Database Info

Wow does this thing have a bad screen

Well, I just returned my G-tablet to Staples.
The bottom line is that the hardware is overall pretty good - with one major exception: the screen. I'm used to TN screens with bad viewing angles (both my desktop and laptop have TN displays) but this is just ridiculous. In landscape mode it's basically unreadable if you have it sitting flat on a table. In portrait mode there's noticeable color quality problems if you move your head from side to side. Also, the screen has poor contrast in general, even if you look at it straight on.
This kind of display is OK on a $300 netbook or a cheap budget tablet, but it's not OK on a $400 tablet. The G-Tablet has a lot of positives (fast CPU, USB host, etc.) but it's just not nearly as usable as an IPS device (like the iPad) because you're forced to look at it head on.
I worry that devices like this will sour people on Android tablets in general. Between the bad screen and the crappy stock firmware I would not be surprised if there are a lot of returns.
If you are considering buying a G-Tablet you really need to try one out in person. Some users may be fine with the screen, but I think for many people it will effectively kill the usability of the device.

I don't think this will peeve Joe Consumer off all that much, although I agree with you myself. The screen angles are probably the worse issue with this thing, from a hardware perspective.
I think Joe Consumer is going to be more peeved at the crappy UI and lack of features, and I hope that they get a firmware update out ASAP. They need this NOW, not even a week from now -- Staples has them in and they will probably start selling over the weekend.

roebeet said:
I don't think this will peeve Joe Consumer off all that much, although I agree with you myself. The screen angles are probably the worse issue with this thing, from a hardware perspective.
I think Joe Consumer is going to be more peeved at the crappy UI and lack of features, and I hope that they get a firmware update out ASAP. They need this NOW, not even a week from now -- Staples has them in and they will probably start selling over the weekend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope some big issues are fixed, since a market & Flash update only covers some of the issues. Seems this "update" should have been out of box. Their CS folks will be a little busy in the coming weeks. So will Sears, Kmart and Staples, for returns if not a more stable device for non modders.
I like my G a LOT, but this device is as anti-consumer friendly for the average "out of box- not tech" consumer as you can get.
I have decided on this being my tablet of choice. Price and performance ratio is HUGE- even at $400. Sill will test the Archos 101 though.

rushless said:
Hope some big issues are fixed, since a market & Flash update only covers some of the issues. Seems this "update" should have been out of box. Their CS folks will be a little busy in the coming weeks. So will Sears, Kmart and Staples, for returns if not a more stable device for non modders.
I like my G a LOT, but this device is as anti-consumer friendly for the average "out of box- not tech" consumer as you can get.
I have decided on this being my tablet of choice. Price and performance ratio is HUGE- even at $400. Sill will test the Archos 101 though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. I've been showing mine off a little, hoping to inspire some anti-apple sentiment, but I've also been warning people that this one isn't for the faint of heart. Even considered the $399 iPad at TJ Max for the wife.
For those of us that have been around from day 1...be prepared for a lot of GT bashing next week.

yea black friday add running in Staples adds even says download from app store. if the update isn't done right on boot. People will be pretty angry with no app store and all the other issues.
I'm banking on getting one refurb'd the weekdays after BF.. that and my 101 should be here Monday

From the few reports I've read from users on the Archos forum, the 101 has similar issues with their screen. I'm interested to hear what a gtablet owner says about the 101.

Yea. I'll report how i feel about the screen when I get the 101 monday or Tuesday. I did 2 day air Thursday morning. Shipped Friday. Should be here soon

Returned mine for the very same reason a week ago. Notion ink has my name written all over it. I am positive however that all the work you guys are putting into the GTab will migrate over into similar hardware tabs like the Notion ink Adam

Archos 101 appears to have the same display as the Gtablet and the Notion Ink is still in "marketing conceptual stages". Notion Ink mass shipments are still months away.
After playing King of Fighters 2003 and Metal Slug 5 at 60fps with perfect sound- I am keeping this puppy
Those games (most bigger Neo Geo and CPS2 games) will not play on the Archos 101 due to 256mb ram. They play slow on the Droid X (same chipset as 101).
The Gtablet is kind of like the A10 Warthog of tablets

Archos Tablets?

Any plans for a section for those?
i think they have potential and my store already has the 70 and 101 in stock ready to go on sale.
i might be getting both.
just wondering if there is any interest on here to make those tablets woork their money's worth

Archos has proven them self with great products so far. I was thinking about getting the 101 but have found something else that I like a little better. Still not POSITIVE on not getting the 101 though. Would like to see an Archos section here also. There seems to be a community out there for them after watching a lot of youtube vids about some of the products (even the older products). Just wondering, where do you work exactly? I've been watching the Archos website for about a month or so and they still do not have the 101 or 70 ready to ship.

jagpoag said:
Archos has proven them self with great products so far. I was thinking about getting the 101 but have found something else that I like a little better. Still not POSITIVE on not getting the 101 though. Would like to see an Archos section here also. There seems to be a community out there for them after watching a lot of youtube vids about some of the products (even the older products). Just wondering, where do you work exactly? I've been watching the Archos website for about a month or so and they still do not have the 101 or 70 ready to ship.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, i've been following the website also and it still does not have them ready to ship.
i work at office depot and we have both the 70 and 101 in store ready to display.
we'll most likely put them up after black friday most likely by sunday. i am guessing every office depot has it in stock also. i'll post on here as soon as they come out on the shelves.
may i ask what you found that you liked?
i'm also considering something to adapt in my car in place of my regular head unit.
i was looking at the galaxy tab but not very impressed with the pricing.

viper3ez said:
yeah, i've been following the website also and it still does not have them ready to ship.
i work at office depot and we have both the 70 and 101 in store ready to display.
we'll most likely put them up after black friday most likely by sunday. i am guessing every office depot has it in stock also. i'll post on here as soon as they come out on the shelves.
may i ask what you found that you liked?
i'm also considering something to adapt in my car in place of my regular head unit.
i was looking at the galaxy tab but not very impressed with the pricing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What part of the country do you live in? I'm in the south now and things seem to get here a little later than other places, if it all.
I found this and I've done some checking on the website itself to make sure everything was was the 'up and up' with them, they seem good.
http://www.merimobiles.com/M10_Android_2_2_Flash_10_1_1GHz_Capacitive_3G_p/meri0533.htm
It doesn't have the camera on it BUT I like that the screen is 4:3 like the IPad instead of the wide screen like the 101. I miss my IPad but what I really liked about it was the casing, it just felt good in my hands. I'm leaning more towards this tablet because of the IPad like casing and slightly better viewing area (in my opinion)

jagpoag said:
What part of the country do you live in? I'm in the south now and things seem to get here a little later than other places, if it all.
I found this and I've done some checking on the website itself to make sure everything was was the 'up and up' with them, they seem good.
http://www.merimobiles.com/M10_Android_2_2_Flash_10_1_1GHz_Capacitive_3G_p/meri0533.htm
It doesn't have the camera on it BUT I like that the screen is 4:3 like the IPad instead of the wide screen like the 101. I miss my IPad but what I really liked about it was the casing, it just felt good in my hands. I'm leaning more towards this tablet because of the IPad like casing and slightly better viewing area (in my opinion)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm in texas.
that merimobile product looks promising with the multitouch and 1080p but other than that i'll be quite skeptical.
the reviews seem more like a question and answer session.
sounds like one guy trying to import a product from taiwan and sell over here.
and those people asking about 3g dont seem to realize that most service providers operate on different 3g frequencies.

viper3ez said:
i'm in texas.
that merimobile product looks promising with the multitouch and 1080p but other than that i'll be quite skeptical.
the reviews seem more like a question and answer session.
sounds like one guy trying to import a product from taiwan and sell over here.
and those people asking about 3g dont seem to realize that most service providers operate on different 3g frequencies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah all of the "reviews" so far are just idiots that are asking stupid questions about it. It's not even been shipped yet..lol. Just preorder for now much like a lot of the other tablets. I've called and talked to their customer service a few times. They are based in Canada and do sell the "lower end" products I guess you would say. I'm still not sure that I'm going to be getting this tablet though. The Archos 101 has a lot that I want in a tablet (capacitive touch is a BIG for me) and if they are going to be in stock in Office Depot, that could seal the deal for me.

I just had my manager open our lockup so I can see them as he's an android fan himeself, turns out what we have is the viewsonic 10" and the archos 7 home (instead of archos 70 internet).
I'm pretty bummed. Back to stalking the archos website for ship date for me.

I just checked the Archos site and the 70 is actually available now (no more "notify me", instead they have "add to cart") wish I could say the same for the 10. Looks like we are going to waiting a while longer on that one. This is the second time I've seen the 70 available though. It only stayed that way around 20 hours last time.

It's been fun, but I think it's time to go back...

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.

$279 viewsonic g tablet is back woot deal

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

Curious how the Best Buy and Staples sales are going this first weekend

Wondering how the Surface is doing for sales at BB and Staples now. I normally wouldn't care as I love my Surface but we all need it to be successful if we want to see some good app development in the Store and see growth in quality apps, which is currently lacking in the store.
I will tell you that over the weekend I was at South Coast Plaza mall in Southern California and the Microsoft Store there, which is big , was pretty busy (Maybe not Apple busy, but pretty good traffic).
Anybody have any info from BB or Staples personnel in the know or any other source?

I believe it is online only availability.

Stores have stock now. Was in a Best buy today. Surface was the 1st thing you see walking in the door.

lqaddict said:
I believe it is online only availability.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read elsewhere that it has been spotted and purchased in Staples and Best Buy. I don't imagine a huge impact on RT sales until the Pro is out in the wild and attracting a lot more attention and awareness for the Surface brand.
Also, some of those cases where it is set up at best buy it has been said that they are not setting it up with the keyboard cover which IMO would draw much more attention.

We just got our Surface display set up at Staples, and a few people checked it out. But before we ever had them in store people kept coming in looking for the tablet with the "click" commercial, so i'd say the interest will be there and I love what the Surface does, so ill be glad to show it customers.
Sent from my SCH-R950 using xda app-developers app

conmanxtreme said:
We just got our Surface display set up at Staples, and a few people checked it out. But before we ever had them in store people kept coming in looking for the tablet with the "click" commercial, so i'd say the interest will be there and I love what the Surface does, so ill be glad to show it customers.
Sent from my SCH-R950 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
John Lewis now have them in physical stores in the UK.

Microsot surface rt hidden at best buy
I visited a BestBuy in Gainesville, Florida, with my son. I wanted to see the Surface RT even though I own one. I could not see one. Then I spotted it with the black cover among other portable products. The Surface RT is not displayed at any specific promotional spot as the other other products are. So, even though, BestBuy carries it, I do not think people will notice it.
I hope Microsoft will address the issue.

went into Staples on Sunday (Dec 16) after I found out online that they had them in the store on Saturday. Big sign at entrance advertising the Surface. When I purchased the 64Gb version of it I found out that I was the first person in this Store who bought one. The folks at Staples wanted me to report back to them whether I liked it. I told them I will surely like it (played with it for some time at a MS Store in Boston). They told me that they only found out Wednesday that they will have them in the Store on Saturday and thought it seemed rushed by MS.
anyway, glad I was able to buy it at a local store (next MS store is 1.5hs from here).
place of Staples: Beavercreek, Ohio (Dayton area).

I just checked at the local Best Buy. It was just tossed in with the other tablets, and they didn't have the full selection of keyboards (nor did they have a keyboard out with it).

Poor product placement? Lmao...I think people who want it, know about it and will get it. Other random people, most likely will get an ipad. Lol. I honestly thought they would have a MS rep in every major best buy location to hype it up. Or , even a special station where multiple Surfaces are setup allowing people to play with them...kind of like apple has its booth in every store. Hopefully MS will do good on sales, even with poor product placment because it is a very important and effective marketing strategy.
I need to go check out my local store. I was sure I wanted the Pro but after realizing that the RT does a lot more than i thought i decided i would get that. Then after reading up some more im not sure if I am up for a windows 8 tablet anymore, just because i am more familiar with android. So i went from being 100% to not knowing what tablet I want. They get old fast... :/

equisbox said:
Poor product placement? Lmao...I think people who want it, know about it and will get it. Other random people, most likely will get an ipad. Lol. I honestly thought they would have a MS rep in every major best buy location to hype it up. Or , even a special station where multiple Surfaces are setup allowing people to play with them...kind of like apple has its booth in every store. Hopefully MS will do good on sales, even with poor product placment because it is a very important and effective marketing strategy.
I need to go check out my local store. I was sure I wanted the Pro but after realizing that the RT does a lot more than i thought i decided i would get that. Then after reading up some more im not sure if I am up for a windows 8 tablet anymore, just because i am more familiar with android. So i went from being 100% to not knowing what tablet I want. They get old fast... :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coming from Android as well, I find the Surface Rt way more customizable out of the box via registry tweaks and such. Something only possible via rooting android. I also find it much more stable than ICS (I cant comment on JB as I have not played with much on my wifes Nexus 7 since I got my Surface now.

At the Best Buy I visited (in KY), it was basically in the back where the cheap ipad covers were. The Kindle, ipad, android, and every other tablet got much better placement and the sales people weren't talking about them and knew almost nothing about them.
I think this whole plan was put together quickly and without any real prep.

I work at a staples in Oklahoma. All our documentation was about how big a win it would he for us to be the first retailer to have it on the shelf. The only spot we had open for the surface was the end cap with the nexus so they left all the nexus display stuff and accessories up for the first 3 days, but had the Surface model and tags in front... ugh. I guess technically we did have it first. Lol. They didn't work out the deal till like Wednesday of last week and we had stock by Thursday so in the corporate world that's crazy ass fast.
We sold 3 to one business guy with a startup that needed internet explorer and office and that's it. Other wise I've sold 2 to my personal friends that I told to wait and not buy online till they can come in to my store to buy it. Ha. Also, if you decide to take funny pictures of your face and perhaps other body parts, the photo app love tile will keep scrolling the pics even after you delete them... just a heads up. Lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app

bigwilly90210 said:
I work at a staples in Oklahoma. All our documentation was about how big a win it would he for us to be the first retailer to have it on the shelf. The only spot we had open for the surface was the end cap with the nexus so they left all the nexus display stuff and accessories up for the first 3 days, but had the Surface model and tags in front... ugh. I guess technically we did have it first. Lol. They didn't work out the deal till like Wednesday of last week and we had stock by Thursday so in the corporate world that's crazy ass fast.
We sold 3 to one business guy with a startup that needed internet explorer and office and that's it. Other wise I've sold 2 to my personal friends that I told to wait and not buy online till they can come in to my store to buy it. Ha. Also, if you decide to take funny pictures of your face and perhaps other body parts, the photo app love tile will keep scrolling the pics even after you delete them... just a heads up. Lol
Sent from my SGH-T959 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully MS will follow up and get proper displays for Staples and Best buy as it really is a great product (I have had one since launch and have done some awesome tweaks on mine (full flash, no lock screen, starts up when opened, networked, etc). Hardwarewise it is stable, and the OS is getting better -It just needs the developer community to get behind it, and that is only going to happen if they see users($$$).

After my good experience at the local Staples here in Dayton, Ohio I also went to BestBuy today. What a let-down. I couldn't find anything about the Surface. The only special place I found was the iMac stand that is placed pretty much in your face when you walk into the store. When I asked for the Surface a guy in the laptop section told me that "oddly enough, it's placed in the mobile section". Okay, when I walked over to the mobile section I found two or three tablets with Win8 (Asus Avivo, Samsung), but there was no Surface. When I asked again the BB guy told me that they are right there, pointing to the laptops I just looked at. Doh! I guess anything Windows 8 goes by Surface at BB at least in this store.
On the other hand I am not really surprised.....

Yeah the Surface at our staples is set up on and end cap, which isnt a terrible spot, but it doesn't quite jump out at you, and the end caps beside it are the Lenovo Twist and the new Samsung 23" All-in-one desktop, so its not terrible placement.
Sent from my SCH-R950 using xda app-developers app

Hey guys me again
I said that I wasn't sure about whether I wanted the Surface anymore after seeing all the android tabs and what not (because I have a lot of experience with the android OS.) I love android, I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 currently, and I was thinking of buying an android tablet so everything would be synced and what not. After thinking about it some more, and going to my local Best Buy, to play with the Surface, I realized that I definitely wanted it over anything else. I realized that I want something new, and all android has to offer are the same things I can already do with my phone, just a little bigger. I'm definitely going to go purchase this tablet in the next few days.
As far as product placement, my local Best Buy did an excellent job of actual physical placement. It is right in front of you when you walk in the store. I, somehow, still missed it and had to ask an employee to point me in the right direction. They need a banner or some sort of sign. LOL. They need to hire me as a manager, I'm sure I can put my BA Business and MSIS degree to good use
I was worried about the screen resolution, but in person, it is everything and more. I am not that picky about resolution, as long as everything looks good, and everything looks amazing on the tablet. Who cares if it doesn't have the crazy high resolutions, because it is perfect for what it is.
Also, played with the type cover because that is the only cover they had out at my local Best Buy. I couldn't test the touch cover, but the type cover is amazing. I played around with office, and I literally fell in love with the little device. I must get it. I think if everyone would stop being so bias and give it a chance, they will fall in love with it. I am an android fan, but I am giving this tablet a chance. Plus, the android tablet I bought last year, I ended up returning because all it was to me is an overgrown phone. Every time I wanted to do something I couldn't decide whether to do it on my android phone or my android tablet. LOL! So I just returned it to avoid the headache altogether.
Anyhow, I don't think the stores are doing too hot with sales. I didn't even see anyone else playing with the tablet, maybe because I was hogging the only one they had out, but who knows. Sucks because I really want it to do well.

equisbox said:
.....
Anyhow, I don't think the stores are doing too hot with sales. I didn't even see anyone else playing with the tablet....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waiting on eye glasses repair...
Costco: guy asks "where is the old windows ?"
Lady asks "are there any windows seven laptops left?"
mom+kids "we'll just go get an ipad" (kids cheering, after trying to use the w8 demo unit for a few minutes)
Bestbuy:
Lady "where are the new ipads?"
Dude "this thing has awesome specs! Do you know how to put real windows on it?" (To his buddy)
Salesguy, "ya, I don't know about the surface thing. Doesn't sell. Can't believe they didn't have the pro ready for christmas."
All folks who might have considered a surface, maybe. Its not getting any serious attention from what I've seen.

I bought one from my local Best Buy, they just had it out with the other tablets, had the $499 32Gb, $599 32Gb with cover (One I got) and the $699 64Gb with cover.
I think Microsoft could really benefit for a better advertising campaign, also they should ship specific display models to stores that have a looping display on them. A black square with a black screen doesn't make one want to pick it up.
It's a nice device, build quality is awesome, OS is buggy though. Not sure if I'll keep it or not (have a month thanks to longer holiday return policy) or maybe get something like the 13" Lenovo yoga.
I still haven't gotten the white list hack to work, unless that was fixed not to in the latest update.
I still don't really get the hype or people waiting for the Pro, it's just a tablet computer, maybe it will be nicer in quality, buy really you can buy that now, the surface is great because of the battery life, size and for the most part a full OS, the pro looses most of that.
I do have to say I own a iPad mini and love the thing for size and weight but for the most part it's a gamming device, even my old full size ipad was just that also.
One of my first wishes for the surface is 4 rows of tiles instead of three, my start screen is getting kind of long!

Zytryx said:
I bought one from my local Best Buy, they just had it out with the other tablets, had the $499 32Gb, $599 32Gb with cover (One I got) and the $699 64Gb with cover.
I think Microsoft could really benefit for a better advertising campaign, also they should ship specific display models to stores that have a looping display on them. A black square with a black screen doesn't make one want to pick it up.
It's a nice device, build quality is awesome, OS is buggy though. Not sure if I'll keep it or not (have a month thanks to longer holiday return policy) or maybe get something like the 13" Lenovo yoga.
I still haven't gotten the white list hack to work, unless that was fixed not to in the latest update.
I still don't really get the hype or people waiting for the Pro, it's just a tablet computer, maybe it will be nicer in quality, buy really you can buy that now, the surface is great because of the battery life, size and for the most part a full OS, the pro looses most of that.
I do have to say I own a iPad mini and love the thing for size and weight but for the most part it's a gamming device, even my old full size ipad was just that also.
One of my first wishes for the surface is 4 rows of tiles instead of three, my start screen is getting kind of long!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also wish there were 4 tiles, and I also want the ability to group apps into folders on the start screen - I have over 100 apps installed and its a bit tough to manuevur, even with shrinking the size of the start screen shortcut.