Tablets2015
Introduction/Definition/etc
Tablet computers, touchscreen large smart phone like devices are media viewers, with a little capability, limited by keyboard and other inputs to do other things...
Also, having my third, maybe I can compare them a little...
Caveats:
Keep in mind, YMMV, (Your Mileage May Vary), meaning your experience may be different, you are a different person, different use cases, backgrounds, etc...
Body
Tablet Comparison Table
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Tablet/Attribute
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Asus Transformer TF-300T with Dock
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Google Asus Nexus 7 ME370T
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Samsung Galaxy Tab SMT320NU
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Mfr Link:
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https://www.asus.com/us/Tablets/ASUS_Transformer_Pad_TF300T/
https://www.asus.com/us/Tablets/ASUS_Transformer_Pad_TF300T/specifications/
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https://www.asus.com/us/Tablets/Nexus_7/specifications/
http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_google_nexus_7-4850.php
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http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SM-T320NZWAXAR
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CPU:
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QuadCore NVIDIA Tegra3
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QuadCore Cortex a9
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Memory: RAM/SolidStateDrive
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? / > 27Gig so 32?
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1 Gig/32 Gig
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1? Gig/8 Gig Internal
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External:
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Front Camera & Back Camera, small HDMI, optinal Dock with keyboard, extra battery, SD slot, USB
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Front Camera, USB, headphone jack, both on bottom
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Front Camera & Back Camera, microSD slot, headphone jack,
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OS:
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Android 4.2.1
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Android 5.1.1
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Android 4.4.2
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Accessories:
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big size 10+ inch, needs a hard case
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silicone soft case with flap, discolors with years of use
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soft case to store, not while using
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Notes:
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cracked screen from class &/or packing, touchscreen broken, repair costs, buy another, use broken at home,occasionally, until it doesn't work anymore...
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became flakey (mysteriously rebooting, freezing, etc iirc), so got another,then update system software, and it works better, but Wait,
now system software Google Play services .apk making it unuseable -501 error updating
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hard center button, reverse of other buttons: return, menu, etc
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Initial Impressions
Only wifi devices, no cellular 3g, 4g, etc connectivity, to keep paying on, that is a separate device which i can sometimes pair with, if necessary, but mostly wifi at home...
Had hopes of replacing netbooks with tablets, but much more different than I had hoped...
Now convergence technology, called 2 in 1 devices, convert from notebook to tablet with removal or folding over of the keyboard and screen in different combinations...
Progression:
Looking for a reference tablet to develop on, originally tried Apple for ease of use, music playing on long trips, then looking at Android Tablets, for cost, development options, free and open software, etc...
Google is the standard, they make Android system software, actually packaging it from other stuff (Linux, Java, etc), integrating, and other stuff aka. adding special sauce...
Apple iPad:
Had use of a community college school iPad, shared, and had to download all the apps I was planning to use, including games for learning and recreation, which got annoying, as was worrying about the return date...
Price was a factor in not buying one... I was on a disabled list, I thought, for a free previous model one, but never materialized, likely someone with greater need and better connections...
Asus MemoPad:
Was looking at an extremely cheap Asus MemoPad to buy, with quadcore cpu, but never got it in hand, looking for cheap backup machine, and found some references online to display? issues with some of them, but cheaper than most, a clearance type thing, afaict... About the cost of a display, a whole brand name tablet, but risky.
Availability:
Most electroincs stores, MicroCenter.com, BestBuy.com, etc...
Even some off brands at drug stores, CVS (Craig back in 2012), etc...
Prices:
Transformer was hundreds, around $400 originally, iirc, and add at least a hundred more for the docking station, and getting into original notebook / netbook money these days... but I was intending to replace netbooks, but not really worked out that way...
Operating system, keyboard issues still, and other stuff prevented that...
MemoPad MediaTek quadcore was very cheap, clearance for a likely problem machine, but never got, as out of stock, all the time, and special ordering required...
iPads are around $300+ depending upon model, memory, etc...
Android tablets are less, in the $200 or less, usually, find sales, open box, and refurbished for less, but might need to refresh the software, and / or upgrade software, watching that some old really cheap (< $100) may not be upgradeable to the current OS level due to limited cpu, memory, and other manufacturer support (non brand name, down to very cheap no name copies for $20?)
Some examples are
Azpen http://www.microcenter.com/product/448360/A745_Tablet
http://www.microcenter.com/product/448361/A741_Tablet_-_Black
http://www.microcenter.com/product/447219/A1048_Tablet
DigiLand
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/digiland-7-8gb-black/8610212.p?id=1219354106671&skuId=8610212
Insignia
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-flex-8-16gb-silver-white/6089241.p?id=1219660450839&skuId=6089241
MachSpeed Trio
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/trio-7-85-8gb-black/8771031.p?id=1219365671140&skuId=8771031
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/trio-stealth-g5-10-1-16gb-black/9296224.p?id=1219701840766&skuId=9296224
None of these are recommendations, I've not tried them, nor reviewed them, butt the price point makes it tempting, at least to me...
And the links will probably stop working quickly, by the time you read this, they may have discontinued selling them, run out of stock, only available online, pay first, then wait for something to show up, maybe, etc..
CPU
Trends
CPU
Single core is rare and not recommended, even for RaspberryPi, now on QuadCore, and reasonable speed...
Dual Core is low end, budget level, for applications that you might not be returnings, say that jackass video, or skateboarding up and over ramps, or wet/cold/dusty conditions, where throw away is likely...
QuadCore is popular, but demanding graphics, gaming and other high end stuff will now use octacore (8) or dual QuadCore...
Even core numbers don't guaranttee much of anything, you can still get higher gigahertz processors...
Intel Atom processor?
or go off Intel to other companies, like low power ARM chips, like smartphones and RPi (BroadComm)?
ARM Cortex versions make a difference, A6 or A8?
Memory
512 MB now seems low end, while multiple Gigabytes seem to be in order, depending upon use, say a kid's first tablet, when say 5+ and doesn't think it is a projectile, club, weapon, etc... eBooks or media viewers and download their favorite movie, music, parental controls, etc... Might make a long car/bus ride feasible...
GPU
Graphics Processor Unit, originally with gamers for 3D shoot em up type scenerios, but also useful for other stuff, afaict...
NVIDIA and others are less than forthcoming on the internals of their chips/devices and make open source almost impossible. Proprietary drivers are the curse of the open source world, they have the source, but not sharing code... Support problems, etc..
Some supercomputers are possible with just many massive numbers of gpu, doing fast simple calculations, without the main cpu... Depends upon the applications...
Accessories
GPS
Global Positioning System, where the hell am I? Might be answerable with a GPS on a tablet, assuming you have cell signal, data plan, open wifi nearby, etc, to geolocate...
Assisted GPS, uses other technology to help hone in on the location, like wifi coordinates, multiple cell towers triangulating, etc...
Bluetooth
Short distance pairing with devices...
Versions may make a difference, I have some, but no ear piece, earwig, to really try... Patent encumbered, and doesn't seem like that great a deal. But some things are possible, that might not be otherwise...
Surface, WinTabs, etc
Microsoft gets involved and tries to take over, as usual. Price point looked tempting, but stuck in costly upgrades, and it's just say no. If it's a good thing, the other companies will respond with competitive enhancements...
Conclusion
Summary of experience or similar
Serves a purpose, but limited input without keyboard (BlueTooth (tm) possible, but not gotten). makes it an media consumer only device, IMO... Buy movies, games, books, etc from Play Store and consumer products, not develop them as much, like software...
Tried a library loaner iPad from school that had a case with bluetooth keyboard, had to reinstall everything from the iTunes store each time I checked it out, and reset the machine upon turn in...
Discussion
A place for feedback on the page presented
Which flavor are you?
Android?
Apple iOS/Mac?
Windows?
Does having experience with other systems make you more valuable?
Trying something different make it fun, or very distasteful?
License
Creative Commons Share and Share Alike, Non Commercial, Non Derivative, for the whole site's contents unless otherwise explicitly stated
Page History
20150910 Jerry
- Jerry created this page to document some devices, without giving too much private info...
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