Im leaning towards buying a 8.9

[tony404]

In my budget I could buy the transformer(the first one) or ipad 2 or 8.9 . The main thing I use tablet for is surfing and reading books. Do you think the 8.9 will be a good choice? I have the nook tablet but the screen is too small for surfing to me. thx

 

[randall2580]

I do a lot of reading using the Kindle app on my 8.9 and find it very easy to hold and read. In landscape you get a nice, easy to read web page as well. I think you would like the upgrade.

 

[cclifft]

I really think you will like the size of the 8.9. It just feels right in the hands for a tablet. I switched from the 10.1 to the 8.9 for that main reason alone. The screen is plenty big for web surfing and reading. I have a Kindle 3G Keyboard that is my main "book" reader, but ever since I got my tablet, I have yet to open my print subscription of Sports Illustrated. It is so much nicer on a tablet and I can read every page perfectly.

I don't know about the ASUS that much, I didn't consider it when I did my tablet shopping, I was looking at the Galaxy Tabs and iPad2. My ultimate decision was based on having one platform to rule the all so to speak. I am a PC user and have a Thunderbolt phone. I use gmail daily, as well as docs, so it just made sense for me to go with the android based tablet. Yeah, there are probably a few apps that I would like to have that are apple exclusive, but I don't feel like I am missing anything at all. Netflix works great, Google Currents is a beautiful news reader, games like Need for Speed look amazing, and magazines are amazing.

I think you would be real happy with the 8.9. Most places will have a 14 day return policy, and you should know after a day or two of solid use if you like it or not. Again, and this is my opinon, but I think the 8.9 is the perfect size for any tablet.

 

[cclifft]

*quick note*

As for the web browsing, the stock browser is pretty good, most folks prefer Dolphin over the stock one, but and it might be possible in Dolphin, but with the stock, you can set it to full screen by enabling quick access thumb tabs, so it removes the address bar and tabs across the top and just shows the page in the entire window, and you switch tabs, close windows, open bookmarks etc. by pressing the edge of the screen with your thumb. I like it and don't like it at the same time. Sometimes my thumbs will hit it by accident, never a big deal, but just something I havne't gotten used to yet. I go back and forth with full screen vs. norman screen, which is why I haven't mastered it yet.

 

[brewkelyn]

I'll just share one thought... Whichever tablet you choose you're gonna want to have a good case for it (if not then disregard) and that will cost you extra. Not knowing what the Asus cost, I think the 8.9 is the least expensive at $350 from Best Buy (16gb wifi). Those 50 bucks you save compared to the ipad 2, for example, can go towards accessories like a good case. I've had mine for some weeks now and its been great! There's so much more I could say but based on price and size alone, I think it's a winner.

 

[dbpaddler]

I own a touchpad and Evo View and have owned the TF, Thrive and A500. Just got the 8.9 on the BB deal and I picked up a sprint hotspot to activate on the Evo view line so I can always use it without wifi and not have to tether. It seems to be the sweet spot in size between the 10.1 and 7 inch models. I have the rotating case for it, and it doesn't seen too bulky, though I wish there was another option for a slim case besides the Belkin. But for $13 the rotating one is tough to best.

can easily see myself carrying it as much as I did the Evo view, and I have almost 2 extra inches of screen and no real extra weight. And it's no thicker. Just a little bigger footprint.

Sent from my SPH-D710

 

[sherif.ihssan]

Always remember that larger screen consume more power and the device weight goes up.
The best prectice is to hold it in your hand and feel it yourself ... I don't like ipad anyway ..

 

[tony404]

I got it,bought it used off of craigslist for $300 with a leather case.it still has 10 months of warranty. I'm very happy and like alot. Does it need a screen protector and if which one do u like?

 

[Jay_eS_Iye]

We chose the 8.9 over the Tab 10.1 and the iPad 2 (my wife is an Apply person and she made the choice actually). I was all about the size of it and honestly still am, though I find it hard to find the accessories that the 10 in tablets have for them. You can find you basic cases on Amazon and such by no name manufacturers but (as of a couple months ago, just started looking today) when you go to find like car mounts and such it's not as popular. Kind of surprising though, I like the 8.9 size versus the 7 inch, but there are more 7 inches around, I believe the Tab 8.9 is the only of it's size. Pity though, it's a great tablet.