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IPad vs Asus EP121
- Thread starter OSMac
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matrix07
macrumors G3
Don't talk about Windows and being instant in the same sentence. I'm using Windows daily and it never be instant. Wait until you're using it a couple of months, it'll slow down to a crawl. It's always like that. New machine, very fast. A couple of months old, you almost didn't believe it's the same one anymore.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
What really makes it slow is businesses adding on the security, group policies and any software/services they want loaded.
My computer in work literally takes 10 minutes to reboot. While my computer may not be the fastest, its a core 2 duo and the performance is abhorrent thanks the bloat my company piles on
Night Spring
macrumors P6
When waking up from sleep, it is pretty much instant. If you are coming back from hibernation, sure, it takes a looooooong time.
The choice between standby and hibernation on an x86 machine is rather a Catch-22 situation. If you choose to stay in standby as long as possible then your laptop/tablet will be almost instant on but a big chunk of battery will drain away. Conversely hibernating early means that you don't lose battery life while you're not using the device but you do lose any sense of instant on.
The iPad solves this particular dilemma by having a very low power standby mode and a relatively big battery. For my uses this is a really big deal, my iPad is the device I goto when I want to quickly check, browse or look something up. Being able to get in quickly and by confident that there is enough battery life to do everything that I want is essential for this. A 3.5 hour battery life means that the Asus will probably be hibernating when you come to use it, which kills the kind of use I want dead.
The iPad solves this particular dilemma by having a very low power standby mode and a relatively big battery. For my uses this is a really big deal, my iPad is the device I goto when I want to quickly check, browse or look something up. Being able to get in quickly and by confident that there is enough battery life to do everything that I want is essential for this. A 3.5 hour battery life means that the Asus will probably be hibernating when you come to use it, which kills the kind of use I want dead.
MrWillie
macrumors 65816
Male, yes. Joking? NO.
Not an issue. Win Home Editions cannot log into domains.
SSD drives speed up boot times greatly.
While Windows Tablets, for the most part, have been failures for the past ten years, I guess the iPad brought back the notion of a tablet. Maybe they won't do so bad this time. But, if I am going to carry around a 2.56lb tablet, I just as soon carry a more powerful and less expensive laptop.
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maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
True, but that still doesn't account for the general sluggishness that occurs with windows.
I was pointing out that its slow, but in the workplace its actually worse. It doesn't matter if you have the home edition, and an SSD, Windows boot time degrades over time.
It might have degraded in previous versions - I don't recall, but I've been running Win7 on my main workhorse (1+ year) and it continues to boot faster than my Macbook pro which is two months newer.
maflynn
macrumors Broadwell
That might be, I'm running win xp at work and I've not had my fusion win7 partition long enough to determine if that's the case as well.
If you want a laptop without a physical keyboard, you have at it. I think you and a lot of people are missing the point of what a tablet device represents. I have a very powerful, very lightweight laptop for everything windows-based, so why would I buy a "tablet" that has a weedy processor and no physical keyboard? Don't get me wrong, they have their place, but come on... The last thing I want in a tablet device is a complex, resource hogging OS. Apple got it right with iOS which is why Honeycomb 3.0 just seems "alright", because it's not better.
Because the LCD opens up all the way 180 degrees which can be useful sometimes. 😉
But yeah really a tablet PC is just a Windows PC without the keyboard and with a clunky pen interface when it's on the tablet mode. Unless one really needs to draw on the screen I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
matrix07
macrumors G3
I timed my machine. Put it to sleep. Woke up to sign in screen took 14 seconds. Another 22 seconds before Firefox, which is already open, was ready.
Of course I don't have SSD but it's a far cry from "instant" I'm used to with my iPod Touch.
"Yes, but with a MacBook pro when it gets to be five to six years old and isn't quite working right, it can be brought to an Apple store, if the individual is of the proper gender and build, they can get it fixed and upgraded for free. Buy a cheap Dell or HP laptop and when you call you get India. (No offense to our Indian friends, but I am in the US and speak English). Buy a cheap WalMart laptop and what do you get? "
Absolute nonsense, Apple will never give you a free upgrade to a 5-6 year old machine unless there is a widespread manufacturing defect that they choose to acknowledge - such as the defective Nvidia cards.
Back to the topic of the 121, its pointless comparing it to the iPad since they are designed to do two very different things. For digital artists the 121 is exactly what many of us have been waiting for since it has enough grunt to run Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, and uses a pressure sensitive Wacom stylus (an essential inclusion). It's certainly more portable than my MBP & Intuos tablet combo. The only disappointing aspect is the battery life.
It would be fantastic if Apple were to release an i5 tablet with Wacom support and great battery life, at the moment that doesn't seem likely :/
Absolute nonsense, Apple will never give you a free upgrade to a 5-6 year old machine unless there is a widespread manufacturing defect that they choose to acknowledge - such as the defective Nvidia cards.
Back to the topic of the 121, its pointless comparing it to the iPad since they are designed to do two very different things. For digital artists the 121 is exactly what many of us have been waiting for since it has enough grunt to run Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, and uses a pressure sensitive Wacom stylus (an essential inclusion). It's certainly more portable than my MBP & Intuos tablet combo. The only disappointing aspect is the battery life.
It would be fantastic if Apple were to release an i5 tablet with Wacom support and great battery life, at the moment that doesn't seem likely :/
MrWillie
macrumors 65816
If you say so....
Windows tablets with Wacom support have been around for quite a while. I even had the 'pleasure' of using one. I don't understand the wait.
Unless you are exceptionally lucky I have no idea why they would just hand you a new machine. They refused point blank to repair my friends machine 10 days out of warranty when the power supply literally went "Bang!"
If using a Wacom stylus isn't for you thats fine, I genuinely don't have a problem using it to navigate finder or windows explorer. My primary use would be drawing so I'm not interested in touch (in fact I'd configure it without touch to save some ££ if I could), if I need to type anything of length I'll use the included keyboard.
The "wait" refers to the size & weight, performance, and form factor - plenty of powerful convertible tablets have been around, slates on the other hand have been very expensive and low powered. The 121 appears to combine a good set of features for a comparatively reasonable price - compare it to the Motion J3500 http://www.pcwb.co.uk/catalogue/item/C0011344
I'll reiterate that if Apple were to release a similar device I'd be very interested indeed. Right now this appears to do what I need it to so I'm keeping my eye out for reviews by other artists.
If using a Wacom stylus isn't for you thats fine, I genuinely don't have a problem using it to navigate finder or windows explorer. My primary use would be drawing so I'm not interested in touch (in fact I'd configure it without touch to save some ££ if I could), if I need to type anything of length I'll use the included keyboard.
The "wait" refers to the size & weight, performance, and form factor - plenty of powerful convertible tablets have been around, slates on the other hand have been very expensive and low powered. The 121 appears to combine a good set of features for a comparatively reasonable price - compare it to the Motion J3500 http://www.pcwb.co.uk/catalogue/item/C0011344
I'll reiterate that if Apple were to release a similar device I'd be very interested indeed. Right now this appears to do what I need it to so I'm keeping my eye out for reviews by other artists.
Unfortunately i've seen a few videos on youtube where it slows down with the bigger brush strokes =(. The waiting game continues. Maybe a sandy bridge update to this slate will make it fast enough.
MrWillie
macrumors 65816
Never said replace machine, tweak OS and add memory, and replace hard drives. If you turn on IMs, I'll IM you on how to get it replaced, without doing anything illegal.
Wacom wasn't the issue. It being a crappy HP was. Really, remove the mother board to replace the CMOS battery. Buy a whole new case for $85 just to replace the broken 10 cent slider for the power switch. Tech support is in India.
I am looking at the 121 also, but for totally different reasons. I will however need Win7 Professional.
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ezekielrage_99
macrumors 68040
Good call about the MBP.
I think most people get hung up on the hardware specs and think little of the application of the device.
It doesn't slow down for me, unless the brush gets larger then 300-400 pixels on a 300dpi image but that can slow down my desktop, for remote drawing (my job) this is the best pen input device so far (Besides a Cintiq) and I've used a few.
AppleScruff1
macrumors G4
I will partially echo this thought, although in my case it wasn't so much a requirement to be outside the studio so much as a luxury. I guess that's the answer to why anyone would want a full blown windows install on a tablet.
On the other hand, I've returned mine as it was consistently crashing, and without a keyboard, it would become completely useless once it booted into windows recovery (no drivers for the touchscreen). The only fix was to either carry a keyboard around or disable the auto-recovery - neither of which made it really worthwhile.
Hopefully they make a few improvements - i'm looking forward to revisiting the tech in another year.
I've seen and played with this Asus a bit at bestbuy.. they were in the process of setting up a new tablet area next to the iPads. Its cool I guess.. pretty powerful, and nice large screen. But is this what people want or what people will buy? I dunno, it was $1100 next to a $550 iPad, and felt like it weighed 3-4 times as much. I honestly can't see much if any consumers walking into bestbuy and choosing this type of tablet over an iPad when its twice the price.
At work I'm using a 4.5 year old Dell with Core 2, 2GB and a simple SSD and the thing flies with windows 7. Boots very quickly and has instant on feel from sleep. Of course I keep it clean and dont load it up with crap like most PC users tend to do..
What kind of computer are you using that it takes so long to wake from sleep?
On a well maintained windows 7 computer with an SSD you can easily get an instant on from sleep type of performance. My wife's cheap netbook with an SSD wakes from sleep instantly.
At work I'm using a 4.5 year old Dell with Core 2, 2GB and a simple SSD and the thing flies with windows 7. Boots very quickly and has instant on feel from sleep. Of course I keep it clean and dont load it up with crap like most PC users tend to do..
What kind of computer are you using that it takes so long to wake from sleep?
On a well maintained windows 7 computer with an SSD you can easily get an instant on from sleep type of performance. My wife's cheap netbook with an SSD wakes from sleep instantly.
I have both
I'm probably one of the few users on here that have both devices (I'm typing this on the EP121). I have to agree with what a couple others have said, they are two different devices for two different purposes and not much else similar except the form factor.
I pick up my iPad if I'm going to just read, browse the 'net or run some lightweight apps or games at the park. The battery life, interface and elegance are unparalleled, I think. But I use it more like I did my iPhone than like my laptop.
The Asus EP121 is heavier but not so much that I've ever tired of carrying it (maybe because I have a bulky protector on my iPad) and it runs as cool as my iPad. I got the 4GB model with the 64GB SSD and I timed it from a cold-boot to reading Google news on Firefox at 23 seconds -- probably a tad slower than my Ipad. I use the EP121 when I need to get work done on the road - review project proposals, mark-up a collaboration document, or create a new business case document. I have a 64GB SDXC card where I moved my "profile" (My Documents, My Music, My Photos, etc.) and it's functions just as a laptop would - just lighter and more versatile.
Things I like most about the EP121 are the included full sized bluetooth keyboard and the leather portfolio that comes with it functions as a monitor stand 3 different ways. I also value the three ways of input (keyboard, pen and touch) and I find my self using them all every day. Being able to connect to a client's business network and print to their printers or digitizer has saved me already more than once.
Things I don't like about the EP121: Battery life for me is consistently about 4 hours with regular office use and I can't find an extra ding dang power adapter anywhere. And it came with Windows 7 Home so I had to foot the bill to buy an upgraded version to be able to network the way I need to. Other than those two aggravations, it's been a stable performer so far. Edit: One more aggravation is no docking station (yet). If it's going to be my laptop it'd be nice to be able to dock it to my monitor and run dual screen.
I wouldn't go so far to call my iPad a "toy" but it's no laptop. I thought about buying a laptop but the cost of iPad + laptop was more money than I thought I would get compared to the $1000 you can buy the Asus for now. So far I'm happy to have both but, unless I knew I wouldn't be near a power outlet, I'd probably take my Asus out before my iPad just because it can do all that my iPad can.
JMHO. Let me know if you have any questions about the EP121.
I'm probably one of the few users on here that have both devices (I'm typing this on the EP121). I have to agree with what a couple others have said, they are two different devices for two different purposes and not much else similar except the form factor.
I pick up my iPad if I'm going to just read, browse the 'net or run some lightweight apps or games at the park. The battery life, interface and elegance are unparalleled, I think. But I use it more like I did my iPhone than like my laptop.
The Asus EP121 is heavier but not so much that I've ever tired of carrying it (maybe because I have a bulky protector on my iPad) and it runs as cool as my iPad. I got the 4GB model with the 64GB SSD and I timed it from a cold-boot to reading Google news on Firefox at 23 seconds -- probably a tad slower than my Ipad. I use the EP121 when I need to get work done on the road - review project proposals, mark-up a collaboration document, or create a new business case document. I have a 64GB SDXC card where I moved my "profile" (My Documents, My Music, My Photos, etc.) and it's functions just as a laptop would - just lighter and more versatile.
Things I like most about the EP121 are the included full sized bluetooth keyboard and the leather portfolio that comes with it functions as a monitor stand 3 different ways. I also value the three ways of input (keyboard, pen and touch) and I find my self using them all every day. Being able to connect to a client's business network and print to their printers or digitizer has saved me already more than once.
Things I don't like about the EP121: Battery life for me is consistently about 4 hours with regular office use and I can't find an extra ding dang power adapter anywhere. And it came with Windows 7 Home so I had to foot the bill to buy an upgraded version to be able to network the way I need to. Other than those two aggravations, it's been a stable performer so far. Edit: One more aggravation is no docking station (yet). If it's going to be my laptop it'd be nice to be able to dock it to my monitor and run dual screen.
I wouldn't go so far to call my iPad a "toy" but it's no laptop. I thought about buying a laptop but the cost of iPad + laptop was more money than I thought I would get compared to the $1000 you can buy the Asus for now. So far I'm happy to have both but, unless I knew I wouldn't be near a power outlet, I'd probably take my Asus out before my iPad just because it can do all that my iPad can.
JMHO. Let me know if you have any questions about the EP121.
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MrWillie
macrumors 65816
How hard was it to upgrade to Win 7 Pro. Did you wipe it first, or just upgrade ? What about drivers and utilities ?
It blows chunks that a device marketed for corporate users would come with home edition.
matrix07
macrumors G3
I have dual core 2,4Ghz AMD machine and it's only a few years old. And no, there's no craps in my PC. This is a self-bulit, self-installed machine. You knows, unlike MAC, we can built a PC ourselves, right?
Funny my wife's most complaints about her cheap notebook (notebook, not even netbook) is always how slow it boots, how slow it wakes. And it's a well-maintained. Please, I'm using Windows for 20 years and always built system myself. Don't be Windows apologist and don't give me crap about it's slow because it's not "well-maintained". It's slow because that's the way it is.
What is "well-maintained" anyway? Defrags HDD every few days? Please..
If you have only IE in your machine then perhaps it can be freaking fast. Use it normally as a tool for a few months and it'll slow down significantly.
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