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Pad buying

I am wanting to buy a good touch pad I know this is an amadeus forum and lots of pads out there run android but my question is which one should I go for touts the best one it don't have to be android based either.
I have seen lots of android pads and there is a windows
7 pad out and also the one that can be put on a keyboard dock and used like a laptop or the blackberry play book which also looks good
What's your opinions thanks
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I am also planning to buy an Android Tablet between October to X-mas.
There are 3 tablets on my wish list (I have not made up my mind yet):
1. ASUS Transformer (keyboard dock possible)
2. HTC Flyer (7", Sense)
3. Archos 80 G9 (7", 250GB HDD, reasonable price, coming in September)

Is android definitely the best os to have on a pass or is the blackberry play book or the windows pad better in any way?
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BB Playbook? If you have a BB device then it worth considering but I will not buy a playbook since it needs a working BB device in conjunction, which I do not have and do not intend to buy.
Windows...meh!...Win 7 is not suitable for tablets in my opinion...

So do you think I should look at the android ones as I am already used to working with android with my htc desire?
Why is windows no good on tablet pc?
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Right now, I see only 2 good alternatives for tablet: an Android tablet or an iPad.
Main reason not to go with Windows 7 tablets: all those icons, drop down menu, etc. those are not comfortable to be operated on tablets.
Windows 7 is heavy, and therefore needs more powerful hardware hence more expensive tablets or you have to live with slugish performance.

Windows tablets

Would you guys recommend that one buys the Asus transformer 300 as opposed to waiting for windows 8 tablets and buying one of them? If so, why?
Thanks
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KindaUndisputed said:
Would you guys recommend that one buys the Asus transformer 300 as opposed to waiting for windows 8 tablets and buying one of them? If so, why?
Thanks
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That's a tough call. I was thinking the same thing. Finally I bought the TF300 reasoning that:
1) Win RT tablets are still months away
2) Even when the first ones are released, it may well be a few more months before a manufacturer releases one I really like
3) Even then, it will be a few more months before there's a critical mass of decent applications for the platform.
So all in all I'm guessing 18 months to two years before Windows 8 tablets are truly attractive propositions, and by that time I'll probably be itching to update anyway, so I'll be able to re-consider the direction I want to go in at the time.

dsf3g said:
That's a tough call. I was thinking the same thing. Finally I bought the TF300 reasoning that:
1) Win RT tablets are still months away
2) Even when the first ones are released, it may well be a few more months before a manufacturer releases one I really like
3) Even then, it will be a few more months before there's a critical mass of decent applications for the platform.
So all in all I'm guessing 18 months to two years before Windows 8 tablets are truly attractive propositions, and by that time I'll probably be itching to update anyway, so I'll be able to re-consider the direction I want to go in at the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is it about windows that is so attractive though? As in, what can you do on a windows tablet that you can't on Android?
2. What do you think, the Dell inspiron duo or this?
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I had the same question a week ago.
My girlfriend needed a "portable office" and the question was: Notebook or Notebook.
But then I told her there is a tablet with keyboard dock and listed some advantages, because she already have a Samsung Galaxy Ace.
And that it is possible to connect external volumes like USB sticks or drives.
Now she uses the TF300T about a week and is still satisfied.
All she has to do is to write some things in Word and a little bit Powerpoint. All this is done very well with OfficeSuite Pro.
Additionally she has to transfer some pictures, e-mails and surfing the net.
No need for Windows.
Now she can sync her calendar very very easy, has her contacts everywhere and can manage them easily, and can use the same payed apps as she bought for her Galaxy Ace.
My job is done.
You should just think about what you do most.
If you want to play some games which are windows only, okay. But you don't have already a PC at home?
Do you have special applications which are windows only?
Android is much smoother than windows. It's faster because it's not overloaded with things normal humans wouldn't need.
Additionally no idea about the battery lifetime. Notebooks have much less and I assume, Windows 8 tablets won't work as long as an Android tablet.

Thanks for the reply!
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KindaUndisputed said:
What is it about windows that is so attractive though? As in, what can you do on a windows tablet that you can't on Android?
2. What do you think, the Dell inspiron duo or this?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point, nothing, because there aren't any Windows RT tablets to compare to. So it's all speculative, on my part.
However, I would expect to find a very robst and well implemented web brower and a robust and well implemented Office suite as well as good Windows networking and printing.
The emergence of Chrome on Android makes the first point much less of an issue. I've been using Chrome on the TF300 and really, really like it. Heck, I've also found that Opera on my TF300 behaves much better than it does on my HTC Flyer.
But I'm still waiting for a decent Office suite. There are some OK ones out there, getting better by the day. I do like Office Suite Professional. But some pretty important features are missing (for insatnce, the ability to create multi-columned documents).

The big appeal of Windows 8 being on tablets is compatibility. There will be Metro Apps and regular Windows 8 apps. Metro Apps are gonna be for mobile devices like your tablet and your home PC.
With Windows 8 your old x86 PC applications won't run on your tablet, but your new Metro apps should be compatible with your PC and tablet. So if I'm playing a game on my tablet, I go home, I can sync up and continue playing on my PC. That's a very cool options to have. I'm using an app to work on a project on my tablet, I can jump right into the same application, with the same interface, and continue at my desk.
It's one step closer to blurring the line between a home PC and mobile devices.

[Q] Which is the best tablet for business needs?

I'm currently preparing to deploy tablets to our technicians for service routes and surveying purposes. I would like opinions of the community on which tablet would be the most user friendly and capable of fulfilling all of our needs.
We need to be able to email, fill out documents, and capture signatures from the tablet. For ease of administration I would like to be able to access the file structure (not sure if I can do this with an iPad or not). I will need to quickly pre-load all of the forms/documents that each technician will need for a trip prior to them leaving. I don't want to have to email everything to each tablet and then go in and move the files around so I will need either a USB-PC interface, full sized USB ports, or a card reader. I'm all for cloud services and use them regularly but I'm doubtful that the older generation is very familiar with them.
My personal experience in all things mobile has been a strong background in Android or WinMo. I've typically stayed away from Apple products, as such I'm not against using the iPad but I'm not familiar enough to know it's capabilities or limitations.
Please keep in mind that I need something the average Joe can manipulate unassisted in the field. Thanks for your thoughts!

NewMC said:
I'm currently preparing to deploy tablets to our technicians for service routes and surveying purposes. I would like opinions of the community on which tablet would be the most user friendly and capable of fulfilling all of our needs.
We need to be able to email, fill out documents, and capture signatures from the tablet. For ease of administration I would like to be able to access the file structure (not sure if I can do this with an iPad or not). I will need to quickly pre-load all of the forms/documents that each technician will need for a trip prior to them leaving. I don't want to have to email everything to each tablet and then go in and move the files around so I will need either a USB-PC interface, full sized USB ports, or a card reader. I'm all for cloud services and use them regularly but I'm doubtful that the older generation is very familiar with them.
My personal experience in all things mobile has been a strong background in Android or WinMo. I've typically stayed away from Apple products, as such I'm not against using the iPad but I'm not familiar enough to know it's capabilities or limitations.
Please keep in mind that I need something the average Joe can manipulate unassisted in the field. Thanks for your thoughts!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Afaik the only tablets with a full sized USB port and a SD card are the Transformer Prime and the TF300, but they have to be attached to their keyboard docks in order to do that. As to everything else I guess that pretty much every Android tablet will fill the bill. USB OTG cables are also a valuable option as far as USB connectivity is concerned, they work with every Android device and they generally cost just a couple bucks.

I know you guys will think I am crazy but I love my 32gig Toshiba Thrive. Think about it... I have full sized USB, HDMI, Dual core, Full size SD reader. Built in WiFi. i use it every day at work. and I work in IT.

My Acer Iconia A500 has full size USB port. I also think that the A500 has a really business-like look to it. I see alot of Lenovo tablets in many business i have visited.

Please use the Q&A Forum for questions &
Read the Forum Rules Ref Posting
Moving to Q&A

Thanks guys, I'm considering both of those as well as the Toshiba Excite.
FYI - If anyone is interested, the TF101 has the same port accessibility as the Prime, they both require the dock to get them though.
Edit: I haven't seen an update anywhere that the Thrive has received ICS, does yours have it? How is Toshiba in regards to firmware updates and addressing issues? Thanks!

Not the galaxy note 10.1? anyway I think transformer prime would be nice... or asus padfone... the thing there is it's a little bit more expensive if you must include tablet and keyboard

Nook color/nook tablet or kindle fire, all are VERY affordable and great tablets once you do some mods
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Acer a500 and Toshiba Thrive
I would also recommend Acer A500 (I own it and very happy with it) and Toshiba Thrive also for your environment.

Well my thrive doesn't have it by stock... But its rooted. Before it was rooted it was really good with updates.
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Hi all. My apologies that I didn't keep the conversion going after the thread was moved, can't believe this was three years ago already. As an update, I currently have 26 MS Surface tablets deployed, twenty are Surface RT and six are Surface 2, all have the detachable Type Keyboard 2 and a wireless USB mouse. I ended up going with these because I had one and it is rock-solid, receives Windows updates, and included free MS Office. Our guys get along well with them and with the peripherals I can carry one of these and get most routine work tasks done anywhere without requiring any customizing, rooting, or additional software. I keep my TF 101 up-to-date and love the direction Android is going in but for ease of use among multiple generations I feel we made the right choice with the Surface tablets. Keep your eyes open for the Jive Remix tablet coming down the road, I missed out on the kickstarter but it looks promising for an Android tablet that is more business oriented. Thanks
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Surface RT + Samsung Galaxy S3 + Kies= Awesome!

If you have these devices its awesome. I like to download torrents on Android while I await a torrent app for our surface. Then I can connect Surface to S3 using Kies and having Surface tethered to S3 using hotspot allows me to stream or download all my content along with access all my phone info. Love it. So far love my Surface. Ordered it on 23rd here in Michigan and received it this morning. 32GB with black touch cover.
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Kies is a x86 app . And not compatible with windows RT . Unless Samsung make the app on windows store and is compatible with RT.

He is not talking about the x86 app that is available for windows, instead using the Kies app on the device which broadcasts an IP address that you can connect to within IE.
I have a SGN and a Surface, I will try this tonight

Oo . Sry my bad :/
---------- Post added at 04:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------
tvrtim said:
He is not talking about the x86 app that is available for windows, instead using the Kies app on the device which broadcasts an IP address that you can connect to within IE.
I have a SGN and a Surface, I will try this tonight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
R u saying its like internet tethering??

You have to either be tethered to your phone using the mobile hotspot or on the same Wi-Fi network. Then open the kies app on phone and hit start. it will then give you an IP address to type in your surface browser and boom!
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:/ sounds complicated .

tayfelix said:
:/ sounds complicated .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As complicated as punching in a phone number.

If you can navigate a Windows 8 OS then what I' am mentioning is very simple.
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Try airdroid. Better and faster than kies Air.
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gitanshu said:
Try airdroid. Better and faster than kies Air.
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Click to collapse
You've obviously never used Windows RT. While it may not have as many apps as Android, yet, the UI is much faster and smoother. I am not sure about the Surface, but the Asus Vivo Tab RT is awesome & I have some pretty great Android devices and have enjoyed the Android experience very much. That said, my RT tab lasts 3 times longer than any Android device including the Nexus 7, has a great screen & is very responsive. I have not had to reset the device at all, not once, in more than two weeks & it holds it's charge for days on end.
Sure, it is missing some cool apps, but a lot of that is because we have all gotten used to apps from Android & iOS. With the full browser experience & integration of social networking into the native "People" app, many of the Apps you "NEED" for iOS & Android are unnecessary.
I can almost guarantee that when Windows tabs have been out as long as Android has been, it will be much more capable than Android was at the same elapsed time since release. Everyone said Android wouldn't make it, "it didn't have as many apps as iPhone" & look where it is. RT started out of the box way ahead of what Android did in terms of function & stability. Again, I am referencing the Asus Vivo, which has LED flash, NFC & GPS capability. The surface is nice, but after my Nexus 7 experience & with the additional features, I had to stick with Asus.
Without apps, I will say that at this point, Android in general is better for entertainment. But neither Android or iOS comes even close to the RT tabs for those of us that work on the road in conjunction with teams that include sales, support & engineering professionals. Full PowerPoint function that includes viewing notes while in presentation mode is priceless. Add that to the "mirror", "extend" & "individual" monitor choices that mirror a laptop & those are just two small features out of many that make it a clear winner for road warriors.

your sliding scale of timeframe comparisons won't work.
4 years starting at x date vs 4 years LATER starting at y date means anyone with a billion dollar software company can reproduce fedatures. see, apple - notifications, android - full office suites, microsoft rt - uhhhh something in 4 years.
I hear microsoft is announcing plan B already, incase surface tanks: office (for sale) for android and ios. problem is (again) its too little, too late. people already have office suites that work just fine , without subscriptions, without fees, without changes that make yesterdays word document incompatible.

Just wanted to put this out there.
Airdroid =\= Android.
Airdrops is an app that let's you transfer files wirelessly. Not an os.

I tried to do this with my sg3..i just get a blank white page on the surface.
EDIT
Nevermind....I forgot that I had to accept the connection from my phone.

Android tablets with pen support

Anyone knows a list of android tablets in the 7 - 10 inch range that has pen support ?

aalupatti said:
Anyone knows a list of android tablets in the 7 - 10 inch range that has pen support ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every tablet and smartphone can be used with an aftermarket smartphone pen.
If you are talking about a real digitizer, our note 10.1 is the only device that has this feature at the moment.

I believe he means with an active digitizer like you mentioned. I was just looking into this myself. I use the ipad and the application on it called myScript Notes which has pretty good handwriting recognition in a variety of languages However, I hate a capacitive stylus because its so fat and inaccurate. There are a few add-on active digitizers for the ipad but they are all really no good. The Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Lenevo Thinkpad Tablet both have active styluses. And low and behold, one of the Lenevo's main features was this myScript app that I wanted. But I don't think the Lenevo is supported any more nor the handwriting app updated. The Galaxy Note 10.1 has the s-pen app but its recognition and features pale to myScript Notes. Now for me, there is good news and bad news.: The good news is that there is an android version of myScript Notes in the Samsung app store. The bad news is that for some dumb legal reason, they can't have it in the USA Samsung app store. Just earlier today, I posted a quick message asking if there was a way to by-pass this and access another country's app-store but I haven't gotten any replies yet
Anyway, I went into a lot of detail with my particular search for an Android tablet with a stylus but I think I answered your question :laugh:

Thanks form the replies . these are the 2 tabs that i could find too.... Surprised no others have come into this arena yet.
Sent from my Nexus 7

aalupatti said:
Thanks form the replies . these are the 2 tabs that i could find too.... Surprised no others have come into this arena yet.
Sent from my Nexus 7
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Yeah, I was kind of surprised by that too. It seems that the only other alternative are Windows 8 tablets. There are a few that use an active stylus like the Microsoft Surface Pro, Samsung Smart PC 500T, Lenevo Thinkpad Tablet 2, and an Asus model among others. But they can get pretty pricy and I'm not too confident about the apps optimized for tablet use on them.

I was just searching Google for this very thing and stumbled upon this thread. There is another, which I own, and it's the HTC Jetstream (Puccini). I was searching because HTC completely abandoned this excellent tablet with 3.1 on it. I am a financial contributor to the project to get it updated to JB but the development is slow going which is why I was Googling for other tabs with pen support. Depending on your needs, the Jetstream may be a good deal since they've been had on eBay lately for $250 or so.

The first gen thinkpad tablet had a active digitizer.
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PurpleSh4rk said:
The first gen thinkpad tablet had a active digitizer.
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As mentioned the TPT had a digitizer. I believe a TPT2 has a digitizer too, but it's Win8. ( Boo Lenovo. )
I think sales of the gnote10.1 will determine whether or not we see more tabs with digitizers.
I do know that Apple has filed a patent with a digitizer for a tablet.
As has been mention HTC also has some digitizer devices but I think they are mostly phones.
I've also hear that Google has added digitizer support to ICS, does anyone know the details?

For the iPad- the "GoSmart" stylus seems like it is the best stylus for it. Looks ridiculous- but check out the 200 series

Salvation27 said:
For the iPad- the "GoSmart" stylus seems like it is the best stylus for it. Looks ridiculous- but check out the 200 series
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using a capacitive stylus and digitizer is totally different ball game....
People should looks at some of the newer windows 8 pro tabletss that have stylus input. I have not used any so far but looks like they need more work to be done.
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aalupatti said:
Anyone knows a list of android tablets in the 7 - 10 inch range that has pen support ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have an elderly HTC 7inch Evo View. I actually grab it first. It's digitizer pen is excellent, but it is running Android 3.2.1 and HTC has abandoned it.
The new Note 8 looks good.

I'm also using the HTC Flyer (or View or EVO whatever Sprint called it) on Sprint still. Not only has HTC abandoned it, but the old data plan isn't even available from Sprint anymore. I'm grandfathered into the old plan (shame I didn't get 4G, I'm just on 3G and it's a 4G tablet - WiMax though, which is dying). I'm about ready to just cancel that.
The Flyer is a GREAT tablet with a GREAT pen. It's very accurate. However, I'm looking to upgrade it now. It's a bit slow and I'd like the latest version of Android. Maybe I can find a ROM, but really I'd like a faster tablet. I might also like it to be 10" too.
I would get the new Surface tablets that have pens from Microsoft if they A. weren't so expensive and B. had a longer battery life.
All I want is a decently powered (hardware) tablet I can draw on that lasts 8+ hours. Preferably 10+ hours. Oh and with modern resolution.
The Flyer lasts a good while, but it's old. Plain and simple.
I'm still using it for note taking and business. It's a wonderful tablet and since there's an obvious lack of options here, I'd highly suggest picking one up off eBay or something. Fantastic tablets if you want to use a pen with accuracy. Awesome for sketching. There's an app called "Quill" which is one of my favorites. Super thin fine pen stroke options.
I may look for the Puccini (Verizon got the 10" version of the Flyer which maybe has better hardware who knows). I can see 10" coming in handy.
I truly wish someone would make another tablet with active digitizer...

Hi.
I will like to ask which Android supporting active digitizer pens devices are available on the market?
For me moment I only know this ones:
Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet (v1)
The Galaxy Note family
HTC Flyer
HTC Jetstream (It seems to support active digitizer pens according to what I read).
HTC EVO View 4G (It seems to support active digitizer pens according to what I read).
What is the hardware requirement for the tablet to support an active digitizer pen? Does it has to have a special screen to support the pen? It depends of the type of active pen?
Any interesting software for the active digitizer pen? I really like:
Quill
MyScript Notes Mobile (ICR)
MyScript Stylus (Beta) (looks good)
Regards
Martin

martiniturbide said:
Hi.
I will like to ask which Android supporting active digitizer pens devices are available on the market?
For me moment I only know this ones:
Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet (v1)
The Galaxy Note family
HTC Flyer
HTC Jetstream (It seems to support active digitizer pens according to what I read).
HTC EVO View 4G (It seems to support active digitizer pens according to what I read).
What is the hardware requirement for the tablet to support an active digitizer pen? Does it has to have a special screen to support the pen? It depends of the type of active pen?
Any interesting software for the active digitizer pen? I really like:
Quill
MyScript Notes Mobile (ICR)
MyScript Stylus (Beta) (looks good)
Regards
Martin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Evo View with a scribe pen although I'm look to upgrade for another tablet with active pen support.
Apps I use for the pen are: LectureNotes and Sketchbook Pro

Note 8.0 and I would expect a new model coming soon
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