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Help Mitch Choose a Tablet

Just for Fun 14 Comments »

It’s come a time when I need to get a tablet to truly dive into developing for the mobile web.  I want to do a lot more HTML5 and mobile based sites, and list that as a skillset, but with only an iPhone, it’s sort of hard to do.  So, I want to poll the audience.

So far my choices are between the Galaxy Tab or the iPad2.  Both are the same price, the main difference is Honeycomb vs iOS at this point.  I have an iPhone 4, by the way.

What do you guys suggest?  Galaxy Tab? iPad2? or is there another that’s better?

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Kid Computers
Kid Computers 6 pts

So what did you end up getting for mitch??

My latest conversation: Tablet PC for Kids

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Kid Computers

this is a pretty good tablet, but you should always consider the price of the product and who your buying it for first! especially if you plan on spending a lot of money, with android theres always a better product a few months later..

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clakeb

sorry I meant to say I have been a *iPad hater*

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clakeb

I am a linux guy at heart. And I love the Android tablets for the fact that you can do what you want with them. I think they are more apt to being a laptop replacement. I have been a mac hater for the reason that it is a closed ecosystem and it is a computer that can't be a computer. Plus, I like the idea of consolidating devices. But, as I am diving into more web development of my own, I am seeing that a full fledged laptop is necessary. And, I see the place for "the fourth device." So, my plan of action for my next devices are a Macbook air for the power of a laptop in the lightest possible package and the eee pad transformer wtih keyboard dock that extends the battery life 6 hours for my reading and media.

I got a lot out of your presentations at wcfay. Thanks.

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jpinnix

@studionashvegas I honestly don't think any of the other devices compare to the iPad 2, especially when considering the ecosystem.

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Brad

It really depends on what you want to do, Mitch. I have the new Galaxy 10.1 and I love it. Mind you, there are next to no apps available for it. However, it renders pages really well and uses a version of Webkit for the main browser which I respect and like. There's also the fact of being able to use mobile Firefox. Granted, mobile FF is clunky, but it has a lot of devoted fans.

There are some pretty neat things coming up that you'll be able to do with Android in the near future, such as home control. There are next to zero accessories for the new Galaxy Tab yet, but there are good ones coming.

The other side of this story is that the vast (and I do mean VAST) majority of the tablet-browsing population is doing so on iPads. If you're designing for the masses, I think you're probably best served there. It's a rich ecosystem full of beautiful apps and the Android tablets just can't compete there yet.

So, my all in all view is to buy an iPad 2 and then wait for people to ditch their Galaxy 10.1's shortly after purchase and get one of those, cheap, on CraigsList.

As for other tablets, no. Not a chance. Those are the only two reasonable choices on the market.

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codeyh

@studionashvegas iPad, especially since you're already an iPhone owner. keep the ecosystem simple.

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Kid Computers
Kid Computers 6 pts

this is a pretty good tablet, but you should always consider the price of the product and who your buying it for first! especially if you plan on spending a lot of money, with android theres always a better product a few months later..

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clakeb
clakeb 5 pts

I am a linux guy at heart. And I love the Android tablets for the fact that you can do what you want with them. I think they are more apt to being a laptop replacement. I have been a mac hater for the reason that it is a closed ecosystem and it is a computer that can't be a computer. Plus, I like the idea of consolidating devices. But, as I am diving into more web development of my own, I am seeing that a full fledged laptop is necessary. And, I see the place for "the fourth device." So, my plan of action for my next devices are a Macbook air for the power of a laptop in the lightest possible package and the eee pad transformer wtih keyboard dock that extends the battery life 6 hours for my reading and media.

I got a lot out of your presentations at wcfay. Thanks.

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clakeb
clakeb 5 pts

sorry I meant to say I have been a *iPad hater*

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Brad
Brad 13 pts

It really depends on what you want to do, Mitch. I have the new Galaxy 10.1 and I love it. Mind you, there are next to no apps available for it. However, it renders pages really well and uses a version of Webkit for the main browser which I respect and like. There's also the fact of being able to use mobile Firefox. Granted, mobile FF is clunky, but it has a lot of devoted fans.

There are some pretty neat things coming up that you'll be able to do with Android in the near future, such as home control. There are next to zero accessories for the new Galaxy Tab yet, but there are good ones coming.

The other side of this story is that the vast (and I do mean VAST) majority of the tablet-browsing population is doing so on iPads. If you're designing for the masses, I think you're probably best served there. It's a rich ecosystem full of beautiful apps and the Android tablets just can't compete there yet.

So, my all in all view is to buy an iPad 2 and then wait for people to ditch their Galaxy 10.1's shortly after purchase and get one of those, cheap, on CraigsList.

As for other tablets, no. Not a chance. Those are the only two reasonable choices on the market.

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Conversation from Twitter

trey
trey

studionashvegas http://t.co/XlVEwLv

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jpinnix
jpinnix

studionashvegas I honestly don't think any of the other devices compare to the iPad 2, especially when considering the ecosystem.

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l9jkitten
l9jkitten

jpinnix Will you believe this - I just got a totally free iPad! http://t.co/mEWVShE

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codeyh
codeyh

studionashvegas iPad, especially since you're already an iPhone owner. keep the ecosystem simple.

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