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Transformer or Galaxy Tab 10.1?

drdoom

drdoom

Android Expert
I'm really tempted to pick up a HC tablet with the $100 off deal that Staples is currently running. I realize that by posting this in the TF section, I will probably get bias towards it. I've been reading through both sections, and both seem to be excellent devices. I'll be using both extensively before I decide to purchase either one, but I'm curious to know which one you guys would pick if you could get another one.
 
Really the only thing better about the galaxy tab is the thinness and I dont think the transformer is that thick... and the curviness makes it easier to hold when compared to the tab.

And a pro for the transformer is the SD card slot that allows you to expand the memory... this is the biggest reason why I didn't get the galaxy!

Those two things are really the biggest differences and will probably be deciding factors for many people
 
I'll be heading to Best Buy to check out both since I have a couple hundred bucks on some damn store credit cards. I'll be walking out empty handed if they don't price match that coupon. :mad: Thanks for your input.
 
maybe its me...but surely asking this question on this thread is like heading to a Pagani Zonda Owners club and asking if either a Zonda or Ferrari is better?

the base tablet is as good as any other there, and there's scope to mod it if needed. BUT the keyboard is the biggest selling point by far....if only they had drivers for external cd/dvd drives....
 
eddiewawa said:
maybe its me...but surely asking this question on this thread is like heading to a Pagani Zonda Owners club and asking if either a Zonda or Ferrari is better?

the base tablet is as good as any other there, and there's scope to mod it if needed. BUT the keyboard is the biggest selling point by far....if only they had drivers for external cd/dvd drives....
Click to expand...
lol +1
 
After looking at the Galaxy Tab, Transformer, Thrive and Iconia, I had to go for the Transformer. My conclusion is that there is such a tiny difference in the hardware (at least for me) that the keyboard dock was the main selling point to me. Added battery life, etc..price is competitive once you figure in a stand of some sort and a BT keyboard with the other ones
 
I too just recently had to pick between the tf and 10.1. I came home with the tf-..mainly because I couldn't justify spending 100$ more for less features. Yea the 10.1 is much sexier but when you put it in a case who's gonna be able to tell?
 
I have both. Bought the TF a week ago.. then yesterday used the 100 off at Staples, because when comparing them in the store last week, the TF's price sold me more than the anything else. I decided to get the SGT and compare. I may be very reluctantly returning the Transformer. I actually like the Transformer quite a bit more. And the SGT 10.1 GM just has some funky quirks that just sit wrong with me (such as the screen brightness, its ALL over the place, Kies? i HATE it. And well, there's samsung support :/)

However, the big issue for me on the TF is accessories. Sure, they pushed out the keyboard dock and called it a day. If you dont want that beast of an add on (cost and weight), then you've got to have faith that the mythical USB and SD dongles will appear next month. While there are some cases, there's clearly a difference between the SGT and TF.. the SGT is getting much more attention when it comes to cases and covers.

but MOST important, I'm really turned off by the lack of charging options (No pun intended) LOL. First off, it's just plain impossible to find a charging cable. All these TF's in retail and NOTHING. ANYWHERE. Thats really unbelievable. And no hint of a car charging option coming for the TF. Using DC-AC in the car is really a last resort.

the SGT happily charges from it's AC USB and USB connector with a USB extension cable, allowing me to use it and charge it in a reasonable convenient manner. Unlike the TF. Cables are reasonably easy to find for the SGT, and seem to run about 1/2 the cost of the TF OEM. Also OEM car chargers are available. (yeah, I know its just 12v, but still OEM is OEM, sometimes it's nice not to have to DIY your own cables).

I will say, one knock on the SGT for having a 'travel charger' without retractable AC prongs. But that feels minor compared to the TF charging conundrum.

Oh, do like the LED flash on the SGT. it works. and takes useable pics indoors. Not impressive, but acceptable. Not so much on the TF. Not sure I'd ever use the rear camera though. Not a fan of Samsung's changes to the camera UI, but thats minor.


Anyway, I'm really torn on returning the TF. If I could source some accessories and had firm ship dates on the TF SD and USB kits, I might wait it out and take the SGT back instead.
 
Tware...check the "how satisfied..." Thread in this forum for links to affordable usb charging cables that work.
 
i just decided on an Android tablet for myself. Was between the Acer Iconia, Samsung Galaxy Tab and Asus Transformer. I like the form factor of the SGT but the pricing and lack of ports makes it too similar to my iPad. I wanted to try Android and have something more.
 
ravenas said:
i just decided on an Android tablet for myself. Was between the Acer Iconia, Samsung Galaxy Tab and Asus Transformer. I like the form factor of the SGT but the pricing and lack of ports makes it too similar to my iPad. I wanted to try Android and have something more.
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I was in the same boat. I would have gotten the SGT if it had a micro SD card slot.

But I am exrremely satisfies with my transformer and Asus. I especially like the fast pace with which they update it. He updates are almost as fast as the xoom which is the flagship honeycomb device akin to the nexus line of phones.
 
ericDylan said:
I was in the same boat. I would have gotten the SGT if it had a micro SD card slot.

But I am exrremely satisfies with my transformer and Asus. I especially like the fast pace with which they update it. He updates are almost as fast as the xoom which is the flagship honeycomb device akin to the nexus line of phones.
Click to expand...

Did they ever get the memory card slot working on the Xoom? When it first came out I rushed to the store to see it. I was on a long backorder from Apple for my iPad2 at the time and had given away my iPad1. I was seriously jonesing for a tablet. But the Xoom was so overpriced and so many things nonfunctional I couldn't see taking the risk on it.

My iPad2 served me well enough in April/May/June that I put all the Android tablets on the back burner. I'm glad I did. That meant I didn't start seriously looking again until July when supply was up.

Best Buy Mobile in the mall had all the models for display. I was able to compare displays, form factors and some hardware. Sadly not internet as they don't have WiFi setup there.

The Galaxy Tab struck me as a straight up Apple clone. The hardware looks and feels like Apple. The pricing is even the same. Which is far too much for a unit without expandable memory.

I think people with smartphones underestimate exactly how much storage a tablet needs. Streaming only works if you are on a good internet connection with a big data cap or no cap at all. I found 3G does not give me the throughput I need for video streaming and gets very spotty at the least convenient times. And I'm on an unlimited 3G data plan in an urban environment.

So without the streaming you need space to load movies, TV shows and other media. 32GB was the least amount of space I could use in my iPads away from home. In fact, I upped my iPad2 to a 64GB because I knew over two weeks travel I would go through a lot of video.

With the keyboard dock, my storage space is exponentially increased on my Transformer. I can carry my 1TB portable drive of movies/tv shows on trips and watch anything.
 
The xoom got micro SD support with the recent 3.2 update, but the transformer has had it from the start.

Right now I don't have a micro SD in my transformer and the 16gb is filling up with movies quickly. I think I am going to have to go over to best buy this weekend to get a 32gb so i can fit more movie on there. I don't what i would have done if i had the SGT even with 32gb on board it would have been tough.

I was not about to limit myself like that again. I bought a macbook air 128gb because i thought i could make it work, but i almost never use it because all of my files don't fit. Now I always make sure I have more than enough space to do what I want.
 
Price no object it would have to be the new Galaxy Tab 10.1, lighter, more storage, 1080p recording and better camera.

Also Samsung do a great job when it comes to stock video player and the browser Galaxy S and S2 will play most media. This is the one area I don't like the Transformer, the stock video player is hopeless and even with 3rd party apps theres stuff it just won't play. The browser on the Galaxy S2 is fantastic.

I know which I would prefer to have, but can't justify the price difference.
 
Shocky said:
Price no object it would have to be the new Galaxy Tab 10.1, lighter, more storage, 1080p recording and better camera.
...
I know which I would prefer to have, but can't justify the price difference.
Click to expand...

How does the SGT have more storage?? There are no ports to expand the storage and the Transformer is available in all the storage option the SGT is.

Also, isn't it just a $100 price difference? Even less if you count the keyboard because the Trasnformer's is $150 while the SGT's is 70.
 
ericDylan said:
How does the SGT have more storage?? There are no ports to expand the storage and the Transformer is available in all the storage option the SGT is.

Also, isn't it just a $100 price difference? Even less if you count the keyboard because the Trasnformer's is $150 while the SGT's is 70.
Click to expand...

It comes with more storage, 32GB vs 16GB but your right you can expand the Transformer quite a bit especially with the dock.

As for price, UK prices are a bit different,
 
To me, the battery life is HUGE. It seems to go like for 3 days for me. The lack of having to seek a radio signal as a phone does lets this thing go on and on. If that's a factor for anybody, then the Transformer is a no brainer
 
Battery Life is awesome! I started using mine Friday morning and I have used it heavily as I got to know it. I have only had to charge twice. I am charging now to get ready for my first plane ride. I paid $660 for the 32GB with keyboard (including 2 day shipping) at Newegg and they send me back a $50 gift card. That about the cost for the Galaxy or Xoom.

The design of the Transformer is impressive. I think they have nailed the form factor for the future. With the keyboard is makes an impressive looking netbook like device. Just a quick pop and go with the tablet.

So far my only gripe is the camera quality using a 1.3/5.0 on the front/back as I would like to use this for video conferencing with clients. My other gripe and this may be more a honeycomb issue is the lack of USB drivers for the USB audio/gaming headsets. Oh and I am sure I will complain about the charger like everyone else eventually. Having the keyboard means that I can easily let it charge at night, so it is not a big deal to me because the combined battery power is like nothing I have ever owned before.

I chose this device over the chromebook because of the ability to work offline! I have 5 gmail accounts and to use multiple signon in windows I can not use offline email on my windows xp laptop. So my transformer is actually a more capable email machine on a plane than my xp laptop.
 
chrisfsullivan said:
Battery Life is awesome! ....

The design of the Transformer is impressive. I think they have nailed the form factor for the future. With the keyboard is makes an impressive looking netbook like device. Just a quick pop and go with the tablet.
...

I chose this device over the chromebook because of the ability to work offline! I have 5 gmail accounts and to use multiple signon in windows I can not use offline email on my windows xp laptop. So my transformer is actually a more capable email machine on a plane than my xp laptop.
Click to expand...

That nails it for me, too.
There isn't anything else out there that has this kind of battery life, and the builtin email client is AWESOME for typing emails when there is no wifi/3g available- then when you finally connect to the network sending them all off.

It takes about 3 days to travel via US military from the USA to afghanistan, my Transformer made it ALMOST an enjoyable trip. ;)
 
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