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What do you use your tablet for?

I am trying to justify spending $350~ on a android tablet. What do you guys use your tablet for? Use it a lot?

I have a work laptop that is bogged down with corporate crap. I have my own personal desktop in the basement. My wife and I will use our tabs for browsing, video chat, games, movies and music. Much easier to browse in bed on a tab then a laptop.

Where to start?
- web browsing (replaced my awesome little netbook)
- casual emailing
- ebook reader
- cooking (much easier to hit www.cooks.com with this puppy)
- gaming (just getting my feet wet with this)
- development (just trying this out coming from a windows mobile dev background)
And I've only had this unit since the 19th, lol.

It's my sitting on the sofa toy, replacing my laptop and my Nexus One. Easier to hold than a laptop, easier to look at than a phone. Surfing, ebooks, Angry Birds, all the usual stuff. I'll also prop it by my desk for an "extra window," with Tweetdeck open.
Running TNTLite and fixing Flash and Market has turned it into just what I want.
In fact, I'm using it to write this!

Mostly wasting time

Sprdtyf350 said:
Mostly wasting time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1... that's what it really comes down to. When the Ipad came out, I was so against it. I said to myself, I have a laptop, why do I need that. Now I just can't wait to get my hands on a g-tab. Just another gadget I guess, but for me it means my boss won't see all the porn I am looking at on my company laptop anymore! LOL!

I use it for things I could do on my phone or on a laptop with the quickness and ease of an Android phone but the larger display like a laptop.
Checking email, quick browse of the web, checking IMDB (app) while watching TV, Facebook, etc...
I like it for reading Kindle or Nook books as well.
Sent from my UPC300-2.2 using Tapatalk

Browsing xda on my couch without a laptop cooking my credentials.
The wife loves it for angry birds.
I plan to do some development for it eventually.

We're evaluating tablets for non-technical users that travel as laptop replacements. Must:
Connect and sync email, calandar, contacts and calendar with exchange FAIL
We'll review this now that the update is out
Read and edit office documents Pass
Read PDF's Pass
Ebook Reader Pass
Load and watch Video Pass
Oddly enough the Ipad connects much easier to exchange and does most of the other stuff natively. You buy the office App and the ability to edit Doc's and excel works great.
Given the hardware specs I'm mystified why Viewsonic is treating these as toys. Sure they're great for home use but we buys units in the hundreds so why make the primary business need to connect to exchange so damn difficult.

Use mine for ticket tracking (tech support).
Webradio
Surfing the web

WhiskeyJac said:
We're evaluating tablets for non-technical users that travel as laptop replacements. Must:
Connect and sync email, calandar, contacts and calendar with exchange FAIL
We'll review this now that the update is out
Read and edit office documents Pass
Read PDF's Pass
Ebook Reader Pass
Load and watch Video Pass
Oddly enough the Ipad connects much easier to exchange and does most of the other stuff natively. You buy the office App and the ability to edit Doc's and excel works great.
Given the hardware specs I'm mystified why Viewsonic is treating these as toys. Sure they're great for home use but we buys units in the hundreds so why make the primary business need to connect to exchange so damn difficult.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please send me a PM or something if you figure out the Exchange pieces. That's going to be crucial for me. Have you tried VPN or remote desktop yet? That's next on my list.

jmfrost said:
Please send me a PM or something if you figure out the Exchange pieces. That's going to be crucial for me. Have you tried VPN or remote desktop yet? That's next on my list.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. My calendar syncs without issue with our Exchange server, but a complete no-go on contacts. I also noticed there is a constant little sync icon in the taskbar near the battery icon, but it looks grayed out and nothing happens when I tap it.

For those complaining about exchange access.. have you tried OWA? I currently don't have access to exchange since I bought the g tab, but i know from experience OWA should work just fine. (If not, I know firefox mobile will run it, as will Opera) Quick shortcut on the dock and it will run. Just a thought.
I currently use my Gtab for a number of things:
* Ebook reading. The G Tablet, despite the awful view angels in the widescreen position have excellent viewing angels in the length wise position. I normally have technical documents open at all times when I'm working on a project (for when my desktop monitors are all busy)
* Music. A bit hefty, but allows access to Pandora which my Creative Zen lacks.
* TV. Sometimes I just want to lay down and watch TV. I use to use my Netbook for this task, but the Gtab provides a better experience.
* SNES/NES/Gameboy Emulation. With the onscreen controls, it makes an excellent platform for this. Works for all but the most dexterity demanding games. (Still have trouble with SF Uppercuts and 360 movements. Would like a emulation speedup button too. Makes grinding levels in Chrono Trigger/Pokemon so much easier.. same with autofire. One day maybe)
* Magic the Gathering: Save paper. Keep life totals tracked via Paint application. (and Saved for later disputes, used it this weekend, came in very handy)
* Web Browsing. I'm moving around quite a bit. Great for checking stuff, keeping up with Slashdot news and the like.
* Email. Adding to the list of devices I keep on me that can access email. Its funny to hear new email sounds from 5 different places. This one allows decent replys and html email. (Compared to my phone)
* Terminal. Connecting to terminal machines works well. Keyboard is a bit of a pain, but it works in a pinch. VNC connections work as well. If this thing had 3g (like the ipad was supposed to have, before at&t screwed it) I'd have no need for my netbook and phone.
* Google Voice. I use it for a lot of calls, via web interface I can check voicemail/text messages and make calls. Very useful.
The only things really missing from the Gtab is a good Wimax/3G connection. If it had one, and wasn't by AT&T, I'd have a replacement for my phone, netbook and Laptop. (Yeah I carry both.. Linux Netbook, Windows Laptop, mostly for games and programs I need that wont run in wine) And a GPS for wardriving.
TL;DR: Lots of stuff I normally use my desktop for when Im not at my desktop and a Laptop would be too bulky.

Cyhawk said:
For those complaining about exchange access.. have you tried OWA? I currently don't have access to exchange since I bought the g tab, but i know from experience OWA should work just fine. (If not, I know firefox mobile will run it, as will Opera) Quick shortcut on the dock and it will run. Just a thought.
I currently use my Gtab for a number of things:
* Ebook reading. The G Tablet, despite the awful view angels in the widescreen position have excellent viewing angels in the length wise position. I normally have technical documents open at all times when I'm working on a project (for when my desktop monitors are all busy)
* Music. A bit hefty, but allows access to Pandora which my Creative Zen lacks.
* TV. Sometimes I just want to lay down and watch TV. I use to use my Netbook for this task, but the Gtab provides a better experience.
* SNES/NES/Gameboy Emulation. With the onscreen controls, it makes an excellent platform for this. Works for all but the most dexterity demanding games. (Still have trouble with SF Uppercuts and 360 movements. Would like a emulation speedup button too. Makes grinding levels in Chrono Trigger/Pokemon so much easier.. same with autofire. One day maybe)
* Magic the Gathering: Save paper. Keep life totals tracked via Paint application. (and Saved for later disputes, used it this weekend, came in very handy)
* Web Browsing. I'm moving around quite a bit. Great for checking stuff, keeping up with Slashdot news and the like.
* Email. Adding to the list of devices I keep on me that can access email. Its funny to hear new email sounds from 5 different places. This one allows decent replys and html email. (Compared to my phone)
* Terminal. Connecting to terminal machines works well. Keyboard is a bit of a pain, but it works in a pinch. VNC connections work as well. If this thing had 3g (like the ipad was supposed to have, before at&t screwed it) I'd have no need for my netbook and phone.
* Google Voice. I use it for a lot of calls, via web interface I can check voicemail/text messages and make calls. Very useful.
The only things really missing from the Gtab is a good Wimax/3G connection. If it had one, and wasn't by AT&T, I'd have a replacement for my phone, netbook and Laptop. (Yeah I carry both.. Linux Netbook, Windows Laptop, mostly for games and programs I need that wont run in wine) And a GPS for wardriving.
TL;DR: Lots of stuff I normally use my desktop for when Im not at my desktop and a Laptop would be too bulky.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do you use google voice to make calls?

-TV - slingbox client (not hd but great anyway)
-Web
-Roku box remote - for netflix, hulu plus, pandora
-Music - I use rhapsody which works well, plan on a BT receiver for my home theater
-games - let my wife use it for angry birds, keeps her off my ass about it
-development- testing some very basic med charting programs on it
-Log me in ignition - I leave my laptop at the office now but can get to it in a pinch
-ebook -using kindle software
-email
-radio - streaming radio from tunein app works very well
-chat - gtalk
-news reader - i get my morning news aggregate on this instead of my phone
More little things everyday but basically I have found a comfortable area between my large 17 inch laptop and my phone. I now have the best of both I think and that is coming from someone who thought the ipad was useless. I am now a tablet convert.

[Q] Help me pick a phone. Please.

(long post warning...I'm placing the summary first for those who don't care to read the whole thing)
***
In summary, I want a mobile platform that I can tweak until I get it exactly as I like it; that will sync with Windows desktop and server platforms (this is a strong preference, not a "must"; upon which I own things and don't have to worry about them being stolen or broken; that doesn't tell everyone and their mother where I go and what I'm doing; and on which I can listen to Sirius radio; and to which I can transfer data back and forth via USB without any permission based cloud interface. It must also be compatible with Slingplayer software and I have a strong, strong, preference for a slideout QWERTY keyboard, but I'd sacrifice that if I have to for the above functionalities. I'm currently on ATT, but it doesn't have to be that way
***
I am thinking about purchasing a new phone. But the market is a bit more complicated than when I purchased my current phone (HTC Diamond), so I hope that you guys can give me some advice.
I have been a Windows Mobile user since 5.0. What I loved about WM is that I could come here and read about the various hacks, mods, and custom roms and generally find something to address any problems I had, or find a way to modify the phone to meet my preferences.
I love the mobile version of Office and I use it constantly for work purposes. I especially like being able to sync outlook contacts on both phone and device, and that I can make presentations from the phone, and can open and manipulate Word and Excel.
I was also using SiriusXM 6 by tcbush over on Geekstoolbox to listen to satellite radio. Unfortunately, Sirius has taken down their legacy servers that streamed content to third party providers. So it does not appear that I can listen to satellite radio any longer via my mobile device.
It is this turn of events (Sirius radio) that is my main motivator for seeking a new phone. I could listen to Sirius via the web, but that requires a Flash player and I can't find a version of flash for WM 6.1. I have both Opera Mini and IE. So, if any of you know a way for a WM 6.1 device to listen to Sirius, you will have solved my immediate problem and saved me some money. I would really appreciate that.
But on the larger scale, I know that one day I will have to replace my beloved Diamond. Her slideout QWERTY is starting to jiggle, there are a few scratches on her beautiful face even though she hasn't gone a moment without a case and screen protector. Every now and again her D-Pad loses its way, and I have to reboot. Alas, I fear the end is near. *sigh*
So, in looking over the current landscape, I see three options: iphone, Android, and WM7.
Apple products to me are out for personal preference reasons.
That leaves Android and WM7.
Problem 1:
I enjoyed my prior experience of owning a WM phone supported by a network of generous, friendly developers who found ways that we could modify our phones to our hearts' content. I also like the fact that I own my phone and all its content. Once I install or tweak something, then that's it unless I decide to change it.
But the current market seems to be based on a top-down control model. From what I've read, owning a phone with the current tech is like owning a home on leasehold property or in a HOA: You pay full price for ownership but you do not enjoy the rights of control normally associated with that ownership. It seems that the devices are locked, difficult to unlock, find ways to re-lock, and that a Nanny-server may at times uninstall or disable software that it doesn't like.
I just don't get it. Has the culture embraced a model where a user pays a provider only to be told by that provider what he can and cannot do with the property he has purchased?
Of course, my perception of these issues could be incorrect. I recently went back to school and have unplugged from most external things. I haven't been following the "insider info" on xda for nearly two years. If I'm wrong, please tell me.
Problem 2:
User tracking. Sounds Orwellian.
I get it that the cell provider can locate you. I understand the technology reasonably well for regular Joe, and I understand that the network needs to know where you are. But until recently, the cell provider could not release those records without a warrant or some emergency confirmed by law enforcement like a lost person, etc. I actually worked with Sprint in conjunction with the police to attempt to track a stolen phone. However, it now appears that the manufacturers themselves and many app developers are bypassing the law by tracking users without their consent. Am I right on this?
I've read a number of articles on the Apple and Android tracking problems - generic apps tracking you and reporting your movements to Apple, Google, etc. Apps turning on the mic or camera at intervals and tracking your surroundings or conversations. Route these concerns through the awfulness of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Patriot Act, and the fact that both the post-digital presidential administrations (Bush II and Obama) seem intent on eroding what remains of our privacy, and it makes me uncomfortable. To make it worse, Google and Zuckerburg are both in bed with the Obama administration, and stories of their privacy infractions are epidemic.
Yet none of the progs I use on my WM 6.1 device use tracking (that I know of). So, in a very short time, it appears that the culture of mobile communications has gone from an ownership model with Constitutional protections to a free-for-all where you essentially pay big brother to track you.
I have heard many of my younger friends who have grown up in the big-government era use the default: "If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to worry about." But that's exactly backward. The law presumes your privacy and allows infractions only after due process. The current culture seems to presume lack of privacy, and treat privacy-seekers as an anomaly. And the tech seems to reflect the culture rather than the law.
Am I crazy? Even if I am crazy, is there a way to block this tracking? And, if so, does Android or WM7 better lend itself to blocking this tracking?
Problem 3:
USB data transfer.
WM7 doesn't support smart cards. But, the devices seem to have adequate on-board storage for my needs. However, from what I've read, I'll need to use Zune (on WM7, don't know about Android) to move data back and forth. Is that correct?
I currently use Windows Mobile Device Center to transfer files back and forth via USB or Bluetooth, and I really want to keep that functionality.
Thank you if you have read this far. And, given those criteria, what are my best options?

Droid X2. Get it.

Droid X2
Droid X2. Get it.
+1

Thanks for the responses. I've done a bit of research on the phone you recommended, and some research in general. I really need to spool back up
It looks like there are apps out there like WhisperMonitor that will help with my privacy concerns. Actually, it looks like there are Android Apps to address most of my concerns.
I'll keep researching that to determine how much functionality I'll have to sacrifice. And I appreciate the responses. Love the dual core structure of this phone. From what I've read, the benchmarks don't differ too much from single core phones, but it looks like the dual core really helps with load distribution and multi-tasking.
It will be hard to leave Windows...been with it since it was Pocket PC 2000. But atm, it appears that Android may work best for me.

I agree Droid X2, although VZW is expensive, its the best network

Off the basis of wanting a slide out QWERTY and Windows Phone 7, I would go with the HTC Arrive for Sprint. You still have Windows Phone, you can get Sling Player from the Marketplace, and it has a slide out QWERTY that when it slides out, angles the screen for better typing the way I look at it.

samsung galaxy s2
or atrix

If you QWERTY I'd wait till my4g slide if it launches with s-off. I don't imagine you'd be keeping the os in tact.
The g2 is also a beautiful phone. Amazing specs for the good hardware.
T-Mobile is also cheapest, I find, of the four carriers.
The epic 4g seemed nice. Hummingbird (Samsung 1ghz processor) is very nice and has a great gpu.
If you're looking to use google talk video chat, avoid nvidia tegra 2 chips.
Google's suite of software is pretty sweet. Google docs works nice, and there's an app for that.
As long as you download from android market you're good from malware. (If you do get it from market, google does pull the app from the store AND your phone, that's the only time I heard them doing this, and that was once instance.)
Besides... Supporting your developers is a great thing.
Did I miss anything?
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

IMO almost any of the android phones would work for what you have in mind. As you pointed out in your follow up post there are apps out there for your privacy concerns. I've had a Moto Droid and now the HTC Thunderbolt. Both have been synced with my works exchange servers with no issues, google apps work great with Office docs, and the available roms and other customizations are almost endless.
Also, don't get hung up on a QWERTY keyboard. I swore I would never have a phone without one, but now that I do I actually don't really miss it.
Edit:
USB data transfer - very simple to do with android. Install a driver for the phone and then connect to your pc with a USB cable. Your pc will recognize the sdcard as removeable storage. Just select it in My Computer and drag and drop anything you want to move like you would for moving any file around in Windows.

Using the Asus Transformer for Business Instead of Netbook

Hello everyone,
So i thought I would go ahead and chime in with my own experiences and observations of the Asus Transformer (AT). I wanted to write an article that might help others trying to make a decision about replacing their laptop with the AT or maybe asking about a one vs the other. I wanted to stay away from a “VS” conversation and talk more about my experience. The long and short of it, is it depends. I think the AT can augment your business and maybe replace a netbook as a travel computer but i still need my laptop/desktop in the office. However, as you will see I am now using fully when out of the office my AT for all business needs and it works just fine.
Assumptions/Reasons for Buying:
So lets start with the reasons for wanting the AT. I wanted to find a solid replacement for my day to day use of my laptop while out of the office. I wear a number of hats one of which is application development, the other is as a Commercial Real Estate Broker. So needless to say this is for my brokerage business as i am pretty confident that there will be no Visual Studio use on the AT, well with the exception of a remote desktop of some kind. So, that all said what was i looking for? (Lets be honest we all want it ALL right but hey we can settle right?)
1. Email, this was first and foremost. A majority of both my businesses are relying on email as a main form of communication to my clients. Well, i didn't really need a tablet for this my phone handles it just fine, but typing anything longer than a paragraph is tedious , i have big hands and its just not the best experience, that said when i am out of the office most of my email replies are very short and so though i wanted/needed a better way to work with email the phone would have sufficed.
2. Document reading/generation: This one was a sticking point as we all know reading pdfs word docs and such is possible and works well on most devices, again the phone would work, but not for generation. I bought Docs to Go for my phone and it made things better but still no way was i going to get a "Word" experience. I know this is a debate by itself Microsoft "shop" vs opensource etc but lets be real, there is still a majority of the business working world that uses and will continue to use Microsoft office and so we just have to comply. (Yes you will service US Microsoft, resistance is futile)
3. Access to my daily files and work: So i also needed access to all my files and work related information. This was more a business choice than anything, putting information into the cloud, but i also had to think about how i was going to access so i am putting it in as a decision factor.
4. Browser media service: I wanted to be able to browse and access media whether at a clients to show them an article or news clipping or maybe a website etc. I also wanted something for reading surfing while having my morning coffee(We can be all work right?)
5. media entertainment Yes it has to be a "Fun" device to, watch a movie while travelling, or playing a game while waiting on my next appointent so this was on the list though not a major factor, as this gets us into an "apps" war and thats not the focus.
OK so there is more but that covers the major items
Decisions:
So I shopped and shopped borrowed friends ipads and a xoom, I really do like android in a lot of ways, it has its problems but I had an Iphone and was ready for a change. I am not going to bore you with the research but needless to say i chose the AT as my device to put this whole notion of Tablet for business to replace my laptop/netbook for work to the test.
REASONS:
1. Keyboard number UNO i wanted the physical keyboard cant live without it for major typing and work related stuffs. I tried the bluetooth one with the ipad and it wasn't bad, but the extra battery power in the AT was a bit of a topper not to mention all the expansions. ( I do think $150 is a bit much, but in the end, its what makes the Transformer a Transformer right?)
2. Expandability: Up to 64gigs of additional memory i can have a card with all my data a card with movies books music etc this was just too good to pass up. Yes i had already figured out a cloud solution etc but lets face it I wanted the kitchen sink with my device. The HDMI and USB were great additions as well. (A note my laptop took a dump one day and I was able to connect my external mouse keyboard to the AT and easily finish the day and deal with my laptop later)
3. Screen: yes as i mentioned it is going to be a bit of a "Play device" so it needed a great display and i liked this one over the xoom though the galaxy tab 10.1 i compared it next to was sweet and it had a keyboard, but the keyboard had no battery and had a lack of other expansion ports.
4. overall performace: this wasnt really to much of decision factor as all tablets are running tegra 2's for the most part and i wasnt looking at an ipad
THE PURCHASE:
I am putting this in because well it was an ordeal. I bought from bestbuy and got their 2 year replacement plan. Well i am on my 4th tablet and 3rd keyboard. Now I will be honest i wanted perfection and as was pointed out in a previous thread that just ain't gonna happen so really the first keyboard and tablet were it but i wanted a perfect no leak screen and a non discharging keyboard so back to the BB i went, again and again and again. Ok so now i have a series 60 tablet with a 50 keyboard and it all works, some light leaks but nothing that is earth shattering and doesn't bother me(Ok well it does but i got over it) So for those of you who think i just keep returning etc till its perfect, um take it from me, each one was worse, the second keyboard the space bar stuck, the 3rd keyboard was great, it does discharge but not a bad as the first. The tablet, on the second the light bleed was worse than the first and the 3rd one had huge dead pixel/flaws in the screen now the fourth some light bleed but in my opinion perfect as perfect can be. Moral of the story read the forums there are people here who are super helpful and will get you set straight but also be practical. If the little things really are going to bug you and you feel the need to come to a forum and write a post of Why i am returning my AT then its not for you, i knew the snowball i created with being picky and i got over it.
ONWARD!!!!!
OK THE SETUP APPLICATIONS AND PREP
1. First thing I did prior to buying anything was setup my business info and stuff to be accessible via the web. This required its own set of decisions which i wont get into, maybe a blog post about it later, but i migrated my stuff to google apps. (Hey i am going android so using google apps everything should all work right? it's all google, well sort of i will address it later)
a. Files and storage, i actually chose a combination of google docs and Microsoft live(25gigs of free storage how could i turn that down) I moved all the necessary files to the cloud and i was set
b. All my email addresses were migrated to my google apps and i was set there
c. Contacts moved to Zoho (I am debating this choice good for a later discussion)
2. Tested everything using my laptop and a web browser it all worked fine. I ran for about two weeks while i was doing more research on Android tablets apps etc, and I didn't have any issues.
3. Applications
a. Polaris Office/Docs To Go: I already had the later and the former comes with the AT so i was pretty much set for tablet handling of office docs. Its not a perfect solution by any means and would i like to have office on my tablet YES, do i need it not really. If i REALLY need to generate a word doc with high end formatting etc or i need that complicated cash flows analysis spreadsheet i can usually wait till i am back in the office in front of my computer. Remember this device is for travel/on the go and for THAT these apps are fine. (I am hoping they fix the keyboard issues with Office 365 because that will be IT and you will have it all)
b. Evernote became my note software, I REALLY miss onenote its my favorite office program but alas Android does not have support for it, mobile noter is not that great so migrated to Evernote. Evernote works well just takes a little bit to get used to as i had to change the way i organized my stuff, its different from onenote. (One thing i miss big time is pen input. I looked at the HTC Flyer because i really wanted to have the pen/OneNote experience. I found that this was one of those compromises. If i was still in school or in a job where i had to take copious notes in meetings, i would probably opt for a Tablet PC Fujitsu Q550 comes to mind so i could use pen input.)
c. With everything migrated to Google apps email was a snap put my google apps account info in and BAM its all there. I had already got Zoho synced with my contacts in Apps so they came down as well.
d. Using a combination of gdocs and the docs apps above is fine, though i really think google needs to "Finish" their products they have a habit of starting something putting it out there then never finishing or refine it. Google apps had a chance but with Office 365 available for a dollar more its gonna have troubles unless they step up their game. (We can have a google apps vs office 365 debate somewhere else)
e. To access my skydrive i use Sorami which is working well. The bad part is that i have to drag the file to the asus work on it here then push/send it, not ideal but it works. Quick note on collaboration, one of my sticking points on gdocs is that in order to collaborate on it and get all the functionality you have to convert it to a gdoc, i am not to keen on this as usually the conversion of complicated word docs with lots of formatting is horrible, hence Office 365 maybe the answer with the ability to use web apps and edit things in the native .DOC format. In any case its fine for on the go, and truthfully i don't know about others but my needs for generating complicated or highly formatted documents when i am away from my computer are pretty low.
f. For ZOHO i am limited to their mobile website they have an ios app now but android development is lagging, as it seems to with a lot of things, however i am hopeful they will come up with a native android app. I am still shopping on the CRM front so we'll see this may be a non-issue
That's the basics of apps i have the file explorers and a few games and other stuff but that's the basis of the business stuff.
HOW HAS IT WORKED
Now we get into the dirt of the article how did using the AT as a replacement for my daily out of office use workout. in a word GREAT but here is the skinny
THE GOOD:
1. Weight, wow being able to carry around my portfolio folder to hold documents etc and my AT was fantastic.
2. Access, i had access to all my documents when i needed them when i wanted them. (Let me clarify I know the AT is Wi-Fi so i tether it to my Nexus S 4G when i am not in range of a Wi-Fi hence my statement i can access everything) Yes its true i had that with just my phone but on the 10" screen with a keyboard i felt like i could really work with them when i needed and i could draft from scratch some pretty nice letters etc.
3. Email, yes i know we all have this with our phones but as i noted my hands are big so typing anything of length on the phone is tough for me, the AT made this a snap, take a few minutes between appointments to dock with my keyboard which is in my trunk not only does the pad get a top up, which it didn't need but hey some extra juice nevver hurts for that extra round of Angry Birds, and i can type up all notes etc.
4. Worth noting i did need to make a change to a .NET app for a client i was no where near a pc and this needed fixing now, i used splash top logged into my pc launched studio and made the change, was it horribly slow yes would i want to try and work that way HELL NO but was my client beyond happy and will i get a ton more business from him cause his problem was addressed right away OH YEAH. So i can do the same with office docs etc its not ideal but dang in a pinch there are work around’s.
THE BAD: (This i boil down to i would have been fine had i had a pc)
1. Well obviously programming, I did like having my laptop and being able to sit in a Pete's or something and work on some projects that had been lagging. So not being able to do my development is a bit of a downer, but its all about compromise right.
2. I mentioned earlier pen input. I REALLY like Onenote and I am an advid pen user, i replaced all the notebooks and post its around my desk with a Wacom Tablet and onenote. I did a tremendous amount of research, and business organization in Onenote, so putting this on the table as a “Compromise” was difficult. I downloaded EverNote and started taking notes via typing, and it wasn't so bad. Hence, my decision to make the switch. Again if Office 365 shapes up the way I think it will, i will be back in OneNote in a heartbeat.
SUMMARY
So for me the AT system will accomplish what i need and i think will only get better as android and apps mature. Email, doc reading editing and file creation, file access ebooks movies on and on the device is fabulous. For those thinking of going this direction, here are some thoughts. I look at my purchase of 700 which includes my 2 year replacement with BB and I compare that to what i can get in the PC world. Well the New Fujitsu Q550 i believe is about 700 and that is a full slate pc with about 6 hours battery has the stylus for writting runs office including one note (onenote + stylus = Heaven) there are a few reviews out there and this seems to be a nice challenge in the pc arena, if you want a PC for your work. The AT is not a pc so you have to adjust your thinking and try not to compare it to a netbook or pc thats why this is more of a "How i went about using the AT" rather than a vs because truthfully its not fair to compare apples to oranges. After making some changes to the way i do business i am able to successfully use the AT as a replacement for my day to day operations OUTSIDE the office i still have my PC and still use it. I think that moving forward online services like office 365 and google apps will level the playing field a bit to make comparing tablets to pcs a little closer but right now there are things that my tablet does that a pc is really hard pressed to do. Grab from my bag push a button read a book surf the net watch a video the list goes on. Maybe the new pc tablets will sleep/hibernate better and the gap will get closer I don't know. I miss some PC functions once in a while and with Tablets PC’s coming out as light as the Q550 I think the landscape is going to change, but take a look at your situation and see whats right for you. You can read “VS” articles all day but those are simply peoples observations/opinions. Take a step back and decide what you want and then mold your world to it.
Thats my experience please feel free to comment if we want to use this thread as a building block of Business “how to's” for getting people to undertand that tablets and pcs can live together it doesnt have to be an either or thats great. Maybe share some uses/apps things you do to leverage your AT in the work world.
The Rahl (Heh)

Why not use Splashtop HD to remote into your PC to do programming?

RTbar said:
Why not use Splashtop HD to remote into your PC to do programming?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He did mention that he did remote desktop to his comp for a quick fix. Its def not ideal, especially for a long time.
If you have your code stored on a Linux box, you could SSH into it and use a terminal-based text edit to do it. Yeah, not the most fun, but it takes less bandwidth/power to do.

i had thought about the linux box but truthfully if i need to program i will grab my laptop. My goal was to use the AT on the business side though i am finding new ways of doing things everyday. Though kind of wondering since i dont NEED an AT shoud i wait on next gen Tegra3. Heh yeah that opens the wholebcan of worms "if i wait ill get the newest and the best" youll never buy anything then butbyou cant help but wonder. Heh I think ifthey had some firm dates on tegra3 i might consider but since there are no firm dates ichosetheAT.

[Q] Is Transformer viable option for Student?

I am looking to acquire this tablet for use at school. Bought a 17" ASUS in 2007, just too big to lug around campus.
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
I truly hope this is the right solution for what I need! I got my first Android phone in April (Epic 4g) and am learning new stuff everyday.

I'm not sure about your other questions but I do know about the dock/tablet charging. You can charge both of them at the same time if you have the tablet docked, just insert the charging cable into the dock and it will charge both. Also, you can keep the tablet docked to the keyboard forever if you wanted to.
Basically, the dock charges your tablet until it reaches 100%, then doesn't charge it unless the tablet battery gets below 95%. The tablet draws power only from the dock until it reaches 3%, then it starts taking power from it's own battery.
Hope this answers your questions about the dock+tablet functionality
EDIT: also check this thread to see which office app is best for excel: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1085173

i2IDIUM said:
I am looking to acquire this tablet for use at school. Bought a 17" ASUS in 2007, just too big to lug around campus.
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
I truly hope this is the right solution for what I need! I got my first Android phone in April (Epic 4g) and am learning new stuff everyday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Trust me you wouldn't want to use stylus to write down stuff. It's more efficient to type notes.
- The office software that comes with eee pad doesn't have print option, but I've seen apps on android market that let you print.
- Not sure about 100% full functionality, but there is a nice excel alternative that is part of the office package.
- no MATLAB
- I connected to ad-hoc networks just fine. Didn't use them for sharing internet though.
- Both charge at the same time just fine.
- Some docks were sold with broken charging. But most of them charge just fine. It even charges without tablet part.

For printing needs check out PrinterShare on the market it is not free, but it works very well.

I am not gonna lie to you, TF is a great piece of hardware, Honeycomb it the best Tablet OS outhere, but for studying you will be limited with the office applications compare to a regular Windows/mac notebook... apart from that I don't see a problem as you can have all sorts of compatibility with regards to http, ftp exchange etc.. other stuff commonly used on campus.

Thanks for the input.
My final question is where is the best place to but it? The way I see it I have two options.
Newegg. No sales tax, saves me ~$40
Best Buy (brick n mortar). Sales tax, but also ability to get a full refund it not pleased within 14 days.
Any suggestions on this?

On where to buy it, this may be of interest to you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1177461
According to that thread, some other shops will also accept the coupon thanks to some kind of "price match" system.

i2IDIUM said:
What I will need it to do is the following:
- Note taking with a stylus (I presume a capacitive stylus would work?), possibly some app with organization of those notes would be nice too.
- Is it possible to do HW assignments (with stylus) and print them out?
- Is it easy to print or get files to computers on campus for work/print?
- An app with full Excel functionality (would google docs do this too?)
- Possible MATLAB or comparable functionality in an app.
- Does it work well with tethering? I have seen threads here that say you might have to change some setting in files to get it to recognize adhoc networks?
- Will the problem with not being able to charge the dock and laptop simultaneously prevent me from using one or the other if either of the batteries are dead?
- I've read the threads about the dock not charging, but don't quite understand what the issue is? Please explain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Typing would be much faster
- If by HW you mean writing up simple papers and doing online research, then yes.
- There are few Android apps that lets you print to network printers, but not sure what kind of file types they support or if they work well on honeycomb
- There are office apps with spreadsheet support, but they are no where close to MS office, don't expect to draw fancy graphs n stuff
- No MATLAB, and I don't think you'll see any scientific simulation tool for honeycomb anytime soon.
- Adhoc tethering has problems, but there are workarounds.
- Dock always charges the tablet, so I dont think there is going to be any issues with not being able to charge the dock and the tablet at once.
- I dont have a dock, so cant explain more.
Bottom line : you are better off with a regular notebook (12~13”) or even a netbook for that matter. Right now, I cant recommend an android tablet for a technology/science major student.

to respectfully disagree with some of the above.
you can print from TF. Google cloud print works great. Plenty of apps for note taking.
Polaris or gdocs for excel....
TF is great option for a student

I will say with a stylus you do get the handwriting experience, I use it for taking notes down during meetings and works great. But for classes yes typing might be better unless you need to draw out a diagram or word problem or something like that then stylus would be nice to have.
I believe you can do everything you need to with a transformer, it has definitely bridged the gap between a tablet for consuming data and a tablet that consumes and creates data. Just need to find the right apps that get you what you want, and don't shy away from remoteing into a machine if need be using splashtop.

Personal Experience
Using it for school, overall functions as well as a laptop. Unable to do CAD work or any high end windows program, but for relative usage its good.
Oh and the best part. File transfer without worries for viruses.

Posting from my new tablet
What is best way to sell used laptop? Posted on FB, posting in local classifieds... anything else?

Accessibility: How good are the built in microphones for Google's Live Transcribe?

Hello, everyone. I'm seriously leaning toward getting a Pixel 4A after having discovered several android's upcoming accessibility features for the deaf (Live captioning of any videos on device, live transcribe being integrated, etc...). Pretty much completely deaf myself and even with hearing aid, I can't understand speech despite years of forced training. I would look at other devices if not for the price and the ease of flashing roms in the future (Used to have a Nexus 6 and absolutely loved the ability to do that).
Live Transcribe is usually an app on its own but apparently for recent pixel phones, it's bundled into the accessibility settings.
So I'm just asking about this one specific capability of this phone, how good are the microphones in general? Is it somewhat easy to add and use microphones to the phone (headphone jack being on top is a big bonus for this)? If anybody are able to do this, please let me know if Live Transcribe can pick up sounds using attached microphones? And what mic was that?
Also, since Live Transcribe depends on internet, how decent is the 4G signals? I've been using live transcribe on a generic Lenovo tablet and I'm loving it but it's limited to whatever WiFi I pick up. This is specifically a reason I'm considering a bigger android phone for this purpose (I'm currently on an Unihertz Jelly Pro which I rather like but the mic, signal strength, and battery is quite weak. Got this phone for a digital detox and it's successful basically. But that was before I discovered Live Transcribe and other upcoming features).
Thank you very much! Hoping this would help me communicate a lot more effectively, especially since I cannot use some lipreading as a context provider anymore due to masks.

Deafcyclist said:
Hello, everyone. I'm seriously leaning toward getting a Pixel 4A after having discovered several android's upcoming accessibility features for the deaf (Live captioning of any videos on device, live transcribe being integrated, etc...). Pretty much completely deaf myself and even with hearing aid, I can't understand speech despite years of forced training. I would look at other devices if not for the price and the ease of flashing roms in the future (Used to have a Nexus 6 and absolutely loved the ability to do that).
Live Transcribe is usually an app on its own but apparently for recent pixel phones, it's bundled into the accessibility settings.
So I'm just asking about this one specific capability of this phone, how good are the microphones in general? Is it somewhat easy to add and use microphones to the phone (headphone jack being on top is a big bonus for this)? If anybody are able to do this, please let me know if Live Transcribe can pick up sounds using attached microphones? And what mic was that?
Also, since Live Transcribe depends on internet, how decent is the 4G signals? I've been using live transcribe on a generic Lenovo tablet and I'm loving it but it's limited to whatever WiFi I pick up. This is specifically a reason I'm considering a bigger android phone for this purpose (I'm currently on an Unihertz Jelly Pro which I rather like but the mic, signal strength, and battery is quite weak. Got this phone for a digital detox and it's successful basically. But that was before I discovered Live Transcribe and other upcoming features).
Thank you very much! Hoping this would help me communicate a lot more effectively, especially since I cannot use some lipreading as a context provider anymore due to masks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Old thread, but the new Google Live Transcribe now works OFFLINE or Airplane mode. It is available on any android phone capable of downloading and installing from Playstore.
It is as good as the Recorder for speed and accuracy, imho. I am trying to determine how the app and API was reworked to do the magic offline. If you or anyone else knows, please share!