Best tablet alternative to iPad?

[nick-harper]

Great points there, thanks!

Can anyone suggest/recommend a good, full sized keyboard accessory for iPad 2?

IT really depends what sort of thing you want. I use an iMac and tried to use my Bluetooth keyboard with it and it worked great (it isn't 100% full size but it is still a WYSYWIG - like these)

Logitech do a protective case that comes with a keyboard also, it folds out so the ipad turns into a laptop - like here

If you have kids then the iPad will be great, we bought our little one an iPad for her birthday and some of the educational / coordination apps are amazing, not to mention it doubling up to watch films in the car

 

[namestrands]

You will not regret it. When your lovely iPad arrives and once you get it all registered on itunes, whip across to itunes store and search for nettuts podcasts and subscribe. Then over to appstore for Linda.com app.

Be sure to check out the programming lectures from Stanford U on iTunesU.

For Movies: CineXPlayer
For Mocking up Websites: Adobe Ideas
For Web: Opera Mini Browser
To Remote Desktop Connect to your PC: Remote Desktop Lite
SSH Client: TouchTerm Pro

 

[Alien]

IT really depends what sort of thing you want. I use an iMac and tried to use my Bluetooth keyboard with it and it worked great (it isn't 100% full size but it is still a WYSYWIG - like these)

Logitech do a protective case that comes with a keyboard also, it folds out so the ipad turns into a laptop - like here

If you have kids then the iPad will be great, we bought our little one an iPad for her birthday and some of the educational / coordination apps are amazing, not to mention it doubling up to watch films in the car

Thanks Nick - great points there, will check out the Logitech in particular.

You will not regret it. When your lovely iPad arrives and once you get it all registered on itunes, whip across to itunes store and search for nettuts podcasts and subscribe. Then over to appstore for Linda.com app.

Be sure to check out the programming lectures from Stanford U on iTunesU.

For Movies: CineXPlayer
For Mocking up Websites: Adobe Ideas
For Web: Opera Mini Browser
To Remote Desktop Connect to your PC: Remote Desktop Lite
SSH Client: TouchTerm Pro

Good stuff! I'm an avid iTunes user already and now with the download all previous purchases available from latest iTunes, I hope it'll be a breeze to re-download all my stuff to iPad; some of which I lost due to HDD probs (I'm also an audio book fan, so be good to get these on iPad too).

 

[aZooZa]

The iPad 2 is by far and away the best tool I have ever owned. I have a '1' and a '2' - family watches movies and 'net TV on them both, the 'normal' TV hasn't been turned on for literally months.

The issue is perhaps with Flash, but now Adobe have given up on it, the new tech will evolve, and Apple will embrace it with OS updates. Adobe and Jobs never made a good mix, but Apple ain't daft

Just one issue with iPad 2: the wi-fi antenna isn't great, but you can pick this up and use it in any hotel room etc. and get a perfect signal. Can be used as a repeater or bridge, or extra wi-fi connection with NO configuration:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005K3ROCE/?tag=acorn06-21

£18.

No more faffing about with cabled connections in hotel rooms etc.

 

[Alien]

The iPad 2 is by far and away the best tool I have ever owned. I have a '1' and a '2' - family watches movies and 'net TV on them both, the 'normal' TV hasn't been turned on for literally months.

Thanks for the antenna tip.

Do you have a link for your movie packages? Sounds good! I like using LoveFilm and Blockbuster for movie DVDs etc and I normally get them by post - sometimes when viewing online they can be slow downloading.

 

[monaghan]

Currys/Dixons do an "own brand" Andriod tablet the Advent Vega. I've had this for about 6 months now and no complaints. I put on a custom ROM and use it mostly for when I'm out of the office for any time or surfing in bed or in front of the TV. The Vega is based on the same processor as the iPad2 and there are a number of similar Android tablets sharing more or less the same hardware build (guessing all using the same far east OEM)

I guess most people need to address their geek status to determine whether they go Apple or Android

As a geek, I'm happy with Advent Vega, the family are geeks in training so also have no issues using it. The stock ROM may be a little clunky, but should be fine for most. We have Android phones and are generally quite geeky. There is also a Honeycomb port available (I'm OK on 2.2, so not tried it yet). There is also a lot of low level programmers who appear to love the Android platform and are happy to devote hours to fiddling with all variety of OEM tablets and sharing their work to the community.

For a non geek, then the Apple may be the better option as they tend to "just work", you are more restricted in what you can do outside of the standard setup, but a non-geek probably wouldn't venture outside of anything that can be loaded via the itunes store or Android Market anyway.

 

[aZooZa]

Thanks for the antenna tip.

Do you have a link for your movie packages? Sounds good! I like using LoveFilm and Blockbuster for movie DVDs etc and I normally get them by post - sometimes when viewing online they can be slow downloading.

You'll maybe need a VPN in China - pptv.com. Let me know

 

[Alien]

@aZooZa - Thanks.

Very happy after receiving iPad today - lovely piece of kit, very well made, most impressed.

Anyone recommend any iPad insurance out there to take out independently? Happy to go via an AD member's site if you have relevant affiliation.