Help Me Justify a Tab

[stooly]

So I finally got my better half to agree to let me have a Galaxy Tab. But I'm having a hard time justifying it to myself, other than it's kewl & I want it

I have a netbook with mobile broadband, which is awesome because I can run any Windows based programs on it... & games like say World of Warcraft. So stricly speaking I guess having a top ranch smart phone, a netbook and an internet tablet, might be a bit spoiled, but still, I want one.

I was having a look online to see the kind of apps that's available for it, but haven't had that much luck, except for the most well known, top 10 apps out there. I was kinda hoping people could name perhaps their favourite thing about the tab as well as their most useful or fav app?

By the way, I've mostly only used Windows phones & Blackberries, have as yet to try Android, which I'm actually looking forward to get my hands on.

 

[petaf]

I have a Tab. And an iPad. I much prefer the Tab. Size is perfect for reading, watching movies, etc. Altho I suppose it's shortly going to be 'old tech,' I don't have plans give it up. Android is great, btw--I came from bb and it's night and day betr. Hope this helps.

 

[drjb74]

I replaced my laptop with a tab, but ironically, we are probably going to replace our desktop with a laptop with mobile broadband.

I especially use the tab with LogMeIn for work. This is what has allowed me to ditch my laptop. The size is perfect, as I can stick it in my pocket to carry it around.

My wife doesnt want a tablet, so we are going with a laptop for her to replace our old desktop at home.

Back to the tab... I use it for email (work and personal), internet, movies, e-books, facebook, twitter, etc. It is a very handy device to have. I know it is going to be outdated soon, but I haven't seen anything that is "so" much better that I want to switch.

Some apps are made specifically for the tab, but some are not. Some apps simply look bigger because of a bigger screen. i think as more tablets come to the market, people will begin to develop apps for tabs, or at least a version for them.

I personally say make the leap, but it's your money. I know I am very happy with mine, and am glad I have it.

 

[oldpueblo]

Rather than retype it I'll just copy/paste my comments from the Anandtech review (which I felt was done in poor perspective). If you feel the same way I do about where it can fit into your life, go for it.

In my shop we've been working on these for about a month and the guys agree totally with you. We joke around by holding the tabs up to our head and pretending they are huge phones. There's not much difference between the standard android phones and the Tab yet.

REPLY
What kind of "difference" do you expect please?

REPLY
Apps? Something? Anything? It's supposed to be a completely new product segment, I'd like to see something more than Android + TouchWiz scaled to a 7" screen. I love Android, but there's really no point in a tablet that's almost the same as any given Android smartphone. Personally, I don't think Android tablets will hit the primetime until Honeycomb releases.

Me
Why? I say our Android smartphones are excellent devices EXCEPT it can be annoying having to work with their small screens. In that it's a complete reversal, the Galaxy Tab is an excellent Android device and the smartphone versions are frustrating and "too small." I rarely use the smartphone ability of my Incredible now that I have the tablet. Why would I prefer to use a smartphone when I can do everything faster on a larger screen that is still extremely portable? I think you're kind of missing the larger point here, that is tablets can make you dump the need to try to do a lot of things on a small smartphone screen. The iPad CANNOT fulfill that role, but the Tab and others like it can perfectly. THAT's the tablet field.

*someone points out a list of things a netbook can do that a tablet can't*

Me
That list misses the entire point though. You might as well make the same argument against a smartphone, why not just have a dumb fliphone and a netbook! The difference is convenience. Having had a netbook that was nice and portable, they are still not instant on and nowhere near as convenient as a tablet. You can't pull it out of your pocket, scan a barcode and read the product info or check your email and all that and then have it back in your pocket in 60 seconds. Netbooks are a separate market where need a highly portable laptop that plan on being on for awhile when you pull it out, there's no bridging the two markets.

REPLY
You use your phone for convienence and hyper mobility. The netbook as a more mobile full internet platform, your laptop as a mobile workstation and the stationary PC as the powerful workstation, server or what have you that does not need to be mobile.

So what does the slate provide?

ME
What you just described smartphones as works perfectly for tablets, with their small screens smartphones can actually take longer to quickly look up something or do some on the spot research. Netbooks and laptops are interchangeable in most cases, why you'd have both at the same time doesn't make a lot of sense. You either want to be very portable or you want a mobile desktop while "on the go." But neither can do what I used as an example in 60 seconds. And a smartphone can take longer than a tablet as well since you have to manipulate a smaller screen which adds time. A tablet is in a sense the sweet spot of "instant on, portability, and convenience." Unless you have the ipad, then you're carrying another bag.

 

[jeffnucci]

I love my Tab. I had an iPad and it was too big. I have Crohn's disease and have to spend 4 hours at the hospital every Thursday with IV drugs pumping into me and I used to bring my 13" MacBook Pro and my Kindle which was a pain to lug around just to browse the web and read a book. I love the size of my Tab and I'm not even that concerned about Honeycomb. I actually like the fact that it works like a big phone. I have a Droid X and always wished I could have that OS experience but on a slightly larger screen.

I don't really know what else to say but if you want the Tab for what it CAN do not what someone could maybe, eventually hack it to do, it's a great device.

 

[Cyber Warrior]

Same... also love my tab. I use it mainly for web surfing(on it right now). Since I bought it I haven't even touched my laptop... or my desktop that much. Only need my desktop for work so I can run certain software. I was torn between going with a 7" tab or a 10" tab. I thought the 7 would be too close to my phones size and the 10 would be too close to my laptop.
Well I obviously went with the 7" Galaxy tab and its the perfect size. Very easy to carry around. I can even fit it in my front jean pocket if I wanted to... which I don't... I carry it around like a book. I barely use my phones browser anymore. I went with the Sprint version, bought it at full price, no contract from Bestbuy. I use it on wifi only around my house and when I'm on the road I wireless tether it for free from my phones connection. I highly recommend getting one if your in the market for buying a tab.

 

[drjb74]

Im with CyberWarrior on this one. My data usage on my EVO has dropped to practically nothing. I am still trying to decide if I should ditch my EVO for a "dumbphone" now that I have the tab.

 

[Cyber Warrior]

The only thing is.... pay $30 for data on the tab and use a dumbphone or use free wireless tether on an android phone and pay the same data price. I rather keep my android phone and just tether it to the tab. They kind of equal each other out except for if you want to carry a regular phone or an android phone.

 

[eorsini]

I have a tablet that I'm currently selling. I can't post it here because I haven't hit 50+ posts, but I'm selling it on Android Forums. I love my tablet, but my lady got me a Xoom so I don't need both.. Let me know if you're interested... I'm selling for $450 with the leather case. You can choose to put verizon service on it or just leave it wifi. But it's a great device to have for books and games and little documents, and it fit directly in my suit jacket pocket!

 

[drjb74]

Yeah, but if I switch to a "dumbphone" then I save not only on the 4G tax, but I can go to a much less expensive plan since I don't talk much on the phone anymore. I haven't sat down and done the math yet, but it was just something I have been contemplating. Between text and email, I talk less than 200 minutes/month anymore. I can text and email from my tab. And 75% of the time I am around WiFi so I am not concerned about going over my 2GB of data.

 

[curney]

Very true! Well put.

The only thing is.... pay $30 for data on the tab and use a dumbphone or use free wireless tether on an android phone and pay the same data price. I rather keep my android phone and just tether it to the tab. They kind of equal each other out except for if you want to carry a regular phone or an android phone.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk

 

[curney]

Also very true!

Yeah, but if I switch to a "dumbphone" then I save not only on the 4G tax, but I can go to a much less expensive plan since I don't talk much on the phone anymore. I haven't sat down and done the math yet, but it was just something I have been contemplating. Between text and email, I talk less than 200 minutes/month anymore. I can text and email from my tab. And 75% of the time I am around WiFi so I am not concerned about going over my 2GB of data.

Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk

 

[lmc05]

I work for T-Mobile and I've had a lot of customers have this same conversation...Text and emails are their main mode of communication, and quite a few of them have simply switched their phone over to a pre-paid or pay as you go plan. Not a bad option if your contract is close to being up.

 

[oldpueblo]

This deal is really hard to pass up if you fit the profile and the Sprint network coverage (you don't need to roam).

LG Optimus V Android Phone | Virgin Mobile

$25 a month = 300 minutes and unlimited data/text with an Android 2.2 device.

 

[manonmoon49]

I have two kids so I can't get rid of my Evo because Angry Bird MUST be accessible to both at the same time. I am VERY happy with my Galaxy Tab and would recommend it to anyone. Like many have said. It is the perfect size to be able to always have it with you. I never leave home without it. I made the switch from BB to Android too and I can never see myself going back(Even though the Playbook does look quite appealing). I welcome an OS bump to Honeycomb but it's not the end of the world if it doesn't happen.

 

[Socfan12]

The Tab is a great device when wi-fi works (I have a sporadic wifi issue others seem to face as well). I have the unlocked international version. I travel a bit for work, so this comes in handy. When in London a few weeks ago, popped in a local Tmobile store, purchased a sim card and got instant phone calling and surfing for the week for < $10! I don't think I could do the same with Xoom and definitely not with the ipads.

While I am considering those two other tablets, I would never let go my Tab for the above reason.

 

[jackitoday]

When my EVO comes up for renewal (another year) I will seriously consider dumbing my phone down, because I'm not using it much at all - except as a phone. I love my TAB, use it all the time.

 

[vjr021]

I am there with you... I want a Tab sooo bad, but it doesn't make sense... I have an iPhone4 and an iPad, but want to move to the Android... but my life is Apple integrated right now.

I thought of the Atrix with Laptop dock... still not as easy as the Tab. (but VERY tempting)

Pros:
Size (LOVE the 7")
Hotspot (on Sprint)
Google integration
Screen

Cons:
No Skype Video
Missing my favorite apps: Reeder (rss), Zinio (Magazine)


I use my iPad for mostly a reader and media... Kindle, RSS, and Zinio. I travel a LOT, so my iPad allows me to carry lots of material to use on the plane.

The Tab can do video, but the RSS readers SUCK compared to the iPad's. (Pulse is too slow)

Not having Zinio is close to a dealbreaker. they showed it at CES, but still not avail.

I use Skype a LOT, and my iP4 it works perfectly... Video, 3G, all of it.

the new iPad2 will do it all, but I really think it is too big.

Damn, what to do?