Reading through this thread again reminds me of the only downer on the iPad and that's the lack of flash support because of Apple's stubbornness more than anything else.

That means that a bunch of streamed content can't be viewed on the iPad, like when I want to use my NFL Gamepass subscription to watch live football this fall. Then it's back to the legacy laptop or desktop, or direct streaming to HD TV.

Just sayin'

I do agree that it would be nice to have the choice of having flash or not with the iPad.

But saying that. The implementation of flash on Android isn't great. I noticed that embedded youtube videos run MUCH better on my iPad than on my HTC Desire.

As of today, I find the iPad is way ahead any other tablet in terms of quality and usability. It's not perfect (no perfection in the tech world), but by far the best thing on the market.
Since I got it I've never turned on my laptop again. Battery life is good, browsing is great and if for any reason I want to write heavily (more than the usual facebook, forum stuff), I've got a small Apple bluetooth keyboard that works as a charm.

Cheers

DrPoi

you can get round that if you have an android tablet. then you get the form factor but also have flash support.

at the expense of battery life, of course

there is nothing out there that is perfect but the best approach is to build up your use-case - define how you want to use it and work from there.

We're an Android family - Galaxy Tab is the amusement device and the ZTE Blade is the little companion. Having just used the Blade on T-Mobile in the US and driven using Google Navigation for many hundreds of miles (hey and it's free and needs no hardware add-ons), I have to say I'm a fan (but not fanboi).

Whatever you buy, it will probably work for 1-2 years and keep you happy. Long battery life is something you'll crave, though - and don't underestimate how important that is

The new Galaxy tab's battery life is on par with the iPad. There is a setting on Android where you can set plug ins to 'on demand'

This makes it so that Flash items don't load until you click on them.

indeed androids "governors" for the CPU are good and help. Also depends on the rom and what's cooked into it.

With the Blade I can get it to use 30% of battery overnight with certain roms. Right now, it uses 0% overnight....

I don't know if you get access to the governor settings....must check the Tab as that's got the OEM rom on it....

The flash problem can be avoided by using an app named "desktop connect", I believe. I read about it and it gives you remote access to any computer in your home network and also in case you're abroad by setting it up properly.
I'm tempted to try it but I don't really need it and the USD 15 they charge for it made me step back since there's no trial version available.

Demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP1BE5z78pc

Cheers,

DrPoi

Tests show that it is around 40% lower or nearly 5 hours shorter than the iPad. It's slightly better than a laptop, but on par with a netbook. iPads can easily get 12 hours, Galaxy tab's are hard pushed to see 7 hours.

Nice link, zelda.

Engadget says otherwise and they are usually quite Apple happy.

I'm wrestling with the same decision, Carlos, so thanks for the timely thread. I'm looking for a tablet for when I travel, though unlike many of the people who have posted here, I mainly want it to be able to write/type with it, but also for quick access to the Internet/my music/pictures.

I have mostly Mac stuff now, though I am trying to keeping an open mind. I tinkered with both the iPad and the Asus, and the Asus looked like the better option for me. Most of what swung it for me was I felt like I could really type on the keyboard but also to be honest it seems like better value for my money. Happy to hear other opinions though--I have not bought yet...

Does 80 grams difference between Asus Eee Pad and the iPad make that much difference though...considering you get an actual keyboard with the Asus?

Yein - if you are weed like me - but more if you consider that in hand luggage you already have 1 laptop + shit, documents, change of clothes etc. Having been stuck in airports every gramm seems to multiply x 10 once boredom sets in...

It is also a space thing, I guess, so it is also about size/bulk. If I were to travel, I'd have the laptop + tablet and would not take a "spare" keyboard. If all you have is a tablet + keypboard (i.e. no dedicated laptop), then no, the extra weight wouldn't mean much.

Poll added...

I've had the iPad2 on my last 2 trips to Asia for work. I can access work email on the iPad so I don't have to bring my laptop anymore. I do edit contract wordings and edit excel and powerpoints, but no heavy duty work involved.

iPad2 has greatly improved my travels. No more waiting for the laptop to boot up. No more looking for somewhere to plug in the laptop to charge up before the flight. If I need to get online, it is immediate. I can go to any coffee shop and do stuff quickly instead of having to wait 10 minutes for everything to boot up. I can facetime my kids easily.

On 10hour plus flights, I don't watch the airlines movies anymore - I have seen most of them, having to travel every 2 months. So I brought my own movies, or TV series. No need to bring paperbacks either, so I don't just lose 1kg of laptop weight, I also save 2 paperbacks worth of space.

And going to meetings, how great it is to just flip my iPad open to look at documents and notes. It is a lot less intrusive than putting a laptop between you and your discussion partner.

And if I wanted a keyboard, I would have gotten the MB air. However, typing on the ipad works surprisingly well.

Will she do the cleaning too?

How droll. I presume you mean Pole? I believe there's an app for that...

I am not sure why is it so hard? My laptop goes to "sleep mode" everytime I close the lid. It takes 2-5 seconds, until HDD and cooling fan are switched off. When I open the lid, it goes out of sleep mode (this takes less than 2 seconds). After which you get normal Windows prompt for password.

Note: it is faster than switching on iPad

I haven't rebooted laptop, or switched it off for several weeks now, and it works as it should.

Here is how to set it up, if you want:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/25230...r-laptops-lid/

Cheers.

Also keep away from that HTC flyer thing. I had a play with it at the airport and it was a steaming pile of shite

Great for you. My experiences of sleep/hibernate have just not been positive, to the extent that I just don't bother with it anymore. And yes, I am computer-literate enough to be able to set it up right.

Do you have link for that review

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-...view?artc_pg=7

No dual core CPU or latest Android OS and a ridiculous price

Huh? My iPad is "on" instantly when I flip open the smart cover. With laptop, it takes 2 seconds and then I still have to manually connect it to the wi-fi.