Android tablets vs iPad

[Staples]

My wife has and iPad 5 and I currently have an Asus Infinity Pad TF700. I had another Android tablet in the past, an HP Touchpad (was using Android 4.1 before I handed it down).

When the Infinity Pad came out, it was supposedly the best Android tablet out there and was for quite a while. So I bought into the hype and bought one. I would later regret it. It had a pretty good high resolution screen 1920x1200 but that is about all. Battery life is 4 hours, the device is slow slow slow (and unusable when downloads are in progress thanks to Asus .2MB write speeds to the NAND). Reboots randomly a few times a week, internal microphone sucks so Google voice search is useless because it can hardly understand anything. WIFI reception is very poor.

The default ROM performed terrible so I though CM10 couldn't hurt. Runs just about the same.

The Touchpad was actually a very good Android tablet for its time. They never got the internal clock to work (so no alarms could be set) and they finally got the mediocre camera to work after years but all in all, it was much better hardware than this Asus POS (which is highly regarded somehow).

I've had two Android phones and they were decent (although proir to ICS, Android built in software was crap). But now I have an iPhone 5 and wow, no jumping through hoops to get it to work well. I am seeing this same trend with the two tablets I have had. The iPad is so much better. Software works really well out of the box and the hardware is so so much better.

A lot of iOS and Android fanboys are usually ones who have never tried the alternative and should not be listened to (especially if they think the TF700 is worth more than $100 let alone $450). I want to know, am I the only one who has been burned by Android devices more than once and decides to give the Apple alternative a chance?

Which one were you happier with?

 

[Jodell88]

The HP Touchpad is not an Android tablet, it's a WebOS tablet that you could've installed Android on. You're also comparing old hardware and software to the latest an greatest.

 

[zerogear]

I went from iPhone 4 to Android phone, and never looked back. Android was way more flexible and met my needs much better than iOS ever did.

I do have to admit iOS (tablet) apps are way better designed than the Android tablet counterparks. I use an 4th Gen iPad, and I have a Nexus 7 2013, while daily websurfing and email I prefer the Android because of form factor. If I am reading a textbook/technical manual/pdf, I use the iPad for it just because iBooks is so much better designed than Android side.

I understand why people prefer iOS, but at the same time, you're locking yourself into an ecosystem that is entirely dictated by Apple. If you're fine with that, good for you. But your comparison is quite unfair considering you're comparing the latest device from Apple with something that is 2-3 years old?

 

[Staples]

True I have never used any iPad prior to the gen 4 (darn, I was calling it gen 5) but the TF700 which I am comparing to the iPad 5 is only a little over a year old. The iPad 4 has a faster processor but I don't think that makes a huge difference for watching youtube, HBO Go, browsing and ebooks. This is hardly an unfair comparison.

 

[zerogear]

You were comparing software/OS not playback/

 

[SlitheryDee]

I've had two android phones, an ipad 2, an ipod touch 5G, and a touchpad running cm10. As noted earlier, the touchpad wasn't originally designed to run android. That makes it even funnier to me that it works more reliably than either of my android phones. Steady improvement from the cyanogenmod team has really turned it into a solid android tablet IMO.

Speaking of android phones, I'm not buying another one for a while since my last two both crapped out on me and always seemed somewhat glitchier and less responsive than my idevices. I think my razr is theoretically salvageable, but damned if I or anyone else I've spoken to on multiple forums and the verizon store can figure out how to fix it. I'm kind of disillusioned with android right now. There's about a 99% probability that I'll be buying the new iphone when it comes out. I don't really care about customization anyway. I just want the damn thing to work.

 

[drbrock]

ipad 2> any android tablet.
Samsung S3 or better>iphone

 

[Staples]

You were comparing software/OS not playback/

In the case of the Infinity Pad, the hardware, everything except the screen is terrible.

I am trying to compare Android devices to the iPad. I think the Android of today runs fine, it just runs slow as hell on the Asus because the NAND is as slow as something you'd expect 5 years ago.

I guess my point is that I am disillusioned that the top of the line Android tablet as of one year ago can be so terrible. I am not sure if I should listen to anyone's advise unless it is clear that they have actually tried more than one device.

 

[drbrock]

In the case of the Infinity Pad, the hardware, everything except the screen is terrible.

I am trying to compare Android devices to the iPad. I think the Android of today runs fine, it just runs slow as hell on the Asus because the NAND is as slow as something you'd expect 5 years ago.

I guess my point is that I am disillusioned that the top of the line Android tablet as of one year ago can be so terrible. I am not sure if I should listen to anyone's advise unless it is clear that they have actually tried more than one device.

I have tried most devices. I have not got my hands on a new Nexus 7 but everything else can't compare to an ipad in the tablet game. The apps on android have not caught up yet and the tech does not feel old at all. I have zero reason for an upgrade right now for my tablet. The screen is good enough to where it does not bother me. If you need a retina level screen then go with the ipad 3.

The phones are VERY different. Android phone apps for the most part on the essentials are just as good as the iphone apps. Of course the Apple market has many more options but most major companies make quality apps for both type of phones. If you are a google product user, the integration is so well done that it is hard for Apple to compete.

 

[floogy]

Well, I loved my S3 before I gave it to my wife since I got a 4s from work. The kids have an ipad 2 which is great but I really do like android more than ios. I was looking at the TF300 or 700 for something to use for school work and such. But 4 hour life? Seems pretty low. Also surprised about the slowness you mentioned. Anyone have anything nice to say about the TF 300 or 700? Thinking about a Nexus 7 maybe...

 

[Crono]

The Nexus, Galaxy/Note branded tablets have been good since Jellybean.

I've avoided Android tablets earlier than that.
The iPads, Nexus, and the Surface tablets are the only ones worth buying to me. The Nexus 7 is excellent for a budget and portability, the iPads for app selection and typical Apple quality/support, and the Surface tablets (even RT) for quality and productivity.

The Galaxy and Galaxy Note tablets are good, too, I've just never owned one or played around with one enough.

 

[Staples]

Well, I loved my S3 before I gave it to my wife since I got a 4s from work. The kids have an ipad 2 which is great but I really do like android more than ios. I was looking at the TF300 or 700 for something to use for school work and such. But 4 hour life? Seems pretty low. Also surprised about the slowness you mentioned. Anyone have anything nice to say about the TF 300 or 700? Thinking about a Nexus 7 maybe...

Can't speak for the 300 but I know the problem with that was that the casing didn't allow for the GPS signal to penetrate. I will say that mine came with a dead battery (which apparently is common with the 700). Depending on how long it had been sitting dead in the package could have done a lot of damage to the capacity of the battery. Buy it locally if you do decide to try it out so you can return it easily. The very slow NAND issue is well documented so I know for a fact that it isn't just mine.

There have been so many mods to fix this issue including a custom ROM that can boot off an SDCard (which could be 10x as fast).

 

[SKORPI0]

My wife has and iPad 5 ........

Which one were you happier with?

Where did you get one? Last time I checked, it hasn't been released yet. :whiste:

I've tried both iOS and Android. Both has it's merits and disadvantages IMO. Get what you want you spend on and the apps you need to use it for.
You can buy a lot of cheap Android devices (slow and fast) , but iOS is locked to the Apple hardware.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I've never owned a 10 inch Android tablet I've been happy with. Seems like there is always something wrong with every large Android tablet I've used. First there was Andriod 3.0, so horrible that I couldn't justify $500 for any tablet running that OS. Things improved significantly with Android 4.0. But it seems since the budget 7 inch tablets have hit the market, few people are trying to make good 10 inch tablets anymore. ASUS is still trying bless their hearts. But ASUS keeps screwing up something big in what is almost a great tablet. The Nexus 10 has a high DPI screen, but it's a terrible looking screen with piss poor contrast and washed out colors. So sadly I've been buying iPads.

When it comes to smaller tablets though. Things are much better for Android. The iPad mini is a pretty nice tablet, but my eyes are so accustomed to seeing high DPI screens that it's hard for me to look at a 150DPI tablet screen now. The Nexus 7 2012 was a great tablet, not perfect, but for $200 easy to ignore it's flaws. I also liked the Kindle Fire HD quite a bit despite the slow processor, it has a great looking screen and loud speakers.

And now we have the Nexus 7 2013. Google fixed every complaint I had with the old Nexus 7. And oh my god, so much awesome packed into a 7 inch $230 tablet. I love my new Nexus 7 so much. In fact this is my most favorite tablet ever. I like this more than any iPad I've ever owned (and I've loved my iPads).

I'm curious to see what Apple does this fall. The new 9.7 inch iPad really needs to loose weight and become more comfortable to hold. And iPad mini might as well go to hell if it isn't coming with a Retina display this time.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

The Nexus 7 eats the iPad for lunch according to many.

 

[openwheel]

yes it does eat iPad's lunch and dinner.

 

[Geekbabe]

I've never owned a 10 inch Android tablet I've been happy with. Seems like there is always something wrong with every large Android tablet I've used. First there was Andriod 3.0, so horrible that I couldn't justify $500 for any tablet running that OS. Things improved significantly with Android 4.0. But it seems since the budget 7 inch tablets have hit the market, few people are trying to make good 10 inch tablets anymore. ASUS is still trying bless their hearts. But ASUS keeps screwing up something big in what is almost a great tablet. The Nexus 10 has a high DPI screen, but it's a terrible looking screen with piss poor contrast and washed out colors. So sadly I've been buying iPads.

When it comes to smaller tablets though. Things are much better for Android. The iPad mini is a pretty nice tablet, but my eyes are so accustomed to seeing high DPI screens that it's hard for me to look at a 150DPI tablet screen now. The Nexus 7 2012 was a great tablet, not perfect, but for $200 easy to ignore it's flaws. I also liked the Kindle Fire HD quite a bit despite the slow processor, it has a great looking screen and loud speakers.

And now we have the Nexus 7 2013. Google fixed every complaint I had with the old Nexus 7. And oh my god, so much awesome packed into a 7 inch $230 tablet. I love my new Nexus 7 so much. In fact this is my most favorite tablet ever. I like this more than any iPad I've ever owned (and I've loved my iPads).

I'm curious to see what Apple does this fall. The new 9.7 inch iPad really needs to loose weight and become more comfortable to hold. And iPad mini might as well go to hell if it isn't coming with a Retina display this time.

Just wanted to tell you how very much I enjoy reading your thoughts about mobile devices. You are always reasoned & offer up real life experience with the device in question.

For what it's worth, I also agree with everything you have posted here. Cupertino needs to seriously step up their game. I love much about iPad but the full size model is too heavy after experiencing a smaller tablet & iPad mini with only 512MB of ram and without a retina screen is not an option I will consider.

 

[zerogear]

I do think Nexus 7 (2013) is better than iPad Mini (in general), however, we'll see when iPad Mini 2nd gen comes out. The only real disappointment for me is the pretty sucky rendering of textbook epubs that android reader app does. iBooks does a way better job.

 

[floogy]

Got it. Nexus 7 2nd Gen. Now to decide between 16 or 32 gb....

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

32gb is a no brainer. its easy to eat up 16gb of space on an Android phone given how much you can do to it.

i'd say 16gb is barely enough just for the system alone. I'd need another 32gb on top of that just for my media. That strategy worked well for my GS2 where I filled up 8-10gb on my system partition easily.

 

[sgrinavi]

I had a few android tablets and now have an ipad mini. I liked most of my android tablets, but find the mini to be easier and more robust. Personally I don't need a super high-res tablet so the current hardware is sufficient for my use, but I'm waiting to see what the next gen of operating systems (win 8.1, ios7 & Key Lime Pie) bring to the table before upgrading.

If I had to buy today I would probably go with the Nexus 7

 

[MrX8503]

I was burned by Android in its early days and I never looked back. Android has definitely caught up in UX and speed though. However, I've been very pleased with iOS and so I don't have a reason to switch back.

In the smartphone arena, I think users can be happy with either one. In the tablet arena, I think the iPad is definitely better. Not only in speed and UX, but apps as well. Google didn't envision a tablet for their Android OS, so its going to take Google a little longer to mature the platform.

I'm curious to see what Apple does this fall. The new 9.7 inch iPad really needs to loose weight and become more comfortable to hold. And iPad mini might as well go to hell if it isn't coming with a Retina display this time.

The leaks show that the new iPad will adopt the Mini's design, which IMO has the sexiest design ever for any mobile device. Rumor has it that the Mini will not have Retina screen. This is possibly due to Apple trying to protect their large iPad sales.

 

[Red Storm]

Nexus tablets > iPad. That's my opinion.

 

[BladeVenom]

Besides the better hardware, the new Nexus 7 is even more durable than the iPad Mini. http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...7_tops_iPad_Mini_in_drop_slide_and_dunk_tests

 

[SlitheryDee]

Besides the better hardware, the new Nexus 7 is even more durable than the iPad Mini. http://www.computerworld.com/s/arti...7_tops_iPad_Mini_in_drop_slide_and_dunk_tests

That's nothing new. Apple pretty much always fails those test. It comes from prioritizing the heft and "feel" of their products over impact resistance. If you make something with an aluminum backing that is flush against the edge of a piece of glass and that something gets dropped, the aluminum is almost guaranteed to transmit the shock to the glass much more effectively than plastic would have.

For what it's worth, whatever apple is doing definitely works. Pretty much all of their products nail that solid premium item feel. Even if it's less practical, that makes a big impression on buyers. Just don't drop it...ever...not even once.