the ipad must be the only tablet with 4:3

[khha4113]

Agreed, but I find it much more comfortable to hold. When I watch a video, I'm almost always holding my tablet. Those times that I set it up somewhere to play a video, it's almost always because I'm not really watching and it's just background noise.

So, in my list of priorities, comfortable to hold trumps almost everything, even functionality. That's why, even though I loved it a lot, I returned the Surface Pro 2 to go back to an iPad. Functionally, it's so superior to the iPad that it shouldn't even have been a contest. But it was too thick/too heavy/too awkward. If Microsoft can eliminate two of those things with the Surface Pro 3 (too thick/too heavy) I'd be more than willing to put up with 'too awkward' especially with the integrated kickstand.

But everyone has a different list of what's important to them, so it's great that we have all these choices to begin with.

It sounds subjective, don't you think?

 

[SlitheryDee]

It sounds subjective, don't you think?

I suppose it is, but there are reasons why it would be true that are inherent to the widescreen form factor in tablets. For one, simple leverage comes into play when there is more tablet sticking out above the place you're most likely to grip it. It's the main reason I prefer 4:3 in larger tablets.

 

[bearxor]

It sounds subjective, don't you think?

Hah! Almost everything we talk about here is subjective.

 

[Raduque]

Yeah, I suppose I just don't care. Not trying to recreate a home theater experience when I put my iPad on my desk and watch netflix. I'm just looking for something to drown out the sound of the guys keyboard next to me. Even then I usually wear one side of an earbud so it doesn't really matter.

And when laying in bed at night watching something, it's more about the convenience than it is the experience.

It's not really about "what's better for the content" for me than it is "what's more comfortable to hold in my hand". I don't mind 16:9/10 if it's 8" or less. Over that and I just think it's starts to get awkward. That's why I'm still considering a Venue 8 Pro to replace my iPad 4.

I've had a TF101 for a little over two years. I haven't had any issues with holding it. I also personally wouldn't use anything less than a 10" tablet - the screen is too small for me.

 

[Oyeve]

The speaker quality on all tablets is so bad that quibbling about proper stereo reproduction seems pointless to me. I always count myself lucky if I can make out anything clearly over ambient noise when using the built-in speakers on my ipad or nexus 7. When I'm going for good sound I use headphones or earbuds.

True but the Asus tf101 did the speakers right. Too bad no one else followed.

 

[BladeVenom]

16:10 is best for videos. 16:10 is also closer to common paperback sizes than 4:3.

 

[zerogear]

The speaker quality on all tablets is so bad that quibbling about proper stereo reproduction seems pointless to me. I always count myself lucky if I can make out anything clearly over ambient noise when using the built-in speakers on my ipad or nexus 7. When I'm going for good sound I use headphones or earbuds.

The speakers on my Surface Pro 2 is mighty nice