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Hey all,
I have a few questions about the Xoom since I'm thinking about getting one (and yes, I am comparing it to the iPad 2).
First off, we've all seen Anandtech's graphical benchmarks of the Xoom. I'm taking those with a grain of salt though because from what I've seen from the Xoom when I've tried it at Best Buy, the Xoom seems to perform perfectly fine.
That said, do you think the Xoom's bottleneck in terms of graphical performance is more on the software end? Or is it more because of the hardware? Right now, I see myself doubting the Tegra 2.
Next, how well does the HDMI video output work? Has anyone tried it directly from the tablet? Or do you actually need the dock (I've read this somewhere) to use the HDMI video output? I assume it's easy to do, right?
I know this has been discussed before, but while I'm here asking questions, I figured I might as well: how's the office productivity with the Xoom? I won't necessarily need apps to edit Word/Excel/Powerpoint documents (though it'd be nice), but to at least view them and perhaps display them via the HDMI out could be very useful for me at work.
Lastly, how have your experiences with the video chat been so far? With Fring (I would like to be able to do cross-platform video chat, specifically with iOS devices since I have friends/family who use them)? Google Chat?
That's all I've got for now. Thanks!
I have had the xoom for almost a month. I think the performance is great, but I have no I pad experience other then playing with them in the verizon store.
I like this long battery life, the cameras have been fun though the app support is still lacking. I still can't video skype etc. But I am biased towards android and will wait for the market to catch up.
I have purchased a micro hdmi cable to regular hdmi from microcenter and it works fine, I think it defaulted to 720p. But everything shows up on the screen except for the bottom menu bar. Like the bottom 10 pixels or something.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
This is an uneducated guess compared to some of the realllllllllllllly smart people on xda but i think that if you can play games like Samurai II: Vengance in full screen full res the hardware schould have no trouble playing back a video file at that resolution (it doesnt have all that GPU work to do!). So i personally think the issue is software.
norsairius said:
Hey all,
I have a few questions about the Xoom since I'm thinking about getting one (and yes, I am comparing it to the iPad 2).
First off, we've all seen Anandtech's graphical benchmarks of the Xoom. I'm taking those with a grain of salt though because from what I've seen from the Xoom when I've tried it at Best Buy, the Xoom seems to perform perfectly fine.
That said, do you think the Xoom's bottleneck in terms of graphical performance is more on the software end? Or is it more because of the hardware? Right now, I see myself doubting the Tegra 2.
Next, how well does the HDMI video output work? Has anyone tried it directly from the tablet? Or do you actually need the dock (I've read this somewhere) to use the HDMI video output? I assume it's easy to do, right?
I know this has been discussed before, but while I'm here asking questions, I figured I might as well: how's the office productivity with the Xoom? I won't necessarily need apps to edit Word/Excel/Powerpoint documents (though it'd be nice), but to at least view them and perhaps display them via the HDMI out could be very useful for me at work.
Lastly, how have your experiences with the video chat been so far? With Fring (I would like to be able to do cross-platform video chat, specifically with iOS devices since I have friends/family who use them)? Google Chat?
That's all I've got for now. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I'm not an expert in this area, but my time with the Xoom indicates that it's a software issue. There are several games available in the market that look absolutely great on the Xoom, and run very smooth without any hiccups. Emulation, which is all done in software, tends to be a good stress-test for hardware. You should see StarFox 64 on N64oid, it's smooth as butter. I have no doubt the software will catch up and in time show off this hardware platform - don't forget there are several tablets being released with very similar specs running Honeycomb.
2. HDMI output works great, it's a full mirror. Just the other day, I was waiting in a building lobby that had a huge Panasonic HDTV hanging on the wall, but there was some issue with the cable TV service. So I took out the Xoom, plugged in the HDMI cable, and fired up some episodes of The Office. Employees walking by were surprised and said "it's about time they got that thing fixed!", not knowing my Xoom was providing the content. Gotta admit, that felt pretty cool.
3. There are plenty of office productivity apps for Android, like Documents To Go. Some are free, and have a paid version that allows you to edit documents as well. As I said before, the Xoom allows for full mirroring via HDMI-out, so this should work for you. I don't to a whole lot of Office-document editing, mostly viewing of Excel, Word, or PDF attachments, which works just fine on the Xoom.
4. I don't use Fring anymore, ever since Skype blocked them, so I migrated to Tango on my EVO, and it works just as well on the Xoom. I've made video calls over 3G on the Xoom, and it works as expected. Really looking forward to a full Skype client. I haven't tried GChat yet.
Hope this helps. Just remember that the Apple vs Google mentality is in stark contrast: Google's stuff is always in development, so the software often needs time to catch up to the hardware, whereas Apple's stuff is ready to go right out of the box. Is Honeycomb incomplete? I'd say yes, but it's already off to a good start.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
Now, do you all think the Xoom may become a "developer device" similar to what the Nexus One/S are since the Xoom runs stock Honeycomb? Do you foresee any issues with installing any future updates that come straight from Google since the hardware runs the stock OS just fine?
Also, have any of you tried emulators like SNESoid on the Xoom yet?
norsairius said:
Thanks for the feedback, everyone!
Now, do you all think the Xoom may become a "developer device" similar to what the Nexus One/S are since the Xoom runs stock Honeycomb? Do you foresee any issues with installing any future updates that come straight from Google since the hardware runs the stock OS just fine?
Also, have any of you tried emulators like SNESoid on the Xoom yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It already is the developer device for honey comb, it's what Google used to show off honeycomb first and it's what Google gave devs early on and gave away at the game developers conferences a couple weeks ago for devs to make games on. it's what nvidia uses to show off demos and games.
Gotcha, well, that certainly increases the longevity of the device!
It would seem then that in my iPad2 vs. Xoom comparison going on in my head, the Xoom is edging ahead.
I'm not a particular fanboy of either Apple/iOS or Google/Android, so this comparison has been tough for me.
So what I've concluded so far then is that the iPad is certainly the more refined and mature product now, but the Xoom is easily more versatile. I have no doubts that the Xoom, with updates, will easily be as good, if not better than the iPad.
And especially given the fact that the Xoom will be able to use updates directly from Google when they come out, the device should have a relatively long and useful life (unless I'm misinterpreting what people are saying around here).
Nope, you hit the nail on the head. the Xoom will have a long and fruitful life from everything I can tell.
I remember when the Macintosh had very few software options, while PCs had EVERYTHING. I see it as the same kind of situation now when comparing the Xoom to the iPad 2. I'm also predicting the same level of success for Honeycomb tablets... just a matter of time!
XoomTech.net
Hey guys,
So here's the situation:
I've been excited about the Transformer for weeks. I'm getting one as my birthday/graduation present as soon as I can. But, thanks to the delayed US release, my mind has been wandering to other tablets, and, inevitably, the iPad popped into my mind. Right now, I still want to purchase the Transformer, but the thought that the iPad might be more worth it still lingers in my mind...
Here's what convinced me to even THINK about the iPad:
65,000+ apps for iPad vs <100 for Android Tabs
More responsiveness on the iPad's end vs the Transformer (seen only through videos)
Better camera on the iPad: the Transformer looks like it isn't showing the true color
Video playback on the Transformer seems choppy.
At the moment, the only PLUS for the Transformer in my mind is that you can purchase a dedicated dock for it which will make taking notes in college a lot easier + extend the battery.
PLEASE, can you guys convince me that the Transformer is the better choice so I don't feel like I should have purchased the iPad when I eventually do purchase a Transformer? Tell me why *you* would purchase a Transformer over an iPad.
(Perhaps I'm overlooking/misjudging some critical features of the Transformer that outperform the iPad; if so, please address them!)
EDIT: I suppose before recommending a device you guys should know how I plan to use the device:
Mostly as a productivity/entertainment device:
Taking notes in college classes
Standard internet use
Gaming
Movie and music use
Maayyyyybe as a GPS if it is capable of acting as one
Good luck taking notes on an iPad lol. But really, that's a huge reason why I'm going with the transformer, I'm also a college student who needs that keyboard dock.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
The two devices are so different. If price isn't an issue and you're not opposed to a more closed environment with fewer options and tweaking potential, then the iPad may just be the right tablet for you.
Transformer. Because it's not apple. Haha no but seriously I would go with the transformer. IMHO I think apple is to restrictive to do may of the things you can do with android.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
If you like a grid of squares, the iPad got you covered. And it is an AWESOME looking grid of squares.
Sent from my Atrix
PuerkitoBio said:
If you like a grid of squares, the iPad got you covered. And it is an AWESOME looking grid of squares.
Sent from my Atrix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahaha
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OP "thanks to the delayed US release"... As far as I've heard and read from these posts and other sites the US release is not delayed and on track for Tuesday Apr 26. There is a UK delay, but not US.
Dan76 said:
OP "thanks to the delayed US release"... As far as I've heard and read from these posts and other sites the US release is not delayed and on track for Tuesday Apr 26. There is a UK delay, but not US.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What he said ^
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
gubiguy said:
65,000+ apps for iPad vs <100 for Android Tabs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Demonstrably untrue. Apple's iPad is limited to running non-iPad native apps as a tiny window in the center of the screen; Android has no such limitation. Hence iPad apps had to be recoded; most Android apps work just fine on tablets as-is.
This is just spin -- a fictional advantage created by Apple to hide their own disadvantage.
More responsiveness on the iPad's end vs the Transformer (seen only through videos)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably is true right now -- nobody except Google and their hardware partners know if they can catch up here.
Better camera on the iPad: the Transformer looks like it isn't showing the true color
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easily fixed if it's just color accuracy / white balance. The Transformer's camera currently has bigger issues in terms of stuttering and huge shutter lag. Hopefully those will be resolved. Ask yourself this though -- are you really going to use a large tablet for photos and videos, rather than a compact camera or cellphone?
Video playback on the Transformer seems choppy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Video capture from the rear cam is. Video playback isn't. I've seen numerous examples online playing even Full HD (1080i) videos downsampled by the Transformer to fit its own screen, and the reviewers have said they played smoothly. I'm confident that at 720p, the Transformer is more than capable of smooth video.
At the moment, the only PLUS for the Transformer in my mind is that you can purchase a dedicated dock for it which will make taking notes in college a lot easier + extend the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which even without all of the above is a huge plus. Nobody can type on an on-screen keyboard as fast as a good touch-typer on a reasonable keyboard, and the reviews of this keyboard are pretty much all positive. Plus you get a touchpad, so you don't have to keep reaching over the keyboard to make selections like you do with bluetooth keyboards.
PLEASE, can you guys convince me that the Transformer is the better choice so I don't feel like I should have purchased the iPad when I eventually do purchase a Transformer? Tell me why *you* would purchase a Transformer over an iPad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beyond the above, companies that emphasise openness and listen to the end users, not a company that locks everything down, does its best to prevent any competition with its own software, and in the latest scandal, continues to record your entire GPS location history even when specifically told not to do so.
Maayyyyybe as a GPS if it is capable of acting as one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is. You'll just either need a device to tether to, or an offline mapping solution. Personally I'm waiting eagerly for Route 66 (http://www.66.com) to release; they're based on TomTom data, and I've been using a TomTom for years, so I know their data is great.
Honestly I think both of the tablets do what you want fairly well. Here's what you have to consider and decide if these things matter to you.
Do you care about flash content on the web and viewing it on your tablet?
Are you concerned with price?
Do you like to tinker and mess around with Android/OSs?
The iPad is a great all-around tablet. If you don't mind spending some extra money, or the lack of flash, it might be a better option for you. There are some good keyboard options for it. I dislike trying to get documents off of iOS products. I like being able to connect an Android device like a flash drive and drag and drop stuff off (which is super helpful for using computer labs that may not have itunes at school).
Why am I buying this tablet?
I'm invested in Android (own apps/heavy google app user)
$400 feels like a good entry point to try out tablets
I like the community and dealing with fixing my issues on my own and changing ROMs and kernels, tweaking the looks and performance.
gubiguy said:
65,000+ apps for iPad vs <100 for Android Tabs
More responsiveness on the iPad's end vs the Transformer (seen only through videos)
Better camera on the iPad: the Transformer looks like it isn't showing the true color
Video playback on the Transformer seems choppy.
At the moment, the only PLUS for the Transformer in my mind is that you can purchase a dedicated dock for it which will make taking notes in college a lot easier + extend the battery.
(Perhaps I'm overlooking/misjudging some critical features of the Transformer that outperform the iPad; if so, please address them!)
EDIT: I suppose before recommending a device you guys should know how I plan to use the device:
Mostly as a productivity/entertainment device:
Taking notes in college classes
Standard internet use
Gaming
Movie and music use
Maayyyyybe as a GPS if it is capable of acting as one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, first, the choppy video recording and poor camera quality has apparently been addressed in a recent firmware update that came out shortly after most reviewers received their units. Some reviews noted this.
Second, on a related note, comparing the iPad 2's camera to the Transformer's is kind of funny (once the firmware issues are resolved), since the TF has a 5MP camera vs. the <1MP camera on the iPad 2.
Third, sure, the iPad 2 is more "responsive," because iOS itself is a glorified app launcher. Honeycomb does more, and Android runs background apps, and so sure it might be a little less smooth. Particular in its current 3.01 (really 1.01 for Honeycomb) iteration. It will improve, but iOS will remain for the foreseeable future nothing but a glorified app launcher. For myself, I find Honeycomb itself vastly more useful--turn on the screen and BAM!, useful information.
Fourth, apps will come, and while there aren't so many Honeycomb-optimized apps (although more every day), many non-optimized apps run just fine. So far I've only run into a handful of apps that just don't work on a tablet, and by that I mean don't benefit from its advantages.
Fifth, the iPad 2 wifi-only version doesn't have GPS. So, if you want to use a tablet for GPS, then you'll need to get the 3G iPad 2.
Sixth, and finally, you'll need a keyboard for taking notes. Period. So either get an iPad 2, case, and a Bluetooth keyboard (and make sure you have the right workplace to support all three) or get the TF + keyboard dock and use it pretty much anywhere.
jurrsaix said:
Honestly I think both of the tablets do what you want fairly well. Here's what you have to consider and decide if these things matter to you.
Do you care about flash content on the web and viewing it on your tablet?
Are you concerned with price?
Do you like to tinker and mess around with Android/OSs?
The iPad is a great all-around tablet. If you don't mind spending some extra money, or the lack of flash, it might be a better option for you. There are some good keyboard options for it. I dislike trying to get documents off of iOS products. I like being able to connect an Android device like a flash drive and drag and drop stuff off (which is super helpful for using computer labs that may not have itunes at school).
Why am I buying this tablet?
I'm invested in Android (own apps/heavy google app user)
$400 feels like a good entry point to try out tablets
I like the community and dealing with fixing my issues on my own and changing ROMs and kernels, tweaking the looks and performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aside from everything else I have to +1 this post...first off the iPad camera is horrible, but that aside, there's a reason you're on xda developers, you want to do more with your device than what you're told you can do with it by the manufacturer...
I've been around the PC industry since the 80's (using linux since early 90's) and phone industry since the late 90's.. and I love the fact that I can tinker and hack something and play with it, something extremely difficult on apple products.
Google devices are fun to play with, and you aren't controlled like cattle to the slaughter ... unless you want to be a mindless apple drone, I would stick with an android tablet...
Just my $0.02
If the only plus to you is that it has a dock, then you're probably better off getting an iPad 2. The iPad 2 is a great tablet, and most people who own it love it. I know that's not the right thing to say here, but it's the truth. Personally, I would feel completely stifled with an iPad, but you might be perfectly content.
jurrsaix said:
I'm invested in Android (own apps/heavy google app user)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. It wouldn't make much sense for me to have to re-purchase all of my apps, while giving up the Google integration I've come to rely on, just to have access to the App Store (which is, to me, the only real plus the iPad has over the Transformer, assuming the camera glitches are fixed and Honeycomb is refined).
knoxploration said:
Demonstrably untrue. Apple's iPad is limited to running non-iPad native apps as a tiny window in the center of the screen; Android has no such limitation. Hence iPad apps had to be recoded; most Android apps work just fine on tablets as-is.
This is just spin -- a fictional advantage created by Apple to hide their own disadvantage.
Probably is true right now -- nobody except Google and their hardware partners know if they can catch up here.
Easily fixed if it's just color accuracy / white balance. The Transformer's camera currently has bigger issues in terms of stuttering and huge shutter lag. Hopefully those will be resolved. Ask yourself this though -- are you really going to use a large tablet for photos and videos, rather than a compact camera or cellphone?
Video capture from the rear cam is. Video playback isn't. I've seen numerous examples online playing even Full HD (1080i) videos downsampled by the Transformer to fit its own screen, and the reviewers have said they played smoothly. I'm confident that at 720p, the Transformer is more than capable of smooth video.
Which even without all of the above is a huge plus. Nobody can type on an on-screen keyboard as fast as a good touch-typer on a reasonable keyboard, and the reviews of this keyboard are pretty much all positive. Plus you get a touchpad, so you don't have to keep reaching over the keyboard to make selections like you do with bluetooth keyboards.
Beyond the above, companies that emphasise openness and listen to the end users, not a company that locks everything down, does its best to prevent any competition with its own software, and in the latest scandal, continues to record your entire GPS location history even when specifically told not to do so.
It is. You'll just either need a device to tether to, or an offline mapping solution. Personally I'm waiting eagerly for Route 66 (http://www.66.com) to release; they're based on TomTom data, and I've been using a TomTom for years, so I know their data is great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for that thorough analysis! I really appreciate it
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
The versatility of the Transformer is the only reason I'm considering it. As Anand said about the iPad, it couldn't replace the laptop, so he eventually stopped using it.
The Transformer can be a tablet or light-duty laptop. What other device (not just tablet) can do that???
As for apps, it's mostly Apple BS. Ever hear Mac users complain about the lack of apps or games vs. PCs? A lot of iPad "apps" are really just websites due to lack of proper web support.
And as others have said, at least Android apps tend to scale, and not just pixel-double like iPhone apps.
The freedom of choice... being locked-in to iTunes forever? No thanks. Heck, the only choice Apple gives is the "all-new" white iPhone. That's right, WHITE... be a rebel! LOL!
in my opinion all the plus of the ipad are negated by the fact that you have to use itunes to do anything on your device.
Example if you were going away for a few days and you owned an ipad you would have to take your laptop which defeats the purpose of owning a tablet, with an android device you can just take that and download all the files/movies/music etc right to the device.
Congrats for a least attempting to get the facts before you buy. Personally, there is no debate, the iPad is far inferior, and most "techie" types here on XDA are not just wanting to spend $$$ for a freaking apple on a limited use device...
I can't believe no one commented on the camera bit, the iPad 2's camera is only 0.92MP, how is it in any way better? Sure it can record video smoothly but that will also be possible on the transformer after a software up date.
Nastrodamous said:
in my opinion all the plus of the ipad are negated by the fact that you have to use itunes to do anything on your device.
Example if you were going away for a few days and you owned an ipad you would have to take your laptop which defeats the purpose of owning a tablet, with an android device you can just take that and download all the files/movies/music etc right to the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not correct. You can access iTunes on the iPad without a computer.After the initial sync when you buy the iPad, you do not need to be connected to a laptop unless you are updating software or transferring files, or backing up files
dufran3 said:
Congrats for a least attempting to get the facts before you buy. Personally, there is no debate, the iPad is far inferior, and most "techie" types here on XDA are not just wanting to spend $$$ for a freaking apple on a limited use
Not sure what you mean by inferior but that is your opinion.
Like people have said,it depends on what features are important to the OP. Simple easy interface with lots of tablet specific apps vs more "open" system much less apps(currently),ability to customize and tinker.
Ultimately, you should go into a store and try both to see what you can live with as there are compromises with going with either.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to make a list of the things you can use your Xoom for. Like most people, I use my laptop for most stuff; the Xoom is just for messing around. I find myself walking over to the laptop to respond to emails, to see things full screen, and for anything productivity related.
It's a pretty expensive piece of kit for messing around; I'm looking for reasons to keep mine (beyond that I'm a huge geek and love this tech stuff). I admit that I thought that the 3.1 update would bring more functionality, but I'm a bit disappointed to find that it's pretty much the same (in terms of how I use it); and there are so few apps with tablet functionality that I kind of wish it was just a phone...
Here's what I use it for: (I'll expand the list with your suggestions)
Check email---ususally switch to the laptop to write back (unless it's short)
Check schedule and change schedule
Check blogs (through pulse; the web browser is too clunky)
Watch videos while I'm working
Listen to Grooveshark while I'm working
Google video chat---Most people tell me it's annoying on their end though
Reading---(this one I'm not certain about yet. It's really too heavy to hold up like a kindle...)
Casual gaming---Only for silly time-wasters like "chalkball"; cordy and dungeon defenders and similar games are just stupid and clunky compared to console or PC gaming.
What I don't use it for:
Web surfing---drives me nuts
Productivity (document editing)
Video to TV---Laptop has HDMI and I also have a PS3
I really like this thing, but considering what I use it for, I could save money and get more satisfaction by buying a kindle and a nice phone. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Browsing, email, music and kindle.
That's about it.
I'm not sure tablets really have much use beyond that right now. But, to be fair, I do use it a lot for those things. Almost never use my laptop except for work.
I use mines for a substitute for my laptop. I'm a student and rely on it heavily for:
Evernote
Logmein
Pulse (while in boring lectures)
Music
Web Browsing XDA and other forums
Google Docs
Dropbox (Saved my ass several times when thumb drives failed me)
Everything I can do on a laptop I can do in my Xoom. I had the Xoom for 4 days and it blows away the iPad 2 which I traded for the Xoom. More freedom and desktop like experience. To the OP I type my papers on an Apple Bluetooth Keyboard.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
got mine as a stop gap for the galaxy tab 10.1. Don't get me wrong this is a great device, its just a shame about the weight in my opinion.
risq said:
got mine as a stop gap for the galaxy tab 10.1. Don't get me wrong this is a great device, its just a shame about the weight in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, same here. Figure I can sell this for about 400 and then grab a 16gb tab for 499.
I bought it so excited thinking it would help me with work and this and that, and I hardly use it for anything productive.
Maybe with more classy apps it will work better.
I'm waiting for the funds, but the second I get them I will be applying my Xoom to Photoshop CS5.5, I'm almost positive that expirence is going to be a whole other world for me.
But yeah, so now I mostly use mine for watching videos, general web browsing (personally I find it quite pleasurable in that aspect), BS gaming, and, when i travel I bring this and my ps3 with me and use the Xoom to hop on the PSN.
8 hrs of game play on Black Ops (which is all I tested for that duration of time) only uses up too 200 megs, a lot less than I initially thought.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
I don't see why you would wanna spend another 100 dollars and cut your memory in half.
What is the gtabs screen going to be like compared to the Xooms?
Like besides weight, what's the gtab got on the Xoom?
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
school work
I'm a student so I use it for notes, and if class gets boring I whip out angry birds
RadDudeTommy said:
I don't see why you would wanna spend another 100 dollars and cut your memory in half.
What is the gtabs screen going to be like compared to the Xooms?
Like besides weight, what's the gtab got on the Xoom?
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't need the extra 16gb and in any case I have an SD card which I can use if needed.
Tab has a PLS screen. Supposed to be better than IPS and way better than the TFT in the xoom.
And as a European user I have more faith in Samsung than Motorola when it comes to updates.
hatworthy said:
And as a European user I have more faith in Samsung than Motorola when it comes to updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is just the opposite here in America. Motorola has shown good faith in updates since androids original release.
My girlfriends Samsung Galaxy S Captivate just got Froyo a month ago.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
True, though I think the carriers over there played a part in that fiasco. Motorola on the other hand just don't give a **** about Europe. They don't even release most of their phones over here.
I use mine to take to classes for notes and dungeon defender, its also useful to take to the bed for studying
RadDudeTommy said:
I don't see why you would wanna spend another 100 dollars and cut your memory in half.
What is the gtabs screen going to be like compared to the Xooms?
Like besides weight, what's the gtab got on the Xoom?
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO USB, NO HDMI ports on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 means no video out and no keyboard/mouse for easier input/navigation.
I really like the fact the Xoom has a true GPS on the WiFi models. That feature seems to be missing from the Acer and Galaxy Tab 10.1.
shobirama said:
NO USB, NO HDMI ports on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 means no video out and no keyboard/mouse for easier input/navigation.
I really like the fact the Xoom has a true GPS on the WiFi models. That feature seems to be missing from the Acer and Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Video out will be through a proprietary cable, just like the iPad. First i've heard about the gps though. Got a link?
I'm using it more and more....
At home/fun: watching movies, playing angry birds (which at first I had no interest in and now I'm hooked) streaming radio/playing mp3s, surfing the web...
Work: I have two jobs.. a part time IT job, which I use dropbox, logmein, browser, office docs, and GPS.
My other job is in sales... which I use GPS almost every day... dropbox... office docs, mostly excel, and calculator..
While driving I'll either play music or videos... I cover larger distances and don't have satellite radio, so streaming is better then having to keep switching stations plus I get tired of the same music over and over again.
I'm very happy with it... well worth the money.
This weekend I just started to customize it... got a long way to go but I plan to have one screen for each job... and then a couple just for fun stuff.
-R
I use mine a lot. I keep finding more and more uses for it.
Uses:
Just discovered evernote, so looking forward to using that more
Movies/anime
Games - Angry birds, stupid zombies, robodefence
Reading - Bible and others (like "In the Plex")
Browsing and email
Pulse
Taking notes at meetings, then I can just email everyone the word document instead of rewriting it up and then doing so.
GPS, Google maps works really well, and you only need to turn on internet every 30 min or so, as it caches the maps quite far ahead of you.
That's all I can think of at the moment.
I don't really use:
music
video editing
camera
Browsing
News stuff (see also browsing)
Email
Twitter
Facebook (to a lesser extent)
Games/Angry Birds
Streaming media - Plex
HDMI connection to TV (see streaming media)
Gallery for viewing photos
Emulators for SNES etc. (will probably use this more when I have 3.1)
Camera (a couple of times)
I'd probably use RDP when I get a mini server set up at home..
That's about all for now.
Almost everything tbh. For non work related purposes I use it exclusively.
reading comics
reading news stories
keeping the kids occupied during tripts
internet
watching movies and shows
playing games
email
messaging with gtalk
reading and editing docs
taking notes
browsing forums with tapatalk
accessing files that are not stored on the xoom - dropbox
slack04 said:
What I don't use it for:
Web surfing---drives me nuts
Productivity (document editing)
Video to TV---Laptop has HDMI and I also have a PS3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find that setting webpages as bookmarks on the homescreen improves my browsing experience.
I use the speaker dock from Moto and that sounds great with music player.
I am looking for an inexpensive android tablet. Using for recreation, mostly browsing, apps, video, reading, social (twitter, etc.) occasional email. I have heard alot of good things about the Nook Color. Wondering if anyone has any recommendations. I like the 7" form factor. Wife has iPad2 and it is nice but would like something a little smaller. I know people have gotten the Netflix app running on Nook which was one concern. I would prefer something with Bluetooth Audio support. I have also heard that the Nook's audio is not that great. Not the end of the world. Also, I know that the Nook is not a dedicated video player so I am not expecting 1080p or anything. Looking for something to watch an occasional movie or TV show while traveling or during lunch etc. Just curious if anyone has any other suggestions. I know the $250 price in the Nook is tough to beat. Wondering about the Galaxy Tab or maybe the Viewsonic 7x. Is it worth the extra money? Thoughts?
By the way, I know this is a very subjective question but because this will be my first tablet, I thought some feedback would be helpful.
thevideofan said:
I am looking for an inexpensive android tablet. Using for recreation, mostly browsing, apps, video, reading, social (twitter, etc.) occasional email. I have heard alot of good things about the Nook Color. Wondering if anyone has any recommendations. I like the 7" form factor. Wife has iPad2 and it is nice but would like something a little smaller. I know people have gotten the Netflix app running on Nook which was one concern. I would prefer something with Bluetooth Audio support. I have also heard that the Nook's audio is not that great. Not the end of the world. Also, I know that the Nook is not a dedicated video player so I am not expecting 1080p or anything. Looking for something to watch an occasional movie or TV show while traveling or during lunch etc. Just curious if anyone has any other suggestions. I know the $250 price in the Nook is tough to beat. Wondering about the Galaxy Tab or maybe the Viewsonic 7x. Is it worth the extra money? Thoughts?
By the way, I know this is a very subjective question but because this will be my first tablet, I thought some feedback would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Galaxy tab is good a buddy just got that with a cheap lowest plan phone pays 50$ less then with his smart phone by itself somehow ....
There are a few now but I hear Amazon is dropping real tabs also EVO view and several others comming so if u have time wait do as much research u can before you buy
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
VIDEO COMPARISONS BETWEEN TWO TOP TEER TABLETS:
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity(TF700T) & Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
This was created to give people an overall view of how these two tablets perform doing similar tasks and to aid in giving you a better view for those curious about these two tablets. These devices are best of the best compared to the rest of the Android tablets in the market today. Both appeal to the masses. Which one you go for is completely up to your needs. Hopefully this will help out the people still undecided. (Thanks BarryH_GEG for your videos on the Note 10.1 I also apologies for the background noises coming from my 2 and 5 year old daughters in a few of the videos)
(Be sure to set it to 1080p and keep in mind that loading/buffering from the Infinity will take a little longer because of the FHD screen)
- Note 10.1 & Infinity both running ICS -
Scrolling/Swipping/General use
NOTE 10.1
(Courtesy of BarryH_GEG)
INFINITY
YOUTUBE 1080p(Web browser)
(Courtesy of BarryH_GEG)
NOTE 10.1
INFINITY
HBOGO (Web Browser)
(Courtesy of BarryH_GEG)
NOTE 10.1
INFINITY
XDA (Web browser)
(Courtesy of BarryH_GEG)
NOTE 10.1
INFINITY
NETFLIX
(Courtesy of BarryH_GEG)
NOTE 10.1
INFINITY
jjdevega said:
These devices are best of the best compared to the rest of the Android tablets in the market today.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for taking the time to put those together. I'd say general use and YouTube in a browser were pretty comparable. You can see the TF700 stuttering some in the other browser tests and the Netflix test. You pulled up HBO GO and XDA from your favorites without clearing the cache first which makes a difference. They’re both very content heavy sites and having to load all that content initially is a lot of work for the browser and h/w.
In the end they are both great devices, neither without compromises. And a lot of people would never consider the Note because of the lower res display and lack of options like the extended battery via the dock, the dock itself, and additional ports. It’s great to have choices.
P.S. – The empty space on your home screens makes me feel embarrassed by the clutter of mine.
BarryH_GEG said:
Thanks so much for taking the time to put those together. I'd say general use and YouTube in a browser were pretty comparable. You can see the TF700 stuttering some in the other browser tests and the Netflix test. You pulled up HBO GO and XDA from your favorites without clearing the cache first which makes a difference. They’re both very content heavy sites and having to load all that content initially is a lot of work for the browser and h/w.
In the end they are both great devices, neither without compromises. And a lot of people would never consider the Note because of the lower res display and lack of options like the extended battery via the dock, the dock itself, and additional ports. It’s great to have choices.
P.S. – The empty space on your home screens makes me feel embarrassed by the clutter of mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On HBOGO, every time i cleared data and all, I would have to resign in. How are you able to go through hbogo without having to sign in? So The only difference with my video to yours was after I had cleared all I signed in and closed it. Then ran the comparison. Xda I had bookmarked but I cleared all data to it. So nothing different from your video. I'll do another test on the XDA video with me clearing everything. I apparently did not video that part.
.....
I removed my 35 widgets after the comparison. I don't like to much stuff going on
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
jjdevega said:
I'll do another test on the XDA video with me clearing everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to do that. Samsung's always done a better job than everyone else at optimizing their browsers. As an example, the Exynos SGS3 eats my Teg3 One X's lunch at every browsing benchmark and their screen resolution is almost identical. The TF700's at a disadvantage right from the start because of the additional pixels its pushing. The browsing performance of the TF700 is close to or even behind the TF300 in some tests because of that. It's the price you pay for that clear text and those pretty pictures.
Yep, I'm here again. I guess no one seems to have mentioned about audio here at all. Not one peep about it. As I've said MANY times before you'll notice the speaker placement of the Infinity. You may need your glasses to actually see that small, tiny, little speaker that is ON THE BACK of the tablet facing AWAY from you so you really can't hear it.
The Samsung's REAL speakers are right on the front facing you and they happen to be real stereo seperation since they are actually seperated. The sound compared is night and day. While you need to keep the Infinity's speaker volume on max all the time just to hear it a little you'll really appreciate the Samsung's speaker quality and placement. Everyone is so hooked up on video and forgot all about audio.
opentoe said:
Yep, I'm here again. I guess no one seems to have mentioned about audio here at all. Not one peep about it. As I've said MANY times before you'll notice the speaker placement of the Infinity. You may need your glasses to actually see that small, tiny, little speaker that is ON THE BACK of the tablet facing AWAY from you so you really can't hear it.
The Samsung's REAL speakers are right on the front facing you and they happen to be real stereo seperation since they are actually seperated. The sound compared is night and day. While you need to keep the Infinity's speaker volume on max all the time just to hear it a little you'll really appreciate the Samsung's speaker quality and placement. Everyone is so hooked up on video and forgot all about audio.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hardly use the internal speakers. When I do I just use Volume+ and problem solved. I don't need to even have the volume set to max barely 40% is loud enough. Most of the time I use my LG Tone - HBS-700 BT Headset. I like the idea of being able to go to the next room and hear what I'm listening to in private and my kids hearing inappropriate things when I watch my movies or anime is avoided completely. I also have an portable BT speaker that has rechargeable Li-ion battery that aids in long road trips to extend the battery life of my tablet since I'm not using its internal speakers. You would be amazed of how little I use the internal speakers for listening. Internal speakers/Volume is no issue for me.
I understand what your saying though... The Notes 10.1 speakers are pretty darn nice!
....................
Which is also why I'm assuming you don't hear much talk about speakers being a huge hindrance.
(I like how you made some of your words in CAPS)
.....................
Opentoe!! I didn't realize that it was you! Welcome back! You were MIA for awhile there...
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
jjdevega said:
I hardly use the internal speakers. When I do I just use Volume+ and problem solved. I don't need to even have the volume set to max barely 40% is loud enough. Most of the time I use my LG Tone - HBS-700 BT Headset. I like the idea of being able to go to the next room and hear what I'm listening to in private and my kids hearing inappropriate things when I watch my movies or anime is avoided completely. I also have an portable BT speaker that has rechargeable Li-ion battery that aids in long road trips to extend the battery life of my tablet since I'm not using its internal speakers. You would be amazed of how little I use the internal speakers for listening. Internal speakers/Volume is no issue for me.
I understand what your saying though... The Notes 10.1 speakers are pretty darn nice!
....................
Which is also why I'm assuming you don't hear much talk about speakers being a huge hindrance.
(I like how you made some of your words in CAPS)
.....................
Opentoe!! I didn't realize that it was you! Welcome back! You were MIA for awhile there...
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last thing I want to do is carry around external block speakers with my $600 tablet. It is a little funny to me. Most people that buy the Asus Infinity tablet will go about and buy a keyboard for it, along with external speakers. They are trying to make it right into a laptop. The thing they are used to. We all know one day we'll be able to run Android on an Intel PC. One day.