Specs & price - Does this tablet exist yet?

[AnitaPeterson]

Hi folks,

Seeing how the tablet market is getting crowded, I'm appealing to the Anandtech hive-mind to find out if the time is right to make a first foray into the field.

I have a distinct set of requirements which should be met by an ideal machine:

1) screen size between 7 and 10 inches, and at least 1024x600 resolution.
2) WiFi and fully-usable web browser
3) must be able to read and display PDF (including image-heavy files), TXT, HTML (other formats, like DOC, LIT and EPUB are a bonus)
4) USB port
5) SD card slot
6) able to read and display audio and video files, from MP3 and AVI to FLAC and MKV. The loading of audio and video files on the device should be as easy drag-and-drop from USB or card, and NOT require a special interface (a la iTunes or Calibre).
7) compatible with most frequently used image files (JPG, TIF, BMP)
8) good battery life (at least 5 hours for non-stop video, more if used only as reader.)
9) good-sized program/applications market, with many available for free
10) priced at $400 maximum

As you can see, these are my "must-have" items. I'm platform-neutral, as long as the operating system does all I need. I would appreciate some basic level multi-tasking (ie being able to read a book or browse the net while listening to music at the same time).

So... does this tablet exist?

 

[melek-taus]

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=QhWKR7Fmv4jDLbBY

Maybe this might interest you.

However I do not have any information about the price.
I would guess that its a bit expensive.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Nice, really nice... but too large, low battery life, and definitely expensive.

 

[s44]

Secondhand Galaxy Tab.

 

[mfenn]

Wrong forum.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Wrong forum.

Nope.

Leaving aside the fact that the subforum you posted is awash in cellphone information, and very little pertinent tablet data, this is "General Hardware"... I'm asking, mostly, about the hardware level on a personal computing device (also known as tablet).

Just looking at the "General Hardware" forum, there are also other posts here dealing with video cards, wireless microphones, and countless hardware review/revision requests, even though there are many dedicated subforums for those as well.

Otherwise, thanks for being helpful.


May I also note that nobody seems to have suggested a good device that conforms to my criteria yet? I am not interested in something extremely expensive, nor am I looking at getting a pre-owned ("second-hand") device.

 

[mnewsham]

motorola Xoom, its going to cost an arm and a leg sucks for you sorry.

 

[JackMDS]

I think that mfenn meant that this is a general hardware Computer forum and Not “”electronic Toys “” fourm.


My take on it is, does one want a computer, or a consumer tablet?

If it really just a tablet that one is looking for, then I would wait to see how the iPad2 is going to be.

If One wants a touch computer, (I would like one). Then one should understand that touch computers at the foreseeable future would be slightly heavier and more expensive then the iPad Android” consumers toys”.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

@JackMDS - make no mistake, I WISH there was a tablet that worked as well as my 11.6" AS1410, and had a regular Windows OS... I wouldn't be having all the concerns about media compatibility, then!

But it's also crazy, in this day and age, to have $800 tablets for the sake of novelty alone. And I would not touch Apple stuff, as a matter of principle.

A few months ago, an Australian friend brought a Tegatech Tega2 tablet to a conference we both attended. It seemed like a good beginning, but there's not much else happening on that front anymore.

Here's hoping that Zacate will start to show up in upcoming tablets...

 

[JackMDS]

@ Anita patterson

I do not touch Apple too.

However, my Car is Not a PC, neither is my Coffee maker, and the Microwave oven.

I have a HP Netbook running Win 7 starter that I use on the road, and it works great (Win 7 is really a winner)

Few weeks ago a friend got an iPad and ask to help in configuring it. I did know anything about it but I like to learn new things, so I decided to help.

After few days of playing with the iPad, one thing was clear to me. 99% of what I do with the Netbook on the road (the emphasis is on the road), I can do with the iPad.

Physically it is much more comfortable to schlep around and use the iPad.

I did not get one for myself, and I am not planning on it for the foreseeable future.

FWIW, I am reporting my observations.

 

[mfenn]

Nope.

Leaving aside the fact that the subforum you posted is awash in cellphone information, and very little pertinent tablet data, this is "General Hardware"... I'm asking, mostly, about the hardware level on a personal computing device (also known as tablet).

Just looking at the "General Hardware" forum, there are also other posts here dealing with video cards, wireless microphones, and countless hardware review/revision requests, even though there are many dedicated subforums for those as well.

Otherwise, thanks for being helpful.


May I also note that nobody seems to have suggested a good device that conforms to my criteria yet? I am not interested in something extremely expensive, nor am I looking at getting a pre-owned ("second-hand") device.

I suggesting that you would find better advice in the correct forum.

This forum is for devices running PC operating systems, and when you say "Seeing how the tablet market is getting crowded", you are clearly referring to the recent consumer electronics derived devices.

 

[M0RPH]

About the closest thing right now is the Dell Inspiron Duo. It's a bit pricier than what you asked for. I expect later this year there will be a number of choices that match your criteria.

Edit: ACtually you didn't say whether you'd be open to a convertible or just strictly a slate type tablet.