Would really like an Ipad, but...

[dre1507]

I'm really considering getting an ipad tomorrow. As far as processing power, feel, usability, and portability, is there anything else out there that could be considered on the same level or even better? i've seen some knock-off looking tablet stuff but i'm sure i wanna stay away from those. or do I? what do you guys think?

I would really like some input as i'm not just getting this to say: "i got one". This is for a mix of business and pleasure, but mostly business. That being said, i don't want to just dive in and buy one if there are possibly other things out there that may be better. I'm asking all you tech savvy people to please have a say.

[Razi]

An iPad is basically a large screen with iPod guts.
I'm sure other tablets are at least on that same level if not surpassing that type of processing power...

[dre1507]

excellent point razi. i guess i really didn't do much research, or if what i did could be called research at all. price is a huge limiting factor on this decision and i didn't think i'd be able to find other tablet pc's for around ipad pricing

[Red coupe]

Let me throw an assumption out here:
It is a cool looking toy, and you want to play.


Seriously, you say you want it mostly for business? For what? It has no keyboard and at best a limited browser. Unless some one makes an app perfect for you business, its basically going to be a portable internet screen that doesn't support flash and other functions of the internet. Not saying there are not uses... but if you are buying a tool for business what is the benefit of this over a more functional netbook?

You have not even researched the thing, you are only JUST starting by asking a forum... And you are strongly considering buying one tomorrow?
It looks one hell of a lot like an impulse buy of a cool looking item.
If you really want to buy a business tool, don't make the decision the night before. Read up on options for a week and buy later.

[dre1507]

thanks reddo. i was really looking for someone to talk me out of an impulse buy. I do want something that i can easily take around with me, that won't look too clunky. i admit i haven't done much that could justify as research. i know there are other tablets out there, but i made the assumption that all the rest were way more expensive the the ipad based on what i saw (not looked for). And it will be used for business, no bs there.

You have a point there about the netbook suggestion. seems that could possible be all i need. But i'll refer back to your "cool toy" statement. i would also like something cool-looking. is that too much to want? (honest question)

[Jesda]

Almost bought one at Best Buy yesterday. Was 450 for an open box return. I walked around the store for 10 minutes to think about it, and it was already gone. That's fine.

I'm waiting for Android tablets to come with hardware that isn't total trash, because its the perfect OS for that purpose.

[Jesda]

duplicate post

[dre1507]

i would love something of the sort (easily portable, not clunky, pc) soon. im gonna leave you guys alone and go dedicate a week (suggestion by red coupe) to researching the best buy. question. do i really need a week?

[Red coupe]

But i'll refer back to your "cool toy" statement. i would also like something cool-looking. is that too much to want? (honest question)

Depends on what you do, your budget and your vanity (lol, the word is used accurately though :P ) yes or no.

For most "work" stuff I do things need to work, work well and may as well be duct taped together if it does not impede use... Never enough money so any spent on shiny could have improved something else.

If you have to sell yourself to clients/sponsors/customers... Part of anything visible's function is to help improve their image of you.

If your spending otherwise personal money on items for you to use for business then it comes down to how much you want to spend and the value you put on aesthetics/image/reputation. However budgets are ALWAYS limited, and imo its pretty poor buisness sense to purchase semi-permanent equipment on trends.

thanks reddo. i was really looking for someone to talk me out of an impulse buy. I do want something that i can easily take around with me, that won't look too clunky. i admit i haven't done much that could justify as research. i know there are other tablets out there, but i made the assumption that all the rest were way more expensive the the ipad based on what i saw (not looked for). And it will be used for business, no bs there.

Why a tablet in the first place? does the touch screen actually improve its functionality? Keep in mind for simple tasks touchscreen are simple and intuitive, but for more drawn out usage they can be much slower to operate and more clunky in general.

What is this buisness use? Email stuff while away? If that is the case, wouldn't a smart phone of some sort let you be in touch with a device that is even MORE portable (more likely to be on, and on your person...serving its function)

[dre1507]

A good bit more than emails. touch keyboards have never really slowed me down unless the keys are small. And what you said about flash; i need it. It doesn't have to be a tablet really, i just think those are the slimmest and usually small enough to not be too much of a hassle to carry around. i really didn't give any thought to netbooks.

[Jesda]

Netbooks are already outdated thanks to CULV processors. You can get a 11-14" laptop thats about as light as a netbook with better battery life and more processing power for $350-$550.

http://tech.icrontic.com/news/intel-bul ... notebooks/

I get 5-8 hours on my SU2700-powered notebook running Windows 7. I do wish it was as small as the broken netbook (I dropped it) that it replaced. I might still get a netbook anyway so I have something to stick in my bike bag.

[f1seb]

I'm going to wait for a slightly bigger version of the Galaxy Tab, better than the iPad.

[Kompresshun]

From somebody that's been considering similar things, go for a netbook. I got an HTC Evo recently and it does everything I could need on the go but in phone form, but I wouldn't waste the money on a tablet for anything more than a cool toy. Netbooks are priced well and are very functional, have a real keyboard, and run a real OS. I almost purchased a netbook to use on the go and at home since I leave my laptop at the office now, I considered a tablet but I didn't see the point of carrying around a extra large iPhone or Android phone that can't make calls. Get the netbook IMHO.

[RCA]

What needs to be said in this thread has already been said.

Do your research before you drop $500 - $600. The only reasons I would buy an iPad is A) if it were incorporated in my job or school B) if I wanted the Apple experience. "A" doesn't apply and "B" ... It's a whole other thread...


Apple OSs are nice, Apple hardware sucks. There is a 10" Android tablet that sells for $250. Check that out.

[Otto.]

I agree. The netbook would probably be your best bet.

Apple OSs are nice, Apple hardware sucks.

I see it the other way around.

[nissangirl74]

Don't buy ANYTHING on impulse. Think about it for three days, should be ample time to talk yourself out of it.

[zerepdivad]

Get this........
http://cgi.ebay.com/Eken-M002-iPad-Clon ... 2eb00a1422

ha

[Jesda]

$140 is worth an impulse buy. I might buy it right now.

[Jesda]

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88331

REview of Eken M002. Sounds like throwaway. $140 is throwaway.

Unboxing video:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4871677/b ... tablet_pc/

[zerepdivad]

That's funny. I actually have and use a iphone clone. got it for 30 bucks off of ebay. My USB deck reads the music off of it, and the song titles and such, makes calls, text etc. touch screen leaves a bit to be desired though. well worth the 30 bucks.

[dre1507]

yea bex. that's why i came here. i knew somebody was gonna shoot down the impulse, because i couldn't do it myself. Thankfully that occurred. really want to make a decision before this Friday (last day off), so i guess i really need to do a lot more research.

The Eken M002 sounds nice....i'm going into "spend the least for the best it can get" mode.

[RCA]

Apple OSs are nice, Apple hardware sucks.

I see it the other way around.

I'd PM you to avoid cluttering up this thread but yeah...

[Jesda]

i'm going into "spend the least for the best it can get" mode.

Wait for a tablet running Android 2.1, then buy it.

[dre1507]

isn't there already one called the zenithink zt-180 with 2.1 aka ipad clone. it's hovering around the $200-$250 range.

[marlin29311]

http://www.archos.com/

They make some nice tablets/portable computing stuff.

[AppleBonker]

IMO, there isn't a tablet on the market that equals the iPad right now. A 7" Android tab just doesn't cut it for me. I see some excellent offerings in the near future, however.

Having said that (and as someone who owns an iPad), I would strongly recommend NOT buying one. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy my iPad, but it is definitely a luxury computing device. If you actually need to get some things done, the netbook is the way to go (or in that price range even a small laptop). My netbook gets far more usage than my iPad. Granted, there are certain situations where the iPad owns, but I think that may only be about 5-10% of my computing needs (and for the cost, I would say that would be hard to justify for anyone other than a retarded early adopter like myself). The iPad has a nice "Ooooh" factor, but it's not worth spending that money just for that. Just my two cents.

[RobPaulson]

i'd wait till the new one comes out at this point.

imo, if your going to a buy an apple product, do it on the date it is released. this way, you get a whole 365 days before they release a newer, better one.

[PoorManQ45]

Netbooks are already outdated thanks to CULV processors. You can get a 11-14" laptop thats about as light as a netbook with better battery life and more processing power for $350-$550.

http://tech.icrontic.com/news/intel-bul ... notebooks/

I get 5-8 hours on my SU2700-powered notebook running Windows 7. I do wish it was as small as the broken netbook (I dropped it) that it replaced. I might still get a netbook anyway so I have something to stick in my bike bag.

Yep, That's why I love the Latitude D430s. I've got three now. Two with the U7600 and one with the U7700. Battery life with a 9 cell brushes on 7 hours.

I picked all of them up for about $250 used with warranty left.

[Kompresshun]

The new Archos tablets are nice from the specs i'm seeing. They make a 10" version that has a 1ghz processor and runs Android 2.2 with flash support. Still no Android Marketplace support but you can still get apps for them, they claim this tablet is supposed to run around $250 when it's released soon. They also have quite a few other options that are all Android based products.

http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archo ... us&lang=en

Personally, if I really wanted a tablet that would be the way I would go for the money. I just can't justify a tablet personally though when I have a phone that has better specs and fits in my pocket.

[Jesda]

The new Archos tablets are nice from the specs i'm seeing. They make a 10" version that has a 1ghz processor and runs Android 2.2 with flash support.

Not as well made, but cheaper, and not available yet.