[Closed] Ipad or Android Tablet?

And I must admit to being slightly anti-brand.

WTF does this even mean.

buy the best tool for the job.

I must admit to being slightly anti-brand.

I'm not sure there is an "anti-brand" available here: Google or Apple...

Begs the question, do I need a keyboard?

If you do then I wouldn't necessarily make it a deciding factor. iPad and Android tablets should all be compatible with Bluetooth keyboards.

[b]anti-brand[/b]: IMO too many people rave about Apple. For the same reason, I dislike silver German cars, football and modern housing estates.

But I realise they all have their purpose.

So in an attempt to avoid becoming a Fanboi, you are going to "stick it to the man" and become a Fandroid instead!

Why not just try them out and see which one you prefer? In all honesty I doubt that there is very much to choose between them at the top end.

Fandroid. Nice. 🙂

I have tried them both briefly. They both seem to work well, doing pretty much the same thing. Reading reviews, they come out kind of equal with their own strengths/weaknesses.

i was hoping someone on here might have used both sorts for a decent amount of time and be able to ofer advice...

anti-brand: IMO too many people rave about Apple. For the same reason, I dislike silver German cars, football and modern housing estates.

You don't like things just because other people do?
You do realise that they're probably right and you're probably wrong don't you?

Personally I think Android main attraction is it is cheap. Or can be at least.

If you're planning to spend more than the cost of an iPad 3 on an Android tablet then I'd definitely say get the iPad.

But that's just me. (Not particularly fanboi but do like my iPad)

can you move android apps to an sd card??

if so how can I do it as a have a cheap chinese tablet running ics and would like to speed it up a bit !!

Get the iPad. I have a 64GB WiFi iPad 1, had it 3 years I think. Still going strong. Outstanding product. The new screen is extra-ordinary. You'll be searching out biking videos to watch, I just got Strength in Numbers for £10, its £25 on DVD.

You can read SD cards (the camera ones I assume you mean) on the iPad with a small connector (£25). I would suggest you don't spend the money on the magnetic cover, there are plenty others for half the price which work well (I have an incase)

Be warned your anti-brand views could be about to be blown out of the water. I started with a MacBook, then MacMini, iPad, iPhone now Apple TV - all over 7yrs - the products just work so well and they work really well together, that's what sucks you in !

PS I like my German cars in darker colours

I based my decision purely on screen resolution not brandism; Google android phone and ipad3 user.

It's great, buy one and you'll not regret it, essentially if it is mostly to be used for bumming around the net then either will have a browser and do that easily.

You do realise that they're probably right and you're probably wrong don't you

Oh yes. But thats what makes life interesting. 🙂

hmm, veering towards the ipad now...

Quick question on the ipad.
I've got all of my music copied onto a NAS, connected to my router. Most of it copied off CDs as WMA files from Windows media, with some mp3.
Will I be able to play them on the ipad?

Dunno about the WMA files, but the mp3s yes.

Most NAS can serve as an iTunes Server.

e.g. http://web.qnap.com/pro_features_iTunes.asp

TBH, there's no 'wrong' choice at that level, you're going to get something good whichever you go for. The biggest deciding factor here is really personal preference.

Not particularly fanboi

Do me a quaver, if we sliced you in half you'd say "APPLE" through the middle like a stick of Blackpool rock.

can you move android apps to an sd card??

App2SD off the market.

I have an Asus Transformer Prime and love the fact you can dock it to a keyboard. Works brilliantly with the free Citrix app to remote on to my work PC too (I'd imagine there's an iPad version, but the keyboard combo is very compelling).

can you move android apps to an sd card??

settings applications manage applicatipns click on app it may have option to move to sd card my desire phone amd galaxy tab has

Do me a quaver, if we sliced you in half you'd say "APPLE" through the middle like a stick of Blackpool rock.

😀 you mistake me for a certain "Count".

I work with PCs every day, with Windows and various flavours of *nix.
Likewise I have a desktop PC and a couple of laptops at home.

My only Apple gadgets are an iPhone and recently an iPad.
I just happen to like them is all and I'm happy to answer questions about them.

@ir_bandito - you might have to convert the files in iTunes which should be no problem if they are taken from CDs. Where there can be a problem is if you buy music on iTunes for Windows and try and transfer than to a Mac computer at a later stage.

On the keyboard point if you wish you can conenct the iPad to the Apple wireless keyboard. I have one but generally don't bother as I can type fast enough with the iPad.

Be warned your anti-brand views could be about to be blown out of the water. I started with a MacBook, then MacMini, iPad, iPhone now Apple TV - all over 7yrs - the products just work so well and they work really well together, that's what sucks you in !

Plus 1 never go back to the PC rubbish

Anti-brand - Playbook 64GB. Thank me later.

Thought about the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 2? It's just come out at £ 300 for the 16GB version (WiFi, 3G version is more). Not as powerful as the iPad or original Galaxy tab but fine for most tablet use (at least we think so). Also has a micro SD card slot in the tablet so you can upgrade the memory, we stuck in a 32Gb card so it's memory is now 48Gb. Can also buy an adaptor to plug a standard SD card in the front like the iPad.

Samsung are also going to be bringing out a new high spec 10.1 tab later in the year to compete head on with the iPad.

you mistake me for a certain "Count".

Nice to be recognised.
FWIW, and I've said this countless times, (see what I did there?), I've been using Mac computers since before 90-odd percent of the population even knew Apple even existed. It was my job to use them, and they were boring beige boxes that sat on the floor getting dusty just like every other beige box. What set Macs apart, and what made me love them, was the OS.
I moved from PC's running DOS, and an incredibly primitive version of Windows, which everyone ought to know was copied from the Mac OS, which was based in turn on an IBM GUI that they had abandoned. Moving to a proper GUI was a revelation, 'cos I'm no computer genius, and as someone working in a design-based industry, and as someone who has an in-built bias towards nicely designed stuff, it made my life so much easier finding my way around a computer, especially as I was having to learn how to use a scanner, (£65,000-worth of Crosfield drum scanner), it's Mac interface, Photoshop, Illustrator, and QuarkXpress as well. A clean, well designed OS made the transition so much easier.
When the first iMacs came out, and the first sculpted desktop 'towers', they were just as much a revelation; for the first time, you could have a computer that was more than an ugly appliance, but something you felt you could have on show.
Just like Sony, whose products I've bought more of, over the years than I have Apple, I can assure you, for precisely the same reason; quality manufacture and clean, uncluttered design.
I'm not one of the 'sheeple', as some idiots, who are just as biased towards Android products, like to call Apple fans, I buy stuff that does a particular job, does it well, and looks good at the same time.
My first iPod was a Nano, 5th generation, my first proper iPod an 80Gb Video 6th gen, my first computer a 17" PowerBook G3, now eight years old, bought with redundancy money, and only replaced last August with a Mac Mini, just to be able to stream music and back up photos, and that was an end of line model.
I ignored the iPhone, because it didn't do what I wanted; it had no GPS, so I waited and got a 3G when an upgrade was available, and upgraded that to a 4G.
If someone asks me what I'd recommend, then obviously Apple products, not because I'm obsessed with Apple stuff, but because they are what I [i]use[/i], every day, and enjoy using, and have a large investment in the software that runs on them, like ebook readers, music, and mapping apps, so why the * would I have any interest in advocating the use of products that I have no experience of, and no interest in using because I would have to re-invest in a whole new app ecology.
I'm not the sort of person who gets pleasure out of spending hours pissing around with something like a phone or a tablet just to make it do something that an off the shelf app does just as well, I have neither knowledge or patience, I'd rather be reading a book or listening to music, or out on my bike, taking photos or down the pub!
Just because I give an opinion when it's asked for, based on my experience of certain products, certain people now seem to take pleasure in making me out an obsessive, and it got real old, real quick.
Now give it a *ing rest, why don't you.

i have an asus transformer, far far better than the icarnt unless you pay more via itunes

Nice to be recognised.

tl;dr - I assume it was gushing?

😉

certain people now seem to take pleasure in making me out an obsessive

I'm sure a multi-screen monologue will have set the record straight there.

tl;dr - I assume it was gushing?

The Cliff notes are "I really like Apple but I'm exempt from being classed as a fanboi because I was using Apple products back when they'd just copied their UI from Xerox, and there was one product I didn't run out and buy once."

Joking aside; to be fair, I can get behind that. There's a difference between being a fan of something because it's a good product (or service, TV series, band, etc etc) and because it's cool and trendy and everyone else is doing it.

Where I start to despair is when there's no thought behind the advice. It's like Tourette's, you start any thread about technology and the same people come out with the same unhelpful bollards every time. Ask a question about Windows and within half a dozen edits someone will be along going "format it and install Linux." I'm not installing Linux, it appears to cause your brain to stop working. It's unhelpful and it's getting really, really bloody tedious now.

I'm all for iPhones, or iPads, or Linux, or Macs, [i]if it's the right tool for the job [/i]or the right solution for the individual. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

I've got a Transformer, which gets used for work taking notes and typing stuff up whilst travelling on the train, love the flexibility with memory slots and USB ports and of course the battery life when docked. However if it is for just around the home mainly as a consumption device how about the Nexus 7? Mine arrived today and its v/well made and pretty quick, to early to tell on battery life thou, will save you a lot of money over the Prime and would be ideal for smaller hands.

[img] [/img]

(can't edit; just to be clear, I'm not singling out CZ in that last post, it's a generalising grump and I don't know offhand if my complaint there even applies to him at all)

Held a mates nexus 7 today and had a quick play.
Seems pretty good, think I will be getting one myself...

ipad just seems too pricey

got a work iPad that I've been using for a year or so and really like it. Build quality is top notch, and the software is hard to fault.

however I got a nexus 7 delivered today and already I think it's going to get more use, purely as it's easier to handle and will do everything that the iPad does (just about)

If money was no option and I had to have one I'd prob go with the iPad, however it's not and thus why I've got myself a Nexus 7 and don't think I'll be disappointed

If it was for more than just a consumption device then the iPad would probably edge it

The Nexus 7 looks like a great tablet for the money. Good write up on Teh Grauniad Tech blog here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2012/jul/13/google-nexus-7-review

One thing that puts me off is the 16:9 screen ratio. Great for watching movies, but not so great for reading magazines, books, web pages etc in portrait format. Definitely prefer a more paper-sized 4:3 ratio.
(And of course it doesn't come close to the resolution of the iPad)

Plus it seems to be missing two major Android selling points: HDMI-out and expandable memory.

But for the money, it's a nice bit of kit.

I gots me Nexus 7 this ere morning..

It's a trippppllllleeee whoooooosh.

SO far I've turned it on and just flicked through it, but later I will be mostly getting swipe finger...

Just realised if I get rid of the dying Vista laptop, I won't be able to use my HP all-in-one printer to scan. Unless I upgrade my other laptop from XP64 to Win7. Arshe.

Even I, biggest Apple critic ever, have been sucked into the iSheep fold! It's a one way street, but I am considering 'moonlighting' with an Android phone.

Seems the Nexus 7 is a good choice over an iPad if you intend dropping them both onto concrete or into the bath. Which is.. err.. good to know.

http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2012/07/how-much-abuse-can-googles-nexus-7-tablet-withstand/

I like the intro: "The Google Nexus 7 tablet is arguably the first Android tablet that real human beings can enjoy and will want to use." 🙂

I forgot to mention, it's the myriad of free apps and accessories you can get for Apple products that make them considerably more attractive than the competition.

What swayed me was exclusive compatibility with my navigation hardware on my boat. Since then I have bought a Sonos system because of the functionality the iPad and iPhone brings to that system.

Just about all firms seem to be writing iPhone and iPad apps. Android is catching up, but as the mainstream all buy Apple, the commercial choice for companies is to focus on Apple compatible apps first.

The worst thing about owning Apple products is iTunes, it is crxp!!

The worst thing about owning Apple products is iTunes, it is crxp!!

Everyone says this, but to be honest I've never had any major issues with it. It's starts a few more background processes than I'd like on my PC but other than that it's been fine.

Having said that, I hardly use it these days. It's not really needed any more is it?

Not long bought a new type iPad. I did have a look into the Android competition but the iPad seemed to be a bit smoother and that screen is hard to ignore. My digital Singletrack copies look really good on it!

Just taken the plunge. Found the Transformer Prime (with the super-IPS screen) for not much more than the TF300, so just ordered it.

Transformer Prime

Is it the one with the trailer that transforms into a Combat Deck?

[img] [/img]

Must admit, owning an HTC Sensation has put me off Android for the foreseeable future....in theory it's does everything, but in reality it does everything badly. It's like buying a half completed school project where you have to spend a month on the internet to get it finished.

Personally I can't be arsed....iphone next time round. I really can't see that Apple could get away with releasing devices with the level of semi-working functionality that Android devices have. In fact, thinking about it, I have a 1st gen ipad, and pretty much everything works without any fuss.

you jest Graham, but some don't get the joke:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397968,00.asp

Personally I can't be arsed....iphone next time round. I really can't see that Apple could get away with releasing devices with the level of semi-working functionality that Android devices have. In fact, thinking about it, I have a 1st gen ipad, and pretty much everything works without any fuss.

Really not sure what went wrong for you, my HTC desire has been great out of the box. I have googled a few more obscure things but then it will let me do more than apple would.

Apple do release half arsed things they just call it design and waft magic smoke - you remember the phone that didn't make phone calls etc.

you remember the phone that didn't make phone calls etc.

Er, no?? Which one was that?

The Iphone 4 that only worked if you held it a certain way or bought a different case

[url= http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9178808/How_to_solve_the_iPhone_4_antenna_problem ]Hold it differently[/url]
[img] [/img]

Funnily enough I have/had 4 iPhone 4s in our household - none of them suffered from the death grip adversely - sure if you held them as tight as you can in both hands the signal would drop - but which phone doesn't, and do you really make calls like that?

I've been asked a few times about android or apple, I look after an Apple office, we've got MacBook Air's, servers, iPads and iPhones, I have an iPhone 4 & an Android (Xperia S) and my answer to those questions is this.. Do you want to take it out of the box and just use it without playing around trying lots of different apps to find one that does work, but only get to 95% of what you want? Then get an Apple device... If you're happy to waste days tweeking and testing but want it exactly how you want then Android...

I'm using the Xperia S mainly these days but only becuase of the bigger display - 4" iPhone 5 will see me back to Apple.

semi-working functionality

I'd be interested to hear what you feel is 'semi-working'. I've got a Sensation, OH has an iPhone, and there's very little to separate the two in terms of functionality. I can count the number of times either of us has thought "I wish my phone did what yours does" on the fingers of one foot. Only real difference is interface and workflow; Android works for me and Apple for her, neither of us would like to swap.

Apple do release half arsed things they just call it design and waft magic smoke - you remember the phone that didn't make phone calls etc

Not to mention the first release of MacOS X. Still, if I were to choose between a high-end iPad and a similarly priced Android tablet, I'd have got the iPad.

The Iphone 4 that only worked if you held it a certain way or bought a different case

Oh that. You mean the phone that made phone calls just fine, but holding some early run versions in a special way sometimes caused worse reception for people on a flaky US network, resulting in a huge twitterstorm and blogasm about nothing? Which was then addressed by offering full refunds or free cases?

(I have my iPhone 4 in front of me, sans-case. If I squeeze hard enough on the [i]"special point"[/i], with moistened fingers, I can sometimes get it to drop 1 bar off the full 3G reception. It's really a complete non-issue for me).

Do you want to take it out of the box and just use it without playing around trying lots of different apps to find one that does work, but only get to 95% of what you want? Then get an Apple device... If you're happy to waste days tweeking and testing but want it exactly how you want then Android...

Sound advice.

I too had a Desire, worked fine, but ran out of memory, so I upgraded to Sensation. Big mistake.

Problems....
The ability to remain on the network, Desire worked fine, Sensation spends hours unable to connect. I started with Vodafone, then switched to T-Mobile. Both are hopeless with the Sensation.
Data connection can drop off for days...Some days I have to constantly reboot to try to get to connect for mobile data, even if the phone has good signal strength for calls.
Screen won’t turn on, once every few day’s it just won’t turn on...have to take the battery out to get it to work.
Bluetooth, only let’s me switch it off once. After one switchoff, it won’t restart until I take the battery out, so it has to be left on all the time.

Sounds like what you've got isn't "semi-working functionality that Android devices have", rather you've got a broken phone. Have you considered getting it repaired / replaced?

Just bought an Archos® Arnova 7F G3 off staples for £81, will report back.

http://www.staples.co.uk/technology-promotions/tablets/arnova-7f-g3-8gb-black

Just got the Asus Transformer Prime. First impression: its bloody lovely. keyboard dock is ace, and tablet itself just feels "right".

🙂

Sounds like what you've got isn't "semi-working functionality that Android devices have", rather you've got a broken phone. Have you considered getting it repaired / replaced?

I think it's pretty unlikey the phone is broken, given that I work 10 feet from someone who also has a Senstation, on a different network, who has similar issues with connectivity. He also upgraded from a Desire, which worked fine, and now has loads of connection problems with a Sensation.

Added to this, there is a ton of people with the same phone who have the same problems, i think it's pretty unlikely to be the phone?

Maybe his is broken too.

Maybe you've both installed the same app which is causing problems. Are you using a task killer? Have you installed a custom ROM? Do the issues persist after a factory reset before you've installed anything else?

If it's unlikely to be broken, what are you suggesting it is instead? Do you think it was designed like that? That's clearly not the case, as aside from the fact it'd be bloody stupid, mine is fine. So it's not inherent in all Sensations, unless mine has a fault which makes it work correctly.

If there are a 'ton' of people with the same problem, and assuming it's not self inflicted, perhaps there's a bad batch kicking about. They should send theirs back too.

So, had the Transformer over the weekend. and its going back for a refund tomorrow...

Docking station battery was capput and wouldn't charge, and unfortunatly the problems with the wifi I'd heard about (ie its a bit rubbish) turned out to be true.

Real shame, cos using it was great.

should have got the ipad...

The Iphone 4 that only worked if you held it a certain way or bought a different case

Funny how all the reports came from America...
...and it was a demonstratable issue with phones from Nokia, Samsung, etc.
Nice of Apple to give away a Belkin case, though; it's kept my phone pristine, despite being dropped on concrete a couple of times.
And I never noticed any significant drop-off without it, probably because O2 has a better network that AT&T does. 😀

Funny how all the reports came from America...

never had a problem with mine in the UK, a week in tampa and my phone was barely useable and when I could get a call through the quality was shocking.

should have got the ipad

Main reason I wanted the Android was ability to recognise and play WMA files as that's what most of my collection is in. I don't really want to re-record/convert it.

Also like the ability to easily read SD cards, and expand memory, plugin USB devices etc.

and the keyboard on the dock is really good, much beter than just using the tablet for typing longer emails (or forum posts)

The reports of WiFi problems put me off the Prime too. After deliberating between various Android tablets for months, I went ahead and ordered the Acer Iconia A510 on Saturday (the olympic branding didn't put me off as it'll be hidden in a case), and took delivery of it about 10 minutes ago. Which was great until I realised that the price on Amazon has literally just dropped by £15.... 🙄

Never look at prices after you buy something - this will only ever lead to swearing. 😆

Well I've yet to see it credited back, but the nice virtual lady I've just spoken to at Amazon said she'll refund the difference as a one-time-only exception to their rule that they won't price-match post order.

I think I'm going to save my pennies for the Asus Infinity when its available now.

I have just bought the Nexus 7 for my o/h for her birthday.

Only had it one weekend, but it really is a good piece of kit. Well put together, very fast and the screen depth and colors are amazing.

Yes, it is at the cheaper end of the market, but the way I see it a large number of these will be sold which means there will be plenty of aftermarket mods and add-ons to enhance it.

Have you thought about the forthcoming [url= http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-note-10-1-gets-unboxed-102884/ ]Galaxy Tab 10.1[/url] - should be announced 15th August.

I have just bought the Nexus 7 for my o/h for her birthday.

Only had it one weekend, but it really is a good piece of kit. Well put together, very fast and the screen depth and colors are amazing.

We looked at it this weekend, only playing not a serious test, as the OH wanted a Kindle and I suggested the Nexus as an alternative with more uses (& to stop her stealing my ipad). She/we were seriously impressed what a great bit of kit in a nice size for travelling, trouble was it's double the price of a kindle (still a great price for a tablet) and you still have the whole screen glare issue (same as any tablet), so she went for the kindle much to my disappointment....
What she didn't get in the slightest was the ability of an android to customise the screens, "why? whats the point" was her comment...

bit of an update on this.
Having sent the Transfomer Prime back for a refund, I bought a reconditioned TF300 from the same shop for £330. Same inside as the Prime, but a plastic case and not Super ISC screen, just ISC.

All was well, until I realised the battery in the tablet bit wouldn't charge above 50% capacity. So that went back to Asus.
Got it repaired under warranty - it was physically ok, but the firmware needed changing. Got it back last week, and its had an upgrade to Jellybean, and I can say its bl00dy ace.

Configured it to see my NAS, so I can copy photos from SD card, which just plugs neatly into the slot, happily enjoying it. 🙂

The Iphone 4 that only worked if you held it a certain way or bought a different case

I had the problem myself. Hand across the two sides of the metal aerial and it killed the signal. Mine was a fairly early iPhone 4 though.

what is the appeal of a tablet anyway?

its either a large clumsy smart phone .
or a very low spec, limited, laptop .

and it costs twice as much as either without any benefits .

🙄

what is the appeal of a tablet anyway?

The main reasons I got a tablet are thus:

Instant on - no waiting for it to boot up, it just works
Compact - Much smaller than a laptop makes it easier to surf on the sofa with
Touch screen - much better interface for general browsing and navigating around stuff than a mouse.
Wipe clean - ahem.

The only real downsides are when you want to input data but this is still perfectly acceptable, just doesn't type quite as well as a normal keyboard.

in respect of the OP, I have now had an iPad 2 and a Samsung Galaxy Tab2 10.1. I would choose the Samsung every time as it allows you a degree of customization and freedom from the Apple ecosystem of which I am not a huge fan. the iPad screen is subtly better and the build quality of the iPad is definitely a premium feel but it was £150 more when new and not worth the extra to lock yourself out of the android world.

what is the appeal of a tablet anyway?

Instant on. Much lighter. Much longer battery life. Much cooler (laptops get very hot). Much better interface (iPad touch screen). Apps are much cheaper than "software". Better platform for email/web browsing/watching movies

I haven't read most the thread, too long. Though I thought I would add my view.

I am fairly brand agnostic though dislike the monopoly that is Apple.

Below is my device inventory.

Works laptop = Windows 7
Home netbook = Ubuntu 12.04
Works phone = Motorola running custom Android ROM
Tablet = iPad v3 32Gb (no wifi)

Note: I had the choice of an iPhone 4, recently used it for a week and decided to stick with the Android because I prefer Android on a phone rather than iOS.

After much research the tablet I purchased was an iPad, despite not being an "Apple person". Reason being is the quality of the apps and the continued support for the OS (ignoring iOS6 / iPad v1).

I avoid the use of iTunes because my Ubuntu netbook recognises the iPad (out of the box) and allows me to upload photos, films, routes, maps, etc.

what is the appeal of a tablet anyway?

its either a large clumsy smart phone .
or a very low spec, limited, laptop .

That's what everyone thinks before they own one.

Try this: lie down on your sofa, open the latest Singletrack from the digital archive. Now hold your laptop up in one hand and read it as you would a magazine.

Arms getting tired yet? Fed up of the crap resolution yet? Annoyed you have to keep reaching for the trackpad/keyboard to turn the page?

Or are you still waiting for the laptop to boot up and update the virus scanner, do Windows updates, update Flash and Adobe Reader.. etc etc?

As someone who was initially fairly sceptical about the tablet form factor I've been pleased with how much use I've got out of mine.

However, as the owner of an iPad 3 I can't recommend high end Android tablets highly enough...

Low spec and limited: I think not.

I took a load of video on the new iPad yesterday and spliced it together using Splice (free).

Exported all the individual videos to the laptop and spliced them together using DVD Videopad and exported them to an AVI

Having converted both the AVI file and the MOV file to mp4s I find that there is virtually no difference in quality between the files. The file direct from the iPad may be very, very slightly better, but that's probably because it went through one fewer conversion.

Oh, and I think that Splice did the stitching marginally faster, too, despite the fact that the laptop has a reasonable spec.

Post sent while lying on the settee holding said iPad in one hand...

as the owner of an iPad 3 I can't recommend high end Android tablets

I completely agree 😉

The shoddy cut and paste let's you down as well?! 😀