...............................................................................................................
Tablet PC:
Tablet PC or Laptop – Which To Buy?
Before even beginning the comparison, I would like to tell you that you have to make a personal choice here. After all, what one might like in a tablet PC, someone else might not like. The same applies to the laptop. The best method is to make your own decision on the two, after learning of their merits and demerits in comparison to each other.
Speaking of functionality, both the tablet PC and laptop are on par with each other. You get the same kinds of applications and the same kinds of features on both. There are also special features included for either of the two mobile computing systems, like the snipping tools for the tablet PCs, which allow you to circle a portion of the screen display and email it directly to someone. Or, the note tools on the laptop which make it quite easy to take notes during a meeting. Both of them are equally good where their functionality is concerned, and that makes the choice much more difficult.
That is what – I will write about the advantages and disadvantages of the two in relation to each other, and then it is up to you to make the choice. So, here I go.
Tablet PCs are great. If you are a mobile person, and you have never considered getting a tablet PC in the past, now is as good a time as any to start checking them out - the technology is cutting-edge, the usability is superb, and prices are starting to drop.
There are two main types of tablet PCs: convertible and slate. Convertible tablets look a lot like normal laptops except the screen can be rotated all the way around and laid down flat across the keyboard. You then input information through the screen using a stylus. Slate tablet PCs include only the screen interface - though they are fully integratable with peripherals like keyboards and mouses, the computer itself does not have them. Both types are viable options, depending on your personal preferences and what you'll be using it for.
As with any technology, tablet PCs have advantages and disadvantages. Thanks to the last few years of development and enhancement, the disadvantages are shrinking in number, and the perks are becoming more and more enticing.
Advantages of Tablet PCs Far and away, the best thing about tablet PCs is their mobility. You can take and use them anywhere you go, the same way you would take a notebook and pen. That means that when your boss bumps into you in the hallway and gives you a number of assignments, you can write them down. In meetings you don't have to hide your face behind the monitor of your laptop because you can lay the tablet PC flat on the table. For students, this mobility is great - you can study your notes while you're waiting in lines or even in the car.
Tablet PCs let you use digital ink to store handwritten notes, graphs, charts, and pictures. You don't have to worry about taking your laptop and a notepad and pen to meetings or classes. Using the stylus, tablet PCs record your handwriting and drawings. They can convert your handwriting to text if you need to turn in an assignment typewritten.
All of the money you have been spending on pens, pencils, highlighters, notepads, papers, binders, folders, staples, and paperclips stays in your pocket. Because of the digital ink option on tablet PCs, much of the need for paper supplies and writing utensils is eliminated. You can keep all your notes on your computer.
Finally, one of the advantages of tablet PCs over regular laptops is that you don't lose any functionality from your computer. Tablets operate on similar platforms and run many of the same programs. In fact, many programs integrate all of their normal functions with digital ink, so you can add notes to documents and even email your handwritten notes to someone.
Disadvantages of Tablet PCs Despite my obvious zeal for tablet PCs, I recognize that there are still some disadvantages. First is the price. The prices for tablet PCs are coming down quite a bit from when they were first released, but on average, you can expect to spend more for a tablet PC than for its equivalent laptop. Depending on the bells and whistles you're looking for, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 on up.
The handwriting-to-text conversion does not always work the way you wish it would. Just like speech-to-text systems require a trained style of speech to work properly, tablet PCs recognize a trained penmanship easier than the way you may write naturally. A lot of the kinks in these conversion systems have been worked out - but don't plan on handwriting your next novel expecting to be able to convert into a print-ready copy with no problems.
Finally, their smaller size is both an advantage and disadvantage. They are much more mobile than their laptop counterparts, but the viewing area is also smaller. Likewise, the keyboard also shrinks down to accommodate the smaller size, so if you feel like your fingers are already cramped on a laptop-sized keyboard, you'll want to make sure you're going to be able to use the tablet PCs before you buy one.
Advantages of Tablet PC versus Laptop
After evaluating the pros and cons of both mobile computing systems properly, you can make your choice. It depends on what you really need to have. There are also hybrid laptop tablet PCs available in the market today, which are basically tablet PCs, but you can attach a keyboard and mouse to them, and use them in a vertical position just as you would use a traditional laptop. Incidentally, these are also the better selling of all tablet PC varieties.
By Neil Valentine D'Silva
This system is the ultimate dual-purpose computer: it’s a laptop and a tablet, with all the features commonly found in both. This includes a physical keyboard and mouse trackpad, but also sensitive touchscreen and multitouch features found in tablets.
But what’s the advantage of this “convertible computer”? Why not just buy a laptop or a tablet, or both? Well, cost for one thing. Most people buying a tablet like the iPad have a standalone laptop or desktop, for a more robust computing experience, plus to store more files, photos, etc. Much more than the iPad could possibly hold. The cost of buying two separate systems adds up.
Then there’s the convenience factor: why have two separate computers when the tabletPC can do both, equally well? If the on-screen keyboard is too much to deal with when writing long papers or reports on the tablet, switch the system back to the laptop to get some work done.
The Apple iOS is limited, as are some of the more netbook-style tablets, and the processors, amounts of RAM and hard drive capacities are usually slim. It’s tough to get serious computing accomplished. The tablet PCs run full versions of Windows 7 and come with at least 1 to 2GB of RAM, with some units able to take up to 8GB. Hard drive capacities are good, if not great at up to 500GB, and most of the systems we looked at are running the latest and greatest Intel core i3, i5 or i7 processors.
Tablet PCs: What to Look for
We highlighted above a few of the more important items when choosing a unit. We’ve broken them down into the categories we used to rank them in our reviews.
Overview:
Simply the best mobile PC ever
Have you ever seen someone try to balance his or her laptop on one arm while typing with the other? The Tablet PC's compact, convertible design allows you to comfortably use your computer in small spaces-even while standing up. Tablet PCs also include wireless Internet support and a long battery life.
Interact with people, not your PC
Due to its convertible design, you can sit across the table from someone and take notes without having your PC act as a dividing wall. It's perfect for sales meetings, or any meeting in which you don't want technology to interfere with the personal dynamic.
A truly personal computer
Express yourself with your own handwriting. Personalize messages to friends, family, and co-workers-even if they don't have a Tablet PC. With Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and MSN Messenger, you can send handwritten notes, drawings, and even add your handwritten signature to the end of your e-mails. Tablet PC puts the P back in PC.
Take notes easily
Whether you're in class or in a meeting, you can quickly jot down notes-from mathematical formulas to flow charts. Because they're electronic, you can reorganize your notes and search them later, and leave the paper behind. With Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 you can synchronize your notes with audio recordings and presentations to create binders of multimedia information.
Take advantage of Tablet PC-enabled software
Check out the Tablet PC Software Showcase for hundreds of third-party software applications that help business users within specific industries or roles, as well as students, gamers and home users. A number of these products are award-winning in their category
Make comments quickly and naturally
With Microsoft Office System, you can mark up Word documents and PowerPoint presentations-and share them with those who don't have a Tablet PC. Emphasize your point in business presentations, class lectures, and photo slideshows using the pen to highlight and draw right on the screen.
Top 5 Tablet PC
Num. 5: BlackPad
RIM is said to enter the tablet market with their very own BlackPad (mock-up pictured above, thanks Simon!). Expected to run the new OS 6, the BlackPad which will make the entire BlackBerry experience much more touch-friendly. Let’s hope so, because a heavy-menu based tablet is not going to be terribly appealing when you’ve got so much competition out there. The BlackPad is rumored to have a 1GHz processor, a rear and front-facing camera, Flash 10.1 support, and a screen size somewhere in between 7 to 9.7 inches.
We’re thinking the BlackPad could make a nice companion device to your Blackberry Torch, or whichever new OS 6 device comes out at that point. I can promise anyone that I won’t be getting this device, but I’m still very interested as to what RIM has up their sleeve with this tablet. BlackBerry users, we’re sure you’re foaming at the mouth for your own BlackPad, but there are still many more tablet options to consider…
Num. 4: Samsung Tab
Samsung has no intention of slowing down their push to become a serious competitor in the Android space. The Korean company is said to bring a portable media player to market, as well as a tablet, dubbed the Samsung Tab. The Tab is said to sport a 7 inch display (hopefully Super AMOLED), 1.2 GHz Cortex A8 CPU and Android 2.2 (Froyo) with the TouchWiz 3.0 skin running on top. Though TouchWiz isn’t the greatest skin to have on a tablet, it’s definitely not the worst, and does lend to a very usable user interface.
We don’t have too many hard specs on the tablet, but its said to be released sometime soon, possibly as soon as next month. If the Samsung Tab actually does end up shipping with a Super AMOLED display, as found on their Galaxy S line, it will definitely be a hard choice, given the competition. Speaking of which…
Num. 3: iPad 2
You thought the iPad wouldn’t make this list? Even if Apple’s iPad is essentially a big iPod Touch, it’s impossible to deny the simplicity and sexiness of the device. We really don’t know what we could expect from the next iPad, but it will likely sport at least one camera on the device. We’re also betting on larger RAM stores and possibly a higher-resolution display (hey, we can hope, can’t we?).
You can’t really call iOS 4 a feature of the next-generation iPad, as the existing tablet will be upgraded to iOS 4 in Fall 2010, but you can bet that the iPad 2 will come with it pre-installed. We’d like to see the Retina Display on the newest version of Apple’s tablet, but that would likely be too expensive for most consumers. Not to mention that would cut into the 50% profit margins that Apple enjoys at the moment. So, right now, we don’t think we’ll be seeing such a display in the iPad 2. What I’d love to see is a smaller version of the iPad, and a 7-incher may just be right around the corner. It would also be nice to see some connectivity ports on this thing too. You know like the USB ports on that are more than plentiful on competing tablets…
Num 2: PalmPad/Hurricane
Unlike with the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi, WebOS will likely be a hit on the rumored tablet from HP. The webOS UI on a big screen is itself something that many people have been waiting for and we may not have too long to wait for it. Codenamed Hurricane, we’ve been expecting a WebOS-based tablet since we first got word that Palm had been acquired by HP. The tablet could materialize as the PalmPad, if trademark filings from HP are any indication of the tablets true name.
Multitasking is a dream on the WebOS, and those cards would look nicer than ever when displayed atop a big, high-resolution display. Rumored to hit the shelves in early 2011, the PalmPad may debut with WebOS 2.0. We’re not sure what the newest version of the OS may bring us, but it’s likely to bring some much-needed upgrades, and some new features in tow to help it catch up with the likes of iOS and Android. Expect to see the gesture bar that you’ve come to love (or hate) on previous WebOS devices, but as far as hard specs go, we know nothing.
Num. 1: Notion Ink Adam
The Adam from Notion Ink is definite the tablet I am holding out for. This tablet sports every feature you could expect from a tablet, and it does it with style. The Adam may not be as sexy as some of the previous tablets, but it packs a punch where others fall short. The Adam is the first tablet we’re hearing of that will sport a 10 inch Pixel Qi display, which can be used in a full color mode, or a black and white e-reader-like mode when the backlight is off, which can offer you days of use. The Adam has gone through a handful of delays, but the launch window is still set for before the end of 2010. (We’ll believe it when we see it)
The Adam is the only tablet we have finalized specs on, some of which include: Android 2.2 (Froyo), 3.2 megapixel camera that swivels 90 degrees, USB, HDMI, SIM card slot, MicroSD slot, docking port, 3G connectivity, WiFi (b/g/n), and the number-crunching powerhouse that is the NVIDA Tegra 2 Dual core Cortex A9 processor – that’s two applications processing cores that each run at 1Ghz! There will be three different models, and all are said to be, “cheaper than the most basic iPad model.” Sign me up!
So those are our top pics for tablet, but there are many more out there. Let’s hope we start seeing these things pronto! What did you want to see make the list? Hit us up in the comments!
Details........................................................................................................
Tablet PC-05:
Samsung Galaxy Tab
The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is also powered by a dual-core 1GHz processor. Interestingly, the A4 chip used in the original Apple iPad had been designed by Samsung, which is known and acknowledged to be the largest part manufacturer for Apple.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 runs Android 3.0, also referred to as Honeycomb. This gives it powerful and effortless multitasking and easily customizable widgets.
Neither Apple nor Samsung have so far revealed the RAM on their latest devices. So we will have to await more information on that.
Additionally, Samsung is believed to be offering 1080p video capture support on its new device.
Android 3.0 tablets have so far been quite expensive. The Motorola Xoom, for instance, is priced at $599 with a 2-year contract and at $799 without contract. The 32GB WiFi + 3G model of the iPad 2 costs only $729.
Considering the above aspect, one has to wonder if the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be priced competitively enough.
Tablet PC:
Tablet PC or Laptop – Which To Buy?
Before even beginning the comparison, I would like to tell you that you have to make a personal choice here. After all, what one might like in a tablet PC, someone else might not like. The same applies to the laptop. The best method is to make your own decision on the two, after learning of their merits and demerits in comparison to each other.
Speaking of functionality, both the tablet PC and laptop are on par with each other. You get the same kinds of applications and the same kinds of features on both. There are also special features included for either of the two mobile computing systems, like the snipping tools for the tablet PCs, which allow you to circle a portion of the screen display and email it directly to someone. Or, the note tools on the laptop which make it quite easy to take notes during a meeting. Both of them are equally good where their functionality is concerned, and that makes the choice much more difficult.
That is what – I will write about the advantages and disadvantages of the two in relation to each other, and then it is up to you to make the choice. So, here I go.
What tablet PC's can do for you
There are two main types of tablet PCs: convertible and slate. Convertible tablets look a lot like normal laptops except the screen can be rotated all the way around and laid down flat across the keyboard. You then input information through the screen using a stylus. Slate tablet PCs include only the screen interface - though they are fully integratable with peripherals like keyboards and mouses, the computer itself does not have them. Both types are viable options, depending on your personal preferences and what you'll be using it for.
As with any technology, tablet PCs have advantages and disadvantages. Thanks to the last few years of development and enhancement, the disadvantages are shrinking in number, and the perks are becoming more and more enticing.
Advantages of Tablet PCs Far and away, the best thing about tablet PCs is their mobility. You can take and use them anywhere you go, the same way you would take a notebook and pen. That means that when your boss bumps into you in the hallway and gives you a number of assignments, you can write them down. In meetings you don't have to hide your face behind the monitor of your laptop because you can lay the tablet PC flat on the table. For students, this mobility is great - you can study your notes while you're waiting in lines or even in the car.
Tablet PCs let you use digital ink to store handwritten notes, graphs, charts, and pictures. You don't have to worry about taking your laptop and a notepad and pen to meetings or classes. Using the stylus, tablet PCs record your handwriting and drawings. They can convert your handwriting to text if you need to turn in an assignment typewritten.
All of the money you have been spending on pens, pencils, highlighters, notepads, papers, binders, folders, staples, and paperclips stays in your pocket. Because of the digital ink option on tablet PCs, much of the need for paper supplies and writing utensils is eliminated. You can keep all your notes on your computer.
Finally, one of the advantages of tablet PCs over regular laptops is that you don't lose any functionality from your computer. Tablets operate on similar platforms and run many of the same programs. In fact, many programs integrate all of their normal functions with digital ink, so you can add notes to documents and even email your handwritten notes to someone.
Disadvantages of Tablet PCs Despite my obvious zeal for tablet PCs, I recognize that there are still some disadvantages. First is the price. The prices for tablet PCs are coming down quite a bit from when they were first released, but on average, you can expect to spend more for a tablet PC than for its equivalent laptop. Depending on the bells and whistles you're looking for, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 on up.
The handwriting-to-text conversion does not always work the way you wish it would. Just like speech-to-text systems require a trained style of speech to work properly, tablet PCs recognize a trained penmanship easier than the way you may write naturally. A lot of the kinks in these conversion systems have been worked out - but don't plan on handwriting your next novel expecting to be able to convert into a print-ready copy with no problems.
Finally, their smaller size is both an advantage and disadvantage. They are much more mobile than their laptop counterparts, but the viewing area is also smaller. Likewise, the keyboard also shrinks down to accommodate the smaller size, so if you feel like your fingers are already cramped on a laptop-sized keyboard, you'll want to make sure you're going to be able to use the tablet PCs before you buy one.
| About the author Nick Smith is a client account specialist with 10x Marketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. For organizational software that will help you take full advantage of tablet PCs, visit GoBinder.com. |
Advantages of Tablet PC versus Laptop
- The primary advantage of the tablet PC is that it is lighter than most laptops. They are also smaller in sizes, which means you can take them quite easily tucked under your arm from one place to another. Most laptops need to be lugged wherever you go. Tablet PCs score on account of their lightness of weight.
- The tablet PC can be laid flat on the working surface. This is ideal when you are in a conference. The laptop screen needs to be kept vertical and that might obstruct clear view of the person sitting in front of you.
- The tablet PCs take their input basically with the help of a special pen. Your handwriting is the input. That can be a good choice if you are doing something artistic. You can fine-tune your input better with a pen than with a mouse or a touchpad.
- Over time, you will learn to use the pen in the right manner, and even customize the pen to your tablet PC. There are different gestures that you can apply to the pen, which will produce different kinds of results. Eventually this will become easier for you than creating results with the keyboard and mouse.
- Finally, it must be said that a tablet PC becomes more personal to the user than a laptop. Since everyone has a different style of holding and using pens, the tablet PC will become unique to the user, and even the user will become unique to the pen. In fact, there are handwriting recognition applications that will train the tablet PC to understand your handwriting and convert it into text to up to 99% accuracy.
- Some people might find the screen size of the tablet PC too small in comparison with a laptop. The maximum size the tablet PC screen can go up to is 14.1'.
- Another handicap with a tablet PC is that it does not have an inbuilt optical drive, though you can connect it externally. But this could be a deterrent to some users. The reason behind not including the optical drive is to maintain the low mass of the device.
- A tablet PC is not good if other people besides you are planning to share it. The tablet PC understands your handwriting and writing gestures, and it may not understand those of others. For that reason, tablet PCs are good only when single users intend to use it for their entire lifetime. Laptops can be used by any number of users without such concerns.
- There are more chances of screen damage to tablet PCs than to laptops. This is because of the kind of input they take, with the pen device. You will need a special screen guard for the tablet PC installed when you purchase it.
- Technically, inputs with tablet PCs become slower than those with laptops. The reason here is that tablet PCs take handwriting inputs, and that cannot match the speed of the keyboard and mouse, which the laptops use.
- Tablet PCs are also costlier than laptops. That must be one of the clinching points in making your decision, but you do need to check out the features that they provide too.
After evaluating the pros and cons of both mobile computing systems properly, you can make your choice. It depends on what you really need to have. There are also hybrid laptop tablet PCs available in the market today, which are basically tablet PCs, but you can attach a keyboard and mouse to them, and use them in a vertical position just as you would use a traditional laptop. Incidentally, these are also the better selling of all tablet PC varieties.
By Neil Valentine D'Silva
Why Buy a Tablet PC?
Tablet PCs are the ultimate convertible computer; you have a beautiful laptop with a 12.1-inch screen (on average), a keyboard to type away and a mouse trackpad to navigate the screen. But swivel the screen around and you’ve got a fully functional tablet, much like the Apple iPad. Unlike the iPad’s somewhat limited iOS, the tablet PCs we looked at run a full version of Windows 7.This system is the ultimate dual-purpose computer: it’s a laptop and a tablet, with all the features commonly found in both. This includes a physical keyboard and mouse trackpad, but also sensitive touchscreen and multitouch features found in tablets.
But what’s the advantage of this “convertible computer”? Why not just buy a laptop or a tablet, or both? Well, cost for one thing. Most people buying a tablet like the iPad have a standalone laptop or desktop, for a more robust computing experience, plus to store more files, photos, etc. Much more than the iPad could possibly hold. The cost of buying two separate systems adds up.
Then there’s the convenience factor: why have two separate computers when the tablet
The Apple iOS is limited, as are some of the more netbook-style tablets, and the processors, amounts of RAM and hard drive capacities are usually slim. It’s tough to get serious computing accomplished. The tablet PCs run full versions of Windows 7 and come with at least 1 to 2GB of RAM, with some units able to take up to 8GB. Hard drive capacities are good, if not great at up to 500GB, and most of the systems we looked at are running the latest and greatest Intel core i3, i5 or i7 processors.
Tablet PCs: What to Look for
We highlighted above a few of the more important items when choosing a unit. We’ve broken them down into the categories we used to rank them in our reviews.
Ease of Use
How easy is it to work with the tablet PC's hardware and software? How sensitive is the touchscreen display?
How easy is it to work with the tablet PC's hardware and software? How sensitive is the touchscreen display?
Design
How is the overall design of the system? Is it thin or thick; sleek and modern, or clunky and dated; how’s the screen resolution; and what are the overall dimensions and weight?
How is the overall design of the system? Is it thin or thick; sleek and modern, or clunky and dated; how’s the screen resolution; and what are the overall dimensions and weight?
Technical Specifications
These refer to what type of processor is running, RAM amount, hard drive capacity, battery life, wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G) and other features.
These refer to what type of processor is running, RAM amount, hard drive capacity, battery life, wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G) and other features.
Help & Support
What’s the length of time on the warranty? One-year minimum, or three? Can users buy a longer warranty? We also take a look at what types of help and support are provided, such as phone and email contact, live chat, users forums, a user’s manual and a FAQs/Knowledge Base.
We hope our checklist and reviews can help you choose the best tablet PC, be it an affordable but powerful model featuring the latest Intel Core processors, such as the Fujitsu LifeBook TH700 or the HP EliteBook 2740p. Perhaps you'd prefer something smaller, lighter and more netbook-like (but with an Intel processor and Windows 7), such as the viliv S10 Blade. Be sure to check out our articles related to tablet PCs.What’s the length of time on the warranty? One-year minimum, or three? Can users buy a longer warranty? We also take a look at what types of help and support are provided, such as phone and email contact, live chat, users forums, a user’s manual and a FAQs/Knowledge Base.
Overview:
Simply the best mobile PC ever
Have you ever seen someone try to balance his or her laptop on one arm while typing with the other? The Tablet PC's compact, convertible design allows you to comfortably use your computer in small spaces-even while standing up. Tablet PCs also include wireless Internet support and a long battery life.
Interact with people, not your PC
Due to its convertible design, you can sit across the table from someone and take notes without having your PC act as a dividing wall. It's perfect for sales meetings, or any meeting in which you don't want technology to interfere with the personal dynamic.
A truly personal computer
Express yourself with your own handwriting. Personalize messages to friends, family, and co-workers-even if they don't have a Tablet PC. With Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and MSN Messenger, you can send handwritten notes, drawings, and even add your handwritten signature to the end of your e-mails. Tablet PC puts the P back in PC.
Take notes easily
Whether you're in class or in a meeting, you can quickly jot down notes-from mathematical formulas to flow charts. Because they're electronic, you can reorganize your notes and search them later, and leave the paper behind. With Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 you can synchronize your notes with audio recordings and presentations to create binders of multimedia information.
Take advantage of Tablet PC-enabled software
Check out the Tablet PC Software Showcase for hundreds of third-party software applications that help business users within specific industries or roles, as well as students, gamers and home users. A number of these products are award-winning in their category
Make comments quickly and naturally
With Microsoft Office System, you can mark up Word documents and PowerPoint presentations-and share them with those who don't have a Tablet PC. Emphasize your point in business presentations, class lectures, and photo slideshows using the pen to highlight and draw right on the screen.
RIM is said to enter the tablet market with their very own BlackPad (mock-up pictured above, thanks Simon!). Expected to run the new OS 6, the BlackPad which will make the entire BlackBerry experience much more touch-friendly. Let’s hope so, because a heavy-menu based tablet is not going to be terribly appealing when you’ve got so much competition out there. The BlackPad is rumored to have a 1GHz processor, a rear and front-facing camera, Flash 10.1 support, and a screen size somewhere in between 7 to 9.7 inches.
We’re thinking the BlackPad could make a nice companion device to your Blackberry Torch, or whichever new OS 6 device comes out at that point. I can promise anyone that I won’t be getting this device, but I’m still very interested as to what RIM has up their sleeve with this tablet. BlackBerry users, we’re sure you’re foaming at the mouth for your own BlackPad, but there are still many more tablet options to consider…
Num. 4: Samsung Tab
Samsung has no intention of slowing down their push to become a serious competitor in the Android space. The Korean company is said to bring a portable media player to market, as well as a tablet, dubbed the Samsung Tab. The Tab is said to sport a 7 inch display (hopefully Super AMOLED), 1.2 GHz Cortex A8 CPU and Android 2.2 (Froyo) with the TouchWiz 3.0 skin running on top. Though TouchWiz isn’t the greatest skin to have on a tablet, it’s definitely not the worst, and does lend to a very usable user interface.
We don’t have too many hard specs on the tablet, but its said to be released sometime soon, possibly as soon as next month. If the Samsung Tab actually does end up shipping with a Super AMOLED display, as found on their Galaxy S line, it will definitely be a hard choice, given the competition. Speaking of which…
Num. 3: iPad 2
You thought the iPad wouldn’t make this list? Even if Apple’s iPad is essentially a big iPod Touch, it’s impossible to deny the simplicity and sexiness of the device. We really don’t know what we could expect from the next iPad, but it will likely sport at least one camera on the device. We’re also betting on larger RAM stores and possibly a higher-resolution display (hey, we can hope, can’t we?).
You can’t really call iOS 4 a feature of the next-generation iPad, as the existing tablet will be upgraded to iOS 4 in Fall 2010, but you can bet that the iPad 2 will come with it pre-installed. We’d like to see the Retina Display on the newest version of Apple’s tablet, but that would likely be too expensive for most consumers. Not to mention that would cut into the 50% profit margins that Apple enjoys at the moment. So, right now, we don’t think we’ll be seeing such a display in the iPad 2. What I’d love to see is a smaller version of the iPad, and a 7-incher may just be right around the corner. It would also be nice to see some connectivity ports on this thing too. You know like the USB ports on that are more than plentiful on competing tablets…
Num 2: PalmPad/Hurricane
Unlike with the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi, WebOS will likely be a hit on the rumored tablet from HP. The webOS UI on a big screen is itself something that many people have been waiting for and we may not have too long to wait for it. Codenamed Hurricane, we’ve been expecting a WebOS-based tablet since we first got word that Palm had been acquired by HP. The tablet could materialize as the PalmPad, if trademark filings from HP are any indication of the tablets true name.
Multitasking is a dream on the WebOS, and those cards would look nicer than ever when displayed atop a big, high-resolution display. Rumored to hit the shelves in early 2011, the PalmPad may debut with WebOS 2.0. We’re not sure what the newest version of the OS may bring us, but it’s likely to bring some much-needed upgrades, and some new features in tow to help it catch up with the likes of iOS and Android. Expect to see the gesture bar that you’ve come to love (or hate) on previous WebOS devices, but as far as hard specs go, we know nothing.
Num. 1: Notion Ink Adam
The Adam from Notion Ink is definite the tablet I am holding out for. This tablet sports every feature you could expect from a tablet, and it does it with style. The Adam may not be as sexy as some of the previous tablets, but it packs a punch where others fall short. The Adam is the first tablet we’re hearing of that will sport a 10 inch Pixel Qi display, which can be used in a full color mode, or a black and white e-reader-like mode when the backlight is off, which can offer you days of use. The Adam has gone through a handful of delays, but the launch window is still set for before the end of 2010. (We’ll believe it when we see it)
The Adam is the only tablet we have finalized specs on, some of which include: Android 2.2 (Froyo), 3.2 megapixel camera that swivels 90 degrees, USB, HDMI, SIM card slot, MicroSD slot, docking port, 3G connectivity, WiFi (b/g/n), and the number-crunching powerhouse that is the NVIDA Tegra 2 Dual core Cortex A9 processor – that’s two applications processing cores that each run at 1Ghz! There will be three different models, and all are said to be, “cheaper than the most basic iPad model.” Sign me up!
So those are our top pics for tablet, but there are many more out there. Let’s hope we start seeing these things pronto! What did you want to see make the list? Hit us up in the comments!
Details........................................................................................................
Tablet PC-05:
Samsung Galaxy Tab
The story of the Galaxy Tab has been quite a saga, to say the least. In fact, it was actually back in May
that we first heard rumblings of Samsung's plans to unleash a 7-inch
Android tablet much like its Galaxy S phones, but it was only after
months of painful teasing -- including a cruel look at just its packaging on the Engadget Show
-- that Sammy finally unveiled the Galaxy Tab to the world at IFA. The
Tab certainly packed the specs -- a 1GHz processor, full Flash support
thanks to Android 2.2, dual cameras, support for up to 32GB of storage
and WiFi / 3G connectivity -- to put other Android tablets to shame,
and our initial hands-on
with it only had us yearning for more. Without pricing and
availability, however, the story was at a cliffhanger. Of course, those
details trickled out over the next few months, and here in the US,
Samsung finally announced that all four major US carriers would be getting Tabs to call their own. Verizon then finally took the lead in announcing pricing, and revealed that its Tab would hit contract-free for $600 -- Sprint followed with the same no-contract pricing along with a $400 two-year contract option.
Indeed, it's been quite a long journey, but even after all of that,
some of the major questions are still left unanswered. Does the Tab
provide a more complete and polished experience than all the other
Android tablets out there? How are Samsung's specially tailored apps?
And ultimately, has a tablet finally hit the market that can rival Apple's iPad?
We think it's about time we answer those questions and finally open
what might be the most important chapter of the Galaxy Tab story -- the
official Engadget review. We knew you'd agree, so join us after the
break.
We had some very nice things to say about the Samsung Galaxy Tab during our first review
of the Android tablet. In particular, we loved its speed, effective
multi-tasking and the mobility that comes with a seven-inch screen.
Unlike the iPad, users can comfortably hold the Android-powered Galaxy
Tab with one hand.
Ultimately, we gave the device four stars, and early adopters must
have agreed with our conclusion, considering Samsung has shipped one
million units just weeks after its US launch, and a month since its
European debut.
With the holidays approaching, we thought this would be a good time
to revisit the Galaxy Tab and review some of its features and key apps,
especially the ones the carriers are promoting, including video
conferencing, media streaming, and the Android operating system
.
Those looking for a general review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab,
including detailed comments on its design and browser experience, should
check out our full Tab review. Just be sure to navigate back here for a detailed look at the Galaxy Tab's features.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Specs
The Galaxy Tab is a large device that feels awkwardly placed in a
zone between the category of smartphone and netbook. It acts as a
smartphone more than a computer, but its size makes me want to treat it
like a touchscreen computer rather than a smartphone. It’s a confusing
place to be for a device, and only as time goes by will people begin
treating it as its own unique category that can’t be compared to either
smartphones or netbooks/notebooks.
For a device that ranges between $400 and 650 depending on which
carrier you buy it from, it sure has a rather glossy and plastic feel
to it. No metal, no rubber, no soft materials whatsoever. This is
nothing surprising for a Samsung device, as its main driving force in
designing a new device is making it look sleek and sexy. After all, if
you dont’ like looking at your phone or tablet, it’s not worth buying,
right? While most Samsung phones that use this material feel as though
it’s going to break, that glossy plastic on the Tab doesn’t make it
feel like it’s going to break into pieces the first time you drop it on
the floor. On the contrary, the Galaxy Tab is incredibly sturdy and
solid, and I feel as though it will last a long time with good use.
Certainly, Samsung was very wise in choosing Gorilla Glass for the
touchscreen display, because you can’t get any tougher a screen than
that. Given the 7-inch display, it’s absolutely essential to make sure
it’s as protected as possible.
The most important question that has been asked of me is how easy it
is to hold in my hands and move around with me. I was skeptical at
first glance, wondering the same thing: as much as I love the idea of a
tablet, where the heck can I put it? I can’t really carry it around in
my pocket as easily as a standard phone.
To answer the first part of the question, it’s very easy to hold in
my hands because I don’t need both hands to keep it steady. The 7
inches does come to close to being too large to hold with one hand, but
it was designed to be portable nonetheless. A device becomes much less
portable when it requires use of two hands. The ability to keep the
Tab in the palm of your hand is tremendously handy. And at 13.4 ounces
it’s still light enough to use it at any angle without my arms getting
tired.
As for taking it around with me wherever I go, even though it may
not fit in my regular pockets, it fits nicely in my coat pocket. If you
wear cargo pants or just like oversized pants pockets, it may possibly
fit in there too. Other than that, it still fits in nooks and crannies
whenever I’m in my car (it fits easily in the glove compartment so
it’s out of the way) or at a friend’s house. In other words, I can
still hide it easily enough without showing the entire world that I use
the Galaxy Tab.
In handling the Tab I was impressed by how simplistic the tablet was
on the outside. Samsung tried to keep the sides and back completely
uninterrupted or littered with unnecessary buttons. The whole left side,
in fact, is completely smooth (only a small hole for the mic resides
there) and the only 2 physical buttons found on it are screen lock/power
and volume up/down. There’s a 3.5 mm headphone jack on top and a
MicroSD slot on the right side, and a proprietary charger with speakers
on the bottom.
One part to the Galaxy Tab that was completely off base is the
proprietary charger port. It’s not a MicroUSB or anything Samsung has
used before. It looks a lot like the same charger Apple uses on all its
devices (ha, you thought I was going to mention the iPad, but I
tricked you!), and the only theory I can come up with for doing it this
way is that a MicroUSB port doesn’t provide enough power to
sufficiently charge a larger device like the Tab. It is, after all, a
4,000 mAh battery that’s supposed to play movies for up to 7 hours.
The keyboard is a feature that can be rather intimidating when you
first use it. Going from typing on a standard-sized smartphone to the
Galaxy Tab is a huge step when considering this thing stretches out
over a 7-inch screen. I use Swype on all of my Android devices, and
portrait mode feels like the ideal size to do Swype on. Landscape,
however, is stretched out too far. For having so much screen real
estate to use up, the keys tends to be too short and wide for my
tastes; I would prefer having taller keys because it meshes with my
hand easier. At least when I mess up on a word I can easily go back
using a built-in cursor feature that enables me to slide the cursor to
whatever point in the sentence I want to go to. This cannot be said
about most other Androids I’ve used.
Fortunately there are more keyboard options than just on-screen,
because the Galaxy Tab allows support for Bluetooth keyboards and
includes a keyboard dock.
Software and OS of the Galaxy Tab
The Galaxy Tab smartly came with Android 2.2, aka Froyo, installed
in-box. This means we can has Flash Player 10.1 on our Tabs and enjoy
plenty of videos and websites that we normally can visit on the
computer but not our smartphones. On top of Froyo Samsung throws in its
ageless TouchWiz User Interface, the one that never seems to get old.
It adapts to the Tab surprisingly well; it looks exactly the same as
you would find on the Galaxy S with plenty of room for all the apps you
would ever need and enough space between them that you’re not going to
accidentally enter the wrong program.
Unlike most other Android devices, the TouchWiz app tray swipes
sideways instead of up and down. It certainly does give off the aura of
an iOS device, so if you a user of one you will definitely be very
comfortable with the Galaxy Tab.
However, one thing that causes the Tab to stand out from the Android
crowd is, again, its size. When using the Tab you will notice some
significant differences in the way different apps are set up, and I
absolutely love it. Several native apps now give you two panes of
information, and putting the Tab in landscape mode enhances the
experience greatly.
Email is one such example, where you can choose to view your
selected inboxes on the left side and the actual email you have chosen
on the right. Pinch-to-zoom can be used on the right side, which is
wonderful when you have attachments you’re trying to view.The calendar
doesn’t have a second pane, but it’s still amazing how much more
organized you appear when you see your calendar on a Galaxy Tab. The
messaging app has two panes, similar to the email app, and the right
side gives the full conversation you are currently viewing. When
looking at the music app in landscape, you also see the same two-pane
effect, the left side showing the list of albums or artists while the
right side shows more detailed information about each album or artist
and the songs they contain.
These are just a few examples. A large number of apps are becoming
tablet-friendly. In other words, porting a regular Android app into the
Tab without much extra effort will show off the app as if it’s on a 4”
touchscreen, so you see the app only show up smack-dab in the middle of
the screen, with plenty of background showing through on the borders.
However, more and more apps are getting in the tablet mode, with the
apps being adapted for the 7-inch display and taking more advantage of
all that space. Facebook is one example of an app that takes up the
entire display; Touiteur and Tweetdeck also do their best to use up
every possible square inch. Scores of developers are doing the same
exact thing, helping the Galaxy Tab become a wonderful experience for
those who use it.
Differences between carriers
Samsung’s product placement team must have done a very persuasive
job of convincing the carriers — all of them — that they need to carry
the Tab. They’re doing something right, if every major carrier in the
US plus multiple carriers across the globe are carrying it as one of
their flagship devices. This amount of competition between these
carriers is very much welcome, and rather refreshing to have such an
open and available device in a world of exclusivity.
We had some very nice things to say about the Samsung Galaxy Tab during our first review
of the Android tablet. In particular, we loved its speed, effective
multi-tasking and the mobility that comes with a seven-inch screen.
Unlike the iPad, users can comfortably hold the Android-powered Galaxy
Tab with one hand.
Ultimately, we gave the device four stars, and early adopters must
have agreed with our conclusion, considering Samsung has shipped one
million units just weeks after its US launch, and a month since its
European debut.
With the holidays approaching, we thought this would be a good time
to revisit the Galaxy Tab and review some of its features and key apps,
especially the ones the carriers are promoting, including video
conferencing, media streaming, and the Android operating - Screen: 7 inches
- Resolution: 1024 x 600
- Operating System: Android 2.2
- Processor: 1GHz Cortex A8
- Graphics: PowerVR SGX 540
- RAM: 512MB
- Storage: 2GB on board
- Storage Expansion: microSD (16GB card pre-installed, supports up to 32GB)
- Connectivity: 3G, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
- Networks: Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, US Cellular
- Camera: 1.3 megapixels (MP) front facing, 3MP rear camera
- Weight: .84 lbs
- Dimensions: 7.48 x 4.74 x 0.47 inches (WHD)
- Cost: $400 with two year agreement, $600-$650 without, carrier dependent
Email is one such example, where you can choose to view your
selected inboxes on the left side and the actual email you have chosen
on the right. Pinch-to-zoom can be used on the right side, which is
wonderful when you have attachments you’re trying to view.The calendar
doesn’t have a second pane, but it’s still amazing how much more
organized you appear when you see your calendar on a Galaxy Tab. The
messaging app has two panes, similar to the email app, and the right
side gives the full conversation you are currently viewing. When
looking at the music app in landscape, you also see the same two-pane
effect, the left side showing the list of albums or artists while the
right side shows more detailed information about each album or artist
and the songs they contain.
These are just a few examples. A large number of apps are becoming
tablet-friendly. In other words, porting a regular Android app into the
Tab without much extra effort will show off the app as if it’s on a 4”
touchscreen, so you see the app only show up smack-dab in the middle of
the screen, with plenty of background showing through on the borders.
However, more and more apps are getting in the tablet mode, with the
apps being adapted for the 7-inch display and taking more advantage of
all that space. Facebook is one example of an app that takes up the
entire display; Touiteur and Tweetdeck also do their best to use up
every possible square inch. Scores of developers are doing the same
exact thing, helping the Galaxy Tab become a wonderful experience for
those who use it.
Differences between carriers
Samsung’s product placement team must have done a very persuasive
job of convincing the carriers — all of them — that they need to carry
the Tab. They’re doing something right, if every major carrier in the
US plus multiple carriers across the globe are carrying it as one of
their flagship devices. This amount of competition between these
carriers is very much welcome, and rather refreshing to have such an
open and available device in a world of exclusivity. - More clear detail on
Design and Weight
The latest Galaxy Tab comes with a fabulous 10.1 inch display, while the Apple iPad 2 includes a 9.7 inch display. Both weigh the same, that is, 1.3 pounds. But the difference here is that that Galaxy Tab measures approximately 0.43 inches depth-wise, while the iPad 2 measures 0.34 inches.Resolution
The Galaxy Tab 10.1 comes with 1280x800 resolution, while the iPad 2 offers 1024x768 resolution. But considering the size of the screens, the resolution of both the devices is relatively more or less the same. There is hence not much to compare here.Processor Power
The iPad 2 comes with the powerful new dual-core 1GHz A5 processor, which makes the device much faster than imaginable.The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is also powered by a dual-core 1GHz processor. Interestingly, the A4 chip used in the original Apple iPad had been designed by Samsung, which is known and acknowledged to be the largest part manufacturer for Apple.
Operating System
The Apple iPad 2 runs iOS 4.3, which makes the browser much faster. Besides, this version of the iPad brings with its enhanced AirPlay and iTunes Home Sharing features. iOS 4.3 also provides an improved version of Apple’s proprietary Nitro JavaScript, meaning that the program runs faster on all iOS-based devices.The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 runs Android 3.0, also referred to as Honeycomb. This gives it powerful and effortless multitasking and easily customizable widgets.
Memory-Wise
The Apple iPad 2 offers a choice of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB internal memory. The Galaxy Tab, on the other hand, offers only two choices, 16GB and 32GB.Neither Apple nor Samsung have so far revealed the RAM on their latest devices. So we will have to await more information on that.
Camera
Both the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the iPad 2 come with 2 cameras. The former includes an 8MP rear-facing and 2MP front-facing camera. Apple have yet to reveal specifications on their cameras.Additionally, Samsung is believed to be offering 1080p video capture support on its new device.
Battery Life
The Apple iPad offers 10 hours of battery life. There are no details yet on the battery life of the Galaxy Tab 10.1. But we all know that Android 3.0 would offer enhanced battery life in tablets running its OS. The Motorola Xoom also offers 10 hours of battery life, so maybe we can expect the same with the latest Galaxy Tab too.Pricing
The pricing is the vital aspect of difference between the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Apple iPad 2. The iPad 2 is priced at $499 for the most basic 16GB WiFi version. The price for the best 64GB WiFi + 3G model is $829.Android 3.0 tablets have so far been quite expensive. The Motorola Xoom, for instance, is priced at $599 with a 2-year contract and at $799 without contract. The 32GB WiFi + 3G model of the iPad 2 costs only $729.
Considering the above aspect, one has to wonder if the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be priced competitively enough.
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