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Hi all,
I'm looking to get one of these Honeycomb beauties soon but Im heavily doubting between the Transformer or the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 (due this summer).
First I was almost sure to get the Transformer because of price and featureset (dock, hdmi out, sd slot, usb etc.) compared to the GT. However, despite having an IPS panel, I saw some videos where the colours, brightness and contrast didn't looked that great compared to the Ipad 2 and the BB Playbook. But many other reviews are really exited about it...
So now I'm in great doubt again as the screen is one of the most important factors for a Android tablet in my opinion. I'm sure the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will have a great screen (PLS) because I saw the original GT yesterday and the Ipad2, both had very bright, crisp and colorfull displays. Therefore, I would like to hear from you guys who own the Asus (or even more tablets) how you find the screen and how you think it is compared to the Ipad 2 and GT 10.1 (although not released yet). Maybe someone can make or point to some good comparison shots/test.
Thanks!
P.s. Don't mind my English, I'm Dutch
almost identical to iPad 2
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4277/asus-eee-pad-transformer-review/5
Read this page, this is the most thorough testing I've come across in regards to the Transformer. Hope it helps
I don't have a galaxy tab and I don't have professional testing equipment, but I do have a keen eye for screen quality (I'm a graphic designer) and will report back later when I unbox it and compare it to the iPad 2 after getting home for lunch.
Khar00f said:
Read this page, this is the most thorough testing I've come across in regards to the Transformer. Hope it helps
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Thanks, already found that one but I just need a visualisation of those parameters
seshmaru said:
I don't have a galaxy tab and I don't have professional testing equipment, but I do have a keen eye for screen quality (I'm a graphic designer) and will report back later when I unbox it and compare it to the iPad 2 after getting home for lunch.
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Would be great!! Thanks!
Could anyone else shed some more light ?
Everything I've read puts it very close to the ipad 2.
BTW when I saw GT 10.1 I thought you were saying G Tablet and thought to myself he can't really be asking that can he?
donatom3 said:
Everything I've read puts it very close to the ipad 2.
BTW when I saw GT 10.1 I thought you were saying G Tablet and thought to myself he can't really be asking that can he?
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The choice would be much easier when I was comparing it to a G Tablet XD
here's a side by side of super pls vs ips
http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/01/samsung-touts-super-pls-display-as-the-evolution-of-ips-on-smart/
the super pls display is one of the reasons i'm waiting for the samsung gtab 10.1 before i decide if i should go with that or the transformer
IQ, both screens look similar. Brightness wise, the iPad 2 wins hands down. Personally prefer the iPad2 screen.
Is Super PLS better than IPS? It probably will be. But IPS is proven in a wide range of uses.
So the next question is, are you going to pay $100 or the equivalent in your currency more for a Samsung Super PLS over the Transformer and it's IPS?
donatom3 said:
Is Super PLS better than IPS? It probably will be. But IPS is proven in a wide range of uses.
So the next question is, are you going to pay $100 or the equivalent in your currency more for a Samsung Super PLS over the Transformer and it's IPS?
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It is not IPS vs PLS for me, I'm more than happy with a IPS screen but some videos I saw of the transformer doesn't show a very crisp and high quality screen everyone is talking about. But again it is a video so very hard to judge for me, that is why my question. I rather pay $100 extra (or the same price but without a dock) when I'm sure I get a good screen. I mean, I don't have the financial strength to buy a new tablet each year. So when I buy one now I do want to last it at least 2 - 3 years without being sorry that I choose this device and not the other.... The screen is what you will be looking at all that time.
@highlander
Could you make a comparison shot?
donatom3 said:
Everything I've read puts it very close to the ipad 2.
BTW when I saw GT 10.1 I thought you were saying G Tablet and thought to myself he can't really be asking that can he?
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Haha straight-on, brightness at full, that gTab screen is actually very nice, really pops. But move your head up down left right, and it all goes to hell. It's a shame, it's a great tablet otherwise.
After about 10 hours of using it I can safely say I can't tell the difference in colours/contrast/whites/blacks between the transformer and my iPad 2.
however the transformer does win in resolution and DPI slightly.
Thanks for getting back to me And is the brightness good enough too? Because Highland3r said the Ipad2 screen is much brighter. It doesn't have to be so bright that you can't see anything, but do you think it is bright enough?
(maybe you can make some pictures)
flight777 said:
So when I buy one now I do want to last it at least 2 - 3 years without being sorry that I choose this device and not the other.... The screen is what you will be looking at all that time.
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If the Transformer's screen were bad (not just comparatively a little less good), then I'd agree. However, everything is indicating that it's pretty darn good, and so I don't wager it's something one would hate looking at for a few years.
Now, add in the keyboard dock, and you've suddenly expanded the use case for the device. For someone who does any kind of long-form writing, or even lots of email, tweeting, or whatever, then that keyboard suddenly matters. Multiply that over a few years, and the productivity gains could be significant. Heck, I'm even looking forward to just being able to set the darn thing on my lap and type without worrying about heat or covering up a fan intake. Given the battery, it's also much better than just adding a Bluetooth keyboard if even you could figure out a way to hold a separate tablet and keyboard on your lap.
Not trying to convince anyone one way or the other, but for me, I can't wait to get my hands on the Transformer and particularly with the dock. I've enjoyed the Xoom I've been using, and am really looking forward to comparing the screens. I have a feeling that in that comparison for sure, the Transformer would come out ahead even without the dock.
flight777 said:
Thanks for getting back to me And is the brightness good enough too? Because Highland3r said the Ipad2 screen is much brighter. It doesn't have to be so bright that you can't see anything, but do you think it is bright enough?
(maybe you can make some pictures)
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Click to collapse
Sorry to jump in, but I can't understand this brightness thing. The transformer is plenty bright. Mine sears my eyesballs at anywhere near full brightness in a dim room.
Additionally it has better DPI/resolution than the iPad as has been mentioned. That was the first thing I noticed about the screen.
jimbob1971 said:
Sorry to jump in, but I can't understand this brightness thing. The transformer is plenty bright. Mine sears my eyesballs at anywhere near full brightness in a dim room.
Additionally it has better DPI/resolution than the iPad as has been mentioned. That was the first thing I noticed about the screen.
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It's bright enough in a dim room, not quite as good in a bright room though. The extra brightness of the iPad screen gives it the edge in well lit areas (it's also a bit less glarey than the Transformer).
It's personal preference though really - the iPad is a bit easier to get along with - never really have a worry that bright areas will mean you can't view whats on the screen.
This is what is going on in reviews too... one says it is a great screen, the other is not really that "positive" about it. Could someone post some pictures in brighter rooms ? Will help me a lot to decide as those are missing on the interner, or they seem to be edited a little!
Thanks!
flight777 said:
Thanks for getting back to me And is the brightness good enough too? Because Highland3r said the Ipad2 screen is much brighter. It doesn't have to be so bright that you can't see anything, but do you think it is bright enough?
(maybe you can make some pictures)
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Click to collapse
it seems to be just as bright with both at max as the iPad 2.
wynand32 said:
If the Transformer's screen were bad (not just comparatively a little less good), then I'd agree. However, everything is indicating that it's pretty darn good, and so I don't wager it's something one would hate looking at for a few years.
Now, add in the keyboard dock, and you've suddenly expanded the use case for the device. For someone who does any kind of long-form writing, or even lots of email, tweeting, or whatever, then that keyboard suddenly matters. Multiply that over a few years, and the productivity gains could be significant. Heck, I'm even looking forward to just being able to set the darn thing on my lap and type without worrying about heat or covering up a fan intake. Given the battery, it's also much better than just adding a Bluetooth keyboard if even you could figure out a way to hold a separate tablet and keyboard on your lap.
Not trying to convince anyone one way or the other, but for me, I can't wait to get my hands on the Transformer and particularly with the dock. I've enjoyed the Xoom I've been using, and am really looking forward to comparing the screens. I have a feeling that in that comparison for sure, the Transformer would come out ahead even without the dock.
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You got a point there... That is why I'm really opting for the Transformer, only that screen though keeps nagging in the back of my head
I have read really good things about the Eee Pad Transformer. Anybody had a chance to compare it to the Viewsonic G Tab? I have the G Tab and was considering buying a different Android tablet eventually with better viewing angles. I am really pleased with the hardware and performance of the G Tab but the viewing angles have a long way to go. I would love to hear opinions from anyone who has had a chance to check out both.
I bought the gtablet when it ws on woot. Spent $45 in accessories too. Then i saw the Transformer and it's pricing. Returned the gtablet asap to woot.
I wanted Honeycomb nd youre not going to get a good rom of it anytime soon. The viewing angle of the gtablet started to get annoying too. I had it for 2 weeks. Even just looking at it dead on and not moving your head, you get a sort of hologram type view in your eyes. I couldn't stand it.
I dont remember the exact weight of the gtablet, but loving the Transformer. It seems lighter. The sides are tapered also, so holding it is easier.
Got the Transformer today and couldn't be more happier!
EDIT: Just remember from reading other people's gTablet experiences. I too suffered bad touch screen responsiveness at the edges of the screen, drove me crazy.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App
its day and night comparison. TF screen even blows away the xoom, and is as good as my ipad.
I got a GTablet when it first came out last November and I still own it (it helps with Android development) but the Transformer is WAY better. Looks better, feels better in the hand, lighter, better weight distribution and OMG the screen is *so much nicer*. Viewing angles on the GTablet are especially bad and on the Transformer especially good. Haven't had a single issue with responsiveness on the Transformer screen while I sometimes have roving 'dead areas' of the screen with the GTablet that cause me to constantly recalibrate it.
Also being able to run Honeycomb is nice (still wish Google would AOSP Honeycomb so I could run it on the Gtablet too). Lots of little things like the better multipane gmail app really add up to a much better experience.
I had a G Tablet for a little while and I just received my Transformer on Friday. The screen is waaaay better! I have an iPad 2 ( I'm a developer and I get to try a lot of products) and the Transformer's screen is just as good. I don't think there is a better screen on a tablet right now. Transformer is excellent value for the money you pay- overall quality is much higher than the G Tablet in my opinion.
DraglineDrummer said:
I am really pleased with the hardware and performance of the G Tab but the viewing angles have a long way to go.
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That's an understatement. When I bought my gTab, I thought the screen was "good enough" because I paid $300 for it. Then the Transformer came along for a mere $100 more, and I sold my gTab and spent a tablet-less week waiting for the 26th. Totally worth it, this screen is what a tablet screen should be -- perfect from any angle.
I liked the gTab and the devs for it are great, but that cheapo netbook screen ruined a promising piece of hardware.
My G tablet will still kick all of your Asus. You can just read the results better on your screens. Heh. I will be buying the Transformer and giving my g tablet to my son. I have been watching this forum to see what is happening with the Transformer for several weeks. I am really impressed with the support for the g tablet and im sure the Transformer will get there eventually. Overclocking and custom roms have put the g tablet in the top spot at Antutu. I am currently in 8th place and my Smartbench scores are way higher than the Xoom. I don't see the transformer having any real presence yet because there have been no real tweaks to the tablet yet and so it is probably on par with the xoom performance wise? I look forward to getting my Transformer and seeing where things go with the software in the future. Enjoy!
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
Thanks everybody. I really appreciate it. That's what I was afraid of. Well, looks like I'm selling the G-Tab. I don't use it often but I could see more use with the better screen of the Asus and I really wanted it for the main purpose as an E-reader and light internet surfing. I think I'd be a lot better off with the Asus especially with the keyboard dock which I should have just waited but I guess hindsight is always 20/20 and something better will always come along.
I've been using the Transformer to read books before bed, and it definitely serves that purpose better than the gTab did because of the screen. I basically hold the Transformer upright on my stomach as I'm laying down and it looks great -- holding the gTab at that angle made things loopy.
I don't envy you trying to sell the gTab though -- the value has dropped like crazy the past couple of weeks, and you're bound to be disappointed at what you get. I was able to sell mine on Craigslist for $300 (with the M1 case), but I doubt that'd be the case today.
i just got 250 out of my g tablet. but i could have gotten 275 if i held out... I paid 299. americantv has them for 299 right now as well.
They are a really solid tablet, i liked it a lot...usb ports on board was amazingly nice. viewing angles were bad, but thats not a big deal to me.
i just wanted a more netbook convertible option, hence the transformer, which is on a truck for delivery right now. come on fedex man
To me there is no comparison between the two. Market works great without having to fiddle with my dpi setting. The screen on the Asus is great. I like using portrait mode for pdfs, books and on the Gtablet portrait mode sucked. Even if you looked straight on I had color shifting. Weight the transformer wins hands down. Build quality and thickness, again the transformer feels so much better. Oh and the fact that the Transformer doesn't have touch sensitive buttons on the bezel helps so much in holding it and not accidentally hitting home menu or back.
dfin13 said:
I don't envy you trying to sell the gTab though -- the value has dropped like crazy the past couple of weeks, and you're bound to be disappointed at what you get. I was able to sell mine on Craigslist for $300 (with the M1 case), but I doubt that'd be the case today.
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Yeah, I thought that it would probably be difficult. I would take 250-275. I'm hoping for more but I have a feeling even 250-275 is a hope. I think I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and take what I can get and I think the longer it goes the worse it will be. It's a shame to because I paid full price for it. Oh well, I guess that's how it goes.
DraglineDrummer said:
Thanks everybody. I really appreciate it. That's what I was afraid of. Well, looks like I'm selling the G-Tab. I don't use it often but I could see more use with the better screen of the Asus and I really wanted it for the main purpose as an E-reader and light internet surfing. I think I'd be a lot better off with the Asus especially with the keyboard dock which I should have just waited but I guess hindsight is always 20/20 and something better will always come along.
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Yep, you just summed it up. The screen on the TF is soooooo much nicer that your reading and surfing will be much more enjoyable.
I tried reading on my gTablet a few times - and my eyes just got all googly!
And having the keyboard dock available for when you wanna be productive will be great.
ONE THING I will point out - and subtract points from the TF for... The edges.
Compared to my gTablet, when I held my TF for the first time today, I felt like the tablet's edges were constructed with dull razor blades!!
OK, I'm sure I'll get used to it - and the BACK of it feels great... but those edges are not buttery smooth like our beloved gTablets!
(Don't let that hold ya back tho!)
Same as everyone else said.
-Touch Screen is much more responsive
- Screen is beautiful
- Device feels lighter and slimmer
- Device LOOKS high quality compared to GTAB
- I could go on and on.
I do miss the simple charging port, USB ports, CM7 etc of the GTAB
what's with all the people complaining about the TF101's bezel edge? You must all have soft feminine hands to get hurt so easily.
Well, that edge is a little sharp -- it was actually the first thing I noticed when I held it. I don't find it to be a problem at all, maybe because mine stays in the Asus case 99% of the time. But when I do take it out, it's noticeable, but not so much that I care.
pogul said:
Yep, you just summed it up. The screen on the TF is soooooo much nicer that your reading and surfing will be much more enjoyable.
I tried reading on my gTablet a few times - and my eyes just got all googly!
And having the keyboard dock available for when you wanna be productive will be great.
ONE THING I will point out - and subtract points from the TF for... The edges.
Compared to my gTablet, when I held my TF for the first time today, I felt like the tablet's edges were constructed with dull razor blades!!
OK, I'm sure I'll get used to it - and the BACK of it feels great... but those edges are not buttery smooth like our beloved gTablets!
(Don't let that hold ya back tho!)
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Click to collapse
I will gladly take razor blades on all sides if it does not make me crosseyed when trying to read on it.
DraglineDrummer said:
I have read really good things about the Eee Pad Transformer. Anybody had a chance to compare it to the Viewsonic G Tab? I have the G Tab and was considering buying a different Android tablet eventually with better viewing angles. I am really pleased with the hardware and performance of the G Tab but the viewing angles have a long way to go. I would love to hear opinions from anyone who has had a chance to check out both.
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I had a G-tablet which I returned when I heard the Transformer was coming out (I now have the Transformer). They're night-and-day different in quality, favoring the Transformer... its screen is gorgeous, great color/brightness/perfect viewing angles.
The Honeycomb Android OS is better-suited for a tablet and just as fast as any custom ROMs I had seen for the Gtablet. The Asus Transformer feels better-distributed in weight when holding it, and thinner. The build quality is far, far better, and the thing just flat-out works perfectly. The screen resolution makes web browsing a lot nicer as well.
The G-tablet's screen was just unbearably bad, you'd lose contrast/brightness significantly just from a 5-10 degree normal-holding-angle position in your hands, and the screen quality + resolution were far worse. This really translates into all aspects of using the tablet, but especially when reading the on the Transformer, it's a lot better. Portrait mode makes a huge difference to have as a viable reading option!
DEFINITELY go for the Transformer if it's an option... it's just a much, much, much, much (x"A LOT!") better tablet.
DraglineDrummer said:
I will gladly take razor blades on all sides if it does not make me crosseyed when trying to read on it.
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Heh, I've heard some people's are sharper than others, mine is very dull on the edges and comfy to hold *shrug*.
seshmaru said:
what's with all the people complaining about the TF101's bezel edge? You must all have soft feminine hands to get hurt so easily.
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^^^^^^^^^^
GoldenTiger said:
I had a G-tablet which I returned when I heard the Transformer was coming out (I now have the Transformer). They're night-and-day different in quality, favoring the Transformer... its screen is gorgeous, great color/brightness/perfect viewing angles.
The Honeycomb Android OS is better-suited for a tablet and just as fast as any custom ROMs I had seen for the Gtablet. The Asus Transformer feels better-distributed in weight when holding it, and thinner. The build quality is far, far better, and the thing just flat-out works perfectly. The screen resolution makes web browsing a lot nicer as well.
The G-tablet's screen was just unbearably bad, you'd lose contrast/brightness significantly just from a 5-10 degree normal-holding-angle position in your hands, and the screen quality + resolution were far worse.
DEFINITELY go for the Transformer if it's an option... it's just a much, much, much, much (x"A LOT!") better tablet.
Heh, I've heard some people's are sharper than others, mine is very dull on the edges and comfy to hold *shrug*.
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Love my G-tablet, but not the display. Anyway, I bought the G-tablet on sale to learn how to mod with new ROMs, etc, and have really had fun customizing it. If they could slap a good screen on the G-tablet it would really be a nice tablet. However, I will move on the the TF this summer. By the time I order one the brick and video issues should be solved and everyone should have stock by then. Played with the Acer today at BestBuy. Man, it was heavy! But I really like the Honeycomb OS and am anxious to move to that platform. I was pleased to see that the Acer screen was much better than the G-tablet. Also waiting on the Samsung 10.1 Gtab too. Its screen is supposed to be a step-up even from the Transformer. All you guys and gals get the bugs worked out for those of us who must wait a few more months. Thanks.
So I'm in a bit of a pickle, I can't decide if I should keep my Acer or my Asus. I have both right now but will be returning one of them, so I'm looking for any differentiators I can use to decide, here's what I've got:
Acer:
- USB support right out of the box (not planning on currently picking up the ASUS keyboard)
- Feels sturdier
- Power connector isn't proprietary
- Rotation lock is a physical button, I find I use that a lot.
- Not quite as wide as the Asus.
- Plays youtube HD smoothly in the Youtube app. This seems very strange, given they are identical hardware wise, but the Asus stutters when watching HD in the YouTube app. The Acer doesn't, for whatever reason. I can get around it by watching in the browser... but I like the app.
Asus:
- Feels snappier (might be my imagination, also I got this one 'later' so maybe the Acer is just a little extra bogged down by apps... though I have gotten them both to an identical state and the Asus seems to still have a very slight edge).
- Slightly better screen. It is noticeable when watching the same video content side by side.
- Gorilla Glass? (I can't confirm whether the Acer has this or not, have seen many posts both ways, and seen Acer confirm it both ways)
- Slightly lighter and very slightly thinner.
- Better sound (just seems better flat out, headphones are identical)
- Keyboard dock add on (though I am not planning to pick that up yet).
- $50 cheaper, though I had to pay $20 shipping so the net is $30 back to me. Not a big deal.
Any additional information, or things I should consider? I really don't know which to choose!
I'd choose the ASUS Transformer
The ASUS comes preloaded with a lot of nice apps and widgets. I LOVE the feature that I can use splashtop without any prior experience and connect to my shared media on my PC, also without changing any settings.
The wider bezel is great in my opinion. I had the XOOM and when I was holding it in one hand I would always touch the screen by accident; and I do not have big hands!
Even though you don't plan on picking up the dock you should It is an amazing piece of hardware.
I cannot comment on the comparison since I never touched the Acer but I can tell you that I am very pleased with the ASUS and it gets nice support from the devs here and ASUS directly.
Thanks funnycreature, I should elaborate a bit more on my original post.
To add to the list above, the Asus has some light bleeding on the screen, in 3 spaces. This doesn't really bother me, but it is definitely there, and not on the Acer. I have not really used the prepackaged apps on either device much, so I can't comment on that. I had a Xoom as well before I had these 2, and I think it was actually my favorite, but I didn't keep it because I thought the cost was far too high for the very small bit I favored it. I like the size of it, I didn't have the width issues you did, and I think the Asus is a bit too wide. The Acer is the middleground there. Having gotten the Thumb Keyboard now though... it is not nearly as big of an issue.
If all things were equal, I would keep the Asus. I bought it because that was my intention, but once getting it I found it was a much tougher call than I initially suspected. If that Youtube app problem wasn't there.... the Acer would be back at the store. But that scares me a little bit, and I don't know if it will *ever* truly get fixed (and I watch a lot of Youtube videos on my tablet while the wife is asleep!). It is a very, very close comparison.
The other bonus for the Asus that I didn't mention, though, is that it has about 3x the community here on XDA, which I'll go ahead and assume means 3x the development effort. That is nice to know.
sirix1 said:
Thanks funnycreature, I should elaborate a bit more on my original post.
To add to the list above, the Asus has some light bleeding on the screen, in 3 spaces. This doesn't really bother me, but it is definitely there, and not on the Acer. I have not really used the prepackaged apps on either device much, so I can't comment on that. I had a Xoom as well before I had these 2, and I think it was actually my favorite, but I didn't keep it because I thought the cost was far too high for the very small bit I favored it. I like the size of it, I didn't have the width issues you did, and I think the Asus is a bit too wide. The Acer is the middleground there. Having gotten the Thumb Keyboard now though... it is not nearly as big of an issue.
If all things were equal, I would keep the Asus. I bought it because that was my intention, but once getting it I found it was a much tougher call than I initially suspected. If that Youtube app problem wasn't there.... the Acer would be back at the store. But that scares me a little bit, and I don't know if it will *ever* truly get fixed (and I watch a lot of Youtube videos on my tablet while the wife is asleep!). It is a very, very close comparison.
The other bonus for the Asus that I didn't mention, though, is that it has about 3x the community here on XDA, which I'll go ahead and assume means 3x the development effort. That is nice to know.
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The bleed seems to be an illness of the mobile IPS displays and since the Acer most likely doesn't have an IPS it won't show the bleed. I hardly notice it and it doesn't really bother me. I also hardly ever watch YouTube videos
You should try experiencing more what each device can do beside watching videos. Maybe that will make the decision easier!
I find it strange that you order 3 tables and only keep one! What do you do with the tables you don't keep?
Honestly, I find the whole "this vs. that" discussion boring. I say: evaluate them, give them some side-by-side use if you can, and then make your decision. This is all very subjective, particularly since the major specs--processor, RAM, storage--are essentially the same.
The TF has pros and cons, the Acer has pros and cons, the Xoom has pros and cons, etc., etc. What's better for one person may not be better for another. So, just do your research and make your choice--looking for "unbiased" input on a forum dedicated to one device is unlikely to bear fruit.
wynand32 said:
Honestly, I find the whole "this vs. that" discussion boring. I say: evaluate them, give them some side-by-side use if you can, and then make your decision. This is all very subjective, particularly since the major specs--processor, RAM, storage--are essentially the same.
The TF has pros and cons, the Acer has pros and cons, the Xoom has pros and cons, etc., etc. What's better for one person may not be better for another. So, just do your research and make your choice--looking for "unbiased" input on a forum dedicated to one device is unlikely to bear fruit.
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Click to collapse
That's why I say "Tablets are like shoes, they need to fit you and the purpose"
sirix1 said:
I had a Xoom as well before I had these 2, and I think it was actually my favorite, but I didn't keep it because I thought the cost was far too high for the very small bit I favored it.
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That's quite interesting for me, how did you find the Xoom's screen, was it acceptable? I returned my TF and am now thinking of getting either a Xoom or wait and see ho much the GT 10.1 will be here in the UK. I'm getting cheesed off waiting for the GT specs and price though. :-(
UKseagull said:
That's quite interesting for me, how did you find the Xoom's screen, was it acceptable? I returned my TF and am now thinking of getting either a Xoom or wait and see ho much the GT 10.1 will be here in the UK. I'm getting cheesed off waiting for the GT specs and price though. :-(
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Well, it was definitely on par with the Acer. I didn't have the Asus/Xoom at the same time so I couldn't compare them side by side. I didn't even know there was a difference until I got the Acer/Asus side by side, but the Asus is the winner. It is not huge though, not at all, in fact someone else brought it up before I even noticed it. When you run media, like a video, side by side you can see the colors are slightly richer on the Asus. I am sure that is a 16m colors vs. 256k colors issue. The Xoom was at least Acer quality, could have been Asus, not sure, I would find out what panel it has and that should tell you. It was a good device, basically identical I just liked the form factor a little more (less wasted space). I would have paid a ~$30 premium for it, but definitely not $200. Why did you return your TF?
Honestly, I find the whole "this vs. that" discussion boring. I say: evaluate them, give them some side-by-side use if you can, and then make your decision. This is all very subjective, particularly since the major specs--processor, RAM, storage--are essentially the same.
The TF has pros and cons, the Acer has pros and cons, the Xoom has pros and cons, etc., etc. What's better for one person may not be better for another. So, just do your research and make your choice--looking for "unbiased" input on a forum dedicated to one device is unlikely to bear fruit
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Sort of, but we aren't talking about your favorite flavor of pizza here. There are completely objective differences here, and things that are in fact just "better." I asked this forum because it is more lively than the Acer forum, and I think I lean *ever so slightly* towards the Asus anyway (maybe just because I have an asus laptop). People here are truly in the know, I figured if there was a difference I didn't know about, maybe I could learn. And if someone was interested in the differences in the 3 android honeycomb tablets, maybe they could learn something from my post, since I've owned all 3 now.
I find it strange that you order 3 tables and only keep one! What do you do with the tables you don't keep?
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I return them. I don't usually do anything like that, it just happened to work out this time. I bought the Xoom, liked it, but decided that for $600 it just wasn't enough. I went back and they had the Acer in stock, so I picked that up. I saw they had the Asus in stock online like a week later, and decided what the hell, I've tried the other 2 now let's give it a go. I expect the Asus to win in a landslide... I didn't think my decision would be difficult.
Thanks for all the replies!
I had an Acer and currently have an Asus and the Acer felt much heavier especially when holding it in one hand. The metal construction gave it a nice quality feel, but it also made the back of the device slippery and a little harder to hold than the Asus. The Asus feels a little snappier, I noticed lag on the unlock screen of the Acer. However, the Acer seemed to have a more responsive touch screen. When I first received the Asus I noticed I had to tap the screen a little harder than the Acer, now I'm used to it and is no longer an issue. Also the Asus seems to be more hackable than the Acer, I believe the Acer still has a locked bootloader and the devs are having trouble putting clockworkmod recovery on the device. My Acer did play YouTube videos in the app better than the Asus.
I am happy with the Asus, I just need to find the keyboard dock. It seems to run smoother, the devs seem to be having success with Modding the transformer, and Asus seems to be ontop of things.
P.S typed this all on my transformer gotta love the tumb keyboard.
sirix1 said:
Why did you return your TF?
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It was due to what I consider to have been poor build quality, light bleed, creaky housing. I hope that this was just an initial manufacturing issue and that Asus will get to grips with it very soon and will produce a better Transformer. Of course there are people here who have had better units without these problems, I wasn't so lucky.
I like the solid construction of the Xoom, not so much the screen but I could get used to that I suppose. The Xoom is more expensive than the TF and that's a major consideration, also I'm not so sure that the Xoom will be as well supported as the TF, by both Motorola and not forgetting the guys here at XDA. There's a lot off stuff going off in this section.
I really am in limbo here trying to make the right decision.
also I returned my Acer because the GPS SUCKED. the Acer took forever to get a GPS lock and would lose the GPS signal randomly under a clear sky. I haven't gotten a chance to test the GPS on the transformer but I heard that it is good.
I looked at the Acer. Found it a nice tab - far better than the over priced, heavy Xoom (that I once owned 2 - until the TF came along and put them to shame).
But the Acer isn't as nice (on the pocketbook) as the TF, nor as versatile. Having the dock is nice - I don't use it often, but comes in very handy when wanting more bat life, more ports, faster typing - the kb dock is well executed. A benny of buying the kb dock is the clamshell design makes having a case unnecessary imo - stuffed it into my carry on luggage on my trip to Hawaii and no problems.
But if you don't want the dock, I'd go for the Acer due to full size USB on the tablet itself (that's the only thing I wanted extra on the TF). Marginally worse screen isn't a big deal. Didn't check the speakers, but if you say the TF is better, then the Acer's speakers must blow...
But you might also want to check the new Gal Tab 10 when it releases in the near future.
the transformer is great bang for the buck, and I like tablets with bigger bezels like the Asus and the Acer. I guess I have fat fingers because it was hard to hold the xoom with one hand without touching the screen by accident. but the xoom should always get honeycomb updates first, and should be the most hackable.
theydonkno said:
also I returned my Acer because the GPS SUCKED. the Acer took forever to get a GPS lock and would lose the GPS signal randomly under a clear sky. I haven't gotten a chance to test the GPS on the transformer but I heard that it is good.
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The one that I had worked very well, even got a lock in my front room where my HTC Desire couldn't.
theydonkno said:
the transformer is great bang for the buck, and I like tablets with bigger bezels like the Asus and the Acer. I guess I have fat fingers because it was hard to hold the xoom with one hand without touching the screen by accident. but the xoom should always get honeycomb updates first, and should be the most hackable.
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Hmmm, unless you're in the UK.
Transformer
I'd say TF, I found the Acer very heavy and the screen is not as sharp. The TF has lots of great widgets and the ability to remote desktop into your pc or mac.
I use that feature a lot, it comes in handy.
Polaris office is also another good feature. The Acer does have that usb port on the tablet, but the keyboard that attaches to it seems flimsy and the tablet doesn't attach 100% to it. And the dock doesn't have an extra battery.
I find that the TF gives me lots of options for expandability and ease of use.
Both are good choices, but the TF comes out on top imo.
UKseagull said:
It was due to what I consider to have been poor build quality, light bleed, creaky housing. I hope that this was just an initial manufacturing issue and that Asus will get to grips with it very soon and will produce a better Transformer. Of course there are people here who have had better units without these problems, I wasn't so lucky.
I like the solid construction of the Xoom, not so much the screen but I could get used to that I suppose. The Xoom is more expensive than the TF and that's a major consideration, also I'm not so sure that the Xoom will be as well supported as the TF, by both Motorola and not forgetting the guys here at XDA. There's a lot off stuff going off in this section.
I really am in limbo here trying to make the right decision.
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I use to own the Xoom and its a great device but way overpriced & the screen isn't that good. The price you save by going TF again can go towards a dock. I have shown my ex-Xoom & TF dock to many family members, friends & co-workers. All of them love the TF over the Xoom & many of them plan to get the TF & dock once they are able to find them.
Like someone said earlier, its all personal preference but for me, it's TF all the way.
sirix1 said:
Well, it was definitely on par with the Acer. I didn't have the Asus/Xoom at the same time so I couldn't compare them side by side.
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I know I just wrote that it's all subjective, but really I meant that in total. I'll say this as well: I have a Xoom and a TF sitting side by side right now (still haven't returned the Xoom to Costco, been busy), and the TF screen is heads and shoulders better than the Xoom's.
First, the angles are better. Much better. Like, night and day difference better. Second, colors on the TF are much more natural--the Xoom tends to be VERY cold (i.e., has a very strong blue tint). There are apparently two different Xoom screens floating around, each with their advantages/disadvantages, and the one I have is not even close to the TF.
In fact, even if the Xoom cost less than the TF, and even if the TF didn't have the dock, I'd still keep the TF over the Xoom on the strength of the screen alone.
wynand32 said:
In fact, even if the Xoom cost less than the TF, and even if the TF didn't have the dock, I'd still keep the TF over the Xoom on the strength of the screen alone.
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That's the big draw, the screen (when it's OK) is head and shoulders above most of the other tablets without the IPS screens and obviously the price is right too.
I'm getting p*ssed off going back and forth to this and that tablet, each have their plus and minuses. I can see me getting another Transformer at this rate ... IT BETTER BE BETTER THAN MY OTHERS!
I had Iconia and was good, except for the wifi problems and the constant turning on when in sleep. The new software fixes them. I returned it because the screen was inferior to the transformer, the metal housing was to damn slippery...dropped it on carpet a few times...the weight of it..the thickness of it and the main was the better development community here for the transformer. It is really a good tablet(Iconia) but did not suit me.
Just a quick overview: I was in Best Buy the other night, and fortunately, they had all 3 machines not only powered on, but also on WiFi. I couldn't resist this, since I'm beginning to seriously look at a 10" tab to replace my oft maligned (And rightly so) Gentough78. (Yeah, yeah.. I know) Anyway, having all 3 side by side was nice. Here's my thoughts:
Screen: The winner was the Thrive. It had very good contrast. The other 2 were completely acceptable though.
Case: I like the rubberized backing of the Thrive a LOT. That being said, it was a close 2nd place to the Xformer (Heretofore called the XF). Didn't care for the clunkiness of the Iconia.
WiFi performance: The Iconia stuttered a lot on the youtube video I was playing. The other 2 seemed to handle this just fine.
WiFi Tethering: The XF was the only one of the 3 that saw my hotspot on my Epic. This is a pretty big deal.
Snappiness: Hard to tell the diff between the 3, honestly. They were all nice.
Dock: Obviously this is an awesome on the XF
So... overall, as it stands, I'm seriously looking at the XF as my tab of choice. Just thought I'd share my thoughts here. How's the tun.ko working out on IPSEC VPN???
Fellow epic user! I was faced with the same decision and got the TF because of the hotspot issue. I have no regrets and i dont even have the dock. I use my stylus for most everything. I also like how the OS has no annoying UI over top.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
i currently have both the thrive and transformer and i have to say you are wrong, the IPS display on the transformer is noticeably better. It's richer in color and has better viewing angles. I am returning the thrive because its just too fat!
Either way, they are good choices. I really don't need the ports on the Thrive, and I really like the TF's weight and thinness compared to the Thrive since I usually throw it in my bag, or walk around carrying it in my hand when I'm using it as a Mp3 player (which is all the time). Since the Thrive has a LED screen, blacks are probably darker than on the TF but I haven't tested.
shubonker said:
i currently have both the thrive and transformer and i have to say you are wrong, the IPS display on the transformer is noticeably better. It's richer in color and has better viewing angles. I am returning the thrive because its just too fat!
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I agree, I found the TF screen to be superior. The only other andriod tablet I thought had a display that could compete with the TF was the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Did you check to see if the brightness setting where set to the same approximate
brightness.
You can't test anything in 20 minutes at best buy. They all are a tie because ech line has a feature specific to its self. I think it comes down to personal preference and how will it be used. I chose the Asus because of the free software Splashtop and Polaris, but do wn a Acer too. The Acer states hooked up to my TV with wireless keyboard and mouse to stream movies or surf the web.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium
I made this thread to help kinda sort what each tablet has (most of them out there), might help you pinpoint.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AnAJoa0-ynONdE1TT1RSdTcxbmRFeE5mdl9jdzZDb3c&output=html
RojasTKD said:
Did you check to see if the brightness setting where set to the same approximate
brightness.
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Nope... should have. In all fairness, the screens were in pretty mucky shape too. They all had streaks and smudges from all of the dirty fingers of the crumb crunchers who had played with them. The 2 Xooms wouldn't even come on, so I didn't check them out (Although in all fairness, the $100 extra kind of excluded them anyway)
When I get a little closer to being actually able to afford one (I'm just over 1/2 way there now), I'll go give them a lot closer look, and I'll probably bring a microfibre cloth. I'd never let any of my screens get that nasty.
And I'll pay extra close attention to the viewing angles. That's something I hadn't thought of.
Robbzilla said:
Nope... should have. In all fairness, the screens were in pretty mucky shape too. They all had streaks and smudges from all of the dirty fingers of the crumb crunchers who had played with them. The 2 Xooms wouldn't even come on, so I didn't check them out (Although in all fairness, the $100 extra kind of excluded them anyway)
When I get a little closer to being actually able to afford one (I'm just over 1/2 way there now), I'll go give them a lot closer look, and I'll probably bring a microfibre cloth. I'd never let any of my screens get that nasty.
And I'll pay extra close attention to the viewing angles. That's something I hadn't thought of.
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The Xoom, the screen isn't as good as the others. The color temp and viewing angle are inferior.
http://dustinwilkins.com/2011/05/03/it-is-all-about-the-screen-transformer-vs-xoom/
http://androidforums.com/asus-eee-pad-transformer/327231-transformer-vs-xoom-screen.html
http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/17404-screen-comparison-versus-a-xoom-with-pics/
I bought the Iconia and returned it. I just thought the plastic port area on the sites ruined the high-end feel of the brushed metal. And it was too heavy to comfortably hold while reading. I love the ports though. The Toshiba tablet was just too huge. My TF is great. But build quality is so-so; I got a squeeky area around the power button. No big deal though.
Asus TF has the best screen and the value-for-money dock
Iconia has the full size usb port
Thrive has the full size usb port and hdmi port but loses out on weight and bulkiness.
and all three devices uses the same SoC, the Tegra2 so i wouldn't compare performance.
and there are other scientific ways to test the WiFi performance than testing with a youtube video
jananan said:
Asus TF has the best screen and the value-for-money dock
Iconia has the full size usb port
Thrive has the full size usb port and hdmi port but loses out on weight and bulkiness.
and all three devices uses the same SoC, the Tegra2 so i wouldn't compare performance.
and there are other scientific ways to test the WiFi performance than testing with a youtube video
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Sure, but with a locked down market and running fast through the testing since other people were looking, it was the 1st thing that came to mind. I'm not a professional reviewer, I just play one on TV...
dude2k5 said:
I made this thread to help kinda sort what each tablet has (most of them out there), might help you pinpoint.
(Google Docs link in original post)
Hey Dude; terrific work.
Saved me the hassle
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I'd get the transformer. If you're referencing the BF deal then the Asus has 16gb for $250 while the Thrive is 8gb for $275. To me, that's no contest.
After purchasing 2 defective Nexus 7, I've decided to seek for an alternative tablet..
How does the TF700 compare?
Pricing is not a concern for me .
See Lisa's review comparison.
Kinda apples to oranges isn't it? Entry level budget minded device versus high end loaded device? Don't get me wrong, I like the nexus, but they would need a 10" for me to even bother looking their way. I already have a couple nook colors. BUUUT...how do they compare, well lets try...
TF700 = Bigger better screen
TF700 = graphics
TF700 = brightness (super IPS is nice)
Nexus = From google OTAs
Nexus = Lighter
Nexus = Handier as a casual every day "assistant" type device that still is great for movies and games.
Overall it depends on what your looking for really. Quite a difference in price.
**Disclaimer: I don't own a Nexus, just taking a guess at most of the things I listed**
i dont think there is much of a comparison.
Currently, I own both devices. While I agree they are apples vs oranges (lower end to higher end), I can perhaps share some insight. Let me start by saying getting either device is a win. What we have here is 2 quality tablets utilizing the android OS. The Nexus 7 is more of a convenience device. What I mean by this is the portability, weight, and smoothness are unprecedented. I love walking to the coffee table, picking the 7 up, checking my twitter feed, checking the score of the game, etc... One of the other things I enjoy (despite the lower resolution than the TF700), is e-reading. The lack of stress on my wrists makes it an absolute pleasure to read. I can lay on my back, and hold the tablet above my face with one hand, and have no fear of dropping it. There's a lot of little uses I find the 7 brilliant for. My hang up is the idea of a 7" tablet. It's not big enough, but it's not small enough to use with 2 hands making is slightly awkward for some users.
The Infinity is more of a laptop replacement (especially if you get the keyboard dock). I went with the 64gb version, with a 64gb micro SD card. I have not touched my laptop since. If you are looking for a daily web browser, this is your guy. I never have to zoom in to read, the text is crisp/clear, and I don't find myself straining to view websites. That's another advantage of the 10" tablet over the 7". The screen noticeably trumps the Nexus 7, and sometimes it pains me to switch between the two. Although i'm a big fan of Google and Nexus devices I really like what Asus did with their personal widgets and notification bar. Really makes the tablet feel fluid. The downside with the TF700 is most things aren't optimized for the gorgeous display. I'm sad to say, it's almost a waste. That is one area i'll give the nod to IOS for. Apps look grainy with their icons, games can look poor at times, and some games aren't even available at all.
bhillegass said:
Currently, I own both devices. While I agree they are apples vs oranges (lower end to higher end), I can perhaps share some insight. Let me start by saying getting either device is a win. What we have here is 2 quality tablets utilizing the android OS. The Nexus 7 is more of a convenience device. What I mean by this is the portability, weight, and smoothness are unprecedented. I love walking to the coffee table, picking the 7 up, checking my twitter feed, checking the score of the game, etc... One of the other things I enjoy (despite the lower resolution than the TF700), is e-reading. The lack of stress on my wrists makes it an absolute pleasure to read. I can lay on my back, and hold the tablet above my face with one hand, and have no fear of dropping it. There's a lot of little uses I find the 7 brilliant for. My hang up is the idea of a 7" tablet. It's not big enough, but it's not small enough to use with 2 hands making is slightly awkward for some users.
The Infinity is more of a laptop replacement (especially if you get the keyboard dock). I went with the 64gb version, with a 64gb micro SD card. I have not touched my laptop since. If you are looking for a daily web browser, this is your guy. I never have to zoom in to read, the text is crisp/clear, and I don't find myself straining to view websites. That's another advantage of the 10" tablet over the 7". The screen noticeably trumps the Nexus 7, and sometimes it pains me to switch between the two. Although i'm a big fan of Google and Nexus devices I really like what Asus did with their personal widgets and notification bar. Really makes the tablet feel fluid. The downside with the TF700 is most things aren't optimized for the gorgeous display. I'm sad to say, it's almost a waste. That is one area i'll give the nod to IOS for. Apps look grainy with their icons, games can look poor at times, and some games aren't even available at all.
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How does e-reading on the TF700 feel?
The main reason I'm getting a tablet is to do reading and daily browsing,checking for news etc..
qwerty123321 said:
How does e-reading on the TF700 feel?
The main reason I'm getting a tablet is to do reading and daily browsing,checking for news etc..
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Great, very sharp and clear text.
I actually read more on my tablet then on my e- reader. Because of the higher resolution, and that I can easily switch to pocket to read an article or read a magazine with colours.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Chief Geek said:
Kinda apples to oranges isn't it?
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Depends on what's important to you. It was between the tf700 and the n7 for me too. Both tegra 3, both Asus, similar pixel densities, and before it became the n7, it was officially announced as the 370t, and also had an sd slot and hdmi port. Google lost me when they lost the extras and when Asus made it clear they wouldn't consider a transformer dock on a 7" device (no, I didn't want a smaller dock -- same size dock, smaller slot to put it in, and bonus space for front facing speakers). All extras being equal, I'd have preferred a 7" form factor. A few ended up not being equal.
One area the N7 has the tf700 beat is that it has BT4, while we only have BT3. The 4 is a pretty big jump, enabling super low power accessories. Virtually none exist yet, but they will. Apple's moved their phones and tabs to bt4, and they're a big accessory driver. Another area, arguably, is RAM capacity. They both have the same amount, but the n7 won't need as much to drive its lower res screen down the road. I'd rather have half the storage I have and double the RAM, since I aim to keep this device for many years.
The main reason I'm getting a tablet is to do reading and daily browsing,checking for news etc..
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The larger screen on the tf700 is going to make it a much nicer magazine reader. On the n7, you'd really want to reflow mags into mostly text for readability, but on this you can read mags as they are without having to pan and zoom all over the place. I suspect comics might be more easily consumed on this too, but I'm just guessing, I haven't gotten to that yet. Some websites are going to be much easier to read without panning and zooming, but apps like Google Currents are often far more convenient than the sites themselves anyway -- much better layout on any tab.
Finally, the tf700 has super IPS+, which basically means it can get brighter than virtually any other tab out there. This is touted as being daylight readable, and it is more than any other mobile I've had, but the uber-shininess of the glass and reflections that come from it really mar the outdoor reading experience. In summer heat, the metal exterior sucks up the heat just as fast as you'd expect too. I will use sips+ for outdoor typing once it cools down a little (its been over 110F for me for two weeks), but I haven't decided how much outdoor reading I'll do.
The n7 would be more comfortable to hold for extended periods, both because it's lighter and it has the textured back.
bottom line: please do not compare. of course tf700 is the better option.. its like asking do you like mercedez or kia ?? when the money is not an issue!!
imagine cars said:
bottom line: please do not compare. of course tf700 is the better option.. its like asking do you like mercedez or kia ?? when the money is not an issue!!
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Fragmentation much? We're all android bros, we need to unite to beat the fragmentation and the isheep.
Like others have said, there is no comparison between the two. Both have their pluses and minuses. I own both and enjoy both equally.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2