, I didn't have the spare time to invest.
--
If I learned anything from the experience, it's this:
If you're on the bleeding edge, sometimes you get cut
Capacitive touch screen devices are not good for note-taking. As such, if you ever intend to market something to students (I know, Viewsonic didn't...), either go resistive or Wacom. Or create an awesome stylus.
Release good products and the community will thrive on them. release mediocre products and you will have to thrive on the community.
teleknEsis said:
When I initially heard about the GTab I was pretty excited for the hardware, but the software made me throw up a little in my mouth, so I completely dismissed it as a serious contender, and thus had my eye on the Archos 101.
After getting completely frustrated trying to track one down for purchase (Archos did a HORRIBLE job with initial supply) I was doing more research and saw that not only was the GTab completely unlocked (read: Hacker's Playground) and that the XDA community was already behind the device with several ROMs and hacks I actually scoffed at myself for ever considering buying the Archos.
2x as much RAM, easily 2x better CPU and graphics, 1080p out, android 2.2, and i could run down to my local Sears and pick one up immediately!!!
Ran down to Sears, grabbed a GTab, and w/in 5 minutes of opening it up I already had CM6.1, flash 10.1, full market, and all GApps. It was too good to be true. Decided to try out TnTLite and definitely a better "everyday" ROM than CM6.1 at this point, but that may not be the case in another week.
With the Tegra update from last night this thing screams. Flash plays just as well as my PC and the battery life is insanely impressive. I can't even imagine Gingerbread which *should* hopefully add support for the second CPU core.
Only complaints thus far: horrible viewing angle on the screen (turns out it's not so bad when you're actually watching a movie) and no backlit buttons.
COULD NOT BE HAPPIER WITH MY PURCHASE! This thing is going to make traveling this X-Mas with my kids a breeze. w00t!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My exact experience to a T. Now with the updated drivers pack Tnt lite screams. Smooth as butta
G tablet
Wow after reading all post and being past my prime and wanting a pad badly I have decided I should wait for a more stable and suitable pad for my age group thanks to all of you who contributed in helping me with the decision of waiting maybe for Gingerbread.
guarionexpr said:
Wow after reading all post and being past my prime and wanting a pad badly I have decided I should wait for a more stable and suitable pad for my age group thanks to all of you who contributed in helping me with the decision of waiting maybe for Gingerbread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If not a modder, the Gtablet is a dubious purchase, but 12/19 is when the official update comes for the Gtablet. Curious if they fix anything already fixed here.
Can anything involving the screen be improved with updates? I have been a fan of Android for a while and have a rooted EVO that I couldn't be more happy with. When I picked up my G tab I was thinking that all would be well with a little modding but I am not sure I can get past the screen.
I am looking for a good leisure device for the home and family, along with something and I can "hobby-mod". I am a little worried that with the viewing angles you won't be able to just relax and piddle on it. I think I grossly underestimated this shortfall of the hardware.
I swung by a Verizon store and spent about 20 minutes with the iPad and Galaxy Tab. Man, those are some pretty displays.
Is there any hope? I have TNT 2.04 and, performance-wise, I am content and can be patient for updates. Just those darn viewing angles....
J_Bone said:
Can anything involving the screen be improved with updates? I have been a fan of Android for a while and have a rooted EVO that I couldn't be more happy with. When I picked up my G tab I was thinking that all would be well with a little modding but I am not sure I can get past the screen.
I am looking for a good leisure device for the home and family, along with something and I can "hobby-mod". I am a little worried that with the viewing angles you won't be able to just relax and piddle on it. I think I grossly underestimated this shortfall of the hardware.
I swung by a Verizon store and spent about 20 minutes with the iPad and Galaxy Tab. Man, those are some pretty displays.
Is there any hope? I have TNT 2.04 and, performance-wise, I am content and can be patient for updates. Just those darn viewing angles....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering this too. I am very happy with the performance but the angles are killing me. I've only had it for 2 days and other than that I'm thrilled. Sadly, that may be a deal breaker. Landscape is ok but portrait is awful.
DraglineDrummer said:
I was wondering this too. I am very happy with the performance but the angles are killing me. I've only had it for 2 days and other than that I'm thrilled. Sadly, that may be a deal breaker. Landscape is ok but portrait is awful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently, Engadget's review of the Dell Inspiron Duo was equally harsh on the screen angles. Netbook screens FTL.
DraglineDrummer said:
I was wondering this too. I am very happy with the performance but the angles are killing me. I've only had it for 2 days and other than that I'm thrilled. Sadly, that may be a deal breaker. Landscape is ok but portrait is awful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my Gtab for almost a month, I've gotten used to the angles. It did bug me for the first week but as I tweaked this device and performance increase I've gotten over the sub par viewing angles. I think the tab's display is tolerable.
xmr405o said:
I've had my Gtab for almost a month, I've gotten used to the angles. It did bug me for the first week but as I tweaked this device and performance increase I've gotten over the sub par viewing angles. I think the tab's display is tolerable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I'm hoping for is I'll just get used to it. It's only been two days at this point.
I think it's the best option right now with the hardware and performance but I just have not been completely ok with the $400 price tag for the display yet. I had debated taking it back and just getting a refurb Ipad for $450 but it has it's shortcomings as well and I would much rather have Android.
So my situation, I was fortunate to earn a free ipad wifi/3g 16gb from a sales contest at work, well Ive played with the thing for a few weeks and I have to say apple blows. Anyways gunna sell it on ebay, looking like I can get about $450 for it.
I then want to take the money and buy an android tablet, i really want a honeycomb one, but I know they are very expensive as they are just coming out.
So I thought to myself why couldn't I just buy a tablet that comes with Froyo, and then root it, and flash a custom honeycomb rom once a developer ports it over to my device..? It would save me alot of cash/waiting.
So I'm assuming all the G tab owners did some shopping around before buying this tablet. What are the top 3 android tablets under $450 in your opinion?
Obviously another concern is which tablet under $450 will be likely to have the most developer support, being the flashaholic that I am, I really want something that has many roms and kernels etc.. availiable. I did see quite a few roms in the G tab development section, but I am finding it very difficult to find out information about other tablets as far as rom development. What do you guys thing from a developer support stand point?
Thanks!!!!
Under $450 and that are out now tablets....
If you're just looking for a tablet to browse the internet, casual gaming, youtube..you know basic stuff...you can save about $100 by buying a nook. Lots of dev support...I mean lots.
If you want something more powerful with a bigger screen but weaker viewing angles than the gtab is tops in my opinion. If you don't mind a used gtab...than I would grab one if you can find it.
As for a third choice, I guess I would get the archos 70 or 101.
Awesome thanks.
I personally wouldn't get a nook. I had one and ended up trading it for an archos 101. From what it looks like there is more development for the GTab. The nook is a nice device but I really didn't think the device was speedy enough for me. If I'm getting a tablet then it should have better specs then my phone (Nexus S). Screen on the Nook was nice but I've always wanted a bigger tab. I like my archos 101 but then again the processor was good but I felt it could be better. I just sold my archos a few days ago on here and ordered a GTab and it'll be here tomorrow. Nook is $250 new and GTab cost me $368, with the GTab you may be getting a worse screen but you get more internal storage, better processor, bluetooth, IMO better dev support, and a USB port which I personally want. I've also had a Galaxy Tab but when I had it development was slow so I got rid of it also again it has the same specs as my phone. IMO theres no point in a tablet that has equal or worse specs then your phone (unless you have a dual core phone) and after experience 7inch screens are good for reading and comics but 10.1inch screens are better for web browsing and even better for reading and comics
Had my gtab for about 2 weeks now that I bout from another user here on xda for $320. Prior to the purchase I had been following the forums and watching youtub videos of the device and drooling. Now that I have it, I feel I may have hyped it a bit too much. It is a good device but there are a few things about it that bother me but to be fair I was expecting some of them. the screen is as bad as they say. This device is pretty hefty. Holding it in can be tiresome at times. The bezel is thin on three sides, one of which also has capacitive buttons which makes it hard to find a comfortable way to hold it at times unless you are using both hands. No gps. As for the roms, as good as they are they are far from perfect. They each have their own issues which were easy to ignore at first but after a while i find to be annoying when you want something that just works. I appreciate the devs though and I'm sure in time they will figure everything out. After trying a xoom at frys the other day I can honestly say they know what a tablet should be like. I just wish it wasn't an extra 500 bucks.
BuI shopped arround for a good while. I have been using resistive screen tablet PC's in my work for years, and hated them. Ugly screens tedious repeated touches to get anywhere. Call me crazy but I really believe that anyone who complains about the screen on the gtab needs to take a reality check. This thing has better viewing angles than my android phone. What do you want to do with it? Rest it on your coffee table and sit 10 feet away at a 45° angle and expect perfect color? Yes there are nicer screens out there but IMHO this is way better than the crap I have seen for years. I'm sure it would have had a super top of the line screen too if Malta could have gotten screens from LG at nearly cost like apple does.
The price is perfect and the screen is perfect for the price. Enjoy the fact that no one will see what's on your screen unless you want them to. Its a security feature in my book.
Sent from my Chromatic Magic using XDA Premium App
Mantara said:
BuI shopped arround for a good while. I have been using resistive screen tablet PC's in my work for years, and hated them. Ugly screens tedious repeated touches to get anywhere. Call me crazy but I really believe that anyone who complains about the screen on the gtab needs to take a reality check. This thing has better viewing angles than my android phone. What do you want to do with it? Rest it on your coffee table and sit 10 feet away at a 45° angle and expect perfect color? Yes there are nicer screens out there but IMHO this is way better than the crap I have seen for years. I'm sure it would have had a super top of the line screen too if Malta could have gotten screens from LG at nearly cost like apple does.
The price is perfect and the screen is perfect for the price. Enjoy the fact that no one will see what's on your screen unless you want them to. Its a security feature in my book.
Sent from my Chromatic Magic using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^^Yeah This. I waited a week for mine to come from the good ol' US of A (Im in oztralia )
After reading all the reports.. bad screens, slow stock UI etc I thought ok, well the screen is probably as bad as they say and the UI cant be that bad...
well it was exactly opposite - the screen is actually not that bad compared to some screens i deal with daily. UI was even worse than I could have imagined.
I know have vegan on it and it rocks. For the price I am absolutely blown away.
You can not go wrong with the g-Tab. Especially since you stated that you are a "Flashaholic." I have had mine for almost 2 months now and absolutely love it. I have tried both the vegan and TNT-Lite roms, and ended up staying with the TNT-Lite. While there are many things that could have been implemented better, in my mind it is a better value right now than the competition. I love the fact that it has removable storage. I have a little case that I keep my micro-SD cards in and swap them out whenever I want to watch something else or need more storage. Since purchasing this product, I have taken it with me on several business trips, and have found it indispensable. I can even back my photos up onto it using an SD card reader.
Bottom Line: If you do not mind playing around and fiddling with settings and enjoy trying new things, then I suggest getting the g-Tab. Over wise I suggest waiting a little longer until the "Tablet Form Factor" becomes more settled.
Just a note on the Notion Ink Adam which falls into the sub $450 category (wifi LCD version, anyways). I received hoping to get better viewing angles but they seemed to be the same as the Gtab, plus I really like the Gtab's form factor a lot more. The Adam was heavier, thicker and more squared off making it not as comfortable to hold as the Gtab. I ebayed the Adam and actually turned a little profit from it
Great info guys! Thanks to everyone who replied, all very helpful!
I got several buyers for my ipad so it should be gone today
I think the g tab sounds like it will do what I want, it really will just be for playing games, web browsing, and taking on airplanes etc, so it sounds like the way to go. And hopefully honeycomb roms will be available before too long!
Follow up question, where can you get a good case for the g tab? I liked the one that I bought my ipad, it was kind of like a little padfolio and it could fold into a "stand" which was great for watching movies on the plane.
Other than that just gotta research rooting this thing, I plan to pick one up before the end of the weekend. And you guys have already given me some ideas which roms to try. Thanks!
luigic81 said:
Follow up question, where can you get a good case for the g tab? I liked the one that I bought my ipad, it was kind of like a little padfolio and it could fold into a "stand" which was great for watching movies on the plane.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the G Tablet Accessories forum, there are a couple of options depending whether you want a keyboard or not and at least one more on the way
Alright just a couple more for the helpful people here
1. is this the best way to root the g tab? http://droidpirate.com/2010/11/27/how-to-root-your-viewsonic-g-tablet/
2. After I root I will be following the instructions in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
So I was wondering if I had to update anything in order to flash custom roms, or can I just root my tab, and then follow the instructions on that thread and be good to go on custom roms?
Also what ROM would you guys recomend? I am typically an AOSP guy assuming that everything is functional, but my wife will be using this tablet too and she is not very tech savvy, so I would like a rom that is pretty stable, any suggestions would be apprecited thanks!
Also I see clockwork v08 seems to be the hot ticket, so I assume that I will use that? I have always used Amon RA on my EVO, but it doesnt appear that Amon RA is availiable for the G tab, is that a correct assumption?
Thanks again for all the help, I know those last few questions arent necessarily pertinent to my original post, but I appreciate the help.
All the instructions you need to root the device are in the second thread you linked -> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865245
Just pick out a ROM - TNTLite and VEGAn are the two most popular around here - and follow the instructions carefully.
perfect thanks, guess I should've read this line from that thread
"You do NOT need to root your tablet to install a ROM on this device using this guide. All the after-market ROMs are pre-rooted."
LMAO!! haha cool.
Just a little update, I got my GTab today and love it sooooooooo much. Viewing angles aren't to bad. Monster Madness, Samurai II, and Backbreaker are awesome. Very fast device
Awesome I can't wait, should have mine before Monday
Wi-Fi only Motorola Xoom at Sam's Club
I think the gTab is the best bang for your buck at between $350 and $400 especially with the ROMs our gTabDevs are churning out for us. However, if you really want an official Honeycomb tablet I've read that Sam's Club will be selling these at their stores for around $500 each in the next few weeks.
Just thought some folks might want to know.
I am sticking with my Nook Color
After having received the Archos 101. I was disappointed in the screen quality and the touch screen and lack of dev support. I sold it and got the g tablet and was in love with it until I bought my mom a kindle and started to like the form factor and size. I then started becoming bored with my g tablet. I then began looking at the nook color forums and decided to buy one, since I have bought it, I haven't touched my g tablet. I really like the size and the feel of it, I read more now and still play the games I like. I am happy running CM7 gingerbread and looking forward to honeycomb when it comes out as AOSP.
The dirty little secret is that there is no day to day life changing use for a tablet. So this can put you in two categories.
#1. You want to try and use the tablet during travel and such. In this case form factor is going to be important. The Nook Color is probably a better option as you sacrifice overall performance for the usability of the design.
#2. You want a device to develop on and try to utilize the latest and greatest. The Tegra 2 is the "it" platform right now for the android tablets. The GTab and its brothers give you the best entry into this field.
I am solidly in #2. Sure I have played some games on my tablet, I have browsed the web and I have used it on the go. But there has never been a situation where my VZ Droid would not have let me do the exact same thing.
I am comfortable with the fact that I bought a development platform. Having it in hand shows me the potential of the concept.
slysecretspy said:
The dirty little secret is that there is no day to day life changing use for a tablet. So this can put you in two categories.
#1. You want to try and use the tablet during travel and such. In this case form factor is going to be important. The Nook Color is probably a better option as you sacrifice overall performance for the usability of the design.
#2. You want a device to develop on and try to utilize the latest and greatest. The Tegra 2 is the "it" platform right now for the android tablets. The GTab and its brothers give you the best entry into this field.
I am solidly in #2. Sure I have played some games on my tablet, I have browsed the web and I have used it on the go. But there has never been a situation where my VZ Droid would not have let me do the exact same thing.
I am comfortable with the fact that I bought a development platform. Having it in hand shows me the potential of the concept.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent post, and i'm in catoegory #2 as well, I'm playing with house money becuase I got the ipad for free. But my wife really wants something to play games with and I like to watch movies etc on the airplane as well as browse the etc at home.
I was excited to get a G-Tablet in the recent Woot sale. Unfortunately, as I have noted in other threads, when I got it, it wouldn't run through the original NTP-WiFi configuration procedure out of the box.
I wiped it and installed VEGAn 5.1.1 and got on with the process of evaluating it.
Am I the only one with touch screen sensor issues? It requires massive fingertip hurting pressure to hit the 'L' key and many of the touch areas along the edge that is adjacent to the Home/Menu/Back buttons. Sometimes I need to press so hard to register a key press, I think that it will crack the LCD. It really impacts my happy factor with this device.
The Market fix isn't as complete as my Archos 70. I saw the thread on changing device type=olympus. I can't vi the /system/build.prop without getting / set to read/write. Too much of a hoop to jump through right now. If I could vi the file, no problem. Still, it is an annoyance.
Weight. I knew it was heavier, but wasn't prepared to the reality of dealing with the mass of this unit.
Screen view. Even with an iPad screen protector on, the color and view angles are annoying. It was unusable to me for reading and regular use before the screen protector went on. Now it is better, but still subpar compared to the A70.
I want to love the gTablet for its technical superiority and future upgrade path to 2.3 and potentially beyond. My Archos device will never be better than FroYo.
However, even though I know it is 'better' I just can't stand actually using it. I feel that the gTab needs to go to flEaBay, since Woot doesn't do refunds.
Anyone else feeling this way?
Touchscreen callibration app should fix your touch issues... I had the same problem and that solved it.
Yeah, I have the app and tried it. Not much real difference in my experience. :\
I just ran it again, and it is weird. Some areas of the screen work just fine (launcher pro dock when in desktop/finder mode for example). then, when on virtual keyboard, those same pixel areas don't sense well. Might be a keyboard issue, though it seems to be the same with BetterKeyboard and Android keyboard.
I don't know, I want to like this thing, but feel disappointed. Same way with the Samsung Captivate, which i returned after fighting with it for a month.
tenet420 said:
Touchscreen callibration app should fix your touch issues... I had the same problem and that solved it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Screen cal should help. Anyway, don't have that problem with TNTL 4.2.5.
BoulderGeek said:
I was excited to get a G-Tablet in the recent Woot sale. Unfortunately, as I have noted in other threads, when I got it, it wouldn't run through the original NTP-WiFi configuration procedure out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone has been saying the stock rom isn't very well made since day one.
I wiped it and installed VEGAn 5.1.1 and got on with the process of evaluating it.
Am I the only one with touch screen sensor issues? It requires massive fingertip hurting pressure to hit the 'L' key and many of the touch areas along the edge that is adjacent to the Home/Menu/Back buttons. Sometimes I need to press so hard to register a key press, I think that it will crack the LCD. It really impacts my happy factor with this device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, touch screen calibration app should do the trick. Also, you can create a blank file name calibration.ini in the root of your sdcard2 and then reboot. Don't touch the screen while it reboots. This file will tell the device to recalibrate the touch.
The Market fix isn't as complete as my Archos 70. I saw the thread on changing device type=olympus. I can't vi the /system/build.prop without getting / set to read/write. Too much of a hoop to jump through right now. If I could vi the file, no problem. Still, it is an annoyance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To me, it's not much of a hoop. Took me all of 30 seconds to do this.
Weight. I knew it was heavier, but wasn't prepared to the reality of dealing with the mass of this unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm an engineer researcher at a material science lab. We build and crush to test our own toys. Sometimes, we have to carry (by hand) objects that are hundreds of pounds heavy. I guess the weight of the gtab isn't really bothering me that much. But again, it's only .3 lb heavier than the ipad, so if you have a problem with the gtab then I'm sure you'll have the same problem with the ipad.
Screen view. Even with an iPad screen protector on, the color and view angles are annoying. It was unusable to me for reading and regular use before the screen protector went on. Now it is better, but still subpar compared to the A70.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, not an issue for me. I'm a heavy reader, meaning I go through several books a week. Been using the gtab to read ebooks on my train ride commute.
I want to love the gTablet for its technical superiority and future upgrade path to 2.3 and potentially beyond. My Archos device will never be better than FroYo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't just want to love the gtab. I love my gtab.
But then again, you really have to consider my past I guess. I was born in a house with a dirt floor, grew up with a black and white small tv (14 inch or so, can't remember). And even then, the tv worked only sometimes.
It just seems to me that so many people (Americans) complain about things that, to me, are moot points. For $285, the gtab is a steal based on what it could do.
And to me, the gtab is more than just a toy. Before, I was carrying my laptop around, which weighs a ton (exaggeration here). Nowadays, I sometimes leave it in the office or at home and just carry the gtab around. I'm expecting my experience to be even better once the case with the usb keyboard arrives.
Yes, I'm one of those that has no problem jury rigging something to make my experience better.
However, even though I know it is 'better' I just can't stand actually using it. I feel that the gTab needs to go to flEaBay, since Woot doesn't do refunds.
Anyone else feeling this way?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people want their devices to work straight out of the box. And some people want their devices to just work powerfully and don't care about the luxuries.
I've recently converted 100% to electronic books. I've sold over half of my library collection on amazon. I often run into people who are absolutely against ebook reading. The #1 reason that most people seem to have against ebooks is that they want the smell and feel of paper while they read. That's their opinion, and it's ok. They are free to like or dislike whatever they want.
But to me, I read a book for its contents, not what it's written on. I don't care how a book feels or what it smells like. I love zombie novels, and I don't care if it's on paper or plastic.
I guess I have the same attitude with my gtab. This really is a powerful piece of device. It runs fast, the screen is uber sensitive (on my device at least). The battery life is up there with the ipad. Completely hackable (a must in my book). And it's incredibly lite weight. Again, I speak as someone who work hands on with his projects. Funny story, someone the other day made a face and asked me what happened to my hands. I looked down and for the first time I actually noticed all the scars and Calluses on my hands. Amazing how boy friend hasn't complained yet.
Anyway, the #1 reason why I like this device is because it's freakin' cheap. Even if I break it in a year, or if I decide to buy something else in a year, I wouldn't feel the pain in my stomach the way I'd feel if I had bought a xoom or ipad.
Anyway, to each his own I guess. And that's ok.
You should either get a xoom or ipad. I've borrowed them from friends and played with those. They are very nice and fits your needs quite well.
Edit.
And my elderly dad just told me he wanted one to surf the net while on the couch and have a 10 inch screen gps. Just bought one for him. Hopefully will arrive soon. Also already ordered a gps receiver and a car mount. My elderly dad's far sight vision is great. Better than mine. He could see things at a distance that I can't see even with my glasses on. But his near sight vision is beginning to slip. So, the gps I bought him a couple years back aren't that helpful nowadays. Hopefully, this 10 inch one will be better. I'm also hoping I could talk to him via video conferencing when he goes back to (insert a random country here). So, I better start showing him how to use a touch screen. It was hard enough to get him to understand and use the mouse...
I wouldn't mind a little tactile feedback or lighting for the 4 side touch buttons. They are hard to find in the dark. Some small protusions on the buttons themselves, or on the side of the case would also have been nice, like the bumps on a keyboard on the f and j keys.
Haha, the 4 buttons in the dark issue was bothering me, too. I guess I stopped noticing it once I have it memorized. Just last night, I was reading before I went to sleep and noticed that I could press with 99% precision the buttons. So, yeah, it's not a problem for me anymore.
1. I have had "edge" problems that went away when I put a different wall paper up. Try a non-live wallpaper.
2. The Olympus fix works. It just breaks the web site seeing your tablet. Get Root Explorer and it takes about 2 seconds to mount /system rw.
3) I guess the screen is a personal preference thing. I like mine better since I put a urethane screen protector on. Really keeps the fingerprints off of it for the most part and the angles don't bother me.
4) The unlit buttons are a pain in the dark. I put some clear paper reinforcement stickers over mine so they have a little feel in the dark. They are almost invisible from any distance away but you can feel them. These are the little sticky holes you put on loose leaf paper when the holes have torn out. Oh, the other think you can do is get button savior in the market. This gives you nice onscreen buttons (although you know VEGAn has home, menu and back buttons on the status bar). Now the other problem is I tend to hit the buttons when I am trying to grip the tablet. There is a non-free app called remapper (I think) that can turn them off (or repurpose them) but I have not tried it.
I don't disagree about the gtablet being a good value.
it's just slightly worse at everything than my existing Archos 70 tablet. So, for more money and double the specs, I didn't really get any appreciable improvement. Perhaps that's what I should have stated.
If I had no Android tablet, I'd be completely happy with my my VEGAn Tab.
However, i can't justify two tablets, and surprisingly, i don't think the gtablet is going to be the keeper. I'm just surprised that is the case.
I just did a factory reset, and will take pictures tonight for flea bay.
On the screen sensitivity issue, the one-touch app didn't work for me, and I was considering returning my tab. But then I did the calibration.ini trick, and the difference is amazing.
dfin13 said:
On the screen sensitivity issue, the one-touch app didn't work for me, and I was considering returning my tab. But then I did the calibration.ini trick, and the difference is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. Thanks.
It may not keep you from selling it, but it sure will help the person who buys it from you
dfin13 said:
It may not keep you from selling it, but it sure will help the person who buys it from you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that guy is sitting in the cube adjacent to mine. He's been playing with it all day. Reinstalling the apps that i lost by resetting to factory.
you guys do realized that vegan roms have the same buttons on the notification bar.. for just this reason.. to take the place of the side buttons at night.
I was personally about to sell my gTablet about 48 hours ago. I was having tons of lock-ups, market issues and was pretty frustrated.
I decided to start all over and reflashed to stock - did a lot of research here and just about have it working perfect with vegan 5.1.1 now. No lockups with flash, olympus thing fixed my market issues - it is simply an awesome tablet. I have had an ipad for a year and really like this in comparison.
If you don't want to put in the effort to modify the build.prop to fix the market it might not be for you though. It was not hard in retrospect but without any context it takes a while to really get familiar with some of the the things you are doing. I ended up using ADB to edit it - using root explorer sounds much easier.
I personally enjoyed getting it all setup right at the end of the day and learned a lot. For the price this thing is a heck of a tablet.
Also wanted to thank everyone for the hard work figuring out these fixes and ROMs - very impressive community!
My take on this is that these fixes should take like 2 minutes to do. Very easy. The problem is that new users are intimidated by complicated instructions. Take the olympus fix for example. Took me less than 30 seconds to do. But because of the way people talk on here a new user would have to read thru 3 pages because nobody was willing to give a straight answer.
Granted, I'm verbose but I figure if you read the first part of the olympus thread and you knew what edit build.prop and change one line on it meant you wouldn't need or read the long detailed instructions.
There has to be a balance between talking to people who are Android fluent and helping ramp up new users, in my opinion.
goodintentions said:
But again, it's only .3 lb heavier than the ipad, so if you have a problem with the gtab then I'm sure you'll have the same problem with the ipad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean .05 .lbs heavier than the iPad, right? Or were you referring to the iPad2, which is .22 .lbs lighter than the GTab?
I think it's important for people to realize that the GTab COULD weigh less and be thinner, as could the Xoom, but then where would the SD card slot and USB ports go? I think the edges would have slight bulges in them to accomodate the ports. I'm actually fine with the weight of the G-tab...If I noticed a difference of 100 grams, then I'd have to seriously consider working out harder.
As for the other annoyances from the OP...I guess some seem legitimate, but I haven't noticed touchscreen sensitivity issues, etc. Mine is fast and stable and works great. Aside from the screen viewing angles, I love the GTab.
One last thing to note...I just spent a week using my GTab on vacation, and also used my daughter's iPad quite a bit, too. I know this is totally subjective, but the iPad seems more like a toy than anything else. I liked the screen, but otherwise was not impressed overall. I burned several movies from DVD to my GTab and it worked flawlessly. After surfing, playing games and watching 2 movies, I had 50% battery life left. Not bad!
wd5gnr said:
Granted, I'm verbose but I figure if you read the first part of the olympus thread and you knew what edit build.prop and change one line on it meant you wouldn't need or read the long detailed instructions.
Sorry if that confused you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My first impression of the olympus thread was "what the hell?" sure I knew what you were talking about but for someone who's new to android and rooting something as simple as editing the build.prop could be the biggest stumbling block.
I know I have the reputation for hating newbies after my wooters thread. And thats fine. But people need to pay attention to their instructions to see if they make any sense to a newbie. Belive it or not i'm actually very friendly toward newbies. And believe me, the initial instructions in that thread make no sense to a newbie.
I am in the process of compiling everything into easy step by step instructions for the technical illiterates. Viewsonic gtab for dummies. I'll launch my website hopefully sometime next week.
lostpilot28 said:
You mean .05 .lbs heavier than the iPad, right? Or were you referring to the iPad2, which is .22 .lbs lighter than the GTab?
I think it's important for people to realize that the GTab COULD weigh less and be thinner, as could the Xoom, but then where would the SD card slot and USB ports go? I think the edges would have slight bulges in them to accomodate the ports. I'm actually fine with the weight of the G-tab...If I noticed a difference of 100 grams, then I'd have to seriously consider working out harder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my experience that people will complain about anything/everything if something does not cost much.
moofi. woot. com/moofi/deliciouswaffles
get rid of the spaces in the link .
I bought one on Friday. Still hasn't shipped :-(
Me and Woot have a love/hate relationship.
I don't get it. There is no design flaw. Why are they trying to dump this product? If they are really trying to dump this product for a newer model, the newer model better be able to sing and dance.
goodintentions said:
I don't get it. There is no design flaw. Why are they trying to dump this product? If they are really trying to dump this product for a newer model, the newer model better be able to sing and dance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are not dumping it, its just being priced competitively given the availability $400 IPS tegra 2, HC Asus Transformer.
Any way amazon's deal (via woot) was way better given it was $280 to your door step (no taxes or shipping fees).
aasoror said:
They are not dumping it, its just being priced competitively given the availability $400 IPS tegra 2, HC Asus Transformer.
Any way amazon's deal (via woot) was way better given it was $280 to your door step (no taxes or shipping fees).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Priced better? You're saying they are preemptively striking all the other tegra 2's that are coming out this/next month?
goodintentions said:
I don't get it. There is no design flaw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I can think of one giant design flaw that marred an otherwise great tablet (hey, let's take the most important part of the tablet and make it really, really, really crappy!). I would not be surprised to see this sucker at $200 new within the next couple of months with the onslaught of HC tablets hitting the market at sub-$500 prices.
dfin13 said:
Well, I can think of one giant design flaw that marred an otherwise great tablet (hey, let's take the most important part of the tablet and make it really, really, really crappy!). I would not be surprised to see this sucker at $200 new within the next couple of months with the onslaught of HC tablets hitting the market at sub-$500 prices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're talking about the screen? I've had my gtab for a couple months now. Been taking it everywhere with me. In fact, myself and a couple others from the lab attended a meeting to share our designs and experiments at a meeting. I whipped out the gtab and began sharing our autocad drawings and calculations. People were impressed. A few asked intently about my tablet.
The point is I've had no problem at all with the screen. I don't understand why people are crying bloody murder about this aspect of it. May be because you guys are spoiled?
To me, this is not a design flaw. It's not even a weakness. It just is. It makes the gtab different.
I have the Asus now, and I guess you just don't know what you're missing until you've seen a superior screen in the flesh. My jaw literally dropped when I turned it on. Straight-on, the gTab has a great screen, but the viewing angles are terrible, and I consider that a design flaw, as in they went really cheap with the screen. The Acer A500 does not have an IPS screen, yet its viewing angles are almost comparable to the Transformer, so it is possible. Whoever manufactured the gTab just cut corners on the most crucial part of a tablet.
If you're happy with yours, that's great, but that screen ran me off, and I can't recommend it to anyone when they can (eventually) have a Transformer for about $100 more.
Kinda wish I'd kept mine another week so I could post the difference so you could see for yourself, but I don't suppose it matters
goodintentions said:
You're talking about the screen? I've had my gtab for a couple months now. Been taking it everywhere with me. In fact, myself and a couple others from the lab attended a meeting to share our designs and experiments at a meeting. I whipped out the gtab and began sharing our autocad drawings and calculations. People were impressed. A few asked intently about my tablet.
The point is I've had no problem at all with the screen. I don't understand why people are crying bloody murder about this aspect of it. May be because you guys are spoiled?
To me, this is not a design flaw. It's not even a weakness. It just is. It makes the gtab different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am looking at buying this tablet, what is everyone saying about the screen?
dfin13 said:
I have the Asus now, and I guess you just don't know what you're missing until you've seen a superior screen in the flesh. My jaw literally dropped when I turned it on. Straight-on, the gTab has a great screen, but the viewing angles are terrible, and I consider that a design flaw, as in they went really cheap with the screen. The Acer A500 does not have an IPS screen, yet its viewing angles are almost comparable to the Transformer, so it is possible. Whoever manufactured the gTab just cut corners on the most crucial part of a tablet.
If you're happy with yours, that's great, but that screen ran me off, and I can't recommend it to anyone when they can (eventually) have a Transformer for about $100 more.
Kinda wish I'd kept mine another week so I could post the difference so you could see for yourself, but I don't suppose it matters
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an iPad2, the gTablet, an Acer netbook, a Dell laptop, and a 2010 MacBookPro.
The gTablet uses the exact same LCD as the acer Netbook. You can tell the screen is designed for a slightly off center nearly dead on viewing angle, and if you hold it so, it's quite fine.
You won't be able to see much at more than 10-15 degrees off center left/right (in landscape) or up/down (portrait)
It is what it is. It's not an iPad. It's not the $120 more Asus. It's the cheapest Tegra2 with great modding support here at xda you can buy. I wouldn't spend more than $280 on it, but for $280 its great.
goodintentions said:
Priced better? You're saying they are preemptively striking all the other tegra 2's that are coming out this/next month?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is nothing preemptive about it, the Asus transformer is already out there (NA release) and for even longer in EU, and the $399 NA price was already officially announced more than a month ago.
schettj said:
I wouldn't spend more than $280 on it,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats the whole point, and I guess retailers do clearly see that.
PeteSeiler2010 said:
I am looking at buying this tablet, what is everyone saying about the screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at it straight-on, it is a great screen. If you look at it few degrees left or right, it loses quality but is still viewable. A few more degrees, and things become mushy. Tilt it slightly vertically and that's where the frustration really begins -- imagine those psychedelic videos where colors transform and turn negative. Like the post above said, it's a pure netbook screen and is meant to be viewed as you would with a netbook. Sticking it in a tablet was a cost-cutting shortcut.
Now, if you buy a case that props it up, it helps quite a bit. I'm not dogging the gTab really, it's a great tab that just needs to come down in price a little more in light of the the Transformer's release. If you're going to spend $280+ on a tablet, I'd advise you to spring for the extra $120 that will get you a Transformer.
dfin13 said:
If you're happy with yours, that's great, but that screen ran me off, and I can't recommend it to anyone when they can (eventually) have a Transformer for about $100 more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't get me wrong. Whenever someone asks me about my gtab, I tell them it's not for them and recommend an ipad or ipad 2. I do that with pretty much everything nowadays. When people ask me I recommend them the most mainstream thing possible.
Well I don't feel so bad for directing a coworker to get an iPad 2 today She saw my Transformer and said she was looking at iPads, but she liked the widgets of Android (she has an Evo). I told her to just get an iPad, you pick it up and it's a vessel for apps, nothing more, and knowing her, I thought that was best.
But after playing with the Transformer, she's torn. So I guess that's a plus for HC, it's not as techie as I thought.
Bought one from Woot on 4/25, got it on 4/29
Sent from my Evo using XDA app
dfin13 said:
Well I don't feel so bad for directing a coworker to get an iPad 2 today She saw my Transformer and said she was looking at iPads, but she liked the widgets of Android (she has an Evo). I told her to just get an iPad, you pick it up and it's a vessel for apps, nothing more, and knowing her, I thought that was best.
But after playing with the Transformer, she's torn. So I guess that's a plus for HC, it's not as techie as I thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I direct people to the ipad 2 unapologetically. I'm sick of people complaining about nothing. Let apple deal with those spoiled brats.
Well I found someone who bought it and I guess they were scared to try to do any custom ROM stuff and they sold it to me for $190. I think i got a deal, I am currently reading up on it before I try anything though. I have been using Android for well over a year now, I have a captivate and I always flash the newest ROM's that come out for it. I am hoping the G Tablet is about as easy as my captivate to mod. Anyone have a favorite ROM for the G Tab, I am looking at playing Pocket Legends and games like that.
PeteSeiler2010 said:
I am hoping the G Tablet is about as easy as my captivate to mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to hope. Everything about the gtab is unlocked. It is currently the most hackable device out there.
Anyone have a favorite ROM for the G Tab, I am looking at playing Pocket Legends and games like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used them all. The one that seems to run the smoothest and fastest is the calkulin+clemsyn combo. I use the overclocked version 5 one.
That said, you really should try them all out one at a time. Again, it takes so little effort to flash a rom. Actually, it takes about 2 minutes for each rom to flash. Try each rom for a week and see how you like them.
Some people like vegan ginger because it's the latest and greatest. I personally like the fastest and most stable. Your choice.
Thank you very much for the information, i can't wait to dive in!
goodintentions said:
You don't need to hope. Everything about the gtab is unlocked. It is currently the most hackable device out there.
I've used them all. The one that seems to run the smoothest and fastest is the calkulin+clemsyn combo. I use the overclocked version 5 one.
That said, you really should try them all out one at a time. Again, it takes so little effort to flash a rom. Actually, it takes about 2 minutes for each rom to flash. Try each rom for a week and see how you like them.
Some people like vegan ginger because it's the latest and greatest. I personally like the fastest and most stable. Your choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently have tNt 4.4 and I like it a lot. If/when I flash another rom, would I have to load all my Apps again? I have titanium backup but even then it would take a while to load them all. That might discourage me from trying ALL the roms out