Quote:
Originally Posted by bhartman36
It's hard for me to see the iPad coming out on top in that kind of analysis.
Look at something like the Archos 9. If you're looking at buying a tablet, would you want an iPad for $500, or the Archos 9 for $550? The gap between the two devices is pretty large, I think. |
For me, my needs for a tablet device are simple. I want a device that is close to the size and weight of an A4 notebook in a solid leather writing compendium. I want the whole screen available to use for handwriting recognition. I want handwriting to instantly and accurately transform to text. I need a device that I can use for case noting at work and taking notes in university lectures.
The Archos 9 is in no way a competitor for the Apple Ipad. The Archos ships with a crippled version of Windows 7 which does not allow any tablet PC functions to work. I took delivery of my several weeks ago and one of the first things I did was upgrade to a higher specced version of Windows 7, it then took another day to get all of the tocuh functions working correctly. This is fine if you are technically minded or have people close to you who are.
The Ipad is designed to work out of the box from what I can see.
The Archos 9 is a slow and clumsy machine with a very slow boot time whereas the Iad is pretty much an instant on device.
Yes I can run a range of programs on the Archos whcih won't work on the Ipad, but there are a range of Apps that will work arounds these limitations.
The Archos 9 works well as an e-reader and all formats are readable on it. Turn the brightness down low and it realy is very comfortbale to read for hours on.
The Archos 9 is totally pathetic for watching video content on and you CANNOT watch any Ituens videos at all, way to choppy.
The windows handwriting recognition leaves a lot to be desired, although it is accurate. I really do not like the very small area that is proivided to write in.
And the aspect ratio of the Ipad is very much closer to what I want than the Archos 9.
For now with all it's limitations, I will stick to the Archos 9 (mainly due to my hubby becoming a little inpatient with my Gadget buying addicition) as it does allow me to use handwriting recognition to complete ntoes, although it could do with massive improvements.
Archos and Apple provide for totla opposite ends of the spectrum, with Archos merely providing the hardware and allowing users to configure to what they want. This leads to a huge frustration in getting the device to do what you want. Whereas Apple provide and easy to use interface with a closed system which will not suit those who want to tinker.
For me to veiw the Ipad as a MUST have, it will need to provie a way to view RAW image files from a range of cameras, Solid handwriting recognition (athought the write pad looks very good) as well as a very good library app (possibley Calibre) to manage different formated books, eg click on a book and the app will open thte correct e-book viewing app. Give me these functions in the form factor of the Ipad and I will be sold (with 3G of course)