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iPad "3" compared to the Prime

rushmore

Extreme Android User
Nov 13, 2008
8,256
1,355
Kentucky
I got a black 64gb iPad "3" today and have been testing it out to see if I will keep it. Have used the Prime enough to say that besides the wifi that for me is too weak, everything else about it rocks (can care less about GPS on a tablet).

Today I compared the iPad 3 and Prime for an hour. Everybody already knows the Prime is a great tablet hurt to some degree for some by the gps & wifi, so will not get into that (beaten to death).

Quick summary is I wish that the iPad 3 had Android ICS on it, since the build, display and wifi range rock REAL hard. The resolution and color depth is so good, certain things look like they are really there, rather than images (almost a natural 3D effect). Ditto for text in a lot of web pages. If the 1080p ASUS tablet looks close to this- DANG! :)

Though I have an iPod 4, wanted to see what the hub-bub was about with the new iPad. Seems if you are an Apple fan, or do not mind all of the nutty constraints using the iPad, the device IMO rocks. None the less, prefer Android and even a super sexy display with no near equal is probably not enough to make me keep this. Will continue to test the iPad out, but seems the 1080p ASUS tablet releasing this summer will be the way to go.

My Thrive will just have to "make do" until summer, but seriously, the display on the new iPad is like a sexy Siren pulling a ship into the rocks with SS Android souls on it.

I will say though that once you get used to the new iPad's display, everything else- iPad 2, Prime, Thrive, Samsung, etc, seems weak. Comics and images on this thing alone are a religious experience. :eek:
 
I got a black 64gb iPad "3" today and have been testing it out to see if I will keep it. Have used the Prime enough to say that besides the wifi that for me is too weak, everything else about it rocks (can care less about GPS on a tablet).

Today I compared the iPad 3 and Prime for an hour. Everybody already knows the Prime is a great tablet hurt to some degree for some by the gps & wifi, so will not get into that (beaten to death).

Quick summary is I wish that the iPad 3 had Android ICS on it, since the build, display and wifi range rock REAL hard. The resolution and color depth is so good, certain things look like they are really there, rather than images (almost a natural 3D effect). Ditto for text in a lot of web pages. If the 1080p ASUS tablet looks close to this- DANG! :)

Though I have an iPod 4, wanted to see what the hub-bub was about with the new iPad. Seems if you are an Apple fan, or do not mind all of the nutty constraints using the iPad, the device IMO rocks. None the less, prefer Android and even a super sexy display with no near equal is probably not enough to make me keep this. Will continue to test the iPad out, but seems the 1080p ASUS tablet releasing this summer will be the way to go.

My Thrive will just have to "make do" until summer, but seriously, the display on the new iPad is like a sexy Siren pulling a ship into the rocks with SS Android souls on it.

I will say though that once you get used to the new iPad's display, everything else- iPad 2, Prime, Thrive, Samsung, etc, seems weak. Comics and images on this thing alone are a religious experience. :eek:

Nice summary, thanks. Want another test? Take them both outside, away from a wifi signal and see which one still gets internet :D The fact that the Prime is wifi only is absurd IMO. Not everyone has a phone with a hotspot feature and many who do don't want to pay the $30-$60 a month to use it.
 
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Prime is great for comics IMO, but the iPad 3 is on another planet of goodness :) I am using ComicZeal and have loaded several hundred comics on the iPad. Still, must resist and set sights on the 1080p Asus this summer..... Gosh this thing is pretty though.

I have already went through wifi tests before, but along with the iPad 3, I rank as follows, from best to worst: The gap is on purpose since the bottom two are a step weaker. A500 is the worst. Added: Acer wifi is a stinker.

Flyer/View
Xoom
Transformer
iPad 3
Thrive
Samsung Galaxy
iPad 2


Prime
Acer A500
 
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Nice summary, thanks. Want another test? Take them both outside, away from a wifi signal and see which one still gets internet The fact that the Prime is wifi only is absurd IMO. Not everyone has a phone with a hotspot feature and many who do don't want to pay the $30-$60 a month to use it.

If neither unit has a cell radio, they would both not get internet.
 
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No wifi issues on the wifi only 64gb version for me (I tether with Razr, BTW). My rankings above still hold up after further use. It is not the best, but FAR from the worst. Worst goes to the signal challenged A500, which has an aluminum body like the Prime, but goes one step worse with one wifi antenna.

Dream tablet would be the current iPad with 128gb, micro sd and dual boot for iOS and ICS. Might cost a lot though....
 
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Nice summary, thanks. Want another test? Take them both outside, away from a wifi signal and see which one still gets internet :D The fact that the Prime is wifi only is absurd IMO. Not everyone has a phone with a hotspot feature and many who do don't want to pay the $30-$60 a month to use it.
Obvious problem is obvious.

You still have to pay "$30 to $60 a month" for 3G/4G service with the new iPad. Plus, if you have an android phone, there are tons of ways to get around the tethering thing. I have never paid a cent for tethering on my phone.
 
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Obvious problem is obvious.

You still have to pay "$30 to $60 a month" for 3G/4G service with the new iPad. Plus, if you have an android phone, there are tons of ways to get around the tethering thing. I have never paid a cent for tethering on my phone.


Not to mention another $140 total out of pocket for the radios. $742 for 64gb is already more than enough. Jeesh.
 
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I don't see much in the new ipad except for the display. I think the Prime is on par with the new ipad. When the new Transformer Xfinity comes out the resolution will be close to the new ipad.

MobileTechReview Forum and News: New iPad vs. Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Comparison Smackdown

Apple new iPad vs. ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime: Tablet comparison - tablets, ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime, apple new iPad, apple ipad, Android tablets - PC World Australia

If the wifi for me was better on the Prime than it is, I would agree 100%. None the less the new iPad is a great tablet and see why it is popular, but also see why it can be a pain: iTunes and no sd slot. Using a gate portal for everything is lame, IMO.

Added: Case in point, getting ready to go on a trip and do not have access to my home PC and do not leave it on when away for trips. No problem with my Razr, Thrive or View. Drag and drop, baby!
 
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Be nice to see the T700 when it is available. The display and scaling quality for lower res on the new iPad makes my other beloved devices seem antiquated.

T700 should level it up.

I have a tf201 and while I am a huge android fan I feel that if you like apps, it doesn't matter what the screen res is on android. Developers are not optimizing for your real estate. Just open up facebook app, vevo app, ect the list goes on. The apps look like crap on the tablets because android stretches them to fit, so developers can be lazy on the droid app while they work up hi res apps for the ipad....
 
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If the Prime had better wifi, I would prefer it in spite of the new iPad having better graphics and an amazing display. This is why I am looking forward to seeing the 700.

There are a ton of great apps for the iPad and the scaling of most lower res apps is amazing. Will probably keep the iPad and sell my Thrive to replace with the 1080p Asus. Too many great emulators not to have an Android tablet. Nice to have a non-iTunes device.
 
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If the wifi for me was better on the Prime than it is, I would agree 100%. None the less the new iPad is a great tablet and see why it is popular, but also see why it can be a pain: iTunes and no sd slot. Using a gate portal for everything is lame, IMO.

rushmore
I have no doubt that your Prime had weak wifi... there's certainly enough comments about the issue.

I did want to say, however, that I purchased a Transformer Prime about five days ago and wifi on my Prime has been flawless!

I've used it at my home, at a restaurant I frequent, everywhere I've tried it, it's worked great.

I also learned from a post how to connect my Thunderbolt to the TP and have wifi anywhere the Thunderbolt has a signal, without paying for hotspot feature that Verizon charges $30 a month for! :p

So far, and yea, it's been less then a week, but so far, I'm thrilled with the Prime!
 
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I wish I had the same results, since everything else with the Prime rocks.

Once again Best Buy was adamant that their Asus rep knows what he is talking about and there will be a new version of the Prime with a different back on it and that is the only change. Though sometimes reps know little more than anybody else.
 
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What did Apple have to say when you went back? The video was helpful because most iPod owners never have anything bad to say about the product.
well they put a few other apps like numbers, and another one i can't remember the name of. but it was a bit better but still choppy as hell. as which point they said that since apple doesn't make excell thier is no way for them to insure that it will work properly with the ipad. at which point i bring out my GS2 and say "well samsung nor android makes excell either" but as you can see it works flawless stright out the box with no app. at that point i walk out the store and bought me a transformer prime. and all is good now. i still have the ipd3 tho. i gave to the little ones to play with;)
 
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