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Why Do I Want an iPad?
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Gormond
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Matt D:
“Although the Xoom has more RAM, the iPad 2 has a superior GPU, and they both have the same CPU.”

The GPU and huge list of great games and apps was why I went for an iPad 2 and not the Xoom.

Also the current version of Android isn't as good on tablets as iOS IMO although Ice Cream Sandwich will probably even things up.
Gormond
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by John259:
“Several user reviews that I read said, in effect, that the Xoom is the better choice if you want to fiddle around with the operating system but the iPad is the better choice if you want to use the tablet to do things with.

Is that a fair assessment though?”

You can always jail break iOS if you want to fiddle about with stuff but I would agree out the box it's easier on Android but I personally don't care about stuff like that.
alanwarwic
25-06-2011
The Xoom overclocks to 1.7Ghz.
However the Xoom 2 is rumoured for September with a Quad core 1.5Ghz Tegra 3.

Some report that Tegra 3 tablets are shipping in August.
Gormond
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“The Xoom overclocks to 1.7Ghz.
However the Xoom 2 is rumoured for September with a Quad core 1.5Ghz Tegra 3.

Some report that Tegra 3 tablets are shipping in August.”

Didn't the Xoom just come out in April?

I wouldn't be happy if I bought one on release day for it to be replaced 5 month later.
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by John259:
“Several user reviews that I read said, in effect, that the Xoom is the better choice if you want to fiddle around with the operating system but the iPad is the better choice if you want to use the tablet to do things with.

Is that a fair assessment though?”

Well to be honest, I spent 3 HOURS yesterday trying to find a decent app just to CROP some pitcures. Most of the apps that were free were pants or made for a phone, not a tablet, and the built in Xoom software kept crashing! It crashes a bit too often...
Matt D
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“The GPU and huge list of great games and apps was why I went for an iPad 2 and not the Xoom.”

Ditto, plus also as an iPhone user I already had a lot of iOS apps.

Originally Posted by Gormond:
“Didn't the Xoom just come out in April?

I wouldn't be happy if I bought one on release day for it to be replaced 5 month later.”

The WiFi Xoom came out in March, 3G in Feb. (US). Not sure of the UK dates, may have been April.

To be fair, though, there are also very strong rumours that a new iPad will be out in September, a mere six months after the iPad 2. If that happens, I'd be just as pissed off as if I'd been a Xoom owner from launch only for a Xoom 2 to come out six months later.
jim_uk
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by zapod:
“But where's the software? The hardware's great, but where are the compelling, iPad beating apps?

My iPad is an app engine. It's a window onto software. And there are some truly amazing apps on iOS. That alone is worth the entry fee.

Phone calls? Skype.
HDMI? Why bother - I can stream wirelessly to my TV.
USB? I can attach a MIDI keyboard and control Garageband, amongst others.”

iPad beating apps? I was given an iPad as a gift and the apps are no better than any other platform, there may be a lot of them but most are crap you'd never use.
Fullflush78
25-06-2011
Its a fantastic piece of kit IMO.

It IS expensive and hard to justify and there MAY be better devices out there, im not sure.

I bought one and i have certainly got my money back on its use many times over. Im not Apple fanboi or anything but i think they do some things incredibly well and the Ipad is one of them
AJ2001
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“You can do all of that on Android. Quite simply well.”

Not sure I can. Both newspapers i subscribe have Ipad only content. in relation to sky news, I m not aware of an android app similar to the existing one for the Ipad.
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
This an example of quite a graphically intensive game tuning on the Xoom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81lbORqDrqY

Any nice vids of Ipad games for comparison?
Chocdoc
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by AJ2001:
“Not sure I can. Both newspapers i subscribe have Ipad only content. in relation to sky news, I m not aware of an android app similar to the existing one for the Ipad.”

The Official Sky News Android App is here

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Tec...01002215544589

Its the same as the Ipad one afaik.
Fullflush78
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“This an example of quite a graphically intensive game tuning on the Xoom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81lbORqDrqY

Any nice vids of Ipad games for comparison?”

That looks great!

I have a few games on the ipad that i think look pretty good but whether they could beat that? Dont know, doubt it.

Thats not really what its about though is it?

If you want games you dont buy either device.

You have to look at the overall package. Im perfectly content if there is another tablet type thing out there that is better than my ipad. However my ipad has been an absolutely fantastic device FOR ME and i think thats whats important.

I dont think there is a right or wrong answer. It all seems a bit like Sega V Nintendo back in the day or even PC v Mac. Does it really matter?
AJ2001
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“The Official Sky News Android App is here

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Tec...01002215544589

Its the same as the Ipad one afaik.”

You sure? Doesn't look like it. Might have to try it . Ipad version below


http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Tec...=searchresults
zapod
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by jim_uk:
“iPad beating apps? I was given an iPad as a gift and the apps are no better than any other platform, there may be a lot of them but most are crap you'd never use.”

Sorry, but that's utter tosh. Did you even bother to get your gift out of it's wrapper?

GarageBand is amazing. Try it. Try Pages and point me to a better tablet word processor - and no Microsoft Word doesn't count. Again, Numbers is a great, touch driven spreadsheet.

Maybe Brushes, Inkpad or Snapseed if you're feeling creative. All good, fun ways to see what is achievable from a tablet.
Matt D
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“This an example of quite a graphically intensive game tuning on the Xoom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81lbORqDrqY

Any nice vids of Ipad games for comparison?”

Nice


Real Racing 2 HD on an iPad 2

Real Racing 2 HD on an iPad 2, connected via HDMI to an HDTV

Infinity Blade on an iPad 2

Dead Space HD on an iPad 2


Despite the lower amount of RAM, the iPad 2 should have better graphics than the Xoom due to the superior GPU (dual-core PowerVR SGX543 MP2 versus a GeForce ULP).


Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“The Official Sky News Android App is here

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Tec...01002215544589

Its the same as the Ipad one afaik.”

It looks like the iPhone one, not the iPad one. They're quite different.
alanwarwic
25-06-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“Didn't the Xoom just come out in April?”

This 2006 laptop has probably been replaced many times over.
Gormond
26-06-2011
Originally Posted by alanwarwic:
“This 2006 laptop has probably been replaced many times over.”

Most decent companies refresh their product lines once per year, such as Sony, Lenovo, Asus... (and I'm not just talking about a 10% increase in processor speed)

To bring out a tablet over twice as fast as the previous in 5 month is a disgrace IMO, and mocks those who parted with their hard earned cash.
Chocdoc
26-06-2011
I appreciate it's not just about games but I was interested in the Ipads graphical capabilities.

That Real Racing game looks amazing and it's obvious the Ipad has the edge there.

There were annoying ads in those Youtube links
Matt D
26-06-2011
Originally Posted by Gormond:
“Most decent companies refresh their product lines once per year, such as Sony, Lenovo, Asus... (and I'm not just talking about a 10% increase in processor speed)

To bring out a tablet over twice as fast as the previous in 5 month is a disgrace IMO, and mocks those who parted with their hard earned cash.”

I agree. I just hope that the rumours about Apple doing the same with another iPad in September aren't true...

Originally Posted by Chocdoc:
“I appreciate it's not just about games but I was interested in the Ipads graphical capabilities.

That Real Racing game looks amazing and it's obvious the Ipad has the edge there.

There were annoying ads in those Youtube links ”

Ah, I didn't see the ads as I didn't watch the whole vids (no need as I have the games, lol).

Yeah, Real Racing is great Unfortunately my driving sucks though

I'd love to try the HDMI mirroring... although my TV has no spare ports, & I'd also need to buy the HDMI adaptor, lol.

Wireless mirroring of the iPad 2 via an Apple TV would be cool, but I'd have no other use for one as I have a PS3 & 360 for video streaming, so can't really justify an Apple TV just to play the odd iPad game etc. on the TV wirelessly.
JulesandSand
26-06-2011
OK - I'm considering a tablet device for the following reason,

I take my laptop on holiday, I use it for email, web browsing and sometimes watching movies, my OH uses Facebook. A tablet would be lighter and more convenient - I'm assuming I wouldn't have to unpack it for security screening at the airport?

The one disadvantage I can see with an iPad is no USB slot or SD slot for that matter. How can I download pictures from my camera to an iPad? I notice that the Xoom has a micro SD slot which is currently disabled?

Where do I put the video files from my camcorder (both camera and camcorder record to SD cards. Portable HDD?
Matt D
26-06-2011
Apple sells what it calls a "camera connection kit", to make up for the lack of USB/SD on the iPad itself. It retails for £25 & consists of a small USB adaptor & SD card adaptor which plug into the iPad's dock connector.
c4rv
26-06-2011
Originally Posted by JulesandSand:
“OK - I'm considering a tablet device for the following reason,

I take my laptop on holiday, I use it for email, web browsing and sometimes watching movies, my OH uses Facebook. A tablet would be lighter and more convenient - I'm assuming I wouldn't have to unpack it for security screening at the airport?

The one disadvantage I can see with an iPad is no USB slot or SD slot for that matter. How can I download pictures from my camera to an iPad? I notice that the Xoom has a micro SD slot which is currently disabled?

Where do I put the video files from my camcorder (both camera and camcorder record to SD cards. Portable HDD?”

Why would the micro SD card be disabled ?

Not sure about zoom but on flytouch tablets you can either plug in micro SD card or use USB card reader, USB flash drive or USB hard drive. Not confirm it myself but on the support forum, it says you can plug in a USB hard drive and transfer files from a micro SD onto it if that helps.
JulesandSand
26-06-2011
Originally Posted by c4rv:
“Why would the micro SD card be disabled ?

Not sure about zoom but on flytouch tablets you can either plug in micro SD card or use USB card reader, USB flash drive or USB hard drive. Not confirm it myself but on the support forum, it says you can plug in a USB hard drive and transfer files from a micro SD onto it if that helps.”

I don't know, but it is apparently. Anyhow my equipment uses full size SD cards so the point is moot.

The Apple camera connection kit would be necessary, I could just take a handful of USB pen drives for extra storage.
Chocdoc
26-06-2011
Originally Posted by c4rv:
“Why would the micro SD card be disabled ?

Not sure about zoom but on flytouch tablets you can either plug in micro SD card or use USB card reader, USB flash drive or USB hard drive. Not confirm it myself but on the support forum, it says you can plug in a USB hard drive and transfer files from a micro SD onto it if that helps.”

In the US the XOOM is Google Experience Device (GED) and Google dictate what can be done with the device. They want to enable the SD card but want to keep the file structures hidden from the user. They haven't figured out how to do this yet. Here in Europe, Motorla are in charge and it's them who have enabled the card for us.

I think US owners have to wait for a future update.
JulesandSand
27-06-2011
Hmmm - just seen review of the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy 10.1 - looks good.

Also rumours of iPad 3 THIS YEAR!

Another question,

With the USB/SD adapter attached to the iPad, would it play movies directly from a pen drive or SD card?
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