IPad, only way to go?

[Loxgator]

Is there a good alternative to the Ipad or is it really the only show in town right now?

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Not at all. There are some spectacular ICS/Jelly Bean tablets out there. In fact, I have two Android tablets that I much prefer to the iPad, the ASUS Transformer Prime and the new Nexus 7 Tab, which is fantastic at just $200

[helix139]

+1 on the nexus 7. It's smaller and is limited to a max of 16GB of storage and no cell connectivity, but it's a steal at $200.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Pre-Honeycomb Android there was no competition. The Android tablets were jokes, basically retrofitting a phone OS into a larger scale.

Honeycomb was the tablet-friendly version of Android, but was basically a beta run. It worked well as a tablet OS but there were some apps that would run awkwardly in it and at the time not a lot of full-featured tablet apps.

Ice Cream Sandwich combined both the phone and tablet OS into a nice ... well, not a melting pot, that doesn't work well with desserts, but you get the idea.

Jelly Bean improves even more. There's not really much of a gap in terms of functionality or apps these days, so it largely depends on what you want to do with it.

[Juggernautz]

Well, my vote goes to the IPAD hands down, if you have the moolah!

[Jaggator]

IPAD screen quality is second to none. That's why I vote it tops.

[irish2u2]

I have 2 iPads and I have looked at the competition.

I still have 2 iPads. :joecool:

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Screen resolution is really the only obvious plus, but frankly I cannot tell the difference. Go try out some of the Android tablets at say Best Buy to get a feel for it. The Android tablets made a big leap in the last 12 months and now - like the iOS versus Android on phone - the two are caught up.

[exiledgator]

Agree w/ obob. You just gotta try them.

Assuming you don't mind the iPad higher cost, I think it largely comes down to personal preference on the interface. I think that "most" people view iOS as more intuitive - easier to navigate, but again, that comes at an added cost. It's not as if the Androids are super cluncky, they just take a slight 'how do I..." period, where the iOS is, well, intuitive. Check it out and see what you like better. If it's the iPad, ask yourself if the delta is worth it. There's your answer.

Also, if you're already Mac-ified the scales tip further in the direction of the iPad.

[Juggernautz]

I love my IPAD/Apple TV but I'm not to get a APPLE desktop nor laptop.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Here's a look at the $199 Nexus 7:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deo_xG2kutQ

[Potzer01]

IPAD is the only way to spend too much ~

[Jaggator]

Good article to read comparing the two...

http://www.itpro.co.uk/641896/apple-ipad-3-vs-google-nexus-7-head-to-head-review

The main thing I like is size & quality of camera of the IPAD 3...7" Nexus vs 9.7" IPAD

Why didn't Nexus come out with a 10" screen?

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Why didn't Nexus come out with a 10" screen?

Not sure, but there are comparable 10" Android tablets out there.

[Juggernautz]

Good article to read comparing the two...

http://www.itpro.co.uk/641896/apple-ipad-3-vs-google-nexus-7-head-to-head-review

The main thing I like is size & quality of camera of the IPAD 3...7" Nexus vs 9.7" IPAD

Why didn't Nexus come out with a 10" screen?

Interesting article. The comments were intersting as well.

[g8rjd]

The iPad is set for a refresh in September. I'd hold off on a purchase.

[Zendra]

If you can afford it, get an Ipad. I don't know when Samsung will get inside the States but that's the only Android tablet that can go with the iPad. You can also try the Asus Transformer. It's like laptop/pad combination. You get the best of both worlds this way.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Also, the rear camera on a tablet is sort of a stupid feature. I tried taking a picture with a tablet once and felt like a real herb.

The front-facing camera is useful if you want to do a lot of video chatting and the Nexus 7 has a higher resolution ff camera than the new ipad.

[Judoka]

It really comes down to what you'll be using it for. For typical tasks (surfing, email, YouTube, etc) just about any of the tablets will work fine, and some of the Android tablets out there could save you tidy sum. I've stuck with the iPad because I felt it had the best user experience and best/widest range of accessories. Apple has by far the best overall device ecosystem- great device integration, best device support (including software updates). Nothing is perfect for everyone, but the iPad has almost 70% of the market for a reason.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Nothing is perfect for everyone, but the iPad has almost 70% of the market for a reason.

Well the iPhone had 70%+ of the mobile phone market, too. And for the same core reason: they got there first.

[rburnett]

Depends on your phone.. if you're on iPhone now, then get the iPad.. the cloud and other itunes features for moving your music, videos, and apps - makes it really easy.

I wouldn't recommend mixing apple and android unless you're pretty tech savvy.

On the other side.. if you have a droid os phone now, i would stick with it.. once apple gets you hooked, they own your soul!

[Juggernautz]

I found out the hard way, lol.

[amangator08]

Agree w/ obob. You just gotta try them.

Assuming you don't mind the iPad higher cost, I think it largely comes down to personal preference on the interface. I think that "most" people view iOS as more intuitive - easier to navigate, but again, that comes at an added cost. It's not as if the Androids are super cluncky, they just take a slight 'how do I..." period, where the iOS is, well, intuitive. Check it out and see what you like better. If it's the iPad, ask yourself if the delta is worth it. There's your answer.

Also, if you're already Mac-ified the scales tip further in the direction of the iPad.

Good post. I went with the iPad 3 and have no regrets. Of course, I'm an Apple guy and like all of my tech to sync easily.

[bakaduin]

Love my iPad and wouldn't trade it for any other tablet. Got it on opening day by chance (walked in to Best buy to browse and they had a few extra to sell) and haven't looked back. My wife said it best when she told me the other day that if the iPad breaks I better go out and buy another one that day. We both use it daily.

[Juggernautz]

As soon as the IPad's competitors get close to be comparable, Apple releases a new more improved version.

Excellent strategy, I'd say.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

That certainly hasn't been the case with the iphone.

[Swampmaster]

10 inch--go with the IPAd.

Don't need 10 inch screen--go with nexus, etc.

[GatorAvatar]

I am waiting for the Microsoft Surface coming in October.

[Jaggator]

Analyst predicts 7.85-inch iPad 'Mini' for October

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57464099-94/analyst-predicts-7.85-inch-ipad-mini-for-october/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/9260047/Apple-plans-7-inch-iPad-for-October.html

[Swamper]

I am waiting for the Microsoft Surface coming in October.

microsoft---not good at competing with apple. check the zune--a piece of junk.

[Juggernautz]

Analyst predicts 7.85-inch iPad 'Mini' for October

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57464099-94/analyst-predicts-7.85-inch-ipad-mini-for-october/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/9260047/Apple-plans-7-inch-iPad-for-October.html

Apparently this will take some thunder away from the new Kindle launch coming up this fall.

[g8rjd]

Apparently this will take some thunder away from the new Kindle launch coming up thuis fall.

If Kindle finally gets color e-ink, there will be plenty of room in the market for it. I love Apple products, but I can't begin to say how much I prefer reading via e-ink than LCD.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

microsoft---not good at competing with apple. check the zune--a piece of junk.

Actually, the Zune was a very slick media player that just came along way too late to have any real traction.

Don't believe what you read, sometimes you have to actually put your hands on these things and use them before making an evaluation.

[Juggernautz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-ink

[orangeblueorangeblue]

It's unlikely the new Kindle will have color e-ink. But yes, using e-ink and a backlit display is apples and oranges. No iPad will ever compete with an e-ink reading device.

[g8rjd]

It's unlikely the new Kindle will have color e-ink. But yes, using e-ink and a backlit display is apples and oranges. No iPad will ever compete with an e-ink reading device.

Yeah, I know. Next will probably have a built in light. But the technology is there now. And I'm waiting...