Why I Just Dumped the iPad (Hint: Size Matters)
Like a surrogate child carried in the womb and then given to loving parents, I just sold the iPad I’ve owned for the last nine months. Don’t get me wrong; there’s much to admire about the iPad with its long battery life, touch-optimized user interface and support for thousands of excellent applications. The problem is that I simply don’t use it any more. Actually, let me re-phrase that; I stopped using the iPad about a month ago, after I bought a 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab running Google Android.
Before I even continue with the discussion on why I did this, let me pre-empt some assumptions by clarifying a few points:
- Apple is doing a phenomenal job with iOS in general and as someone who has used tablets of all kinds since 2004, I acknowledge that Apple has re-invented the tablet market.
- I bought my iPad at launch and couldn’t put it down when I was on the couch, in bed, etc. It’s a great sit-down device.
- I’m not suggesting Android is a better mobile operating system than iOS. Both have merits and challenges. Generally, I find iOS to provide a better user experience, although I think Android is slowly catching up.
- I’m also not leading any charge against the iPad or Apple here. I use an iMac, MacBook Air and 4th generation iPod touch in addition to an Android smartphone and Android tablet.
- I don’t assume my mobile computing needs are the same as yours. In fact, they’re likely not.
- The Galaxy Tab has plenty of room for improvement. Here’s a smart list of 50 items that ought to be incorporated into or fixed on future Tab models.
The Best Tablet Is the One You Have With You
The Tab is roughly the same size as, but thicker than Amazon’s Kindle, which ironically I sold when I got my iPad. Prior to iPad ownership, my Kindle would go everywhere with me because of its small size, light weight, stellar battery life and integrated connectivity. And I do mean everywhere: the device would fit in my jacket pocket or could be thrown — figuratively, not literally — in the car or in a gear bag. The Galaxy Tab offers me that same level of portability, while the iPad doesn’t.
Here’s a perfect example: I purchased the Tab on a weekend at the local T-Mobile store and my family wanted to hit the mall afterwards. I either carried the device in hand or placed it in my back jeans pocket while cruising the mall for hours. As my wife or daughter stopped to browse for clothes, I quickly whipped out the small tablet to manage email, web-surf, and watch YouTube videos. I wouldn’t have been able to do that with the iPad for one simple reason: the iPad wouldn’t have come with me on a trip to the mall in the first place.
If you look at the Tab and compare the screen size to the iPad, it’s easy to think there’s little difference between the two: one has a 7-inch display and one has a 9.7-inch display, right? But in actuality, the Galaxy Tab is half the size of an iPad (as shown below), making it far easier to tote around and use while standing or walking. As an aside: the difference in icon size is negligible and icons on my iPod touch are actually smaller than those of the Tab, so Apple’s “sandpaper down your fingers” to use a 7-inch tablet argument is a fallacy in my opinion.
Compromises Must Be Made
As I alluded earlier in this post, the iPad surely wins out on the breadth of application choices, media content availability and overall polish of the user interface. But it’s difficult to quantify that advantage. Is the iPad twice as good as the Tab or is it just a little better? Obviously, the answer will vary for each person, but after a month with the Tab, I find that what it lacks in functionality or ease-of-use is more than offset by the portability for me. And in some cases, the Tab has more functionality than the current iPad; it acts as a mobile hotspot to share the 3G data connection and can accept the microSD card filled with music from my smartphone, for example.
For my needs, both devices work perfectly fine for email, web surfing, occasional gaming, using social networks and other bite-sized activities that don’t require a full-blown desktop operating system. Yes, there are more apps for iOS and even when an app is available on both platforms, I often like the iOS version slightly more than its Android equivalent. But to think the Tab is unusable as compared to an iOS device is overstating the difference.
I’m willing to give up a smidge of usability or a wider array of software to gain the ability to easily use the device everywhere I go. It’s this very concept that makes the smartphone so enabling, regardless of make, model or platform: the ability to be connected everywhere is what’s driving the mobile revolution forward. In fact, I’m actually using my Android smartphone less as well. The Tab does all of the same things as my Nexus One, but on a larger, higher-resolution screen, making for a better overall experience.
What About the New Honeycomb Tablets?
It’s not likely I’ll jump on one of the new Honeycomb tablets coming soon, however. Android 3.0 looks great, but all the announced slates are still 10 inches in size, which means these devices will have the same limited use to me as my iPad. I’ll likely hold off until we see Honeycomb on smaller devices, which I don’t expect until mid-year at best. For the same reason, I can’t think of any feature of function that might get me interested in the next iPad either, although I reserve the right to change my mind: especially if Apple backtracks on its stated strategy and opts to offer a smaller iPad model. Yup, it’s doubtful, but I’m an optimist. Besides, this is the same company that said people don’t read books and then entered the market with iBooks.
Is Apple Missing a Market?
Again, what works for me may not work for you: I’m not suggesting everyone dump their iPads; I’m simply explaining my own decision making process to help you make your own. And aside from our own Darrell Etherington at the GigaOM Apple channel who tried, and then returned a Tab, I’ve heard from at least a dozen Tab owners who are also finding less use for the iPad (and other devices) based on the 7-inch form factor. Darrell’s experience with the Tab ironically made him realize that he wants a 7-inch iPad. I’m inclined to agree and would consider dumping my Tab if Apple were to sell such a device. It would be the best of both worlds, regardless of Steve Jobs’s insinuation that it will never happen.
Darrell’s sentiment highlights a key point I’m trying to make here: We often look at the features of a device, but I contend that form is just as much a feature as the CPU clock cycle or the amount of memory in a mobile device. Of course, you never know that until you try a new form factor to see how it fits in your lifestyle. I’m glad I did that with the Tab.
Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):
1. The Tab stutters when using the browser on pages like Engadget.
2. There are very few decent programs still for Android.
3. The Tab is about to be discontinued.
Why would you basically recommend it to people at this stage of it’s life cycle?
I just took two back to T-Mobile after a weeks usage. Even trying a custom ROM yielded so so results, not enough to keep them and they were buy one get one free at that.
Still waiting for something better to be released here.
“Why would you basically recommend it to people at this stage of it’s life cycle?”
Because it works for him. Also it is his personal opinion. How hard is that to understand?
There is nothing wrong to recommend people to look at the size of a device in combination with their needs before buying something.
Marc, it’s ManwellC’s opinion that the author is missing a few key details. How hard is that to understand?
If we’re all going to write, “Great Post”, then comments are pretty useless.
Manwell, good point in terms of browser performance; I find the iPad to be slightly better in a few cases. Engadget is a great example: it’s a very “heavy” page for mobile browsing. Using the DolphinHD browser on the Tab has helped – it does a better job than the Samsung customized browser IMO.
To your second point: no argument in the comparison of overall apps between iOS and Android – I stated that up front in the article quite clearly. Obviously, I find enough good apps to use the Tab (and a Nexus One), but as I said: all of us have different needs.
You sort of lost me on the third point because I haven’t recommended any product in this post. The article isn’t about a particular product, per se, but more about the size and portability of tablets. I thought that the intent of the article was pretty clear in that regard.
I have an iPad and my fiance has the Tab. His Tab renders pages much more quickly than my iPad. I love the iPad for the apps (specifically Netflix) but his Tab definitely performs better. Did you try the Opera browser?
I’m not sure why you feel that it’s future discontinuance precludes it from being a good choice. The second gen iPad is in the works. Does that mean we should avoid purchasing the iPad as well?
The fact that you think there are very few decent programs for Android makes me think your view might be a bit biased or that you are unfamiliar with the OS.
The Galaxy Tab is great for those who want a portable android tablet and don’t want to wait for the new tablets coming out (especially since they are priced quite a bit higher than the Tab). That’s why he recommended it.
I didn’t want portability, but I recently dumped my iPad also – because of APP FATIGUE. Too many apps are no beter than their web site version, which brings up the major iPad problem: lack of a good browser, rather than Mobile Safari! Other irritations included poor printing support.
I guess what I really want is touchscreen MacBook; the closest thing to that is a MacBook Air which I bought. Although the iPad is a great $500-700 computer, it is not enough.
Touchscreen MacBook = ARM FATIGUE. Also, what’s wrong with Mobile Safari? WebKit is great, and, if the app itself lacks features, go with a custom browser like Atomic or Perfect.
1. No Flash support. Granted, many Apple enthusiasts don’t want it, but other people do.
2. Terrible for blogging, since Mobile Safari can’t insert a cursor in WordPress’ WYSIWYG fields. You have to use the HTML tab. Even the WordPress iOS app forces you to write in HTML. I don’t have a problem with writing in HTML per se, but the iPad keyboard requires you to toggle layouts each time you need to access a special character, which is a pain considering the number of tags you have to type.
The iPad is fantastic for ebook reading and general purpose web browsing, but it’s clearly not optimized for production work.
Just as in any artform, most software is junk, but there are a lot of great apps.
On the browser side, Perfect Browser, Skyfire, Downloads HD and Atomic all offer features (like always visible tabs) not available in Safari. There are some great magazine apps like The Economist (which also includes audio versions) and The Wire. For video, Netflix, Hulu, ABC and PBS give you plenty to play with.
A lot of great music listening apps are “Universal” (i.e. optimized for iPhone, not iPad) but shouldn’t be ignored since they’re mostly used in the background or over Apple’s Airplay – MOG, Rdio, Pandora, etc are all fantastic.
And of course, games. Dead Space HD, Infinity Blade, Angry Birds, crossword apps… there’s tons of worthwhile, console-grade content.
I tried a 7″ Samsung Galaxy Tab, and came to the conclusion that a Windows 7 slate would work better for me. Getting the form factor right is not always enough if the device is still mostly useless.
http://lgponthemove.blogspot.com/2010/12/quick-look-samsung-galaxy-tab.html
Given that your needs are better met with a netbook over an iPad, I’m not surprised and totally respect that viewpoint. But you forgot two words in your second sentence: should have ended the “still mostly useless” with “for me.” Clearly the device isn’t mostly useless to the 1.5 million that have bought it, right? ;)
To your point though: I wished for a usable 7″ Windows slate since the 2006 Origami Project. That’s why I’ve spent around $3k on different Samsung UMPCs over the past several years. Sad those investments didn’t really pay off, although I did get some good use out the devices.
ditto. If Windows 7 was remotely fingerable and if there was a 1.5 slate, and if it would last 8-10 hours, I would be there. This might be our year tho.
Burn the witch!
Actually I’m very happy having both an iPad and and iPhone with no desire for an inbetweener.
Apple might still come out with a slightly larger iPod Touch if they want a piece of that smaller tablet market without admitting they were wrong.
Come to think of it, they never technically refer to the iPad as a “tablet,” do they?
Joe, I think many folks feel the same way: no desire for an inbetweener. But, after getting some solid time with the form factor, I’ve seen many change their mind. It’s a matter of not knowing you might want something until you actually try it. Not suggesting that playing with a Tab would change your mind, but it’s something to consider.
And I’m really starting to wonder if Apple will zig when everyone else is zagging, as they often do. All of the major players are focused on the 10″ space right now, which Apple clearly owns. Outing a 7″ Apple tablet would have them one step ahead of the competition again – aside from Samsung, that is, in terms of form factor. ;)
Using the Tab to write this comment…
Yes, it’s not as fluid as the iPad but size matters…I find it totally sufficient for my needs: browsing (any web site, flash, desktop or mobile version), email, texting via Google Voice, calling via Sipdroid or 3CX, navigation. It goes everywhere I go, including at the mall where I now have a pleasant experience. I would even venture to say that a 5″ Tab with the same resolution – 1024 x 768 – would be even better. So far I am extremely happy with the Tab.
Correction: 1024 x 600.
Good insights into the experience Mircea. I used to think a 5″ screen would be interesting, but there are plenty of 4″ and 4.3″ smartphones, so it doesn’t seem like a big enough jump for me in terms of improving the experience. On the other hand it’s a more pocketable device…. tough call!
Dell Streak is what you need. It has 5-inch display and WVGA resolution. I think WSVGA would be a bit too much for a mobile device even if you have 20/20 vision.
+1 for the Dell Streak….
Have had mine for a few months now and love it…very nice sharp 5″ display and very slim and trim, so, easily fits in a pants pocket, even with my Dell Streak wallet case on it…
Even better with DJ_Steve’s custom FroYo ROM’s that he updates on a very frequent basis….
Find the 5″ display is quite usable even with my ol’ eyes…
Check it out!
I can see your reasoning here, but I’m inclined to disagree.
For me, the iPad is a great device, as you said, for reading or browsing while lounging around the house. Mine doesn’t go with me when I just go “out” very often, if at all. But for me, the iPhone is more than enough in those instances.
I do, however, take my iPad with me on trips when I don’t want to lug along my Macbook.
Perhaps you’re right, and Apple is missing out on a market here, but I’m happy with just having my iPhone 4 and iPad with no in between. I don’t think the smaller Tab would be enough for me while at home and lounging, or in a hotel room; the main instances in which I use my iPad, so even if Apple did offer a similarly sized device, I wouldn’t own one.
And I’m not sure Apple would risk a smaller, cheaper device cannibalizing sales from the iPad.
Yup, it all depends on your needs / use cases / etc…. if the iPad and iPhone are working for you, then who’s to argue?
I am the exact same way. I love my iPad for around the house, casual, media consumption use. I rarely take it with me locally, but if I’m traveling it goes with me. And if I’m traveling far enough away, or for an extended period, then the MacBook Pro goes too. But out and about, around town, the iPhone is all I need.
Now I think Kevin was hinting at using the Tab in place of a smartphone. I could see that. Meaning get a cheap dumb phone, a Tab and a laptop. I do feel that having both the iPhone and the iPad is a bit redundant, which I guess may be why I rarely carry both out in public.
“Now I think Kevin was hinting at using the Tab in place of a smartphone. I could see that. Meaning get a cheap dumb phone, a Tab and a laptop. I do feel that having both the iPhone and the iPad is a bit redundant, which I guess may be why I rarely carry both out in public.”
Spot on – I’m trying a little experiment right now: put the SIM from my Nexus One in a basic phone and using the Tab for all “smartphone” activities. I’m also starting to install custom ROMs on the Tab, some of which enable voice calling. Problem is that they disable 3G data, so still a work in progress.
There is a smaller iPad available that I take everywhere with me. It’s called the iPhone.
Not for everyone. I went from a 3GS to an EVO (mainly because I needed a phone to make calls with and ATT was not cutting it for me) and I got used to the screen size. Now the iPhone’s screen is just too small for me. Again, it is personal preference, but I like a bigger screen than the iPhone currently has. And yes, I have older, focus challenged eyes!
Exactly! If I want portable, I take the phone. I was skeptical about buying the iPad after everyone saying “it’s just a big iPhone”, but after I got one, I found that is the very reason it is so fantastic! Even on a 7″ screen, reading books or watching movies seems like I’m squinting to watch one of those old “portable” TVs that were the size of a lunchbox with a 4″ screen. But with a screen that’s almost the size of a sheet of paper, I can comfortably do anything I like. I carry my iPad EVERYWHERE, and it has simply become an extension of myself, and the fact that I can’t put it in my pocket makes me give it the respect a $600 device deserves. Let me know when you sit on your Tab and have shards of shattered Gorilla Glass stuck in your butt!
I think folks are missing the point here, Kevin’s use case (and my own) is for a preference for the largest pocketable slate possible.
I love my iPad, but I’ve not brought it out of my house since I bought my Tab 9 weeks ago. I also use my smartphones differently, and less frequently, for anything except calls and music while on the move.
My experience is as follows
17″ MBP for photo and video editing, file management and large file creation.
iPad, with BT keyboard, for 1-3 day business trips, for document editing, large scale email management, powerpoint and other demos.
Tab for personal computing, social media, casual email, media consumption, web browsing.
Smartphones for calling, music and light email or social media when I can’t use the Tab.
YMMV
Bingo! You hit the jackpot in the first sentence IMO, and it sounds like our use cases are pretty similar. I use a 13″ MB Air for creating long form content / work and the Tab for consumption / light content creation (email, texts, social networking, etc….) which is nearly everything I used to use my smartphone for.
I bought a Tab for the same reason and it’s played out quite well. It does everything I need from a tablet, it plays Flash video so I can watch baseball and hockey games that are inaccessable to the iPad and it slips into a pocket of most of my pants which means it comes with me while the iPad continues to collect dust sitting at home on my desk. In addition, after using the Tab almost exclusively for the past couple of weeks, the iPad seems to weigh a TON. I haven’t sold the iPad yet because I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep the Galaxy Tab but I think the iPad’s end is inevitable here, the Tab is a clear winner because, as you wrote, the best tablet is the tablet you have with you.
I think you nailed it, Mark: the smaller tablet is toted along while the software / functionality benefits of the larger one become irrelevant at the time / place because you don’t have it with you.
I personally enjoy the form factor of my iPad and thought the Tab was too small. I do take my iPad with me almost everywhere and am glad to have the size it has when I need it. I have three cases to choose from so it can be taken with me easily. Man bags are cool!
If I didn’t bring my iPad somewhere I wouldn’t have brought a tab either, just my smartphone, which is a blackberry.
7 is too small to really get work done for me on the road, or anywhere outside of my office.
Lichmd- thats a ton of devices there! Wow
Completely understand – 7″ can be a little cramped if you’re looking for major mobile productivity. I prefer not to carry a bag with me, which is why the iPad started staying home – I figure if I’m going to carry a bag, I might as well put the MB Air in it at that point, but that’s just me.
Fascinating. I just did the opposite (or plan to anyway). I just sold by Tab to a buddy because I didn’t find it a big enough difference from my iPhone 4. The retina display on the iPhone really impresses me and it made me choose it when portability was key and so I didn’t bring the Tab along like you do. I’m hoping iPad 2 will be get the improved screen and then this will be my larger screen option when portability isn’t key.
P.S. It’s nice to be able to have a civil discussion and be able to like Apple and Android. Thanks for your balanced approach (even though I arrive at a different answer than you).
Interesting POV on the screen size difference between iPhone 4 and Tab – I have the 4th gen iPod touch (same screen as iPhone 4) and I find it small, but I prefer a larger screen. Would love to see Apple move to a 4″ screen although I could very well be in the minority on that.
Totally agree about keeping the convo civil. :) This ultimately isn’t about iOS vs Android and I’m glad folks realize that for the most part. Thanks!
Re: 4″ screen on an iPhone – Yes, me too!
I would really like a 4″ screen on the iPhone as well. I can manage a bit less pixel density.
I have to agree on the size, although I do not own a tablet for myself. Between the smartphone and a MacBook Air, I have all my bases covered. I got a Tab for my wife. The 7-inch size means it can fit in 11 of her 12 shoulder/handbags. A iPad would only fit in 2 out of 12.
Now if there was a 7-inch iPad, well that would be a much better choice than the Tab in my opinion. But there is none. The new 10-inch Android Tablets do not interest me either.
“Now if there was a 7-inch iPad, well that would be a much better choice than the Tab in my opinion”
I’d consider jumping ship from the Tab if that happens. Can’t argue with the simplicity, usability and developer support for iOS.
Hi, why do you think your choice is so interesting for other people, given your so special computing needs? Did you mean to say that there is only a very small market for the Galaxy Tab? If so, whom are you writing for? If not, your needs are not that special.
Huh? Which was the “special computing need” that I outlined in the article: email, web surfing, or social networking? ;)
How many people do you know that have an 10″ iPad? (Probably a bunch)
How many people do you know that have a 7″ Galaxy Tab? (Probably very few)
How many people do you know that have both and have lived with them on a daily basis for a month? (Probably nobody)
That’s why I wrote the article: to offer perspective between a 10″ tablet and a 7″ tablet that few others can provide. Use the information or don’t – that’s up to you.
I have to say this is why this article was good I think. You took experience of using both for a long time and discussed why the size made a difference to you.
That really can’t be argued with, just disagreed with.
I do disagree but that is just me! Ha
Well, it *can* be argued, but that would be silly: I can’t tell you what the best device is for you any more than you can say which is best for me. ;) Certainly can be disagreed upon though, and I’m fine with that. Thanks!
Kevin could’ve written either of two headlines:
1. Why You Should Dump the iPad
2. Why I Dumped the iPad
If he wrote for the likes of Gizmodo, he probably would’ve chosen the former and gotten twice as many pageviews and comments, but he chose to limit the scope of his argument to his personal experience to avoid being presumptuous. Not every tech writer insists on writing up opinions as fact.
I did it the other way around. I got both too, the iPad and the Galaxy Tab (GT), and I finally sold the GT. Reason? Size matter.
OK, GT with its 7″ screen is more likely to be in my jacket’s pocket. As a matter os fact I traveled as tourist with it. GPS, camera, access to Wikipedia while visiting the monumental sites. Great. I cannot do that with my iPad. Not without a backpack at least. And even in the case I carry it in a backpack I cannot find my self putting the iPad in and out of the backpack all the time.
Hmmmm… So let’s sell the iPad, right? Wrong. I own an smartphone too. Before having the GT I traveled with my smartphone. Got GPS, camera, wikipedia access while visiting monumental sites. And I don’t need a jacket to carry with it.
So size matter. Then… why I should carry a 7″ GT if I do the same with a 4″ smartphone… and in many cases that smartphone has the same operating system than the GT.
On the other hand I use the iPad at home and at work.
At home to read and answer my email while in the coach or bed. To post messages in forums or blog like this one. Have you ever try to type a long post in the GT? Really? What about the iPad? Is not far more comfortable?
At work when I’m in a meeting I type notes in my iPad. I tried the GT to do the same. Horrible experience. Then I take my iPad to the construction sites and show floor-plans to my colleges to ask them modifications or just to check the workings. I tried that with the GT… too small to share. I tried that with a netbook… too uncomfortable due to the keyboard. I tried that with a TabletPC… too heavy… battery too short for a day.
So yes, size matter, so I sold the GT and keep my iPad and when the size or weight is a concern I use my smartphone. I use the smartphone while waking trying to find a place, or in the car as GPS, etc… I don’t need a tablet for that.
Great points – one difference between your use cases and mine: you’re (understandably) relying more on your smartphone, which greatly reduces the need for a 7″ tablet for those activities. Both do all of the same activities although the Tab can’t do cellular voice calls; at least not in the U.S. because that functionality was stripped out – foreign models can do voice. Because I prefer the larger screen, I’m moving in the other direction: away from the smartphone for those activities. Just a personal choice. :)
That’s right, is all about personal choices. I don’t fully understand many of the comments, some of them are so rude, so hot, so angry… so sad. Hopefully there is a size and features for everyone, so what is the point in this fight?
And you are right about the voice calls, I’m from Spain and my Tab got voice calls. Pretty big for that but I was using a BT headset.
Anyway my personal choice is smartphone + iPad.
(Sorry about my english I know sometimes is far from being good)
why I’m thinking of dumping apple:
wondering if anyone else has found that the ridiculously expensive APPLE sync/charge cables are a piece of ****? – the split and no longer work scenario where you think oh I must have pulled it from the wire, I’ll get a new one and pull it out only from the plug, few months later, again the new piece of **** splits and doesn’t work!
I’ve had an 3G and 3GS since they were released and this has happened to EVERY (Apple) cable I’ve had. I’ve literally lost count and got to the stage of really resenting Apple about this issue. What bugs me is that they surely must know about this, not to mention ALL my friends with iPhones HAVE THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE!! …. therefore it’s not illogical to presume that Apple employees also have this issue – ok maybe they don’t have to pay some ridiculous price for a replacement.
the point is that I can just about forgive a company for bad quality products, just about, – if that company was not seemingly a “quality product premium price” brand.
therefore, as consumers I put it out there that we should leave this “quality product” myth in the past, and forgive ourselves for believing and buying into this illusion. it’s because of this unconditional apple fan type of customer that this company has become smug enough with this issue. I mean my first cable has this issue years ago…..
do they do it for the revenue of selling replacement cables?
do they do it because a company as large as Apple somehow is too dumb to manufacture (or to arrange the manufacture) of……. a wire!!!!?
I cannot see it is any other of these 2 options, either way the company reeks of arrogance to believe that this kind of policy wouldn’t even dent their bs quality product brand image.
feel free to distribute the following picture, taken in a well lit room, on a 3GS camera, manufactured at such time that mobile camera tech was held back by apple from this product, giving me the consumer reason to (need?) to purchase an iPhone 4 – presumably with a piece of junk charge cable..
http://www.delightwebdesign.co.uk/images/Apple-product-quality.JPG
I’d just like to add that my (some other brand via eBay) cable is absolutely intact, the point being:
it is possible to very cheaply manufacture a wire which does NOT break
it’s about time Apple had 1 iota of respect for it’s customer base because they’re having a laugh.
i can see a person occasionally getting a lemon in their product purchases but you must be extremely rough with your toys. i now own 7 apple products and have never had a problem with any of them. of course i am always careful with them. the way that my nephews treat their electronics is why they haven’t got any of my apples, they’d have it broke in a week. just saying…
Umm the Sync cables are easily found on Amazon for $2-3 bucks, I ordered 5 just to have some in every room.
They work with every device I have (Original iPhone, iPhone 3g, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod Classic, iPad.
Stop being cheap and Try again….
isn’t it amazing how every single Apple fan in this thread has the exact same opinion, reminds me alot of Republicans.
topics like these are largely unimportant because Apple fans will NEVER admit to wanting a 7″ device until Steve says it’s okay.
Hear hear. Yawn to apple fanboys And republicans
Interesting article though. And am still very happy with my Tab, which can be held in one (count 1) hand. Only thing missing is Plants vs Zombies – but I’ve read that will be corrected soon.
The thread was so nice until you two showed up. Herkay just shows up to make an unsupported dig at Apple users in general (as well as Republicans), that is easily disproven by simply looking at the comments above him, and Xaviera chooses to start her comment with a similar random insult.
What’s the point folks? All I got from this is Herkay hates Apple (and Republicans), and Xaviera likes the Tab. How about commenting on the article instead?
“Apple fans will NEVER admit to wanting a 7″ device until Steve says it’s okay”
I’m very much in the minority on this one, but I still think he will say it’s OK. ;)
I have a Tab and an iPad and like them both quite a bit. I still have the unlimited data plan for the iPad and I swap the microSIM between the two devices to use it. (With an adapter for the Tab.)
A couple of things that are oversold with the Tab…
1) The lack of apps designed for it. Eh, it’s fine. Most apps in the Market scale up nicely and the ones that don’t are not awful. It does stutter occasionally and it’s not as fluid as the iPad, but again, it’s still pretty good.
2) Portability. The Tab is marginally more portable than the iPad. You’re going to have to carry it most of the time and if you’re carrying it, you might as well carry the iPad. The Tab doesn’t fit in any coat pocket I have and it barely fits in the back pocket of a pair of jeans. You will not want it a one-pound slab of glass back there for very long. (About three steps.)
I did buy the Tab because I wanted a more portable version of the iPad. In reality, I didn’t find that much of an advantage to it – the seven-inch screen ends up being too much of a compromise…not small enough to be truly portable and not big enough to match the iPad as a couch-surfing gadget.
To find a truly portable tablet, I bought an unlocked Dell Streak during the recent sale on them. Have not had it long enough to offer an informed opinion on it, but after working through some issues with it, it seems promising.
Fair points and criticisms. I actually have no problem carrying the Tab in hand, in an inside jacket pocket (it’s winter now for me) or even in the back pants pocket. And I’m relatively small at 5’5″! ;) In the back pocket, the device does stick out but I’m not concerned about the glass while walking around. Of course, I’d never sit down with the Tab in the pocket! ;)
Good luck with the Streak and let me know what you think of it. I’ve stayed away due to Dell’s lack of Android updates. And the new Dell Streak 7 would be a step back for me too: 800×480 res was a design mistake IMO.
I’m replying on the iPad right now, but I plan to get a Honeycomb tablet as soon as one emerges with a 7″ form factor and a higher horizontal portrait mode resolution than 600. 10″ is ideal for touch typing, but I find Apple’s keyboard layout frustrating (I just had to correct the last apostrophe I typed, which is my most frequent typo on the iPad, since there’s no dedicated key for it). I’m willing to try the Xoom to see if a better keyboard substantially changes the experience, but I doubt it.
Since Apple isn’t likely to provide a 7″ option for some time, I think the Android tab market will demonstrate much higher consumer demand for 7″ models than 10″ models (i.e. 7″ Android tablets will outsell 10″ ones, even if the iPad outsells any particular Android tablet).
The 7″ form factor feels more ergonomically correct to me. It’s big enough for sustained portrait mode reading without eye strain, and the weight difference make it much more comfortable to hold. 3-4″ phones are fine for 10 minute reading stints, but I find longer sessions to be torturous. If I don’t have a bag or coat, I don’t want to carry a phone larger an 4″ (I got rid of my Evo and went back to the much less capable Hero).
Some people like reading hardcover books, some people like paperbacks. Like paperbacks, I find the 7″ size less cumbersome.
Awesome thoughts, Andre. And if a decent 7″ tablet with Honeycomb (and likely a dual-core CPU) comes along with no 7″ iPad in sight, I’ll likely upgrade at that time. Hoping for 1280 x 800 res on such a beast for Android.
“Some people like reading hardcover books, some people like paperbacks. Like paperbacks, I find the 7″ size less cumbersome.”
+1. :)
For an apostrophe, touch the comma key and then slide your finger up. That’s a big time-saver (and in your case probably a big typo-saver).
Actually, I discovered the upswipe gesture a couple of months ago, but after 20 years of touch typing, it’s not a motion I can smoothly integrate into my keyboard technique. A better keyboard design, like special characters overlaid on the main keyboard as superscripts accessible with an Alt or Fn key, would have been more logical.
A 7″ tablet is way too big to carry around day to day.
The Tab has too many flaws to justify a purchase. In addition, as with the current iPad, it is too late in the product cycle to recommend.
“A 7″ tablet is way too big to carry around day to day.”
Then a 10″ tablet would be even worse, no?
I see no point in lugging around a tablet when I can pop my smartphone into the pocket of my jeans.
As far as day to day mobility is concerned, tablets to me are what 10″ tablets are to you. Ridiculous.
“As far as day to day mobility is concerned, tablets to me are what 10″ tablets are to you. Ridiculous.”
Congratulations Iain, you found the super-secret hidden meaning of this post because *clearly* my point was how ridiculous a 10″ tablet is!
(Note: Except it’s not. At all.)
Did you bring your Nexus One with you to the mall?
On that trip, yes, only because had brought it to the T-Mobile store to pick up the Tab. On most other trips these days, no – I popped the SIM in an junky voice phone for the past 2 weeks. You’re focusing on a valid point, which is “the Tab can’t do cellular voice calls so one must carry a smartphone,” but in actually, the device natively does have cellular voice capability. Here in the U.S. however, that functionality is removed because the carriers don’t want it there. Yet I can still receive / send texts via Google Voice or even take calls by forwarding my GV calls to my Skype In number: works fairly well although I’ll readily admit it’s not something most folks would do.
In any case, while there’s a point to be made for carrying a device for voice capability, this post isn’t the place for it: if you carried a 10″ iPad or other tablet, wouldn’t the same requirement apply to your argument? ;)
Books are way too big to carry around day to day. People carry them at their discretion, not all the time. The same applies to tablets, whether they’re 7″ or 10″.
Sitting in a donut shop for the last 45 minutes, I’ve probably written 4 or 5 comments on this post with the iPad. I would’ve never done that with my smartphone, nor would I have been inclined to break out my laptop.
Microsoft failed with slates in the past because they were too focused on the model of a writing tablet, putting too much attention on pen input. What really make tablets popular is the ability to read documents, books and web pages in portrait mode, and to watch videos. Apple had the insight that MS didn’t, but if they’re committed to thinking that most people actually type on the iPad (I’m the only person I’ve ever seen type more then 40 wpm on one; most people I see just hunt and peck), then they may eventually lose most of their first mover advantage.
“The Best Tablet is the One You Have With You”
Very much agreed.
My ideal format is an oversized smart-phone such as the dell-streak, but sporting a QHD resolution along with an OpenCL compliant dual-core SoC such as the rumoured Apple A5.
I use a dell streak as my primary phone and the tab as my tablet. I purchased the tab in Canada and it has phone capabilities. I use the streak and the tab on at&t and I am very happy with this duo. The portability of both devices was key in deciding to get these devices but this combo may not work for others. I have light duty computing needs and this combo fits my needs. I think a 5 inch phone and 7 inch tablet is what I will continue to buy in the future. Since purchasing these devices I rarely use my netbook or desktop anymore.
Kevin,
I enjoy these types of articles discussing actual usage rather than just an unboxing or spec review. I am intrigued by the Galaxy Tab as a WIFI iPad owner. I’d like to maybe retire the mifi and get a device with built-in 3G or 4G. But it seems to me like it’s too late to buy one of the existing devices, especially when it comes with a 2-year data plan commitment. It looks like the Galaxy Tab is approaching its end of life and the rumor sites are predicting April release of iPad2. Plus, there’s those new Honeycomb tablets coming out. Would you still recommend that somebody buy a Galaxy Tab today?
Thanks – glad you liked the post and the good commentary / discussion. I retired my Verizon MiFi after buying the Tab: it and my Nexus One each can be a portable hotspot at no extra charge.
I hear you on the “it’s too late to buy one of the existing devices” argument. Because I review devices and cover the industry for a living, I had no problem buying this later in the lifecycle. But for most folks, it may make sense to wait at this point. Verizon has an LTE Tab coming and there’s sure to be many other tablets in this size over the next six months or so, perhaps some with dual-core processors.
While I respect your decision, I simply don’t know how I’d be able to function without my iPad… Apple is incredibly good at making us all technology addicts…
Dell Streak 7.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/dell-streak-7-first-hands-on/
Ah, we chatted about the Dell Streak 7 on the podcast yesterday. Props to Dell for using Nvidia’s Tegra 2, but it’s a bit of overkill for the lowly 800×480 screen. Not a good resolution choice for a tablet of that size.
sorry to throw this at you but the HD2 with TEXT REFLOW and a 4.3 inch screen is all i need as well…
it makes me laugh when people say why carry a 7″ device when you can carry an iphone 4…..does the same thing with a slightly smaller screen. This tells me that the person probably hasnt even handled a galaxy tab, the Tabs screen is equivalant to 4 iphone 4 screens in size!
No they aren’t the same, right. But is like having a compact camera and a big reflex camera. When you are traveling in a city and what great pictures you are going to use the reflex camera and take your time to take the picture. But if your are with the kids in the park and you want to make fair pictures without carrying the bug camera you will use the compact one.
Are both the same? No way. Same quality? Not even in your dreams. But you are using both… many users does.
The size does make a big difference, but I think you need to use the device for a few days to really appreciate it and/or evaluate it.
I Knew It.. Apple is not the best ;-)
I got to play with a Galaxy Tab for an extensive amount of time at a mobile developers conference in Toronto earlier this year, and my impression was that while it was an interesting little device, it was too *laggy* in day to day use – especially when browsing sites (both flash and non-flash).
Is this still the case? Or did I have the (dis)pleasure of using a dev/pre-production device? Because while the iPad leaves a lot of room for improvement, the one thing that it isn’t is slow/laggy.
In my case, I’m not looking at any of the 7″ tablets – my primary use for tablets is reading PDF files and technical documents. The closer I can get to 8.5″ x 11″, the better the content looks. But I can certainly see a use for smaller tablet devices for some people.
Portability is an issue but as I never left home without a book the problem didn’t change taking an iPad as an ebook reader.
Important adavantage of the iPad size screen is the usability for the generation 50+. For us letter size matters if you want to read more than an email and a 10″ screen makes the difference.
Mike, I’ll readily admit that from a performance perspective, the iPad can exceed the Tab, i.e.: I’ve seen more lag from the Tab than I did with my iPad. But, there are often simple optimizations or apps to help because while Samsung has done a nice job with the Tab’s software, there’s room for improvement. Regardless, it doesn’t sound like a 7″ device will fit your needs based on your primary use case. Sounds like iPad or maybe one of the new 10″ Honeycomb tablets is a better fit.
I hear a lot of good things about the Galaxy, but I just can’t imagine a notepad being only 7″ and still having practical use for it. I think Apple did it right with a 10″.
My coworker and I have debated this for several months. He has an Ipad, I have a Tab. He loves the size of the Tab but sees flaws in Android. Ideally he wants a 7″ IPad but neither of us think that will happen. I’m sold on the Tab for both personal and business usage.
I’m still holding out hope for a 7″ iPad. ;)
Your crazy bro. The Tab is no more portable than an iPad? You still can’t put it in your pocket, meaning you need a bag. The operating system isn’t honeycomb, so its not optimized for a tablet like iOS is. Your delisonal my friend. Although perhaps in a few months when the new iPad comes out, you’ll dump the Tab too.
A 7″ tab will fit in many coat pockets, while a 10″ won’t. That said, can’t visualize how Kevin manages to fit one in his jeans pocket.
At least half my tablet use involves holding the device in one hand to read ebooks and web pages in portrait mode. The weight of the iPad is a definite drawback in this context. Portability isn’t just about size, it’s about weight. I can and do carry the iPad around in one hand, but I remember how much easier it was to do the same with my Kindle 2.
The Tab does fit in a back jeans pocket because it’s not as wide as you’d think. It’s also wintertime where I’m at and it fits in my inside coat pocket with ease.
Agreed that with Android 2.2, it’s not quite optimized, but as I said in the post, Samsung has indeed rewritten core apps for the tablet and many 3rd party devs are supporting the Tab too.
And I can’t see why I’ll dump the tab when the new iPad comes out. You did read the post, which is mainly about tablet size, right? Unless there’s a 7″ iPad, I can’t see myself buying iPad 2 at 9.7″.
Something in which my ex-Galaxy Tab was better than my iPad was gaming. Only one message mention games.
In that case I found out the 7″ form-factor better than the 10″ one to handle and play with. Neither so small than the smartphone nor so big that the iPad. And off-course you got a screen bigger than any portable console.
I really enjoyed gaming in my Tab. I miss that feature. iPad is to big to play comfortable.
Totally agree. Although I don’t game all that much, the 7″ size feels right from a visual and control standpoint. But that’s just me, plus I have small hands!
err… if size matters get an iPod touch or an iPhone then choose from 250,000 apps and go shopping on iTunes or iBooks.
No offence but Android isn’t even at the races.
Size matters but content and apps matter more IMO ;)
Quality and usefulness trump quantity any day for me. Most iPhone apps cannot interact with each other or make significant changes to settings in the phone, for example – which means as far as I’m aware there is no iPhone equivalent of the android app Tasker, which contains many features that I’ve felt should be standard fare in smart phones for years. Essentially, the main things I’d want to use apps FOR – to customize my interface and make it more productive for *me* – I cannot do on an iPhone.
That may not be an issue for you, but it is for me.
Same thing with iBooks – my kindle, having an e-ink screen, is vastly superior to any backlit display for reading.
Kevin, love the post and your writing in general. Like some of the other posters, I am enjoying this discussion on the actual usage of devices.
I’ve played with both the iPad and Galaxy Tab, and my conclusion is that I wished I had money to buy both devices to use for different purposes – the iPad as a laptop replacement and the Galaxy Tab as a smartphone replacement. Both devices offer quite a bit more functionality than the average smartphone due to their higher processor speed and greater screen size.
My ideal setup would be the following:
- QWERTY feature phone
- Verizon Galaxy Tab
- iPad (WiFi only version)
- MacBook Pro
Thanks for the kind words and I’m glad that you’re finding the conversation valuable. Since I bought a MacBook Air, the iPad was less of a “laptop replacement” for me. Maybe if I passed on the Air, I’d use the iPad more and wouldn’t have sold it! :)
I dumped my iPad for a ..wait for it ….
Nook Color Babeee.. 1024×600 7″ android tab with a beautiful screen. After a month I carry it around alot me than the ipad. I love its form factor soo much more. I wish I had my iOS apps, but cant have everything.
I was going to wait for the iPad 2 and I might still do that, but Im thinking Galaxy Tab 2 now, especially if the doubled resolutions come out.
Granted the Nook Color isnt as powerful or versatile as the Tab, It sure is awesome for a $250 tablet!
NOOKColor is becoming a favorite at $250 for many: once rooted, you can install practically any Android apps, including the Kindle app to read Kindle books on your Nook! Go figure….
I’ve used iPhone since the 3G days and I’ve had an iPad for about 7 months and I love both.
I use a Driod2 for work and I picked up a Tab about 2 months ago to see if I could downsize a bit (get rid of my personal iPhone and iPad and just keep the work phone and the Tab) but I took the Tab back after a week.
Here were my issues:
App investment – I have many hundreds of dollars of apps that I have purchased from the app store – I didn’t want to have to re-buy the core set that I need to maintain my mobile productivity
Usability – While Android is a pretty nice OS, iOS is just smoother on the devices I use (iPhone4 and iPad). I lead about 300 people at my job and I don’t have as much time as I used to to tweak and customize to get it just right. I used to love to tweak the heck out of my windows mobile devices but it just gets old after a while.
The “I’m just used to it” mentality – I’ve spent the last 2.5 years adjusting my work flow to accommodate the apps I use on my iDevices and being a creature of habit, I’m rather content with how they work.
The “it just doesn’t blow me away” effect – Yes the Tab is cool, yes it’s very portable, but it’s not that much different from the iPad or iPhone to woo me away. Yes its smaller and sleek, but other than size, it doesn’t bring anything new to the table for me.
App quality – For me and the apps I use, Android isn’t even close. That isn’t to say that there aren’t quality Android apps out there because they are but the core 10 apps I use a day are light years better IMO on iOS.
For me, it just didn’t work. I did pick up a Nook color and hacked it for my wife. She loves it :)
Trust me though, I’ve budgeted in about $2,000 this year to test out new tablets to see how they are. My kids love it because they reap the benefit of my technoholicism :P
All good reasons for you to stick with the iPad. The app lock-in cost is something I just wrote about in October: http://gigaom.com/2010/10/15/poll-whats-the-app-lock-in-cost-on-smartphones/
That’s part of the reason I try to keep up on all of the platforms because if I spend too much on any one, it’s costly to migrate to another.
“… need to maintain my mobile productivity” you’ve got to be joking!
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head here, Kevin. Form factor in mobile devices is so important. If I were to buy a tablet for use at home, on the couch, then the ipad would be perfect. But as a go-anywhere device it’s just a little too bulky and I’d probably end up leaving it at home a lot of the time, which is why I haven’t bought one. The Kindle, as you point out, can go anywhere and so does. I’ll definitely look at the Tab 2.
I totally agree on the form factor.
I found the iPad almost impossible to thumb type on at first, but after much pain and about a month of non-stop use, my hands got used to it in the end. I would probably buy a 7″ iPad in a heartbeat, but I don’t see as they will sell them until at least version 3 or 4. The problem with the Galaxy Tab is that it’s so incredibly crappy (IMO of course) that the value equation never “gets there” for me, despite the many frustrations of trying to use an iPad productively. The Tab is slow, stuttery, ugly, and Android itself is a nightmare of usability issues.
If Google survives the lawsuit, and Android is still being sold in the years to come I will be interested in the first 7″ honeycomb tablet to come out, but I don’t see that happening in less than a year either. By that time I will have 24 months of every day iPad use under my belt though and might not want to switch.
I actually use both a 7“ Android tablet, and an iPad. They both have their place in meeting my own particular needs.
My Huawei S7 (the “Best Buy tablet“) has become my primary work / personal system. What Kevin says hits it‘s advantage to me right on the head – it‘s the perfect in-between size for meeting my needs. I use it WAY more than my iPad. It‘s the best Android tablet I‘ve found for my requirements and I actually prefer it to the Galaxy Tab, now that I‘ve rooted it.
That said, I still own an iPad and carry it with me on business trips. Why? Because it‘s my entertainment system. I watch movies and TV shows on it using Netflix and Hulu Plus. I use the Apple AV cable to hook it into the hotel TV whenever possible for maxium viewing enjoyment. I also use it as a gaming system. Nothing in the Android market comes close to the games I enjoy on the iPad.
So, when I leave the house, the S7 goes into my back pants pocket. When I go to a client site, it‘s the S7 that serves as my work computer. If need be, I‘ll use LogMeIn Ignition to access one of my Windows systems for the occasion times when I have to access a Windows program, but otherwise use it exclusively. However, I alway throw my iPad into my suitcase for business travel to use evenings at the hotel.
Wow, Michael: you’ve completely changed your devices since we had dinner a few years back. Remember the old UMPC and Kohjinsha days? We struggled with Windows on mobile devices only to migrate to Android and iOS. ;)
Thanks for posting about your computers and what brand they are. I just think you should indicate your preferences as a disclaimer on your commentaries. I’m not saying you’re biased, it’s just that well, you stick with one brand for a reason. You like it. That’s cool, but at the same time, it’s a bit lopsided to actually be unbiased. It’s natural and I’m not criticizing you for it. The fact is this commentary is like a big apology letter to Apple. That in of itself, proves my point.
Good points. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to be completely unbiased because we all have our personal preferences, of course.
Nice article!!!
Question: I got iPad to better read PDF files
when nook (not color) felt too small and cramped
for PDF reading. I wonder how PDF reading is on galaxy tab?
Have you tried reading PDF and compare it with iPad ?
Best Regards
I find PDF reading just fine on the Tab. You can always zoom if needed – not sure if the Nook allows for that. Clearly there’s less zooming / scrolling needed to read PDFs on the iPad because of the bigger screen.
Nice article, Kevin, as usual. My wife and I (seniors) each have an iPod touch. One evening I saw her using a magnifier to read a web page. The font was just too small, so I bought an iPad for her. No, I am not that generous a guy, but she would have never agreed to the expense. Ah, she just loves it. She sits on the sofa, married to Netflix Instant Watching. Now she is urging me to upgrade to an iPad (Wi-Fi only) as well. However, as long as it does not fit into my right pants pocket, it’s a no-go. Portability trumps screen size for me. Coming off a Palm Tungsten several years ago, I am used to the screen. The iPod touch is my PDA, I have no games on it. Well, one word game. I have read many Kindle editions on it, have watched quite a few TV episodes via Netflix and iTunes. I have a spreadsheet, a word processor and a few other apps. So, size does indeed matter. For my wife the iPad is perfect, I will stick with my iPod touch.
Magnifier?! You know you can zoom, right? :-) Plus, the new Retina display on the iPhone 4 and iPod Touch 4th generation is just incredible to read text on. Even if you are a bit zoomed out.
Yeah, I guess I knew that – sort of. But my wife inherited my 1st gen iPod touch, which got stuck at IOS3 and became an orphan. I was going to upgrade from 3rd gen to 4th gen iPod touch but decided against it because of the lo-res camera. I’m not interested in Face Time; I want a decent camera to take pix, so I can leave my Nikon at home.
I understand your reasons for going to the Tab. I personally love the size of the iPad. Here’s my reasons as to why after 9 months I’m keeping my iPad: http://wp.me/pOGwK-Iv
…not a word on the article about HP (errr, Palm) and WebOS.
Perhaps a WebOS seven inch tablet might in the mix soon…
GREAT article.
Well… there is a webOS event scheduled for February 9, so we’ll see! I love webOS – had a Palm Pre on launch day but after 8 months I was disappointed in the overall application choices. Would be thrilled to see it on a tablet and gain some developer traction!
As a pseudo tech-writer for an online journal I had a Galaxy Tab to use for a couple weeks. I wasn’t sorry to see it go for precisely the opposite reason Kevin is talking about. I just got too used to the screen real estate that the iPad has to offer. I found the G-Tab too confined, and the e-book capacity wasn’t quite enough for me. (Possibly my old, grizzled eyes are too shoddy.) But I also found for reviewing and making minor edits on word processing documents, spreadsheets and presentations, the G-Tab was just too small. If I’m doing business with my iPad, I’m resolved to carrying my European Carryall (man purse). If I’m doing or going anywhere where my iPad is going, I’m probably carrying it anyway, so it’s not a big deal to me. OS wise, I’m just more used to iOS at this point. I’m sure I could make the Android adjustment but I don’t feel like the trade off would be worthwhile. The screen on the G-Tab is gorgeous, but I think the space issue is a real one. But Kevin’s use (and possibly yours) will dictate how much you need to carry such a device. For me, I have my iPhone 4 for the day-to-day stuff and the iPad for heavier lifting. If I need some real big guns, out comes the 4 year old MacBook Pro (please refurb soonish, Apple).
I’ll admit that the screen size of the iPad was nice — my eyes are getting old too. ;)
If there’s one thing all these comments have made clear, it’s that we need more diversity in the mobile computing arena.
It’s obvious that we have different needs – for example, in my case, a netbook is far superior to any tablet I’ve used simply because of the convenience of having a real keyboard built-in to the device and the natural typing angles.
Kevin, I have the Samsung tablet (at work) as well as a Kindle (at home). Here are my observations:
1. If a tablet is released that is the same thickness and weight as the kindle, I think it will be a winner!
2. The Galaxy tab is thinner than the iPad, but still feels “thick”. I think the reason is that the iPad is “thin” around the edges (same with the Kindle) with the bulk toward the middle. If the Galaxy tab also made the edges thinner, it will seem much thinner.
3. The buttons on the tab are touchscreen and very sensitive. More than a few time, I have clicked on them accidentally. I wish they were physical buttons.
4. The screen changes from portrait to landscape (and vice versa) frequently. I wish it was not that sensitive. For this reason, I have the screen orientation locked.
Good observations.
I hear you on the thickness – thinner would be welcome, but it’s not too bad right now on the Tab. I’d rather see physical buttons too. I keep my screen locked to portrait, which is how I use the Tab 95% of the time. I use landscape for Angry Birds and Peggle. Not much else.
The Galaxy Tab (and similarly sized tablets) are indeed more portable and are more useful for constant, on-the-go use.
However, the market for this device is probably very limited because it tends to require a heavy data plan in an age when most people have smartphones with data plans. I read somewhere that 70% of iPads are Wi-Fi only. I have a 3G iPad but I use the 3G data option sporadically. Even when I do, it’s very simple – pay as you go. Consistently using your tablet on the go implies an essentially unlimited or other premium data plan, and I don’t think most users intend on spending money on two mobile data plans.
A tablet that requires a monthly data plan is going to be in bad shape from the get go. I think Apple has this figured out correctly – in a world where the leading customers are on smartphones, no one wants to be locked into a tablet contract. Tablets are being used mainly in areas where Wi-Fi is available (at home, at offices, airports, cafes, etc). Connected devices like Kindles basically have free access to 3G for the required data, and are very small and light; therefore, they can go anywhere. 7 Inch Tablets (which are basically Kindles with e-mail, web, multimedia, etc) don’t provide the premium sit-down experience of the iPad and burden the customer with additional costs on top of their smartphone bill. This is why the original Galaxy Tab idea (including voice) was pretty smart. The way these tablets are marketed in the US make them compete with smartphones, kindles, iPads, etc for a limited budget, with predictable results
Very interesting point. I use the 3G on my iPad often but I do have the old unlimited plan luckily. I also have an unlimited account with Sprint on my BlackBerry. I am in the minority of users I am sure but I am on the road a lot. But this is something I hadn’t thought about before really. Size would or could have quite an influence on someone paying for a data plan on a tablet as well as their smartphone.
I think the key is that Apple (and I believe a lot of users) view the iPad as a laptop or netbook alternaitve. It’s not just a “media tablet” for use on the go or an enhanced e-reader. It is sold as a device that can replace a computer for certain use cases; mobile business, e-mail, web, multimedia, etc. The apps tend to focus on media consumption, books, etc, but the iPad is intended to be a easy to use, somewhat mobile computer. For such a device, constant 3G connectivity is a plus but not a necessity, and screen size real estate is important as document editing and viewing becomes burdensome at 7 inches. If you are going to be carrying the device on the go constantly, it needs to augment what the smartphone already does. The iPad clearly does that with the extra real estate, storage, etc with the option of not requiring a dat aplan. These 7 inch tablets haven’t really done that. The author of the report indicated he has begun to use his Nexus One less; what he should be asking for is asking for phone service in his Tab so he can chuck his Nexus One entirely.
Well, enjoy the POS Tab! Looks like a toy, feels like a cheap toy, and mine broke within 2 months. I guess I’m just bitter. Here’s hoping the iPad 2 comes out sooner rather than later.
What article and all comments that I have seen below do not notice is the fact that no one tablet computer can fit all. That is the catch.
There are people better served with smaller, differently shaped or more complex (ex. Entourage Edge) device…
That is where Apple model of one-size-fits-all vs. free-for-all mayhem of Android tabs fails. Latter have chance to occupy many niches and freely evolve based on actual user demands. Galaxy tab is just one example of one niche – smaller form factor, which is better fit for the author (but not for all).
My personal computing needs are actually best served by iPad form factor (I want laptop replacement, content interaction and communications device). However, other Apple design choices are the main reason I did not buy one (and likely will never do, although I as well use other Apple products). What is absolute fail for me? – lack of “non-dongled” connectivity. The very purpose of tablet for me is to have it and no other baggage. I want (technically cheap and feasible) at least one fully functional USB port and at least SD card reader (if not universal card reader) built in. I want to use device in its true form factor (no dongles) and be able to quickly switch between GBs worth of data: I want instant access to 64 GB of video or another 64GB of photos, or my 32 GB worth of textbooks… SD card reader and 3 small SD cards provide that… I might want to connect to USB devices of all sorts (including storage) when visiting locations away from home/office… Second issue will likely be addressed in iPad2 (though I highly doubt that Apple will ever give us USB and card reader built-in the iPad): camera, with main purpose of Skype and like communication. Every portable device nowadays has one, it is standard. If I am to carry tablet with me- I expect it to be usable for such communication.
You Apple fanboys are never happy with anything. Why nitpick so many minute details? Life is too important. Go outside and get some exercise and sunshine. Work on it, and you might even get a girlfriend.
What kind of iPad does Kevin have? Check out where the home button is in the picture that compares the size of both tablets. It’s on the side that’s wider as opposed to every other iPad I’ve seen.
Bill, I have the same iPad that’s currently available. The home button is on the bottom; you can only see half of the iPad because the Tab is covering the top half. ;)
wow, the fact that you have to watch youtube vids and surf the web st the mall while your wife and kids shop is pathetic. I can only imagine how much time you ignore them at home with your head buried in a screen.
Thanks much for the family counseling – what address should I send the check to? ;)
Awesome comeback! :-)
“The Tab is about to be discontinued.”
The only reason why the tab is going to be discontinued is because the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 will be released. Just like eventually the iPad will be discontinued. Make sure to back up your information, before you give half-truths.
I think it’s each to their own. My experience in the corporate market shows that the iPad is sitting on a rocket of corporate deployments . Due in part to it’s size.
My own personal use? I use corp email , blog, surf via instapaper/reeder/ , read 7 novels, present with keynote, Dj a little on the tube to myself , oh and written 47,000 words of my sci-fi masterpiece ;) . All this since I got it in March. :)
Now apart from proving that a 3 hour daily commute gives you lots of time for other stuff . it also shows the versatility and sweet spot of the Apple form factor.
Now I’m not denying there’s sometimes when a smaller form factor could prove more handy. But for me the extra screen size is what moves the iPad from occasional to constant (i.e I always have it to hand).
I think the 10 inch form factor is the best sweet spot between portability and usability. The 7inch for me would render have of the above activities unusable for me.
I think the size of the iPad is far better suited to the corporate world – I really don’t see 7″ tablets making much headway there. Sounds like the iPad fits your activity use – you’re definitely productive with it! :)
I think the same. 10″ for work and 7″ for fun, but… the masters of corporate mobility, a.k.a. RIM (Blackberry) are going to produce the Blackberry Playbook with 7″ screen. May be both of us are wrong cause at least for me is difficult to think that RIM with its experience in corporate world make a mistake like that.
The first time I saw a Galaxy Tab in real world was as PIM of the Corporate Account’s Manager from Orange (a french cellular company present in other countries). He take it out from the pocket of the jacket.
Sounds corporate enough to me. I will get a Playbook as soon as it’ll hit the street in my country so maybe I will change my mind related to corporate suitable tablet sizes.
Good observation on the PlayBook’s size and role in the enterprise. Obviously the form factor is appealing to me personally but I’m not sold on the need for a BB device to provide security / data for the PlayBook messaging bits. As a non-BB owner, I’m not sure I would buy the PlayBook for that reason, but I’m not quite the target audience. Curious to hear what you think of the device when you buy it!
Just after Christmas I had to make a decision. Do I go with an iPad, when I understand the iPad 2 will be out later this year, then I remembered the times I have had armache from browsing the net, using apps, on the touchscreen of my iPhone 4. So in the end I opted for a 13″ MacBook Pro – sure, it’s more expensive, but I know I have made the right decision.
I agree. I will be holding off for a 7″ tablet running honeycomb. I don’t see the point in a tablet that can’t be easily carried everywhere!
I am so completely over articals like this… this is the modern technological version of “I’m going to be kewl by rejecting what everyone else thinks is kewl” There is no objective argument going on here… just an eye catching title land on apple crap journalisim to get page views. Who cares what pad you want to use..really using any of them is better than none at all! The fact that you have severed your self from part of the Apple ecology doesnt make much sense to me … no itunes or movies from your itunes …ehh I guess thats ok but the overall user experince can not be portraied as being superior because of your choice…It just cant. Please write a story about something interestying and relevant next time.
Nice article.
I personally like both android and iOS. They both have merits and weaknesses.
I haven’t bought a tablet yet, but have been thinking about it. I’ve held out up to this point because the iPad is too large IMO. I think it’s nice but doesn’t offer me much over my 13″ macbook.
The droid tablets, on the other hand. I don’t know how I’d feel about them until honeycomb is out. Froyo wasn’t designed for tablets, though it should run on them fine. I’m anxious to see what an os that was designed for tablet can do.
Kevin,
That is probably one of the best and unbiased articles I have read on any product. I will be following you in the future. Keep up the good work.
Jimtc
Thanks much!
I still wish someone would come out with a 12″ or 13″ tablet … I can’t be the only one squinting when I try to read the tiny text! Besides, a 12″ or 13″ would play WAY better in the enterprise space.
Dude…try having a live that doesn’t involve being online every second of every day. That is just sad.
I can’t even IMAGINE the sad pathetic feeling of being out with the wife and kids and thinkingb “I…MUST….GET….ONINE!”
See the above comment to Misha and you two work it out together, I’ll split the family counseling fee between the two of you. ;)
Um, yeah… good luck with that. Did the same thing, but only to ‘iPad’ over to the 2G iPad when it arrives and still get top C-list scrilla for the 1G iPad… the SG is OK, but a different and far lesser beast. It’s nice to have a smaller form factor, but I’m returning to that again- it’s called an 4G Verizon iPhone. The iOS you have in your pocket is the one you have in your pocket… the SG 7″ and the iPad will both fit in junior high-school style cargo pocket pants, but that doesn’t mean anything except to a well-funded middle schooler. Go big or go pocket sized- they’re both portable. I can say from experience that the SG 7″ is in NO way good enough to justify its existence if an iPad’s available- period.
“For me”
I wouldn’t buy any of these, I have a 14″ laptop and a kindle for the airplane. None of these devices do excel well or at all. I think when the industry gets behind business built a 2ghz processor, decent GPU and a small screen that does high resolution I would look again. but apple has really blown it with all the data being sent to developers and to apple itself.
I agree- faster processor, hi-rez screen, which apparently is coming on the 2G iPad, better GPU and the already relatively small iPad screen, which complements my 13″ and 15″ 2010 MBPs will make a huge difference to the Pad’s place in the tablet ecosystem.
But for as tablet to be truly something between a full laptop and an iPhone or similar device, it has to have a bigger screen than 7″, IMO. YMMV, and that’s cool. I just want to read more at a decent font size and scroll less.
According to your needs to smaller size tablet to manage email, browsing, etc… I believe those needs are covered by the iPhone, i like the big screen of the iPad, but smaller than most notebook… Is it necessary for apple to create “again” the product between the iPhone and iPad? I don’t think so…
Sure those needs are met by an iPhone, but I find the experience to be more enjoyable on a 7″ screen, not a 3.5″ screen. Less zooming in and scrolling due to the larger display for me. You could be right on your last point: Apple may not see the need for a product between iPhone/iPod and iPad. I do, but that doesn’t matter: it’s up to Apple.
I find the size of the iPad to be perfect. I was part of the Newton team (one of only a few beta testers). Even then, the thought was the Newton was a bit small(not to mention slow, lacking color and lacking a killer app to make it a hit). Then, as now, I use the device for business. I use it for field appraisal work; as a note pad in meetings; a reader (Nook, Kindle and iBooks); sound recording in sessions of music; newspaper; text messaging; working on my novel; watching movies; and a host of other functions. The size of it is one of its great advantages. Easily readable and very portable, especially when compared to schlepping a laptop (Powerbook then, MacBook Pro now). I would have to say that the design team did a spectacularly thoughtful job in choosing a size for the iPad. Granted, others may disagree. Such is life.
While Kevin is recommending the Galaxy Tab, you can extrapolate his reasons across the entire tablet market. There are plenty of tablets coming out (including a Tab 2, presumably) that will match the original Tab in size but include Android 3.0, a version of the OS specifically designed for tablets. Many of the shortcomings of Android pointed out in this article and by others will (probably) be addressed in 3.0, and it’s sure to stack up against iOS 4 better than Android 2.1/2.2.
‘I either carried the device in hand or placed it in my back jeans pocket while cruising the mall for hours.’
Excuse me, what? You place a 7′ tablet in your back jeans pocket? This just sounds too ridiculous, uncomfortable, and awkward for me. The main reason I would rather stick with a 9.7′ is that a 7′ wouldn’t bring any pocketability advantages, while eschewing tons of usability/comfort. Can you seriously advice people with s traightface that they can carry these in their back pockets? Serious question.
Also, I find it humorous/ironic how Apple was bashed to hell and back when the iPad was first revealed, with 90% of commenters questioning Apple’s sanity and mocking them as there was no ‘market’ for tablets. Now, they’re being attacked just as hard (not by you) and mocked for not having a 7′ version and ‘giving that market away’.
Yup, I put in my back jeans pocket, but I’m not advising anyone to do the same or dump their iPad for a Tab. I’m simply sharing my experience to help people make their own decision.
I am looking forward the next generation iPad. I have been using the current one for a few months and I guess my use cases are a bit different. As an Enterprise Architect and one of the IT strategists for the company I work for I see great use for the iPad but also numerous things that could be improved upon.
For my use I am a heavy Evernote user and there is no Android client for Evernote so the iPad is great for sitting in meetings taking notes on. When you are in meetings all day I am not particular or lugging around either my 17′ MacBook Pro or my Dell Latitude E6400 to take notes and have access to email.
I really liked it when I took it to a conference, an had Evernote, Email, Twitter and Facebook right there and was able to lighten my load.
Are there things to improve? ABSOLUTELY!!!
First Printing. Come on Apple people still print. OS/X does a very eloquent job of pinting, even Windows does a good job at it. Let’s get it in iOS native. Second, better multitasking. I thought iOS was suppose o be a orm of OS/X (BSD UNIX). This OS multitasks and does it very well might I add. The current multitasking in my mind is apple’s way of giving us a taste of what we had been asking for in order to get the users to shut up. Third, and this will be my final one though there are more. Better notifications. What’s up Apple? We would like to put our own notifications on the thing (as well as the iPhone and iPod Touch) for email and text messages in the case of the iPhone.
Over all people need to look at the iPad for what it is. It’s not the Messiah of devices, but I will say Apple set the standard or tablets with the iPad.
Oh yeah and one more thing apple. Lighten up on the App Store. There are tons of great apps on Cydia that should be on the App Store.
Most people appear to need some sort of case or holder for their electronic toys, more than just a screen protector. This adds to the overall dimensions of the device. In my opinion, these days, anything bigger than the current smartphones is too big to carry around. I definitely would not carry anything with a screen in my back pocket because eventually the stress of just walking could damage the screen. Carrying something in a coat is fine but a good part of the year most people don’t need to wear a coat.
Agreed on the need for cases / holders. I had a case for my iPad and I have one for the Tab. I tend to go for the lightest / thinnest cases so as not to add too much bulk. For the iPad, I went with a case from Macally, while I have a Scoche case for the Tab.
I love how roughly 20% of this article is spent trying to diffuse the expected e-rioting of the Apple sheep.
I’m looking forward to playing with all of the different tablet sizes and seeing which one fits my needs best.
I only want to carry one device around. Since a phone is a must, the device must be small enough to use as a phone but large enough to comfortably browse, email, etc while standing in line, etc. The HTC EVO is the best of both worlds so far. Unfortunately it’s also stuck with Sprint so my next move is to find an Android device with the same screen size with Verizon.
Right now the Motorola Xoom is looking great for a tablet to use around the house and light enough to take along on longer excursions that may call for something more robust than a phone.
“The HTC EVO is the best of both worlds so far. Unfortunately it’s also stuck with Sprint so my next move is to find an Android device with the same screen size with Verizon.”
All four new LTE phones from Verizon are at least 4″; I think they’re all 4.3″ in fact. Not available yet, but coming in the first half of 2011.
I sold mine too, I didn’t even realize i did.
its too “in between” to be a truly useful product. Sure you have niches of professionals who could benefit from it, with certain specialized applications, but truth of the matter, in my experience – it was bulky, heavy, slippery, not-powerful enough to work, too powerful to casual web browse. I kept my laptop and iphone and literally, i forgot i sold it. i forgot i ever had it.
I’m an Android fanboy & the Tab is terrible.
If Samsung makes it, I don’t want it. Wait for the Slate or Xoom. But even the xoom is retarded expensive.
Wow. This is the most unbiased and frank reviews I’ve ever encountered. I like how the author clearly states the devices he uses. I think reviewers should always include a disclaimer and state their predilections when reviewing apps/devices.
I also respect how he separates his own opinions from facts. That’s more of what I’d like to see in reviews. Perhaps the so called uber tech blog sites can take a cue from this.
Well done.
I mean, you make a point dude, but the iPad isn’t meant to be a large phone. I have an iPhone which worked wonderfully for me for years, then I won an iPad and I fell in love with the differences between it and an iPhone. My wife was soon jealous, and lucky enough I won a second iPad so she has one as well. The point of the iPad is that many of us WANT a bigger screen. I love the fact that we can both watch 30 Rock in bed on one pad. I love the fact that the iPad is literally easy enough for a 2 year old to use (my 2 year old know where his favorite apps are and how to load them and run them). I love the fact that I can view full web pages with full sized fonts.
People shouldn’t need to be connected ALL of the time. If you’re out shopping with you family, enjoy your time with them instead of worrying about blogging or facebook. If you absoutely MUST check, use your phone. If that’s not good enough for you, tell your family that the interwebz are more important than they are, go home and play on your computer.
This is a great article with some very good comments. I’ve been using the Tab for about a month now and my Captivate usage has gone way down to the point of almost using it exclusivy for *GASP* phone calls :)
Has anyone here thought of flashing the European ROM to their Tab and popping in their SIM from a smart phone and using it for calls and SMS thus emlinating the need for a smartphone?
Thoughts?
” I’ve been using the Tab for about a month now and my Captivate usage has gone way down to the point of almost using it exclusivy for *GASP* phone calls :)”
Exactly what I found: my Nexus One was barely getting used after buying the Tab.
I’ve been nosing around the custom ROMs available for the Tab and I’m sure to try the ROMs that enable cellular voice once they stabilize and don’t impact the 3G data function. Stay tuned! ;)
I’m not sure which version of the Tab you have (AT&T or T-Mo) but if you’re using an AT&T device flashed with the Euro ROM with an AT&T SIM you will have 3G. Check out xda-developers.com, you can start here http://tinyurl.com/4ddrlsu
happy flashing!
Thanks Brian – I’ve seen that XDA thread, but I have the T-Mo Tab, so it won’t work for me or I would have done it already. ;)
…. and my Tab fits just fine in the back pocket of my jeans or in the thigh pocket of cargo pants –> seriously
Seriously.
lol.. no.. I was agreeing w/ you on this one, it fits in my pocket as well
+1 to Tab in the pants pocket! ;)
Kudos for a great opinion piece. These kind of devices are like cameras. In photography, the best camera is the one you are WILLING to haul around.
… and I really miss getting files on and off the iPad easily.
I love a post that gets people talking. I have a iPad WIFI that I bought on day 1. I love this device. At the same time, I like my gadgets to be as small as possible and to be connected. I have a MIFI but I’m wishing I’d waited for an iPad with 3G. I visited my local Sprint store last night and played with the $299 Galaxy Tab (with 2 YR contract). It seems like a no-brainer to take the subsidy because if you bail before 2 YR you’ll just pay the extra $200 you’d have paid if you didn’t take the subsidy and still get the device for $499.
The screen is beautiful and it’s a nice size. I read the umpty ump million comments on this thread at the Sprint Store and the browser just zing’ed through them.
The device is a nice size. I just wish I could watch my Netflix on it. Of course, there is a Dish Network app, so it’s not a total loss. I came so close to walking out of the store with one last night. I’m not past temptation yet. Thanks for prompting such a useful discussion.
“…In my back jeans pocket while cruising the mall for hours. As my wife or daughter stopped to browse for clothes, I quickly whipped out the small tablet to manage email, web-surf, and watch YouTube videos. I wouldn’t have been able to do that with the iPad…”
Bloody loser…you shouldn’t be allowed to procreate. Spend some f***ing time with your family instead of watching nasty sh** on YouTube!!
Yeah, this dude lost my respect with those statements too. Back in the mid 90′s, we called kids who were on the computer all the time “Squids” because their fingers became their tentacles and they never were in the sunlight or came out for air. Sounds like this dude is always more concerned with what internet people are doing than his family and real friends.
Sorry to disappoint, Robbo, but yes, I actually do disconnect on a daily basis. Doing things like taking the kids to the movies (my son and I just enjoyed Tron: Legacy – highly recommended, BTW), training for a marathon, dining out with my wife, reading 2 to 3 books a week, and…. well…. there’s really no point to go on, even though I could.
The post is actually about the size of devices and how that affects mobility; not about me, even though you’ve tried to derail an otherwise very productive and useful conversation about the tech.
Appreciate the lesson in Darwin’s theory of evolution, although saying someone shouldn’t be allowed to procreate is one of the most audacious and arrogant things one can say. But, you have to live with your words out there, not me. ;)
And here’s a little food for thought: the use case of the Tab while in the mall is what we in the writing industry call “an example.” Most people in the world probably understand what an example actually is, but I wanted to be sure you did too. Thx!
Even if I was that much into “social-networking” my wife won’t let me browse that while she is looking at clothes. She wants my full involvment as she drags me in her tow from JC Penny’s to Macy’s to candle stores to shoe stores.
However, any of the reasons you’s stated above would not prompt me to buy either a Tab or an iPad. It simply does not do what what I want to do with it!
I’m better of sight-seeing at the mall (…ahem when I’m not providing expert’s opinion to my wife)
Please update that photo. Show both devices with their keyboards enabled.
Also, for those of us not familiar with the Android market place, please explain the process of renting or buying movies and/or TV shows.
Is Netflix available for the Tab? I haven’t seen anything saying so. How about Hulu?
Looks like the major “killer apps” are only on iOS for now. I’ve looked at screen shots for the Tab and the narrow portrait width makes them render like a slightly larger Phone. The fonts look hard to read when viewing a full web page.
Thanks, but I’ll take my iPhone to the mall and bring my iPad places where I’ll be stationary for long periods of time.
Must be nice to have the money to dump the iPad then get a Galaxy, they be looking for something else>…………How’s your marriage going or are you on the look out?
See, this is why I love blogging: everyone cares so much about my budget and personal life. Thanks for the kind concern.
I like the Tab, but where I live it’s massively overpriced for what it offers. However, being a tech nerd I could probably overcome that, but there is still one big stumbling block (or at least, irritation) with the current tablets – grain-o-matic screens. I’m used to 800×480 on a 3.5 inch screen and once you’ve seen that (or Apple’s “Retina” which is even denser) it gets hard to do XGA on 10 inches. 1024×600 on 7 inches is denser, but it’s still not enough to read with superior comfort. So once a Tab or equivalent that massively jacks up screen density shows up, I’ll buy. Or indeed if the next iPad turns out to have 260+PPI it will seduce me – I plan to use it at home only anyway, my phone will do for on-the run computing.
I just can’t decide on what tablet size I want. But: doesn’t the smaller screen size and resolution bother you while webbrowsing? I imagine constantly having to scroll left and right, up and down and having to zoom a lot would be a hazzle-
There’s a definite trade-off to be made, Michael, and each of us can make a different decision in that regard. Here’s my take: on the tablet, I have far less scrolling and zooming than I do on my smartphone, so I’m using the tablet more than my phone. I did even less scrolling and zooming on the iPad, but I wasn’t taking the iPad everywhere, so the benefit was lost on me. That doesn’t mean a smaller tablet is right for you, of course. I’m just sharing my point of view and decision making process. I think it largely depends on where, how often and what you plan to use the tablet for.
The reason I use tablet is mobility. It really doesn’t bother me as a business user whether the size is 7″ or 10″. It should just be handy. If it is bulky then features should outweigh that bulkiness.
I think iPad is so far successful in offering better ratio of features (applications, speed, UX etc) to size so there is no immediate need for iPad to trim down its screen size.
But future iPhone can be 6″ device that will fill the gap.
Got a Barnes. And noble nookcolor. I rooted it and It’s. The best $200 7″ tag money can buy. Rooting does void the warranty though.
I just sold my iPad and grabbed the Galaxy Tab, I couldn’t agree more as I now plan to sell my incredible and get a basic phone this little sucke goes everywhere with me.
It is an awesome device and I very much recommend it to anyone that truly wants to be portable with their tablet. Seriously it does everything well!
I tried the Galaxy Tab, partly due to this post, but I just returned it to Sprint after 2 weeks of daily use. Yes, I loved the 7″ size. And, there were many activities that were just as good and even better than the iPad. But, at the end of the day there were still apps that I used regularly on my iPad (like Netflix) that aren’t available yet on Android. Call me an Apple Fanboi because I am, but I’m also a fan of gadgets running every OS.
Samsung tab is only a copy of iPad. As long as they won’t discover something themselves I am not taking Samsung under consideration.
True, the Tab does copy the iPad even though it has a much smaller screen size, fits in a pocket, uses the Android operating system, includes cellular voice capability (that’s stripped out in the U.S.), has expandable memory and had 2 cameras before the iPad did. Aside from that, it’s an exact copy! ;)
Bwaahaaaaahaaaaha…
I just hung up from a call on my Tab when I got an email with your reply to this comment Kevin….
Made my day ;-)
I timed that rather well, yes? ;)