Updated again 4-9-12: Returned Tab 7 Plus, got Kindle Fire, no regrets.

[Bateluer]

Resolution is too low. I would not buy 7" 1024x600 tablet in 2012 for $300. ~$150 sure but not $300. $150 refurbished Kindle Fire if I had to buy now. $200 Asus/Google Tegra3 for later in the summer. I would wait for the $200 Tegra3.

Name a 7in tablet with a resolution greater than 1024x600. Any 7in tablet. The 7 Plus @ 1024x600 is a damn good tablet, full range of standard features, powerful SoC, and will get an official ICS update eventually.

Couple suggestions in this thread were for 800x480 7in Chinese tablets. Worst kinda of junk.

The ~250USB Asus Tegra 3 or the ~200 Nexus tablets are unknown values, but could arrive anywhere from April to August. The 7 Plus is a better choice.

 

[hans007]

Name a 7in tablet with a resolution greater than 1024x600. Any 7in tablet. The 7 Plus @ 1024x600 is a damn good tablet, full range of standard features, powerful SoC, and will get an official ICS update eventually.

Couple suggestions in this thread were for 800x480 7in Chinese tablets. Worst kinda of junk.

The ~250USB Asus Tegra 3 or the ~200 Nexus tablets are unknown values, but could arrive anywhere from April to August. The 7 Plus is a better choice.

Toshiba thrive 7. That said I don't think 1024x600 is at all a bad resolution on a 7 inch

 

[hans007]

Nook Tablet is now able to run CM7 (CM9 in the Works) but it's a workaround not an unlocked bootloader. As much as I love using my 16Gb NT, I don't recommend it to anyone. Much better options available. Personally if I were buying today I'd jump all over that Galaxy Tab. The NT performs well and doesn't lag, but the GT is like a REAL tablet compared to something of a hacked toy. $50 more than the NT is a no-brainer.

That's on the stock kernel so it won't be the real deal .

 

[xSauronx]

Name a 7in tablet with a resolution greater than 1024x600. Any 7in tablet. The 7 Plus @ 1024x600 is a damn good tablet, full range of standard features, powerful SoC, and will get an official ICS update eventually.

Couple suggestions in this thread were for 800x480 7in Chinese tablets. Worst kinda of junk.

The ~250USB Asus Tegra 3 or the ~200 Nexus tablets are unknown values, but could arrive anywhere from April to August. The 7 Plus is a better choice.

the tab 7.7 is 720p...id love one but the price is ridiculous, though i think its because all of the models have cellular radios. i think id like the 7.7 with a high res screen (and super AMOLED plus) more than my nook color, but if something interesting isnt out by summer time i might look into the 7 plus

hopefully with the new ipad out itll force people to start making more high res devices. the retina display is more than i care for but 1024x600 is just skimping, imo, 350 for the 7 plus isnt bad for one but its a little more than i want to spend, too, at least right now.

edit: wait am i reading this right. the 7.0 plus only has a proprietary usb connector? how did i miss that? nevermind, ill keep waiting. how long did we wait for cell phones to all use the same damn usb charger? im tired of needing a different cable for devices :-/

 

[Bateluer]

Toshiba thrive 7. That said I don't think 1024x600 is at all a bad resolution on a 7 inch

And its crap compared to the 7 Plus.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/toshiba-thrive-7-review/

the tab 7.7 is 720p...id love one but the price is ridiculous, though i think its because all of the models have cellular radios. i think id like the 7.7 with a high res screen (and super AMOLED plus) more than my nook color, but if something interesting isnt out by summer time i might look into the 7 plus

edit: wait am i reading this right. the 7.0 plus only has a proprietary usb connector? how did i miss that? nevermind, ill keep waiting. how long did we wait for cell phones to all use the same damn usb charger? im tired of needing a different cable for devices :-/

Tab 7.7 is 700 dollars, 500 on a 2 year contract. Verizon priced it completely out of the market.

And yes, all Samsung's tabs use the proprietary USB connector.



People like to hate on tablets and clamor for products in a price range that doesn't exist.

 

[ponyo]

Tab 7.7 is 700 dollars, 500 on a 2 year contract. Verizon priced it completely out of the market.

And yes, all Samsung's tabs use the proprietary USB connector.



People like to hate on tablets and clamor for products in a price range that doesn't exist.

I think the same for Galaxy Tab Plus. I think even at $300 sale price, Tab Plus is completely priced of the market. Unless you have special need, $150 refurb Kindle Fire can't be beat. Both are 7" 1024x600.

Tab 7.7 is not $700. That's for VZ LTE version. No sane person is going to buy that over the superior and cheaper phone enabled GSM 7.7. Wifi 7.7 is $500. That's more accurate comparison since $300 Tab Plus is also Wifi only. If you think $300 Tab Plus is worth the premium over $150 Kindle Fire, then you must think the same for $500 7.7 over $300 Tab Plus.

I can put up with 1024x600 at $150. At $300 range I can't. And with $200 Asus/Google 7" 1280x800 Tegra3 ICS tablet rumored for the summer, you would be foolish to buy Tab Plus right now unless you really needed it.

 

[xSauronx]

Tab 7.7 is 700 dollars, 500 on a 2 year contract. Verizon priced it completely out of the market.

And yes, all Samsung's tabs use the proprietary USB connector.

People like to hate on tablets and clamor for products in a price range that doesn't exist.

I agree about the 7.7 price...it's nuts, for a device id probably really like.

Also, I'd just like to say again how much I hate proprietary connectors. The nook color has its special one, but it can still use one for my phone so i dont have to carry around 2 cables with me.

I don't think 350 for the 7 plus is bad, it's faster than the fire I'm sure, and is getting ICS i believe...but right now the nook color i have is "good enough". I'd pay 350 for the 7 plus in a heartbeat, dunno about 400, but when the new ipad is 10" with a super high res screen and fast processor for 500, paying 500 for the 7.7 inch tab just sounds ridiculous, and I have an ipad2 (but really dont like the size)

maybe this summer...one way or another by then I'm probably going to really want to get something, I just want to see what is coming out from google/asus by the.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I think the same for Galaxy Tab Plus. I think even at $300 sale price, Tab Plus is completely priced of the market. Unless you have special need, $150 refurb Kindle Fire can't be beat. Both are 7" 1024x600.

Tab 7.7 is not $700. That's for VZ LTE version. No sane person is going to buy that over the superior and cheaper phone enabled GSM 7.7. Wifi 7.7 is $500. That's more accurate comparison since $300 Tab Plus is also Wifi only. If you think $300 Tab Plus is worth the premium over $150 Kindle Fire, then you must think the same for $500 7.7 over $300 Tab Plus.

I can put up with 1024x600 at $150. At $300 range I can't. And with $200 Asus/Google 7" 1280x800 Tegra3 ICS tablet rumored for the summer, you would be foolish to buy Tab Plus right now unless you really needed it.

The 7.7 Wifi is a good deal at $500 IMO, Second most powerful Android tablet on the market, best display of any tablet, and the best battery life of any tablet.

At that price I am seriously tempted by it. The only concern I have is warranty coverage since it isn't technically available in the US.

 

[Bateluer]

I think the same for Galaxy Tab Plus. I think even at $300 sale price, Tab Plus is completely priced of the market. Unless you have special need, $150 refurb Kindle Fire can't be beat. Both are 7" 1024x600.

Special need? Like expandable storage, cameras, standard Play Store, more powerful SoC, and standard Android OS with an upgrade path? Not to disparage the Fire, but the Tab 7 Plus isn't marketed at bottom feeders like the Fire is.

Tab 7.7 is not $700. That's for VZ LTE version. No sane person is going to buy that over the superior and cheaper phone enabled GSM 7.7. Wifi 7.7 is $500. That's more accurate comparison since $300 Tab Plus is also Wifi only. If you think $300 Tab Plus is worth the premium over $150 Kindle Fire, then you must think the same for $500 7.7 over $300 Tab Plus.

Good to know they did make a WiFi version. Wasn't aware of that, thanks for the link.

I can put up with 1024x600 at $150. At $300 range I can't. And with $200 Asus/Google 7" 1280x800 Tegra3 ICS tablet rumored for the summer, you would be foolish to buy Tab Plus right now unless you really needed it.

I'm not going to debate the merits of devices that haven't been announced or have confirmed shipping dates. I wouldn't buy a Tab 7 Plus myself, even at 300, because 7in is too small for my tastes. Needs to be at least ~8in.

You're never going to be satisfied with any Android tablet. Just buy your iPad 3 and be done with it. 😛

 

[lokiju]

Here's my update.

Got the Samsung Galaxy 7.0 Tab Plus (GT-6210) Friday night by driving 30 mins to a Best Buy that actually still had just one left that held it for me.

Very 1st impression? Samsung really DOES have Apple envy very badly. The box, the way it was packaged. Then I see the charge cable. WTF? A 30-pin sync/charge cable that looks exactly like the Apple 30-pin. If you but the two next to each other the Samsung one seems literally just flipped pin-out wise. That just struck me very strongly before I even turned the thing on. Hell even the power brick that plugs into the way reminds me of the iPad brick in the way the 2 prong adapter for US standards snaps in.

Getting beyond that and using it, I've been iOS only for a few years now, I did have a Moto Droid 1 release day and for 2 years. I was iOS before that with the iPhone 3G, then Droid for 2 years then iPhone 4, now 4s and iPad 2 ever since.

There is a frustration level to me at times over how things are laid out and not as fluid in the options, menus, etc. I felt initially like I was "clicking" touch a lot more to accomplish a lot of repeated task.

Now that I've gotten used to the feel and layout and some faster ways to accomplish what I set out to, it doesn't feel as much like that.

In regards to the screen resolution. It's fine for a 7". Sure I'd love a higher resolution for the same price but nothings out RIGHT NOW that meets that within this price and performance point. The only times I wish it had a higher resolution is when I'm typing into text boxes on websites. Much like this site and doing a quick reply. Because of the way it has to position the keyboard on screen it often moves the box of text I'm typing off screen and there's no way to see both the keyboard and what I'm typing at the same time. Can be a bit frustrating as I cannot see a typo on the fly but have to proof read after the fact and correct errors.

I don't really care about it not having an HDMI or USB ports on it as I don't have the desire to use those functions on this. I did order a USB/Every flash card imaginable reader for it from Amazon for about $6 though that has yet to arrive for that just in case aspect.

I do have to say though I kind of hate that they did a 30-pin connector ONLY because it isn't as widely adopted as the iDevice standard and there for finding additional cables for it is harder and cost more.

I can get a 10 foot iDevice cable from Monoprice or hell even Amazon for a buck or two. I was able to finally find a 30-pin Samsung Tab cable from Amazon with free (prime) shipping for around $6.50. Not a huge amount of money but still little shit like this adds up. I like to have a cable next to where I set on my couch at home. Next to my bed and a spare I keep in my laptop bag. So that means I need to spend $13 just to have enough cables for my typical usage.

Performance, battery, size. Performance is overall great. It's snappy for sure and usually I see no lag on it but there have been a few times it's slowed down on me and a few times I've had some standard apps like mail or browser just freeze on launch and after a few moments only offer the force close option. But then whatever the reason it happened initially, it doesn't happen a second time in a row.

I'm not sure I have a good feel for the battery yet. It seemed like I burned right through it honestly on Saturday but then again as it's a new "toy" I was using it heavily, downloading apps non-stop, etc.

The 7" screen size and the thick(thin)ness is perfect for my wants.

As I stated in my OP, the 10" screen size and weight of the iPad 2 in my opinion was to big and heavy for how I intend to use a tablet. Laying in bed reading for an extended period of time in the iPad would quickly lead to fatigue if I tried to hold it up or would force me to lay on my side and rest it on the bed next to me, which got uncomfortable after reading in that one position for awhile. With this 7" Tab that seems to be a non-issue so far in my limited usage. It's small enough to fit into the back pocket of my jeans or even my dockers dress slacks I'm wearing today at work which is perfect and a nice plus.

When I was hunting for the tablet last Friday it was $350 no Amazon and has since gone back to $399. With them being sold out at all my local Best Buys and getting it for the $299 price point, I feel overall it was a good purchase and I am happy with it.

I've ordered a case for it plus the extra cable but beyond that I'm going to take it easy on accessories until I approach my 30 day return window just in case that mythical unicorn known as the Asus Google 7" tablet actually does get announced and is under $300 with the awesome screen and specs as everyone seems to think. That is about the only thing I could see at this point that'd cause me to return the Tab in favor of.

 

[Oyeve]

Wtf are you so pissed about the flat cable? They all have a similar design. Its a tablet. How else is it going to appear?

 

[Bateluer]

Wtf are you so pissed about the flat cable? They all have a similar design. Its a tablet. How else is it going to appear?

My only gripe with the 30pin cable on the Tab 8.9 is that its too short. Would be nice if it was at least a meter long.

 

[lokiju]

Wtf are you so pissed about the flat cable? They all have a similar design. Its a tablet. How else is it going to appear?

Standard micro USB.

 

[Oyeve]

Standard micro USB.

Is too fragile. My girlfriends nook color has a similar microusb connection but it is much longer that a regular musb. I think any tablet with a micro usb is not long for this world. Hell, my old sansa mp3 players had a flat 30pin cable that actually fit any idevices but no one made a stink out of that. I think its just the iphans who complain about samsung using a similar style cable. its really assinine, its just a cable.

 

[lokiju]

Is too fragile. My girlfriends nook color has a similar microusb connection but it is much longer that a regular musb. I think any tablet with a micro usb is not long for this world. Hell, my old sansa mp3 players had a flat 30pin cable that actually fit any idevices but no one made a stink out of that. I think its just the iphans who complain about samsung using a similar style cable. its really assinine, its just a cable.

Clearly you disagree with my assessment on the lack of interest to have yet again another non standard cable.

It's bad enough Apple does this crap with their devices but at this point at least their 30-pin has been around so long and is so widely in use that you can get cables for a buck.

My frustration is NOT that it's a different kind of connector only that as a result whenever a propitiatory new connector type comes out from another manufacturer and it's not heavily adopted by consumer devices, it is expensive simply due to supply vs demand.

The knock-off/generic manufacturers are not going to focus on a 30-pin Samsung cable so that it can be had for a buck when the consumer market pool of possible buyers is a fraction that of standard connector types like HDMI, MicroUSB or, while propitiatory, Apple's 30-pin simply due to the massive market pool out there.

 

[Red Storm]

When discussing devices costing several hundred dollars, I don't quite understand the major gripe over a ~$10 difference in cable prices.

And as was said before, I actually prefer the ~30 pin connector for tablets. It is more secure, as in the cable is physically more secure when connected and less prone to going bad than micro USB.

 

[lokiju]

When discussing devices costing several hundred dollars, I don't quite understand the major gripe over a ~$10 difference in cable prices.

And as was said before, I actually prefer the ~30 pin connector for tablets. It is more secure, as in the cable is physically more secure when connected and less prone to going bad than micro USB.

I don't disagree that 30-pin connectors are good. I just wish there would be a universally adopted standard.

 

[Geekbabe]

I had a rooted Nook Color & it was a lot of fun. Over time though, I realized I was using my 10.1 Galaxy Tab pretty much all the time, it is slim enough, light enough to read e-books & the screen is large enough to also enjoy Netflix while relaxing in bed.

 

[bigrash]

Update: 04-09-2012: Tab returned, have Kindle Fire and no regrets.

I was using the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus and over all it was nice. It was a good device, good size, good performance but nothing about it was GREAT IMO. The final straw for me was going to use the Peel remote software. It seemed like such a great addition of function and since my Logitech Harmony remote hasn't been working perfectly lately I figured this solved my want to buy a new Harmony as well. The problem though is that of course the TV in my bedroom won't work with it. I contacted Peel support and their response is "it's a known issue with that model TV and while we've already created a fix for it there is no way for you to get it applied until the ICS update happens". So I contact Samsung and waste a good hour between getting someone in the right department that supports the Tab without cell/3G abilities then get told that while yes it will fix my problem there is no way to do anything about it without ICS and that at this point this specific model Tab is a MAYBE on getting ICS. I clarified a number of times and he stood firm, the Tab lineup overall was said to be getting ICS but this specific model was not 100% getting it. His words were "if we ever release ICS for your device, then it should solve your issue".

That just made it hit me like a ton of bricks. Why in the hell am I paying $320 (tax included) plus another $40 on a case and cables for a device and can't even know if it'll be end of life months after its release?

Just reminded me of what I hated about my Moto Droid 1 and the number one biggest (IMO of course) issue with Android devices. OS fragmentation.

So I had to ask myself, if I can't even do some of the more fancy and advanced functions with this thing what am I really using it for? Internet and reading and that's about it.

So I ordered a Kindle Fire refurb from Amazon for $169 shipped and returned the Tab to Best Buy.

The KF is thicker and a bit heavier than the Tab, no denying it but beyond that its the same screen size and resolution. It's interface is great. It's snappy and responsive moving through apps and even the browser experience is decent.

It's easy enough to enable side loading of apps so I've been able to put on there everything I wanted that wasn't in the Amazon App Market and there is a much larger hacking community behind this device than the Tab ever had.

The Tab still doesn't have even a hacked ICS ROM. KF? You bet. Plus a ton of other pretty awesome ROMs as well.

The KF benefits for large user base and a cheap price which combined have driven a very healthy hacking community.

In the end, for the money, I'm very happy with my KF.

Should a unicorn Asus Google 7" tab with OLED and quadcore processors come out for real at the $200 give or take mark down the road then I'll just give my Mom the Kindle Fire and get it if it's all that good.

I installed the ICS ROM on my Kindle Fire over a week ago, and it's awesome. I really liked the stock interface of the KF, but ICS is so much better. Have no issues with it yet.

 

[Ns1]

you're such a liar, there is no fragmentation with android.

 

[ponyo]

you're such a liar, there is no fragmentation with android.

Fragmentation is just byproduct of Android success. Are you upset at Android success?

 

[Ns1]

Fragmentation is just byproduct of Android success. Are you upset at Android success?

Are you saying fragmentation exists?

 

[Bateluer]

So you're willing to void warranties on the Kindle Fire to install ICS, but not on the Tab 7 Plus?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Is too fragile.

Not only that, but standard USB would take FOREVER to charge a tablet-sized battery. Hell it takes forever on my smaller SGS2 battery.

The Nook Color's charger is different to allow for faster charging while being backwards compatible with standard micro USB. That is the best you can hope for.

 

[ponyo]

Are you saying fragmentation exists?

Are you saying Android isn't successful?