Buying a Dell 5 as a Tablet (NOT phone)?

Mythiran · April 30th, 2012, 03:57 AM

I'm looking for a good small tablet solution. I was looking at an archos 5 (old, but cheap), but now I'm looking at the Dell Streak.

There are just three things I want from a tablet. The ability to read e-books, portability (smaller = better), and GPS.

What concerns me is... without a phone contract, will the Dell Streak GPS function? And could I potentially experience any other problems?

Cheers in advance!

Rich

MelodyMan · May 8th, 2012, 09:13 AM

Streak 5 is more of a large phone than a tablet. Samsung Note is better but is very expensive. Streak has lowered the price. Latest OS for Streak is 2.3 which is good. It's hard to text Streak with one hand but I like reading text on Streak than the iPhone-size phones.

I do have some problems with Streak but probably with 2.3 OS. Overall, Streak is fine. Camera seems better than iPhone but according to reviews, iPhone 4S is better.

Gr13zly · May 14th, 2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mythiran

I'm looking for a good small tablet solution. I was looking at an archos 5 (old, but cheap), but now I'm looking at the Dell Streak.

There are just three things I want from a tablet. The ability to read e-books,

For reading eBooks the Dell is really good! I've read loads of eBooks on mine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mythiran

portability (smaller = better)

Fits perfectly into your back trouser pocket, shirt pocket, etc. Although it looks pretty big, it really isn't, especially if you compare it to an eBook reader, Kindle, Kobo, etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mythiran

GPS.

What concerns me is... without a phone contract, will the Dell Streak GPS function?

Not 100% on this but I don't think it will. I think the actual GPS function would be fine but the maps will need to be downloaded from the internet and without a service provider (or WiFi access) I doubt it'd be possible.

2 out of 3 aint bad, hope it helps

ckendzierski · May 23rd, 2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gr13zly

For reading eBooks the Dell is really good! I've read loads of eBooks on mine.

Fits perfectly into your back trouser pocket, shirt pocket, etc. Although it looks pretty big, it really isn't, especially if you compare it to an eBook reader, Kindle, Kobo, etc.

Not 100% on this but I don't think it will. I think the actual GPS function would be fine but the maps will need to be downloaded from the internet and without a service provider (or WiFi access) I doubt it'd be possible.

2 out of 3 aint bad, hope it helps

i have used my streak for the same things you listed and it worked perfectly for those things but you will have to preload maps via wifi before leaving for trips and maybe stopping at a couple of mcmaps to get updates

bob60626 · May 26th, 2012, 01:32 PM

Check out the 5" Samsung Galaxy Player. GPS works fine if you preload it over wifi, form factor is great, speaker is super loud, screen looks fine if you keep the brightness up a bit. I got mine on woot for 170, the US models have 2.3 and run somewhere in the low 200's. My only beef is that there's not a 3g version like the bigger tablets.

Rico ANDROID · June 13th, 2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckendzierski

i have used my streak for the same things you listed and it worked perfectly for those things but you will have to preload maps via wifi before leaving for trips and maybe stopping at a couple of mcmaps to get updates

I am a die-hard Dell Streaker too! I live in mine! I use mine curently for all of what was posted here. My tab/phone (the original tab/phone that didnt get the recognition it duely desreves) is still doing its thing even to this day!