Decision Time

[JDawggS316]

I have a very powerful desktop for my main work and gaming and am now looking for a device (laptop or tablet) for entertainment purposes (i.e. YouTube, light games, etc.) and am wondering if I should go the rought of a new laptop or the Prime.

I usually use my old, old laptop in bed, in the living room, or wherever.

Is the internet browsing on the Prime as crisp as it would be on a Windows-based laptop?

Do streaming videos load without stopping ever minute to buffer (i.e. YouTube and Hulu).

Thanks for your help!

 

[rushmore]

The Prime would be a nice fit, since Dolphin HD works great and has a desktop mode along with tablet and iPad mode. Lots of good games and great emulators too. Streaming works fine and depends on your wifi signal (as for any device). There is a browser that plays Hulu called Flash Browser.

The positives:

1. Solid build
2. Nice display
3. Tegra 3 chipset- MUCH better than the Tegra 2 for speed, media and battery
4. $150 keyboard attachment functions as an extended battery and extra data ports. Basically an Android ultra book with the keyboard.

The negatives:

1. GPS is spotty, but a dongle is being released for it Added: Will you use it. If your phone has GPS, a tablet seems overkill for GPS.
2. Wifi is weaker compared to the other main tablets
3. Microsd card sticks out just enough to be a problem and can pop out. This seems a silly connector design, but even some newer ultabooks use it.
4. Like the iPad, a special connector is used for data connection (if not using the KB).

If GPS is not an immediate concern for you, it is worth at least testing one out a few days to see if the wifi range is a problem. This is subjective, depending on the wifi signal where you live and where you would take your tablet.

 

[breadnatty08]

Thanks for the tip Rush on Flash Browser.
As to the OP, I love this thing. It's definitely the best Android tab on the market at this point and with the keyboard dock, a close to laptop replacement. I haven't had any wifi problems so far but only have used it to connect to either my Nexus or home router. Neither have been more than 15 feet away. Haven't really tried out the GPS, but it's no bother to me.
Check it out in stores and decide if it's worth it to you. It's certainly on the high end price wise for tablets, but the raw horsepower is worth it.

 

[JDawggS316]

Ok, so far I'm leaning towards the Prime.

I have a couple other questions that will shape my decision:

1. I have a WD MyBook Live home network external hard drive, will the Prime connect to that through my router/home network so that I can view my content?

2. Can you multitask on the Prime (i.e. run the internet browser with another app in the background).

 

[rushmore]

I thought folks would respond that actually have used the Prime beyond the days.

1. Maybe not, unless there is an app for Android for that drive.

2. Yes.

 

[JAy3001]

Personally I think this comes down to portability/ease of use and whether you want to join to app rat race.

But it sounds to me that you would be better off with an Ultra Book. The Prime has to many negatives in my opinion to be of great use to you. Yes its portable and easy to use but is quite heavy, does not have fantastic colour depth, the apps are still lacking and I don't think they will be be getting much better for another generation or 2 of the Android operating system and will always be playing catch up to the iPad apps.

Both SD and MicroSD ports allow the cards to stick out so far that you cannot leave them in, the USB port can also be an issue with not allowing all device to go in far enough to stay registered to the device itself. And of cause you have the almost useless GPS issue.

Don't get me wrong, I love the device for its dock and being my first tablet. But would I buy another one? Mmm..

 

[ocnbrze]

Personally I think this comes down to portability/ease of use and whether you want to join to app rat race.

But it sounds to me that you would be better off with an Ultra Book. The Prime has to many negatives in my opinion to be of great use to you. Yes its portable and easy to use but is quite heavy, does not have fantastic colour depth, the apps are still lacking and I don't think they will be be getting much better for another generation or 2 of the Android operating system and will always be playing catch up to the iPad apps.

Both SD and MicroSD ports allow the cards to stick out so far that you cannot leave them in, the USB port can also be an issue with not allowing all device to go in far enough to stay registered to the device itself. And of cause you have the almost useless GPS issue.

Don't get me wrong, I love the device for its dock and being my first tablet. But would I buy another one? Mmm..

hmmm my sd card does not stick out of my prime. it is perfectly flush with the unit. i have to use my fingernails to push it in far enough to get it out.

but really i have not seen any negatives with this device. yes the wifi signal is a little weaker, but i have never had any issues connecting to the net. it is really the best tablet out there. and to me there is no perfect device.

 

[JAy3001]

The SD slot does sit better than the microSD slot for sure. And yes the tablet is the most powerful at present but we are still waiting for a good range of tablet apps/games let alone ones designed for Tegra machines.

But paying

 

[ylexot]

1. I have a WD MyBook Live home network external hard drive, will the Prime connect to that through my router/home network so that I can view my content?

Do you know the IP address for the drive? If so, it should be possible. I can use ES File Explorer to access my WD MyBook World Edition. Yours should be similar.

 

[rushmore]

Do you know the IP address for the drive? If so, it should be possible. I can use ES File Explorer to access my WD MyBook World Edition. Yours should be similar.

Cool.


As far as an ultrabook, here are some negatives:

1. Still Windows baggage
2. About half the same effective battery life
3. Heavier (even with the keyboard on the Prime)
4. Prime with keyboard costs a few hundred less than an SSD based ultrabook. Even cheaper without.
5. Prime display looks better than any current ultrabook that is under $1,000
6. Still Windows baggage (twice on purpose)

Based on the needs the OP articulates, the Prime is a good choice- assuming the wifi is not a problem.

 

[davidchsw]

For entertainment and light gaming I think the prime would be a good choice. There is always better hardware coming out. If you want something now, the prime will fit the bill. I have a micro Sd card in my prime and it does stick out a tiny bit. I have never had it pop out. I haven't had wifi problems, but it is hard to get far from my router.

 

[JDawggS316]

Thanks for all your responses, I went with the Prime, picked it up last night, and have been very pleased thus far.

I'll try to connect to my WD Live and come back here if I have any questions.

 

[LateNiteMike]

Thanks for all your responses, I went with the Prime, picked it up last night, and have been very pleased thus far.

I'll try to connect to my WD Live and come back here if I have any questions.

Welcome to the 'Prime World' !
I think you will be more than satisfied with your decision and your new device. Yes, the Prime has a few 'glitches' and so does my Samsung Galaxy S but I am still 'happy' with my decision to purchase both devices. I agree that you won't be able to find a perfect device, as each and every one out there has it's own set of glitches.
Overall, I still believe that the TF Prime is the best tablet for anyone not wanting to go with either Apple or MS. That would include me, as I much prefer the Android OS and the Prime is the best Android tablet.....and then when coupled to the KB dock it's a great setup. I love it, and I think you will also.