Anything but the iPad

[matttye]

I agree that some of Mac.World's assumptions are a stretch, but I think what he was trying to point out is that you are assuming that ICS on a multi-core machine will be... what? More fluid than Prime with Honeycomb? That will be a safe bet. More fluid than iPad2 on iOS5? We won't know until we see it, but it could happen. More fluid than iPad3? Well, in that case, we are compairing an unknown hardware/software combination against a known hardware/untested software combination, and all bets are off.

I'm not saying the prime will be more fluid than the iPad at all, just that the benchmarks are already beating it and will only beat it even more so when the multi core enhancements come into play.

I have no doubt that android ics would be slower than iOS5 on the same hardware...android apps are written in java.

 

[Wrathwitch]

Seriously,

We are talking about 13 year olds here. No matter what you buy, it will be outdated or left behind within 3-5 months. If they don't know what they want, they aren't going to be excited about the product esp if it's something that a "parent" got them.

My advice, find out what they want it to do, then get the cheapest item you can find.

Investing 500+ x2 children is like throwing money away imo. UNLESS they have a history of loving and using tech like items.

Good luck mate!

WW

 

[Mac.World]

There's such a thing as a safe assumption, and an assumption that a company won't remove all of the multi core enhancements from the os that will run on their multi core tablet is one of them. The original transformer didn't run a custom ui over android so there's no reason to think this one will.

Keep clutching at straws though.

I'm not clutching at straws any more than you are. You know nothing for certain, unless you are the CEO of Asus. That's my point. A safe assumption is still just an assumption.

And don't get me wrong, you are probably right. ICS may make the Prime a phenom of the Android tablet world. But I can't say it for certain, until ICS is actually on the Prime!

 

[matttye]

I'm not clutching at straws any more than you are. You know nothing for certain, unless you are the CEO of Asus. That's my point. A safe assumption is still just an assumption.

And don't get me wrong, you are probably right. ICS may make the Prime a phenom of the Android tablet world. But I can't say it for certain, until ICS is actually on the Prime!

None of us can say it for certain, that much is obvious, but it's a safe bet that the multi core enhancements in ics will benefit a multi core tablet such as the prime. This is an educated assumption not a wild shot in the dark.

It's okay to assume things if you have a good basis for the assumption.

 

[Mac.World]

None of us can say it for certain, that much is obvious, but it's a safe bet that the multi core enhancements in ics will benefit a multi core tablet such as the prime. This is an educated assumption not a wild shot in the dark.

It's okay to assume things if you have a good basis for the assumption.

If there is one thing I have learned in this life it's never take anything for granted or make assumptions. Opinions are another matter. But I digress.

Like I said, I do believe you are correct WRT the Prime and ICS. It's def a good educted guess. Just like it's a good educated guess that. The ipad 3 will have a quad core specifically designed for iOS, a retina display and a boost in graphics power.

Right now Riptide GP is the only title I know of that is able to utilize the Primes quad core, since I just read that the game manufacturer ported it with the aid of Asus, and the graphics are phenominal on the promo Youtube vid. The iPad 2 playing the same game is a step behind graphically. But that is just one game. All the rest are still hampered on Android. How quickly will that change with ICS? How much better will the graphics be on the ipad 3 with a new GPU designed for a retina display?

 

[Stetrain]

the kindle boards on amazon? i forget now. maybe i am wrong. here is an article i found just googling around with information on how to avoid fraudulent / mistaken charges.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/press-here/Kids-Charge-it-All-on-Amazons-Kindle-Fire-135453148.html

here is another discussion.
http://www.amazon.com/forum/kindle ...orum=Fx1GLDPZMNR1X53&cdThread=Tx3QUWZYXA7ZNXJ

i don't think it is such a big deal as it is made out to be. unfortunately, i think people want an apple-like operating system + service without the apple price. this is the same kind of crap amazon kindle owners have long had to deal with, so i guess it neither surprises me, nor worries me. this is non-news in a slow news cycle (in my opinion).

Both of those links seem to back up what I said, that there are no parental controls on purchases (except for in-app purchases apparently). You can apparently set up the device without a credit card but then you are stuck with the default experience. The only real solution seems to be substituting a gift card for purchases rather than a credit card but that could get annoying after a while.

 

[palpatine]

Both of those links seem to back up what I said, that there are no parental controls on purchases (except for in-app purchases apparently). You can apparently set up the device without a credit card but then you are stuck with the default experience. The only real solution seems to be substituting a gift card for purchases rather than a credit card but that could get annoying after a while.

i read it differently. you don't save your info (preload it), so you have to keep entering it, but you avoid fraudulent charges. a pain in the butt, perhaps, but entirely possible.

 

[polbit]

If there is one thing I have learned in this life it's never take anything for granted or make assumptions. Opinions are another matter. But I digress.

Like I said, I do believe you are correct WRT the Prime and ICS. It's def a good educted guess. Just like it's a good educated guess that. The ipad 3 will have a quad core specifically designed for iOS, a retina display and a boost in graphics power.

Right now Riptide GP is the only title I know of that is able to utilize the Primes quad core, since I just read that the game manufacturer ported it with the aid of Asus, and the graphics are phenominal on the promo Youtube vid. The iPad 2 playing the same game is a step behind graphically. But that is just one game. All the rest are still hampered on Android. How quickly will that change with ICS? How much better will the graphics be on the ipad 3 with a new GPU designed for a retina display?

I had a chance to play with Prime today at Gamestop, and came away quite unimpressed to be honest. How can a quad-core, Tegra 3, brand new tablet be so laggy and unresponsive compared to an "old" iPad 2 is beyond me. I understand that Google is betting the farm on ICS, but I can't imagine it being that much faster that Honeycomb, it is the same old Java-based design after all. iPad 2 screen resolution aside (which does bother me), the usage experience is just on a different level.

 

[Mac.World]

I had a chance to play with Prime today at Gamestop, and came away quite unimpressed to be honest. How can a quad-core, Tegra 3, brand new tablet be so laggy and unresponsive compared to an "old" iPad 2 is beyond me. I understand that Google is betting the farm on ICS, but I can't imagine it being that much faster that Honeycomb, it is the same old Java-based design after all. iPad 2 screen resolution aside (which does bother me), the usage experience is just on a different level.

I have played with the old Transformer and other Android based tablets and I believe there will always be some minor lag in the OS, it was minimal on the Transformer I tried. Nothing that would have bothered me, but I didn't tax the OS by opening 5 or more apps and video.

But you. Also have to remember that Honeycomb doesn't utilize all of the Primes cores. Honeycomb is dual core capable and therefore ignores the Primes additional cores. You can't fault the Prime for this, but you can fault Asus for not getting the update for ICS out quicker!

If I could not havemy ipad 2 and were forced to use an Android based tablet, the Prime would be at the top of my list. Lucky for me though, I have a Touchpad too and will be loading CM9 onto it in order to get Honeycomb or ICS or whatever version they port.

 

[polbit]

I have played with the old Transformer and other Android based tablets and I believe there will always be some minor lag in the OS, it was minimal on the Transformer I tried. Nothing that would have bothered me, but I didn't tax the OS by opening 5 or more apps and video.

I know that not everyone cares or notices the lag, I unfortunately do It's the same with screen DPI, some people are perfectly fine with iPad's resolution, I really struggle to adjust when I use my iPhone 4 and then have to look at the iPad. I have been running Galaxy Tab 8.9 with custom ROM and overclocked kernel for couple of months because I liked the size and screen for ebooks, and I have been waiting for iPad 3 to come out. Then the unexpected happened, I won the iPad 2 at a work raffle. I have to say, playing with them side-by-side is an eye-opener. I didn't realize how much more responsive iPad 2 is until I was able to do that... That's why I ventured to the local Gamestop to play with the Prime. I guess I'll reserve the final judgement until ICS comes out, but if it really makes the Prime run that much better, why would ASUS ever release it before Christmas?? Not like they are getting any real sales anyway, as the release date is 19th, if not later...

Either way, unless Apple royally screws it up, iPad 3 will be the ultimate tablet for a long time to come, assuming the high-dpi screen rumors are true.

 

[matttye]

I've come to think that maybe I just don't notice lag on android due to the amount of people who say it does.

My iPad is more responsive than my sgs2 but not by so much that I'd say android lags.

 

[Fry-man22]

The first rule of marketing to teenagers is that a product's kiss of death is popularity among their parents. I wouldn't be surprised to see that the overwhelming popularity of the iPad tends to undermine its appeal among some in the particular market segment cited by the OP.

That's like saying kids will opt for bikes because their parents drive cars...

It's not like we're dealing with some indie band that went mainstream and now they're not cool anymore, older people have been carrying iPods for years and that hasn't stopped younger buyers from thinking they're cool.

 

[amazonpam]

Non iPad decision

One got the Toshiba Thrive and the other friend is leaning towards the Galaxy Tab, because of the Consumers Report rating it got. K got the Thrive because of it's rubbery back and that it looked to be the sturdiest of the bunch.
Will get back to you on the final decision of the other family.

 

[3lionsbecks]

For $99 the Playbook can't be beat. Plus the new OS is coming in Feb. that will allow for android apps through the Android player.

this will make the playbook one of the best on the market (7" screen category) and so cheap to buy it is incredible.

 

[spacepower7]

For the second time this week I was told that a friend's daughter doesn't want an iPad but some other tablet. Both are 13 and one wanted an ipad as late as Thanksgiving. Neither kid had a particular tablet in mind which is how I heard about it. Their parents wanted to know what I'd recommend. I'm somewhat stunned that they don't want iPads but promised to do some quick research this weekend,

Any ideas?

13 year girls ha ha

There was a great article in Rolling Stone Magazine in the late 1990s explaining why all the music that the major music labels release sucks bc is it was all Britney spears and boy bands aimed at 13 year old girls who go to the mall with their dad's credit cards.

It really is a great read if you can hunt it down but it's funny to think that the multi-billion dollar tablet and computer industry may be in the hands of 13 year girls that love Justin Bieber. Should there be kitty kats and puppies on every tablet bezel?

A 13 year old girls rationality vs purchasing power (dad's) makes Wallstreet look sane (and I trademark that quote here) ( just sent to my lawyer before posting)

 

[spacepower7]

For $99 the Playbook can't be beat. Plus the new OS is coming in Feb. that will allow for android apps through the Android player.

this will make the playbook one of the best on the market (7" screen category) and so cheap to buy it is incredible.

First of all, if it isn't good now then it isn't good. Or PERIOD. Promises from tech companies to fix things later is so 1990s. Or google or RIM.

From my understanding, the Kindle Fire is the playbook with straight android not an emulator which the playbook will have. The Kindle Fire was horrible every time I tried it in a store, maybe it was laggy bc of a demo mode? If you are talking about putting whatever BB OS then Android emulator/player on top of that on the same hardware, then I hope people don't buy and wait for that.

Buy what works for you now, without promises of updates.

 

[3lionsbecks]

First of all, if it isn't good now then it isn't good. Or PERIOD. Promises from tech companies to fix things later is so 1990s. Or google or RIM.

From my understanding, the Kindle Fire is the playbook with straight android not an emulator which the playbook will have. The Kindle Fire was horrible every time I tried it in a store, maybe it was laggy bc of a demo mode? If you are talking about putting whatever BB OS then Android emulator/player on top of that on the same hardware, then I hope people don't buy and wait for that.

Buy what works for you now, without promises of updates.

The Playbook has much better specs than the Fire. Including cameras and parental controls. Infact, the specs on the Playbook are better then the current iPad.

I realize that the Playbook will use an Android player to use the apps but it has a fast processor and from my experience with the Playbook it isn't laggy at all.

Believe me. I do not think it is better than an iPad. I have an iPad 1 already, but for $99 you're going to tell me there is a better value out there? I doubt it, that price is WELL below the cost of manufacturing this item.

 

[sapporobaby]

i already did.

the asus transformer prime is lighter, has longer battery life, has a better camera, has a better processor, and has more ram. did i miss anything? it is undoubtedly a better piece of hardware, at least on paper. if i were into android, this is what i'd get.

i think you would have to work pretty hard to delude yourself into thinking apple's specs are somehow superior. of course, the product cycles are different, and this leapfrogging was to be expected.

The key to your statement is: "on paper". Apple has proven time and time again that while hardware matters to a point, it is the marriage of the hardware and the OS that brings the best user experience. Apple has hardly ever been on top when it comes to the latest hardware. They have been bested by Nokia, Samsung, HTC, et al, but still they come out on top with the best integrated user experience. This "my tablet is better than your tablet" debate is getting old, with no clear winner. Apple has its dedicated base which will continue to choose the Apple experience over whatever Samsung and the others can throw at the wall to try and see what sticks.

 

[amazonpam]

reporting in

Lani's getting a Kindle. Mom says she loves to read and since she already has an iphone apps shouldn't matter. We'll see Turns out Lani wanted a lot of stuff for Christmas and didn't want the ipad because of it's cost. Cheaper tablet = more stuff.

 

[newdeal]

...

I have some experience here. I had an ipad1, had an iPad 2, had an HP touchpad (bought when they were $99), have a Galaxy 10.1 that I just sold, and have a nook color. I can say with all honesty I I would never buy anything but an iPad and here is why

1: HP touchpad was awesome but too bulky and has no more software support and not enough apps
2: As an OS Honeycomb is horrible and also not enough apps
3: Samsung took Honeycomb and made it worse with their mods (example unlike every other android device it won't mount to your desktop when you plug it in you need to use some super buggy software to transfer anything to it)
4: Even though there are some fun games Android is so poorly optimized they are all laggy as hell, example my iPad1 could play fruit ninja just fine but yet a galaxy tab 10.1 has choppy graphics.
5: a 16:9 aspect ratio on a tablet is stupid as it makes portrait useless and landscape cramped (especially when there is a huge persistent bar at the bottom)

If you wonder why I have had so many tablets it is because I sold the ipad1 to buy an iPad 2, sold the iPad 2 to buy a macbook air and only bought the touchpad because it was cheap and I could resell for a profit, same with the galaxy tab which I got for $199 in a draw from my credit card company. Glad I got to try them all because I now know the iPad is the only way to go

 

[spiderman0616]

I can also see in this situation the parents saying, "Ok, if you really want a tablet we'll get you one, but NOT an iPad. Those are too expensive. So what OTHER tablet do you want?"

I'm finding it really really really hard to believe that a)tablets are that big of a deal among young girls unless they are b) an iPad. I really can't picture a girl that age saying, "Oh daddy, thank you thank you thank you so much for my new Acer Iconia!!!!"

Please----the parents are having some influence over this. Not saying they're wrong--$500 is a lot to spend on something a kid will easily destroy. Just saying that I doubt their 2 daughters are clamoring for non iPads.

 

[cjmillsnun]

i already did.

the asus transformer prime is lighter, has longer battery life, has a better camera, has a better processor, and has more ram. did i miss anything? it is undoubtedly a better piece of hardware, at least on paper. if i were into android, this is what i'd get.

i think you would have to work pretty hard to delude yourself into thinking apple's specs are somehow superior. of course, the product cycles are different, and this leapfrogging was to be expected.

Speeds and Feeds ≠ better hardware.

The quality of assembly and materials also make a difference. In that I have to say Samsung make the best Android tablet.

However, in overall terms nothing comes close to the iPad.

 

[McGiord]

If money is the issue, then go with a previous model, or an iPod Touch.

Just cancel the cable subscription and with the monthly savings you can afford any device that will give you the ability to watch.

Get credit at BestBuy and pay it over the course of the year with the savings made by not having a cable bill.

 

[mwulf67]

I can also see in this situation the parents saying, "Ok, if you really want a tablet we'll get you one, but NOT an iPad. Those are too expensive. So what OTHER tablet do you want?"

I'm finding it really really really hard to believe that a)tablets are that big of a deal among young girls unless they are b) an iPad. I really can't picture a girl that age saying, "Oh daddy, thank you thank you thank you so much for my new Acer Iconia!!!!"

Please----the parents are having some influence over this. Not saying they're wrong--$500 is a lot to spend on something a kid will easily destroy. Just saying that I doubt their 2 daughters are clamoring for non iPads.

As parent of an 11 year old daughter clamoring for a Nook Tablet, I don't find that hard to believe at all...

A lot of kids won't clamor for something they know is completely out of reach to them...and most of them don't even have to be told a $500 iPad is out of reach...they just know...

A $200-$250 tablet, on the other hand, is realistically attainable, either though their own savings or as a gift...and as a result, will clamor for it...

 

[palpatine]

The key to your statement is: "on paper". Apple has proven time and time again that while hardware matters to a point, it is the marriage of the hardware and the OS that brings the best user experience. Apple has hardly ever been on top when it comes to the latest hardware. They have been bested by Nokia, Samsung, HTC, et al, but still they come out on top with the best integrated user experience. This "my tablet is better than your tablet" debate is getting old, with no clear winner. Apple has its dedicated base which will continue to choose the Apple experience over whatever Samsung and the others can throw at the wall to try and see what sticks.

Speeds and Feeds ≠ better hardware.

The quality of assembly and materials also make a difference. In that I have to say Samsung make the best Android tablet.

However, in overall terms nothing comes close to the iPad.

The title of the thread: "Anything but the iPad."

Lani's getting a Kindle. Mom says she loves to read and since she already has an iphone apps shouldn't matter. We'll see Turns out Lani wanted a lot of stuff for Christmas and didn't want the ipad because of it's cost. Cheaper tablet = more stuff.

Great to hear. Hope she enjoys it.