Let's discuss Android tablets.

Who's got one. Worth it or not. As good as a netbook? Is Android 3 that much better than 2.2 or even 2.1.

I've been temped by the e-readers, but I'm thinking I might as well go ahead and get a tablet instead.

The guy this weekend at the PDX had one running Trackmaster. It was down right cool.

My GPS in my truck is puking, I'm thinking of replacing it with the tablet.

Amaze me with your wisdom and thoughts on this matter.

Thanks.

BTW, the iPad is out. Still not an Apple fan due to their business model. Even if it is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

I have a Coby Kryos in my desk here @ work. As part of a paper-free initiative, some training material was sent to me on it in e-book format. Its a steaming pile of turd. Whatever you do, don't buy it or anything similar.

That's where my input ends - I'm not really a tablet (or netbook) guy.

The Android vs Apple device debate will never end.

The only answer is for you to go try both and decide.

I grew up on electronics and my personal opinion is that the Android operating system is not a finished product and isn't worthy for regular consumption. The only hype it recieves are from people who say something like, "It does everything the iPhone does and it's cheaper!"

Well, scissors cut skin and are cheaper than a surgeon wielding a scalpal, but does that mean you want someone whipping out the Fiskar's when it's time to give your wife a nose job?

not an apple fan - but no one has come close to the Ipad... I have tried the android 3.x software and its just way buggy compared to apples os. it amazes me that no one can come close..

I think this article hits the nail on the head at the moment.

fastEddie wrote: I think this article hits the nail on the head at the moment.

Pretty much.

People who haven't lived alongside Apple products don't really understand that the company is selling an experience, not hardware. The hardware is just the stuff that packages the experience.

The only Apple products I've ever owned are 68000-series Macs that I got 3 for a dollar at an auction. I'm cheap, and I'll never pay that much for the "experience".

That said, my wife does not share my illness, and she bought an iPad. I have used the iPad from time to time and I can honestly say it's great. I really don't think anyone should be thinking about buying a tablet and not be seriously considering the iPad. Buying anything else (i.e. less) is very likely to result in buyer's remorse.

Get a Nook color and use it as an e-Reader, then once you're used to it, root it and install the full version of Android.

Otherwise, buy an older iPad and enjoy it. Jailbreak it and you can do with it as you please.

I got a Galaxy Tab (Verizon) 1 week ago.

I will be paying the restocking fee to return the darned thing and get out of my contract. I can't stand it.

The touch screen is inaccurate enough that I can't type with it, but the biggest problem is that it is clearly designed as a tracking device/ time waster. It's also extremely good at being a huge pig on data consumption.

It is hard wired to maximize the connections to Verizon and their products and services. I changed the default home page 3 times only to have it redirect it to Verizon each time, had huge amounts of spam and junk mail/ messages as soon as I opened the account, and have Verizon pop-up ads and redirects with almost everything I do, some of which use false scare tactics advertising like, "Warning, you've overrun your data plan. Sign up for this or that service to make sure it doesn't happen again" (It was untrue).

In rural South GA, the service is pitiful enough that most of my time is spent watching the stupid machine download. In 1 week it consumed 6 times the data I had ever consumed in an entire month on my Blackberry data plan.

I am paying for a service designed to maximize the data returned to Verizon and Google, and is only good at bringing me advertising. What an enormous time waster.

It also sucks at managing multiple emails accounts. Oh, and did I say how horrible the mobile browser format is both on the device and the default versions on most websites? Too simplistic to actually get anything done at all.

It's a play toy for wealthy people who care nothing about their privacy and don't give a E36 M3 about getting any work done. I want my mobile device to increase my mobility and efficiency in doing business, not suck the lifeblood out of me.

I will happily pay money to have it out of my life forever.

If you get a droid tablet, unless you want to pay gobs, like SVreX, don't get one with a cellular company. Sounds like that one was also garbage. I love my android phone and use it all day at work to post here. The SlideIt typing application is a great time saver, but if you are doing any more typing than a thread post, You need something with a keyboard. A good laptop will run you the same amount of scrilla.

My biggest pet peeve about the iPhone/iPad is the lack of a "My Documents" or something similar.

Pete, the iPad is designed for storing documents on the "cloud" so they can leverage Google Docs, etc.

svrex, part of your issue is Verizon. They are atrocious at screwing with hardware they sell wi their custom settings, software, etc. All to make an extra buck off of you. Part of the reason the Apple devices worked so well was simply that they didn't allow the carriers to dictate many terms. So the look/feel was consistent to Apple's vision, versus what some carrier wanted.

I wouldn't bother with a 3G tablet, unless it is an iPad since they are a little better about managing your connection minutes. Stick with a Wifi only device and use a phone with hotspot capability if you need connectivity in the field.

I've got an android phone. It gets the job done with no fuss. When I need to do something nefarious, I just leave it at home.

I'm mostly looking for a largish screen I can use for navigation, minimal web surfing (GRM and a few supplier web sites), and storage of about 1000 pages of wiring diagrams and programing instructions as PDF files. Being able to run Trackmate and use it as a e-reader is just a bonus.

The iPad thing isn't happening. I don't care if they gold plate it and send a beautiful girl to run it for me, I don't buy their stuff. Yes it's unreasonable, I don't care. I don't like Hondas either.

I wouldn't bother getting a tablet then, just get a laptop or something.

Oh wait, Apple makes the only good laptops too. Darn.

turboswede wrote: Pete, the iPad is designed for storing documents on the "cloud" so they can leverage Google Docs, etc. svrex, part of your issue is Verizon. They are atrocious at screwing with hardware they sell wi their custom settings, software, etc. All to make an extra buck off of you. Part of the reason the Apple devices worked so well was simply that they didn't allow the carriers to dictate many terms. So the look/feel was consistent to Apple's vision, versus what some carrier wanted. I wouldn't bother with a 3G tablet, unless it is an iPad since they are a little better about managing your connection minutes. Stick with a Wifi only device and use a phone with hotspot capability if you need connectivity in the field.

I realize some of my problem was Verizon. That's why I made a point to identify them. You are completely correct. No other options where I live. So my choice will be to use a device they are less able to manipulate.

You singled out the iPad as being designed for the "cloud" to leverage Google Docs, etc., but you missed the fact that Google owns the Android, and everything Android based (tablets, etc) is designed to maximize the Googlverse. It goes way beyond the iPad. Google shares the responsibility with Verizon for the atrocities they are committing. It's an unholy alliance.

Note to Android users... New operating systems are much worse than old ones. If you are happy with your 2 or 3 year old Android, don't assume your next Android experience will be similar. I was extremely unhappy with the intrusiveness by design in the newer operating system.

Blackberry has like 15 current models in circulation. Verizon only makes 1 of those available in their stores or through their website. It the one that best meets the needs of Verizon.

my experience...

friends wife bought an Ipad... added the keyboard tried to make it as much of a super portable laptop as they could... after spending some time with my netbook they bought themselves a netbook (these people live in another country and travel A LOT)...

we got our netbook for $120 over a year ago... added a big battery (genuine 12 hr battery life)... it trotted though central america and europe... loaded it up with tons of movies and basic work tool programs... after many drops from inside bags and not it's still running strong but the hinges are pretty loose (actually they are busted inside the case)... and the cable to the screen is having issues causing white out screens... $15 cable should fix that... now that we're home and the net book is now showing issues we're talking about what next... our phones are mini tablets and thats what she uses most of the time just to check email and basic surfing...

I ended up picking up a great condition netbook with a bad battery for $50 the other day... but I'm still on the look for a decent and inexpensive tablet... after having a high tech phone I can understand the merit of a tablet...

i'm waiting/hoping for the next batch of cheap HP touchpads http://www.shopping.hp.com/go/touchpadfaqs

I use my phone for GPS and even with a proper mount a "proper" car GPS is going to do a lot better job... watch newegg and tigerdirect and they pop up cheap from time to time...

if the HP touchpad doesn't come again I may well jump for a nook color and root it...

I can't justify the Ipad due to cost alone... add that like an I phone i'd need to have itunes on my computer (akk)... but each to their own :)

One thing I like about Android is how everything is in the 'cloud.' It seems like Apple has seen the light and has started to make the push towards this method.

But the thing I like most about Android is competition. It keeps Apple making meaningful updates to their mobile platform. Without Android, the Apple mobile platform would be like a steamroller.

I hear android tablet and instantly think- torque dashboard!

I just want somebody's old droid phone to use as a minitablet sans network (use wifi only)

Almost all of the file based apps I use on my iPad have DropBox compatibility built in - in fact I can't think of one that doesn't. The only thing I load directly on the iPad thru iTunes are my ripped movies and tv shows for the VLC player app. And with Apple's iCloud service coming combined with what they already have (I can installed previously purchased or previously removed apps wirelessly whenever I want to from the App Store on the device) it's only going to get easier or better.

If I have to choose a devil to have more of my personal info, at this point I think Apple is the lesser of two evils compared to Google.