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I bought my gtablet 2 weeks ago. I have 30 days to return the baby. Following are my questions.
1. I know lot of pundits are calling 2011 as the year of tablets. Did I jump the gun and bought it too early? gtab's spec was the reason for the buy.
2. Do you think in the future they will release firmware update to honeycomb since google doesn't recommend froyo for tablets?
3. lot of the current apps dont work.
4. you tube streaming is horrible.
5. last but not least the screen.
I appreciate the efforts of several guys on this forum for supporting the device. however I am still on the side line as far as introducing other roms on the device. so it limits my gtab to some extent.
Difficult question to answer since it ultimately depends on your expectations and personality. Viewsonic has (recently) been pretty good about releasing updates and working with the dev community here at XDA; that indicates that there is a possibility (not certainty) that they will continue to do so into the new year. The G-tablet's hardware will support Honeycomb, so it is reasonable to expect them to release an update IF Honeycomb is released within Q1 or Q2 of 2011.
If you are holding back on loading a rom, the question we need to know "why" before we can give you more meaningful advice. If you're holding off because you're considering returning the unit, that's one thing (and understandable). If, however, you are uncomfortable loading roms, that's another. All I can tell you is that the G-Tablet is a fantastic device with both VEGAn and TnTLite--much better and faster than stock TnT. I anticipate the XDA devs will probably actively develop/improve their roms for at least Q1 & Q2; probably longer if Honeycomb is released within that timeframe. We must acknowledge, however, that Viewsonic's recent updates are making strides into improving the user experience, so that remains an alternative. Bottom line: if you're willing to educate yourself on loading roms and doing the market fix, the G-Tablet is the best bargain out there currently.
As to some apps not working, some apps don't work on my HTC Evo either. The G-Tablet seems to run most apps very well. This is surprising since Froyo & Gingerbread apps aren't really designed for tablets. I see no reason to be alarmed regarding the G-Tablet's ability to run apps or play YouTube currently (which I have no problem with on TnTLite or VEGAn).
There will be better tablets released this year. For one thing, the G-Tablet's screen is poor quality when viewed at an angle. Also the front facing camera is mediocre at best. Other than those 2 issues, the hardware is very solid and will probably not be surpassed until Q3 of 2011.
no. do not keep it. i had one last week for two days (long enough to experience the latest update). its not great without the willingness to mod it by the end user.
today i bought a galaxy tab, and its exactly what i was hoping for when i bought the gtablet last week. sure, i now have a monthly data subscription, but only for the first 6 months (tmobile) and then i can drop it. and yes, i did spend more on the device... but maybe thats why the viewsonic product was so bad, because its an entry model device based on awful software and flimsy hardware (mine creaked).
the samsung has everything i was looking for... android market, swype, youtube, flash, etc. etc. etc... its just awesome.
dont wait too long to return. youll be sorry.
No one can answer that question for you, it is for you to decide. Not even the above poster's answer is valid - except for him and his experience. I also tried the Galaxy Tab and I hated it. Yes, much nicer screen, but the seven inch size was a no go for me. Everyone's needs and experience is different so don't do anything based on what someone here tells you to do.
If you feel up to mod'ing the G you can end up with a nicely functioning tablet, albeit with a screen that has a lousy viewing angle, but, on the other hand for a lot less money than other alternatives.
I am a total noob to Android and went to the irc chat room for the G and someone there walked me through the rom change. I now have a nice unit, runs smoothly, fairly fast and its doing what I need it to do. It still has a lousy screen viewing angle but I also have an extra few hundred bucks in my pocket that I didn't have to put out for a Galaxy that I didn't like.
Ultimately it has to be your decision. There are a number of people in here who are willing to help out if you want to take advantage of their help.
R
Take it back quickly. Get the Galaxy Tab......wait...didnt I just hear they are locking down the bootloader on it. No Gingerbread or Honeycomb unless Samsung lets you have it. So it has the the potential of being outdated already. But seriously, if your having 2nd thoughts about a purchase....RETURN IT!!!! It's your money. Why would anything we have to say have any bearing on your remorse.
If you're having buyers remorse already then I would say return it. Usually when someone asks a question like that they have issues or gripes with the device. This tablet has the hardware to be great and the software is catching up to it. There is a decent backing behind the product and that's a great thing. As for the screen users have been running tests with other screens to try and find an alternative.
For me I personally love modding my device to make it my own. If you're the type of person that wants a complete out of the box working tablet then I would return it.
I don't think any of the tabs out today has an advantage over the other. If ur gonna return the gtablet, don't get anything else that's out right now. I would just wait a few months. Or at least wait til the prices drop on the alternative tablets.
As other posters has said, u haven't seen the capabilities of this tablet without flashing a rom or modifying the stock ui.
Just to answer some of ur questions
No I don't think u bought it too early because tegra 2 tabs are gonna be expensive next yr albeit they will probably have better screens and camera. You just purchased a tablet with next years hottest cpu at a pretty fair price.
Yes, viewsonic has earned my trust that they will update this device. I also have the utmost confidence in our current devs to bring us faster roms.
All the apps I have works. If ur talking about the g sensor games then I would agree but that's not a lot of apps.
You tube streaming is super fast on my vegan tab. Other flash sites too! Especially justin tv. I have a wireless n router and when I stream from those sites no stutter at all.
And the screen...umm no comment lol.
Overall, I'm happy with my purchase and u should be too unless u got extra money to spend and/orthe patience to wait til next yr.
No....send it to me.
Thanks everyone. I am not new to android. Mt3g and currently vibrant. But never flashed a rom. So nervous. Things I like are hardware and no contract. On top of that I got it for 30% off. So really a bargain. But I offset it by buying extended warranty.
Called viewsonic cs but that number is not working. Tried 4 times, after the automated voice and 10 mins hold the call disconnects and it got me concerned.
nexusonemeover said:
the samsung has everything i was looking for... android market, swype, youtube, flash, etc. etc. etc... its just awesome.
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Funny, I can say the same things about my GTablet. Granted, it's maybe 95%-98% of the Market, and I had to tinker with it, but I'm a big boy who likes to tinker.
Unfortunately, the devs here have taken away some of the fun by making it so easy to download and flash the rom.
But hey, glad you are enjoying your Galaxy Tab. And if you were so unhappy with your GTablet, stop trolling the GTablet forums.
-=Sent from my VS GTablet (VEGAn b4) using Tapatalk=-
popezaphod said:
Funny, I can say the same things about my GTablet. Granted, it's maybe 95%-98% of the Market, and I had to tinker with it, but I'm a big boy who likes to tinker.
Unfortunately, the devs here have taken away some of the fun by making it so easy to download and flash the rom.
But hey, glad you are enjoying your Galaxy Tab. And if you were so unhappy with your GTablet, stop trolling the GTablet forums.
-=Sent from my VS GTablet (VEGAn b4) using Tapatalk=-
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ill rephrase for the sensitive folks... some people need (or want) the device to work out of the box, no changes required. the gtablet just isnt that device.
in an increasingly crowded marketplace where devices are getting better and better at launch, a device like the gtab takes a backseat for out of the box readiness. yes, you can mod till youre blue in the face and get it to do most of what others do from the get go, but having to mod to get it almost there is not optimal for every user.
and to the other deflating comment, i love XDA and i will troll whatever forums and whenever i wish... pardon me for posting an opinion in a public forum.
I was also worried I made a bad decision with my gtab purchase a week ago as well. I came in to an unexpected $400 and decided to treat myself to a gtablet. The day after I got it I flashed the vegan 3 rom. That fixed the "bad software" issue for sure. The my only concern was with the screen. But my worry was 2 fold: 1) viewing angles. 2) "fuzzy" graphics. I'm used to my Droid X having razor sharp fonts and graphics, which the gtab does not. Part of the problem is the screen quality which is related to the viewing angle. I think the bigger part has to do with resolution. The gtab resolution is 1024 x600 pixels @ 10.1" while the Droid X is 854 x 480 @ 4.3". Packing 66% of the pixels into 42% of the screen size helps make things sharper.
So I'm now at the point where I'll keep the gtab. I'm not 100% satisfied, but it's pretty damn good. Maybe there will be luck with finding a better LCD that can be dropped in. If next year a better tegra 2 tablet comes out, then I might just switch and sell my gtab on ebay. I won't get what I paid for it, but I'm hoping to get at least $250 for it. I would have gotten $130 worth of use out of it.
As for flashing a new rom; It is really easy to do with the proper instructions. I had not done any rom flashing since I have a droid x, and was kinda reluctant as well. But now I look back and realize there really wasn't anything to be nervous over. Most of the "caution, you may brick your device" warnings you read are similar to the medical wavers you sign that say "you might die" even though you are just getting some teeth pulled. Yes, it can happen. But most of the time everything works out fine.
I think you would need to be happy with it the way it is today to keep it. There are no guarantees that it will get any further updates from VS. In fact it really seems like a product that they had branded just for the holidays.
I'm still undecided about mine, but I suspect that once I see what comes out of CES, the gtablet will probably go back to Sears.
sam96_77 said:
I bought my gtablet 2 weeks ago. I have 30 days to return the baby. Following are my questions.
1. I know lot of pundits are calling 2011 as the year of tablets. Did I jump the gun and bought it too early? gtab's spec was the reason for the buy.
2. Do you think in the future they will release firmware update to honeycomb since google doesn't recommend froyo for tablets?
3. lot of the current apps dont work.
4. you tube streaming is horrible.
5. last but not least the screen.
I appreciate the efforts of several guys on this forum for supporting the device. however I am still on the side line as far as introducing other roms on the device. so it limits my gtab to some extent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nexusonemeover said:
ill rephrase for the sensitive folks... some people need (or want) the device to work out of the box, no changes required. the gtablet just isnt that device.
in an increasingly crowded marketplace where devices are getting better and better at launch, a device like the gtab takes a backseat for out of the box readiness. yes, you can mod till youre blue in the face and get it to do most of what others do from the get go, but having to mod to get it almost there is not optimal for every user.
and to the other deflating comment, i love XDA and i will troll whatever forums and whenever i wish... pardon me for posting an opinion in a public forum.
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Click to collapse
Sam, I agree with the people who've said that noone can tell you. As someone who prefers not to mod myself, I am right there with you in feeling out the insecurities of dropping a chunk of change on something that may or may not be faulty in relation to actual hardware or that's shaky in terms of future software releases and support. The thing is, in a case like this, we're all early adopters here....and the problem with cookie cutter devices like the G Tablet (cookie cutter meaning the same base hardware as a plethora of devices coming soon) is that it really doesn't get a whole lot of respect in terms of software from the people that sell it because at the end of the the day, they're in it for the money like all companies are but more so they're not all about loyalty or trying to keep customers. If they can get you to keep your device for 30 days - that's money in their pocket no matter what.
That is the raw, real truth of the matter. I have certainly had my own ups and downs with it but unless there's a DEEP hardware issue - I'm not seeing a reason to return mine. If you REALLY don't want to mess around with ROMs and 3389 (newest OTA) isn't satisfactory for you, then I'd say return it. Something faster and better will always be on the horizon, and if you keep returning or waiting for the next best thing, you end up with nothing. And we'll always have buyers remorse, believe me...there's always a reason to return a buy.
At this point, we have no guarantees that Viewsonic will support it beyond Froyo. They have never claimed, nor said they would and when it comes to devices like this. That's a cold hard fact. They're dabbling in the tablet waters, and if it doesn't 'work out' for them they could just decide to call it quits in terms of releasing updates and supporting it. Even if they do decide to go ahead and jump into the market, when they release new equipment we don't really have anyone at viewsonic saying "don't worry, your tablet will be upgraded for as long as it can be". We just have to hope and have faith.
I would say, if you really don't want to nor see yourself modding your tablet. Even in the lightest, then maybe it isn't the device for you. Get an iPad...where you know Apple has a vested interest and will release updates for it as long as it can be updated. But if you see yourself dabbling, even a little bit (it really is pretty easy and for the most part safe), then I believe 100% that this tablet is going to be a powerhouse next year when honeycomb hits (barring any unforeseen internal hardware faults currently).
To Nexus, you've made a point in that the Galaxy Tab IS indeed a great device and workable right out of the box but there are pretty big differences which make them very different. I also think that yes, it is preferable to the G Tablet for people who want that out of the box usefulness. But is the Galaxy Tab a value, I really don't think so. Quite simply, you're paying a lot more for a lot less.
Kind of like buying a VW Bug with great insides vs. a VW Touareg with some glitchy insides (that are quite possibly fixable in the near future).
For one, the Galaxy Tab is single core - meaning right now what you see is what you get. The G Tablet will have new doors opened when Honeycomb allows the second core to be utilized synchronously (I think? and hope). The Galaxy Tab is a 7inch device which by all means is a big difference than the 10inch G Tablet. I have used 7inch devices and they feel like really big phones. Still quite usable and maybe even preferable by some, but not all. The G Tablet feels like flat computer in comparison and the bigger screen is obviously noticeable. The Galaxy Tab is $200 more than the G Tablet without a contract. It is $350 with a contract, but you must have data on the account for, you say 6 months, right? That's still a minimum of $530. Is the G Tablet perfect, no way. But by all means it's great hardware with great potential for a value price right now. The Galaxy Tab on the other hand, is a great out of the box experience fit for anyone out there, but lacking the power and potential of the G Tablet - better screen? sure...but not necessarily a better buy.
Coming from owning a Vibrant, maybe I'm a little biased, but I wouldn't be too sure Samsung will be paying attention to the Tab for too long into next year, especially when the new hotness the Galaxy Tab 2 is released....and all this talk about locking bootloaders etc. I dunno. I feel better that even if VS takes a dump and refocuses elsewhere, at least the devs here will be taking care of us for a while.
^^^ Very insightful reply. And, you made some good points I had not considered.
Sent from my SGH-T849 using XDA App
sam96_77 said:
Thanks everyone. I am not new to android. Mt3g and currently vibrant. But never flashed a rom. So nervous. Things I like are hardware and no contract. On top of that I got it for 30% off. So really a bargain. But I offset it by buying extended warranty.
Called viewsonic cs but that number is not working. Tried 4 times, after the automated voice and 10 mins hold the call disconnects and it got me concerned.
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Click to collapse
30% off!!!! U lucky son of a gun haha. Well that makes the gtab a great buy. I'm jealous.
I was disapointed until Loaded Vegan and did the calibaration fix,also practically bricked it and had to load ubuntu linux cuz windows driver would not work but now i am very happy this thing is so fast!
And mind you the software is not optimized for Dual core processor.
Definately not for the none tech inclined.But if you are willing to root and want a solid Android device this is it!
I could get a galaxy tab but why would i pay for internet i can tether off my evo for free.
Sent from my VEGAn-TAB-v1.0.0b4
I will try the simple answer. Keep it.
If you dont want it, ill take it for $250. Wont pay $400 for it from Sears and all the "refurbished" ones on Sears Outlet @ $279 are no where close to me and they dont ship.
nexusonemeover said:
ill rephrase for the sensitive folks... some people need (or want) the device to work out of the box, no changes required. the gtablet just isnt that device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely agree with you. The Galaxy Tab is, in fact, the closest thing to an Android tablet that works out of the box.
Anyone buying an Android tablet before June 2011 is basically an early adopter. If you want something that Just Works(tm), your best bet is to go the premium route and get a Galaxy Tab. If you don't have the money and don't want a service contract, you're going to have to do some hacking in some way, shape or form to get things working.
And yeah, I can be a crabby ***** sometimes.
Hi peeps been looking around at the android tablets on the market and wondering if i should take the plunge?.Thought i would ask here as you guys probably have more experiance than most.Can you recomend a couple?, i'm not looking to spend a fortune just want something that covers most bases and doesnt struggle to run the usual suspects.HDMI out would be a plus but any ideas you can offer or just give me ideas on what not to buy.Any helps good, thanx in advance.
I have a smoldering interest in a tablet as well but I will continue to hold off as my Lenovo X61t and Windows Phone compliment each other pretty well and I don't "need" one.
However, I have taken note of the Archos' that were just released. The general feeling is that they feel cheap in build quality but the price and performance is right there. This is engadgets take on the two tablets they have.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/24/archos-70-and-101-internet-tablet-review/
I have used the Samsung Galaxy S and it is a nice device. Gotta be honest though, nothing seems to be "more complete than the ipad", just in terms of docks, jailbreaking, best apps, etc.
There are so many 'knock offs' in this category, let us know what you find!
I agree in the upset front, it's a great piece of kit but I refuse to spend that kind if money. Have found plenty of cheap ones, and I don't mind the price tag but most are just a bit gutless lol. But yeah likewise bring the info if you find something good.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Back again, on the subject off cheapo knock off tablets have you seen the a-ok pad lol now don't laugh. I could be persuaded to gamble on something as (shall we say rough) if it ticked the right boxes. Anybody heard if them? Any horror stories?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Buying a new tablet
I'm in the market for a tablet, and have taken my sweet time for the last 3 months researching and looking for the best one to buy. I've done my fair share of research and now i'm asking you: Should I buy the ASUS Transformer Prime with the dock, od should i wait for samsung/htc/moto/lenovo/acer... next-gen tablet? My fear is you see, that I'll buy The Prime, and that it won't be supported by some software develeopers, and left out in the cold with some apps, or not on par with the next-gen 2012 tablets. I want the best hardware specs, possible future windows 8 compatibility, preferably tegra device, 3g isn't a must, nor GPS but preferred. I don't mind waiting for a few more months since this would be my first tablet, wich i don't really need. NO IOS/IPad talk please, android tablet only (but like i said, with a possibility of win8 in the future). Any reasonable advice is more than welcome, and thank you all very much in advance!
IIRC Asus Prime will begin getting ICS/4.0 Jan 12th.
With that said, I would definitely play around with one before buying. Numerous reported issues that can't really be fixed through OTA's or software. (GPS, WIFI, light bleed, glass/screen loose from rest of tab).
Typical Asus if you ask me, crapshoot on quality.
Also depends on what you want in a tab. If you don't really want to play around/mod/customize then I think the Ipad 2 or hold out a couple of months for an Ipad 3 would be your best bet.
If you have to have an Android you have one of two options. Wait for more quad core tabs to be released, or start looking at what's available now.
Samsung 7.0 Plus is probably the best out for 7"ers.
For the 10"ers it's a toss up right now. Galaxy Tab 10.1 has good support, decent performance, light, easy to hold, good screen, great speakers (for a tab). It's cons to me are the Tegra 2 isn't up to snuff with Honeycomb OS.
The HP Touchpad is a great buy for the OS and specs, and can also be ported to Android (Still need to play with one)
Asus Transformer TF101 is also a good buy but again a crapshoot on quality but can be had for a good price.
The new Moto Xyboards are getting good reviews but they are overpriced for what they are, are only sold through VZW and were "technically" outdated before they were even released. Also locked bootloaders are never fun if flashing kernels are your thing.
Right now I'm looking at getting another tab so I guess you could say I'm in the same boat as you. I have an OG Galaxy Tab 7 on the way b/c I got it cheaper than cheap and just wanna play with it.
Considering picking up an 8" Xyboard also.
ETA: I probably won't pick up a Xyboard however until they come down in price or a WiFi only version is offered.
The SGT 7.7 also sounds promising. Decisions decisions.
First of all, thank you for the fast and torough reply... And yes, sweet sweet decisions
I forgot to say that I'm in the market for a 10" minimum tablet, don't want smthng smaller 'cause i allready have an SGSII so I'm covered for mobility.
As for ASUS's build quality, like I said I never owned a tablet so I definately will try out/play with one for a couple of hours before purchasing, and watch out for the screen bleed on an ips display. But currently most of my pc's componens (2xmobo, 2xgraphic cards, and a lappy) are ASUS made and i must say i'm more than satisfied with them, and as I recall, when I was buying my SGSII there was talk about screen burn-in, overheating and wifi problems too, but I haven't had a single one with my device. Besides that, I don't really need GPS or 3g in a tablet so it's not a dealbreaker with me on The Prime.
The problem is: I wouldn't buy any other tablet now existing in the market, mostly because of the Tegra3 chipset The Prime has, so if I'm paying a hi-end device (around 700$) i want the latest and fastest performer in the ring. And yes, in my book that is android only, as i find apple's devices a bit limiting sometimes (without any fanboyism, I come from a long line of iphones before my android). The things I'm worried hardware-wise are: the amount and speed of Prime's RAM (1gb od ddr2), possible wifi signal problems, screen bleed, and that it's topheavy when docked (a minor thing really). I love that it has a full USB 2.0 port, so you don't need a jack/ adapter of some kind (e.g. like on a SGSII microUSB to full USB). Not really worried about the one speaker layout eather, altough i was a bit dissapointed since the TF101 had a stereo layout, but still, not a dealbreaker (hey, it's still a tablet)...
Now you may laugh at this seeing your sig, but in my mobile history (25+ phones) the worst were accually motorolas (v3 being the worst of the lot, but than again A925 was more than excellent) I'm not so fond of HP either, last month i sold my DV6 3020em, (that's the i7 touchscreen version for Europe since i'm european), and i can say it was utter rubbish, overheating, shoddy build quality, squeaky, noisy fans, you name it... That's why I sold it, but it had a touchscreen which was more than handy, and that's why i want a tablet, I just might look a bit more into the HP touchpad after all.
Acer is great quality for it's price, really great. But I only had Acer's laptops, and the Iconia tablet is as ugly as a bullfrog from chernobyl, so I wouldn't want one.
Tf101 is ugly too by my standards, too big as well, but the looks aren't so important if it was an excellent performer, which none of the now available androids are compared to The Prime (at least not on honeycomb).
I played with samsung 8.9 a few days ago and I can report is't a great little device, thin, capable, satisfying all in all, but i'd like a bigger screen, and a real keyboard and it's not a tegra device (I play a lot of games so i'd like the tegra zone, as chainfire's plugins don't support all tegra tweaked games)
Now I do like to install a new ROM every few weeks on my SGSII but i srsly don't think that will be the case on a tablet (except Win 8, when it comes out).
So i guess the question remains: should i wait for Samsung's next gen 10.1 answer or just go with the prime now
P.S. sorry for my poor english
cavkic said:
First of all, thank you for the fast and torough reply... And yes, sweet sweet decisions
I forgot to say that I'm in the market for a 10" minimum tablet, don't want smthng smaller 'cause i allready have an SGSII so I'm covered for mobility.
As for ASUS's build quality, like i said i never owned a tablet so I definately will try out/play with one for a couple of hours before purchasing, and watch out for the screen bleed on an ips display. But currently most of my pc's componens (2xmobo, 2xgraphic cards, and a lappy) are ASUS made and i must say i'm more than satisfied with them, and as I recall, when I was buying my SGSII there was talk about screen burn-in, overheating and wifi problems too, but I haven't had a single one with my device. Besides that, I don't really need GPS or 3g in a tablet so it's not a dealbreaker with me on The Prime.
The problem is: I wouldn't buy any other tablet now existing in the market, mostly because of the Tegra3 chipset The Prime has, so if I'm paying a hi-end device (around 700$) i want the latest and fastest performer in the ring. And yes, in my book that is android only, as i find apple's devices a bit limiting sometimes (without any fanboyism, I come from a long line of iphones before my android). The only thing I'm worried hardware-wise is the amount and speed of Prime's RAM (1gb od ddr2), possible wifi signal problems, screen bleed, and that it's topheavy when docked (a minor thing really). I love that it has a full USB 2.0 port, so you don't need a jack/ adapter of some kind (e.g. like on a SGSII microUSB to full USB). Not really worried about the one speaker layout eather, altough i was a bit dissapointed since the TF101 had a stereo layout, but still, not a dealbreaker (hey, it's still a tablet)...
So i guess the question remains: should i wait for Samsung's next gen 10.1 answer or just go with the prime now
P.S. sorry for my poor english
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Don't jump the gun on the Prime until stock has settled in, right now retailers are price gouging due to low availability. The Prime should be $500 for the 32GB, $600 for the 64GB, not $650-700 for the 32GB.
I have a Transformer and an Iconia Tab A100, and I can tell you from first hand experience that the build quality isn't nearly as bad as the above poster is making it out to be. I actually like the finish on both the original Transformer and the Iconia series a lot, and the Prime seems to be a winner also. Another thing to consider for both ASUS and Acer is that they keep their Android releases relatively 'vanilla' except for a few bloatware-type apps of their own, unlike Samsung and HTC, who just can't help themselves but smear TouchWiz and Sense over everything they produce.
The only real reported issue with the Prime appears to be the GPS accuracy, but at least to me, it's a non-issue, since I disable GPS and bluetooth on everything.
The Windows 8 bit is yet to be seen, porting a device to another OS is something you can hope, but never hold your breath for. We've yet to see how Windows 8 distribution is going to work and remember that even if you do install Windows 8 down the road, it doesn't mean that you'll be able to run all windows-based programs, since mobile devices use ARM CPUs, and everything written for windows right now is made for x86 CPUs, so it will be up to each third party to rewrite their programs for compatibility.
Although I would never write out a company with pockets as deep as microsoft, they have proven time and time again that they are unable to compete in the mobile segment, so I don't see Windows 8 with as much hope and awe as many others do. (Especially since Ice Cream Sandwich is the first Android iteration we can really call "excellent")
TL;DR - If you can find a Prime for a decent price, then it's an amazing device to be had for a very reasonable price. If you plan on waiting, then checking out the upcoming Iconia A700 isn't a bad idea either if the dock isn't that important to you.
littleemp said:
Don't jump the gun on the Prime until stock has settled in, right now retailers are price gouging due to low availability. The Prime should be $500 for the 32GB, $600 for the 64GB, not $650-700 for the 32GB.
I have a Transformer and an Iconia Tab A100, and I can tell you from first hand experience that the build quality isn't nearly as bad as the above poster is making it out to be. I actually like the finish on both the original Transformer and the Iconia series a lot, and the Prime seems to be a winner also. Another thing to consider for both ASUS and Acer is that they keep their Android releases relatively 'vanilla' except for a few bloatware-type apps of their own, unlike Samsung and HTC, who just can't help themselves but smear TouchWiz and Sense over everything they produce.
The only real reported issue with the Prime appears to be the GPS accuracy, but at least to me, it's a non-issue, since I disable GPS and bluetooth on everything.
The Windows 8 bit is yet to be seen, porting a device to another OS is something you can hope, but never hold your breath for. We've yet to see how Windows 8 distribution is going to work and remember that even if you do install Windows 8 down the road, it doesn't mean that you'll be able to run all windows-based programs, since mobile devices use ARM CPUs, and everything written for windows right now is made for x86 CPUs, so it will be up to each third party to rewrite their programs for compatibility.
Although I would never write out a company with pockets as deep as microsoft, they have proven time and time again that they are unable to compete in the mobile segment, so I don't see Windows 8 with as much hope and awe as many others do. (Especially since Ice Cream Sandwich is the first Android iteration we can really call "excellent")
TL;DR - If you can find a Prime for a decent price, then it's an amazing device to be had for a very reasonable price. If you plan on waiting, then checking out the upcoming Iconia A700 isn't a bad idea either if the dock isn't that important to you.
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Tnx for the reply, and I have to say I think you misunderstood me. I don't think I said anything bad about acer's or asus's build quality just HP's (and only the perticular model of the DV6 I had), just that they're a bit on the ugly side, but that's totally a subjective stand, and irrelevant to anybody else.
As far as Prime's price goes, it should be available in Croatia, about 2hrs drive from my home in 10days for less than 700$ with the dock for the 32gig version, which is not a bad pricetag considering where I live, and I'm ready to give that kind of money for it. The dock is accually something i like about the Transformer, and it would probbably be a dead heat between TF101 just because of the dock) and the Sammy 10.1 if it weren't for the prime.
GPS, like I said, I don't mind. The SGSII has a great GPS reciever which i hardly ever use, maybe 6 times since i got it in july.
As far as ARM windows goes, I know what to expect from it , nothing special, but it would be nice to have that option when it's available
So you are happy with the TF101 and the Iconia? But would you recommend buying now the Prime if I'm happy with the price? I should mention I probbably won't buy it before ICS, and I'll try to get a hold of a stock ICS one when it's out after Jan. 12. because I want to make sure i missed the first version shipment
I believe you about Motorola. Until my Droid X I have ALWAYS hated Motorola. I never had a phone that worked right after some wear and tear and always had problems. From before smartphones thru the Droid 1, 2, and 3. (Went through multiples of those). I'm also a Samsung and HTC fan.
I've never had a problem with Asus computer components myself, w/ that said, there are quite a few complaints when it comes to the TF201 on quality. With that said, you, as I'm sure you do, have to take into account the dissatisfied ones are always going to moan and groan much more and louder than the happy customer.
I guess I just wish it was like cars when it comes to Tablets and would love for them to let me take the exact tab I'm looking to buy for a test drive. (Not leave the store but just open the box and get a good look at it and test everything to make sure I'm getting what my hard earned money is paying for).
I really want a TF201, but I'm going to wait til a few more Tegra 3 tabs come out. I really think Motorola would have hit a homerun if they would have put a quad core in their Xyboards and kept the price what they're charging now.
The three tabs I'm really torn between right now are the Xyboard 8.2, TF201, and Samsung 7.0 Plus. But man we are so close to seeing quad core as the new standard for tabs so the other part of me just wants to sit it out and wait.
So true what you said about the sitting and waiting for the quad core as the new standard, but on the other hand, HOW BAD DO WE WANT ONE!?!
Personally for me it's no competition between the Prime and other tablets, the Prime is just on another planet.
This morning the store answered my email saying that the Prime will be available mid january (in about 10 days) and said that maybe they could reserve one for me because of the small supply, but said the price may be different depending on the usd/euro stocks, but under 700$ for the 32gig version with dock...
Still I'm not planning on buying one before a test drive like you said (mostly to check for screen bleed). And yes, I took into account the moaners which is true like you said again...
I think I wathched every single review/comparison of the tablet on youtube, and read at least 10 reviews online, and it's all mostly positive.
I'll update as soon as i get my hands on a test one, hopefully in about 10 days.
I know this the Gtablet forum and I am a proud owner of a Gtablet. I just wanted to tell you about Honeycomb. I went into the Verizon Store this evening on the way back from a trip to Walmart. The store manager of Verizon happened to wait on me. I asked him if they were going to have any of the Xoom Tablets tommorro in stock for sale. He yes we got 10 of them in today....and would you like to play with it. I was like of course and the town that I was in was a small town...pop probably around 10k. So the store wasn't crowded. I proceeded to play with it. It seemed about the same speed as our Gtablets. Everything else was okay, what made this tablet nice is the fact that it has Honeycomb. I am really impressed with the layout. I am trying to decided if I want to go buy it in the morning...Something tells me that it won't take long to get Honeycomb on the Gtablet. I guess that I am going to wait and see how Honeycomb runs on our Gtablet before I run out and spend a lot of money on the Xoom.
On a side note it doesn't take too much knowledge to know more than the store manager of a Verizon store. I was asking a ? to him that I already knew the answer to and he had to ask some of the other people in the store...of course they didn't know and then I caught one of them on the internet looking for the answer...lol. I don't know, if I worked somewhere and my job depended on commission...I would know my products inside and out...not just because I love gadgets.
To end this post I have to say that I was impressed with the Xoom's screen, and the weight. You can also add the 3g (someday 4g) optional service and GPS. Now is that worth 200-400 extra dollars...I guess some of you will decide tomorrow. Me? Well I guess I will see how honeycomb runs on my gtablet in the next few weeks because we have such great devs. I guess after then I will make my decision.
Peace \oo/
I am looking forward to getting honeycomb on my gtablet
Cool, thanks for the post.
Since people have responded to my post let me add one thing:
I wasn't that impressed with the Xoom. I think the Gtablet is a fine piece of hardware for the price. Throw in Honeycomb and possible Viewsonic officially releasing Honeycomb to our tab after Moto gloats a few months....no comparison, I think Gtablet will be the way to go. For the price and the possbility of full market support once Honeycomb gets settled in...hmm I am excited for my Gtab.
But the screen....much better right?
The Xoom had a better screen by far. The resolution was nice and you could see it at all angles, but it wont be long before someone finds a replacement screen for the Gtab, which might take a little soldering, but still a great way to save money.
Anybody see the review on BGR? It's terrible. I don't even now where to start.
The review is terrible, not the Xoom itself.
He even goes as far as saying Honeycomb "isn't innovative." I'm not a fan of the Xoom (mainly because of the price and contract obigations) but BGR has really let its readers down on this one.
I read the BGR review, it was more of a review on the Xoom price and Honeycomb.
I "get" his complaints against Honeycomb in terms of general user experience, but it wasn't a very elaborate review. When you have an iPad, which is basically idiot proof, Android of any variety takes some getting accustom to. Once you get past that though there's no competition on which is the more powerful platform.
The one aspect I've never been a big fan of on these device reviews is how focused they are with built-in apps. Yes, I get that's what you're paying for, but there is a pretty vast market and essentially everything is customizable.
I will say comparing my gTab to my Incredible, I do miss the widgets that come with Sense (kudos to HTC for making visually appealing ones). And while I'd love to have a Xoom for its screen and slightly altered form factor, it is cost prohibitive for me and I couldn't do anything additional that I can't do on this wonderful little gTab.
I do agree though, i hope there is a screen hack down the line.
Thanks for your refreshingly light mini review. All to often we get commenter take a new piece of electronics to seriously . They act like either the manufacturer is feeding their kids or they just insulted their momma. Your comment carries more wieght with me than anything I'm going to read on engadget/gizmodo etc
Microsd currently does not work with Honeycomb, so is useless on the Xoom- ATM. It also apparently does not have USB host function.
Microsd will be fixed, but the host thing...
Nice display though.
Roebeet has posted a thread trying to get Viewsonic moving on setting some things
straight that need to be set straight -- and that's good and I agree with it.
What it has done that I don't like, though, is that it has created negative thoughts
and backlash against what I think is the most economical, most powerful, most flexible
and most user adaptable tablet on the market -- the G-Tablet.
I sorry, but even though I agree with Roebeet and I understand the realities of
the corporate world -- I AM NOT FINISHED WITH MY TWO G-TABLETS YET!!!
I think some people bought the G-Tablet thinking that first thing you know the software
would be upgraded and they would suddenly have a fourth- for fifth generation
supertablet. Ain't gonna happen.
The G-Tablet was bleeding edge when it came out and except for the screen it did
and still does have some of the best specs out. The software left a lot to
be desired, but if you look at Version 3991 (the UAT Roebeet downloaded and
hopes they will finish and OTA) -- the latest stock is not too bad. And the alternate
ROMs are great too.
BOTTOM LINE: With or without VS support, the G-Tablet is a good tablet and
it is not dead. As long as we are all here and the devs are devving and the
modders are modding and the helpers are helping and the users are playing --
WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.
Yes, I eventually plan to add another tablet when I see one I think is worth
it -- BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? I haven't seen anything that particularly catches my
eye yet.
REALITY CHECK: Get that G-Tablet out and get back to whatever you do best.
VS may need prodding.....but we're still in business!!!
Rev
I am so glad you haven't given up preaching entirely, Rev. I've been thinking the same thoughts all day and just couldn't articulate them.
I kicked $5 to roebeet, just as a thank you for being so involved and proactive.
I hope he uses it for the tasty beverage of his choosing, and comes back when the stress has dissipated.
I agree that it has created some negative sentiment towards the G-Tab, that should be focused more on VS, which I think was the intent. However I think in a way it needed to be said if for no other reason to grab VS's attention, which is seems to have done.
I just wish people could separate the Viewsonic support issue from the device itself, which VS does not even build to begin with. I purchased mine knowing I was going to "technically" void the warranty as soon as I got it. I literally purchased the Gtab because of XDA. I also purchased it to watch and wait over the next several months to a year to see the dust settle on Android tablets and see who is really putting out a high end on.
I really like my Gtab and had no illusions on what I was getting. I researched for over a month before I got it. Viewsonic was not even a consideration.
On the other hand I understand the issue that is being fought here with VS. We need the fundamental software support to help the dev of the other roms and to provide the actual customer support, especially for the thousands of Wooters who purchased this and not really wanting to go the custom route.
In the end I think the post was needed, but agree that people are getting a bit too negative for really no reason. I mean why would you dump a device that you already paid for. It is not like you are hurting the company that you already purchased it from.
On a positive note you have Vegan Ginger being released today and looking down right awesome. CM7 is looking awesome, TNTLite, gAdam, etc. This is one hell of a community device.
I am not going anywhere.
Well, no supports means no updated NVidia drivers, which means a substandard video viewing experience with Gingerbread (and Honeycomb, if it comes), which would be a good reason for ditching it for a different tab. Some people can live without it, but I do watch video files on mine. And don't quote me on this, but no support also means no hope for using both cores on 2.3 and above.
Whether I stay or go depends on the price of the Transformer. If it's too much, I will live with the screen. 2.2, and the various quirks for a while longer.
I was a little concerned that a number of people were ready to jump ship because of my weekend rant - that wasn't the effect I wanted it to have.
But, if anything else, it seems to have shaken things up a bit over in Viewsonic - so it might turn out OK. Just sit tight and let's see if they run with the ball, now.
I agree that losing ongoing support (if it happened) wouldn't suddenly make your device useless. But, it is still important to have vendor updates as they have the source code and we still make mods off their releases (especially me, with TNT Lite / TwoTapsX). For example, they'd have a better chance of pressuring Nvidia to change their stance on Harmony than any of us in XDA will.
Boy, all of this really does remind be of my early Amiga days.
Look what happened there.
D Wright,
I had been through two operating systems with Heathkit and CP/M before "DOS" ever
came along!!! I remember MP/M and CNIX and quite a few others.
I can also name a pile of brands I used over the years.
Bottom line -- your happiness with whatever hardware or software you have is based
on what you do with it and not how much it costs or how long it lasts.
Rev
I don't put any weight to what most people say here. Their opinions change with the winds. Like many others, I bought my gTab after I read up in this forum with the full intent of never running stock. So I never expected anything at all from Viewsonic. In fact, I have almost erased from my memory that these tablets came with a Viewsonic logo on it since I have had a rear skin on both of my gTabs for the past four plus months. And I also haven't been running any of the TnT roms.
No matter the hardware these tablets wouldn't be as useful without the fine work of the modders and developers here at xda. While I do have a special fondness for my gTabs, I will sell one of them when the Asus Transformer is released here in the States.
I don't understand
I don't understand some people. They buy the g-tab, at a great price, with dev support like you'd never dream of getting from Microsoft or most other companies. Its all FREE and as soon as some new buzz comes out there is a rash of "I'm dumping my g-tab to go buy ...." Yesterday the g-tab was great and today it is a piece of junk???? Meh.... those are fanboys and they probably should just go buy an iPad that they can flash around Starbucks to impress their friends. Personally, I bought my first g-tab to try an android tablet to see what you could do with one. I bought the second one because there was just so much cool stuff to try. Like everything else, the day you buy it it becomes "obsolete" but if it does what you want it to do, who cares? I'm quite happy that I still have XP on my laptop because it is stable and not as annoying as the os that came after it. Ubuntu is great on my netbook. Now, if only I could decide which g-tab rom is the best!!! Trying the vegan gingerbread now to see what happens with that... Go Devs!
enigma0456 said:
I don't understand some people. They buy the g-tab, at a great price, with dev support like you'd never dream of getting from Microsoft or most other companies. Its all FREE and as soon as some new buzz comes out there is a rash of "I'm dumping my g-tab to go buy ...." Yesterday the g-tab was great and today it is a piece of junk???? Meh.... those are fanboys and they probably should just go buy an iPad that they can flash around Starbucks to impress their friends. Personally, I bought my first g-tab to try an android tablet to see what you could do with one. I bought the second one because there was just so much cool stuff to try. Like everything else, the day you buy it it becomes "obsolete" but if it does what you want it to do, who cares? I'm quite happy that I still have XP on my laptop because it is stable and not as annoying as the os that came after it. Ubuntu is great on my netbook. Now, if only I could decide which g-tab rom is the best!!! Trying the vegan gingerbread now to see what happens with that... Go Devs!
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Ha! I know what you mean. If I only had one gTab and didn't have the means to spend another $400 on another tablet I would definitely hold on to mine for a long time due to the great hardware. But fortunately I have 2 gTabs and can sell one off to buy the Asus when it drops and spring for the difference out of pocket.
I travel for work often and currently I take my gTab with me along with a mini keyboard. My kids use the other gTab for games and reading. So my plan is to sell off my gTab and buy the Asus with the keyboard dock to take along on my trips. The functionality, quality, and versatility of the Transformer is really appealing to me. Plus it seems several of the xda devs are also planning on buying one. In the end, I will still have a gTab in the house so hopefully I will have the best of both worlds.
my only real concern before spending the money on this tablet is the lack of nvidia support and drivers. I can live without a good stock rom, hell I haven't ran a stock ROM on my droid x since i bought it. My big concern is the fact that any gingerbread roms and future honeycomb roms aren't gonna have the proper video drivers and will always have lagging issues.
Granted video playback isn't the only reason i'm gonna buy a gtablet, but it's certainly an important feature, and a future of only being able to run froyo based roms is a little disappointing.
davidukfl said:
my only real concern before spending the money on this tablet is the lack of nvidia support and drivers. I can live without a good stock rom, hell I haven't ran a stock ROM on my droid x since i bought it. My big concern is the fact that any gingerbread roms and future honeycomb roms aren't gonna have the proper video drivers and will always have lagging issues.
Granted video playback isn't the only reason i'm gonna buy a gtablet, but it's certainly an important feature, and a future of only being able to run froyo based roms is a little disappointing.
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x10000000000000
enigma0456 said:
I don't understand some people. They buy the g-tab, at a great price, with dev support like you'd never dream of getting from Microsoft or most other companies. Its all FREE and as soon as some new buzz comes out there is a rash of "I'm dumping my g-tab to go buy ...." Yesterday the g-tab was great and today it is a piece of junk???? Meh.... those are fanboys and they probably should just go buy an iPad that they can flash around Starbucks to impress their friends.
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I think that's an unfair assessment. For $100 (speculation...) extra, or more if tax is charged, you can buy a far superior in almost every way Asus Transformer. I don't think anyone has said the gTab is junk, but it pales in comparison to the tabs being released with a slightly higher price point (USB port is not important to me ...). The gTab made me realize I really wanted a tablet, but I've also had to fight this thing to get it to work properly, and frankly I'm a little tired of the battle.
Do I want an IPS screen, higher resolution, more memory, GPS, manufacturer support, and Honeycomb for ~ $100 more? Yes, yes I do. I do appreciate all the work the devs have done here, but I'm moving on the minute a date is set for the Transformer.
Could you elaborate with details on why you are concerned about the lack of support in the future for video drivers?
(not a rhetorical question, I just haven't seen anything pointing to that yet)
Thanks
roebeet said:
I was a little concerned that a number of people were ready to jump ship because of my weekend rant - that wasn't the effect I wanted it to have.
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Of course we'd have that many people ready to jump ship. People like to be melodramatic. I've been lite-fixing people's computers for years. That's what they do. They like to exaggerate and complain.
Case in point. I read a lot of reviews online before buying the gtab. One of the more ridiculous complaints I saw people complaining about the gtab is the black area around the screen. What immediately came to my mind was (1) if there was no black area around the screen where are you going to hold the device? and (2) the ipad has a hell of a lot more black area around the screen.
I agree with you that what viewsonic is doing (total media blackout) is annoying. I still don't understand why they are so reluctant to push this device. With the hardware specs, VS is literally sitting on a goldmine with the gtab. And with just a little bit more software support, the gtab could very well be a direct competitor to the xoom and ipad2.
That said, for those of you who want to jump ship, that is your choice. I highly recommend the ipad2 or the xoom.
jvigier said:
Could you elaborate with details on why you are concerned about the lack of support in the future for video drivers?
(not a rhetorical question, I just haven't seen anything pointing to that yet)
Thanks
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posted on the nvidia dev forum
"NVIDIA is only supporting the Ventana platform for android releases going forward. At the moment we have released Froyo and Gingerbread OS images for Ventana and will release Honeycomb after Google has done so.
Andrew Edelsten
Tegra Developer Relations
NVIDIA Corporation"
sry, but I retunred my Gtab to TigerDirect
First: the software sucks, most of them are not designed for tablet and I cant even play angry bird with proper click!
Second: the battery life sucks, I read the review which saying 8 hours playing time, the truth is 8 Hours standby time!
Third: I need a good stock ROM.
I will just wait for Asus TF
100 bucks more, bettet product, better screen better support, Asus softwar support is good
goodintentions said:
I agree with you that what viewsonic is doing (total media blackout) is annoying. I still don't understand why they are so reluctant to push this device. With the hardware specs, VS is literally sitting on a goldmine with the gtab. And with just a little bit more software support, the gtab could very well be a direct competitor to the xoom and ipad2.
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At this point in time, I dont think this is true. It could have been true had this device had a sucessful launch. Now, all of the buzz surrounding Android tablets has been focused on Honeycomb. With nvidia indicating Harmony drivers will not be released for Gingercomb, the gtablet suffers from an almost insurmountable competitive disadvantage. (IMHO)
Mine isnt going anywhere right now, as it does what I want it to and I love what the devs are doing
i purchased my gtab in November at office depot for 400+ and the first thing i did was load vegan rom on it heck if not for ehunyadi detailed videos on YouTube i would not have purchased the tablet, i knew the screen wasn't not perfect but that wasn't the issue, i have had many problem with the gtab...small annoyances when combined turn into frustrations.
One of them being sound, i have found on vengan rom the sound was just WAY too LOUD, it seems like the volume meter worked on a Richter scale doubling the sound from level 1 into 2 now maybe it was just me but i was unusable at level one with any wired headphones, i have a Bluetooth headset/headphone that i use on a daily basis, i used to hate it that it did not auto connect and when i the headphones died or disconnected sound would not work until next reboot
I never had the luck of the "FULL MARKET FIX" that i heard so much about and boy did i try, it was basically a shot in the dark weather some apps would work or not
I would find myself making excuses for the gtab for the many annoyances and it not working as it should, not saying it wasn't a great device but i got my uses out of it and felt that it was time to move on, purchased an ipad2 it came in last Thursday and so far im happy with my decision but there are annoyances as well mainly do to the video player but im just waiting for the jailbreak
Im no fanboy if anything i dislike apples strategy (i still have my iphone 2g and is my only phone) toward leaving the 2g behind, but i believe you should have a device because of what it does for you, its funny how people are such fanatics or have so much hate for something based on the brand
An Ex-Transformer owner here, wondering if there are many other folks that are sat on the fence with regards to which tablet to buy? I popped into my local PC World today and had a look at the various tabs on display, as expected the Asus screen looked fantastic compared to the others (although it showed signs of LB).
The Acer Iconia was OK although I felt that the screen transitions weren't the smoothest in comparison, it's not the best looking tablet out there. The Motorola Xoom appears to be very well built, smooth in operation and with a mini hdmi port as does the TF. The screen isn't as crisp as the TF although this may be a contender for me, just a shame it's around £100 more than the TF. Can I get away with that .... hmmmm.
The spanner in the works, or what's preventing me from making a decision, is the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. We don't seem to have a firm UK release date or price yet, I don't think the spec is even certain yet. Bl**dy Samsung!
Anyone else care to share their 'on the fence' thoughts?
Well, I had 2 TF's for about 2 weeks in total and liked the experience on the device. But, had to return both, due to speaker issues. I was hoping to get the 10.1 hoping, if it would have a better CPU(Exynos) than Tegra 2, but in vain. Acer hasn't impressed me. For the price range, I guess I will go again for the Transformer, hoping that pieces from newer production batches, might have the speaker issues fixed.
I was sold on the keyboard dock functionality, so there wasn't (still isn't) anything on the horizon that entices me more than the TF. When the next TF (Tegra 3) goes up for pre-order my current TF will go on Ebay.
So why exactly did you return the TF?
I returned mine mainly because of the light bleed, it was quite bad and the replacement wasn't any better. The light bleed wasn't there for the first couple of days, it just appeared from nowhere. That got me concerned that the same might happen with a good replacement. It had unbalanced speakers although that wasn't a major concern, maybe a software fix would sort that out. The TF's body didn't seem to be very substantial, I experienced SOD, it even happened when I went to return the unit .... that was quite funny really.
Please don't get me wrong folks, I'm honestly not TF bashing, just sharing my experiences with the one that I had. I would like another TF, but I'm struggling with the build quality.
P.S, I posted the OP here as there isn't a general Tab forum (unless I've gone forum blind) and I've been most active within the TF forum.
I an currently sitting on the fence watching and waiting to see if the galaxy tab has a SD card slot if not I will prolly fall in the xoom yard
Sent from my captivate BLAZING on firefly 3.0
There a Transformer - Xoom comparison here http://ht.ly/1cPdhx you can clearly see that the TF has a much nicer display. The guy mentions a difference in video playback, I imaging that the Xoom is a bit smoother with it having 3.1?
Edit: It sounds like the Xoom's SD slot doesn't function out of the box, but there are ways to get around that problem.
To be honest, there really aren't any other Tablets I'd consider, at least not Android tablets. The TF blows all the others out of the water as far as I'm concerned. It's specs are at least as good as all others, but with a much better quality screen. Also, it seems like you must've had a dud or something, but I am actually very impressed with the build quality overall.
The Samsung looks semi-interesting to me, but it doesn't offer a keyboard attachment or a fully functional office suite built in. As well, Samsung is known for their plastic / cheap feel when it comes to build quality and is also known for being the slowest manufacturer to put out updates, correct me if I'm wrong...
Yes, I can't have had a good one that's for sure, but of the 4 or 5 TF's that I've seen in the flesh, all of them had light bleed. Thinking about it, the only reason I really like the TF is because of the screen clarity and colour. If only I could slap an IPS screen (a good one ) onto the Xoom's sturdy chassis!
I ordered the 32GB TF from AAFES (Military retail store) but they never actually had it to ship. I was always on the fence between the TF and Xoom.
The biggest negative for the Xoom was the price but AAFES just price matched Walmart.com's $569 sale price for me with their usual free shipping and no taxes. In the end, the Xoom price was almost the same as the 32GB TF after you add on the tax and shipping to the $499 pricetag since I would have had to purchase it from another retailer.
I am looking forward to my new Xoom. Seeing how I am colorblind, I don't think I will miss the difference between the two screens, lol.