Recommend me a tablet

[mr friendly guy]

The Archos 9 only had 1 GB of RAM. On youtube review videos it had difficulty playing streaming videos, although its was ok on videos already downloaded. I am therefore thinking at least 2 GB of RAM is needed to meet my requirements of being able to play my files nicely. Although for Ipad to do that on lesser RAM speaks a lot about its OS.

[Zixinus]

Question: how important is the touchscreen thing? Because frankly, I think you can get better things if you just buy a netbook rather than a tablet/netbook hybrid. Or is small size a very important factor here? At least, in my mind, anything with a screen smaller than 8.9" (that's my netbook's screen size) should be a smartphone.

If I were you, I'd take a look at the Lenovo S10-3t. Capacitive screen, can get a basic battery life, netbook-level performance (still better than an Ipad's) and I heard that the issues with it are fixed once you get the updates.

[Lord Woodlouse]

I can definitely agree that iOS can't be measured with just RAM. I have a Desire HD and my good wife a 3GS, I've got over twice the RAM she does but her iPhone is still a generally smoother experience.

Not that I'd trade. Mine is still, I think, the better device overall.

[mr friendly guy]

Question: how important is the touchscreen thing? Because frankly, I think you can get better things if you just buy a netbook rather than a tablet/netbook hybrid. Or is small size a very important factor here? At least, in my mind, anything with a screen smaller than 8.9" (that's my netbook's screen size) should be a smartphone.

If I were you, I'd take a look at the Lenovo S10-3t. Capacitive screen, can get a basic battery life, netbook-level performance (still better than an Ipad's) and I heard that the issues with it are fixed once you get the updates.

The small size and being less cumbersome is the main issue. A laptop can pretty much do the main things I want a tablet to do. The tablet however should be cheaper vs the laptops I normally buy and also with apps can add a few extra uses. So to my mind, being cheaper, does what I want, and can do a few more things equals better value for money. But I will have a look at the Lenovo device and see what it can do.

[The Kernel]

Just a note: Do not buy any Android 2.x devices, they are hacks and not a tablet platform. With all the Honeycomb (3.0) devices coming out you want to avoid the Android 2.x tablets like the plague. There is no good reason to buy these devices and they are tons of affordable Android 2.x devices coming (trust me, I've seen the device roadmaps).

If you are planning on getting data, go with a device that comes with a carrier bundle. You'll save $200 of upfront cost if you plan on keeping it for 2 years anyway.

[Starglider]

If you are planning on getting data, go with a device that comes with a carrier bundle. You'll save $200 of upfront cost if you plan on keeping it for 2 years anyway.

Is that true in Australia? I realise the US has ridiculous carrier lock-in, but in the Europe generic data SIMs are cheap and it's often (usually, for tablets) cheaper to get the device separately, from the cheapest vendor.

[The Kernel]

If you are planning on getting data, go with a device that comes with a carrier bundle. You'll save $200 of upfront cost if you plan on keeping it for 2 years anyway.

Is that true in Australia? I realise the US has ridiculous carrier lock-in, but in the Europe generic data SIMs are cheap and it's often (usually, for tablets) cheaper to get the device separately, from the cheapest vendor.

Actually it's not technically a carrier lock-in, although for all intents and purposes it might as well be. However, I appreciate the fact that in the US you can purchase a high end Android handset for $100 thanks to the carrier subsidies. It may not really save you money in the long term but as long as it gets people using high end smartphones and ditching J2ME devices I'm happy as a mobile app developer.

To answer your question: I have no idea how the economics of it apply in Australia. My understanding though is that the carrier subsidies are pretty much a US-only phenomenon.

[Skgoa]

Here in Germany these kinds of deals tend to cost much more in the long run.
E.g. an iPhone 4 on its own costs 630 euro, the cheapest seperate data plan I found costs 10 euro per month. The cheapest offer for iPhone + data plan I found would give me the iPhone for free and would cost 45 euro per month for at least 24 months.
870 is less than 1080.

[General Zod]

And the iPad 2 specs are out. We're looking at a custom dual core 1ghz A5 processor, which pretty much blows everything else out of the water. No idea on the graphics chip or ram but the reports are describing it as blazing fast. The pricing will remain the same as the regular iPad. $499 for an entry 16gb model.

[The Kernel]

And the iPad 2 specs are out. We're looking at a custom dual core 1ghz A5 processor, which pretty much blows everything else out of the water. No idea on the graphics chip or ram but the reports are describing it as blazing fast. The pricing will remain the same as the regular iPad. $499 for an entry 16gb model.

Ummm...no. The CPU is about the same as the Tegra 2 in the Android Honeycomb tablets.

[mr friendly guy]

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Features for the ipad 2. This is one tablet I have been tossing up. General Zod, can I ask with playing multimedia files, opening word documents and reading pdf, cbr, cbz files, do I have to download a separate app for apple devices. Or will it allow me to install existing files from my computer to do it?

[Starglider]

Features for the ipad 2.

Still can't view web sites that use Flash, still has half the RAM of either the Xoom or the Archos 9, still has a lower resolution than the Xoom or the Tab 10.1, still has no SD card slot to force you to buy overpriced Apple storage upgades (and obsolete the device quicker), still comes with rabid Apple fanboy drool all over it. I agree with Kernel that the CPU is improved from 'awful' to 'mediocre'; it still can't decode MPEG-4 streams full resolution, best supported is 640x480x30 fps, which will cause nasty scaling on the built-in display and is just laughable for the Apple-promoted idea of using it to drive an external HDTV.

[General Zod]

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Features for the ipad 2. This is one tablet I have been tossing up. General Zod, can I ask with playing multimedia files, opening word documents and reading pdf, cbr, cbz files, do I have to download a separate app for apple devices. Or will it allow me to install existing files from my computer to do it?

You'll need an app for cbzs, but it's free. Same with PDFs and word docs. The only downside is you'd probably have to convert wmv files, but I can't imagine why you'd want to use wmv in the first place.

[phongn]

it still can't decode MPEG-4 streams full resolution, best supported is 640x480x30 fps, which will cause nasty scaling on the built-in display and is just laughable for the Apple-promoted idea of using it to drive an external HDTV.

Uh, it decodes 720p H.264, which is certainly sufficient to drive an HDTV.

[Starglider]

If you want a tablet that really 'blows everything else out of the water' I suggest you wait a little while for products based on this.

[mr friendly guy]

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Features for the ipad 2. This is one tablet I have been tossing up. General Zod, can I ask with playing multimedia files, opening word documents and reading pdf, cbr, cbz files, do I have to download a separate app for apple devices. Or will it allow me to install existing files from my computer to do it?

You'll need an app for cbzs, but it's free. Same with PDFs and word docs. The only downside is you'd probably have to convert wmv files, but I can't imagine why you'd want to use wmv in the first place.

The wmv files were the default downloading file when I used atube catcher to download exam videos off youtube. They can be converted with atube catcher, but its a pain. Question. Does VLC work on the apple OS. In fact since I have very little experience with apple, what type of multimedia files does the apple equivalent to windows multimedia play? Or does it only work for apple derived formats like .mov files?

On another note, the Ipad 2 is supposed to come out in my country in 3 weeks according to news. It seems like the much hyped USB port thing didn't eventuate, but I will definitely have a look at it and see if its something I want to get. Although it would most likely be sold out by the time I get there.

If you want a tablet that really 'blows everything else out of the water' I suggest you wait a little while for products based on this.

Thanks for the suggestion, however as I said in the OP, it can be a cheap chinese clone for all I care, as long as it can perform the functions I want. That is mainly functions I had previously relied on a laptop for. If it can do things with apps like a smartphone, thats a bonus. I am not interested in having the latest gadget, just interested in having one that does what I need it for.

On that note, the other tablet that caught my eye is the Motorola Xoom. However while its been reviewed in Australian news, no date has been announced AFAIK for its release.

[General Zod]

The wmv files were the default downloading file when I used atube catcher to download exam videos off youtube. They can be converted with atube catcher, but its a pain. Question. Does VLC work on the apple OS. In fact since I have very little experience with apple, what type of multimedia files does the apple equivalent to windows multimedia play? Or does it only work for apple derived formats like .mov files?

VLC used to work with Apple OS, unfortunately they removed the app from the store due to stupid license issues. I think you can enable support for a good number of media files but I generally don't use my iPhone for videos (it's not like the iPad and iPhone are that different), so I'm not 100% sure.

[Cecelia5578]

Features for the ipad 2.

Still can't view web sites that use Flash, still has half the RAM of either the Xoom or the Archos 9, still has a lower resolution than the Xoom or the Tab 10.1, still has no SD card slot to force you to buy overpriced Apple storage upgades (and obsolete the device quicker), still comes with rabid Apple fanboy drool all over it. I agree with Kernel that the CPU is improved from 'awful' to 'mediocre'; it still can't decode MPEG-4 streams full resolution, best supported is 640x480x30 fps, which will cause nasty scaling on the built-in display and is just laughable for the Apple-promoted idea of using it to drive an external HDTV.

On just about any tech blog, you'd get castigated by Apple fanboys/girls for focusing too much on specs, and not on the whole...well, I guess Apple Experience? Which always seemed to me to be a rather silly argument-its like criticizing someone buying a car for "caring too much about the specs" if they ask what the gas mileage is.

I tend to agree with you, I'm pretty sure it'll come with 512 MB RAM, though keeping the 256 of the iPad one wouldn't surprise me.

[phongn]

The wmv files were the default downloading file when I used atube catcher to download exam videos off youtube. They can be converted with atube catcher, but its a pain. Question. Does VLC work on the apple OS. In fact since I have very little experience with apple, what type of multimedia files does the apple equivalent to windows multimedia play? Or does it only work for apple derived formats like .mov files?

One thing you should know - the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch run an operating system called iOS. This is not the same operating system (though related) to the one that Apple's laptop and desktop computers use. While you can do (some) productivity work on them (or Android, WebOS or Blackberry tablets), they are not quite the content-creation machines that Windows-based tablets are.

Thanks for the suggestion, however as I said in the OP, it can be a cheap chinese clone for all I care, as long as it can perform the functions I want. That is mainly functions I had previously relied on a laptop for. If it can do things with apps like a smartphone, thats a bonus. I am not interested in having the latest gadget, just interested in having one that does what I need it for.

Be aware that Windows tablets are sort of "not quite there" in terms of a tablet experience. They are a better general-purpose computer, however, than any of the dedicated tablet systems.

On just about any tech blog, you'd get castigated by Apple fanboys/girls for focusing too much on specs, and not on the whole...well, I guess Apple Experience? Which always seemed to me to be a rather silly argument-its like criticizing someone buying a car for "caring too much about the specs" if they ask what the gas mileage is.

Well, do most people really care about how many horses are under the hood? For the majority of car buyers, it's about the 'user experience' of the vehicle (and Apple does trumpet one of the specs people do care about - battery life). Sure, we have some people who care (and Starglider, as an AGI researcher and general hard-core computer guy, would) but that population is increasingly to the right of the curve.

I tend to agree with you, I'm pretty sure it'll come with 512 MB RAM, though keeping the 256 of the iPad one wouldn't surprise me.

It'd be absurd, considering the iPhone 4 comes with 512MB. It's doesn't matter so much if you're single-tasking, but since iOS multitasks now it's important (though less constrained than Android, which lets you do more generalized multitasking).

[Starglider]

Well, do most people really care about how many horses are under the hood? For the majority of car buyers, it's about the 'user experience' of the vehicle (and Apple does trumpet one of the specs people do care about - battery life). Sure, we have some people who care (and Starglider, as an AGI researcher and general hard-core computer guy, would) but that population is increasingly to the right of the curve.

I acknowledge that, but I still feel the need to push back against the mindless Apple fanboy brigade, who buy it because it's Apple. Specs, being objective and easily verifiable (you'd think, not that Zod didn't try and fudge it anyway), are the easiest way to do that on a web forum.

[Skgoa]

On just about any tech blog, you'd get castigated by Apple fanboys/girls for focusing too much on specs, and not on the whole...well, I guess Apple Experience? Which always seemed to me to be a rather silly argument-its like criticizing someone buying a car for "caring too much about the specs" if they ask what the gas mileage is.

I acknowledge that, but I still feel the need to push back against the mindless Apple fanboy brigade, who buy it because it's Apple.

So you guys have no actual arguments and have to resort to ad hominem attacks?

Specs, being objective and easily verifiable are the easiest way to do that on a web forum.

Thats bullshit. Specs aren't important, usability is. You just attack the hardware because its the only negative thing you can say about the iPad. Maybe you should dry your nerd tears and let people themselves choose what they want to buy.

[xthetenth]

Specs, being objective and easily verifiable are the easiest way to do that on a web forum.

Thats bullshit. Specs aren't important, usability is. You just attack the hardware because its the only negative thing you can say about the iPad. Maybe you should dry your nerd tears and let people themselves choose what they want to buy.

Really? No ways in which the iPad software doesn't stack up? Not even small things that help a lot like not having properly tabbed browsing? Or using the same multitasking interface as the iPhone despite a gulf in size and the home button being annoying to reach? Or a multitasking implementation that means I can't play music while IMing friends with skype (niche case that comes up a lot for me)? Or on something large enough that you're using it in many ways like a computer, flash in order to get proper streaming video?

It's a piece of technology. Of course there are negative things you can say about it, even if you're just chiding them on their design choices prioritizing the wrong things, otherwise it wouldn't be technology. And frankly it's damned annoying watching the market for things I use a lot being controlled by people who often don't really look into what's available.

[Skgoa]

Specs, being objective and easily verifiable are the easiest way to do that on a web forum.

Thats bullshit. Specs aren't important, usability is. You just attack the hardware because its the only negative thing you can say about the iPad. Maybe you should dry your nerd tears and let people themselves choose what they want to buy.

Really? No ways in which the iPad software doesn't stack up? Not even small things that help a lot like not having properly tabbed browsing? Or using the same multitasking interface as the iPhone despite a gulf in size and the home button being annoying to reach? Or a multitasking implementation that means I can't play music while IMing friends with skype (niche case that comes up a lot for me)? Or on something large enough that you're using it in many ways like a computer, flash in order to get proper streaming video?

He did not write that, so whats your point? (Well, apart from the flash issue.)
e/ Also, try restarting the music with headphones.

It's a piece of technology. Of course there are negative things you can say about it, even if you're just chiding them on their design choices prioritizing the wrong things, otherwise it wouldn't be technology. And frankly it's damned annoying watching the market for things I use a lot being controlled by people who often don't really look into what's available.

Yeah, thats true. Still, attacking people who have made different decisions than you as mindless morons is not a proper argument.

[xthetenth]

He did not write that, so whats your point? (Well, apart from the flash issue.)
e/ Also, try restarting the music with headphones.

He didn't write them because he was focusing on the generality that it's much easier to talk about the anemic specs than go into a bunch of detail on the software front. Just because he didn't mention specific software issues doesn't mean there aren't any. If you were just trying to channel the stereotypical fan, sorry, otherwise this objection doesn't make much sense.

On the subject of restarting the music with headphones, I've managed to crash my phone multiple times doing it and the playback is liable to be off, so I don't consider that a proper solution. It's also annoying dealing with a frozen phone, you have even less clicky things to make the wait better.

Yeah, thats true. Still, attacking people who have made different decisions than you as mindless morons is not a proper argument.

Well yeah. Anyone who weighed the options I'm relatively cool with unless they were wrong with something. However you'll occasionally get people who didn't make a decision because to make a decision they'd have to be aware of multiple choices and consider them. Those are the people who anger me deeply.

[Jawawithagun]

Not even small things that help a lot like not having properly tabbed browsing?

That's the one I don't get. Atomic or iCab easily provide this