[Batwing]

Originally Posted by c4rv

but beaten by transformer with docking station.

Which defeats the purpose of a tablet in the first place. You are comparing Apple's to oranges once you dock a tablet.

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by Batwing

Which defeats the purpose of a tablet in the first place. You are comparing Apple's to oranges once you dock a tablet.

no, you don't need to use the keyboard function on the dock, think of it as a removable cover with benefits if that makes you feel better.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by Matt D

Oh, I know it's worth it for some people.

I got mine as I wanted to connect my iPad to my TV, but didn't want to have to faff around with connecting/disconnecting an HDMI cable every time, plus the media features made it quite an attractive purchase.

But at £99, it's a bit expensive if all you want to do is connect your iPad to a TV.



No problem

Even at your more expensive price, compared to what it sells for here in America, it is still quite a bargain for what it does.

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by Batwing

Even at your more expensive price, compare to what it sells for here in America, it is still quite a bargain for what it does.

its not if all you want to do is connect your device to a TV. I know if can do more but not everyone wants those extra features.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by c4rv

its not if all you want to do is connect your device to a TV. I know if can do more but not everyone wants those extra features.

Most people I have showed it to have felt it was well worth it. It's a small amount of money for what it does. Controlling and viewing video content wirelessly on your big screen from your iPad or iPhone is not a simple matter of if that's "all you want to do."

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by Batwing

A tablet app needs to be designed specifically for a tablet and a phone app needs to be designed specifically for a phone.

next you'll be telling me I can't view desktop-sized webpages on my phone....

[Kent1975]

Exactly which camp are you in, sounds a bit like a yoyo!![/quote]


That is exactly how it is - I really can't make a final decision - it will be Christmas at this rate! The Asus is drawing me more their way, mainly due to the USB function and customisation - adding further memory a real bonus. Maybe I should just toss a coin heads Asus, tails Ipad.

[Gormond]

Originally Posted by paulbrock

next you'll be telling me I can't view desktop-sized webpages on my phone....

They work yes, but websites designed for small screens like phones are a lot easier to navigate.

It doesn't take a brain surgeon to realise that an application made for 4, 10 and 20 inches should all be different.

There are dozens of examples in the App store, iPhone apps work on the iPad but ones made to take full advantage of the larger display are far better.

[paulbrock]

Originally Posted by Gormond

It doesn't take a brain surgeon to realise that an application made for 4, 10 and 20 inches should all be different.

really? What Windows or OS X apps (or websites) are different for a 13" laptop versus a 26" desktop screen

[alanwarwic]

Originally Posted by Batwing

Which defeats the purpose of a tablet in the first place.

Not when that purpose is often self defeating.

A survey of actual Transformer owners and their usage patterns would be illuminating.

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by paulbrock

really? What Windows or OS X apps (or websites) are different for a 13" laptop versus a 26" desktop screen

^^^^ This. Some web sites do offer mobile options like here or BBC.

here is a question for those who access this site via a tablet and a phone, do you use the mobile skin when accessing via a tablet. I have been using my advent vega (1024x600 10" screen) for the last week and just use the normal skin, not the mobile one.

[Matt D]

Normal.

I (generally) hate mobile websites. I especially hate being re-directed to a mobile website that has no link for viewing the full desktop site.

[Kent1975]

Well, the coin has been tossed and tails it was (ipad). Having re-read Matt D's excellent reply and watched a half hour Asus prime review video, I believe the right decision has been made, talk about swings and roundabouts!!! Thank you all for your assistance.

[Matt D]

I'm sure that you'll enjoy it

So, the next decisions are... Which size? WiFi-only or 3G ("Cellular")?

My iPad 2 was a 32GB WiFi-only model.

For my iPad 3, I went for the 64GB WiFi-only model.

Given the lack of user-upgradeable/removable storage, you need to think carefully about whether you need 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB. Will you install a lot of apps? Will you store a lot of video on it? Do you want a big one you can stuff full, or would you be happy with a smaller one and just re-syncing more often to change the content.

I do think that 16GB is too small for anything other than basic browsing etc. You won't get a lot on it, especially as many apps are increasing in size to work better with the "Retina" display.

32GB is a good compromise between size and cost. Not as small as the 16GB, not as expensive as the 64GB.

WiFi-only or "Cellular"... Where and when will you use it? Can you make do with WiFi at home / work / coffee shops / hotels / McDonald's etc. etc., or would you also need 3G connectivity for use in other locations? Consider also that the "Cellular" model costs an extra £100, plus you then have PAYG/Contract data charges on top of that.

Do you have a smartphone at the moment? If so, do you have a tariff that allows "tethering"? (using the phone as a modem).

My O2 tariff allows tethering, so on the odd occasion I have my iPad somewhere without 3G and I want to go online on it, I just tether it to my iPhone.

[GamerGirl]

So you didn't consider the Sony S at all then?
It has most of what you wanted including DLNA and use as an IR remote control and Playstation games (if you like them. I don't, myself).
See here:
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/sony-t...torialarticle1

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/sony-t...torialarticle2

[Kent1975]

Originally Posted by Matt D

I'm sure that you'll enjoy it

So, the next decisions are... Which size? WiFi-only or 3G ("Cellular")?

My iPad 2 was a 32GB WiFi-only model.

For my iPad 3, I went for the 64GB WiFi-only model.

Given the lack of user-upgradeable/removable storage, you need to think carefully about whether you need 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB. Will you install a lot of apps? Will you store a lot of video on it? Do you want a big one you can stuff full, or would you be happy with a smaller one and just re-syncing more often to change the content.

I do think that 16GB is too small for anything other than basic browsing etc. You won't get a lot on it, especially as many apps are increasing in size to work better with the "Retina" display.

32GB is a good compromise between size and cost. Not as small as the 16GB, not as expensive as the 64GB.

WiFi-only or "Cellular"... Where and when will you use it? Can you make do with WiFi at home / work / coffee shops / hotels / McDonald's etc. etc., or would you also need 3G connectivity for use in other locations? Consider also that the "Cellular" model costs an extra £100, plus you then have PAYG/Contract data charges on top of that.

Do you have a smartphone at the moment? If so, do you have a tariff that allows "tethering"? (using the phone as a modem).

My O2 tariff allows tethering, so on the odd occasion I have my iPad somewhere without 3G and I want to go online on it, I just tether it to my iPhone.

Not more decisions!!!
Pretty sure I'm gonna goin the middle 32gb wifi only. (don't think I can stretch to the extra £80 for 64gb)
Need to look into the tethering as cannot find anything that says it does allow it, I'm with 02, pay about £25 monthly have got 500mb and unlimited wifi on a blackberry - will have to pop instore to ask and then, no doubt will be back for advice on how to!
Thank you yet again for your reply/comments.

[Kent1975]

Originally Posted by GamerGirl

So you didn't consider the Sony S at all then?
It has most of what you wanted including DLNA and use as an IR remote control and Playstation games (if you like them. I don't, myself).
See here:
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/sony-t...torialarticle1

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/sony-t...torialarticle2

No, please don't go throwing more options in!
I will take a look at the links though thank you!

[Matt D]

New O2 tariffs (2011) that have data as a separate "Bolt On" have tethering included in the Bolt On (apart from the lowest one I think).

Older tariffs that had data included require a separate Bolt On for tethering.

I don't know what the deal is with BlackBerry specific tariffs, but I'd hazard a guess that tethering is not included.


The Sony Tablet S is a nice tablet.

It uses the Tegra 2, the same as the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. This has the same dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU as the iPad 2 & 3, but an inferior GeForce GPU compared to the iPad 2's dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 and the iPad 3's quad-core PowerVR SGX543MP4.

The PS1 game support is a nice bonus compared to the otherwise equally-specced Xoom/Tab.

As it's of the same sort of "generation" of tablets as the iPad 2, it is cheaper than the iPad 3 (32GB WiFi is £379, compared to £479 for the iPad 3).[Although like the Xoom and others, it originally launched at exactly the same price point the iPad 3 currently occupies, and iPad 2 used to occupy].

Only Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). Not sure if it can be upgraded to Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by Kent1975

Well, the coin has been tossed and tails it was (ipad).

Tesco are doing offers on iPad2 at the moment, 16gb wifi version for £330 or 32GB black for £400 (white is £500).

You can also get refurbished ones with warranty from apple.

If you have kids I think you can educational discounts from apple store (not sure if they are any good).

[Matt D]

There's only a small HE discount on the iPad (e.g. £464.40 for 32GB WiFi iPad 3 instead of £479).

[Not much compared to the 12% you can get off an iMac.]

[Kent1975]

Originally Posted by Matt D

New O2 tariffs (2011) that have data as a separate "Bolt On" have tethering included in the Bolt On (apart from the lowest one I think).

Older tariffs that had data included require a separate Bolt On for tethering.

I don't know what the deal is with BlackBerry specific tariffs, but I'd hazard a guess that tethering is not included.


The Sony Tablet S is a nice tablet.

It uses the Tegra 2, the same as the Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. This has the same dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 CPU as the iPad 2 & 3, but an inferior GeForce GPU compared to the iPad 2's dual-core PowerVR SGX543MP2 and the iPad 3's quad-core PowerVR SGX543MP4.

The PS1 game support is a nice bonus compared to the otherwise equally-specced Xoom/Tab.

As it's of the same sort of "generation" of tablets as the iPad 2, it is cheaper than the iPad 3 (32GB WiFi is £379, compared to £479 for the iPad 3).[Although like the Xoom and others, it originally launched at exactly the same price point the iPad 3 currently occupies, and iPad 2 used to occupy].

Only Android 3.2 (Honeycomb). Not sure if it can be upgraded to Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Thank you, will look into the tethering at a later date, new phone contract due in December!

[Kent1975]

Originally Posted by c4rv

Tesco are doing offers on iPad2 at the moment, 16gb wifi version for £330 or 32GB black for £400 (white is £500).

You can also get refurbished ones with warranty from apple.

If you have kids I think you can educational discounts from apple store (not sure if they are any good).

I have just been comparing prices, looking at the New iPad 32gb, wifi, everywhere seems to be identical at £479, John Lewis being the winner so far, with 2 years guarantee - seems a good deal to me!

[Matt D]

Do you have a Quidco cashback account?

The current cashback offer for iPads purchased from the Apple Online Store is 1% for the iPad 3 and 2% for the iPad 2.

http://www.quidco.com/apple-store/

[Matt D]

Ah, although 1% is pretty pathetic compared to a 2 year warranty from JL!

[Kent1975]

Originally Posted by Matt D

Ah, although 1% is pretty pathetic compared to a 2 year warranty from JL!

No Quidco, so looking like John Lewis is the place to order from - it says 2 years on all tablets if anyone else is about to purchase a tablet.