Hi all, trying to decide which tablet to get. Hoping to get some honest unbiased opinions. I am coming from an IPad 1 which i loved. Also, I have the $100.00 off staples coupon, however I can NOT get the Asus at 100 off. Everywhere I checked in my area would not honor the coupon because Staples does not have it in stock, I can only get the xoom or Samsung 100.00 off. SO I know most of the pros and cons of each but most reviews that favor the Asus like it because of the price cut. I am going into this with all 3 the same price (only difference being I can get a 32gb xoom at the price of the 16gb asus and samsung)
ASUS 16gb - 399.99
What I like about the ASUS:
Screen I read is the best.
Mini HDMI
SD Card
Lots of mod potential
CONS:
heavier
proprietary cable that i can not find for sale anywhere
large frame.
less than quality build
I dont care about the dock, probably wont buy it.
XOOM - 32gb - 399.99
What I like about the XOOM
Updates first
quality build
SD card slot
HDMI out
no proprietary cable
lots of accessories
CONS:
not the best screen
heaviest
seems to be a little slower than the others (not as responsive)
not a huge mod community
Galaxy Tab - 399.99 16gb
Pros:
light
quality build
smaller frame
optional keyboard if I want
nice screen
fast/responsive
good mod community
CONS:
proprietary cable
no SD Card slot (huge)
no HDMI out
So with all that said, any opinions/suggestions would really help. Like I said I have the 100.00 coupon and I hate to not use it. So with it I can get all 3 for 399.99 BUT if I choose the Samsung, I would probably pay the 499.99 for the 32 gig (using the 100.00 off) since it has no SD card slot which REALLY SUX. Id be using the tab for movie watching a lot, lots of web browsing, and some EBOOK/PDF mag reading mainly with light gaming and light music listening.
I REALLY need some help.
Honestly I had the same thoughts and just went with the GTab. Since this comes straight from Google you dont have to worry about updates, this tab is their flagship right now so we get updates before anyone. Not having a SD Card slot hasnt been an issue either. Forgot to mention I bought one from Best Buy for retail price, then I found one on eBay for $600 with a screen protector and the dock, took the one back to Best Buy. Basically what Im saying is, you can find a great deal on eBay for a brand new GTab with extras like I did and still came out cheaper. If I decide to sell it, I can sell it for the same price, or a little cheaper because I didnt buy the extra $35 dock nor did I spend the $36 in store taxes.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1 using Tapatalk
EmceeGeek said:
Honestly I had the same thoughts and just went with the GTab. Since this comes straight from Google you dont have to worry about updates, this tab is their flagship right now so we get updates before anyone. Not having a SD Card slot hasnt been an issue either.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 10.1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the Xoom gets the updates first, not the GTab.
Anyway I had the Xoom, returned it for the Transformer, then returned the Transformer for the Galaxy tab 10.1. I will be keeping the 10.1 and love it.
The Xoom screen is TERRIBLE and it's way too heavy. And up until recently the Xoom was the most expensive tablet on the market, despite having the worst features.
The Transformer was just a big POS. Software was extremely slow on laggy, build quality was abysmal.
I have no need for microSD or HDMI so that was no big deal for me. what I wanted was a light tablet with a wonderful screen and high build quality. The Galaxy tab 10.1 is the only one that gives me that.
What the Xoom has going for it is that it is the first to get Honeycomb updates, and it's built like a tank (in a good way, meaning it's sturdy).
I would use the $100 Staples coupon and get the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Thankfully it is still shipping without Touchwiz, since I don't like how Touchwiz tries to make Honeycomb look like iOS (seriously Samsung, get off of Apple's nuts already, it's embarrassing).
I have both a TF and a Tab, I got the Tab from a local craigslist seller for $375 about a week before the coupon came out. I then got another Tab from Staples with the coupon for my son and he loves it. I didn't really need another tablet but I decided to try and get a TF from Office Depot for $299. The first OD wouldn't honor the coupon and the 2nd one I went to took the coupon with no hassle. I also bought the keyboard dock for the TF as well. I compared both tablets over the weekend and here are my thoughts:
- I had no build quality issues with the TF I got, it was put together great.
- I fried the TF on day 2 trying to root and install cwm so I had to exchange it for another one at OD. In my opinion the Tab is much easier to root and install custom roms but it may be just that I'm not familiar with the process on the TF.
- The screen on the Tab beats the TF hands down. The Tab has the best screen I've ever seen on a tablet, even nicer than my iPad.
- The size and form factor of the Tab is fantastic, again no comparison.
- The only thing the TF really has in it's favor is the built-in micro sd card slot and hdmi connector, plus the keyboard dock that provides a 2nd battery. For those advantages you are carrying a heavier tablet. I got the Samsung USB adapter from BB and now I can read micro sd cards on the tab. You wouldn't want to use the Tab with the USB adapter but you can copy files to/from the micro sd card into the Tab's internal memory so that helps overcome the 16gb. I liked the USB adapter so much I bought a 2nd one to keep at work, they are only $20 each. It works with every USB stick I tried and even my SD card reader with a 32gb SD card. So going on a trip I can load a bunch of movies onto a memory stick and copy them onto the Tab when I want to watch them and delete them when I'm done. The HDMI port is totally useless for me as I have no use case for plugging the tablet into my TV.
- The TF has serious charger issues. Asus is using a higher voltage than a standard USB port therefore it won't charge with any other USB adapter. This really sucks, and they are charging too much for a spare adapter if you can even find them. The Samsung uses a standard USB wall wart. You can plug it into any USB wall charger and it will trickle charge. It will have an "x" on the battery like it's not charging - but it is! It is slow charging, if you don't believe it, leave it connected all night and you'll be at 100% in the morning. I also purchased a little dongle adapter that tricks the Tab into going into real charge mode with any USB wall wart. I also have Samsung's USB car charger that I leave in my car and it charges everything, including the Tab and my iPhone. As far as I know Asus doesn't offer a car charger for the TF. The TF also won't work with standard USB extenders, you have to order special ones for USB 3.0, where the Tab works with any USB extender.
So at the end of the day the Tab is the winner....
w4rmk said:
I have both a TF and a Tab, I got the Tab from a local craigslist seller for $375 about a week before the coupon came out. I then got another Tab from Staples with the coupon for my son and he loves it. I didn't really need another tablet but I decided to try and get a TF from Office Depot for $299. The first OD wouldn't honor the coupon and the 2nd one I went to took the coupon with no hassle. I also bought the keyboard dock for the TF as well. I compared both tablets over the weekend and here are my thoughts:
- I had no build quality issues with the TF I got, it was put together great.
- I fried the TF on day 2 trying to root and install cwm so I had to exchange it for another one at OD. In my opinion the Tab is much easier to root and install custom roms but it may be just that I'm not familiar with the process on the TF.
- The screen on the Tab beats the TF hands down. The Tab has the best screen I've ever seen on a tablet.
- The size and form factor of the Tab is fantastic, again no comparison.
- The only thing the TF really has in it's favor is the built-in micro sd card slot and hdmi connector, plus the keyboard dock that provides a 2nd battery. For those advantages you are carrying a heavier tablet. I got the Samsung USB adapter from BB and now I can read micro sd cards on the tab. You wouldn't want to use the Tab with the USB adapter but you can copy files to/from the micro sd card into the Tab's internal memory so that helps overcome the 16gb. I liked the USB adapter so much I bought a 2nd one to keep at work, they are only $20 each. It works with every USB stick I tried and even my SD card reader with a 32gb SD card. So going on a trip I can load a bunch of movies onto a memory stick and copy them onto the Tab when I want to watch them and delete them when I'm done. The HDMI port is totally useless for me as I have no use case for plugging the tablet into my TV.
- The TF has serious charger issues. Asus is using a higher voltage than a standard USB port therefore it won't charge with any other USB adapter. This really sucks, and they charging too much for a spare adapter if you can even find them. The Samsung uses a standard USB wall wart. You can plug it into any USB wall charger and it will trickle charge. It will have an "x" on the battery like it's not charging - but it is! It is slow charging, if you don't believe it, leave it connected all night and you'll be at 100% in the morning. I also purchased a little dongle adapter that tricks the Tab into going into real charge mode with any USB wall wart. I also have Samsung's USB car charger that I leave in my car and it charges everything, including the Tab and my iPhone. As far as I know Asus doesn't offer a car charger for the TF. The TF also won't work with standard USB extenders, you have to order special ones for USB 3.0, where the Tab works with any USB extender.
So at the end of the day the Tab is the winner....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well said *golf clap*. I completely agree with this post and could not have said it better myself. I was kinda upset that I only got the 16gb model but after a few days I figure it really is not that big a deal. Everything that this post says about the adapter I was thinking as well. By the time I would fill up this 16gb model I may be ready to buy another one and pass this off to my wife and daughter for kid games/apps which they won't need much space for.
The way the GT feels in your hand is fantastic, if you want a laptop get a laptop, if you want a tablet get the GT or iPad (yikes I know) or BB Playbook since they are all portable tablets and feel great in your hands.
My take Galaxy Tap 10.1
All aside... OK the Motorola has the ports, however the galaxy has the add on and would do the same....Screen quality is far greater and overall construction including wait is a no brainier...
I am still Loving my Tab...What makes it better I have a two year warranty.
I think I'm sold on a G Tab. Thx u guys!
Also you can get knock-off USB cables for the Tab from eBay for like 3 dollars. I had the previous 7" tab and bought a bunch of generic USB cables from eBay and they work great on the Tab 10.1. Now I wouldn't recommend doing ROM installs with the knock off cables, but for charging and file transfering they work like a charm! By the way all the adapter stuff from the 7" Tab works great with the 10.1 model, including the car charger. And you can buy all the chargers/cables/etc. from any AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile store because they carry the 7" Tab.
Had the Asus Transformer and went throught 4 because i was convinced it was the tablet for me. When i took number 4 back, that is when i decided it was time to Tab. I swallowed the extra dollars and got the 32gb. I had purchased a 32gb sd card for the Asus and knew that was plenty roomy for media. So i decided to stick with the feeling of 'plenty of room.' The form factor difference is just crazy extreme. The Tab feels much better in the hands, which is where it is 90% of the time.
Accessory wise, Samsung has alot more out and its been on the market the least between the 3 mentioned. He Samsung keyboard dock is alot closer to full size compared to TF dock. I found myself aways having to disable the track pad on the TF and aim the fingers much more norrow. You will tyoe faster than the full touch keyboard, but not by much. The battery on the keyboard was only useful on the 3 new TF i had to update amd restore out of the box. They aways seemed to be low on battery out of the box. I think the keyboard battery suuplement would only be useful on extensive travel and use.
Lastly, yes the Xoom and Asus have ports. But what good is a tablet if its connected to something? It certainly isnt mobile. So to me the adapters make perfect sense. You only want that stuff once in a while. Why should you carry the extra bulk and weight with you all the time? You shed those ports and internal junctures and you have a tablet as light and thin as the GT. Add it when you need it and disconnect it when done. 32gb and 16gb are alot of space and if you managw what you really need vs want, you wont miss the expandable storage. There are also lines of wifi 500gb pocket drives with batteries. I truly think that will be the future vs sd card. Larger capacity and group sharing friendly. No more passing the stick around to copy.
All in all the GT is a great experience and youll only be disappointed if you just cant stand it that people have ports and you have an adapter.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk
I have a house full of Sony products, I like the brand and build quality very much, but, with the Sony tablet, I cannot undersatnd why, they choose a 'special' impossibe to obtain plug, also, a charging voltage of 10.2v!
The internal battery inside the tablet is a standard 5v type, as are the workings I believe, so, it would very possible for them, to allow charging via micro USB at a standard +5v, as a lot of other tablets do.
The charger is £29+ to buy, nothing special, if I could get the plug, I'd knock one up for couple of £.
I also have a high end Sony 3D televison, that has facility for internet via USB, but, you can't use a standard USB wireless dongle unit, it has to be Sony, as they installed some data in the USB stick to stop you using cheaper USB dongles..... why?
Further, my Sony MP3 player NWZX1060, will not accept charge via any other, but Sony 5v power supply, the Sony ones are of course 5 times the price!
Don't get me wrong, I love Sony gear, but, feel slightly annoyed the way they do things, even more so with the Sony Tablet.
Anyone else with simialr feelings?
Horse Trader said:
I cannot undersatnd why, they choose a 'special' impossibe to obtain plug, also, a charging voltage of 10.2v!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that Sony's plug selection was ludicrous; however, because most USB ports on computers and chargers cannot supply the 2.9 ampere charging current that the tablet requires, I believe Sony purposely selected to use a non-standard connector to help prevent their customers from damaging their computers, etc. And Sony using 10.5 VDC instead of 5 VDC decreases charging time (similar to the difference between quick-charge and trickle-charge of an automobile battery charger).
I understand exactly what your saying, but, surly for sheer convenience, Sony could has incorparated a slow(er) charging facility from standard 5v supply, using computer USB or different lower current charger, most other portable devices allow this.
I love Sony stuff, but, they always seem to do things differently, nothing wrong with that of course, until it cost your more, sometimes unnessacery money! ..... maybe!
Horse Trader said:
I also have a high end Sony 3D televison, that has facility for internet via USB, but, you can't use a standard USB wireless dongle unit, it has to be Sony, as they installed some data in the USB stick to stop you using cheaper USB dongles..... why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know, I've heard this a lot, but I bought some nameless brand USB adapter plug on Amazon and it works just fine. Maybe I got lucky.
As for the power adapter, I always assumed it was a special port to accommodate their cradle and keep other tablets from taking advantage of it. Seeing as I don't care about the cradle and would love to charge this thing in a car, it's still awfully inconvenient.
hogaburger said:
I bought some nameless brand USB adapter plug on Amazon and it works just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please provide a link to the adapter you bought. Thanks.
Horse Trader said:
Further, my Sony MP3 player NWZX1060, will not accept charge via any other, but Sony 5v power supply, the Sony ones are of course 5 times the price!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've not had any problems charging my NWZX1061 with my PC, USB hub, or Sony Ericsson EP800.
Horse Trader said:
Further, my Sony MP3 player NWZX1060, will not accept charge via any other, but Sony 5v power supply, the Sony ones are of course 5 times the price!
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but this is wrong! You shouldn't buy the cheapest China Crap charger but your x1060 works with non Sony chargers, too. I had a x1060 and it cod be charged through my Usb-chargers from Palm, Belkin, Blackberry etc. without problems!
On the rest you are right... but most companies do this!
Sent from my LT26i using Tapatalk 2
Cat McGowan said:
I agree that Sony's plug selection was ludicrous; however, because most USB ports on computers and chargers cannot supply the 2.9 ampere charging current that the tablet requires, I believe Sony purposely selected to use a non-standard connector to help prevent their customers from damaging their computers, etc. And Sony using 10.5 VDC instead of 5 VDC decreases charging time (similar to the difference between quick-charge and trickle-charge of an automobile battery charger).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rapid charge thru higher amps lessens way battery life way faster and Sony know that but people want faster charging times
Sent from my Sony Tablet S using Tapatalk 2
Cat McGowan said:
Please provide a link to the adapter you bought. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027YYMU6/
So far I've connected a keyboard, mouse, logitech usb gaming controller, and synced my PS3 controller with this adapter. I'm on stock ICS.
Sorry for the late reply. Just got a new phone and haven't made it back around to this part of the forums yet
Feel like Ive been treated as a crash test dummy.
Wish I'de never bought this tablet, the main reason is the charging problem, I spend most of my life on the road with no respite until I get home in the evening and no access to the 240v needed for charging, with the occasional foray into work related periods during which time my tablet is important, so many times have i had to rely on paper and pencil until I got home because the tablet was dead, which defeats the whole idea of mobility.
And dont tell me about the tablet needs a certain amperage or voltage or charging time etc., other tablets manage without the stupid tethering to a socket and as for the ics fiasco for Uk users, what can I say.
As a product I like it, but its a bog standard operating system nothing to set it aside from the rest except its design, but the cons far outway the pros for me.
Mind you sony are not alone in there disregard for their user base, I started with HP ipaqs, until HP decide in there wisdom to stop supporting them, then there was the Dell streak episode (painful) Im still paying for a phone contract for a phone that I cant get repaired because the parts are no longer available, had about a years use out of it befor it broke, not good for a £400 + phone.
Im of an age that expects more out of my purchases than the shoddy service we get served up with by manufacturers that treat us with destain and use us as a beta testing ground with impunity when things go wrong.
Sorry about the rant, must have got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning, still its a thumbs down from me.
Expectations and Reality
henly said:
Wish I'de never bought this tablet, the main reason is the charging problem.
And dont tell me about the tablet needs a certain amperage or voltage or charging time etc., other tablets manage without the stupid tethering
As a product I like it, but its a bog standard operating system nothing to set it aside from the rest except its design, but the cons far outway the pros for me.
Mind you sony are not alone in there disregard for their user base.
Im of an age that expects more out of my purchases than the shoddy service... and use as a beta testing ground
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree with you here (respectfully, of course).
Battery:
Although other tablets can be charged off USB, they have sacrifices as well. Tablets chargable by USB will be much slower to charge and (theoretically) have shorter long-term lifespans. Sony decided that the 240v-only charing was a worthy tradeoff for the quick charging time and long battery lifespan.
Software:
This software is actually quite distinct from most other HC/ICS tablets. It is thankfully spared from the mess that is TouchWiz UX, and instead gets useful additions like Small Apps, the Favourites launcher, the three-icon dock, and heavily customised and highly versatile stock app inclusions. Although I like Acer's wheel launcher, the Sony is the best all-round software package I've seen from an Android tablet since my original Galaxy Tab.
Support lifespan:
I feel for you on this one as a previous owner of an original Galaxy Tab, the disregard for older devices is disheartening, but is to be expected in any dynamically developing field such as Android Tablets. It is simply not economical for companies to maintain full support for product lines that have been superseded, are getting old or simply don't have the users. It doesn't make business sense. In their defense, Sony support have been fantastic in my limited experience.
"Beta" nature:
It's unfortunately the nature of cutting-edge products that there will be unexpected quirks, but you should factor this into the buying decision. Long-established lines like Samsung's Galaxy Tab's are an obvious example of better-known, and more refined tablets. As an iPaq owner, you should remember that the original ipaq's were very quirky, buggy and generally lacking in refinement at the expense of their great functionality. The same is to be expected of this product, which you must remember is Sony's first foray into the Android Tablet market.
Anyway, sorry for the even longer rant, but I simply love my Tablet S and find that many users are maintaining some unreasonable expectations for this product and generally not thinking before they're buying in some cases.
I agree with most of what you've said, but as a comsumer with no loyalty or affiliations to any one product I simply want what is best for me, and you know as well as I, that when you buy a product such as this, it is mainly bare bones for a while until the industry gets it act together and things like car chargers etc come along, and that is what I expected, I did'nt realise until much later that you couldnt charge through the usb port in fact there are still items being sold on ebay under the term Tablet S charger which appear to be just a standard usb lead.
I originally bought a Ipod 1, which I returned to the store because the salesman assured me that it would play flash vids which in fact it would not, (some problem with Adobe apparently, fixed now I believe in Ipod 2.) and the Tablet S was the next thing to be recomended and with the dearth of info on the net at that time, I didnt have much option.
As for software, the first thing most of us here on this forum do is to root, then rip out all the stock apps and Bloatware and replace with different UIs etc.
Support seems to be shoddy in the extreme (and I dont nesseccarily mean Sony here), but most like you (respectivly) seem to accept it, personaly I hate it, but I seem to be in the minortity, I would dearly love to go round to some of these companies with pitchforks and burning firebrands (joke, in case anyone takes me seriously), would you accept the same thing if it were a car you were buying or a house, just because a thing is only current today doesnt mean it should not be fit for purpose, it should have a life span of more than two weeks.
Economically viable, Ha, have a look at Sony share prices or any of the market leaders come to that.
I simply dont factor in quirks or anomallies into my buying decisions because I as a paying full price consumer, expect things to be fit for purpose, and, i reiterate, with a resonable life span, how can it be right that something you pay good money for be entirely unusable in the space of a few months.
Thats all I'll say on the matter, please dont regard this as a flame because it isnt meant as such, and im sure I must be breaking some forum rules ranting on, my appoligies if thats so.
I can see what you're saying.
This is not specifically about you, more other users, is that everyone needs to remember to research before buying a product. In your case, a quick Google Search would reveal that no iOS products are capable of playing Flash content and never have been. WP7 is the same while Android can play it after installation. The same goes for the Tablet S in that anyone who posts about no hardware video out, a lack of custom ROM support, or simply the smaller screen size has obviously not done much research about what they're buying. Different devices have been designed for different purposes, and people are expected therefore to buy the right tool for the job.
As for Sony themselves, remember that this is their very first Android tablet and is a very small part of their business. Their tablet division, which hasn't sold amazing numbers, would be being helped along in terms of share price and revenue by Sony's other businesses including the highly successful BluRay, DLNA licensing, PlayStation, XPeria, Walkman, Sony Pictures, Sony Music BMG, CyberShot, and BRAVIA units. Compared to those, the Tablet S is a minor blip in the radar.
Although to me your expectations seem high, and references to two-week lifespans seem odd, thats obviously your opinion and you're entitled to it. Just trying to give any readers a clear picture of what to expect.
.... Some very interesting replies in this thread, most, of which I agree with.
Sony, is now a massive company, huge, so, surly, theR & D departments would have given an indication of what people actually wanted in a tablet?
Another thing about Sony is, they seem to lock their (modofied Android) firmware down, such as the Sony Xperia S I bought a couple of months ago, this I discoverd some time later, has a locked bootloader, so, I can't put another (better?) firmware, I think it's simlar to the Sony S tablet?
Some people will say, it's to stop you messing and spoilng things?? if a person wants to change firmware etc., surly it's up to them, if they mess up, it's their fault, and, if neccessary, should pay to have it rectified (by Sony?)
I love Sony stuff, I have a house full of it, but, when you want to expand, use non Sony gear with it, change or, deviate from the norm, there is usually always a problem.
Is this all in Sony's interest to generate even more cash ......... I wonder?
Just my thoughts.
Although cash is a bit of the process, its more to do with Sony's hardware and software philosophy. All of Sony's devices from the Xperia's to the Tablet's to the PlayStations rely on Sony's design which uses locked down software models to ensure that the device works as Sony designed it. They basically believe that a tradeoff in user customisation is worth the more polished experience. This does unfortunately mean that early products in a line (think early Ericsson-partnered Xperia's and the Tablet S) sometimes mess up the balance a little.
Sony, as a brand, often invests in its own proprietary formats, software and designs, and therefore tends to lock them down more than their more open brethren at other brands like Asus.
I agree with you about their R&D and I find it odd that in some respects they nailed it (I love that glorious curved design), but in other respects buggered it (battery,software tweaks). Meh, who knows??
imho opinion the S is the best non-ipad tablet out there. If you think Sony lock the system down and control how you use the device you haven't experienced Apple products.
I'm happy with the S. The remote control, native DNLA and Flash support are the 3 things that sold it to me. Now upgraded to ICS It's not rooted and I can;t see a need to root it.
sure I;d like a better screen and a faster machine but who wouldn't.
Hi ...
I echo what you, and the previous 'senior member' said, I too have no reason to root the Sony Tablet S, yes, it's a lovely machine, that's why I bought it, mine was the same price as the iPAd, but, I choose Sony, as, I'm sure lots of other people did too.
My gripe was directed at the Sony Xperia S mobile too, that firmware is locked down firmly too, and, being a fully qualifed electronics engineer, I cannot understand, why, the Sony S tablet, has a UK charger of 10.2v at 2.9A.
It would have been a great help, if a slow (emergency?) charge facility was available via the micro USB socket at 5 volts, although, your limited to 500mA on USB 2... more people now have USB3 which allows much higher charging current, so, in my opinon it's very possible.
Or, maybe 2 x USB leads, as on the Sony portable CD reader/writer, that uses 2 x USB plugs to deliver the extra current required.
The internal battery inside the Sony S tablet is actually 5 volts, so, it seems quite possible in theory, to allow a lower current charge at 5 volts, although will take a lot longer to charge up fully of course, maybe up to 10 times as long? ... B U T , it might just get some people out of a mess?
Also, the wierd plug Sony use for the Tablet DC power supply charger, if I could get a plug itself, I could build my own car charger, an easy task.... a 'standard' DC socket arrangement, would have been better, some tablets use this type already, they could even incorparate that into the dedicated Sony Cradle.
Just my opinion, Sony do things in strange ways ........
What does anyone else think?
I totally agree that Sony does some strange stuff sometimes.
Still love the innovation that Sony brings to their products.
Sony has a long history of doing things that make their consumers feel like they have gotten the finger. The company spent more see development time on the PSP blocking hacks rather than adding the features those hacks were being used to create. The same energy initially went into their music sales; anyone else remember the rootkits that came with their disks at one time? All of the proprietary things mentioned above fall into this category too.
That said, this tablet is yet another in a long line of successful products in terms of usability, ingenuity, and quality from the company. I have rooted, but for the most part Sony's product works well on its own. I'm overjoyed with the USB conversion dongle, and the tablet is nice to hold.
It's unfortunate that the company has so many low lights in its dealings with customers, but it's not like we should be surprised. Personally, i bought this tablet when i saw this board and knew that it would be another Sony product with side development for the dumb bugs. Now if i could just get plants vs zombies to work...
--Databoy2k
Hey guys, what do you think? Would you rather get the S4 or the Padfone2? Opinions would be appreciated.
My Opinion is ASUS PADFONE 2 For That Reasons...
-My Pc is Asus
-My Laptop is Asus
-I had the padfone 1!
-And tommorow i buy the padfone 2!!!!!!
Also i saw review about that 2 phones.they are not so different but the external matterial of ASUS is great....
MY OPINION.....
(Also you can use asus as TABLET!!! Is A GOOD REASON!)
What's troubling me from making a decision right now is that the tablet can't be operated without the phone and you can't pick up incoming calls without removing it from the pad. Apart from that I've always thought that the padfone 2 was great but now there's S4. And there's not even a thread which is dedicated to the padfone 2 here which means I can barely tweak my padfone 2...
Sorrowed said:
What's troubling me from making a decision right now is that the tablet can't be operated without the phone and you can't pick up incoming calls without removing it from the pad. Apart from that I've always thought that the padfone 2 was great but now there's S4. And there's not even a thread which is dedicated to the padfone 2 here which means I can barely tweak my padfone 2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the padfone2 and you can answer your call from your pad,besides the Padfone infinity is coming out soon,wait for it then decide.
good :good:luck
Looked for along time at Samsung, but price crazy for 32gb tablet alone and would have needed another data plan (what's the point if it's not instant on, I'm not gonna set up tether every time I want to surf, and its going to kill my phone battery if I forget to turn it off...3g is essential!!!)...
so bought used fonepad off ebey in UK for 500, best superphone I've had in ages, last was HTC sensation which was good but much slower and constantly running out of and reallocating memory, app multitasking was just painful, and screen was just a little too small for surfing, note taking, video etc... OMG, compared, this padfone is multiple organism provoking
This one is awesome and the pads ability to recharge phone just by sliding it in means I can use it for work almost non stop during the day... without the risk of having entire functional and configured tablet nicked - phone stays in my pocket unless i need to do something...
Perfect concept,one data plan, auto switches to WiFi when in range, Supernote works great, easy to jump to tablet to compose longer emails and sms... great for travel, 5 gmail accounts no problem! White ebay ultra pu stand+case from justilikecom for 15 quid works great. Cheap eBay bt headphones from e-superb for 15 GBP work just great for calls and music, and even movies on the go.
Not so good:
battery use pretty heavy in tablet mode, but maybe cause battery getting old on this one.... not possible to run for whole day non-stop without a recharge in the middle, but i have yet to find one that does... manufacturers figures always assume lowest power modes and screen off after a couple of mins(doesn't work for my usage at work-taking notes every couple of minutes, Gtalk, calls etc.) Basically on more often than not....
Suffered from known issue of sporadic reboots maybe10 times total, when cycling WiFi on and off (but that hasn't happened in a week so maybe another config option has negated this issue- not sure?).
No issues with power connector as some people commented (aware so careful) but regular micro-usb chargers don't work well unless you just use them to charge pad by itself... with phone it seems to recognize that it's not Asus charger and load will be too great-stops charging-and i can't find a spare adapter uk anywhere....
Best- The flexibility and bi-personality of the pf2 is awesome, with separate home screen app-widget config in pad or fone mode works great, so you can have 2 completely separate sets of home screens-more work to set up but I find tablet use totally different to phone, so very useful to have. Takes maybe 1-2 secs for phone to switch over to pad mode and redraw-rescale everything. Nice!
Can take calls and use it as speakerphone, or via BT, or just pull phone out and talk. It's a one-stop shop for communications...Google hangouts with video work fine, Skype also, what more could you wish for.....
Wish I had the money for an infinity(1000 GBP!!!).... but I now know what my next phone-tab will be
Wish xda had separate section for us to hang out in as well......
Sent from my PadFone 2 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 09:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 AM ----------
Follow-up.... on the charger issue-when phone is in tablet it detects amperage charger supplies and stops overloading if too low...so real 2A is required... nothing else.
Confirmed via http://www.padfoneclub.com/pl/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?4405.0#post_5808
Will try and source a real 2A wall brick and see if that works....
Sent from my PadFone 2 using xda premium
And more..... bought about 3 hi-power wall chargers that promised 2A - none of them worked fully like OEM charger. Despair was setting in. Called bunch of retailers, no-one had oem uk charger.....
Then I bought portapow 4 port charger. Works great. Real 2A puppy, so works just like OEM, charges both tab and phone together no problem.
Details for the desperate- 14.99 gbp from fleabay, free shipping. Listed as Quad 4-port universal USB mains ac wall charger 10W 2A for iPad by seller portapow_co_uk. I have no connection, just good opinion.
Now rooted and running guerilla rom.... finally some action!!!! I'm going to look for 64gb version next.. need more room for my music and videos
Enjoy, whatever you get!!!!!
I am using the dock I got for my note 1 almost 2 years ago for this behemoth. It fits, and works, but it's got a slight wobble from not having a flat bottom like the Note had. I also feel like the phone shouldn't hang over every edge of it's dock. Muffin top is not a becoming look.
Anybody know of a decent dock that won't make me sad in the wallet?
cbass said:
I am using the dock I got for my note 1 almost 2 years ago for this behemoth. It fits, and works, but it's got a slight wobble from not having a flat bottom like the Note had. I also feel like the phone shouldn't hang over every edge of it's dock. Muffin top is not a becoming look.
Anybody know of a decent dock that won't make me sad in the wallet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will find many below with the Rochester, NY as shipping destination. Cannot of course vouch for any of them so be careful and check Sellers ratings.
Even 99.9% Top Rated doesn't meant much sometimes.
Samsung Galaxy Mega Docks Ebay
Hi
My question is whether Multimedia Smart Dock EDD-S20EWEGSTD will match Galaxy Mega GT-i9205 ?
Propably should work, it has the same 11-pin connector at Note 2, SGS 3 and SGS 4 .
This corresponded to what I can connect to the dock . I read on the net that works well with Note 8.0 , it would be for me to purchase a universal . Only new Galaxy Note 3 Others have looked like a connector USB 3 available in portable drives as if consisting of two parts . That him certainly will not be fit, but it would not buy a shame because the money for the stylus and the programs that and so I did not use . The size of the Mega scares me a little but I think about it more and more, and probably this week I'll go and get him to the store replaced by Note 8 which I forgave her daughter and well-worn SGS II.
Maybe someone tried to effect the Dock of the Galaxy Mega?
If so, please provide all the links, images and videos on the topic .
Ps.: Mega ordered in white reception on Tuesday.
I could not resist This mega cool phone that up dreaming up all night
Had only one item on display because that was no longer mine.
I can verify that the mega works fine with the note 2 smart dock. I watched some videos last night using it.I haven't tried the usb capabilities yet but I'm assuming they would work done.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I527 using xda app-developers app
Ive been testing these dock in Samsung's outlet with 2 old usb 2.0 HDDs (flash type ones), and EDD-S20EWEGSTD showed itself from a bad side at least with one of them, it couldnt supply enough power to feed it up. So as i remember, I was forced to coneect it using additional Y cable to dock and to another additional usb power port (from one another adapter) to make it finally working .... whatta ff*uck?! #1
WaderPL said:
My question is whether Multimedia Smart Dock EDD-S20EWEGSTD will match Galaxy Mega GT-i9205 ?
Propably should work, it has the same 11-pin connector at Note 2, SGS 3 and SGS 4 .
This corresponded to what I can connect to the dock . I read on the net that works well with Note 8.0 , it would be for me to purchase a universal . Only new Galaxy Note 3 Others have looked like a connector USB 3 available in portable drives as if consisting of two parts . That him certainly will not be fit, but it would not buy a shame because the money for the stylus and the programs that and so I did not use . The size of the Mega scares me a little but I think about it more and more, and probably this week I'll go and get him to the store replaced by Note 8 which I forgave her daughter and well-worn SGS II.
Maybe someone tried to effect the Dock of the Galaxy Mega?
If so, please provide all the links, images and videos on the topic .
Ps.: Mega ordered in white reception on Tuesday.
I could not resist This mega cool phone that up dreaming up all night
Had only one item on display because that was no longer mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have the dock my self, first time i connected it didnt work(scared the hell out of me, cause i've readed something about different versions of the dock) but after i rebooted my phone it worked excelent. still using it.
specs are: 720p video output and the good thing about it is that its charging with 2a charger instead of being stocked with 500ma from an mhl cable.
when you connect wireless mouse/keyboard, the screen of the mega(i9205 i have) goes black and the screen output goes landscape.
people say audio jack doesnt work.. dont believe it thats BULLS**T. look at settings > accessory of youre phone and then check "Audio Output Mode" box to get audio from the jack.
if you have any further questions about information on the dock just pm me ill will get to ya as soon as possible
PS. i found the image on XDA Forums so pls dont blame me for using pictures or whatever, its just for helping purposes.
What about battery discharge rate during use of hdmi function? How is its max 720 p on a big screen? Im using a copy of et-10fau adapter mhl2.0 and it's output is 1080p 60fps. And battery discharge rate is close to 4-5% per hour...
m.kaya said:
i have the dock my self, first time i connected it didnt work(scared the hell out of me, cause i've readed something about different versions of the dock) but after i rebooted my phone it worked excelent. still using it.
specs are: 720p video output and the good thing about it is that its charging with 2a charger instead of being stocked with 500ma from an mhl cable.
when you connect wireless mouse/keyboard, the screen of the mega(i9205 i have) goes black and the screen output goes landscape.
people say audio jack doesnt work.. dont believe it thats BULLS**T. look at settings > accessory of youre phone and then check "Audio Output Mode" box to get audio from the jack.
if you have any further questions about information on the dock just pm me ill will get to ya as soon as possible
PS. i found the image on XDA Forums so pls dont blame me for using pictures or whatever, its just for helping purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you buy it from?
Sent from my GT-I9205 using Tapatalk
AndroidSlave said:
Where did you buy it from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i've got it from a second hand(used by someone else) but its already confirmed that its working.
you can also order on ebay(but be sure its the original samsung one with 11 pins)
EDD-S20 E WEGST D looks as quite obsolete because of its mhl. Its worth to find EDD-S20 J WEGST A. Comparing video output its 720 vs 1080p. And as it is later product = less risks with it.
Hi!
I am planning to grab a portable monitor (8-10 inch) to be used with my S8 when I'm going somewhere I can't use my Samsung Dex.
Are there any good portable monitor with battery embedded?
If possible, I want to use my S8 a bit like Asus Padfone S...
i bought this one to use with dex. it's a bit bigger than you wanted, but seems quality...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XSVRVD4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Ah, yes... Ive seen that... Sadly too bulky for me, and most important, need to be plugged in to a power adapter to power on...
I'm wondering if its possible to use a padfone S dock as an extender...
With a MicroUSB to USB C adapter as well though xD
to me, it wasn't any worse than a laptop in total. downside is requiring 2 power sources.
You can use This, Or this
Wow!!! Thank you very much for those two!
It is exactly as I needed!!
The only thing is to wait for those to be released. If ever.
Thanks
That was 2 great links i was looking for a solution.:good:
You can also use the ASUS mb169b+ which is USB Type A
However you'll need the DisplayLink Presenter app. However I find that the DisplayLink Desktop (Demo) (Unreleased) works better as it enabled the scroll whell as well.
The monitor uses the phone as battery, so you might need to grep a usb-c dongle with a integrated usb-c charge port and usb-a port.
you can use GeChic 1503H 15.6-inch IPS 1080p because its best in quality and reasonally priced also have all the features.
one of my friend suggested me to read this article because they have mention top 10 best portable monitor with all the features and comparsion table with prices.
Just imagine, a CASE that adds another screen to your phone so ou have 2 screens of the same size and portable. but imagine this to work on any phone with MHL . is not difficult and the technology already exist. so you can have a note 2, s6, note 8 etc whatvere and just attach the case to it.
i had an idea guys. did you saw the new LG dual screen phone? is just a flip case with a screen atached to the cover.
now remember samsung GROUP PLAY ? you can put 2, 3, 4 or 5 phones together forming an extended desktop experience.
i would just use 2 Note 4 phones together with a 3d printed case. think now how awesome would be to use 2 note 9 phones togheter.
dual or 4 sim, dual battery, dual superamoled screen, double processors etc. everything double.
you can try ASUS MB168B and vinpok split touch screen monitor
This should work fine if you plug it in to a Battery pack
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CH2HRLP/
I own the 15.6" non touch and it works quite well on my laptop. The one linked is the smaller 11.6" one for only $106
Comes with a micro hdmi to hdmi cable and uses micro usb for power.