Agentless Backup is Not a Myth
Spec vs spec
Incidentally, a look at the two devices' specs reveals that the iPad is actually thicker than the Tab - 13.4mm to 12mm - but that ignores the iPad's tapering edges, which make it not only seem thinner but also much more comfortable to hold. The Tab, by contrast, is thick right up to the edge.
The Samsung is a lot lighter on paper, but it's not appreciably so when you have it in your hand. Egonomics count for a lot in this category, and the iPad has 'em in spades.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab: BFP*
If the iPad takes the crown for look and feel, the Galaxy Tab has the longer feature list. The iPad's Flash storage is unexpandable - the Tab has a Micro SD slot. It has a 3Mp camera on the back, and a lesser one on the front. I don't think too many tablet buyers will be expecting their gadgets to double-up as still or video cameras, but the iPad's lack of a webcam is a genuine deficiency. No video calling here. And while some may wonder who actually does video calling with a phone, that narrow view ignores the zillions who do it on a desktop or laptop computer and would do it on a tablet if they could.
The iPad's lack of expansion would be less of an issue, perhaps, if getting content onto the device was easier than it is. Some folk loath iTunes, but I've never had a problem with it as a library management tool. But I hate Apple's insistence that iTunes is the only way to load up content onto the iPad. The Tab uses Samsung software, which is generally held to be weak, but it also taps into other media apps and can operate as a USB mass storage device. Even if it didn't, the use of removable storage means you can get files onto the Tab that way.
Apple's format limitations can be largely limited with free apps - VLC, most notably - but the Tab handles more out of the box. Yes, you can get videos and pics onto the iPad using Apple's iPad Camera Connection Kit access, but it's £25 extra and it's a clumsy way to put movies on.
There's no difference between them when it comes to what they can be used for. There are plenty of apps to fill gaps in the out-of-the-box experience. Similarly, Tab and iPad are well matched when it comes to connectivity and such.
*Big F**king Phone
Next page: Ideological, Captain
COMMENTS
Galaxy Tab
I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab, and it feels like a poor cousin to an iPad.
Comparing the display in terms of the screen diagonal is misleading. What you should say is that the Tab's screen is *half* the size of the iPad's, but it's still too big to carry around in your pocket. So you have all the limitations of a bulky device, but with a screen that doesn't justify it.
The graphics are not as smooth as the iPad, despite having a similar spec processor.
Most annoying feature is the screen rotation detection, which forces you to either: Hold the dvice with all the care of a safe-cracker, lest your hand shake and the screen clunkily re-draws into landscape, you over correct and throw it back the wrong way, repeat; - or - lock it permanently. (Biggest bug bear here, you can't lock the screen in Landscape from the web browser, because it hides the menu bar. You have to quit browsing, go back to the main menu, lock the screen, and then go back. Argh)
The camera may well be a boasted 3MP unit, but there's no zoom and the focus is poor. The less said about the front facing camera, the better, it produces super grainy images with the screen rotation not recorded in the JPEG. The automatic panorama mode is a neat feature, until you find that the images are only 800x600, which makes them pretty much unusable for anything. (The Tab offers no way to showcase them, any at event). Video calling *is* supported, but only with Samsung proprietary platform. There's no standard 3G video calling support. (Which the Reg slammed Apple for, but remained totally silent about on this device. Double standards anyone?)
So you can only call someone else who also has a Galaxy Tab. With them.
Like the iPad, the device will only charge from the supplied charger. Regular USB doesn't pump out enough juice to charge it otherwise. Unlike the iPad, it doesn't use the same cable that all your friends and colleagues already have for there iPhone/iPod/iPads. Lose Samsung's supplied copycat cable, and you have to buy another. (From where, I have no idea).
Somehow the headphones are also proprietary, try to use a (de-facto) standard iPhone headset, and it'll shut off the mic on the device, but not use the one on your 'phones, so you're leaft shouting to no one. The only other option is having the device on loud-speaker and shouting at it Dom Jolly style.
Things I won't even start on, in case I explode. Flash support (ahahahahahahaha, enable at your peril), Swype (note: learning my typing style != remembering every single typo I ever made and substituting real words with them /every/ time). The android marketplace (or beta-shop, as it should be called. I *like* apple weeding out the crappy, unfinished dross, thanks)
Good points, and there are some. it's sturdy. even though it's plastic it feels quality, and mine has taken a few knocks well. The battery is excellent, will easily go all day. The extra screen space really makes some apps come alive.
The Mobile AP support in android 2.2 is excellent, and has helped me out several times already. Email works well (though no push), but the supplied MS Word reader is piss poor, Google Docs and Documents-to-go do a much better job.
I'm looking forward to 2.3 and I hope many of the niggling features can be ironed out.
So, in conclusion, it's 1/2 the size of an iPad; doesn't work quite as well, still needs a bag to be carried in, doesn't do video calling and costs the same.
I got one free* with my mobile contract though, so I'll see where it goes.
How Refreshing ...
... to read informed comment from someone who can make an objective comparison.
Thanks jamie 5.
How about the Vega
No mention of the Advent Vega ! For £250 plus a 30 minutes to add the mods (market and all Google apps) it is an incredible bargain. Paul O'Brien at the Modaco site has worked wonders with the basic machine plus the retailers (Dixons) are providing upgrades and support. If I sound like a fanboy it's because in this case I am.
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