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rschauer · 07-08-2011, 07:52 AM

I broke down and bought an iPad. After a few days I decided I still hate Apple, so I returned it.

Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful device. Well-made, fairly comfortable, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing. The software works very well with the device. I just can't cope with Apple's closed-source mindset (yeah, I'm one of those nerds), or the apparent blind stupidity of the majority of the community (no offense to any owners). I'd go into more detail, but it's not really important for this discussion. If you want it solely as a reader, it will definitely do the job for you. I found it surprisingly less of a strain on the eyes than I expected, and iBooks is a pleasure to use (it's nearly identical to Aldiko on Android, which I had previously used on my phone).

So, since the first Android tab on my list (Asus' lovely and low-priced Transformer) isn't available for me to see in person anywhere, I decided to try the Xoom tablet. I'm liking it so far. Best Buy (and numerous other outlets) had marked it down from $600 to $500 literally hours before I made my decision, so that helped. While there does seem to be that screen rotation delay I've seen on all the Android tabs, this is the only instance I've seen of its performance not matching the iPad. I lost the 4:3 screen ratio of the iPad as well, but I loaded up some PDFs in Aldiko and found the default size in portrait mode to be adequate. I also lost a little of the comfort factor; the Xoom is very noticeably thicker and heavier, though it's still not bad, being only 1/4 lb. heavier. Also, it could be my brain playing tricks on me after using the white iPad, but I seem to get a bit more screen glare on the black-bordered Xoom. Despite those losses, I feel better with this one. All the software I want is readily available (and usually free), I have a microSD slot, I can multitask properly, and there's no more proprietary connector. Bonus: it was $100 cheaper.

I'm giving this one some thought. I have two weeks to return it again, and I sort of wanted to give Samsung's newest Galaxy Tab a try. However, I'm not considering that one until I'm satisfied that they're going to start shipping that USB Host adapter they announced. Failing that, I'd like to take a look at the new Toshiba Thrive that's coming out (within the week?)...that's not going to do anything for me in terms of thickness/weight, though.

I know I'm just babbling here, and I might be more at home if I just go back to one of the Android forums. But it's my thread, after all.

Please, if anyone has any other thoughts to add here, or questions about the devices I've used, post more! I'll probably add my own further opinions as I approach the final decision on my device.

07-08-2011, 07:52 AM	#12
rschauer Enthusiast Posts: 29 Karma: 40 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Iowa Device: Kindle 3	I broke down and bought an iPad. After a few days I decided I still hate Apple, so I returned it. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful device. Well-made, fairly comfortable, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing. The software works very well with the device. I just can't cope with Apple's closed-source mindset (yeah, I'm one of those nerds), or the apparent blind stupidity of the majority of the community (no offense to any owners). I'd go into more detail, but it's not really important for this discussion. If you want it solely as a reader, it will definitely do the job for you. I found it surprisingly less of a strain on the eyes than I expected, and iBooks is a pleasure to use (it's nearly identical to Aldiko on Android, which I had previously used on my phone). So, since the first Android tab on my list (Asus' lovely and low-priced Transformer) isn't available for me to see in person anywhere, I decided to try the Xoom tablet. I'm liking it so far. Best Buy (and numerous other outlets) had marked it down from $600 to $500 literally hours before I made my decision, so that helped. While there does seem to be that screen rotation delay I've seen on all the Android tabs, this is the only instance I've seen of its performance not matching the iPad. I lost the 4:3 screen ratio of the iPad as well, but I loaded up some PDFs in Aldiko and found the default size in portrait mode to be adequate. I also lost a little of the comfort factor; the Xoom is very noticeably thicker and heavier, though it's still not bad, being only 1/4 lb. heavier. Also, it could be my brain playing tricks on me after using the white iPad, but I seem to get a bit more screen glare on the black-bordered Xoom. Despite those losses, I feel better with this one. All the software I want is readily available (and usually free), I have a microSD slot, I can multitask properly, and there's no more proprietary connector. Bonus: it was $100 cheaper. I'm giving this one some thought. I have two weeks to return it again, and I sort of wanted to give Samsung's newest Galaxy Tab a try. However, I'm not considering that one until I'm satisfied that they're going to start shipping that USB Host adapter they announced. Failing that, I'd like to take a look at the new Toshiba Thrive that's coming out (within the week?)...that's not going to do anything for me in terms of thickness/weight, though. I know I'm just babbling here, and I might be more at home if I just go back to one of the Android forums. But it's my thread, after all. Please, if anyone has any other thoughts to add here, or questions about the devices I've used, post more! I'll probably add my own further opinions as I approach the final decision on my device.