Quote:
Originally Posted by Slyder
The Duo is a a remarkable piece of kit and I wont deny I am an ealy adopter. Yes the battery is not on par with an iPad 2 and it is slightly heavier but the Duo does what no other tablet does on the market. Full Flash support, Full Silverlight support, I can even hook this upto my printer via USB and print, scan (all features we are all familiar with. I dont think this is possible with iPad 2 but it defintley wasnt with my Android tablet. There is no reason why these simple features were neglected when in the design process. That being said, as you have already pointed out - tablets at the moment are used for nothing more then browsing and email. Very simple devices in my opinion and has nothing extra then my Desire.
You can get a very nice netbook for the price of an iPad 2 so yes, the features an iPad gives, the price really is not worth the cost. Itunes is just horrid and the O/S is far to much locked down. Luckily some if not all the people who have asked me in recent months have took my advice and dodged a bullet by not opting for the iPad
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Size, weight, and battery life are IMO very important factors when it comes to a proper tablet. The Duo loses on all three. Bigger than the iPad 2, two and a half times the weight of the iPad 2, and an awful battery life of less than half that of the iPad 2.
Flash and Silverlight - The majority of tablet consumers obviously don't give a monkey's. They're not needed unless you like Flash games, or regularly visit websites which - for some god-awful reason - are built in Flash.
Scanning - I have a network printer/scanner, so if for some strange reason I want to scan something and have it on my iPad, then the printer can email it to me. I doubt most tablet users would be too bothered about scanning, though. But yes, you can't just plug the iPad into a scanner though.
Printing - My network printer supports AirPrint, so I can wirelessly print to it from my iPad. No need for a cable, no need for drivers. If I didn't have an AirPrint capable printer, though, I'd have to use one of the various Apps which enable printing to other network printers. But again, yes, you can't just plug the iPad into a printer though.
Tablets are not aimed at the same market as netbooks and laptops. They are not productivity devices (although that doesn't stop some people from using them as such - CF's own Chris uses his iPad to help run his business, plus plenty of productivity apps are available). They are primarily aimed at content consumption, not creation.
Web + Email + Games + Videos + Apps.
Netbooks may be good for web, email, and videos, but I doubt they're any good for games. Too underpowered, surely? Also not quite as portable as an iPad or other tablet, due to the weight at least, plus I doubt they have as good a battery life (my wife's Samsung netbook only lasts around half the time my iPad 2 does).
Locked down OS - so what? Again, most people simply do not care. For what it's aimed at, it does not matter and it does the job perfectly. I think most people just want to pick up and play, they don't care about tinkering. If someone wants more customisability, is more of a "power user" then yes they can buy an Android tablet instead. Most don't, though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slyder
If its for your Mum to browse, I would personally go with an Android tablet. If your not familiar with iTunes, it can be a real pain to get to grips with and can be very intrusive. With an Android tablet your going to be able to hook it up directly with your computer, drag and drop your pictures or music to your hearts content without the need of installing rubbish like iTunes.
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iOS is meant to be far easier and simpler to use than Android, and definitely the sort of thing "mums can use". I doubt "most mums" would care about iOS being locked down and less customisable than Android. If anything, that would be a plus point...It makes things simpler...
I do think that iTunes is crap, but it's not
that bad. It only needs to be used when syncing. All apps etc. can be downloaded via the iPad itself. Also, once iOS 5 & iCloud launch in the "Fall", you'll be able to perform the initial activation without even using a computer, and will able to keep the iPad synced and up to date wirelessly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dcclanuk
I think in a little while I will take my parents to Currys and show them the iPad and other tablets, and let them decide  ... will let them know about the pro's and cons from this thread after so that they can make an informed decision |
Exactly - have a play with them all, and then decide
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slyder
Not a bad idea to be honest. If you havent already, check out some reviews on you tube as well. You have knowlegde on iTunes which will help, but I do think you will get an Android tablet for a better price.
let us know how you get on and which was one decided |
Better price - Unlikely, unless buying a budget tablet, or a reduced Xoom. The top-end tablets, the ones which are trying to compete directly with the iPad, cost the same price...
EDIT: (which is one reason why they'll fail)
---------- Post added at 16:38 ---------- Previous post was at 16:35 ----------
dcclanuk - Have a read of this thread too:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/19...e-pc-over.html
Some comments in there about the iPad and other tablets.