I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab (GT-P1010) 7" tablet. I bought it knowing that I'm buying a new kind of form factor with lots of room for improvement. Call it dipping my toes in the tablet pond. I find it serviceable, but there are a lot of things to hate (lags, choppiness, crashes, etc.). I hope by the time I buy my next tablet the industry will have more players and each manufacturer has tweaked the bugs and cons out to oblivion, and I guess this roundup is an indication of where the industry is headed.
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LOL cameras on tablets! Who cares..
You should try the Transformer keyboard before you knock it Mr "Reviewer." It can still be held in one hand and takes half a second to remove if you don't want it. Why would you bring netbooks into the discussion, the Transformer is a tablet. (See what I did there?)
You should try the Transformer keyboard before you knock it Mr "Reviewer." It can still be held in one hand and takes half a second to remove if you don't want it. Why would you bring netbooks into the discussion, the Transformer is a tablet. (See what I did there?)
I own a Transformer, and I can definitely say that weight or thickness don't matter in a tablet - anyway you cannot use them for any length of time while holding them in your hands. I think that this aspect gets lost in your review - sure, lighter is better, but as the legions of people who use heavy leather cases with their tablets can testify, it doesn't really make much difference.
Now, would I buy the Transformer if I could chose from the 5+1 Android tablets on the market right now? I'd prefer the Galaxy at the same price, but I wouldn't spend $100 more on it. Probably it would be a toss up between Thrive and Transformer.
Now, would I buy the Transformer if I could chose from the 5+1 Android tablets on the market right now? I'd prefer the Galaxy at the same price, but I wouldn't spend $100 more on it. Probably it would be a toss up between Thrive and Transformer.
- Jan 14, 2009
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[citation][nom]LOLHater[/nom]LOL cameras on tablets! Who cares..You should try the Transformer keyboard before you knock it Mr "Reviewer." It can still be held in one hand and takes half a second to remove if you don't want it. Why would you bring netbooks into the discussion, the Transformer is a tablet. (See what I did there?)[/citation]
I think you're a tad confused here, since I'm not knocking the keyboard; If anything I'm knocking the price. I'm sure the keyboard is a great accessory, but $400 for a tablet + $150 for a keyboard? I would rather buy a laptop at that price (like a netbook or Chromebook).
-Devin Connors, Tom's Guide
I think you're a tad confused here, since I'm not knocking the keyboard; If anything I'm knocking the price. I'm sure the keyboard is a great accessory, but $400 for a tablet + $150 for a keyboard? I would rather buy a laptop at that price (like a netbook or Chromebook).
-Devin Connors, Tom's Guide
elemento911
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- Feb 5, 2011
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I have the Galaxy Tab as well and I absolutely love it. Samsung makes great products in general so I was comfortable buying this one. It's everything I need and is very reponsive, surfs the web fast, and works great for email etc. I picked this one up after looking at the specs on all the others on tablet comparison . There are others with better specs but your also sacrificing on weight so the Galaxy Tab was the perfect middle ground for me.
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[citation][nom]xaephod[/nom]In response, you would buy a chrome-book or a netbook, but then you wouldn't have a tablet. The Asus is a tablet than becomes a netbook, for the price of a tablet and a lot less than buying both.[/citation]
Part of the allure of a tablet is that it's cheap enough to be a secondary machine; it's not powerful or full-featured enough to be your primary computer, but it's nice to have around (on the couch, traveling, etc). Adding a $150 keyboard accessory to a $470 tablet (the Newegg price of the 32 GB TF101), takes away the attractive price. That's $620...which I could spend on a lightweight Windows 7 laptop that has a more robust OS, and can handle full HD playback without breaking a sweat, among other things. Obviously that laptop *isn't* a tablet, but at that price point most would be buying a laptop instead of a tablet anyways.
I think certain tablets justify (or get away with) their higher price because they're a status symbol (iPad) or because they offer something that the competition doesn't (the iPad and the LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1).
Honestly, I would have included the keyboard if Asus had sent me one. But they didn't send me one, so I didn't mention it. There's no point in speculating on how good or bad an accessory is if it isn't sent to me at review time.
-Devin Connors, Tom's Guide
Part of the allure of a tablet is that it's cheap enough to be a secondary machine; it's not powerful or full-featured enough to be your primary computer, but it's nice to have around (on the couch, traveling, etc). Adding a $150 keyboard accessory to a $470 tablet (the Newegg price of the 32 GB TF101), takes away the attractive price. That's $620...which I could spend on a lightweight Windows 7 laptop that has a more robust OS, and can handle full HD playback without breaking a sweat, among other things. Obviously that laptop *isn't* a tablet, but at that price point most would be buying a laptop instead of a tablet anyways.
I think certain tablets justify (or get away with) their higher price because they're a status symbol (iPad) or because they offer something that the competition doesn't (the iPad and the LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 10.1).
Honestly, I would have included the keyboard if Asus had sent me one. But they didn't send me one, so I didn't mention it. There's no point in speculating on how good or bad an accessory is if it isn't sent to me at review time.
-Devin Connors, Tom's Guide
igot1forya
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I love my Xoom - No regrets sense they enabled the micro-SD slot. I take it everywhere, and use it more than my laptop now.
Someone made a snide comment about cameras on tablets earlier; if you don't need it - don't use it. I happen to like when companies add on features. You never know when it might come in handy.
Someone made a snide comment about cameras on tablets earlier; if you don't need it - don't use it. I happen to like when companies add on features. You never know when it might come in handy.
Any tablet without some form of memory expansion is DOA. I won't consider it, I won't buy it. Don't see why it's worth the ink needed for a review.
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[citation][nom]unusedUserName203948q2welj[/nom]Any tablet without some form of memory expansion is DOA. I won't consider it, I won't buy it. Don't see why it's worth the ink needed for a review.[/citation]
I think an SD card slot of some sort is important for some users...but you can't seriously suggest that an expansion-less tablet is "DOA". The iPad 2 immediately defeats your point. Like it or not, it's the best-selling tablet right now...actually it's the best-selling tablet of all time.
-Devin Connors, Tom's Guide
I think an SD card slot of some sort is important for some users...but you can't seriously suggest that an expansion-less tablet is "DOA". The iPad 2 immediately defeats your point. Like it or not, it's the best-selling tablet right now...actually it's the best-selling tablet of all time.
-Devin Connors, Tom's Guide
Hello Devin, I think you miss the point with the keyboard on the transformer. It is not just a keyboard; it is an extended battery, and an extra full SD port (on top of the micro SD port on the tablet itself) plus 2x USB ports. It is its biggest selling point so Asus really did mess up by not sending it to you to review.
I've had mine now for 4 months now, and the amazing thing is watching it when it's in company of an Ipad, and how the keyboard takes it to the next level. Many a time I've put it in a room with friends with an Ipad, and it is used more at the end than the Ipad.
The point you really miss with the tablet/keyboard combo is it's instant on (yes I know it's always left on), it's touch screen and local applications (unlike chromebook which is hideously overpriced for what it should be, a cheap OS that can run on anything because it's in the cloud). As the hinge is also superbly designed, you don't need a cover or case as it closes as a laptop perfectly.
What the Keyboard on the Transformer allows you to do is be productive, which you can't do on any other tablet. I barely switch my main computer on anymore, my wife is similarly (and she's not tech savvy at all) uses it over her laptop. In America I agree you've been stung on price, but in the UK (for once) we got a cracking deal. The 16gb tablet cost £400 (same as equivalent IPad 2) and if bought with the keyboard it cost £430 (I even got 10% off, making the combo cheaper than the Ipad), bargain is an understatement.
Android isn't perfect and there are laggy typing issues in the web browser, (and a criminal lack of undo in general) but due to the keyboard, I've yet to use or see an android (or any other tablet) that comes close, it really does feel like a 3rd or 4th iteration of a new design not the 1st attempt as it is, which has to be applauded.
To sum up, I have never been more impressed with a piece of hardware I’ve bought, ever (and I’ve bought a lot, even an Iphone 4). I have yet to find a hardware flaw in the Asus Transformer keyboard/tablet combo, and all the shortcomings/failures have been software related.
I've had mine now for 4 months now, and the amazing thing is watching it when it's in company of an Ipad, and how the keyboard takes it to the next level. Many a time I've put it in a room with friends with an Ipad, and it is used more at the end than the Ipad.
The point you really miss with the tablet/keyboard combo is it's instant on (yes I know it's always left on), it's touch screen and local applications (unlike chromebook which is hideously overpriced for what it should be, a cheap OS that can run on anything because it's in the cloud). As the hinge is also superbly designed, you don't need a cover or case as it closes as a laptop perfectly.
What the Keyboard on the Transformer allows you to do is be productive, which you can't do on any other tablet. I barely switch my main computer on anymore, my wife is similarly (and she's not tech savvy at all) uses it over her laptop. In America I agree you've been stung on price, but in the UK (for once) we got a cracking deal. The 16gb tablet cost £400 (same as equivalent IPad 2) and if bought with the keyboard it cost £430 (I even got 10% off, making the combo cheaper than the Ipad), bargain is an understatement.
Android isn't perfect and there are laggy typing issues in the web browser, (and a criminal lack of undo in general) but due to the keyboard, I've yet to use or see an android (or any other tablet) that comes close, it really does feel like a 3rd or 4th iteration of a new design not the 1st attempt as it is, which has to be applauded.
To sum up, I have never been more impressed with a piece of hardware I’ve bought, ever (and I’ve bought a lot, even an Iphone 4). I have yet to find a hardware flaw in the Asus Transformer keyboard/tablet combo, and all the shortcomings/failures have been software related.
paulus1957
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- Sep 22, 2011
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I was very disappointed in this test.
Why?
One veteran in the field which gives proven high quality for a low price with the almost the same quality is totally forgotten.
And I mean the Archos family.
Why oh why?
For 1/3 less in price you get the same as the above stuff.
And they ar no newcomers, they are real veterans for some years now.
See the reality of these products on youtube and compare the prices.
You will see for jouself.
And by the way you can add 3g for 50 euro's instead of the 100 extra you have to pay for one of the tested bulk.
Why?
One veteran in the field which gives proven high quality for a low price with the almost the same quality is totally forgotten.
And I mean the Archos family.
Why oh why?
For 1/3 less in price you get the same as the above stuff.
And they ar no newcomers, they are real veterans for some years now.
See the reality of these products on youtube and compare the prices.
You will see for jouself.
And by the way you can add 3g for 50 euro's instead of the 100 extra you have to pay for one of the tested bulk.
Disregard my last post, the first went missing anyway. I now know to login first then post.
I purchased a Thrive for the ports. If you are a shutterbug then the choice is simple. A full sized SD slot and file manager make backing up photos on the go simple. Add a USB thumb drive and you can copy through. I also have a dock that acts as a stand and charger. A bit of felt glued to bottom tilts it at a better angle. I have a cheap Kaiser Baas bluetooth keyboard for light typing duties. Also I find a finger way better than a mouse or trackpad for using a tablet. If I wanted to do anything complex, like photo editing, I would wait until I could transfer the work to my desktop. I guess it come down to what you want to do with the tablet and playing Angry Birds does not last long. I also have Sennheiser headphones and music playback is very good.
I purchased a Thrive for the ports. If you are a shutterbug then the choice is simple. A full sized SD slot and file manager make backing up photos on the go simple. Add a USB thumb drive and you can copy through. I also have a dock that acts as a stand and charger. A bit of felt glued to bottom tilts it at a better angle. I have a cheap Kaiser Baas bluetooth keyboard for light typing duties. Also I find a finger way better than a mouse or trackpad for using a tablet. If I wanted to do anything complex, like photo editing, I would wait until I could transfer the work to my desktop. I guess it come down to what you want to do with the tablet and playing Angry Birds does not last long. I also have Sennheiser headphones and music playback is very good.
Xoom. Vanilla Android. SD slot. MicroUSB. Mini HDMI. Great build quality. Decent accessories. Gorilla glass. DUAL band WiFi (2.4/5.0). Currently being acquired by Google (could maybe be an 'edge'). Pricing has become more reasonable as of late.
How could the Xoom NOT make the list?
In MY opinion, it is the most UNDER-rated and UNDER-estimated tablet on the market!
Good points on all the other ones though.
I'm just disappointed that the Xoom was not even considered.
How could the Xoom NOT make the list?
In MY opinion, it is the most UNDER-rated and UNDER-estimated tablet on the market!
Good points on all the other ones though.
I'm just disappointed that the Xoom was not even considered.
Thanks for the review devin. I've been trying to choose for a few days and your review helped me make my choice. I needed a compact tablet for wifi use at home and office and most importantly as a photographer to display slide shows of my photographs to clients and prospective customers portably. So USB was essential for me to get my images from desktop to tablet. I chose the Acer for that reason and its advantage in size over the Toshiba. Horses for courses they say and the Acer is mine.
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Ensquared Tablet insurance gives you 2 year protection against Accidental Damage including Drops and Spills plus Extended Warranty for only $94.99
$50 deductible, and 3 x $1000 claim value per claim. Visit www.ensquared.com/tablet_catalog
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