Best Tablet/touchpad for the money. . .

what do u guys think. . im looking to buy a tablet. . considering ipad, samsung galaxy, or zoom. . any others to consider? It will basically be used for movies, books, and internet (3G and Wifi) while traveling. . camera not so important. . more important is internet speed and having a nice screen I already have a laptop and iphone so I dont need the top tablet. . just looking to get the best value. . anyone have any reviews or suggestions. . alot of websites are saying ipad 2, samsung galaxy tab 10, and Asus Eee Pad are the best. .

Since you already have an iPhone, the iPad makes the most sense. Based on what you intend to do with it, the iPad first generation might be sufficient, though it's worth considering the iPad for several reasons, not the least of which is longevity and future-proof compatibility. Apple will support existing models with software updates for 2-3 years. Really depends on what prices you get them for. The 16GB model might be sufficient - ditto, since you already have an iPhone, you can forego toe 3G model of iPad, since you can just tether via your iPhone. Aside from Samsung Galaxy, or XOOM, your other options are ASUS Transformer, Blackberry Playbook (threw that one in for laughs), or any plethora of cheap and cheaply made Android tablets. The one thing to consider is that none of the existing Android tablets have any likelihood of being supported by their manufacturers beyond their present configuration (i.e. whatever version of Android they are shipping). While you can reasonably expect your present iPad to be supported through iOS 5 all the way to most likely iOS 7, expect no further updates or upgrades from manufacturers for whatever Android tablet you are looking at. In terms of the tablets you mentioned, the Motorola XOOM is consistently being reviewed as the *worst* Android tablet - it was the worst *tablet* until the playbook took over that role. ;-) Basically, don't even bother considering it. If you just want to get your feet wet with an Android tablet, go out and pick up something really cheap, and Chinese off-brand for $100-$150 - that way, it won't be such a huge waste of money to blow on experimenting. Otherwise, if you just want a solid product, go and get an iPad 2 wifi, or at half price, and iPad 1 wifi.

While you're here, what's the cheapest way to get a machine that does iMovie video editing? I had a quick look online at the Mac Book and they want an outrageous amount for them. Is there a market for second hand Mac machines?

There sure is - I usually would look around on bahtsold.com or various classified websites. I would suggest either a 21.5" or 20" iMac, or a Mac mini (if you have a monitor and keyboard), either of which do a decent job with iMovie. Either way, make sure the machine has a minimum of 4GB of RAM -- some older Macs are limited to 4GB (or can be pushed to 6GB), while most newer machines from within the past 2 years are capable of accepting 8GB. For any sort of video editing, the more RAM the better. Also, make sure that the hard drives are fast (i.e. 7200RPMs - this is more of an issue for Mac mini or MacBook systems, which use laptop drives, which are usually 4200rpm or 5400rpm drives) Seen an iPad 2 / 32GB / wifi for 22,000 Baht on BahtSold.com. Seen a 17" MacBook Pro for 37,000 Baht.

thanks Cthulha . . i keep hearing good things about the Transformer .. ill take a look at that and if not ill just spend the money on the ipad . . what program on ur iphone r u using to tether the 3G?. . MyWi?

Quote Originally Posted by mcatt66 View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money.html#post1617917) what program on ur iphone r u using to tether the 3G?. . MyWi? no separate program is needed, and certainly no jailbreaking, to tether - its been built in to iOS since iOS 4, and continues to work well with iOS 5. This is assuming you are in Thailand, obviously. Here's some impressions of the Asus Transformer. http://www.transformerforums.com/for...ansformer.html (http://www.transformerforums.com/forum/asus-eee-pad-transformer-vs-others/6528-problems-i-see-may-asus-transformer.html)

Quote Originally Posted by Cthulhu View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money.html#post1617893) Apple will support existing models with software updates for 2-3 years. Quote Originally Posted by Cthulhu View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money.html#post1617893) none of the existing Android tablets have any likelihood of being supported by their manufacturers beyond their present configuration So what tablet should I buy that has life time support as what they can do now is all I am ever going to need them to do for the next 30 to 50 years.

Quote Originally Posted by Cthulhu View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money.html#post1617919) Here's some impressions of the Asus Transformer. Look, I can do that too: https://www.google.com/search?aq=f&gcx=w&ix=c2&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=problems+with+the+ipad Those comments are talking about the old transformer anyway which is being replaced by the Transformer Prime. If you want a serious look at the transformer prime, then read the engadget or other professional review. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime review -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-review/) The prime appears to be better in every way than the Galaxy tab. It is thinner, lighter, and faster overall (with an exception of some gpu tests where the ipad 2 is faster) than the other tablets out there and apparently the screen is a thing of beauty. The big selling point of the prime over other tablets is the optional docking bay that essentially converts the transformer prime into a notebook with a touchpad and 16-18 hours of battery. Without the docking bay, it still gets the same battery life as an ipad 2. Switching from ios to android isn't a big adjustment at all. I found it pretty easy. I've played with honeycomb a bit and have seen some videos of ice cream sandwhich, the new version of android, and it is pretty intuitive. The main advantage you'll have with an ipad is that right now, the ipad has a larger selection of apps. The advantage of Android is that it does quite a bit more out of the box and the interface is more customizable. If it were me shopping for a tablet of this size, I would get the Prime if I were buying right now but if you'd rather go with an ipad/ios then wait for the ipad 3 as its only a few months away.

I think Galaxy tab will go down in price big time after new year thanks to new tegra proccessors hitting the market. Gotta tell you though that playbook has the best polished games (but not very many) comparing to every oother tablet out there, however it's lacking many important applications. Email and skype come to mind.

Quote Originally Posted by buddahas View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money.html#post1617958) I think Galaxy tab will go down in price big time after new year thanks to new tegra proccessors hitting the market. Gotta tell you though that playbook has the best polished games (but not very many) comparing to every oother tablet out there, however it's lacking many important applications. Email and skype come to mind. It's also lacking a LCD expectancy... RIM pretty much just landfill'd all remaining stock and took a write-off on it. Don't expect much improvement - plus, as you pointed out, it offers no email, no contacts or calendar - its basically a browser with games. The existing Galaxy Tab line will drop in price, upon the introduction of the newer one. If you're lucky, both will start out with Android 4. Maybe. Don't expect much beyond that. Samsung, along with Motorola and other Android manufacturers believes that if the consumer wants new features, they should buy a new product. Honestly, that was one of the issues that convinced me to abandon my Galaxy S phone (that, and the generally crappy and lackluster quality of Android apps) - seeing iPhone users with 3 year old models still receive iOS updates when Apple released the latest software updates - while Android manufacturers kept tossing up excuse after excuse why they can't or won't.

any of u guys know anything about the Galaxy Note 5.3?. . 5.3 screen will do for me. . thinking maybe sell my iphone . .buy this phone and no need for a tablet. . i love the iphone but the screen is just too small .. which apple is prob doing it intentionally in order to keep the ipads selling .. [media: http://www.youtube.com/v/DaMBg6t8SB0]

Quote Originally Posted by mcatt66 View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money.html#post1618308) i love the iphone but the screen is just too small .. which apple is prob doing it intentionally in order to keep the ipads selling .. It's always amusing when people make up 'grand plans' or 'nefarious strategies' where none exist. In terms of what's best for you, it all comes down to if you are familiar and comfortable with Android. While Android 4.0 (first phone with it goes on sale tomorrow) might be an improvement, it remains (in my opinion) a disorganized mess. This may be fine for you, if your only need is a larger screen. To me, a 5.3" screen for a phone would be a farce - but if a 9.7" screen is too big for you, then there aren't many other choices. I feel the only concern to be that you discover, after buying a 5" or 7" Android tablet, that it ends up being crap for your needs, and you end up spending more money on one that serves you better. Of course, or it could work out for you.

Quote Originally Posted by mcatt66 View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money.html#post1618308) any of u guys know anything about the Galaxy Note 5.3?. . 5.3 screen will do for me. . thinking maybe sell my iphone . .buy this phone and no need for a tablet. . i love the iphone but the screen is just too small .. which apple is prob doing it intentionally in order to keep the ipads selling .. I've played with it in the Samsung shops and it seems nice. It is basically an oversized Galaxy SII with a stylus. The screen and resolution is beautiful and crisp. Whether it will fulfill the need of a tablet for you depends on what you'd use a tablet for. If your primary need is for surfing the web, using it as a calendar/planner, playing games, watching videos, and taking short notes then I think it would be a suitable replacement. The thing the note lacks with smaller size is the ability to use for small presentations in a meeting setting and the screen is small enough that you wouldn't want to have multiple people try to watch videos on it. I don't think a note or a tablet is suitable for typing anything long without an external keyboard which you can get for both. I have a few theories on Apple's continuous use of a small screen. I don't think they are worried about cutting into their ipad sales but Apple does have a history of releasing barely enough new features/upgrades to be considered an upgrade. They want to keep their loyal followers hungry for more and want them to upgrade every year. Another thing is that Apple is able to keep its costs low and profits high by buying in bulk. So the longer they can use the same parts, the better for them. They also spend less R&D when their generations of phone are essentially the same with minor hardware upgrades. Both the iphone 3g --> 3gs and 4 --> 4s upgrades were like this. Lastly, I think from a technical standpoint, Apple wasn't willing to take a big hit with battery life with the iphone 4s. As most people who use a 4" or bigger screen can tell you, the screen eats up a big chunk of the battery. Apple will be more comfortable using a bigger screen with next year's improved battery technology and smaller die size of their cpus. The one thing I really like about Samsung is they have a size for all similar to when shopping for a TV. Off the top of my head they have smaller galaxy mini phones (around 3-3.5" I think), Galaxy SII at 4.3", Galaxy Nexus at 4.6", Galaxy Note at 5.3", and Galaxy tabs that are 7", 8.9", and 10". I think all models up to the 7" also have phone capabilities as well. I should warn you mcatt, that although Cthulhu is a knowledgeable guy and provides good information for certain things, know that he will almost never say anything good about things Android related and will always praise anything made by Apple.

thanks cthulhu and baksiidaa. . as stated in my original post. . I would only be using this device for internet, email, music, reading ebooks, and very basic features. . anything complicated or in depth i need to do... i do on my macbook. . I really just want a 4.5-6 inch iphone .. since they dont make that im gonna give the samsung a look. . i dont have a loyalty to any company. . i really like apple products but lately their limitations are becoming annoying...

I'd recommend taking a long stroll through MBK, and looking at the available Android offerings. You might just find an appropriately sized tablet from a chinese off-brand like ZTE, that is a lot less expensive than the Samsung offering, and gives you much of the same functionality you seek, for $100s less. That's why I picked up a nook color Android eBook reader a while back - it took just 10 minutes to turn it into an Android tablet, and was a decent way to check out that platform.

Anyone know where/when the Transformer Prime will be available in Thailand? I heard they will be doing some expo in The Mall Bangkae with a few units for sale but what about wide release?

Yeah, he's made it quite clear that he's not interested in a large screen, so the 7" screen would also still be too large - still, I would consider a 5" screen to be atrociously unusable for any really utilization, like email or web browsing. That's the problem with shopping by specs only - it completely leads you astray.

Unless you already own an android phone and like android apps, go with the IPAD2. All the rest just try to emulate. PS I own and android phone and a PC. For tablets Apple is the best, hands down. It would have to be a dependency on a very specific app that exploits the specific features of the non-ipad tablet that would be the only other factor at this point to consider another choice. For example if you already own a Galaxy X and want t tablet that best can do phone calls and the like, well then a Galaxys Tab is better at phone stuff plus you already know the apps and how to use them without having to releart the apple workaounds for the same stuff.

Holy crap. You're back, C. Was it a hiatus or something? Anyways... good to see you back (and friggin' ei... Symbols on that other thread... now ~that~ was pathetic). I've been busy cleaning up the place (my house, that is) after getting flooded. Oh well. That's life, and T.I.T. @baksiidaa: that was my theory -- Apple saves the best tidbits for later, sometimes MUCH later. Yeah, sucks but is true -- hence my theory of "Apple's third law" -- every 3rd iteration of any Apple product is what the first version should have been. I've made enough Apple purchases to justify this theory... but again, it's just a theory. Don't take it as page straight from Apple's design handbook. It does make for a pretty good indicator when buying any Apple product -- always choose the 3rd iteration. For example, the iPhone: iPhone (first) <--- a 'first' but is slated to be better iPhone 3G <---- same as the first, but bumped up specs (and different design, which is an oddity) iPhone 3Gs <---- this one's the shit to get (3rd iteration) iPhone 4 <---- another first, starting with enough new features to distinguish it apart from the previous ones iPhone 4s <---- same as the first, but with bumped up specs iPhone 5 <---- this one's the shit to get (3rd iteration) You can see how the name is a tricky thing to go by. You have to have a little knowledge of Apple's device history to tell whether you're about to get a third iteration. apple-history.com (http://www.apple-history.com/) is a nice place to check out for this. It made me realise I was either getting a 2nd iteration or 3rd iteration of the macbook pro. Turns out it was a second iteration (which is alright). The next macbook pro is gonna be another 'first', followed by a 2nd iteration which fixes most of the bugs of the first, and then a 3rd version which will be what the first was supposed to be in the first place (but Apple knows some people just can't resist getting a first version, and still others can't bare having a 'first' and will trade up to a 'second' in no time....) In the case of the iPad it's: iPad (first) started it all iPad 2 -- significantly better than the iPad 1 iPad 3 -- everything the iPad should have been from the beginning, specs n all.

You're quite right about your "evolution of Apple products", but consider hat without the first product, you would never have received the third one.

Quote Originally Posted by Cthulhu View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money-2.html#post1621093) You're quite right about your "evolution of Apple products", but consider hat without the first product, you would never have received the third one. Yeah, that's the thing. It's a very clever marketing strategy -- one that Apple uses VERY successfully. I wonder if any other company adopts similar marketing strategies? It's something a lot of people fail to notice -- that Apple isn't about cranking out the absolute best (and I think Steve mentioned something along these lines in his last keynote) -- but rather the absolute CRAVE. They create the crave, yet they don't scrimp on crucial (crucial to the crave-factor) things like the design or user experience. People often accuse Apple of being under-spec'd but that's EXACTLY the plan, and from a business point, it's been a very efficient one, otherwise Apple wouldn't be where it is right now.

Quote Originally Posted by hawksbill View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money-2.html#post1618568) Anyone know where/when the Transformer Prime will be available in Thailand? probably be along shortly after Megatron shows up.

Quote Originally Posted by zeusbheld View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money-2.html#post1621266) probably be along shortly after Megatron shows up. Christ. That's what I was thinking.[image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/grin.gif]

Quote Originally Posted by theanimaster View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money-2.html#post1621259) Yeah, that's the thing. It's a very clever marketing strategy -- one that Apple uses VERY successfully. I wonder if any other company adopts similar marketing strategies? It's something a lot of people fail to notice -- that Apple isn't about cranking out the absolute best (and I think Steve mentioned something along these lines in his last keynote) -- but rather the absolute CRAVE. They create the crave, yet they don't scrimp on crucial (crucial to the crave-factor) things like the design or user experience. People often accuse Apple of being under-spec'd but that's EXACTLY the plan, and from a business point, it's been a very efficient one, otherwise Apple wouldn't be where it is right now. Jesus Kryst - not that old bullshit again. It has nothing to do with a 'marketing strategy', but rather it is simply the way to develop insanely great products. My point is that you can NOT start with the 3rd generation product, out the gate - because the technology, manufacturing savvy, and economics are simply not there. Instead, Apple selects, based on what is available, and what is doable, and people actually *need*, the best possible product at that point - and then evolves it, using their economic might to force both economics and technologies to what Apple needs to finally produce the 3rd generation product you talk about. Let's take a look at the prior features - Apple didn't release the iPhone with 3G, initially, because 3G chips were expensive, and were battery hogs. Exactly like LTE chips for 4G nowadays, and that's why there is no 4G capable iPhone - and why I feel there won't be one until 2013. Likewise, the same with the camera. While the initial 2mpx camera was anemic by camera phone standards, the 3.2mpx camera that supplanted it was the sweet-spot of phone cams - not because of outstanding resolution, but rather because Apple tweaked the software to make sure that the image sensor also gave you the best possible pictures - and it did, consistently delivering better quality pictures than **any* other camera phone on the market. All because Apple invested in the software that drove the camera, while all the "competitors" just slap a camera sensor into their models, and lazily dump the raw image to memory. Detractors' of the iPhone, of course, had the perfect response to such facts - "oh, who cares about a phone camera, I carry a 'real' camera with me" - meaning, of course, that they rarely, if ever, took pictures. All the while, the iPhones have become the number one camera to take pictures on Flickr. Android phones, despite their mythical "leading" market share only start being represented far down that list. Apple tends to leverage those development realities, of course, but it's not as you implied, that they start a new project going "ok, let's make two crappy iterations, and marketing will take care selling them, while we work on the 'gold' 3rd iteration. That's bullshit.

[image: http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/images/smilies/arrowup.gif]If apple develops "insanely great products" then how come my home button died in 10 months? ---Update--- Quote Originally Posted by Cthulhu View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money-2.html#post1621460) Jesus Kryst - not that old bullshit again. It has nothing to do with a 'marketing strategy', but rather it is simply the way to develop insanely great products. My point is that you can NOT start with the 3rd generation product, out the gate - because the technology, manufacturing savvy, and economics are simply not there.Instead, Apple selects, based on what is available, and what is doable, and people actually *need*, the best possible product at that point - and then evolves it, using their economic might to force both economics and technologies to what Apple needs to finally produce the 3rd generation product you talk about.Let's take a look at the prior features - Apple didn't release the iPhone with 3G, initially, because 3G chips were expensive, and were battery hogs. Exactly like LTE chips for 4G nowadays, and that's why there is no 4G capable iPhone - and why I feel there won't be one until 2013.Likewise, the same with the camera. While the initial 2mpx camera was anemic by camera phone standards, the 3.2mpx camera that supplanted it was the sweet-spot of phone cams - not because of outstanding resolution, but rather because Apple tweaked the software to make sure that the image sensor also gave you the best possible pictures - and it did, consistently delivering better quality pictures than **any* other camera phone on the market. All because Apple invested in the software that drove the camera, while all the "competitors" just slap a camera sensor into their models, and lazily dump the raw image to memory.Detractors' of the iPhone, of course, had the perfect response to such facts - "oh, who cares about a phone camera, I carry a 'real' camera with me" - meaning, of course, that they rarely, if ever, took pictures.All the while, the iPhones have become the number one camera to take pictures on Flickr. Android phones, despite their mythical "leading" market share only start being represented far down that list.Apple tends to leverage those development realities, of course, but it's not as you implied, that they start a new project going "ok, let's make two crappy iterations, and marketing will take care selling them, while we work on the 'gold' 3rd iteration.That's bullshit. Truth of the matter is, if you want to get an iPhone, you get the one with the S. if it doesn't have an S, it will be shit. If i stay with iPhone, I'm getting the 5s. The 5 will be shit.

Quote Originally Posted by backspace View Post (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/computers-technology-and-the-internet-in-thailand/62202-best-tablet-touchpad-for-the-money-2.html#post1621724) If apple develops "insanely great products" then how come my home button died in 10 months? If it happened after 10 months, then how come you didn't get it replaced under AppleCare warranty, seeing as how your device has 12 months of Apple warranty? Oddly enough, my iPhone 4 had the same issue, with the home button getting sticky and dying. I was in HK at the time, so just went to the Apple Store there (pretty massive), they pulled up my warranty information (which showed I was covered) and issued me a new iPhone 4. Sweet! I also added AppleCare to it, which the HK store carries (but you can't get in Thailand), so I'll be good for another year (though I'd have to go and get any repairs / swaps done in HK). 520 HK$ well spent. You bought your iPhone 4 10 months ago, and you bought it from True - it's covered by the 1 year AppleCare, and True is your authorized dealer to honor that warranty - why didn't you get it replaced, then? Just more lies and fabrications from you - and so easy to debunk.