iPad vs Android

[blaargh]

Hi all!

We are considering getting a tablet and really can't decide between getting an iPad2 (at the cheaper price) and a Samsung Tab 10.1. Does anyone here use either of these - and if so... would you recommend either?

I am not particularly and apple or windows fan - and it is bloody hard to wade through all of the articles obviously written with a bias towards one or the other.

Basically I would choose one through ease of use, usefullness of the apps avaliable for each and general reliability.

Would appreciate any advice!!

 

[Portia]

What do you think is the main thing you'll use the tablet for? Angry Birds, cheating at trivia nights, streaming video from your computer...

 

[blaargh]

What do you think is the main thing you'll use the tablet for? Angry Birds, cheating at trivia nights, streaming video from your computer...

I get your point...

However, I travel alot for my work - and I think that it may be a good way to replicate a laptop (mine is just about cactus). Also, the cheap digital editions of the newspapers are an attractive propect - as are the kindle apps for cheaper books (I also have alot of time on trains).

EDIT: If you think that it is not a suitable substitution for a laptop it would be good to know that too... I don't need to do much word processing etc... just basic emails.

 

[Forzaport]

Depends on your budget and main uses. There's a handy laptop that splits into a tablet - I think it's an Asus.

I'm sure iPad or galaxy will serve your needs. If you're not fussed about nitty gritty specs get whichever is cheapest.

 

[Steve Dore]

Her indoors has an ASUS Transformer Prime. Very nice tablet and is powered by Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). It mainly gets used for web browsing and its support for Adobe Flash is where it beats the iPad hands down.

It is a Wi-Fi only model (no 3G) but when a wireless network is not available she can connect to the internet via her smartphone (which also runs Android).

The docking keyboard it comes standard with gives it a laptopesque configuration (and doubles the battery) but whether or not it is a suitable substitution for a laptop really depends on what you use your laptop for when you travel. If you just want to check emails and browse the web then it will probably do you.

BTW, iPad is hardware and Android is an operating system (software). The iPad runs Apple's iOS operating system.

 

[Phhht]

Her indoors has an ASUS Transformer Prime. Very nice tablet and is powered by Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). It mainly gets used for web browsing and its support for Adobe Flash is where it beats the iPad hands down.

It is a Wi-Fi only model (no 3G) but when a wireless network is not available she can connect to the internet via her smartphone (which also runs Android).

The docking keyboard it comes standard with gives it a laptopesque configuration (and doubles the battery) but whether or not it is a suitable substitution for a laptop really depends on what you use your laptop for when you travel. If you just want to check emails and browse the web then it will probably do you.

BTW, iPad is hardware and Android is an operating system (software). The iPad runs Apple's iOS operating system.

Yup wharfie is dead on - fairly important point to consider. Bloody stupid Apple and there gestapo nazi ss limitations.

There are ways around it but unless you are a techie you will find this limitation a pain in the @rse if you like viewing anything that relies on flash.

I have an iPad2 and also an Android smart phone. I personally prefer the Android OS.

You will find that there are a gazillion more apps for the iPad but I havent yet found one I couldnt find an Android equivalent for.

 

[blaargh]

BTW, iPad is hardware and Android is an operating system (software). The iPad runs Apple's iOS operating system.

my tech limitations are exposed in the thread title... and all time record

Thanks for the advice, the keyboard/battery sounds really useful - gonna have to check that one out.

 

[blaargh]

You will find that there are a gazillion more apps for the iPad but I havent yet found one I couldnt find an Android equivalent for.

That is good to hear - I did notice that there did not seem to be as many... but all of the 'useful' ones seemed to have equivalents.

And I am definitely not a techie...

 

[Natman]

Her indoors has an ASUS Transformer Prime. Very nice tablet and is powered by Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). It mainly gets used for web browsing and its support for Adobe Flash is where it beats the iPad hands down.

It is a Wi-Fi only model (no 3G) but when a wireless network is not available she can connect to the internet via her smartphone (which also runs Android).

The docking keyboard it comes standard with gives it a laptopesque configuration (and doubles the battery) but whether or not it is a suitable substitution for a laptop really depends on what you use your laptop for when you travel. If you just want to check emails and browse the web then it will probably do you.

BTW, iPad is hardware and Android is an operating system (software). The iPad runs Apple's iOS operating system.

Thanks for the info Wharfie - I am about to buy a tablet and the Transformer Prime was at the top of my list - you sound happy with the capabilities and performance.

 

[Shaxx Attaxx]

I have an ipad2 and a mate has a transformer. I had big plans on buying the keyboard for my iPad but I don't need it anymore, I find it easy just to hold it and type. The thing that turns me on about the prime is USB. For work I use numbers(excel) on my iPad but to transfer files I need to be connected the the net and a simple USB port would be so much easier. Big pro about the iPad is that if someone makes and app 99% of the time apple is the first and sometimes the only one who gets it.

 

[Del80659]

yeah the android is friendlier towards products you already have and use with windows, I have a 16gb usb I will use with the transformer prime, looks like a good buy, the best tablet available. a phone with a good internet plan will mean you have portable internet via tethering which means you're all set.

 

[Shaxx Attaxx]

I don't have a 3G iPad but I just use my phone as a hot spot and it goes fine. I have that many push notifications on it so it's probably for the best that I don't have a 3G one. At the end of the day they both have their pros and cons, there's no perfect tablet but these 2 would be the 2 to pick from.