Best Android Tablet?

It's just not true. I have an iPad 2 and an Iconia sitting side by side. The colors are different but you can't say one is much better than another, though text is sharper on the Iconia.

A lot of you guys are just talk theory and don't speak real-world.

I'm not seeing what you're seeing then. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
 
Considering that a tablet I just about all screen, the screen quality is of utmost importance to me. Also a tablet gets used in multiple orientations and from a variety of viewing angles.

A top quality screen is a must have for any tablet IMO.

I will agree with this. A co-worker of mine brought in their iPad2, after much touting from them on how much more awesomer it was then the Transformer and I got screwed (dunno how...) I told him to load any show he wants on their so we can test this out. It took him 3-4 days to do this or figure it out, either way he ended up chosing Archer which I have both seasons loaded on mine already. Regardless of any hype he had for the item the screen was much larger, sharper and somehow brighter on the Transformer. We had both our items set to max contrast/brightness, weird because I read they were damn close in color. After seeing this in action instead of at BB made me feel even better about my purchase, then I went ahead and jammed out to some hendrix.
 
I will agree with this. A co-worker of mine brought in their iPad2, after much touting from them on how much more awesomer it was then the Transformer and I got screwed (dunno how...) I told him to load any show he wants on their so we can test this out. It took him 3-4 days to do this or figure it out, either way he ended up chosing Archer which I have both seasons loaded on mine already. Regardless of any hype he had for the item the screen was much larger, sharper and somehow brighter on the Transformer. We had both our items set to max contrast/brightness, weird because I read they were damn close in color. After seeing this in action instead of at BB made me feel even better about my purchase, then I went ahead and jammed out to some hendrix.

The connectivity is the main feature of Android tablets. Some of the users that had both Archos and iPad, ended up using the Archos more often because it's just so much easier to get their stuff into it. This despite the Archos's 'inferior' screen.

Touting a tablet as designed for media consumption is moot when you have to jump through hoops just to get media into it in the first place.
 
Touting a tablet as designed for media consumption is moot when you have to jump through hoops just to get media into it in the first place.

True that. I don't have any music on my tablet (and don't care to) but getting movies on there was a breeze. Just drag and drop from server to SD card. No tricks, no conversion, just simple drag drop play. Now unless you are buying movies through the iTunes store, or got a blu-ray with a digital copy that is already MP4, getting your own movies to the iDevice is a PITA.

As for the arguments about screen, I think it is one of those you have to see it with your own eyes to make a decision. One friend with a Xoom thinks his screen looks a lot better then my Acer's, even though I personally think they look about the same, another friend with a xoom prefers the screen of my Acer to his, and a co-worker with an iPad 2 believes that his screen is better even after comparing them side by side this morning and everyone else who watched the test agreed that my Acer was definitely the winner.

In all honesty when you are buying a tablet, you can pour over specs, reviews, custom ROMs, accessories, everything, but it all boils down to what does the screen look like, and how does it feel in your hand. So long as you are happy with what you buy, who cares what is "Best" it is just more what works best for you.
 
As for the arguments about screen, I think it is one of those you have to see it with your own eyes to make a decision. One friend with a Xoom thinks his screen looks a lot better then my Acer's, even though I personally think they look about the same, another friend with a xoom prefers the screen of my Acer to his, and a co-worker with an iPad 2 believes that his screen is better even after comparing them side by side this morning and everyone else who watched the test agreed that my Acer was definitely the winner.

I agree that you definitely should check them out in person. I was just at Bestbuy picking up a USB tuner so I checked out the tablets on display. The iPad definitely looked like it had the best screen of the bunch on display (transformer,Xoom, Iconia).

iPad had the most contrast and it maintained a better image at different viewing angles.

The iPad does have the lowest DPI, but at normal usage distance I didn't see any pixelation, I had to hold it closer and look for it. But the others are a little better on the DPI front if that is a huge deal for you.

There is no substitute for checking it out in person, now that multiple models are on display.
 
I agree that you definitely should check them out in person. I was just at Bestbuy picking up a USB tuner so I checked out the tablets on display. The iPad definitely looked like it had the best screen of the bunch on display (transformer,Xoom, Iconia).

iPad had the most contrast and it maintained a better image at different viewing angles.

The iPad does have the lowest DPI, but at normal usage distance I didn't see any pixelation, I had to hold it closer and look for it. But the others are a little better on the DPI front if that is a huge deal for you.

There is no substitute for checking it out in person, now that multiple models are on display.
do most bestbuys have the transformer on display?
 
If they can keep one in stock, yes, you should be able to find a Transformer on display at a Best Buy, but typically because they're so popular, they won't even set one aside for a demo model but instead just send it straight from delivery truck through the back room directly into some customer's hands. ;)

iPads, Xooms, Iconias... those aren't nearly as popular in terms of people snatching 'em up so those have demo models in the 3 Best Buy's I've got here in the Las Vegas area.
 
Based upon everything i've read and seen myself, the world is good shape in general. This generation of tablets is all "pretty good". I think next year will be even better. Based upon this, the wife and I have settled on two Nook Colors until Kal-El hits full stride. It is so simple to put Android 3.x on them.
 
If I were looking at an Android Tablet, it'd probably be Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1. I was stuck trying to decide between it and the iPad 2 last month. The Galaxy Tab coming out a few weeks later than anticipated, and the fact that the app eco system is much better for the iPad than the Android tablets (so far anyway) made me go with the iPad. I don't store any actual content on it yet - just stream my iTunes library from my MBP, and my HTPC library via AirVideo from my HTPC in the living room (which I can also do over the internet flawlessly).
 
If I were looking at an Android Tablet, it'd probably be Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1. I was stuck trying to decide between it and the iPad 2 last month. The Galaxy Tab coming out a few weeks later than anticipated, and the fact that the app eco system is much better for the iPad than the Android tablets (so far anyway) made me go with the iPad. I don't store any actual content on it yet - just stream my iTunes library from my MBP, and my HTPC library via AirVideo from my HTPC in the living room (which I can also do over the internet flawlessly).

I had to have both. They are both excellent. Love the gaming on the ipad 2 and then the rest on the tab.
 
I had to have both. They are both excellent. Love the gaming on the ipad 2 and then the rest on the tab.

How are the tablet apps on the Android market, or are you using Android apps on the Galaxy Tab?
 
How are the tablet apps on the Android market, or are you using Android apps on the Galaxy Tab?

I know you didn't ask me, but the I'll chime in anywas :D, I think the tablet apps are amazing. Theres a lot on there that aren't optimized for tablets yet but honestly you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Some that don't resize to the resolution still work like the XBMC remote function works like a charm(I haven't checked to see if the tablet one is done yet).

The free market is littered with tons of useful apps, the pay for apps in my opinion suck right now though.
 
Displaymate just posted an in depth screen test between iPad2/Xoom/Transformer.

It confirms (in greater detail) most other reviews, and my in person assessment, the iPad still has the best screen:

http://www.displaymate.com/Tablet_ShootOut_1.htm

IMO, this review shows just how much specs don't mean much in the real world. These guys are claiming that the iPad 2 wins the day in every category [I'm not debating their claims, btw]...but many would say, based on using both, that they are equivalent or even that the Transformer has the better display. Given that, what is the real different in terms of the Xoom's display or the Iconia's display, in the real world? My guess is that it matters little. Too often people have become "spec whores" who have little real-world appreciation of anything. Just toss specs here and there to win the argument of the day. Sad.
 
IMO, this review shows just how much specs don't mean much in the real world. These guys are claiming that the iPad 2 wins the day in every category [I'm not debating their claims, btw]...but many would say, based on using both, that they are equivalent or even that the Transformer has the better display. Given that, what is the real different in terms of the Xoom's display or the Iconia's display, in the real world? My guess is that it matters little. Too often people have become "spec whores" who have little real-world appreciation of anything. Just toss specs here and there to win the argument of the day. Sad.

It isn't spec whoring at all. I was checking some of these out at Best Buys. The Xooms display really did strike me as crappy and it faded easily when not looking at it at almost any angle other than perpendicular. That is very "real world" to me. A tablet is something I would use from a wide variety of angles so a fade free display is a big deal for me. YMMV.

The Asus didn't look quite as good as the Apple but it didn't fade like the Xoom, so it would be fine too IMO. I would rate them iPad-9, Asus-8, Xoom-5.

People really should not buy these things site unseen. Get to a store where you can play with the display models a while and make up your own mind.

But I would still take Display Mate testing with both objective and subjective reports on quality ahead of Apple/Android fanboys claiming their screen is best. :rolleyes:
 
It isn't spec whoring at all. I was checking some of these out at Best Buys. The Xooms display really did strike me as crappy and it faded easily when not looking at it at almost any angle other than perpendicular. That is very "real world" to me. A tablet is something I would use from a wide variety of angles so a fade free display is a big deal for me. YMMV.

More nonsense. I've played with the Xoom and its viewing angle is way greater than "almost any angle other than perpendicular". That's where "spec whoring" is coming into play. Some website said it spec'ed worse than some other tablet and now you are taking it too far. I use tablets and at the distance you view such a small screen it is very easy to find a workable angle.
 
More nonsense. I've played with the Xoom and its viewing angle is way greater than "almost any angle other than perpendicular". That's where "spec whoring" is coming into play. Some website said it spec'ed worse than some other tablet and now you are taking it too far. I use tablets and at the distance you view such a small screen it is very easy to find a workable angle.

Mild hyperbole, but not nonsense. I would never by a tablet that faded like the Xoom off angle. How important viewing angles are, is in the eye of the beholder. You don't seem to accept that other opinions besides your own can matter. You just insist that everyone that has different opinion to yours is wrong.

Most people think desktop monitors with TN screens are just fine. But they don't work for me because of poor viewing angles, so I use IPS monitors. That doesn't make the people who think TN is just fine wrong, they are right, for themselves, but not for everyone.

That is why people should judge for themselves in person. Multiple tablets are on display. I encourage everyone to see for themselves and make up their own mind.
 
Mild hyperbole, but not nonsense. I would never by a tablet that faded like the Xoom off angle. How important viewing angles are, is in the eye of the beholder. You don't seem to accept that other opinions besides your own can matter. You just insist that everyone that has different opinion to yours is wrong.

Most people think desktop monitors with TN screens are just fine. But they don't work for me because of poor viewing angles, so I use IPS monitors. That doesn't make the people who think TN is just fine wrong, they are right, for themselves, but not for everyone.

That is why people should judge for themselves in person. Multiple tablets are on display. I encourage everyone to see for themselves and make up their own mind.

I have no problems with opinions other than my own, but what you call mild hypebole is misleading to anyone reading what you wrote. I do agree that people should make their own opinions by looking at the device, but too much of the time people on forums are lacking completely in objectivity and fairness in writing, i.e., spec whoring.
 
Displaymate just posted an in depth screen test between iPad2/Xoom/Transformer.

It confirms (in greater detail) most other reviews, and my in person assessment, the iPad still has the best screen:

http://www.displaymate.com/Tablet_ShootOut_1.htm

I knew the ipad has the best screen, even though the transformer has a ips screen, ipad is still better. it shows in sunlight, colors on the ipad don't get washed out as much as the others.
 
I took style over substance... The screen on my Galaxy Tab 10.1 is amazing compared to the Transformer... and deffinately better than the ipad imo. 32GB of space is enough until I want to sell it in a year for a different one. Glad I got it.
 
I agree, I just picked up the 10.1 and I definitely like the screen more than my Ipad 2 screen.
 
I took style over substance... The screen on my Galaxy Tab 10.1 is amazing compared to the Transformer... and deffinately better than the ipad imo. 32GB of space is enough until I want to sell it in a year for a different one. Glad I got it.

I just was given a Tab 10.1 32GB as a gift and it is very nice. I can not synch it to my MBP. Apparently there are issues with using the Tab with OSX.

I have downloaded the latest official Samsung synch software. Very buggy, has crashed several times so far.

I also tried Double Twist and no go either.

The iPad screen may be "better", but the added resolution of the Tab makes it much better IMO. The extra pixels makes reading a book or viewing web pages very nice.

Now if I could get content on it, I would be happy.

I have a MBP and I'd like to put
1. videos
2. pod casts
3. some music on it.
4. I added the Kindle app and it works awesome (as expected). The extra screen resolution really makes a difference.

I'm fairly confident that Apple will make the next iPad with a higher resolution screen (whenever that may be). Do I really want all these work arounds to get the Tab to work with OSX? I dunno, I guess I'll have to decide that.

However, it really seems like a solid device.
 

That is the one that has crashed several times.

What video player would you recommend? I used hand brake to convert all my video to .mv4 format for the iPad.

I'd really really rather not reconvert them (meaning I'm not going to reconvert them). Yes, I deleted the original AVI (if I had them) or just have the disc on a shelf. Its just not worth the reconversion.

What would you use to
1. get them off my MBP onto the Tab? I say this because of the file format Kies does not even let me transfer them (it is greyed out).
2. If I do get them over, what to play them with?
 
Get Wifi File Explorer from the market for your G-Tab. You can movie vids via wifi with it. Music too, BTW.
 
Android Tabs are currently too far behind an Ipad 2. Unless you have to have the Android, the Ipad 2 is better bang for buck....plus you will have some resale value....Old android stuff does not keep their prices.
 
Android Tabs are currently too far behind an Ipad 2. Unless you have to have the Android, the Ipad 2 is better bang for buck....plus you will have some resale value....Old android stuff does not keep their prices.

Hooked on phonics should come preloaded with ipads. Cause the thread is titled "best android tablet". ipads do hold their value for a year.
 
Hooked on phonics should come preloaded with ipads. Cause the thread is titled "best android tablet". ipads do hold their value for a year.
So yes, the best android tablet in current form, is not going with an Android. If you want to spend a bunch of time with adding tweaks, custom roms, interface modifications, well sure go with an immature Android.

If you just want to use the tool....use good applications....the Ipad 2 wins easily. So why give the best option for a wrong decision.
 
So yes, the best android tablet in current form, is not going with an Android. If you want to spend a bunch of time with adding tweaks, custom roms, interface modifications, well sure go with an immature Android.

If you just want to use the tool....use good applications....the Ipad 2 wins easily. So why give the best option for a wrong decision.

your opinions would be valid if this were a best tablet thread, but its a best android tablet thread. keep making off topic posts.
 
A stock android already does things an ipad can't and it's already common practice to jailbreak an iOS just to get it to do what people actually want.
 
A stock android already does things an ipad can't and it's already common practice to jailbreak an iOS just to get it to do what people actually want.

Im not to sure that is really relevant. seeing that its a given that every android device gets rooted quickly for whatever reason.

Also i still cant get video off my mbp to my tab. Im sure its user error but its not really intuitive.
 
I had no idea that you could root a Nook Color. So glad I read this thread, definitely know what my tablet of choice will be!
 
we need to keep this O/T. Last I heard Apple doesnt make an Android tablet.
 
Im not to sure that is really relevant. seeing that its a given that every android device gets rooted quickly for whatever reason.

Also i still cant get video off my mbp to my tab. Im sure its user error but its not really intuitive.

One reason or another, but none of them valid. It takes a jailbroken iPad to match a stock androids basic features.

Getting videos to my Archos android tablet is drag and drop. Getting a TV episode to my iPod takes 20-30 minutes minimum. Or overnight for a season. oPlayer and VLC cannot play any of my h264's that run natively on the Archos. And i didn't root.

Bluetooth is 100% working and i've been using it to access my phones files, gps (Archos does not have GPS so it uses the one on my phone) and tethering. Without rooting.

Installing files without going through the Android Market does not need a root. It's a commonly accepted practice called 'sideloading', which consists of you putting the PKZ in a memorycard/thumbdrive and running it like you would a setup.exe in windows. On the Archos you don't even need a memory card since it can install the app right right from your shared folders. This is a stock firmware.

Even the Market 'hack', is only taken by rooting some guys phone and taking the files to build his own PKZ. But after that, it's just a regular PKZ you can install like a normal app and doesn't need a root.
 
One reason or another, but none of them valid. It takes a jailbroken iPad to match a stock androids basic features.

Getting videos to my Archos android tablet is drag and drop. Getting a TV episode to my iPod takes 20-30 minutes minimum. Or overnight for a season. oPlayer and VLC cannot play any of my h264's that run natively on the Archos. And i didn't root.

Bluetooth is 100% working and i've been using it to access my phones files, gps (Archos does not have GPS so it uses the one on my phone) and tethering. Without rooting.

Installing files without going through the Android Market does not need a root. It's a commonly accepted practice called 'sideloading', which consists of you putting the PKZ in a memorycard/thumbdrive and running it like you would a setup.exe in windows. On the Archos you don't even need a memory card since it can install the app right right from your shared folders. This is a stock firmware.

Even the Market 'hack', is only taken by rooting some guys phone and taking the files to build his own PKZ. But after that, it's just a regular PKZ you can install like a normal app and doesn't need a root.

Alright so I already know people aren't going to like my post, but I'm going to post anyway. I had been playing with many of the tablets for a while in anticipation of purchasing one for myself. I looked at the iPad2, Xoom, Transformer, etc. My mother then called me up saying she had just purchased a Xoom for herself, so I decided to get one as well, since I'd end up being tech support one way or another.

Using the Xoom straight out of the box was definitely nice, but not as nice as the iPad. I feel it was more the OS's fault, but it just seemed rough around the edges compared to iOS. Now the Xoom has a better resolution, more power, etc., but as far as the user experience goes I was unimpressed. Rooting the Xoom helped, but the OS just doesn't feel as polished.

I played with my friend's Transformer to see if I just needed a different perspective, but again I was left unimpressed. The hardware was great, but Android just wasn't cutting it for me. It felt like Android was concerned about features, features, more features, but forgot that people not computer-savvy still needed to be able to use it.

But all of this is just my opinion and takeaway on the matter. I still use and gain enjoyment from my Xoom. If somebody were to ever port iOS to the Xoom though, I'd be the first onboard.
 
I love how the iPad (whatever version floats your boat), but the thing that really turns me away from it is iTunes, everything has to be done through iTunes, I really can't stand sitting waiting for "conversion" while I could use a Windows or Android OS tablet and drag/drop.
 
Back
Top