Don't kill me, but why is this better than iPad 2?

ericDylan said:

A lot of the answers i have seen in the past say android is "more has more customization." What does this really mean? I don't think widgets are enough to make android decidedly better.

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You're not wrong that the Transformer Prime and the iPad 2 are similar in several respects. Similar thickness, weight, graphical horsepower, etc.

I think Android has a few advantages over iOS. Especially noteworthy Android has had multitasking from the beginning and handles it very well. Apple added some multitasking features it's true but iOS is still really a one thing at a time system. Also Android excels at "living in the cloud", synchronizing all the data in your Google accounts, etc. It was only recently that Apple finally removed the need to tether iDevices with iTunes in order to sync.

And then there is the customization you referred to. It's about much more than widgets. It's fundamental to the philosophy of the two systems. Apple comes up with one design and that is what you get. Android lets you customize and swap out even fundamental parts of the system, such as the launcher and the keyboard. Thumb keyboard, hacker keyboard, pattern swipe keyboard, all are available. Some people find it comforting that Apple makes such decisions for them. Other people enjoy making their own decisions and customizing their device to make it their own, and for them there's Android.

The Prime beats the pants off of the iPad2 for video playback of mkv files. It will play back 1080p video if you don't feel like re-encoding your existing library, and display full 720p resolution which the iPad2 cannot. The viewable area is also larger and the screen is better. I can also stream mkv files straight off network shares using ES File Explorer and MX Video Player. I don't know if it will work for certain, but I expect to be able to stream HDTV .ts files off of my network shares as well.

For emulation, the Prime plus dock allows you to plug in any USB HID controller. You can use bluetooth with the iPad2, but good luck finding a 6 button BT gamepad for N64 games. The USB controller is also around $20, so you can't beat the price. And the dock is its own stand.

For remote desktop, having a full screen, keyboard, and a USB mouse allows you to use your Prime like a Windows laptop. I'm constantly using Pocket Cloud for home and work, and not having to deal with a virtual keyboard hogging up half the screen would be fantasticly awesome. I can get a lot of things done on my OG Galaxy Tab this way -- with the increase in screen size and a real keyboard and mouse, I'm looking at the Prime as a laptop replacement for me, as long as I have a (reasonably fast) network connection.

And while the Prime + dock is $150 more than the base iPad, expect to make up some of that by not having to pay for every little app you need. Many of my constantly used utilities are free -- I'll kick a few bucks the dev's way every now and then by buying the ad free version, but I don't have to pony up $5 or more dollars just to find that it's not really what I was looking for or, even worse, there's a better program now that's going to cost me another $5. After a few rounds of that, you're trapped in the iOS ecosystem, which is just the way they like it (you shouldn't feel that way, though -- Google "sunk cost dilemma").

Also keep in mind that if you are planning on watching videos transferred locally, 16gb just doesn't cut it. The 32gb iPad2 is $600, which is now very close to the Prime + dock setup. A 64gb iPad 2 is $700 -- a Prime + dock and 32gb microSD card is actually a bit less.

If I were waiting to see what the iPad3 or iPad2S was like, I could understand skipping the Prime. But against the iPad 2? For an Android phone user? The Prime is a no brainer.

BTW, I had a whole other paragraph about customization, but I'll skip it for now as this post is firmly in tl:dr territory.

The specs on the Transformer Prime is probably the best out there. Nvidia's five-core Tegra 3 chipset, including four cores and a 1.4GHz processor. Has a 1280-by-800 IPS LCD screen and you can boost the brightness for better outdoor viewing. Comes with a MicroUSB slot, MicroSD card slot and an option for a keyboard dock.

I have an ipad and am going to be replacing it with an android tablet soon. Most have covered the advantages already.

What's better about the ipad over the prime?

Is it lighter? Better form factor? Better expandable memory? Cheaper per gig? Better screen? Better resolution? More customizeable? Better camera?

The only advantage would be apparently selection. And that's debatable. Since apple doesn't have apps that change the ui at all.

As much as you don't think it will happen. You will grow bored with an ipad over time. I'm so tired of my pages and pages of icons.

Customization is huge. SD slot is huge. And quad core will make a difference in time.

The only thing I see to make this better will be 1080p screens or super amoled screens

Widgets! Widgets! Widgets! A very good Android tablet that will display usable widgets on-screen will always be better than an iPad! I have an iPad 2 and I just get disgusted every time I have to pick it up, find an app, tap on it, and finally get to see the info I needed. If Apple ever comes up with a way to display info directly on the iPad screen, it would be a killer widget device!

If you just have to get something now, why not get a galaxy tab?

I don't buy apple products because I disagree with their draconian eco system, their psychosis, anti-competitive behavior, and their patent trolling.

Apple is a symbol of what's wrong with the world.

Lol, yeah I think prag was just being a little emphatic, at least I hope. Apple isn't what's wrong with the world. If anything, apple is what is right with technology. They make an awesome looking product, but lock it down. In turn Android is born and developed, and now we finally have products to buy that look just as cool and sleek as apple's. Given the Prime, now much much more awesome in performance as well as looks.

Tablet has nothing to do with it it's the company.

"Draconian ecosystem? Psychosis? Really? How is the company psychotic? or draconian? Answer, it is not."

Yes if Apple doesn't like you your app doesn't get on the market. In addition to that Apple has certain rules within their ecosystem. Company is psychotic based on behavior of that company. Such as saying things like "apple needs to protect it's technology" but the technology their talking about they stole/bought from someone else and then puts a general patent on it.

Apple is out to destroy Android and if you have any interest in android you would be wise to boycott their products.

Why would a company want to destroy their competition? That's psychotic. You talk about hate well Apple started it.

ericDylan said:

This is what I hate about the internet. You are probably a nice guy. I don't know you, but this is just stupid.

I hope you meant this to be taken as a hyperbole, but even if you did, it is too far.

Draconian ecosystem? Psychosis? Really? How is the company psychotic? or draconian? Answer, it is not.

I will give you your last two points, but even if all of it is completely true, Apple is still definitely not "a symbol of what's wrong with the world."

There is just no need to have such strong feeling for any technology company.

Again, you are probably a nice person, but this is just ignorance.

Whether you like it or not, Apple has quality products. ASUS does too. I will never understand why the internet breeds hostility towards things as innocuous as a phone or tablet.

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It is more of what is said than your tech blogs.

Most of what Apple says is false and not even remotely factual if you bother to look it up. I also refuse to buy any products from a company when they say things like " we're out to destroy a competition" in a malicious manner.

If Intel tomorrow says "we're out to destroy AMD" and sets out a string of litigation against the ecosystem I would not buy products from that company.

Why do you think Apple is suing samsung, HTC, and motorola? They're the big boys in Googles android ecosystem. If apple can ban their products, which is what apple is trying to do, the entire android system collapses.

I guess I'm one of the few in the world that has moral values and beliefs to stand by. Hence "Apple is what is wrong with the world" No one has anything they believe in or stand for anymore. I believe what Apple is doing is wrong.

Similar to how Draco treated his town and his citizens.

edit:

By the way a few judges in a few countries have already ruled apples patents invalid and vague. That's not even close to being legitimate.

ericDylan said:

It looks like someone is reading too many tech blogs. Companies sue one another over patents everyday. 90% of the time they are idiotic and superfluous. That is just how it is. What apple is doing is quite normal, but, in hopes of getting more page views, tech blogs blow everything way out of proportion. Apple's patent claims have more merit than a lot of the crap that gets pushed through the US patent office these days.

The "war" between apple and android has been dramatized by everyone on the internet to the extent that one has to choose one or the other--never both.

"If apple doesn't like your app, it doesn't get to the market"
........ummm It is their market!!!! they can do whatever the hell they want with it. if an app competes directly with one of theirs then they can deny it. If their wife burnt their toast that morning and they had no breakfast, so they were hungry and irritable, then they can deny an app.

"You talk about hate well Apple started it."
WOW... not even going to respond to that. Do you hear.. erm.. read yourself?

p.s. check the definition of psychotic... I think you mean rude, vengeful, malevolent, sadistic, mean, terrible, malicious, spiteful, wicked.. well, really anything by psychotic

... I was really hoping you were being hyperbolic. regrettably, I was almost expecting this type of response to my thread.

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pragmatous said:

Why would a company want to destroy their competition? That's psychotic. You talk about hate well Apple started it.

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I agree, companies should not want to beat the competition. That's why I took all my investments out of the stock market and donated all my money to non-profits.

pragmatous said:

It has more of what is said than your tech blogs.

Most of what Apple says is false and not even remotely factual if you bother to look it up. I also refuse to buy any products from a company when they say things like " we're out to destroy a competition" in a malicious manner.

If Intel tomorrow says "we're out to destroy AMD" and sets out a string of litigation against the ecosystem I would not buy products from that company.

Why do you think Apple is suing samsung, HTC, and motorola? They're the big boys in Googles android ecosystem. If apple can ban their products, which is what apple is trying to do, the entire android system collapses.

I guess I'm one of the few in the world that has moral values and beliefs to stand by. Hence "Apple is what is wrong with the world" No one has anything they believe in or stand for anymore. I believe what Apple is doing is wrong.

Similar to how Draco treated his town and his citizens.

edit:

By the way a few judges in a few countries have already ruled apples patents invalid and vague. That's not even close to being legitimate.

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I love your passion and reasoning. Thank you for backing up your previous statements w facts and more accusations. Apple is great in the ways that I previously stated and horrible in the ways that you have stated. Like, seriously, Why the F is Samsung (galaxy tab 10.1) losing lawsuits from apple in other countries and being banned!!! And, YES, apple is f'ing lawsuit crazy. I understand protecting your patents, but they take it too far and seem like they are trying to cause other companies finacial road blocks just to compete.

So, THANK YOU! to the computer illiterate out there that are buying Apple products and giving this company money to silence its competition...

But can't Android based companies do the same thing??? Are we not buying enough Android products or is Apple just spending a shi^load more money against its competition?

Sure any company can do the same thing but they don't. Not normally unless it's legit. Companies know banning devices only hurts the consumer that's why it's not normally done. Companies don't seek out to ban devices instead they openly welcome the competition because they know it helps the consumer and the market to grow. If it's unfair what's normally done is they seek money for damages and/or ask the patent not be used. Instead Apple is out right asking for a complete ban of the android devices in many countries including the US.

Judge Denies Apple’s Bid To Ban Samsung Smartphones and Tablets In The US

" IN YOUR FACE, APPLE." ... " judge Lucy Koh has rejected Apple

tmaxey1 said:

I have an ipad and am going to be replacing it with an android tablet soon. Most have covered the advantages already.

What's better about the ipad over the prime?

Is it lighter? Better form factor? Better expandable memory? Cheaper per gig? Better screen? Better resolution? More customizeable? Better camera?

The only advantage would be apparently selection. And that's debatable. Since apple doesn't have apps that change the ui at all.

As much as you don't think it will happen. You will grow bored with an ipad over time. I'm so tired of my pages and pages of icons.

Customization is huge. SD slot is huge. And quad core will make a difference in time.

The only thing I see to make this better will be 1080p screens or super amoled screens

Click to expand...

Agree.

"Grow bored with an iPad over time..pages and pages of icons."

Thanks man, I had the reaction: "Oh that's why I knew I didnt want an iPad again!!" (I owned the first gen)

Could not have put that " confusing thought" in words!!

Apple tells Samsung how it can and can't design smartphones and tablets

It's just disgusting how Apple gets away with this crap. Apple believes they own the look and feel of phones that are square with round edges and a black casing or whatever. Kind of like how Apple thinks they own the word apps.

i decided to buy a tablet a couple of months ago- and spent ages in shops comparing them all and reading up on them etc.

I was intially attracted to the samsung galaxy-- but actually holding out for ages for a Prime- although the keyboard was never going to be any use to me really-----i use an android phone and was pretty much anti- Apple until....

last week- i got bored of waiting and bought an Ipad 2 on Black friday -- with

erry said:

i decided to buy a tablet a couple of months ago- and spent ages in shops comparing them all and reading up on them etc.

I was intially attracted to the samsung galaxy-- but actually holding out for ages for a Prime- although the keyboard was never going to be any use to me really-----i use an android phone and was pretty much anti- Apple until....

last week- i got bored of waiting and bought an Ipad 2 on Black friday -- with £50 off the full price-- and i'm more than happy with it!!!

sure IOS is not as customizable as android etc. and if was just buying this just for my OWN use i would have stuck with the android and most likely the Prime, I enjoy tinkering and adapting till the cows come home-- and since rooting my android phone have spent ages- getting it just how I want it....

however firstly i got bored of waiting but also, the IOS system suits my families needs more- (i have a 2 year old, a 4 year old and not very techie minded wife-- who already uses an iphone)-

-i think the advantages that shone through for me were the higher amount of 'tablet ready' Apps and the fact everything on it 'just works' (i never thought i'd hear myself say that) -- i guess the trade off is the fact i have to spend a little more time re-formatting videos etc..- and then there's the whole 'experience' that is itunes-- but..

as i said- had it just been down to me and my needs-- i would have been Android all the way-- but this way is best all round- as i now have access to BOTH android and IOS at my fingertips-- which cant be a bad thing--- and my kids get a more 'rounded' and dare i say it more 'simple' and user friendly experience.....

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While I have the original ipad for my kids and can agree with you in some ways. The part where it seems a bit off is where you say you are satisfied with the ipad yet you are searching and posting on this forum. Maybe you always check all tablet forums. But I can tell you after I buy my transformer I will not be posting on the ipad message boards.

Either way enjoy your tablet. Soon enough you may turn it over to the kids and buy yourself a customizable tablet.

I really wouldn't let my kids play on my android tablet but would my ipad.
So you have a great point.

tmaxey1 said:

While I have the original ipad for my kids and can agree with you in some ways. The part where it seems a bit off is where you say you are satisfied with the ipad yet you are searching and posting on this forum. Maybe you always check all tablet forums. But I can tell you after I buy my transformer I will not be posting on the ipad message boards.

Either way enjoy your tablet. Soon enough you may turn it over to the kids and buy yourself a customizable tablet.

I really wouldn't let my kids play on my android tablet but would my ipad.
So you have a great point.

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I'm still subscribed to this forum through an app on my android phone, as I said up until last week I was blinkered towards android, and

Apple's litigious business acts is primarily the reason I've held out for the Prime. I have an original iPad, which will go to my wife as soon as I get the Prime in my hands. I appreciate the original post, because I'm also really impatient, and with the ongoing Amazon preorder issues I'm getting exceptionally impatient with waiting for the Prime. I would have already gone Samsung, but I want the expandable storage options, and the comfort in knowing that ICS will be sent out very soon. Oh, and I have apps occastionally crash on my iPad, to include Safari, so the Apple isn't perfect either.

Now, if I read that the Prime gets to the brick and mortar stores before I get my Amazon preorder (Champagne 32GB), then I'm most likely buying something else.

JackG058 said:

Apple's litigious business acts is primarily the reason I've held out for the Prime. I have an original iPad, which will go to my wife as soon as I get the Prime in my hands. I appreciate the original post, because I'm also really impatient, and with the ongoing Amazon preorder issues I'm getting exceptionally impatient with waiting for the Prime. I would have already gone Samsung, but I want the expandable storage options, and the comfort in knowing that ICS will be sent out very soon. Oh, and I have apps occastionally crash on my iPad, to include Safari, so the Apple isn't perfect either.

Now, if I read that the Prime gets to the brick and mortar stores before I get my Amazon preorder (Champagne 32GB), then I'm most likely buying something else.

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Agreed about apps crashing on ipad. Safari crashes non stop. And vlc player I use to let my 2 year old watch Mickey mouse clubhouse in the car in avi files crashes badly.

tmaxey1 said:

While I have the original ipad for my kids and can agree with you in some ways. The part where it seems a bit off is where you say you are satisfied with the ipad yet you are searching and posting on this forum. Maybe you always check all tablet forums. But I can tell you after I buy my transformer I will not be posting on the ipad message boards.

Either way enjoy your tablet. Soon enough you may turn it over to the kids and buy yourself a customizable tablet.

I really wouldn't let my kids play on my android tablet but would my ipad.
So you have a great point.

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Sorry, I was saying I'm subscribed to this thread through my android phone, and dont really consider it necessary to have be tied to one specific system
Although its probaly true to say up until last week I was blinkered to android purely because I was so used to it on my phone


but I'm happy with my decision and now have access to both 'world's ' , who knows what I will get next, but at the end of the day as I said the ipad best suits my families needs, as they stand!, because more stuff is done for u, but in buying an ipad I don't think the first thing I was expected to do was unsubscribe from all the 'thread's ' I had been following with interest!..

Also as I stated, the keyboard dock was never really of interest to me.. so it was pad versus. Pad but more importantly. App range vs. App range. From a family perspective!

All being said though this is my first apple product, so far its been great, if they piss me off I 'll re- assess the situation, haha