Asus eee Pad Transformer Or an iPad 2?

[fr0zenblood75]

I am planning on buying one of those two tablets i just cant decide on which one
I love the iPads design and thinnes but i am bored of ios the ui is just to simple but it is also very smooth which i like a lot and it also has a very big app library i am sure i will get updates for at least two more years and maybe ios 5 will bring drastic ui changes and ,ios is also very closed and they havent released a new jailbreak.

and the eee Pad well i really like the honeycomb ui although its not as smooth as ios it does look cooler but really doesnt have many apps and it is also cheaper and has expandable storage and is way more customizable and i love tweaking my devices and android is bad ass for that but its also way more buggy

I also have an android phone so i think it will work better with honeycomb , and i also read so it would be nice to pick up were i left of on my tablet i dunno if i should base my choice on the phone i have too

What do you guys think is the better choice ??

 

[Richard Devine]

I have an original ipad and I have to say it is a fantastic piece of kit. The applications available that are ipad optimised is a big plus, it's well made and very slick.

However I really like the look of the transformer, that laptop dock is bad ass! Just don't think honeycomb is ready yet from what I've experienced. When it's less laggy and the apps are there ill be getting rid of ipad like a shot!

Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk

 

[original00]

Well you are on an android site in the asus transformer section so it's obvious what kind of response you will receive to your question. You need to check out both and see which works best for your needs since they both have pluses and minuses.

I also got the original ipad cos the 2 ipad2s I got had bad light bleed issues so that is something to consider. Either way you wont go wrong with either, just depends on your expectations for what you need the tablet to do for you. I think the transformer will be one of the top android tablets this year due to the price/feature value they provide.

 

[dwd3885]

I have the iPad 2 but I plan on returning it and getting the Transformer. Price is a BIG consideration. Also, having a $400 device that is more rugged is a plus compared to the iPad. From what I've seen, honeycomb isn't THERE yet with iOS for the tablet, BUT I'm willing to grow with it. With Android, I feel more a part of a community than I do with iOS. That's a big reason. I switched from iPhone to the Nexus One at the moment it appeared to me EVERYONE and their mom had an iPhone. I Just like to be different I guess. So I don't want to be one of the millions who have an iPad anymore, I want to have something that's different and unique.

 

[fr0zenblood75]

I have an original ipad and I have to say it is a fantastic piece of kit. The applications available that are ipad optimised is a big plus, it's well made and very slick.

However I really like the look of the transformer, that laptop dock is bad ass! Just don't think honeycomb is ready yet from what I've experienced. When it's less laggy and the apps are there ill be getting rid of ipad like a shot!

Sent from my LT15i using Tapatalk

Yea thats what ilike about it .
And about the dock i dont really plan on buying it i dont see the point as i have a laptop yea i tihnk the safest thing is to buy an ipad 2 and wait till honeycomb catches up or ice creme

Well you are on an android site in the asus transformer section so it's obvious what kind of response you will receive to your question. You need to check out both and see which works best for your needs since they both have pluses and minuses.

I also got the original ipad cos the 2 ipad2s I got had bad light bleed issues so that is something to consider. Either way you wont go wrong with either, just depends on your expectations for what you need the tablet to do for you. I think the transformer will be one of the top android tablets this year due to the price/feature value they provide.

Yes i figured that but gave it a shot anyways i want many opinions im also gonna post this on an apple forum i played with the xoom and the ipad two and i liked both alot its hard to decide umm the light bleeding i dont mind that its not always noticable i had it on my Ipod touch and my 3gs

I have the iPad 2 but I plan on returning it and getting the Transformer. Price is a BIG consideration. Also, having a $400 device that is more rugged is a plus compared to the iPad. From what I've seen, honeycomb isn't THERE yet with iOS for the tablet, BUT I'm willing to grow with it. With Android, I feel more a part of a community than I do with iOS. That's a big reason. I switched from iPhone to the Nexus One at the moment it appeared to me EVERYONE and their mom had an iPhone. I Just like to be different I guess. So I don't want to be one of the millions who have an iPad anymore, I want to have something that's different and unique.

Have you played with honeycomb ?? I also switched from ios i miss many things but i really like android i can do more to my phone than i use to
but im not sure if my phone will be updated again or if some apps work with my phone
:\

 

[Suntan]

I never really looked at the ipad (or the upcoming Touchpad) because I do not want a 4:3 aspect ratio tablet. Personally, I much prefer the 16:9 aspect ratio of the android tablets. Both for video watching and for reading, etc. in portrait mode.

I would suggest you do the same, that is, investigate the options and decide which ones best meet your needs.

-Suntan

 

[EggoEspada]

I can see why you're struggling with a choice. So I'll break it down to pros and cons of each device:

iPad 2

Pros:

- Slim and lightweight body
- Great battery life
- Smooth UI
- Variety of applications
- Ecosystem

Cons:

- Closed Ecosystem
- OS arguably becoming stale
- Browsing experience compromised (not as much features and no flash)
- Price
- No expandable storage

ASUS Transformer

Pros:

- Robust and refreshing OS
- Build quality
- Google Services
- Price
- Optional keyboard dock
- Full desktop-like browsing experience
- Mini-HDMI
- Expandable memory

Cons:

- Poor app selection
- Honecomb has a long way to go
- Battery life
- Weak ecosystem
- No Netflix (Unknown to if and when it'll arrive)

More or less my thoughts. I haven't played with a Transformer yet so I don't have more to see as far as that product goes. Be sure to check out AC's review on the tablet to understand it's features and flows for yourself.

 

[tprevett]

I never really looked at the ipad (or the upcoming Touchpad) because I do not want a 4:3 aspect ratio tablet. Personally, I much prefer the 16:9 aspect ratio of the android tablets. Both for video watching and for reading, etc. in portrait mode.

I would suggest you do the same, that is, investigate the options and decide which ones best meet your needs.

-Suntan

I bought an ipod on Monday. Due to the crappy cameras and the iphone sized apps I returned it on Tuesday (I really wanted to love it but realized that the ipad is meant for the every day non technical brainwashed by apple user.. and I do own a mac) got a xoom which I love, but will be returning on Tuesday for a transformer and a couple of cnotes.

 

[htowngator]

Depends on what you want, honestly.

Are you more interested in Netflix, Hulu Plus, etc. or are you more interested in a full tablet experience? iPad is great for streaming video and decent browsing, but not a lot more.

 

[Bossxii]

I can see why you're struggling with a choice. So I'll break it down to pros and cons of each device:

iPad 2

Pros:

- Slim and lightweight body
- Great battery life
- Smooth UI
- Variety of applications
- Ecosystem

Cons:

- Closed Ecosystem
- OS arguably becoming stale
- Browsing experience compromised (not as much features and no flash)
- Price
- No expandable storage

ASUS Transformer

Pros:

- Robust and refreshing OS
- Build quality
- Google Services
- Price
- Optional keyboard dock
- Full desktop-like browsing experience
- Mini-HDMI
- Expandable memory

Cons:

- Poor app selection
- Honecomb has a long way to go
- Battery life
- Weak ecosystem
- No Netflix (Unknown to if and when it'll arrive)

More or less my thoughts. I haven't played with a Transformer yet so I don't have more to see as far as that product goes. Be sure to check out AC's review on the tablet to understand it's features and flows for yourself.

Sorry for the long quote here, but aside from his nice list I'd like to add a few things you can do with Honeycomb you cannot do native or via app that I am aware of with iOS. These things may or may not effect how you use a tablet, but they do for me and made a huge difference in how many things I can now do on my tablet vs laptop.

1) Download files (such as PDF's) directly from a website. Organize them via an app like Astro in the Honeycomb file system.

2) Pertaining to above, the actual multitasking benifit is while downloading those files I can swap back to whatever else I was doing while it downloads in the background.

3) After downloading files/or while downloading files... I can create an email, click on the "paperclip" aka attach.. and browse my file system, attach those files I need and send off an email just as I would on any regular PC.

4) While I admit I thought widgets and the notification system was over-hyped... I"m now very reliant on the email notifications and actually don't worry about what I'm doing thinking I'm missing when an email comes in as some I receive are time sensitive to respond to. With the notification pop up I can see who emailed me and deal with them as they show up, not only when I happen to think about it, close the app I'm in and then see a number to which I must them open the email app to check. HC streamlined this process very nicely.

Those just happen to be some of the main reasons I now use a tablet for a large part of my work day as before the iPad was more of a distraction that I used at lunch or to catch up news or stocks etc... The HC OS allows a much closer experience to a real computer and it's been a rather nice change of pace to have a 9 or 10 hour lightweight device vs a 3 hour battery in a bulky laptop that I had to carry just to deal with emails.

All that being said. If you want a device for gaming and media consumption, and not any type of situations as I have mentioned, the iPad is a great tablet and I've recommended it to friends and family that I feel use it more for the entertainment side of things. It excels in that area for casual gaming, apps for news etc...

It all boils down to what you really want in a tablet. Be honest with yourself about how you would use it, and I think the tablet that works for you will become clear. Good Luck!

 

[milominderbinde]

Go to Best Buy on Tuesday and try them out side-by-side. Get the one you like best.

The iPad 2 is great but is lacking in several specs. Reviewers had hoped it would be a bigger jump forward.

The Transformer is a Netbook for when you need to create content and a world-class tablet for media consumption. The Transformer also wins on price, resolution, microSD, SD, maximum memory, front camera, rear camera, HD recording, stereo music, and as a netbook:

Comparison Chart: Xoom, Transformer, Galaxy, TouchPad

But in the end, only you will be able to say what is best for you. Get the one that feels right to you.

 

[Gameboy70]

There's a lot I love about my first gen iPad, and I've been tempted to upgrade to the iPad 2, but iTunes is the Antichrist. I don't want any device that requires connecting to a desktop media management program just to activate it. I also dislike the iPad's lack of an accessible file system. Dropbox and Goodreader alleviate some of the file management issues, but I hate having to work around Apples consciously imposed limitations that make everyone think that "sideloading" (which is basically just drag-and-drop file management) is something peculiar or even illicit. Transformer FTW.

 

[slopokdave]

The transformer is the only honeycomb tablet that's available now that I would consider instead of an iPad.

You probably should try both. Target gives you 90 days for the ipad2, if you can get one when their in stock. And of course you could buy the Transformer from a local retailer too and return it within their policy.

One thing if you do get both and try them out; you are going to have to allow the honeycomb library to grow before you may feel like you are getting your monies worth. But in time it (should) grow. For the ipad2, I see no reason to complain about the iPhone apps on the iPad. There's no reason to use them IMO. There are plenty of ipad only apps and thousands of backwards compatible apps. I have no iPhone only apps.

 

[zpithika]

Sorry for the long quote here, but aside from his nice list I'd like to add a few things you can do with Honeycomb you cannot do native or via app that I am aware of with iOS. These things may or may not effect how you use a tablet, but they do for me and made a huge difference in how many things I can now do on my tablet vs laptop.

1) Download files (such as PDF's) directly from a website. Organize them via an app like Astro in the Honeycomb file system.

2) Pertaining to above, the actual multitasking benifit is while downloading those files I can swap back to whatever else I was doing while it downloads in the background.

3) After downloading files/or while downloading files... I can create an email, click on the "paperclip" aka attach.. and browse my file system, attach those files I need and send off an email just as I would on any regular PC.

4) While I admit I thought widgets and the notification system was over-hyped... I"m now very reliant on the email notifications and actually don't worry about what I'm doing thinking I'm missing when an email comes in as some I receive are time sensitive to respond to. With the notification pop up I can see who emailed me and deal with them as they show up, not only when I happen to think about it, close the app I'm in and then see a number to which I must them open the email app to check. HC streamlined this process very nicely.

Those just happen to be some of the main reasons I now use a tablet for a large part of my work day as before the iPad was more of a distraction that I used at lunch or to catch up news or stocks etc... The HC OS allows a much closer experience to a real computer and it's been a rather nice change of pace to have a 9 or 10 hour lightweight device vs a 3 hour battery in a bulky laptop that I had to carry just to deal with emails.

All that being said. If you want a device for gaming and media consumption, and not any type of situations as I have mentioned, the iPad is a great tablet and I've recommended it to friends and family that I feel use it more for the entertainment side of things. It excels in that area for casual gaming, apps for news etc...

It all boils down to what you really want in a tablet. Be honest with yourself about how you would use it, and I think the tablet that works for you will become clear. Good Luck!

I am also struggling with this, but as far as downloading pdfs, if you have the ibooks application, you can open a pdf in safari and it will automatically ask you if you would like to open it and download it to ibooks. as far as emailing a pdf, im not sure if you can. One huge thing i would like is flash but just something to think about would be the skyfire browser for the ipad. I use it on my ipod touch and it works for most of the videos i need to watch. (obviously its not perfect) One more thing i have to think about is, since i already have many apps for my ipod, a lot of them have an ipad version that i can download for free. Im not sure i would want to set up a new account and download similar apps for the transformer when i already have the ios equivelent. But i absolutely love the ui of Honeycomb. i think its amazing despite being young. Im just not sure if i should pass up the maturity and rich apps that the ipad offers. I would use my tablet for school like taking notes and for that i have found many ipad apps that are perfect, including the pages app from apple. Do you happen to know any apps that would be good for the transformer?? anyways, sorry for this being so long.

 

[jerrykur]

I think the words of my teenage daughter are appropriate. She is graduating high school this year and we considered getting her an iPad. Her comment was "why would I want something that is just a big iPod Touch?".

 

[SlickMoney]

I honestly like both devices. Have to agree with others who have said that really you just need to try both. I do love having flash though...

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

 

[Suntan]

The other thing to keep in mind is the aspect ratio differences.

Peronsally I prefer the 16X10 ratio of the Honeycomb tablets to the 4x3 ratio of the ipad and touchpad. Better for videos for sure, and imo better for reading webpages in portrait orientation.

YMMV.

-Suntan

 

[drwohl]

I got tired of waiting for the Transformer, and I've gotten pretty nervous about the various problems that some are reporting (particularly the dock disengaging) -- yet, it may be a minority, but still... And I was able get an iPad2 yesterday, with a Zagg keyboard/case. My only hesitation was storage, but I use Dropbox to store files, so I think it will be all right. So far, I'm as happy as can be, other than the fact that I think Steve Jobs is the spawn of Beelzebub, so I don't like making him that much more secure.

 

[n25philly]

I can see why you're struggling with a choice. So I'll break it down to pros and cons of each device:

iPad 2

Pros:

- Slim and lightweight body
- Great battery life
- Smooth UI
- Variety of applications
- Ecosystem

Cons:

- Closed Ecosystem
- OS arguably becoming stale
- Browsing experience compromised (not as much features and no flash)
- Price
- No expandable storage

ASUS Transformer

Pros:

- Robust and refreshing OS
- Build quality
- Google Services
- Price
- Optional keyboard dock
- Full desktop-like browsing experience
- Mini-HDMI
- Expandable memory

Cons:

- Poor app selection
- Honecomb has a long way to go
- Battery life
- Weak ecosystem
- No Netflix (Unknown to if and when it'll arrive)

More or less my thoughts. I haven't played with a Transformer yet so I don't have more to see as far as that product goes. Be sure to check out AC's review on the tablet to understand it's features and flows for yourself.

battery life? With the dock I've been running on mine since around 7 this morning (approximately 10 1/2 hours now) and I still have a 90% charge on it. Battery life is not an issue with the transformer.

 

[jnewell]

battery life? With the dock I've been running on mine since around 7 this morning (approximately 10 1/2 hours now) and I still have a 90% charge on it. Battery life is not an issue with the transformer.

You can't compare battery life with the dock to any other tablet, whether Xoom or iPad or Playbook or whatever - you add a battery but add the bulk of the keyboard/dock unit.