Tablet Madness

[nocaldawg]

I have been quietly watching tablet madness since the introduction of the iPad several months ago. While there are some very attractive features on these units, why would anyone pay $800 for a tablet when you can pick-up a high performance laptop for less if you shop around? For example, I just spent $599 for a laptop for my wife with an I5 processor, 4gb RAM and 640gb hard drive. What is the value proposition for the tablet?

Also, I hear all about the XOOM's superior specs to the iPad but wondered where I will get my movie rentals, etc? I am a huge Android proponent when comparing my DROIDX to the iPhone. iTunes is a huge advantage for Apple right now, so how will Android tablets address this shortcomming?

Appreciate everyone's feedback and input here!

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[cparker5]

In short, many won't pay $800 for this tech, including me. It is about $200 too high in price.

 

[ckeegan003]

I have been quietly watching tablet madness since the introduction of the iPad several months ago. While there are some very attractive features on these units, why would anyone pay $800 for a tablet when you can pick-up a high performance laptop for less if you shop around?

I already own a laptop, and I want a tablet. The touchscreen on a tablet offers things that my laptop simply can't; signing documents on the go, reviewing documents in portrait without the need for scrolling, reading books, etc. It offers a completely different experience in comparison to my laptop, and offers better portability in many situations.

Also, I hear all about the XOOM's superior specs to the iPad but wondered where I will get my movie rentals, etc? iTunes is a huge advantage for Apple right now, so how will Android tablets address this shortcomming?

While both HuluPlus and Netflix are likely to come to Android in the near future, whether they offer tablet support has yet to be seen.

Also, we should see Google Music shortly, as it was first previewed last May, and it is widely rumored that Andy Rubin is heading up the development. It would not surprise me in the least, if its capabilities went beyond just music.

 

[nocaldawg]

If this is too much, then assuming a fair price, could I expect to replace my laptop with a quality tablet?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[cparker5]

I already own a laptop, and I want a tablet. The touchscreen on a tablet offers things that my laptop simply can't (signing documents on the go), reviewing documents in portrait without the need for scrolling, reading books, etc. It offers a completely different experience in comparison to my laptop, and offers better portability in many situations.

Portibility is really the selling point here. But it is not a huge one. I won't take a 10" tablet with me for daily routines, but it would be great while travelling for work. For everyday travel, obviously the smart phones are sitll the reasonable grab and go device. Currently my $400 netbook is great for travelling, and I don't think the tablet would be better while travelling, but I don't think it would be any worse either.

For reading? I am not going to pay $800 for an eReader. It is not even worth discussing as a netbook can act as an eReader as well as a smart phone. If you do want to claim it is a big advantage I will completly disagree, at most it is a minor feature not worth the premium of $400 over a netbook.

So we have limited portability over a laptop and very minor portability advantage over a netbook. eReader is a moot point.

If you want a full functioning touch screen device and portability isn't a factor HP has some really good looking PCs that are a single unit and about 20" touchscreen for about the same price we are hearing for the Xoom. So you lose all portability, but get a much better device for less or the same.

In the end this $800 price is either a joke or an initial money grab. 10" Tablets can not sustain this price point for very long. By the end of the year I see a better 10" tablet out for about $600.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutly love this device and eventually I will get one for no more then $600. I will just not be a first adopter for that $200 more then I feel I should pay.

 

[cparker5]

If this is too much, then assuming a fair price, could I expect to replace my laptop with a quality tablet?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

That is not a simple yes/no question. It really depends what you use your laptop for.

For example, my wife is strictly a websurfer and she could use this for her laptop needs. Especially with the USB keyboard.

I do a lot of work for my clients on my current laptop using many differant types of network managment tools, there is no way this could replace laptop.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

If this is too much, then assuming a fair price, could I expect to replace my laptop with a quality tablet?

For many people, the answer to this is a resounding "yes". IMHO, Motorola and Google don't make a big enough deal out of this. I think they are both afraid of positioning themselves along with tablet PCs which, as a market group, has done exceedingly bad. That's just a guess, because I can't explain why this parallel would not be drawn.

I intend to replace my notebook with the XOOM. The majority of applications I use are either supported by Android apps or "in the cloud", therefore supported.

Since all applications I currently use are not on tablets yet, I'll use PocketCloud for them. Writing, compiling, and simulating C code for example. I expect this will be fairly easily accomplished remotely using a wireless keyboard. Running the code on hardware is a hands-on task needed other lab equipment, so no difference from my current situation carrying a notebook.

 

[ckeegan003]

@cparker5

I'm not going to get into another debate about why I think a tablet is right for me, rather than another laptop or a netbook. I've never even considered buying a netbook, and I don't need another laptop.

Again, a tablet is a completely different experience compared to either of those devices.

 

[cparker5]

@cparker5

I'm not going to get into another debate about why I think a tablet is right for me, rather than another laptop or a netbook. I've never even considered buying a netbook, and I don't need another laptop.

No need to, you know what is right for you. I am not trying to convince you that I know you better. I am only trying to honestly convey my thoughts on the matter.

The dicussions on this forum, that I have been involved with, have been very civil and I appreciate that. I respect your opinion on these matters, even if we see things differantly.