Anyone got an Android tablet PC?

My old man has an old PC that he uses the net on currently, he only really uses it for browsing so doesnt really need to have a keyboard particularly etc, just wants to be able to go on websites to read about car specs and watch war clips on youtube etc, nothing very processor heavy or taxing.

His laptop battery is shot, and rather than buy another one, I thought it might be worth him getting one of these cheapy android version of the iPad instead.

Ive never even used one though, so got no first hand knowledge of what they are like?

This is the sort of thing I mean:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-10-2-ePad-...item4153a53598

 

There's one in Maplin at the moment (perhaps the same one) - maybe buy that one online and you'll have protection through DSR to be able to send it back if it's no good.

The unit you link to has a TFT LCD display, which tend to have good viewing angles in ONE axis only, not both. That effect becomes more noticeable as screens become larger. Try it on your laptop - spin the whole thing to the left and right - screen is fine; tilt it back/forth - colours go all funny.

It could be that the way he'd use it is compatible with the axis they've decided to design the screen around. In which case he'd probably get on with it fine.

I suppose it's a question of whether the improved screen quality is reason enough to buy a Galaxy Tab at iPad money. The other advantage of a Galaxy over a generic tablet is the TouchWiz interface, which certainly looks a lot nicer than standard Android.

Also bear in mind that whilst 2.1 can run a 'youtube' app (which directly streams videos from the site), it doesn't allow Flash player/plugins. Which may be an issue given his intended use - e.g. autocar review videos I think are flash?


Chris

 

Im not sure on how much flash content he is likely to use, will check some of the car review sites out that he uses for that.

When you mention about 2.1 specifically not doing flash, is there a later version which does that I should be looking out for? Or one coming soon?

Im thinking as an xmas present so a couple of months yet.


Thanks very much for the info.

 

cheap netbook or second hand laptop is gonna be better I would think.

 

Yes Android 2.2 aka Froyo does support flash. I've recently updated my Galaxy (not tab) to 2.2 and it's working better than ever - no speed penalty vs 2.1 and flash works smoothly for video and scripted content.

I'd guess that the generic items will end up coming with 2.2. It was released at the end of September so perhaps they'll be out in time for xmas - who knows?!

No worries,
Chris

 

Also bear in mind that cheap devices are likely to use resistive touch screens, which are TERRIBLE for typing ANYTHING on - even a web address takes a bloody age.

I'd probably side with Porkie. Acer or Samsung netbooks are available around Ł200, if not less, can support flash along with anything else you can run on a pc, and don't have touchscreens to worry about.

From your dad's point of view - without knowing or inferring anything about his age or health - it could be a consideration that a tablet will either have to be held up, which quickly becomes tiring on the arms even for a youngster, or slouched over, which isn't good for one's back.

Chris

 

I just thought a tablet might seem like a cool way to browse the net, he's alredy got a laptop that I could just get him a new battery for, but just thought it would make a change, he quite likes gadgets (not something you'll relate to of course as you hate them obviously )

Might just get him an iPad instead, at least I know those work well, although still have flash issues of course!
He doesnt like me spending much money on him, but I can always take it out the box and mark it then tell him it was cheap cause it was shop soiled

 

My iPad is fine and keeps up with my typing which isn't too slow. Ok the flash issue is an "issue" but it don't bother me and I do pretty much the same as what you said you dad does...just normal browsing.

Best 425Ł ivie spent recently

 

my mum who is pretty good on computers and stuff... hates my Ipad Chip. So does my uncle. They are the only people I have had any experience of who are over 60 on tablet kinda things.

netbook or laptop all the way IMHO.

 

Good point porkie, my mum would be stumped she can only just use her mobile.

 

Hmmm, I was thinking it would be easier for him not harder TBH! But sounds like I was wrong then!

My mum is mega computer literate but my dad less so.

Perhaps I'll just get him a new battery and stop trying to solve a problem that doesnt actually exist then!

Thanks for the info people.

 

My bird's HTC android has better signal strength than my iPhone does, I agree on that much.

She's on t-mobile and im on orange, so we can both use each others networks, and sometimes she can scrape a bar of signal where I cant or can make a data connection when I cant, even if we both try the same network.

 

What make is your Dad's laptop?

 

Ive found that when I have showed my iPhone to the older generations they all seem to comment on what it feels like when typing, none seem to like it.

I think generally the older generations prefer a more mechanical feel when typing and in terms of useability I think the good old click of a key is more reassuring.

 

Pass, but im sure I can find a battery whatever it is.

 

I much prefer mechanical keys, thats the main thing I hate about my iPhone compared to my previous HTC, but sadly all the smart phones are going that way even the HTC ones

 

I was asking as I can get HP and Dell parts very cheap but not to worry.

 

Ah ok, cool, will let you know if its either of them, although dont think it is.

Think it was something like "asus" or similar, was only a shit one in the first place.

 

cjwood.

Now that 2.2 is more common there are starting to look like being some decent ones popping up on eBay for not a lot.

Do you reckon something like this one is worth a punt?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WITS-7-A81-E-T...item35adadb576

 

Hey Chip,

Could be worth a punt - might be a little slow witha 600MHz processor when it comes to high-res video / flash, but should be ok for web pages and a bit of non-hd youtube.

If you can get to a maplin then it'd worth having a look at their version, just to try out 'bare' android - i.e. without the addition of HTC Sense, Samsung TouchWiz or Sony Erricsson 'whatever it's called'.

I'd image the touchscreen is fairly poor but again, would likely suffice for web address entry.

It's almost a certainty that Maplins' product is the same OEM hardware as the one on ebay so I'd say it's definitely worth having a look and a try-out if possible.

Chris

 

Ok mate, thanks for the advice

 

No worries - let us know what you think if you do get to have a play with one. If they can be made that cheap it offers a good alternative to ipad for av control applications, potentially.

Chris

 

Im after one, but most so far seems crap, well all them ebay jobs.

Dixions do ( when its back in stock ) an advent vega, which seemed to be of a good quality and spec, missing the 3g sim slot tho