What appeals to me about the iPad is that I can handle it the way Capt. Kirk handled his PADDs. :) For me the touch screen is the make or break of the device, if I want a keyboard, I have my laptop. I love Android as an operating system, but the tablet hardware I've seen it running has come across as underpowered and overstressed performance wise to me.
For me, I'm looking for a multi-functional device obviously. My wife will use it differently than I do, as will my son. And use will be different in the car versus the house (I won't be using it at work). Being generally expandable versus "throw away" consumer electronics is important too.
And yep on the specs; the Android machines put out last year were under-powered and rushed to market by and large it seems. This year promises some better specs all the way around.
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...For me, I'm looking for a multi-functional device obviously. My wife will use it differently than I do, as will my son. And use will be different in the car versus the house (I won't be using it at work). Being generally expandable versus "throw away" consumer electronics is important too...
Is that due to the nature of your work?
I'm in the military, which is 99% Microsoft. Nonetheless, I've managed to use my iPad in virtually every situation, and have even delivered desk side briefings from it. I use it to take notes at meetings, draw concept sketches I can then email out during a meeting (saving an amazing amount of time because it allows my staff to work on output from a meeting before the meeting even ends).
The other day I finished an Operational Needs Statement (a type of letter asking for stuff) during the meeting, emailed it out, received a response and signature in the form of a PDF, showed it all to the boss before the end of the conference. Instead of trying this on a laptop (and government laptops are more trouble to carry away from a desk than they're worth; and with about two hours of battery life, that means carrying all the associated junk in the laptop bag), I did it all on an iPad, unobtrusively, with no click-clack of a keyboard, and no screen hiding me from everyone else at the table.
As to expandability, I think you have to ask what you want to expand and why. If expandability means changing out processors and adding USB 3, or new graphics chips and an HDMI port, then I would ask that you consider the idea of the result of those types of physical expansions and changes realized as software and applications. If you want a word document to open faster, you may not need a different processor, just a different way in which the application activates and operates--which may be realized via software. If you want to add a faster way to immediately connect with and download or upload information, so you might want to add a USB 3 port, that same function may be realized as a new application which utilizes wifi and packaged data bursts allowing you to transfer files just as fast or faster, but without a physical connection.
I work for the government as well (Division Director in the VA, about 20 hrs/week are FAR-related activities) and there's no chance an iPad, or any tablet, will be in general use there for probably 2+ years outside specific medical center applications considering how long it takes to evaluate technology for use. Now, my GFE laptop is actually pretty spiffy, goes with me pretty much everywhere, and I can get 3-4 hours of life out of it generally. So, I use it for work needs. With our requirements for data encryption and PKI (and restrictions on WiFi usage), there's no way I'd ever work on a procurement doc on a personal device. I need connection to our enterprise Exchange server, SharePoint, LiveMeeting, etc. as well. Thus, using a tablet at work for anything other than taking notes is pretty much out of the question
So, the tablet for me is purely a personal device, and specifically it's got to serve triple duty between me, my wife, and my son. He'll play games on it during trips, she'll check email/FaceBook and upload photos, and I'll do anything I can get Android to handle for supporting my Pathfinder games.
For expansion, I'm not looking to modify the hardware--I want the best array of hardware possible at a given price-point and have it allow for general plug-and-play expansion. So a device with on-board USB is preferable to requiring a dock. Similarly, a device that can take an SD/microSD card for memory is preferable to locked-in memory in the device (same reason I've never bought an iPod--my Sansa Clip+ costs $40 and can take microSD). Having an HDMI out port on the device hits a lot of our media/entertainment needs. I absolutely refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for a device that will outlive it's usefulness in 1-2 years. So, with the Adam, I get USB, microSD, HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. all for under $400. So far it's the best thing going for my criteria...
Now, I will say I used to be a Mac fan. Out of college I actually had a PowerMac 9500 and it was great. Somewhere along the way, though, the company lost me in their price point versus actual delivered functionality/features.
Oh, and Notion Ink announced Saturday they've gotten their FCC numbers, so my Adam should be shipping this week!
i'll stick to my eeepc.
I would really dig an Ipad, but the no-usb thing is a dealbreaker.
Would love to see more devices of this sort offered in a wifi-only version, or at least make the 3G optional pay-as-you-go. I've heard that Verizon will offer their tablets with the latter option, but who knows what the reality will be.
The WiFi-only option was definitely a big draw for me with the Adam. I wouldn't expect the big carriers to push these (at least not at what I'd consider a good price point), however, since the primary money-maker on a lot of hand-held devices is the data plan.
I did check out the gTablet, but the specs were a little under next to the comparably priced Adam. Now, of course to get on board with the Adam you have to be okay with a start-up company and I readily acknowledge some risk there. Si, it's sort of like "paying" for more stuff by accepting the risk that the company won't make it (ViewSonic, of course, is pretty solid in the multimedia/display industry).
I'll get to see if my trust was warranted in a few days, however, as I got my shipping confirmation this week and my box is currently in Hong Kong haded my way.
So do any of these pads have a good drawing app? I'd love a stylus sketch tool so I could actually DRAW on the thing (or modify in photoshop and not have to use a mouse!)
So do any of these pads have a good drawing app? I'd love a stylus sketch tool so I could actually DRAW on the thing (or modify in photoshop and not have to use a mouse!)
They've talked about such for the Adam, but I want to see it/use it before I'll say it's good. It does support layers, which is cool (could be useful for quick game maps, using the HDMI port to shoot it out to an external monitor).
I look forward to your summary :)
I got my Adam! I'll say up front because I know it's the greatest interest--I side-loaded Aldiko (they provide a direct link to the installer), imported my entire Pathfinder collection (that's pretty much everything thanks to my charter subscriber status), and immediately had an entire virtual bookshelf full of glorious Pathfinder goodness! Of course, I wanted to stress test the thing so I went straight for the core rules PDF. It opened faster than my laptop, scrolls marvelously, and has one-touch access to the table of contents for quick jumps. It is a beautiful, beautiful thing! I tried a few other readers--ironically but not surprisingly the slowest was the actual Adobe app--and so far Aldiko ranks as the top contender for my needs on the Adam.
Now, with that said, I'll turn to the overall package. I got mine on Thursday and it pretty much sucked up the rest of my time that day. I already knew from reading about other folks' experiences that a update patch was coming to address some initial over the air (OTA) update glitches and other findings. So, I spent the ext two days messing around with things, finding out which apps (like Aldiko) I'd want to check out, but not planning to seriously test the Adam out until I got the patch. It arrived on Saturday, with very easy instructions for application. So, I updated the device, rebooted, and went straight into putting it through the paces. The buggy bits that had been reported--the GPS, mail accounts not working quite right, etc.--were all working fine after the update. I got my Gmail account synced up for mail, contacts, and calendar. I then side loaded the SlideMe app for access to their market, loaded Angry Birds for my son, added the YouVersion Bible app for my ministry needs, and loaded the Dolphin Browser HD for an alternate browser comparison (I'm still torn between it and the native browser). Finally, I put the Photoshop Express app on for photo editing (works great!), Flash Player 10.1 for web sites, and the YouTube app for native HD support. So far I haven't had any problems with any of these. Oh, and I loaded Shortyz Crossword app for my mother-in-law.
With these all working, I turned my attention to the now-functional GPS. The OsmAnd app that comes with the device does have the ability to download nice vector maps for tons of places, but I've found it a bit slow. So, I loaded Google Maps, Google Sky Map, and Google Earth. This is were I hit my first glitch, as the Google Earth app didn't play nice. It messed up several other apps, so I decided this would be a good time to try out a rebuild. I had saved all the .apk files (the app install files) to a microSD card and had no personal data not already synced to Google, so I used the update procedures to wipe the device and reload everything--it took under 15 minutes to get back to my exact same state as before Google Earth! Mind you, I think I could have simply reinstalled the corrupted apps but thought this was a good thing to check out. So, back to the mapping...Google Maps hums along marvelously, tracking my position very accurately and spitting out navigation routes just like I'd expect. The Sky Map similarly hums along and my wife was suitably impressed. As I understand it, the 5.1 release of Google Maps will even support off-line maps like OsmAnd but I haven't tried that out as yet.
The Adam itself is very nice in-hand. The rounded edge makes it easy to hold like a book or rest on my hands/lap without sliding down. I'm very happy with the picture quality (I've got the LCD version--no need for the PixelQi bit and I'd rather let that tech mature a bit more), though I will say applying the shipped screen protector was irritating. That bit won't ultimately matter as I've got a Skinomi TechSkin shipping in now. It can belt out tobyMac and The Dead Weather very nicely over the speakers and I've got my Rhapsody account fully functional so my muisic options are huge. I've used my USB mouse, two USB drives, and a microSD card so far as plug ins. Oh, and plugging it directly into my laptop works great as well for file transfer. I haven't yet tried out the HDMI or Bluetooth features, but did rip one of our Phineas and Ferb DVDs to play an episode and it worked great.
Oh, I have noticed one oddity. The battery usage keeps showing Call Standby as the biggest drain--odd since this is a WiFi only unit with no 3g. I've tried turning on Airplane Mode to shut this down, but it hangs up. I've sent a tech support query in to check on this, but even with that I've not had to plug the device in at all during the day (I habitually plug all sorts of electronics in each night--part of my OCD traits).
I'm very pleased with the Adam...for $375 + shipping, it's doing absolutely everything I expected it to. Getting all these things working is probably a bit much for users that aren't comfortable with technology/gadgets, so I definitely think they'll need either Android Market loaded before going full retail or else partner with another source (like Slide Me) for getting apps if their own Genesis market isn't open.
So, there it is. Let me know if you've got any other questions!
EDIT: Oh, and Good eReader has been very handy for finding lots of info on the apps I needed.
erian_7, thanks for the post and the detailed follow-up.
I'm pleased your Adam's working out so well for you, and you found the Good e-Reader link of use.
I visited notionink's website, and couldn't find any place to actually check pricing or place an order. I'm guessing you participated in one of pre-order programs?
Thanks again for your time.
-- Andy
Yep, I was in the first round of pre-orders. The second round is going on now, but you need an invite as they still have limited capacity.
Prices are:
- LCD + WiFI - $375
- LCD + 3g and WiFI - $425
- PixelQi + WiFI - $499
- PixelQi + 3g and WiFI - $550
That's funny. I always considered the PowerMac era of that time to be the low point in Apple design especialy in the consumer as opposed to pro market. It's actually more recently that Apple has become competitive with other topflight makers as far as computing power per dollar ratio. And being number 3 behind HP and Dell for desktops isn't bad. At the moment they are about 10 percent market share which is the best they've been since the Apple 2 era. In the overall computer market they're at 20 percent.
Now, I will say I used to be a Mac fan. Out of college I actually had a PowerMac 9500 and it was great. Somewhere along the way, though, the...
The 9150 wasn't great, but I loved that 9500 (it was the 9500/200 model). Now, we had it for professional purposes in a start-up company so it definitely wasn't priced in the personal PC range. Macs definitely seemed to go down hill after that with the generic hardware usage (this was pre-return of Jobs, of course).
For their revitalization over the last several years, it's undeniable that they've done a stellar job at marketing their product, making a very easy UI, etc. and that has translated to a significant increase in their user base. However, as they've also become somewhat of a "status" item, their price to performance/function ratio has gone out of whack for my uses. For a music player, for example, I refuse to get an iPod with locked-in memory when I can get a Sansa Clip+ for $40 with a MicroSD slot.
I'm looking at upgrading to a tablet. This would be a big upgrade for me, since all I use now is an old Blackberry. I'd still have to keep something for calls--devolving to an old cell phone, probably--but I'll be able to upgrade my websurfing and gmail, and incorporate .pdf storage (Paizo .pdfs, mostly), Facebooking, catching up on TV shows, and some light word processing. I like the 7 inch screen more than the 10 inch screen for portability and utility.
I'm looking at the Galaxy Tab. Can anyone opine on whether it would be good for these things? I have no other Android experience, but it seemed pretty intuitive when I played with one at my local cell phone store.
There has been a Android Tablet with the NVidia Tegra 2 (Dual Core) processor for about 4 months and about 1/2 the price of most Ipads.
400 bucks, just search for Viewsonic G tab, there at Sears, and can be ordered from Amazon at a discount.
I own one and it's a great piece of hardware, and once it gets Android Honeycomb it will be about equal to the Xoom for 1/2 the price, and NO CONTRACT! :)
I don't do contracts on phones, why would I do them on a tablet?
You will hear the following negatives:
1. The Screen : While it's not as good as a Ipad's screen, it works well and to quote my friend upon seeing my tablet and telling him a lot of people said the screen was the worst part "I don't see what people are complaining about".
2. The Software (added on by Viewsonic) : While this is rather annoying when you first purchase the tablet because the released software add-on to the top of android sucks, looks like a childs toy and slowed down the tablet. But Viewsonic listening to there customers updated the software and allowed users to go to a more standard android look. Also there is custom roms (very standard for phones/tablets/etc, and I have been putting custom roms on my phones/tablets for good part of a decade) which make the tablet a man among boys when it comes to ANY tablet out right now for android.
So anyone looking for a tablet right now that works great for PDF's, surfing the web off WIFI (pfsrd!) and with a good power/price ratio should check it out.
This is atleast 1/3rd the price of the Xoom, and shares 80% or more of the same hardware (meaning updates will be easy at least for custom roms), doesn't need a contract or cellphone service and unlike the Xoom comes easily "unlockable" which is the same as "jailbreaking". The Xoom will be locked and will be hard to "break" for months most likely as Motorola has all ready said they don't care if customers want a open product, they will keep locking theirs down.
edit: Forgot to add the viewsonic has a USB port which lets you plug...
Could you please post a video of your G-Tablet going through the Core Rulebook or similarly graphic intensive pdf?
Are the pages viewable, without having to zoom in on each individual page?
How well does the G-Tablet perform under game session like circumstances? I.E. scanning for specific passages, or as a reference document?
What about when you have multiple books open, like say the Core, APG, Bestiary, and AP?
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Kind of like the way a Porsche almost catches up to an oldstyle Volkswagon Bug.Specwise the iPad 2 seems to almost have caught up to the Motorola Xoom, almost.Anything better?
iPad 2 maybe...
Just an opinion. :O)
Good anaology;
iPad2/Porsche - very pretty, goes fast, costs an arm and leg and when it breaks down it cost another arm and leg to fix.Xoom/old-style Volkswagon Bug - Reliable, dependable, hardly ever breaks down and when it does you can fix it yourself.
Hey, good to hear on my sheet working in DtG! I've been focused on keeping the sheet concise and cross-platform compatible and it's encouraging to her that work may pay off in tablet compatibility. Now I'll ahve to get DtG for my Adam!
Your setup sounds similar to what I've done--using one of my Launcher Pro screens as a Pathfinder page, with shortcuts to PDFs, sites, etc. arranged by category. I recently discovered Aldiko will allow a shortcut directly to the PDF, which is very nice. My Smart Shortcut solution looked really nice, but I found that it has some pretty big hits to system performance over time. The direct Aldiko links, however, are working great.
Friend of mine just rooted a Nook Color and put Android on it. Pretty good $250 tablet.
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Harmor, any idea of which version of Android your friend parked on her/is Nook?
-- Andy
I picked up a nook when it was on sale for 200. Right now Im running Nookie 2.2 as it seems to be the most stable. Once Cyanogen mod hits an RC for nook, ill switch over. Then, once Honeycomb ASOP hits, that will go on there. So far I love it. It takes 2-4 seconds to switch pages on the graphic intensive Paizo PDFs, but its useable. Really happy with the purchase.
Harmor, any idea of which version of Android your friend parked on her/is Nook?
-- Andy
Not sure...but he did tell me he followed the instructions on the Nook Devs website.
Yes, I can easily read the left or right column, though I have to "scroll" up and down on the page as viewing in "Landscape" instead of portrait. Now if you want to look at it in portrait mode your going to have to zoom in, though it's not a issue if you view in landscape.
Thanks for this I've been looking for a review someone putting pathfinders PDFs on a G-tablet for awhile. Do you have any photos of using pdfs in portrait mode?
Also if you don't mind and have flash working on the tablet can you tell me how marvel digital unlimited looks on it? They have a few free comics every week you should be able to try.
Thanks a ton Ice-Deep, I've been looking at a lot of different tablet options. How do you find the screen is on the G-Tab's? I understand the viewing angles are weak. What type of battery life are you getting with it?
Well after reading a ton about the G-tab, and trying out a xoom at the verizon store. I'm going to give the G-tab a try. A large part due the the crazy deal on it today over at woot. Thanks Ice_deep for all you help. I will try to put a post with my impressions of using it for role playing once I get it.
Well after reading a ton about the G-tab, and trying out a xoom at the verizon store. I'm going to give the G-tab a try. A large part due the the crazy deal on it today over at woot. Thanks Ice_deep for all you help. I will try to put a post with my impressions of using it for role playing once I get it.
$285 for the gTablet...wow. If you were in the market for a non-3G iPad this is really tempting.
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Well after reading a ton about the G-tab, and trying out a xoom at the verizon store. I'm going to give the G-tab a try. A large part due the the crazy deal on it today over at woot. Thanks Ice_deep for all you help. I will try to put a post with my impressions of using it for role playing once I get it.$285 for the gTablet...wow. If you were in the market for a non-3G iPad this is really tempting.
Nice comparisons.
But why do they compare it to a 3G model when the gTablet doesn't even have 3G on it? I can understand the comparison if it did but other wise it screams trying to inflate a price of the iPad to readers.
Of course I do have a WiFi only version 64 GB.
Sean