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wynterstark · 03-29-2011, 11:07 AM

I was thinking of investing in a new iPad, I'm such a tech junkie that I just can't resist the new toys. I thought that it might be fun to see what everyone else had to say about it. What I've heard has ranged wildly, all the way from "It's useless because it's basically an iPhone that you can't use to make calls" to "It's awesome, the best invention since toast." and even "Wait for Android, they'll be better."

Well, Android finally has a tablet but I'd love to know what the general populace thinks about these toys? What are the most awesome uses you've found? The best apps? The biggest flaws? I'm a huge fan of Android because I prefer the open source to Apple's attitude of "we own teh internets... forever" attitude but Apple does make a solid platform and an amazing interface. Help me decide!

Guest071613-2 · 03-29-2011, 11:24 AM

I have the iPad and I love it, but I find myself still using my laptop for the things the iPad won't do. I don't have the accessory pack so typing can be a pain in the ass on the touch screen. I can only watch streaming video from Netflix or YouTube but stuff like Java is not supported by iPad so that sucks, no chat, etc. Other than that, I love it. It's super fast, and easy to tote around.

Torito · 03-29-2011, 11:29 AM

Moved from Dallas Coed Discussions

johnnybax · 03-29-2011, 02:44 PM

iPad. I love mine and use it all day. It's fast, resolution is ridiculous and battery life is awesome!

johnnybax · 03-29-2011, 02:45 PM

Plus you can't go wrong with Apple.

wynterstark · 03-29-2011, 03:00 PM

Dannie, I tested out the touch screen with my typing skills and it's not too different from my netbook but it has the added advantage of being lighter and more portable with longer battery life. The no chat aspect is something that I hadn't thought about and it's definitely a drawback but I'm interested to see what everyone else says.

Johnnybax, you're right about the resolution and I will admit that it's fast. I don't know if I would swear by all Apple products across the board though, I was a little disappointed by how they handled the antenna issues with one of their last iPhone models. However, maybe they learned their lesson.

Does anyone own any of the Android tablets that have come out recently? I'd love some input on those too. Also, how durable is the iPad? Has anyone dropped, kicked, stepped on or otherwise mistreated their Apple? I've seen a lot of iPhones with broken screens and I'm a little worried about having a 500.00 paperweight. I'd say doorstop but it's too thin to serve that purpose.

Silent_Assassin · 03-29-2011, 04:09 PM

Try Lenovo Pad called LePad which of course uses Android OS but i just think its better than Xoom.

johnnybax · 03-29-2011, 04:22 PM

Search Amazon for "IPad Otterbox" and read the reviews. If your concerned about dropping it I would definitely consider the Otterbox.

EasyInAustin · 03-29-2011, 06:49 PM

Of those two, pick up a used iPad from someone who had to have the latest and greatest. There are about 5000 apps in the app store. I think Android has less than a tenth of that.

Personally I think it is a good time to hold off unless you just want a toy. The tablet market is just getting started.

Apple had the OS from their phone business and of course they have full computer OS as well. For now, an iPad is still as much phone as computer, but Apple hasd both technologies. Android is also a smart phone OS, unlike Apple Android does not come from a family where there is also already a big brother that represents a full, stable OS. They are having to grow Android some towards the computer OS end, and it is still very much under development in a new area and they have some problems, among others security issues.

The tablet market is still mostly iPad, for now. Apple also has a secondary market advantage on all the competition - there is a limited world capacity to manufacture the LCD displays in this size range, and Apple has mostly absorbed that supply. This is one of the reasons why some would like to see LG follow through with their intent (at least at one time, not sure the current status) to get directly into the tablet market.

But all these initial imbalances and limitations will level out. Also a lot of companies made the mistake of scrambling to try get basically an iPad knockoff out to market, and mostly wasted time and money when they were lot more than a day late and a dollar short. Now most have realized they missed that wave, and are now looking more at products that can be differentiated from the iPad. You will see more and more powerful units entering the market in similar form factors.

Chica Chaser · 03-29-2011, 10:04 PM

Whats the word on incorporating a phone into them? It has to have a cell signal for internet access right?

guest040711-1 · 03-29-2011, 10:08 PM

I sold my ipad and got the Mac Book Air 11 inch, it is slightly heavier than the ipad but way better IMO. I have itunes on a 500gig EHD and also keep private info there so if anyone picks up my Mac it is clean.

thx · 03-29-2011, 10:58 PM

I went the netbook route since I need to quickly type and access certain applications.

Also, see ipads and tabs in meetings as well.

There will be more than 50 million tablets manufactured this year.

TxToast · 03-29-2011, 11:16 PM

It all depends on what your perceived need is. For media consumption I think the ipad still has the edge. At this point neither platform has an active digitizer (like the E121) so you cant really use it for handwriting which is a surprisingly powerful tool (OneNote). I have a viewsonic G-tab thats been rooted and is running an aftermarket ROM (actually very easy to do). I've got logmein ignite loaded so i've got global access to my desktop as needed. I normally carry both the E121 and tablet on trips. Most of the time the E121 stays in the hotel (sometimes I just leave it at home).

While on paper both the ipad and android tablet are roughly even there is actually no comparison looking to the future. The ipad is a wonderful piece of hardware but is a totally locked down system. The android OS is evolving much more quickly and the hardware is "open"...within a few years android sales (and capabilities) will far outstrip anything apple can provide.

Within 5 years or so you'll see android replace windows as the worlds primary operating system...

R.M. · 03-29-2011, 11:17 PM

I just bought an IPad and it is something to get use to but I like it. I am saving for a Mac Pro book.

Guest040616 · 03-29-2011, 11:24 PM

I bought an iPad last fall and think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It has all of the great features of the iPhone without having to deal with the worst iPhone feature, that being the awful battery life.

I had been a BlackBerry user for years and was one of the first to buy the iPhone 4. I used it for 4 weeks and never liked the email capabilities or the battery life. When Apple announced that people could trade in their new iPhone 4 because of the glitch, I traded for a BlackBerry Torch and have never regretted it.

Now I have the best of both worlds. I have the excellent email capabilities and battery life of the Torch and the outstanding features of the iPad! That is about as good as it gets!