iPad 3 or Transformer Prime: A Quandary

[mmntech]

I would really like to upgrade my iPad 1 to a newer tablet. It's lack of ram has become such a limiting factor that really slows it down. So I've been shopping for a new tab and narrowed it down to two contenders: The iPad 3 and the Asus Transformer Prime.

First of all, I'm aware of the Infinity, and the Lenovo K2. Let's make that clear. I'm only looking at stuff that's on the market as of today. Also lets avoid the Apple vs Google crap. I'm just interested in what's the best tab for me to get.

Anyway... let's get down to business.

What will I be using it for:
Casual web browsing, watching online videos, monitoring twitter feeds and online radio for work, maps, moderate gaming, listening to music, light photo and video editing, and writing/blogging. I do a lot with my iPad 1.

What I don't need is 3G or LTE. Wi-Fi only. I also won't be using it as a camera.

These two contenders are pretty evenly matched so lets break it down.

iPad 3 Pros:
-High resolution retina display
-Very powerful GPU for gaming
-Currently an iPad and iPhone owner so I'm well invested in the Apple ecosystem. My apps of course but also iCloud to sync my work calendars and notes.
-iOS has a nice, minimalist design. Not cluttered or complex.
-Has the most apps, almost always gets new ones first
-Superior build quality
-Decent audio capabilities
-Very good battery life

iPad 3 Cons:
-A5X dual core CPU is weaker than the Tegra 3
-Limited storage, won't accept flash cards
-Doesn't support external USB devices aside from some cameras
-Very expensive
-Allegedly having issues with screen quality (the infamous yellow screen rears its ugly head again) and Wi-Fi.
-Limited to Apple's walled garden

Transformer Prime Pros
-Very fast quad core CPU excels at intensive tasks.
-Beautiful Super IPS+ screen
-Expandable storage
-Thin, and light with a superior build quality
-Can be converted into a netbook with keyboard dock.
-Exceptional battery life with optional dock (20hrs!!)
-Open app policy. Everything I'd need to jailbreak my iPad to get is already available in the Market.
-Love the interactive backgrounds with info displays on ICS.
-$120 Cheaper than the iPad

Transformer Prime Cons
-Very weak GPU, from nVidia no less.
-Screen is only 1280x800.
-Likely no cloud sync between my phone and this
-Ice Cream Sandwich has a cluttered and busy GUI.
-Fewer apps, and Apple always gets apps first
-Still allegedly having Wi-Fi and GPS issues
-Migration could be a PITA. Not compatible with my old apps.

So, with this in mind, which direction should I go?

 

[runawayprisoner]

iPad 3 is a no brainer coming from iPad 1.

If you care about those extra $120, go iPad 2 refurb, which is $150 off so it's cheaper than Transformer Prime and obviously would be comparable.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

no brainer iPad 3.....

 

[gorcorps]

Transformer Prime has had enough hardware issues to make me stay away.

 

[kubani1]

the ipad is still the better tablet, plus everything else you use is ios, stick with what you know.

plus it sounds like you aren't too crazy about android's design

 

[Deeko]

How much writing/blogging do you do from the tablet? If that's a considerable amount of your usage - go Transformer and get the keyboard dock. Otherwise, the iPad.

 

[gorcorps]

How much writing/blogging do you do from the tablet? If that's a considerable amount of your usage - go Transformer and get the keyboard dock. Otherwise, the iPad.

Apple is so popular there's already a number keyboard cases and such for the ipad 3. It won't have its own battery like the Transformer setup, but it's a similar feel.

 

[MrX8503]

The transformer has a lot of issues with its radios because the body is all metal. If you want a transformer wait for the infinity. At $499, you'd have a hard time finding a better tablet than the iPad3. Right now, for the money, the iPad3 is the way to go for $499.

 

[joshhedge]

The transformer has a lot of issues with its radios because the body is all metal. If you want a transformer wait for the infinity. At $499, you'd have a hard time finding a better tablet than the iPad3. Right now, for the money, the iPad3 is the way to go for $499.

The iPads body is all all metal as well from what I recall, so what? It doesn't seem to have any problems with its radios.

 

[MrX8503]

The iPads body is all all metal as well from what I recall, so what? It doesn't seem to have any problems with its radios.

uhh...the Apple logo is plastic. The wifi radio is behind that plastic window. On the Verizon/ATT models there's a plastic strip up top too. Apple learned a lot from their first gen iPhone, which was mostly metal. Now Asus is learning it the hard way that you can't make an all metal tablet.

 

[Super56K]

Yes, a dual core CPU, but ios makes great use of the additional quad core graphics. Honestly, I don't see this as much of a choice. That Prime will be old hat once all the 1080p ICS tablets start hitting later this year. The iPad 3rd gen is a beast, right now.

 

[amdhunter]

The only thing I like the Transformer over the iPad is playing 10-bit anime, which is a hit and miss on the iPad 3, but near perfect on the Transformer Prime.

The new version of EMIT plays everything perfectly, but that doesn't help when I am not at home on Wi-Fi. AVPlayer HD stutters a lot. Much more than my iPad 2.

 

[Qbah]

The iPads body is all all metal as well from what I recall, so what? It doesn't seem to have any problems with its radios.

This picture begs to differ:

All non-WiFi-only models have that.

Anyway - iPad3. I love my iPad2 It's awesome because you don't really think about it like a tablet or anything like that. It's a "portal" you keep around yourself which you use to read and watch stuff. Most of the time I forget I'm using it and fully focus on the content it provides. The extreme fluidity, thinness, amazing battery and it being always on are mostly what adds up to that.

However, the ASUS has a really nice keyboard dock if you type a lot (I don't) with a sick sick battery extension. It's lighter and thinner, however the experience is not as fluid as on iOS. For me it feels more like a computer (and here I mean it in a bad way...) than a device I just use and not notice.

 

[Aikouka]

What intensive tasks will you be worrying about the CPU for? I can't remember any sort of real world tests that seem hampered by the dual-core in the A5 or A5X.

Also, are you able to find Transformer Primes? I thought they were still hard to find?

 

[vi edit]

Yeh, just watch for sales on keyboard cases for the iPad. I bought this the other day for $25 shipped. It's supposed to fit the 3rd gen as well.

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/721...uiltin-keyboard-and-stand-refurbished?&page=2

 

[bucwylde23]

What intensive tasks will you be worrying about the CPU for? I can't remember any sort of real world tests that seem hampered by the dual-core in the A5 or A5X.

Also, are you able to find Transformer Primes? I thought they were still hard to find?

When I was at best buy getting my iPad 3 they had 2 primes in stock. You had to ask, though.

 

[Bateluer]

Primes come in stock in spurts. There'll be nothing in stock for a couple weeks, then shipments seem to hit every e-tailer and retailer at the same time. But they usually only get a handful.

The Tegra 3 GPU is currently the fastest GPU you'll find in any Android tablets though, its only bested by the SGX542MP2 and MP4 in the Ipad 2 and 3. Its hardly slow. And it'll hold that title until OMAP5s and PowerVR's Series 6 GPUs, Samsung's next Exynos chip, and Qualcomm's Adreno 300 series.

Ice Cream Sandwich's UI is clean, fast, and uncluttered though. Guessing that misinformation keeps coming up from people used to iDevices and stupidly simple UI.

 

[bucwylde23]

Primes come in stock in spurts. There'll be nothing in stock for a couple weeks, then shipments seem to hit every e-tailer and retailer at the same time. But they usually only get a handful.

The Tegra 3 GPU is currently the fastest GPU you'll find in any Android tablets though, its only bested by the SGX542MP2 and MP4 in the Ipad 2 and 3. Its hardly slow. And it'll hold that title until OMAP5s and PowerVR's Series 6 GPUs, Samsung's next Exynos chip, and Qualcomm's Adreno 300 series.

Ice Cream Sandwich's UI is clean, fast, and uncluttered though. Guessing that misinformation keeps coming up from people used to iDevices and stupidly simple UI.

I much prefer ICS to iOS but for the iPad it's pretty nice. It definitely wouldn't cut it on a phone for me.
I just bought an iPad 3 and I still plan on getting whatever nexus tablet is coming out to give my gnex a brother

 

[poofyhairguy]

As a Prime owner who loves his tablet, I think OP should get an iPad.

The best reason to get a Prime is for something you can't have on an iPad, like full USB support, NTFS support, mouse support (and therefore superior remote desktop support), full mkv support, or stereoscopic 3D support.

None of those are on OPs list.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I really want to love an Android tablet. Really I do. But it seems to be one issue after another. I got an iPad 3 and while there are certainly things with the iOS platform I don't like (iTunes, closed platform, no file system, no customizable user interface, etc). I still feel pretty good about getting the iPad 3.

The Transformer Prime kinda looks nice, but the reviews about the wifi performance concern me. So I decided to skip it.

Something to keep an eye on though is the ASUS Transformer 300. This might come next week say a couple sources. The 32GB model is $400. It cuts a few corners from the Transformer Prime, but has an all plastic body so shouldn't have the wifi interference issues the Prime has.

I'm really pulling for ASUS, because they actually seem to do a great job updating their products. So if I finally find an Android tablet good enough to buy, I pray it's made by ASUS.

 

[MrX8503]

There's an app called air disk pro that turns your iPad or iPhone into a wireless flash drive. You can drag n drop via browser or FTP. It's on sale for .99.

 

[Andrmgic]

The prime is currently the best android tablet available..

That will change in about a month. the TF700 will come out starting @ $600 and will have a 1920x1080 screen.

If you're buying a tablet now, I would not be able to recommend the prime over the ipad 3 and I have owned both devices. (I sold the prime + keyboard dock to pay for my ipad 3)

The prime can't interface with any usb devices without the dock or asus' camera kit (it uses a proprietary dock port like the ipad does). The screen is certainly nice (better than any other android tablet and better than the ipad 1 and 2), but it isn't as good as the display in the new ipad.

For me, it really comes down to available applications. The tablet apps available for the ipad are greater in number and in general quality compared to what is available on the android market and you're already invested in apple's ecosystem, having owned an ipad 1.

I'd get the new ipad.

 

[BabaBooey]

I have both and the ipad 3 screen is insane,the prime is beautiful for 1200x800 but,....:hmm:

The prime is much lighter and smaller by a bunch or so it feels in hand.

ipad 3 is a tad thicker and heavier than the ipad 2.

Prime has the dock,ipad needs a case of some sort to have board portability.

The prime can be hacked till it turns to dust,ipad 3,not so much.

I still hate the power / screen wake button,my first transformer went in to get that issue fixed and can see the same thing here after continued use..not sure what they are thinking there and the speaker placement,it is on the bottom right corner in landscape...right where your hand is ....:\

Since you have the apps,it is a pretty easy choice...ipad 3

 

[randomlinh]

it's probably easiest to just get the ipad3 since you're invested in the platform. Tablet apps are still painful on android =( blasted chicken/egg problem among other things.


Though, ICS cluttered? How do you mean?

 

[Bateluer]

To the OP: How invested are you in the iOS platform? How many apps do you have and use on a regular basis, and how many were free vs paid?