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Alternative to iPad?

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Aurora Baltika

Which tablet could be considered as the cheapest and decent alternative to iPad?
 
Just bought an Arnova 10.1 G2 for £140 and love it!
 
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consultant said:
Just bought an Arnova 10.1 G2 for £140 and love it!
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Ditto, love mine and syncs with my HTC Desire :D was going to get the Xoom but went in Currys and saw the Arnova and thought, might as well try it.

As long as the screen is resistive and not capacitive you should be fine.
 
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I rooted mine and can now sync contacts and calendar with my Google Apps accounts.

I have also set up VoIP, so it can be used as an extension on my PBX (overkill!)

TBH, I am yet to find a genuine business use for it (as I would an Ipad), but when I get mobile browsing working, it will be great!
 
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Galaxy Tab and Asus Transformer Prime are probably the best out there if you don't want an iPad.

The Transformer Prime is the best performing tablet at the moment, you can also add a keyboard dock although it doesn't sound like you need that. Still a nice feature though if you want to add netbook functionality.
 
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I read an article in the paper this week saying that the tablet market had more or less disappeared as no-one (with the possible exception of Samsung) had succeeded in building anything remotely as good as the IPAD and that Apple had really caught the others out with that product. They are now no longer competing and turning their attention to other products.

I love my IPAD!
 
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garyk said:
Yep and theres the thing, you want ipad quality, you pay ipad price, simples!
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Yes and I don't see that as a problem.

An 'Android Tablet' is such a generic term as anybody can build one and you will end up with the full quality range from cheap useless tat to iPad standard (or better).

Regards

Dotty
 
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deniser said:
I read an article in the paper this week saying that the tablet market had more or less disappeared as no-one (with the possible exception of Samsung) had succeeded in building anything remotely as good as the IPAD and that Apple had really caught the others out with that product. They are now no longer competing and turning their attention to other products.

I love my IPAD!
Click to expand...

That's really not the case. A few companies such as HP and RIM have really failed, and given up it seems, however Asus, Samsung, Lenovo and others are investing an awful lot in tablets and mobile devices as this is seen as the growth area.

Technology supremacy is shifting back to Asia which held the dominant position until software was what mattered, which the west, especially America is better at.

Ironically it's Google that is allowing Asia to regain its lost dominance.

The economist recently did a special feature on the future of the computer. Whilst the death of the PC has been hailed a lot of times, and is an over exaggeration, non PC devices have over taken PCs in the number connected to the internet for example.

Look at CES and it was full of new mobile devices.

Asus has some very interesting devices, such as the MeMo pad, Transformer, PadPhone and so forth.

You can easily argue that the Asus Transformer Prime and Galaxy Tab are better than the iPad. More flexible, more powerful, perhaps a little less slick... but Android is getting better, and is far more customisable.

And if you want to use a tablet for anything other than casual consumption, then the iPad is a no go really.

We'll soon get Windows 8 tablets which will be aimed more at production rather than just consumption, and Lenovo and other companies already have pen driven tablets aimed at the enterprise/productivity.

It all depends on what you want. There are two very distinct types of tablets, and whole range in between.

But I think we're going to see Apple lose it's dominance in this area, just as it has to Android in the smartphone market.

Apple's creation and growth of this market is quite incredible, but Samsung's challenge and sudden market share is rather impressive too.

In the end it's the consumer that stands to benefit from this increased competition. It's funny when people seem to celebrate market dominance.
 
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Dan_HiHosting said:
...In the end it's the consumer that stands to benefit from this increased competition. It's funny when people seem to celebrate market dominance...
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Very true, and a fact that is sometimes lost on certain die-hard Apple fanatics.

e.g Android / Google had cloud synchronisation long before iCloud and I personally know several people who switched to Android because they where fed up of being a slave to iTunes.

A technology war is GOOD for the consumer!

Regards

Dotty
 
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Dan_HiHosting said:
That's really not the case. A few companies such as HP and RIM have really failed, and given up it seems, however Asus, Samsung, Lenovo and others are investing an awful lot in tablets and mobile devices as this is seen as the growth area.

Technology supremacy is shifting back to Asia which held the dominant position until software was what mattered, which the west, especially America is better at.

Ironically it's Google that is allowing Asia to regain its lost dominance.

The economist recently did a special feature on the future of the computer. Whilst the death of the PC has been hailed a lot of times, and is an over exaggeration, non PC devices have over taken PCs in the number connected to the internet for example.

Look at CES and it was full of new mobile devices.

Asus has some very interesting devices, such as the MeMo pad, Transformer, PadPhone and so forth.

You can easily argue that the Asus Transformer Prime and Galaxy Tab are better than the iPad. More flexible, more powerful, perhaps a little less slick... but Android is getting better, and is far more customisable.

And if you want to use a tablet for anything other than casual consumption, then the iPad is a no go really.

We'll soon get Windows 8 tablets which will be aimed more at production rather than just consumption, and Lenovo and other companies already have pen driven tablets aimed at the enterprise/productivity.

It all depends on what you want. There are two very distinct types of tablets, and whole range in between.

But I think we're going to see Apple lose it's dominance in this area, just as it has to Android in the smartphone market.

Apple's creation and growth of this market is quite incredible, but Samsung's challenge and sudden market share is rather impressive too.

In the end it's the consumer that stands to benefit from this increased competition. It's funny when people seem to celebrate market dominance.
Click to expand...

Andrioid phones will always outsell the iPhone. There are many many android phones out there from different manufacturers. There is only 1 iPhone, or well 3 models of it.

New android handsets are coming out all the time. So taking this into account the iPhone is doing remarkably well against android. iOS as a whole across all devices isn't far off android as a whole for market share across all devices.

Back to iPads, the OP clearly want's an iPad but doesn't want to dump £500 into it, so is looking for a cheaper alternative. It still doesn't negate the fact that his first choice would probably be an iPad if he had the money or it was cheaper. When people talk about alternative products to something, that something is invariably the bench mark.

If Apple make the iPad 2 base price ~£250 when the iPad 3 comes out, other tablet makers will see a massive decline in sales, i bet.

But yeah you're absolutley spot on, all this competition will only benefit the consumer.
 
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Made in China tablets are proliferating nowadays and it's a budget alternative for iPad.
 
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Peter Yu said:
Made in China tablets are proliferating nowadays and it's a budget alternative for iPad.
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I think you'll find not just budget tablets are made in China!

http://forwardthinking.pcmag.com/apple/282348-ipad-2-designed-in-california-manufactured-everywhere

Incidentally, this is a good website for tablet reviews: http://www.tabletpcreview.com/

The NOOK tablet is a good if you want a cheap device, one of those "loss leaders" like the Kindle Fire, but better speced. Costs around £200.

You can root it so you can access the full Android Market.
 
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The reasons I will choose alternative tablet are: price of iPad and iTunes on it.
 
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Dan_HiHosting said:
You can easily argue that the Asus Transformer Prime and Galaxy Tab are better than the iPad. More flexible, more powerful, perhaps a little less slick... but Android is getting better, and is far more customisable.

And if you want to use a tablet for anything other than casual consumption, then the iPad is a no go really.
Click to expand...

How do you easily argue that they are better? Dont get me wrong I think that tab is awesome, in fact I prefer its form factor to that of an iPad but they do pretty much the same.

In fact casual consumption pretty much sums up all I really use my ipad for but then given another tablet I'm not sure any of the others would give me the ability to do any more.

Gary
 
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I really like the design on the iPad and it is nice to use but I would never buy one just because of the usual locked down Apple nonsense.

Sony have brought out a new one called the Tablet S which is quite a nice device, it's got a different shape and is really nice to hold. Also comes with some old school playstation games preloaded as an extra bonus.

My choice would be either the Sony or the Samsung - I recommend you try both out and see how you like 'em.
 
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mickeym said:
I really like the design on the iPad and it is nice to use but I would never buy one just because of the usual locked down Apple nonsense.

Sony have brought out a new one called the Tablet S which is quite a nice device, it's got a different shape and is really nice to hold. Also comes with some old school playstation games preloaded as an extra bonus.

My choice would be either the Sony or the Samsung - I recommend you try both out and see how you like 'em.
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I agree. The Samsung Galaxy tab is a great bit of kit. I've owned both an iPad and G-tab, both are great gadgets but it's all down to preference. The Android OS is very simple to use (especially if you've owned/own an Android phone). I recently sold my Galaxy tab in preparation for the iPad3. I have a bit of a gadget addiction :)

In nutshell: Head down to PC World/Currys. They always have tablets on demo so you can play with them to your heart's content.
 
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JDX_John said:
This sounds rather nice: http://www.reghardware.com/2012/01/17/review_motorola_xoom_2_media_edition_android_tablet/

Question - you can get iTunes on Windows as well as on Mac. Do you think there will ever be iTunes for Android? Or are Apple moving away from needing a PC at all, and the Windows version will eventually disappear too?
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iTunes is crap, why anyone would want to use it compared to the alternatives I don't know. Plenty of other media players for Windows/Mac/Android that support other MP3 Providers.
 
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itunes is a little more than a media player!
 
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consultant said:
itunes is a little more than a media player!
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And it's crap at everything... Honestly it is..

Who cares if does podcasts, or plays movies, or sells you music.. It does them all pretty poorly. Jack of all trades, master of none.

You can find apps to takeover all these functions, and they'll work better, and without the silly restrictions Apple puts in place.
 
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JDX_John said:
I don't have an iOS device so why would I cry? It's your diverting the subject in an attempt to get attention that is irritating.
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To be honest, you asked about iTunes with regards to ANDROID, and I replied it's crap so why would you want to anyway - because I think it is - seriously. ;)

You asked on an internet forum, so I'm entitled to reply. If you expected certain people(s) to reply, maybe you can converse with them via private message.

Ultimately, no one asked you to reply to my post, but you decided you would instead of carrying on with whatever is was you wanted to say about the topic you wish to discuss.
 
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Subbynet said:
To be honest, you asked about iTunes with regards to ANDROID, and I replied it's crap so why would you want to anyway - because I think it is - seriously. ;)
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I didn't say I WANTED to, but whether people reckon Apple (who probably think it's a decent product) consider it better to get a piece of the pie on Android, or keep people trapped on iOS. It's a theoretical discussion, not a feature request.

Regarding "open internet forums", it is normal etiquette to at least answer the question posed and THEN add your own 2p. Whether you like iTunes has nowt to do with it.
 
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It was just a simple reply John. Mountain, Mole Hill come to mind....

I really don't think you want to get into a discussion about etiquette.
 
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JDX_John said:
Question - you can get iTunes on Windows as well as on Mac. Do you think there will ever be iTunes for Android? Or are Apple moving away from needing a PC at all, and the Windows version will eventually disappear too?
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Here you go, my direct answer to the question. :D

Yes I believe Apple will eventually port iTunes to whatever system that has enough market share to ensure it's worthwhile development and that will give a decent return for investment.

I'd say Apple will resist to a certain extent in doing this, in a hope of keeping the brand as clean as possible - the PC is really the only exception to the rule so far and it had a 90% share of the market, but that soon it's going to be hard to justify not porting it - if the phones are out there, use them - the implementation costs are tiny compared to the possible returns, and the more eyes looking at your store (in any way, Android or Commodore 64 :rolleyes:) its going to work out more profitable.

There you go, happy now? I didn't want you all upset. Ever thought about going for a walk and stepping away from the computer when you feel angry?
 
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