Took the Plunge

[chuckh0308]

I've been eying tablets for the past 6-9 months and most of them (lf the consumer tabs) were just too short on features that I needed. I knew when I first saw the Thrive that it was the closest I was probably going to get to a professional tablet without running Windoze. But, I waited awhile. Well today, I ordered two of them...a 16 Gig and a 32 Gig. Also ordered two portfolio cases, two multi-function docks, SD cards, and some other things. I'm REALLY excited! The only thing I can't do that I was wanting is hook up my portable document scanner. I'm hoping that in the future that will be possible though...then I can stop hauling my laptop around completely!

Just gotta make it to Wednesday!

 

[JOHNGAETANO]

Congrats on your purchase. I just picked up a Thrive myself yesterday. So far so good. You will love it.


B]

I've been eying tablets for the past 6-9 months and most of them (lf the consumer tabs) were just too short on features that I needed. I knew when I first saw the Thrive that it was the closest I was probably going to get to a professional tablet without running Windoze. But, I waited awhile. Well today, I ordered two of them...a 16 Gig and a 32 Gig. Also ordered two portfolio cases, two multi-function docks, SD cards, and some other things. I'm REALLY excited! The only thing I can't do that I was wanting is hook up my portable document scanner. I'm hoping that in the future that will be possible though...then I can stop hauling my laptop around completely!

Just gotta make it to Wednesday!

 

[nonie]

Congrats on your Thrive. I thick you will love it.

I use mine mostly for play, email. I do think its fun to use.

Let us hear how you like yours.

 

[hummingbirdhill]

I've been eying tablets for the past 6-9 months and most of them (lf the consumer tabs) were just too short on features that I needed. I knew when I first saw the Thrive that it was the closest I was probably going to get to a professional tablet without running Windoze. But, I waited awhile. Well today, I ordered two of them...a 16 Gig and a 32 Gig. Also ordered two portfolio cases, two multi-function docks, SD cards, and some other things. I'm REALLY excited! The only thing I can't do that I was wanting is hook up my portable document scanner. I'm hoping that in the future that will be possible though...then I can stop hauling my laptop around completely!

Just gotta make it to Wednesday!

Yes, the Thrive is definitely a professional device---the only tab I've researched that seems to be appropriate for "real" work (and still includes entertainment capabilities). For what type(s) of work will you use your TWO Thrives?

 

[hummingbirdhill]

Congrats on your purchase. I just picked up a Thrive myself yesterday. So far so good. You will love it.


B]

So, how are you using your new Thrive?

 

[JOHNGAETANO]

I use my Thrive most of the time for Browsing, and Email. I play an occasional game or two, but I am not a hard core gamer.

I take my Thrive into meetings, and use it for the calendar application. It's nice to have a full screen calendar for scheduleing meetings, and looking at schdeules.

The Thrive also helps me view and show PDF documents.


JOHN

So, how are you using your new Thrive?

 

[chuckh0308]

Thanks all! I know I will spend my whole day Thursday messing around with it.

As for uses, one is for my better half. Honestly, I'm not sure how it will be used other than for learning Android and probably testing apps and such. I am sure internet/facebook in bed will be part of the deal too.

Mine will be used in Real Estate mostly, for viewing and printing pdf's, showing powerpoint presentations , loading photos from my camera SD card, and entering contacts at open houses. There will be other uses there too...I think it.is really going to help me a lot and mostly eliminate my need for hauling my laptop everywhere. I will also use it a little for entertainment, and i suspect they will both get good use in the kitchen for recipes and such. I still need to figure out how it will best be used, but I definitely got it with the intention of it being primarily for business.

 

[enthuz]

I'm searching for one too. I'm torn between the Thrive and GT10.1. The Thrive is winning out so far. I want to use it for work also (Pre-Sales) for a lot of the same reasons you listed. Please keep us updated on your experience.

 

[chuckh0308]

Got it yesterday. Haven't done a whole lot on it other than I've been setting it up, getting my apps installed, and figuring out how things work. So far things are going smoothly though.

Strangely, both units shipped with the original firmware, but only the 32 Gig unit suffered from the Sleep of Death. The 16 didn't seem to experience the issue for some reason. Anyway, we updated both of them and now all is good on both! We have not found any other bugs yet.

These things seem solidly built. Quite rigid, fit and finish is good, etc. I find them easier to hold than the slim and slippery tabs. No complaints about the size or build quality. However, it is difficult to open the port covers and such, especially the cover for the docking port. You really shouldn't have to use tools to do that...lol! Now that it's off though, I won't be putting it back on. I have not tried removing the entire back yet.

I had read some reviews where the reviewers said the screen was washed out. I don't see it. They look fantastic to me, even with a million finger prints on them...lol! They are also very responsive to touch.

The cameras are OK. Picture taking is slow, but the images are good. Not great, but good. I have only taken a few indoor shots though...outdoor shots could be very good or excellent. I didn't buy them for taking pictures anyway. In fact, I may never use the cameras again now that I've tested them. Honestly, I would be too embarrassed to hold this thing up to take a picture somewhere anyway.

I've already used the USB and the SD reader and they work perfectly as far as I can tell. I inserted the SD card from my camera and the pictures popped right up in the gallery. Very cool! I'm syncing music to the SD card now to see how that works. I had taken a 32 GB micro SD from my old Blackberry and used an adapter to insert it into the tab and get music. The stock music player found the music and played it no problem, but I couldn't get PowerAmp to find it. I really want PowerAmp to work off the SD card, so I'm trying some different things before I order my 64 GB card that will be just for music. I plan to put my entire music library on the 64GB card.

Other than that it's all just a matter of getting used to Honeycomb with no skin. I like it a lot, it's just new and different after using Sense over Froyo.

Will report more as I go, but so far I am pleased!

Oh yeah, we got the standard portfolio cases for them and overall I really like those too. Only one minor complaint and that is that there is no closure strap or anything. I wonder why they didn't put one on? Otherwise, they are great and work well.

 

[hummingbirdhill]

However, it is difficult to open the port covers and such, especially the cover for the docking port. You really shouldn't have to use tools to do that...lol! Now that it's off though, I won't be putting it back on. I have not tried removing the entire back yet.

Oh yeah, we got the standard portfolio cases for them and overall I really like those too. Only one minor complaint and that is that there is no closure strap or anything. I wonder why they didn't put one on? Otherwise, they are great and work well.

The port covers are very difficult to remove! I'm glad they are so secure. They do seem to loosen a bit after several removals . . .

How do the standard portfolio cases open? I mean, vertically? Or like a book? I use the 360 case which opens vertically (but I'd much prefer the booklike style). The strap snap on the 360 is difficult to precisely place for the two snap-halves to connect.

 

[chuckh0308]

They open like a book. I can post a couple picks later today.

OK...first annoying issue. This typing lag in the browser is much worse than I imagined it would be. Wow!

 

[hummingbirdhill]

They open like a book. I can post a couple picks later today.

OK...first annoying issue. This typing lag in the browser is much worse than I imagined it would be. Wow!

So, the 32 update didn't improve the typing lag in browser . . . Sorry to hear that.

 

[chuckh0308]

Here are a few pics of the portfolio case.

Interesting thing about the browser typing lag.I've only typed in the AC forums so far, so I'll have to do more "research," but I noticed something strange. When I click on "reply" to get the full featured post window, it lags something terrible, but if I use the "quick reply," it is fine.

 

[hummingbirdhill]

Here are a few pics of the portfolio case.

Interesting thing about the browser typing lag.I've only typed in the AC forums so far, so I'll have to do more "research," but I noticed something strange. When I click on "reply" to get the full featured post window, it lags something terrible, but if I use the "quick reply," it is fine.

Thanks for the pics; will look at 'em a bit later.

When I'm using the AC QUOTE to reply (on my Thrive) I can't use the formatting for italics, bold, etcetera, because the screen jumps each time I touch one of them . . . I wasted several minutes yesterday attempting to italicize something in my post---in vain. I tried it with my fingertip as well as with the stylus. Weird, huh?