What do you use your tablet for?

[Bateluer]

I stopped by Best Buy this afternoon, went hands on with the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Playbook, Flyer, Transformer, and Xoom. The Tab 10.1, Transformer, and Xoom, being all HC 3.1 devices with Tegra 2 chips, felt very similar in terms of responsiveness and performance. There were definitely different in terms of build quality though. The Tab 10.1 was definitely the thinnest and lightest, while the Xoom felt the heaviest and was the thickest. The Asus fell in the middle, but still felt to be of solid build quality.

I was interested in the Tab 10.1, but that lack of SD card slow makes me apprehensive, storage limitations. I was pretty close to walking out with the Asus, but practicality stopped me.

I installed some of my fitness apps that work well on my phone and some others that I use extensively, and they all functioned. With some shrinkage from the higher resolution displays. But, conspicuously absent, Netflix, Hulu, Skype with Video, etc. You know, the things that'd actually make a tablet better than a paperweight. I can see retarded studios and executives delaying NetFlix and Hulu over licensing issues and fears of their own irrelevance in the modern age, but why the delay with Skype Video? Other than being owned by Microsoft, Skype doesn't have to pay licensing fees or work with carriers to produce a tablet app?

I didn't test Gtalk because I was unwilling to log in using my credentials on the floor models, not sure if the HC Gtalk supports video or not.

So, what do you use your tablets for? I'm not going to spend 400+ to surf the web from my couch when the desktop, with its wider range of capabilities, is a mere ten feet away. Without Netflix/Hulu, video IM/calls, what are the HoneyComb tablets really good for?

On an unrelated note, every floor model I played with had a person's Facebook account logged in. I logged them out without so much as a status update.

 

[Tristicus]

I've messed with the Iconia, Touchpad, iPad 1+2, Transformer, Playbook, Xoom, Galaxy Tab (7" + 10.1"), and the Flyer. Out of all of them, the Galaxy 10.1" feels amazingly light and thin, though still plasticky as people have problems with (I don't). In terms of weight to build quality ratio, the Transformer feels amazing. The Xoom is too heavy but feels great still, the Iconia is too heavy and feels lackluster, the Playbook is too small, the Touchpad is too fat, the 7" Samsung is too small, the Flyer is too small and lacks practicality (price, pen cost, screen size, Gingerbread) to me. The iPad is Apple - I was considering getting one (older iPad 1) before Netflix was leaked on Android for the simple fact of having that ability to watch it. Screen wise, personally I think the Transformer is the best, following closely the iPad 2 and then Samsung 10.1" - really haven't gotten a chance to see the Galaxy Tab's screen side by side like I did the other two, but if it has a display of anything near the Super AMOLED screen my phone does, it should be amazing - but like I have said, haven't seen a true representation of it. I did have a customer remark to me that the Galaxy S's screen was much better looking than the Xoom's (older woman, not technology versed and she noticed it). The only reason I won't jump on the Galaxy Tab 10.1" is the lack of SD card slot. That absolutely kills it for me.

I look at the tablet as a toy. As much as I try to justify it as an actual device that has numerous uses like my phone, I will use it to game, watch Netflix, and browse the internet. Nothing practical, though I was/am considering the Transformer with dock to take notes on next semester. I'm sure Netflix can/will be hacked onto the devices fairly soon, if it isn't there already. There is always remote watching too, however slow it would probably be. I'm really waiting for OnLive to take off on tablets - that will be utterly mind blowing.

As I said, I look at a tablet as a toy. But, in trying to reason with myself, I am waiting for the Thrive. The Thrive sports the same specs as the other laptops, but has a full size SD card slot, full size HDMI, full size USB port, and feels great apparently. It is as heavy as the Xoom, but the way it is built makes it feel lighter (according to Engadget). Toshiba built a file browser for it, so you can plug in the SD card or any USB drive and use it as an actual hub for your files, unlike the Iconia, whereas I last checked, was unable to actually utilize the USB port it has like it should. The battery is removable, so is the back - Toshiba seems to really be supporting the open ended-ness of its tablet, and maybe that is why they also didn't put any skin (well, at least in the pre-release builds) onto 3.1 Honeycomb. It starts at $429 for a measly 8gb, but you can pop a <$30 16gb SD card in there and be at 24gb at least. I will be springing for the 32gb version more than likely - I haven't pre-ordered it for the simple fact that I want to see the reviews for it.

As for Facebook...you're nicer than most. People don't realize how stupid they are signing into their stuff and not logging out - I usually sign them out too, but others aren't near as forgiving.

 

[Deeko]

The vast majority of the time, I use my PlayBook for the browser...in fact, I'm posting from it right now. I use it on the go a lot, which is why I like the 7" form factor - on the bus, at my office, etc.

While Hulu would be ideal, I actually do watch a lot of tv on here, on the websites for the shows themselves. It works quite well.

My stance on tablets remains the same as it was before I owned one
..I think they're cool, I enjoy having one, but I really don't think they're worth the money. I got mine for free, that's the only reason I have one.

 

[Bateluer]

Forgot to mention, I went hands on with the Acer A500 too. Wasn't very impressed, seemed cheaply built compared to the Moto, Asus, and Samsung. Too much bezel and didn't feel nearly as sturdy as even the Samsung. The Asus is the tablet to get, its price point can't be beat right now. IF these devices had a killer app.

The Flyer, if it was running stock Gingerbread and priced 250 dollars lower, it'd be much more attractive. But Sense really kills it. It was laggy as all hell. My Thunderbolt, with less RAM and a slower CPU/GPU easily ran rings around it. Kinda sad.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I use my PlayBook as a direct replacement for my four year old NetBook. My main uses are browsing, music, movies and BlackBerry bridge.

One of the surprise uses was as a TV calibration tool via the HDMI interface with a cool little free app.

 

[shortylickens]

I dont.
Had a couple Archos that were borderline useless.
Had the ipad 2. Was not impressed. More hype than anything else.
Had a Xoom. Was nice but not worth the money. And the extra bulk was not worth the convenience of Hulu and Youtube movies. If it coulda done Netflix I would have kept it. It hiccuped a lot when I ran more than a couple programs.
Also the onboard video decoder was shit. Couldnt play my 720p movies worth a damn. Never even tried my 1080 flicks.
Had a Playbook which was definitely nicer. Liked everything about it except the missing email, calendar, and contacts. Which is pretty much the main reason people get any Blackberry device. And I was not gonna buy a blackberry phone just to get proper use out of my tablet. Other than that I was happy. Returned it anyway.

When they come out with a tablet thats actually useful I will grab it. Until then I dont need an overpriced toy. I'll use my 280 dollar Netbook which is still a superior tool.
Maybe that HP pad will be more like what I want. Will have to see if my Staples has them.

 

[PlatinumGold]

I have a galaxy tab original and I use it mostly for browsing but it has also become my primary p&s camera as well as camcorder. It has replaced my laptop at home and on the go has replaced my phone. I'm seriously considering selling my Droid x and replacing it with a feature phone.

 

[xSauronx]

nok color owner. half the time is for reading, the other is for whatever.

 

[Bateluer]

Also the onboard video decoder was shit. Couldnt play my 720p movies worth a damn. Never even tried my 1080 flicks.

The only videos I played with were smooth, 1080p via Youtube. Took a few seconds to buffer on the store wifi though.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Honeycomb tablets are rough IMHO. When Tegra 3 will play high profile x264 AND be twice (or more) as fast it is obvious that first gen HC tablet buyers are getting poor value.

My non-HC Nook Color is used for internet (on it now), real Hulu, Netflix, games (including Tegra games),emulators, light document editing, Plex, email, and for streaming music. I certainly have got my money's worth. I plan to replace it with the first tablet that plays all mkvs over HDMI.

 

[boomhower]

I have an iPad 2 and use it for general web browsing and games at the house. On the road I use it for movies and tv shows I've loaded on it as well as netflix. My daughter loves it and she uses it as much or more than me. I feel I have certainly gotten my $ worth out of it.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I've been moving the last few weeks, and have used my iPad for literally everything.

Printing is a problem, and data entry is slower than using a keyboard, but it's been ok.

A couple more generations, and a tablet will be able to replace my desktop/notebook.

All of the tablets you tried are at this point inferior in one way or another to the iPad.

 

[shortylickens]

The only videos I played with were smooth, 1080p via Youtube. Took a few seconds to buffer on the store wifi though.

1080p youtube is not even the same as a ripped bluray. But I have to admit thats more impressive than what I saw.

 

[chin311]

iPad2

use it for browsing, games, netflix/hbo go/crackle, very little bit of facetime with the wife.

sometimes for remote desktop to my office PC while on the couch.

 

[Bateluer]

1080p youtube is not even the same as a ripped bluray. But I have to admit thats more impressive than what I saw.

Hell, my X2 4000 system struggles with those.

 

[shortylickens]

Hell, my X2 4000 system struggles with those.

I've got a Radeon 5450 and it does most of the work.

But thats the problem with tablets: No upgrades. I'd actually pay extra for a better video processor on the Xoom.

 

[Bateluer]

I've got a Radeon 5450 and it does most of the work.

But thats the problem with tablets: No upgrades. I'd actually pay extra for a better video processor on the Xoom.

The Xoom, the Tab 10.1, the Transformer, and the Iconia A500 are all Tegra 2, should be similar in terms of processing ability. Tegra 2 does seem to be the weakest of the Cortex A9 designs though. Need to get the HC source ported over to run on the dual core Snapdragons and Exynos silicon.

Flyer would be cool if it was 200-250 dollars cheaper and ran stock Gingerbread. It was painful to even play with.

 

[Imp]

Playbook for collecting dust.

Not really the tablet's fault, I'm lazy and it's hard to break from patterns, especially when your pattern consists of a 24" monitor and a hi-fi sound system. It took me months to start using my new laptop, so I'll figure something out.

So far, I've used it as a portable PDF reader. Otherwise, I needed a new camera after I dunked mine in a river twice, so maybe I'll use it for that.

 

[shortylickens]

Playbook for collecting dust.

Not really the tablet's fault, I'm lazy and it's hard to break from patterns, especially when your pattern consists of a 24" monitor and a hi-fi sound system. It took me months to start using my new laptop, so I'll figure something out.

So far, I've used it as a portable PDF reader. Otherwise, I needed a new camera after I dunked mine in a river twice, so maybe I'll use it for that.

You sound like one of the many people who doesnt really need a tablet but got sucked into the hype like the rest of us.

 

[Slammy1]

eReader, mp3 player, light games, browsing, camera (light), watching videos on the go. Been doing graphic novels with perfect viewer lately. I mainly got it as an eReader.

 

[Imp]

You sound like one of the many people who doesnt really need a tablet but got sucked into the hype like the rest of us.

But it's so pretty!

Probably. I had $140 in BB Rewardzone dollars, so only $500 in the hole with the case and all. Don't regret it. I do regret the second pair of $350 sunglasses I got within 2 weeks. Not because I spent it, but because they don't cover my FOV perfectly.

 

[Fingolfin269]

OP that is the question I ask myself every time I almost take the plunge. I realize the main use I would have for a tablet would be something to use as a web browser or to watch movies on a plane but realize my 13" MBP is just fine for that. Sure it's a little more bulky but since the tablet would not fully replace my use for the laptop it would really just increase the clutter/bulk around me in the long run.

Maybe in a generation or two...

 

[shortylickens]

OP that is the question I ask myself every time I almost take the plunge. I realize the main use I would have for a tablet would be something to use as a web browser or to watch movies on a plane but realize my 13" MBP is just fine for that. Sure it's a little more bulky but since the tablet would not fully replace my use for the laptop it would really just increase the clutter/bulk around me in the long run.

Maybe in a generation or two...

Thats what most of us have been discussing for years.
Tablets arent laptop replacements (yet) and they arent cell phone replacements. They are an in between toy and frankly the average person really has to struggle to find a purpose for them. Most of the time they are used for basic games and videos.

 

[Bateluer]

Thats what most of us have been discussing for years.
Tablets arent laptop replacements (yet) and they arent cell phone replacements. They are an in between toy and frankly the average person really has to struggle to find a purpose for them. Most of the time they are used for basic games and videos.

Most of the time, when I see an iPad in the wild, a child is playing Angry Birds on it. :/

 

[Raduque]

I use mine for videos/movies, reading and browsing while I'm in the can.