8+ Readers in comparison

[mgmueller]

Just unboxing it.
I've got it from Amazon in less than 12 hours!

I really have to say:
I'm getting impressed with Samsung.
The package is the very same style as the one for Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9.
I very much like this kind of consistency.

And, as always, I love Amazon.
Their logistics always are perfectly to the point.
And, should you need support, they actually have one. Not just some outsourced help desk without any expertise. Real specialists, polite and competent.

And now....very first impressions about Samsung Galaxy Note:

Wow. It's not heavy at all.
The low weight makes it feel a bit flimsy and "plasticky".
But it's styled very nicely.
I'd say: Far from looking or feeling cheap, but slightly behind iPhone 4 (but then again: Who/what is up to par with Apple design-wise?) in its "touch and feel".
But, of course, for a phone that size, low weight is a good thing. I'll have it in my suit pocket most of the time.

The back cover snaps off easily. I'm not worried, it might come off on its own by accident.
SIM and Micro SD card both are placed next to the (user exchangeable) battery. For now, I've only got the Micro SD. I'm permanently running out of SIM cards. I'll have to see, whether I go for an additional SIM here or take one from another gadget or just stick to WiFi.

Volume is controlled on the left. The power button is on the right, where I'd usually expect volume control.

There's a software update waiting already. "Insert SIM card". WTF? Why can't I update via WiFi only?
Taking the SIM (for now) from my new Sony Tablet P. I guess, the SIM is needed for localisation.

Now, looking at the screen: Although the display is significantly bigger than your "usual phone", it's not pixelated at all. But nothing "special" either. I'd say, it's about what I'd expect from any "tablet".
In direct comparison, maybe due to the "special black" (Triniton, I guess), the display of Sonly Tablet P is somewhat more pleasant to the eye.
Nothing to criticise about Samsung Galaxy Note's display. But as so often, expectations because of enthusiastic reviews might have been a bit too high...

I like the pen/stylus. Very much reminds me of the good old PDA days. This actually might become my business phone/organiser.
The stylus is precise enough, even without WACOM driver update (read somewhere, this would be recommended).
Similar to HTC Flyer, you can take a snapshot of any screen (by pressing the button on the stylus and clicking the screen). In this snapshot you can scribble around then.
Nice: I've always missed some kind of bookmarking feature in the Android market ("I'm not buying this app now, but I might come back later"). For now, I guess I'll just take a snapshot instead.
There are quite a few apps in the market for handwriting, even some classics I already had on my Pocket PCs. I'll probably test some later, although I never got quite fond of these.
The Samsung note app works good enough. There are some impressive examples, but I'm certainly not that artsy. Still: Sometimes jotting down simply is faster than typing. And often a doodle makes more sense than text.

I'm thinking about rooting now...

Samsung has incorporated the same gimmicks as on Galaxy Tab 8.9. Example: If you press 2 fingers on the screen, for example in the browser or gallery, by tilting the display you can zoom in and zoom out.

More later on.

[pilotbob]

Did you happen to review the Asus Transformer. This device intrigues me and looks really good.

You know what might be nice... if the posts in this thread about each device could be in a thread devoted to that device. We could created such threads and create links to each thread in post 1 of this thread.

BOb

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Did you happen to review the Asus Transformer. This device intrigues me and looks really good.

You know what might be nice... if the posts in this thread about each device could be in a thread devoted to that device. We could created such threads and create links to each thread in post 1 of this thread.

BOb

Do you mean the Asus EePad Transformer? The 10.1" tablet?
I bought it in July in the very same week as Acer Iconia. Never used any of those 2. Nothing unique to them (well, maybe the USB connectivity in Acer Iconia, but I didn't mind). I prefer Motorola Xoom.
And quite strange: I found the screen of Asus EeePad Transformer somewhat "sticky". Felt like somebody would have used hairspray or something like that on it. I've cleaned it, but it didn't fade. My Samsung stylus for example was quite painful to use. Didn't have this on Acer Iconia.
In direct comparison between the two, I even would have preferred Acer Iconia.
Still, both way behind Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9" and most other Honeycomb tablets.
Lots of reviews have been enthusiastic about the keyboard for Transformer. But I don't have use for it. I'm using tablets because of their portability. If absolutely necessary, I'd use my Apple bluetooth keyboard, but not such a bulky combo.
What about your MBA?

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

You know what might be nice... if the posts in this thread about each device could be in a thread devoted to that device. We could created such threads and create links to each thread in post 1 of this thread.

BOb

This thread is totally chaotic, I have to admit.
Discussions moving from one topic to another, adding a new gadget and continuing discussions about another one, ...
If some of you moderators could build a table of content or anything like that, certainly would be helpful...
Then, based on the TOC, we could bundle by topic/unit.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

Lots of reviews have been enthusiastic about the keyboard for Transformer. But I don't have use for it. I'm using tablets because of their portability. If absolutely necessary, I'd use my Apple bluetooth keyboard, but not such a bulky combo.
What about your MBA?

Yes, the KB is really the reason I would consider it. An MBA would be nice but about twice as much as the Asus eePad with Keyboard I think. About $500 vs $1000.

BOb

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Yes, the KB is really the reason I would consider it. An MBA would be nice but about twice as much as the Asus eePad with Keyboard I think. About $500 vs $1000.

BOb

But is the combo really so much better than, let's say, Motorola Xoom + bluetooth keyboard?
I've seen a picture of another Asus Tablet. Seems kind of a successor to Transformer. Allows for a keyboard as well. Forgot the name, maybe I'll find it later on.

[mgmueller]

Lots of reviews praise the GPS.
I have to compare, whether it really is more responsive and/or faster than on other tablets/phones.
But it definitely is fast. Even in my living room, I've received the coordinates within seconds. So I'm just downloading Navigon, Sygic, NDrive 11, CoPilot and Route 66 to check out in more depth. I really love GPS apps, one of the main reasons why I switched from my WiFi-only iPad to the 3G model. Sitting in the hotel, finding a nice restaurant in the neighborhood. Or driving around and spontaneously checking into a hotel.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

But is the combo really so much better than, let's say, Motorola Xoom + bluetooth keyboard?
I've seen a picture of another Asus Tablet. Seems kind of a successor to Transformer. Allows for a keyboard as well. Forgot the name, maybe I'll find it later on.

Maybe, maybe not. I just saw a video on the Transformer.. perhaps it was a newer model, but I thought that is what it was. Oh, it's actually the Transformer Prime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0D-mXIzlKc

http://eee.asus.com/en/eeepad/transf...prime/features

BOb

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Maybe, maybe not. I just saw a video on the Transformer.. perhaps it was a newer model, but I thought that is what it was. Oh, it's actually the Transformer Prime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0D-mXIzlKc

http://eee.asus.com/en/eeepad/transf...prime/features

BOb

That's the new one I meant.
I bought the "original" Transformer: http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Transform...2586837&sr=8-2
Asus certainly is innovative. But quite frankly, to me they still seem kind of underdogs. Trying to gain some market share with low prices. But who knows? That's where Samsung was only a few years ago...

[JerseyBiker]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

That's the new one I meant.
I bought the "original" Transformer: http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Transform...2586837&sr=8-2
Asus certainly is innovative. But quite frankly, to me they still seem kind of underdogs. Trying to gain some market share with low prices. But who knows? That's where Samsung was only a few years ago...

Well I hope the new ASUS Transformer Prime lives up to the hype because I just pre-ordered one. According to all sources I could find it has the most powerful processor of all current tablets. Connected to the keyboard you can get up to 18 hours of battery life and the keyboard has a USB port. I don't think you can get that with a Bluetooth keyboard. Check it out at:
http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_...F201/#overview

I have built several computers using ASUS motherboards going back and few years and they were always the most reliable. I hope their new tablet is just as well made.

~eddie

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

<snip>

There's a software update waiting already. "Insert SIM card". WTF? Why can't I update via WiFi only?
Taking the SIM (for now) from my new Sony Tablet P. I guess, the SIM is needed for localisation.

<snip>

It looks like a nice device, but this is an absolute no-go for me. I have no need for a smartphone. If I were to buy this device, I'd use it wifi-only 100% of the time. So, it'd be a PDA-like device to me.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

It looks like a nice device, but this is an absolute no-go for me. I have no need for a smartphone. If I were to buy this device, I'd use it wifi-only 100% of the time. So, it'd be a PDA-like device to me.

For now, they only had the 3G/WiFi version, but a WiFi-only version is announced (or is it only rumors?) already.
I didn't need the SIM after this initial installation anymore. In the worst case, you might use a SIM for setup and then put it back into the original unit where it came from...
Yesterday evening I've played with both Samsung Galaxy Note and Sony Reader P. In direct comparison, the screen quality of Sony really shines. Not because Galaxy Note would be bad. But the colors on Sony simply are more vibrant. In that area, Sony Tablet P definitely is amongst my top 3 tablets. If only it had the pen/stylus of Galaxy Note...
And the split screen isn't quite there yet. I can live with the gap between the two screens. But some apps simply don't work in "full screen" mode. It looks rather stupid, having the Android market only on the upper screen and total darkness on the lower one.

[pata]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

But is the combo really so much better than, let's say, Motorola Xoom + bluetooth keyboard?
I've seen a picture of another Asus Tablet. Seems kind of a successor to Transformer. Allows for a keyboard as well. Forgot the name, maybe I'll find it later on.

yes. The Asus tablet keyboard dock has a multitouch trackpad built in. Asus has also customized the Android OS to fully support that trackpad. It provides for a much better experience than a Xoom + Bluetooth keyboard, even if you stick a mouse in the Xoom's USB port for rudimentary android support. For the iPad there isn't anything similar unless you hack it to connect a magic mouse with no iOS support.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by mgmueller

This thread is totally chaotic, I have to admit.
Discussions moving from one topic to another, adding a new gadget and continuing discussions about another one, ...
If some of you moderators could build a table of content or anything like that, certainly would be helpful...
Then, based on the TOC, we could bundle by topic/unit.

Because you keep buying new toys and do not stick to only one or two...

Just kidding!

[mgmueller]

It's been a while, So, for now, my totally subjective ranking.
Starting with my tablets, the rest coming soon:
(It's not easy, what to call "tablet" and what not. Personally, I count Dell Streak and Samsung Galaxy Note as tablets, but iPhone 4 not. May not make sense for some, but that's my personal "gut feeling".)

#1: BlackBerry PlayBook, Sony Tablet P, Samsung Galaxy Note
I really can't say, which actually is #1. Sony and Samsung obviously have the "new" bonus. BlackBerry PlayBook I still find absolutely fantastic.

#4: Motorola Xoom
It's a bit bulky, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9" certainly is more "stylish". Still, I've really loved it from the very first moment.

#5: Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9"
Very nice. Great size. I'd rather have 16:9 instead of 4:3 (or whatever it has), but it's really a very positive surprise.

#6: iPad 2
Interesting enough, it never made the same (very positive) impression on me as iPad 1. I don't like the curvy edges very much. And frankly, I find iOS a bit dated. The little progress they've made most of the time seems to be "inspired" by other brands.

#7: iPad 1
Still a classic. A bit dated by now. But still one of the most "polished" designs. And obviously the first "real" tablet.

#8: Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v
Unfortunately, a mixed package. I wanted to have the 10.1v instead of the "stripped down" 10.1. But I didn't find any good cover at all and so, without protection, never was too comfortable with it. On its own, a great tablet, though.

#9: Samsung Galaxy Tab 7"
I really loved it. And I found it very close to iPad 1. But obviously it's dated by now.

#10: HP TouchPad
Very tough to rate. It's a fantastic tablet. Right after BlackBerry PlayBook OS-wise. But way less apps than for PlayBook. And PlayBook opens the door to the Android world. Meaning: I love my TouchPad, but I simply can't do very much with it.

#11: Dell Streak
I liked it. But I never found any real use for it, so it ended up as my business phone.

#12: Acer Iconia
I spontaneously bought it, when I was bored. One of those purchases without need or use. I didn't even play very much around with it the very first day. I've got the Motorola Xoom a few weeks before and Acer Iconia simply didn't match up.

#13: Asus EeePad Transformer
I bought it a few days after Acer Iconia. More or less the same experience = no match for Motorola Xoom. I liked it even less than Acer Iconia. Maybe it was just my unit, but the display was somewhat "sticky", my Samsung pen didn't go as smoothly as usual.

So, what's next?
I'll try to limit the number of my tablets to less than 15. I found, that I simply can't handle more. Whenever I check my shelf, another tablet has run out of battery.
So I'll try to sell about as many as I buy and stick to about the same number of tablets.

I'll definitely go for iPad 3. I guess, they'll implement quite a few features they saw on Android, PlayBook, TouchPad and such. And I think, you can't do much wrong with the iPad series.

I'd obviously go for any successor of BlackBerry PlayBook - should there be any (they should do so, but sales figures still seem to be disastrous).

I'm very interested in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" or 7.7". I like the portability and Samsung certainly will have 1 or 2 aces up their sleeve.

I'll take a look at Motorola Xoom 2 as well. Didn't have the time yet, to check out the difference between the 2 versions (standard and "Media Edition", I think).