Im looking for a new tablet for my girlfriend, just for reading, surfing and youtube. I was going to buy the Huawei M5 but now i am thinking about the Acer Chromebook Tab 10. Why? Because i do not trust Huawei regarding updates and this device should last for the next 5 years minimum. As far as i can see the Huawei m3 did not receive any updates... This sucks.
Google says that they will support ChomeOS devices for 6.5 years, this would be great!
For Chrome devices this will be at least 6.5 years from launch of the hardware platform(2) (or in some legacy cases at least 5 years launch of the device itself).
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en
Acer:
https://www.xda-developers.com/acer-chromebook-tab-chrome-os-tablet/
What do you think?
I've owned a few tablets (some returned); nexus 7, Galaxy Tab E, Asus Zenpad, Sammy S2...
I find the 4:3 displays, as a tablet, way cumbersome. It's like holding a computer monitor in your hands. It's too big for some things and not big enough for others.
Experiences vary, of course. But the 16:9 is the perfect dimensions for me. Portrait mode for reading anything, landscape for video. And a lot easier to carry around, or find a place to safely put down, or anything.
Treble will make support better, still a bit early to know how much. And then there's chrome os vs android os... a lot to think about. Good luck.
AsItLies said:
I've owned a few tablets (some returned); nexus 7, Galaxy Tab E, Asus Zenpad, Sammy S2...
I find the 4:3 displays, as a tablet, way cumbersome. It's like holding a computer monitor in your hands. It's too big for some things and not big enough for others.
Experiences vary, of course. But the 16:9 is the perfect dimensions for me. Portrait mode for reading anything, landscape for video. And a lot easier to carry around, or find a place to safely put down, or anything.
Treble will make support better, still a bit early to know how much. And then there's chrome os vs android os... a lot to think about. Good luck.
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Good advice, i did not think about the aspect ratios yet. It looks like i will order both and i will do a comparison. I'll let you know how i decide. Thanks!
dopefish1337 said:
Im looking for a new tablet for my girlfriend, just for reading, surfing and youtube. I was going to buy the Huawei M5 but now i am thinking about the Acer Chromebook Tab 10. Why? Because i do not trust Huawei regarding updates and this device should last for the next 5 years minimum. As far as i can see the Huawei m3 did not receive any updates... This sucks.
Google says that they will support ChomeOS devices for 6.5 years, this would be great!
For Chrome devices this will be at least 6.5 years from launch of the hardware platform(2) (or in some legacy cases at least 5 years launch of the device itself).
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en
Acer:
https://www.xda-developers.com/acer-chromebook-tab-chrome-os-tablet/
What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Acer Chromebook Tab 10 vs. Huawei M5?
Hey DopeFish1337, did you make your decision yet? Yours is such an important consideration given Google's rather obvious direction toward Chrome OS for everything other than smartphones that likely will remain Android's sole domain. That trend alone arguably makes not purchasing an Android tablet a "no brainer." You've gotten some good inputs so far. I am wrestling with the same decision, in my case pitting ACER's 2017 Hexa-core 2.10 GHz Iconia Tab 10 (A3-A50-K4K4) against the Acer Chromebook Tab 10. Personally I would not purchase a Huawei product, a prejudice borne out by very negative customer reviews.
Like you, I'm highly impressed and in my case just about sold on the Chrome OS guaranteed update for 6.5 years. My prejudice toward Huawei not withstanding, it's been well documented that all Android device manufacturers are lousy at best and worthless at worst for releasing Android updates. In nearly five years with my first tablet, a 2012, 10.5 inch ACER Iconia, the manufacturer released only one Android update, which was fine except for the fact it left some of the apps showing their age, i.e., becoming somewhat "jittery." And my 2015 ACER Liquid Z smartphone has not received a single Android update and at this point certainly never will.
Just telling you this pushes me ever closer to choosing the Chrome OS tablet. And that's before even considering the Google Play Store's addition of Android applications for Chrome OS. However, recent Chromebook user feedback reports compatibility issues with some of those "apps." I don't particularly see problems with Android apps as a deal-breaker, but may see one with the fact the ACER Chromebook Tab 10 has a non-removable battery. Then again, other than my first mobile phone, a 2005 Nokia, I've never come close to wearing out a battery. I didn't even notice battery degradation after five years with my first ACER laptop and nearly five with the aforementioned ACER Android tablet. So I can probably live with the non-removable battery feature -- though am not exactly thrilled over it.
As you're likely aware, the ACER Chromebook Tab 10 is not yet available for purchase and according to CNET will not be until May. Though some ACER resellers are taking pre-orders. That delay in getting my hands on one helps me think this through a little further. But seemingly the only thing left to weigh is price: $329 retail for the Chromebook Tab versus $299 retail for the Iconia Tab 10. However, resellers are offering the Iconia Tab 10 for as little as $259, and I fully expect steeper markdowns with the already accelerating move toward Chrome OS tablets. That said, the only reason I might choose the Iconia is because I plan to move to Linux in a big way as soon as possible. So my last bit of research will involve which if either of the two devices under consideration might be capable of running Linux in the future, i.e., when Google support ceases. Chromebook laptops can run Linux in tandem with Chrome OS. But not being a laptop, ACER's Chrome OS tablet uses an ARM (Advanced RISC Machines) processor just like the Iconia. And from what I understand it is very difficult if not impossible to run Linux on an ARM processor.
Finally, with regard to the screen aspect ratio comments, an Internet commenter wrote, "I was all set to see if Amazon et al had a listing for this [ACER Chromebook Tab 10 ] thing so I could grab one when it came out. Then I noticed the screen aspect ratio. Square screen = no sale. Too bad, otherwise looks like a great device." Personally I don't even see what the commenter's talking about, though I would prefer my old screen size of 10.1 inches.
Best wishes,
Bill
B2WJ said:
Acer Chromebook Tab 10 vs. Huawei M5?
... snip
Finally, with regard to the screen aspect ratio comments, an Internet commenter wrote, "I was all set to see if Amazon et al had a listing for this [ACER Chromebook Tab 10 ] thing so I could grab one when it came out. Then I noticed the screen aspect ratio. Square screen = no sale. Too bad, otherwise looks like a great device." Personally I don't even see what the commenter's talking about, though I would prefer my old screen size of 10.1 inches.
Best wishes,
Bill
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I'd have to guess then, you don't have much experience with these devices?
You have to consider a very important aspect about these things... You walk around with them. You sit on your couch with them. You pick it up and carry it to the next room. You sit out on your patio, on the patio furniture, holding it in your hands or lap...
They aren't laptops. You don't have a convenient table nearby to put them on. They are *** Handheld *** devices (for the most part).
The commenter's [sic] point is that a square device is more bulky, unwieldy, inappropriate for a handheld device. It's like walking around with a computer monitor in your hands (and using it). What works much better is a device that's 16x9. You can turn it sideways and carry it like a notepad (tablet? get it? sorry, my bad). It's just much more comfortable and ** handy **.
Turn it landscape mode, watch movies etc. Turn it portrait, facebook, browser, read book, etc.
A 'square' tablet is just... not really a tablet, in that sense.
AsItLies said:
I'd have to guess then, you don't have much experience with these devices?
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Actually, I do. Turns out those nearly five years with the described Android tablet involved a 1280x800 screen equaling a 16:10 aspect ratio. So I was too quick to dismiss the commenter's claim of a "square" screen. While that's hardly a geometrically accurate description the ACER Chromebook Tab 10's 2048×1536 screen is indeed a 4:3 ratio -- the same aspect ratio as an old tube TV. While not truly "square" neither is it anywhere near the current traditional 16:9. Saying "somewhat square" would have been more applicable and I should have picked up on it when AsltLies more appropriately referenced 4:3 ratio. I was judging by what to my eye are deceiving horizontal images. And to be clear, my quoted commenter was commenting on a technical article, and was not a commentator/technical reviewer as apparently interpreted.
So a somewhat square screen could mean "no sale" for me as well because planned uses included streaming from an HDTV antenna. Though I see what ACER's doing here: school work. A standard sheet of paper is 8.5x11 inches, which is 4:3 aspect ratio. Being aimed at the education market in schools using iPads Tab 10 emulates the iPad in an affordable package. But beyond the education angle is a trend where some of the best selling multiuse tablets and laptops such as the Chromebook Pixel are moving away from widescreens, while TVs and gaming monitors are getting even wider.
There are two ongoing arguments on current aspect ratio trends. One sees 16:9 screens as terrible for web consumption, reading, drawing, and everything else Tab 10 is being sold for. According to this argument 16:9 is only good for watching videos and sometimes gaming. The counter argument sees a 16:9 screen in portrait mode as a piece of paper for reading and drawing while in landscape as a great video viewer. The somewhat square screens such as the iPad are derided as a one-size-fits-none solution. Having not used any iPads I have no opinion worth sharing. But the two counter arguments obviously come down to the personal preferences of each individual.
At 1920x1200 the Hexa-core Android model I've matched against the new Chromebook "tablet" would give me a second consecutive 16:10 screen ratio. Yet as tempting as a Hexa-core processor is, I'm equally tempted to take a hint from Google and retain Android only for the current and future smartphones. Unfortunately the latter leaves me indefinitely substituting a 4.1 inch screen smartphone for a 10.1 inch screen tablet. By all indications ACER has no immediate plan to sell Chromebook Tab 10 to any market beyond educators or commercial interests or to release what technical journals foresee as a consumer-friendly version. The latter could perhaps include a 16:9 or 16:10 screen.
None of which helps the many like myself who want and need a new tablet. Now. While my 16:9 ratio (what else?) smartphone can be projected to a larger screen that's hardly a relaxing evening "on your couch" or "sitting out on your patio" while "holding it in your hands." So I'm stuck. And betting DopeFish1337's GF will be getting a Huawei. Sorry I bad-mouthed the brand, guy. Darn, this has been a reply for apologies and mea culpas. As AsltLies initially said deciding between an Android or Chrome OS powered tablet provides "a lot to think about." As someone who frequently wants productivity from any device, I have potential issues with Chromebooks. But of equal concern is being technically outmoded with an OS like Android that is consistently obsolete just months after purchase.
@B2WJ Although it's obvious, it bears repeating... 'it all depends on what your needs are'.
For me, and Android tablet is perfect. I'm more or less using it for most of the things I'd do sitting at a pc; email, web, fb, etc etc (I know, boring).
Having it for travel also. Much easier to have a tablet to slip into luggage than tote around a laptop. Additionally, if I thought I'd need to use a keyboard (and mouse), it's easy to bring the logitech module for those and small keyboard / mouse.
Or, just use voice recognition / dictation for responding to emails etc. I honestly have no idea where you're coming from with "OS like Android that is consistently obsolete just months after purchase"... What? Obsolete? Just because it's not the latest and greatest version it's "obsolete"? Honestly, that's ludicrous.
H
AsItLies said:
@B2WJ ...
I honestly have no idea where you're coming from with "OS like Android that is consistently obsolete just months after purchase"... What? Obsolete? Just because it's not the latest and greatest version it's "obsolete"? Honestly, that's ludicrous.
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Oops. A well stated, well reasoned reply that matches exactly my own reasons for preferring Android tablets. But soured in the end by a reaction that arguably came near crossing this forum's line on decorum. I could consider conceding "obsolete" was rather over-the-top. But I won't. Because this is DopeFish1337's post and he began by relating his distrust and negative experience with Huawei Android updates. I related my own experiences with Android manufacturers' update failings. None should be better positioned to know this ongoing issue than XDA Developers. No less an authority than Computerworld said it ever so succinctly in February 2017: "Look, there's no sugar-coating it anymore: Android updates are a big, hot mess. And just when it seemed they were starting to get better, bam! They're suddenly worse than ever." And from Business Insider also last year: "That Android tablets tend to be quickly forgotten when it comes to software updates doesn't help its case."
Now arrival of the first Chrome OS tablets reveals notable public hostility. From Android Central:
This is what I've been waiting for. LOVE my Chromebook and I'm tired of android tablets being out of date within months of buying them.
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Android tablets are dead because this is such a better option. Support will be so much better for chrome tablets than Android tablets had (besides like the Nexus 9 and Pixel) and that was what really held me back from getting a new one. Definitely grabbing one of these.
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Software support through Play, 32GB of internal (vs 8GB on my current); nice display and stylus to boot. A bit more money than I wanted to spend on another tablet but those other features will carry things. I mean hell, I'm STILL limping along (more like kicking a dead corpse along) with my Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 (sad that it's not even 3 years old and can barely function now). If I could get even FOUR solid years out of the Acer it would be worth it.
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From Chrome Unboxed:
I've been using a slow ass Asus Android tablet and biding my time until chrome OS tabs come. Hopefully we see them in different sizes and form factors, as I'd love to replace my tablet with an 8 inch Chrome OS tab.
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I need a new Tablet. My 8” Samsung Galaxy Tab has become unusable. I have a Samsung Chromebook Plus, but I love having a tablet to sit on my nightstand or take in the car.
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Though not a developer I'm fairly capable handling software and electronics and joined XDA Developers as a way of possibly resurrecting my 2012 Android tablet. An OS fatality rendered the tablet not savable but my love of Android goes on with my smartphone. So full disclosure, despite my criticism of manufacturers' Android update practices I have no issues whatsoever with my 2015 Android 4.4.4 smartphone. As to the dead tablet, those few glitches I said emerged after ACER provided an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean were so minor as to subtract nothing from usability. So fellow Android fans, understand I would love to see Android the dominant Google OS. I like Android so much I'd even like seeing a true desktop version. But that's not where the market's heading. So like it or not, we have choices to make either now or in the future.
It’s no secret that Android tablets have died off over the last few years. We have been expecting to see the eventual move from Android to Chrome OS on tablets, and the initiative has gotten underway. -- Phandroid
No worries. Google has your back. I surmise Chrome OS is the future especially for mobile hybrid phone/tablets. -- Chrome Unboxed
While Android sales continue to trounce iOS in the U.S. and internationally and by an even wider margin as 2018 began, that is almost entirely smartphone. Anyone using an Android tablet should notice that when Internet advertisers detect an Android device, that majority unable to identify the specific device offer a generic reference to "your smartphone." While Google and the former Android Inc. were annihilating the competition on the phone side, customers wanting tablets were suckered by obscenely overpriced iOS offerings.
Many who like me once saw Chromebooks as a joke say Chrome OS is at least as good as Android devices now that Android applications are available. Plus I've learned you don't have to open any "apps" in the Chrome browser -- as long as you know the two easy steps to open any app in its own "window." So folks, let's not "shoot messengers" over this. I'm still not quite on board with it. But it's happening. And I get it.
Soon after my Android tablet failed ACER received FCC approval for the Hexa-core tablet. So I accepted the frustration of the tiny smartphone screen for months while awaiting the new device's unveiling. But when it became available instead of rushing my order in I questioned what the heck I was doing. Though no match for an Android 7.0 Nougat powered Hexa-core processor, my phone was giving me all the Android basics I needed, plus ability to talk and text. I saw the speedy tablet as a great deal at $299 or less where discounted. But in the final analysis I was about to spend around double my phone's retail price just to have a bigger screen.
So this is why the concept of Chrome OS tablets intrigues me. Instead of two largely redundant devices, you have the excellent Android OS for the phone and a tablet with a standard USB-C dock to enable external monitor, keyboard, and storage. So you have tablet with pen while mobile, and 4K monitor and keyboard while docked. Unlike anything else on the market, it can be a desktop disguised as a tablet.
Related
Hi all,
I know the G tab has been out since late last year...
And I know that after I root and rom it, this thing will be amazing.
But am I too late for the party? Is it worth it to buy one now? Or should I just wait at this point to see if something better is coming out... I have not been researching tablets as much as phones lately.
oresteez said:
Hi all,
I know the G tab has been out since late last year...
And I know that after I root and rom it, this thing will be amazing.
But am I too late for the party? Is it worth it to buy one now? Or should I just wait at this point to see if something better is coming out... I have not been researching tablets as much as phones lately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good question. The G-Tab is a sweet tablet for the price point, it will get its best shot at Honeycomb next week, when Notion Ink drops a first party release of Honeycomb for the Adam (which shares a lot of similar elements to our tablet).
That being said, everyone who currently owns a tablet (except for the Transformer and the NEW Galaxy Tab 10.1) is paying the early adopter price. Android isn't 100% there yet, but if you own an Android phone you know this. For me, I absolutely love Gingerbread (2.3.3) on my Droid X, and I loved 2.3.4 on my Droid 1; it's a complete enough OS for me now. Honeycomb 3.1 feels much better than 3.0 as well.
Tegra 3 (Kal-El) is right around the corner, and will probably come in at a $400.00 price point. Qualcomm is shooting for 4-core tablet processors by the end of the year (Q4). Also, we're expecting to see Ice Cream / Ice Cream Sandwich (next Android version, for both tablet and phone) in late Q3.
If you can wait, wait. if not, get a G-Tab. Something like a Xoom is not worth the premium over the G-Tab, even for a nicer screen.
It is an excellent question, but you really have to understand your own tech preferences to know for sure.
The GTAB's main cons right now are the screen angles (most likely unfixable) and the stock software. For the latter, there are many mods you can use, but if you are looking for a HC port it's not quite there yet - we're hoping that will change soon.
Its pros are price. For $125 less than a Transformer, you can get a device that's comparable in speed and might be comparable in software, in the near future. But you are in the hands of the modding community since the vendor seems to have abandoned the device.
There will always be the next best thing, around the corner. So it's a really a question of price and whether or not the device serves your purposes at that price.
I'm confident that this device is more than capable of doing what I want to do.
Mostly web browsing.
Some games.
Perhaps Facebook games.
youtube, flash, netflix if possible.
I'm not going to use it for work, and start editting documents, etc.
I'm going to check out one at Sears possibly today and see if the viewing angles are an issue.
I think the main reason I'm worried about something new coming out, is because of the chance the modding community might move on to the next device. haha
Also a valid point to consider. I can't speak for everyone here, but for myself I plan to pull back after this month. Not so much because the GTAB isn't a good device to mod anymore, but for personal reasons (taking a break from modding tablets, in general - will still have my GTAB but will be less focused on it, that's all).
There was a bit of a lull last month, but there's still activity right now in development as new devs have popped up as some of the older devs/modders have moved on it seems. So, it's hard to say what will happen in a few months, but right now there's still some activity. I think that will continue until the Notion Ink HC port shows up and it's ported over to the GTAB (we hope).
Great info in these posts as i'm in the same situation as the original poster. Currently an ipad user but would like to try an android tablet on the "cheap". Unfortunately, there isn't any retailer nearby carrying the tablet so i cant see how bad the viewing angles are first hand. Is the screen good straight on?
Elroyy said:
Great info in these posts as i'm in the same situation as the original poster. Currently an ipad user but would like to try an android tablet on the "cheap". Unfortunately, there isn't any retailer nearby carrying the tablet so i cant see how bad the viewing angles are first hand. Is the screen good straight on?
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Have you ever used a netbook before? The screen is a typical netbook screen. Straight on and 45 degrees each way looks fine. From up above viewing angle will go to almost 90 degrees without the loss of quality. From below anything beyond 45 degrees and you will lose the colors.
There are also some nice youtube video comparisons between the G-Tablet and iPad. One in particular shows the differences in the viewing angles. You'll know which one I'm talking about becuase the creator uses his daughter's iPad, with her "Hello Kitty" wallpaper on it...
(in my opinion though, how can you see the superiority of a screen that has Hello Kitty on it, lol)
The viewing angles are bad, but, I VERY rarely need to share the screen or find myself in a position where the screen is hard to see. sure, other devices have screens with better angles, but how often do you browse the web or watch a movie at an 80 degree angle from a personal device?
I love this tablet. I bought a leather case from electronic crap dot com and its like carrying around a journal. Easy to carry, I play games on it and I log into my computer at work from it all the time.
I agree, there always something better around the corner, but this tab has a great price point and there are lots of stable and highly usable roms.
Bottom line is you don't get this tablet because its the latest and greatest. You gt it because its way cheaper than other tabs with the same power.
Thanks everyone. I do have a netbook, never really had issues with the screen. I also saw that video with the hello kitty screen saver. Straight on, i'm guessing the screen is pretty decent.
You will be happier spending a bit more on the crop of Honeycomb tablets released this year. The first time you flip your gTab around to show someone something on the screen, only to see that person moving his or her head around with a look of stern concentration on their face, desperately trying to find the right angle to see what the hell you're trying to show them, you'll wish you had forked over their extra $100 or so for a better screen. You may think, "Oh I'll never do that, I'll always just be looking at it straight on with no deviation!" but you'll find out soon enough that's not the case.
That's just one example. There are other solitary situations where the screen won't be at the sweet-spot angle -- for example, my Transformer is sitting on my desk here at work, propped up in its case, but it's behind me and to the right, and still looks great. I often reach back and press the power switch to get a quick look at my email or whatnot. The gTab would require me to move directly in front of it to get a good view.
gTab was a good starter tablet when the only other option was a $700 Xoom. With the cheaper tablets being released, its value has decreased greatly. But if you only have $275 or whatever to spend, and can't afford $125 more, then I guess it's your best option for a 10.1" Android tablet.
Hi my 2 cents...
Having used the G-tab for about 4+ months; my recommendation is to wait (if you can). My biggest gripe is the screen (both resolution and viewing angles).
I use it primarily as a media consumption device...watching videos, games, browsing and reading books (in that order)
videos - if I have an option (pc or tv near by) i chose them as the resolution on G-tab is not good. HD videos are choppy (I have tried a few mods but all more or less same)
Games - this is good no complaints
Browsing - this does not have 3g so without wifi its useless. I tether using my iphone, which is cumbersome but works
Reading books - good; but the screen is useless outside (unless its night or cloudy)
This is a great device to buy cheap and beat the crap out of it...(software wise). I also owned an ipad and adam and they also have their own problems.
My first Android tablet is Gtab because it is cheaper and has good performance compared to other 10" tablet in the market. For 10" size tablet, if you have up to $300 budget, Gtab was a good starter tablet (with Xda support). If you have up to $400 to spend, ASUS transformer is not bad. If you have more than $500, of course, you will have more choices. So it depend on your budget.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I think this would be a good, cheap way to get into Android tablets. I would still have my ipad as a backup.
asdf73 said:
videos - if I have an option (pc or tv near by) i chose them as the resolution on G-tab is not good. HD videos are choppy (I have tried a few mods but all more or less same)
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I'm willing to bet you only tried the ginger based ones. Those don't have hw acceleration, so HD vids are choppy. The froyo ones, especially the ones based off of TnT, are pretty smooth.
My recommendation to the OP is if you're going to get the gtab please please please go to my website and read it. And if you're going to compare it to the ipad, please stick with froyo. It is not the latest and greatest, but it certainly is stable and fast.
I was thinking about TF or GT10.1 but non of HC based tablets supports Netflix as for the moment... Well, paying $125 or more in case of GT10.1 for not been able to watch Netflix in my opinion is just wrong.
No doubt, IPS or better screen is a must for photo-frames.
All in all there are no perfect tablet as of now but hopefully we will get there...
I went to Office Depot today to see the screen.
I didn't think it was as bad as what everyone is saying.
Sure, its not as nice as an iPad screen...but its potentially almost half the price...
I don't mind that tradeoff... I'm looking at buying it used anyway. I figured that's the best way to break into the tablet realm and not have any regret about not waiting..
oresteez said:
I went to Office Depot today to see the screen.
I didn't think it was as bad as what everyone is saying.
Sure, its not as nice as an iPad screen...but its potentially almost half the price...
I don't mind that tradeoff... I'm looking at buying it used anyway. I figured that's the best way to break into the tablet realm and not have any regret about not waiting..
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Hey, I sent you a private message. PEACE!!
I highly NOT recommend buying the G Tablet. It has nothing to do with the viewing angles.
The reasons why I would tell people to stay away from the tablet are the following:
1) Viewsonic released the damn thing and then basicaly orphaned it immediately. The result is a lack of software libraries needed for development, and the implications are inferior mods with more limited capabilities. As far as I'm aware, there are no Gingerbread roms that truly support HD or fully support graphics hardware acceleration. And getting Honeycomb on the damn thing has been a Promethian effort. All Honeycomb mods are in alpha, and there's hardly any guarantee that any will ever be fully functioning.
2) The bulky design is far from a joy to hold in your hands. It makes it unpleasant to use the touchscreen while holding it, making both gameplay and activities like typing more difficult.
3) Others may disagree with me, but software on the tablet has always acted jerky and has always been slow. It completely lacks the smoothness of other devices, and sometimes it's hard to believe that you're actually using a comparartively (for price vs. power) powerful piece of hardware with dual core processor and not something that feels like it barely has the computational power to run your web browser or word processor (however, it does handle graphics rendering as well as it should).
Maybe I'm overly pessimistic, but I cannot imagine an application for which the G Tablet could be at all recommended. I would highly advise looking elsewhere for an entry level Android device, or wait for the new batch of Honeycomb tablets which will roll into stores very soon.
Hi guys, before now I was a galaxy tab 8.9 user and even though I was disappointed with the performance of honeycomb on that tablet (mainly due to samsungs touchwiz and Nvidia tegra 2 hardware limitations) I still enjoyed the tablet especially since running an alpha build of ICS on it. I decided to sell my tab when the transformer prime was released for obvious reasons. (Its an overall much better tablet) and within my price point.
However I have had cause to hold back because of all the negative press the tab as been getting. I am not really concerned about the gps issues because I never for one day used the gps on my galaxy tab 8.9. I have a galaxy s2 which satisfies my gps needs.
What I am most concerned however is the wifi issues reported by users and also the Is the Is flickering issues some are having since upgrading to ics.
How bad and wide spreed as this problems? do you think the prime is still worth buying or are the wifi and Is the screen flickering issues minor issues which can be fixed via software update?
I would really appreciate recommendations from users before I make my decisions thanks
Dude just go for it, buy it, try it out.
I was concerned too when I ordered, but I lucked out with a good prime. The tablet is awesome and the quick updates from asus are constantly improving the experience.
Worst case you don't like it, just return it and get your money back.
Sent from my Galaxy S2
Its still a fantastic tablet. Im fortunate to be in the UK and have the dock which truly makes it a worthy purchase. If I'm honest I wouldn't have bought it without the keyboard.
I can see the GPS issue is an annoyance but I would never consider using the device as a Navigation aid. The fact that you need wifi for the maps to work I never expected to use it in such a way. Lets face it the iPad doesn't have GPS and the apple fans aren't up in arms that they can't navigate from their device.
With the dock this is the closest thing to a netbook and love the fact that in essence I have an Android based netbook.
My advice don't expect too much, its an excellent tablet and even with its faults I love mine.
You will definitely need to try this for yourself to see if it works the way you use it.
Just order online, then you can return it within 2 weeks, that should be enough for testing.
I had many of the same concerns but I went for it in hopes of getting a good unit and i did. I'm extremely happy with it and it gets more use than any laptop or desktop in my house.
halloumi3 said:
I had many of the same concerns but I went for it in hopes of getting a good unit and i did. I'm extremely happy with it and it gets more use than any laptop or desktop in my house.
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Click to collapse
I second that. Only hassle I have is GPS and that is no dealbreaker for me on a WiFi-only device.
Make sure you get either Build 8.33 (Honeycomb) or 9.4.2.27 (Icecream Sandwitch) on your Prime, especially the 8.33 sped most things up with HC.
Kashban said:
I second that. Only hassle I have is GPS and that is no dealbreaker for me on a WiFi-only device.
Make sure you get either Build 8.33 (Honeycomb) or 9.4.2.27 (Icecream Sandwitch) on your Prime, especially the 8.33 sped most things up with HC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you find out what Firmware a Prime has prior to buying? Will the Retailers tell you?
Thanks
Since we're having soooo many duplicate threads asking the same thing, might as well just copy my post from similar threads.
*************
I don't have wifi or screen issues. I half-heartedly tried to get GPS going but really have no patience or the inclination to do so! GPS is not what I bought the device for...and I bought the TFP knowing full well of the GPS issues. If I can't see any satellites...oh well. Am I a "dumb" consumer for buying a product that doesn't have all marketed specs working...I don't know...maybe. But spending $500 on the TFP without GPS was well worth it to me. I've bought PCs in the past where I knew the video card was crap....I simply swapped it out for something that met my needs.
If you're worried about encountering the noted issues (not including GPS which sounds like it will never work 100%), buy from somewhere with a good return policy. Try it out for a couple of weeks. That is what I'm doing and so far mine is a keeper. Actually, I bought two from two different stores...the second is still en route. I did this just in case one of them had problems...the second one is probably going back without ever being opened.
Good luck with your decision.
Get it... The problems are very much exaggerated in my opinion. Really who is going to put the tablet on their dashboard and use it for GPS ...
I have it, it's fast, It's stable, it's running ICS, almost no issues, wifi runs great, it's just a beast of a tablet. I suggest it for anyone.
And it's rooted...
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Prime
Beyond slower wake up for the Wi-Fi and some other quirky wi-fi issues (won't work with my Verizon MiFi currently), I've had no issues with it. Still waiting on my keyboard dock, however.
i was a little upset when i first got it.. the wifi signal was pretty week when i used it in my bedroom (furthest point from my router, up stairs and on the other end of the house) infact it was loosing connection. However after some updates it does seem better. i no longer get a dropped connections get about 1 bar of signal. it works really well everywhere else in my place plus i can tether my thunderbolt to it if need be. i was at first going to return but i am leaning more towards keeping it now.
i hope they release another update that focuses mainly on wifi strength.. is that even a possibility? still testing but overall id say im pretty pleased.
bigbrovar said:
Hi guys, before now I was a galaxy tab 8.9 user and even though I was disappointed with the performance of honeycomb on that tablet (mainly due to samsungs touchwiz and Nvidia tegra 2 hardware limitations) I still enjoyed the tablet especially since running an alpha build of ICS on it. I decided to sell my tab when the transformer prime was released for obvious reasons. (Its an overall much better tablet) and within my price point.
However I have had cause to hold back because of all the negative press the tab as been getting. I am not really concerned about the gps issues because I never for one day used the gps on my galaxy tab 8.9. I have a galaxy s2 which satisfies my gps needs.
What I am most concerned however is the wifi issues reported by users and also the Is the Is flickering issues some are having since upgrading to ics.
How bad and wide spreed as this problems? do you think the prime is still worth buying or are the wifi and Is the screen flickering issues minor issues which can be fixed via software update?
I would really appreciate recommendations from users before I make my decisions thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to depend on what you want from your tablet. If you want navigation device that will help navigate a cruise missile to its target, then maybe you should got with a Galaxy Tab LTE.
Now, if you want a slick/fast tablet running Google's latest and greatest OS, there is no comparison. This thing is hands down the best Android tablet on the market.
I just got mine in the mail yesterday and I'm really liking it. I think at this point you're less likely to get a dud.
only if you MUST have android
Guess, I will be the one contrary opinion.
The hardware is very nice. It is even sleeker than the iPad which is really saying something.
The Android fragmentation is still a major issue which unfortunately means, if you honestly look at the user experience, no android tablet is worth buying unless you are a hardcore Apple hating tech geek, or unless you must have a 7 inch tablet.
I have tried 5 different Android tablets the last month and am really surprised what a disastrous mess the Android ecosystem is. You would think that any tablet with the same processor and version of android could run the same software straight off the market. NOPE. I mean seriously, WTF?
Google needs to clamp down in some way to end this stupidity. I have a bunch of recent action titles that run on an Acer Inconia A500 but wont run on other Tegra 2 tablets under the same version of Android, and forget the prime.
While much is made off how the prime is the best Android gaming yet, Google for graphics benchmarks of the iPad 2 vs the prime. The iPad 2 is more than twice as fast in most graphics benchmarks. Not only is there a vastly larger selection of games, they all work. When a new OS update is released everyone gets it, no waiting and wondering if you will ever get it.
Anyone in the High Park area of Toronto want my prime before I return it to Staples?
I will be keeping my lowly 8GB Acer Iconia A100 because I love the compact 7 inch size and comfortable to hold round edges. The sharp edges of the iPad 2 makes it uncomfortable to hold for long, and this is one thing the prime should not have copied from the iPad, the prime is even worse.
I changed the build.prop file on my A100 to make it think it is an A500. It is compatible with far more hardcore action games than my prime. How is that for irony?
Yes guys size does matter. My iPad 2 is a vastly superior tablet in every way, but I use my lowly Iconia A100 cause it is the most comfortable to hold. I am still kicking myself for returning the 16GB playbook I bought for just $200.
Unless Google muscles in to clean up the fragmentation mess, if Apple pulls a mea culpa and actually releases a 7 inch iPad, Android will continue to be the poor cousin of iOS that people only buy because it is cheaper or because they are fanatic extremeists who want to strap on an explosive laden jacket and run into an Apple store shouting "Android Akbar!!!!"
No don't get it. If you are going to ask rather than get and try it, then the answer is no. If you try it then ask, the answer is keep it. When you are buying a car or a house please come on here and ask us for our opinion again
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201
dpkform said:
Yes guys size does matter. My iPad 2 is a vastly superior tablet in every way, but I use my lowly Iconia A100 cause it is the most comfortable to hold. I am still kicking myself for returning the 16GB playbook I bought for just $200.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol
expect for the fact that it's heavier, thicker, has a smaller screen, no expandable storage, no HDMI out, little customization, and so on so on.
Also $120 more expensive to boot.
wifesabitch said:
lol
expect for the fact that it's heavier, thicker, has a smaller screen, no expandable storage, no HDMI out, little customization, and so on so on.
Also $120 more expensive to boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, I meant to say ALMOST every way but hey ever try editting on a tablet - too painful... LOL
I will give the prime this one HUGE compliment. It is the first tablet that seems to equal the elegant design and build quality of the iPad. In fact I think the prime is better looking. I have never seen a PC laptop that was even close to a MacBook pro or the latest MacBook air in terms of quality, and I have owned HP Envy, Alienware, and other expensive laptops. Higher price to performance sure, but never close to the same build quality and display quality. At least with tablets non-Apple manufacturers are FINALLY waking up to high quality IPS displays. That's a great thing.
And I definitely prefer the 16:10 ratio screen of the prime to the iPad's 4:3 especially for video. Won't hold the reported wifi issue against it, as my prime has no wifi nor GPS issues, then again neither did my iPad 1, which had the same wifi complaints from many people as the prime seems to.
The iPad does do 1080p HDMI out - with Apple's overpriced $45 HDMI adapter, and more fun the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S do wireless video mirroring to a $100 Apple TV though only 720p.
As to customization, you would think the alleged "open" Android system is more so but no. Especially since the iPad 2 is now jailbroken. There are far far far more options out there for a customizing a jailbroken iPad, and if you consider the amount of software, and especially accessories, even a non-rooted iPad has far more options for customization. But even that I don't hold against the prime cause really no one needs that amount of customization. The problem with the prime and Android tablets in general keeps coming back to the atrocious inexcusable app incompatibility even among essentially identical hardware. Seriously. WTF?
All that said, the reality is both are the highest quality tablets on the market, but no matter how great the prime is, the problem is the Android tablet ecosystem is currently an epic fail. Google played too loosely with Android, yet ironically allowed locked boot loaders - you know - you have to "jailbreak" Android devices too.
I really hope Google grows a pair, and starts laying down some law on the Android devices and ecosystems. First thing they need to do is disallow any custom UI on top of Android. Aftermarket sure - pre installed no. And lay down a set of hardware requirements, such that a base Android OS works on every type of hardware, just like Windows can be installed on a lot of different hardware.
Consumers I think will tolerate a lot of screwing around with limited cell phones because carriers have been screwing consumers and proprietary hardware since the beginning of time. That I think is why Android phones are now doing very well against the iPhone. But tablets as a replacement for PC - I think there will be much less tolerance for the mess that is currently the Android ecosystem. Even on PC's for the most part - things just work. On Android - it's a mess.
dpkform said:
yes, I meant to say ALMOST every way but hey ever try editting on a tablet - too painful... LOL
I will give the prime this one HUGE compliment. It is the first tablet that seems to equal the elegant design and build quality of the iPad. In fact I think the prime is better looking. I have never seen a PC laptop that was even close to a MacBook pro or the latest MacBook air in terms of quality, and I have owned HP Envy, Alienware, and other expensive laptops. Higher price to performance sure, but never close to the same build quality and display quality. At least with tablets non-Apple manufacturers are FINALLY waking up to high quality IPS displays. That's a great thing.
And I definitely prefer the 16:10 ratio screen of the prime to the iPad's 4:3 especially for video. Won't hold the reported wifi issue against it, as my prime has no wifi nor GPS issues, then again neither did my iPad 1, which had the same wifi complaints from many people as the prime seems to.
The iPad does do 1080p HDMI out - with Apple's overpriced $45 HDMI adapter, and more fun the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S do wireless video mirroring to a $100 Apple TV though only 720p.
As to customization, you would think the alleged "open" Android system is more so but no. Especially since the iPad 2 is now jailbroken. There are far far far more options out there for a customizing a jailbroken iPad, and if you consider the amount of software, and especially accessories, even a non-rooted iPad has far more options for customization. But even that I don't hold against the prime cause really no one needs that amount of customization. The problem with the prime and Android tablets in general keeps coming back to the atrocious inexcusable app incompatibility even among essentially identical hardware. Seriously. WTF?
All that said, the reality is both are the highest quality tablets on the market, but no matter how great the prime is, the problem is the Android tablet ecosystem is currently an epic fail. Google played too loosely with Android, yet ironically allowed locked boot loaders - you know - you have to "jailbreak" Android devices too.
I really hope Google grows a pair, and starts laying down some law on the Android devices and ecosystems. First thing they need to do is disallow any custom UI on top of Android. Aftermarket sure - pre installed no. And lay down a set of hardware requirements, such that a base Android OS works on every type of hardware, just like Windows can be installed on a lot of different hardware.
Consumers I think will tolerate a lot of screwing around with limited cell phones because carriers have been screwing consumers and proprietary hardware since the beginning of time. That I think is why Android phones are now doing very well against the iPhone. But tablets as a replacement for PC - I think there will be much less tolerance for the mess that is currently the Android ecosystem. Even on PC's for the most part - things just work. On Android - it's a mess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, but I call b.s. on Ipad customizations. AS I have one jailbroken and modded to the extreme. You have to jailbrake Ipad to only be able to do half the things android does right out the box. THE IPAD ZCUSTOMIZATIONS FROM CYDIA N SUCH are crap. All stuff still looks basically the same. You can change wallpapers, some icons...system sounds, lockscreen n that's about it. THE MOST EXTREME Ipad mod was getting a sort of launcher called Honeypad. Its more of a hybrid android OS of honeycomb. I can launch it and you would think my Ipad was an android tablet. REALLY MADE Ipad feel like a new device. I could apply Widgets n stuff. But with ipad1 or 2 having limited Ram, you run out quick. That's when I knew I wanted an android tablet. Yes apple has superior games, which I have all the best ones like Infinity Blade2, etc... Android allows wauly more freedom out the box n you can do more. USB adapter support on either Ipad is a joke. Apple nerfed it.
WHEN IPAD1 first came out, you use to be able to hook thumb drives, external keyboards, mouse, even external harddrive. VERY shortly after apple released people were doing this and didn't like it. APPLE ONLY WANT YOU using thEIR ACCESORIES. SO on an update apple reduced the voltage output to USB adapter therefore making it useless except for only apple accessories basically. This caused a huge uproar on ipadforums.
Ipad1, as much as I love mines, has nothing on the prime. NEITHER does ipad2. PRIME is way better than both. People believe in that Ipad vs. Prime gpu benchmark b.s. too much..lmfao point blank prime is way more powerful. It was even said although ipad2 might score higher on gpu benchmark, prime/tegra3 in real life will perform and look better. AS its fact that tegra3 CPU is a hell of alot more powerful than ipad2 CPU.
Op get the Prime. If you want old outdated devices, get an ipad2 or any other Android device. There won't be anything coming out to be more powerful till around may-june at the earliest. As of right now, Prime is the most powerful tablet in the world!
I have been up in the air myself with all these negative reports. I plan on picking one up this week locally and reporting of any issues.
From an outside view on these forums and others. It looks really bad for the prime having so many issues. I am willing to take the risk and spend the money in hope for getting a great unit. Anything less than amazing, i will return it and venture elsewhere. Apple makes great products. Just not for me.
Aside from the Wifi, I don't care much about GPS myself, this thing is ridiculous awesome. It has serious power decodes 1080p mkvs no problem, with ICS the stock video player does it even I love the tablet, the design is great, the performance is killer... The Wifi issues do suck though, I can;t wait till this actually gets resolved
http://online.wsj.com/article_email...12043639469540-lMyQjAxMTAyMDIwOTEyNDkyWj.html
good find. I can only see this as being positive for Android. plus Google store will likely be stocked up. some tablets won't be hard to find anymore. I'm sure Google would keep their online supplies stocked up. then this will also tie into Google wallet accounts. purchases made easy on Google online store through Google wallet.
Assuming this comes true, it confirms the obvious, that the laissez faire vendor adoption method has failed. Google needed to be more hands-on. Hopefully it'll be the first step in a process, as by itself, it isn't enough to win market share.
Much as I would like to get a decent $199 tab, selling widgets at a loss (or break-even) is not a winning strategy. Goog will have to cook up some magic jelly beans, then grow a beanstalk and climb out of the low-rent district. Apple the Jolly Giant is waiting at the top.
Exciting times!
dec. esryse
Ya im not disappointed by this
e.mote said:
Much as I would like to get a decent $199 tab, selling widgets at a loss (or break-even) is not a winning strategy. Goog will have to cook up some magic jelly beans, then grow a beanstalk and climb out of the low-rent district. Apple the Jolly Giant is waiting at the top.
Exciting times!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How can you say it's not a winning strategy? Razor blade manufacturers have been doing it for years--sell the razor at a loss, make it back big-time with the razors. Amazon is doing it with the Kindle, and I think Google could benefit significantly from doing it as well. They want to sell ads on mobile devices, and I'm sure they recognize that Apple would like to take this business away from them on iOS devices. And that's not to mention selling content via Google Play.
I think a subsidized tablet could help kick-start the Android tablet market in general. At the very least, it could convince developers that they should be investing in tablet-optimized apps, which is the one thing that's missing from the equation.
While this is good news and all, Google REALLY need to start trying to get developers into making good Android Tablet apps, we are getting close to an even keel on phone apps, but Android Tablet apps lag so far behind iPad it isnt even funny!
e.mote said:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577312043639469540.html
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Click to collapse
Google bought Motorola Mobility and would NEVER rely or use Asus to throw it's own name on their tablets. Google knows Asus tablets aren't up to par with quality and could never compete with Apple on quality. I'll buy a Google branded Moto tablet instantly cause it will be of high quality and defect free. I've used 3 ipad3's already and not one had ANY light bleed at all. Strangely every Asus tablet I've touched or used had some kind of light bleed. People do see the inferior products being used.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/nvidia-ceo-suggests-199-tegra-3-tablets-in-the-summer/
He's been saying that since last year... however, I also find it to be annoying.
Anyways, if Tegra 3 devices do hit $199 price, I can only imagine how crippled other aspects in the system specifications will look like.
Btw, this notion that if more "android tablets" are in the wild.. you will see more 3rd parties developing dedicated tablet apps due to the increased potential in profit/revenue.
However, if you look into smartphone market, it's not exactly true. You certainly see growth compared to when Android Market started, but if you compared to iOS app store... it's nothing to boast about considering that Android Smartphone (as a whole) leads the share in smartphone market over iPhone.
Simply put, Android users do not spend money on apps as much as iOS users. Until this TREND changes... you won't see 3rd parties developing unique tablets apps for Android. Btw, Google's approach with unified "app" between tablet & smartphone doesn't help either.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/android-vs-iphone-economics-apps-160608285.html
>How can you say it's not a winning strategy? Razor blade manufacturers have been doing it for years...Amazon is doing it with the Kindle, and I think Google could benefit significantly from doing it as well. They want to sell ads on mobile devices
It's not a winning strategy because the razor-blade model is not yet proven on tablets. I haven't seen Amazon break out the champagne for the loads of profit from selling things through the Fire. Amazon is in a much better position to monetize from its tablet because a) it has more stuff to sell, not just ads, and b) the Fire is intentionally limited to get all its contents exclusively from Amazon. A Goog tablet won't have the same luxury, not if it were to be "open" as prior Nexus devices.
Fundamentally, it's not a winning strategy because you can't base a platform around the idea of pushing ads/wares into the user's face. Amazon is selling a portable kiosk. Google is trying to sell an entire mobile platform, and the platform has to succeed on its own merit, ie have an intrinsic worth. The rumored $199 tablet can only be a barebone, stripped down unit. It cannot compete with the incumbent iPad, nor with the more functional Win8 tablets when those appear.
I'd agree that it's a necessary stop-gap action. Goog needs to get enough devices out there so devs would develop for it. It's the same as what RIM is doing with Playbook. A $199 tab is also needed not to compete with Amazon, but prevent it from hijacking the Android platform.
The only winning strategy has to be based on the user experience, which in turn depends on the OS. Simply put, HC wasn't good enough. Based on what I've seen here of the Prime's update travails, ICS is still a beta. Fully 5 months after launch, the main improvements in 4.0.4 changelog still have the words "faster" and "more stable" and "fixes" in them. Fine for enthusiasts, not so fine for Joe Blow.
You can make it good, or you can make it cheap. Android failed on the first, so it needed to resort to the second. But the long-term solution is still to make it good.
The more tablets they spew out, the more work it takes for devs to port/update apps for that specific tablet. When the TFP came out a bunch of games didn't work (Dead Space, Gameloft, etc) and they had to take time to port it. How big of the market share do you think the TFP represents 1%? Then tmw some ABCD tablet is gonna come out and they will have to port for that again. I read somewhere that interest for Android tab delopment is actually declining unlike the smartphone market. They better get their stuff together before W8 hits.
^^^
Same thing goes for accessories...
Modded by MBOK
What Google could hopefully do is to subsidize them a bit. While we pay our 400-700€ for a tablet most of the "normal" consumer won't and most people I also won't recommend such an expensive device for the few things they would do with it.
Tablet market in general is still very small and even Apple has just a little tiny piece of it. To get it attractive for the "normal" users they have to be around 200€/$ max and Google hopefully can do that.
MysteriousDiary said:
What Google could hopefully do is to subsidize them a bit. While we pay our 400-700€ for a tablet most of the "normal" consumer won't and most people I also won't recommend such an expensive device for the few things they would do with it.
Tablet market in general is still very small and even Apple has just a little tiny piece of it. To get it attractive for the "normal" users they have to be around 200€/$ max and Google hopefully can do that.
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Click to collapse
I dont think pricing them cheaper is gonna do a whole lot anymore. You have the iPad 2 setting the upper bar at 400 and the iPad 3 setting the absolute highest at 500 then you have the Fire setting the low bar at 200. All other tablets are stuck in the 300 area or is forced to compete with the iPad head on. And you bet 99% of consumers are gonna ask why they would want to pay more for an Android tab when they can get an iPad for cheaper.
The problem is that they need more devs on Android. How many times do we have to wait for iOS apps to hopefully be ported over. When does it ever happen the other way around?
Well there are great Android Apps who are not available for iOS. I'm always wondering why people look at iOS apps and want the exact same instead of looking what Android has to get the same job done. It's about getting the things done people want to do on their tablet - doesn't matter if the app is called a or b. Especially since ICS more and more Apps also have a native Tablet UI - thanks to the fragments. On the other side iOS still is like a stretched phone OS with it's 4x4(5) grid - even on a big tablet.
The new iPad doesn't sell well too. The sells of it are much worser than Apple seems to have expected and the workers in Foxconn got already "just" 4 day weeks and holiday because of the reduced iPad production. They also switched some production lines to other products because of the less demand in new iPads. Even the chinese sellers in blackmarket are sitting on their new iPads and can barely sell them.
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1102&MainCatID&id=20120328000090
And while maybe about 50% of people have a SmartPhone it's maybe less than 10% or 5% for tablets. We're still far away from a bit tablet boom. For most usecases the current ones were just too expensive - those are tablets for us...the geeks. Kindle Fire is just available in the US and not all want a tablet where you barely can see and feel the Android underneath it.
I still believe in a big success of a good 199$ Tablet from Google/ASUS. It's also the perfect price range for birthday gifts.
>http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1102&MainCatID&id=20120328000090
Good anecdotal piece. It's a bit too soon to determine iPad sales, but there are caution flags out (also anecdote-based).
http://blogs.barrons.com/techtrader...s-avoid-shares-till-fyq2-ipad-sales-play-out/
>I still believe in a big success of a good 199$ Tablet from Google/ASUS.
Assuming a bit better specs than Fire, it should be a best-seller. By itself, it may well jump-start Android tab adoption/development, especially as iPad & Win8 won't be in this price range. Then again, Apple may well release the rumored $300 miniPad in 2H to put a choke hold on Android.
In that same vein, Acer & Co, masters of the cheap netbooks, may want to repeat their fortune with cheap Win8 tabs. The sticking point here is Win8's 1366x768 min res, which would preclude Win8 from cheap 7" units.
Going down the line, I can't imagine Amazon will sit still for Google to eat its lunch. We may well see a $149 Fire yet.
How low can they go?
MysteriousDiary said:
Well there are great Android Apps who are not available for iOS. I'm always wondering why people look at iOS apps and want the exact same instead of looking what Android has to get the same job done. It's about getting the things done people want to do on their tablet - doesn't matter if the app is called a or b. Especially since ICS more and more Apps also have a native Tablet UI - thanks to the fragments. On the other side iOS still is like a stretched phone OS with it's 4x4(5) grid - even on a big tablet.
The new iPad doesn't sell well too. The sells of it are much worser than Apple seems to have expected and the workers in Foxconn got already "just" 4 day weeks and holiday because of the reduced iPad production. They also switched some production lines to other products because of the less demand in new iPads. Even the chinese sellers in blackmarket are sitting on their new iPads and can barely sell them.
http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?cid=1102&MainCatID&id=20120328000090
And while maybe about 50% of people have a SmartPhone it's maybe less than 10% or 5% for tablets. We're still far away from a bit tablet boom. For most usecases the current ones were just too expensive - those are tablets for us...the geeks. Kindle Fire is just available in the US and not all want a tablet where you barely can see and feel the Android underneath it.
I still believe in a big success of a good 199$ Tablet from Google/ASUS. It's also the perfect price range for birthday gifts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the shocking revelation, to me, on current Ipad sales. I love it..lol. seems like all the current issues with it and not really being an upgrade from ipad2 is hurting sales dramatically. Steve is rolling over in his grave over this latest Ipad. I hope this is the beginning of the downfall of apple. All that national
ITS LIKE THEY SAY, WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN. Apple has no where else to go but down. Seems like people realizing there are more choices in tablets other than Ipad.
MysteriousDiary said:
The new iPad doesn't sell well too. The sells of it are much worser than Apple seems to have expected and the workers in Foxconn got already "just" 4 day weeks and holiday because of the reduced iPad production. They also switched some production lines to other products because of the less demand in new iPads. Even the chinese sellers in blackmarket are sitting on their new iPads and can barely sell them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the iPad 3 isn't selling well then Android is selling at all. Because Apple sold 25% of the tablets Android ever sold in just 3 days. The lower workload and blackmarket sellers not being able to resell iPads could just be because Apple was better prepared compared to their iPad 2 launch (ie having preorders for the 3). Apple learned unlike ASUS did going from OG TF to the TFP.
You know news sites love to make controversies and because people will read anything related to Apple. Take the heat problem for example, there was all the controversy but then they found out that its not even that much hotter to other tablets.
xGary said:
If the iPad 3 isn't selling well then Android is selling at all. Because Apple sold 25% of the tablets Android ever sold in just 3 days. The lower workload and blackmarket sellers not being able to resell iPads could just be because Apple was better prepared compared to their iPad 2 launch (ie having preorders for the 3). Apple learned unlike ASUS did going from OG TF to the TFP.
You know news sites love to make controversies and because people will read anything related to Apple. Take the heat problem for example, there was all the controversy but then they found out that its not even that much hotter to other tablets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so the tens of thousands of ipads throwing up Shutting down due to overheating is controversy? especially since its well documented on apple forums and ipadforums.net, which is the largest Ipad forums. it wasn't controversies, that's a real issue with the new Ipad which got national television coverage on it in less than a week of its launch. that's one of the main reasons Ipad sales have halted. along with ipad2 users seeing no real benefits into upgrading. everyone totes it not as a real upgrade. more comparable to b.s. iPhone in-between builds. next Ipad to release will be the true upgrade to ipad2. current latest release is more like the ipad2S.
demandarin said:
so the tens of thousands of ipads throwing up Shutting down due to overheating is controversy? especially since its well documented on apple forums and ipadforums.net, which is the largest Ipad forums. it wasn't controversies, that's a real issue with the new Ipad which got national television coverage on it in less than a week of its launch. that's one of the main reasons Ipad sales have halted. along with ipad2 users seeing no real benefits into upgrading. everyone totes it not as a real upgrade. more comparable to b.s. iPhone in-between builds. next Ipad to release will be the true upgrade to ipad2. current latest release is more like the ipad2S.
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Click to collapse
I did not see where tens of thousands of iPads shutting down due to overheating happen. Look on the iPad 3 section on the iPadForums right now. How many threads do you see with people complaining about heat? I looked through 4 pages and the only thread I saw about heat was someone asking if there was indeed a heat problem and people replying that it does get a little warmer but nothing crazy. It is an electronic, it gets warm. My TFP got hot when I played an hour of Dungeon Defender. Does the iPad get hotter? Probably. Do I notice it? No.
And Apple is set to release once a year. It is their schedule that they will stick to. People can't expect Apple to make a major breakthrough like the iPhone and iPad every year. They will make huge breakthroughs but just not every year. A lot of Android devices get crappy upgrades between versions and no one cries about it. Maybe for once there could be a huge breakthrough from Android and Apple will follow that. Why must it always be the other way around?
Interesting article on Why the Google store selling tablets online would succeed.
http://www.extremetech.com/electron...iled&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
Hey I was just wondering what everyone's opinions were on the Nexus 9. I need a tablet to use just for watching Youtube, browsing the web, reading in bed and streaming to my Chromecast often. I've heard quite a few complaints about the device and it's definitely not cheap so just wondering what people think of it? I'm also wondering if there's any other tablets around the corner I should wait for instead? Thanks!
That's a no from me. Despite my gut feel that the tablet has the potential to be the champ, it is virtually unusable for me without suffering considerable frustration. I also think it has been a flop sales wise and that this is one google regrets. Of all my nexus devices, this is the one which needed 5.1 the most and will be the last, by a fair margin, to get it. And who knows when that will be?
I've heard great things about the shield, that's where I would be looking.
Merfurial said:
That's a no from me. Despite my gut feel that the tablet has the potential to be the champ, it is virtually unusable for me without suffering considerable frustration. I also think it has been a flop sales wise and that this is one google regrets. Of all my nexus devices, this is the one which needed 5.1 the most and will be the last, by a fair margin, to get it. And who knows when that will be?
I've heard great things about the shield, that's where I would be looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with this, even about the Nvidia Shield part. I've lost track of when the 2015 Shield is coming out, but that will be a good buy. Even my 2013 Wifi Nexus 7 performs better than the N9
I say yes
Merfurial said:
That's a no from me. Despite my gut feel that the tablet has the potential to be the champ, it is virtually unusable for me without suffering considerable frustration. I also think it has been a flop sales wise and that this is one google regrets. Of all my nexus devices, this is the one which needed 5.1 the most and will be the last, by a fair margin, to get it. And who knows when that will be?
I've heard great things about the shield, that's where I would be looking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree with this 100%.
Wait until 5.1 drops for the N9 before making a decision. It will either make it the great tablet it has the potential to be, or confirm it as the lemon that it is now.
Regards,
Dave
It's hard to say, folks' experiences seem to vary so widely.
I've had mine since slightly after launch. I use it for remoting in to my work network, listening/playing music, browsing forums, web browsing, and light gaming. I don't experience the problems that some report here -- except, if I have multiple chrome tabs open or switch away from chrome and then go back, I do experience excessive web page reloading/refreshing. But no overheating, no lag, etc. Not sure if it is luck of draw in terms of hardware, app selection, or what.
I get about 7-8 hours battery life with mixed use. I am bone stock in terms of rom, kernel, etc. I haven't even rooted it.
I would say read through the "post here if you love your nexus 9" and "5.1 rolling out now?" threads in the N9 General subforum. You will get a good sense of the positive and negative viewpoints.
Bottom line for me is that I would buy it again if I had the choice to make again.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Forum Fiend v1.3.2.
I have already rooted my Nexus 9, but when it was on stock I didn't have any performance issues like with other people. It was very fast, faster than any Android device I've used up to now. After rooting I lowered the speed to 1.3GHz & it still flies in the games I use.
The 9 is much better for reading than my Kindle Fire thanks to the high resolution, which makes reading less of a chore. Also android now has PowerPoint & Word, making my N9 even more usable as a replacement for my ultrabook.
Overall, my only regret is choosing the 16GB over the 32GB because it only has 11GB free.
Sent From Capsule Corp.
My problem with the Shield tablet and why I was looking at the Nexus 9 was the size. To me the size of the N9 is big enough that it fills a void that my phone can't. The Shield seems awesome and I'd get it hands-down but it's screen size is small enough that it's not really a tablet in my eyes..it's like a huge phone if that makes sense?
There's not a major size difference. I have seen the HP Stream 8 in person & found that it's usable as a Windows device.
9 - 9 x 6.05 x .31
Shield - 8.8 x 5 x .36
Also the shield has some advantages like OpenGL 4.x, direct stylus, GRID, and no DCO issues.
Sent From Capsule Corp.
There is such an enormous gulf between those with good and bad experiences. When people tell me they love their nexus 9 I am left scratching my head. The thing is a dud for me, certainly I get better performance from my nexus 7s (2012 + 2013). I feel had that I paid so much for a device which seems solid when you pick it up but is a disaster when you use it. Whether you're in one camp or another, Google had paid it almost no attention in five months, that's ominous in my books. Buyer beware.
Merfurial said:
There is such an enormous gulf between those with good and bad experiences. When people tell me they love their nexus 9 I am left scratching my head. The thing is a dud for me, certainly I get better performance from my nexus 7s (2012 + 2013). I feel had that I paid so much for a device which seems solid when you pick it up but is a disaster when you use it. Whether you're in one camp or another, Google had paid it almost no attention in five months, that's ominous in my books. Buyer beware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I definitely will heed your advice. I feel like it was almost a testbench on how a 64bit architecture would work with Android.. I just don't even understand how it can be so expensive for the experience the vast majority of people are having. To me a tablet of that price should just work and be an excellent experience.
Its not perfect
Its not perfect but still new, Still has some bugs. I came from an Aus Transformer infinity t700,
nice screen, but with only 1 gig of ram, and slow tegra3. it was much larger than my nexus 9.
to me the nexus 9 is the best tablet I had in a really long time, it does have its issues, but hopefully they will be fixed soon with software updates.
jami1 said:
Its not perfect but still new, Still has some bugs. I came from an Aus Transformer infinity t700,
nice screen, but with only 1 gig of ram, and slow tegra3. it was much larger than my nexus 9.
to me the nexus 9 is the best tablet I had in a really long time, it does have its issues, but hopefully they will be fixed soon with software updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem with this is a $530 32GB tablet shouldn't need a software update or have "some issues." My family has iPads and I used to have one years ago and have never seen a single issue with any of them.
Hendrycks said:
My problem with this is a $530 32GB tablet shouldn't need a software update or have "some issues." My family has iPads and I used to have one years ago and have never seen a single issue with any of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
iOS is better with memory management, is minimalistic, and is meant for a very strict set of specs. All of them use some form of the Legendary Power VR SGX with 1-3 CPU cores max. They have likely optimized the heck out of their devices compared to Android manufacturers.
You could put 8 cores in an android device @10Ghz & watch it barely scrape past Apple's latest offering(s). I don't care for Apple, but it's hard to ignore how well made OSX & iOS are.
Sent From Capsule Corp.
The Nexus 9 has been disappointing... It doesn't have a lot of features I'd ideally like to have: microSD, MHL/HDMI, and Miracast being the main examples. And battery life isn't great. I'd forgive those if it was really fast/responsive, and if we stayed on the bleeding-edge with Android updates. Neither of those is true. Also, while it's a good value for high-end tablet, it's not a great value like the Nexus 7 tablets were.
That being said, I think all the Android tablets right now have some fatal flaws. I'm not sure I would pick anything else over the Nexus 9. There's a fair bit to like about the Nexus 9- the screen and speakers being two examples. But if I didn't need a tablet, I'd probably hold off for now. Or, quite frankly, I'd probably more seriously consider shelling out the extra cash for a Surface Pro 3.
letsief said:
That being said, I think all the Android tablets right now have some fatal flaws. I'm not sure I would pick anything else over the Nexus 9. There's a fair bit to like about the Nexus 9- the screen and speakers being two examples. But if I didn't need a tablet, I'd probably hold off for now. Or, quite frankly, I'd probably more seriously consider shelling out the extra cash for a Surface Pro 3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Galaxy Tab S is a leaps and bounds above the Nexus 9 - I bought it after the N9, because I couldn't wait for Google to rectify the N9's short-comings.
Whilst the Tab S doesn't feel as premium as the N9, it is good, solid, hardware (exceptional screen) and a viable software build.
If Google can fix the N9, I suspect the Tab S will end up on Ebay as I much prefer the N9 keyboard over the Tab S's, but at the moment it is no contest.
I have a Surface Pro 3 too - it is a fantastic machine and has completely replaced my MacBook Pro. However, a tablet it is not IMO - it's a touch screen PC with a detachable keyboard.
It's just too big to serve as a tablet (YMMV).
Regards,
Dave
I've gone through a lot of Nexus 9s. The answer for me is "maybe". Newer sand models are like a completely different tablet. They run cooler. There is essentially no backlight bleed. The back plates are now glued on so no more bouncy center or creaking . I don't have any lag and performance is great. Destroys my other devices. I can't compare to the old white models I had from Amazon because i never kept one for long enough (bleed, horrible buttons, bouncy backplate, or some other issue). Chrome reloading is the only software issue i have. The only remaining hardware issue is that the buttons are just mediocre. They work fine, but they just don't reflect the price. I returned a couple sand models for this reason which is why I have a good idea of the quality of these newer sand tablets.
Unfortunately the Sand models from Google Store are overpriced, and ordering a cheaper white or black model from Amazon doesn't guarantee good quality. I was able to get a $50 Google Play gift card so I'm happy for the price.
Hi All,
After much deliberation, I have bought the Mediapad M5 8.4 (wifi only) to replace a Nexus 7 2013 32G model (which i broke the screen while trying to fix usb port...)
WTF !!! this is NOT a TABLET !!!!! it seems it thinks its a oversized smartphone...
it might not be a big deal to some, but it gets annoying....
I will try to live with it for a bit, hopefully getting used to it...
BUT....
is there a way to make it a "tablet" (i know people sugessted other launchers, but these do not do the trick....)
Help me get this tablet back to being a tablet....or is it a pad...hmmm...... Huawei.... i bought a tablet...not a 8.4 inch phone that cannot even make calls !!!!
Thanks,
George
There's definitely some odd design choices. Specifically the odd button placement and the lack of the USB C video output.
But the caveat is who else is attempting premium level Android tablets in 2018?
Samsung and Huawei.
Potentially Xiaomi.
Maybe Asus and that's highly questionable (given their choices of internals).
The fact is that Android tablets are a dying breed. Even Apple's sales have dipped slightly year after year.
-----
But aside from Launchers (Nova, Apex, etc) and the ROMs section of this forum, there's not much else that can be done to circumvent an OEM's design choices.
My advice; if you're unhappy, return the product and look at something like a Galaxy Tab S2/S3 or Xiaomi MiPad 4.
Hmm, I bought this tablet in part because it was an oversized smartphone. Why have a separate phone, tablet, and laptop when I can basically combine them into one pocketable device? Huawei seems to be the only company really rallying around this mold of late, which I appreciate.
What exactly makes a smartphone vs a tablet? You can change DPI via Developer Options. One of the Open Kirin roms might help as well.
I also bought M5 8 LTE because it is a oversized phone, I used M2 8 LTE for 2 years and couldn't bee more pleased with the device, and made the upgrade to M5 8 so I get a faster and newer software, I just love this form factor and a big bonus with this is that I can make phone calls. All I one device for me
My guess is because they won't have to make changes uptading firmware, which is in my book better to have software support than getting few Android tablet features. This is the least of it's problems.
o_giorkos said:
is there a way to make it a "tablet" (i know people sugessted other launchers, but these do not do the trick....)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not the tablet's fault, rather it's the apps - or the app developers, to be precise.
When you build an Android App, you design and define layouts based on attributes of the device on which the app is running - or, as the case with many Android app developers these days, you don't! Therefore, without appropriate layouts defined for the resolution and ratio of the M5, you get what you see in a lot of apps: the M5 acts like a big fat phone.
However, you can find apps that work well: Crashlands is a game that gives you visibility of a large area of the map when played on the M5. Netflix looks brilliant, using the ratio and resolution of the display.
If there are particular apps that don't look good, contact the developers. Given the limited use of Andoird tablets these days, in relation to the number of phones, don't be suprised if the dev simply can't be arsed to build in layout support for what's effectively a "niche" device category.
mroshaw said:
It's not the tablet's fault, rather it's the apps - or the app developers, to be precise.
When you build an Android App, you design and define layouts based on attributes of the device on which the app is running - or, as the case with many Android app developers these days, you don't! Therefore, without appropriate layouts defined for the resolution and ratio of the M5, you get what you see in a lot of apps: the M5 acts like a big fat phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
if I undestand what you say, then my previous nexus 7 2013 , was 1920 x1200 = 1.6 Aspect Ratios
the mediapad me 8.4 is 2560x1600 = 1.6 aspect Ratio again...
also, re resolution on the mediapad is higher (which someone might guess its a bigger screen - ok..not necessarily ) !!!
then again...my moto g5 is 1920x1080 is still 'high' res, but a smartphone nevetheless... and it acts like a phone..like it should...
yet again...my lenovo tab a2 10 is 1920x1080 ..same res and aspec as my moto g5, but acts like a 'tablet' as it should
so...I don;t really see that this is the reason why is acting as a phone (I am saying this without any android app development knowledge as you do...so i might be completely wrong !!))
for example...chrome on nexus 7 has tabs and 'new' tab tabbi thing like a desktop version does...on media pad is like my motorola phone...no visible tabs... (i installed firefox but does not render pages as 'accurately' as chrome)....
gmail the same...i know its not a huge problem....but a problem nevertheless....oh boy do i miss my nexus 7 nice soft feel.... (im actually plannign on buying a used one ...again....)
anyways...thanks for the info !
Geoge
o_giorkos said:
Hi All,
After much deliberation, I have bought the Mediapad M5 8.4 (wifi only) to replace a Nexus 7 2013 32G model (which i broke the screen while trying to fix usb port...)
WTF !!! this is NOT a TABLET !!!!! it seems it thinks its a oversized smartphone...
it might not be a big deal to some, but it gets annoying....
I will try to live with it for a bit, hopefully getting used to it...
BUT....
is there a way to make it a "tablet" (i know people sugessted other launchers, but these do not do the trick....)
Help me get this tablet back to being a tablet....or is it a pad...hmmm...... Huawei.... i bought a tablet...not a 8.4 inch phone that cannot even make calls !!!!
Thanks,
George
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Since mine is not even 1 week old, I had not tried it with much apps yet, but at the moment, I am getting funny render from the Facebook app. It draws correctly in landscape mode but squeeze the person's profile done to the left while having full size normal suggested people on the right while in portrait mode. Not sure if it even knows if it is a phone or a tablet itself as:
a. things display correctly on my K1 Shield with FHD display
b. things display correctly on my Axon 7 with QHD display
---------- Post added at 04:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:20 PM ----------
mroshaw said:
It's not the tablet's fault, rather it's the apps - or the app developers, to be precise.
When you build an Android App, you design and define layouts based on attributes of the device on which the app is running - or, as the case with many Android app developers these days, you don't! Therefore, without appropriate layouts defined for the resolution and ratio of the M5, you get what you see in a lot of apps: the M5 acts like a big fat phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about who's fault is it but the same app (Facebook) "draws" correctly on my Axon 7 which has QHD display like the M5.
Some interesting reading on the Android Dev pages:
https://developer.android.com/training/multiscreen/screensizes
I've developed a couple of apps in the past and dealing with multiple devices, resolutions, DPI and ratios is an absolute nightmare! It's one of the reasons building for Apple devices is that much easier.
Writing this from the MediaPad itself. Heheheh
Things are getting bit better.... I can swear I tried this before but I didn't notice any difference... I was playing bit more with it tonight....
I have set display settings, view mode to small.....
And presto.... My chrome can show multiple tabs side by side now, Gmail behaviour like tablet.....
So go ahead guys and try it... It might solve some of your issues....
At least I can now give this "tablet" a second chance.....
George....
P. S still don't like the "premium" feel as people describe it.... Too shiny and slippy.... Where is my nexus rubbery surface??????
mroshaw said:
Some interesting reading on the Android Dev pages:
https://developer.android.com/training/multiscreen/screensizes
I've developed a couple of apps in the past and dealing with multiple devices, resolutions, DPI and ratios is an absolute nightmare! It's one of the reasons building for Apple devices is that much easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what u say... Even though I use android devices, I can see the mix and match problems they have.
But nevertheless, I tried to post this before but don't know why it doesn't show so I'm pasting it here... I have some better news
Writing this from the MediaPad itself. Heheheh
Things are getting bit better.... I can swear I tried this before but I didn't notice any difference... I was playing bit more with it tonight....
I have set display settings, view mode to small.....
And presto.... My chrome can show multiple tabs side by side now, Gmail behaviour like tablet.....
So go ahead guys and try it... It might solve some of your issues....
At least I can now give this "tablet" a second chance.....
George....
P. S still don't like the "premium" feel as people describe it.... Too shiny and slippy.... Where is my nexus rubbery surface??????
o_giorkos said:
Writing this from the MediaPad itself. Heheheh
Things are getting bit better.... I can swear I tried this before but I didn't notice any difference... I was playing bit more with it tonight....
I have set display settings, view mode to small.....
And presto.... My chrome can show multiple tabs side by side now, Gmail behaviour like tablet.....
So go ahead guys and try it... It might solve some of your issues....
At least I can now give this "tablet" a second chance.....
George....
P. S still don't like the "premium" feel as people describe it.... Too shiny and slippy.... Where is my nexus rubbery surface??????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK changing view mode works but made text kind of too small. Need to change text size upwards to large.
I just got the Huawei M5 8.4 (replacing Nvidia Shield Tablet) and didn't notice anything different about the Huawei M5 8.4 until I used the YouTube app which looks more like it does on my Xperia Z5 Premium the it did on the shield tablet. Specifically minimized videos looks absolutely bizarre, no matter whether if you're in landscape or portrait mode: they don't shrink correctly.
You can change the DPI in development settings and your apps will go into tablet mode. Oddly the back and task manager button are gone and once you reboot it will go back to the original DPI. I tried to get a bootloader unlock code from FunkyHuawei to install a treble ROM but they could not unlock it and gave me a refund after 14 days. All this and the lack of Bluetooth codecs made me return the tablet. For now I will stick with my 2015 Tab S2.