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Opportunity to switch to a Galaxy Tab - do it?

So I do enjoy my Nook Color, but at the same time it can be a bit tiresome to tether on the go. I noticed Bell is now selling the original Galaxy Tab for $399. It also just so happens that I sold a spare phone I don't use anymore for $250.
I can get at least $200 for the NC in Canada, possibly $250. So it wouldn't really be costing me anything to sell the Nook and buy a new Galaxy Tab. And I don't have to pay for 3G data in months when I am OK with just wifi; but I can probably use PC Mobile to get unlimited 3G for $7-10/month.
So the advantages of the Tab include two cameras, faster processor, lighter weight, brighter screen, auto-brightness sensor, 3G radio, mic, audio input via headphone jack...
Disadvantages? Well it's not one of the new generation of tablets. Neither is the NC, but the amount invested in it (and thereby the expected depreciation) is smaller. And the NC has CyanogenMod support and generally more stable custom ROMs compared to the patchwork of mods I see in the Tab ROM forums.
Any thoughts? Should I go for it?

Interesting dilemma. First blush would be the major change would be 3G of course and if that's your "need" vs. "want" then the choice is obvious. Just my opinion, but I'd head over to the Galaxy Tab XDA area and poke around there and see how the users feel about their Tab.
I have the NC and the GTab. Enjoy both for different reasons really. Probably use the NC a bit more only due to ease of transport.
Overall, IMHO, the Galaxy Tab would be a lateral move. I'd wait and see what's coming (perhaps better hardware and HC) then make a move.....but that's me.

I agree with Skeeter, what is the GTab going to give you for an extra $200? And is it worth it? For some it may very well be, for others maybe not.
Personally I want a Xoom or a Asus Transformer, and for me "Mini HDMI out" is worth the extra cost. But for others, it's not =\

skeeterpro said:
Interesting dilemma. First blush would be the major change would be 3G of course and if that's your "need" vs. "want" then the choice is obvious. Just my opinion, but I'd head over to the Galaxy Tab XDA area and poke around there and see how the users feel about their Tab.
I have the NC and the GTab. Enjoy both for different reasons really. Probably use the NC a bit more only due to ease of transport.
Overall, IMHO, the Galaxy Tab would be a lateral move. I'd wait and see what's coming (perhaps better hardware and HC) then make a move.....but that's me.
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True, the major change would be 3G. One extra detail is that I'm using my Nexus One on Wind Mobile right now with a super cheap unlimited text/talk/data plan. Their coverage has some gaps though, and text/talk roaming is relatively cheap but data roaming is pricey.
My spare PC Mobile SIM would have great cheap data coverage (until they decide to raise prices), but the same service would not be ideal for my daily phone usage because of that company's inflexibility with respect to long distance calling areas and lack of unlimited minute plans.
So I figure that the Galaxy Tab would be particularly good for trips out of my usual coverage area, and also that it would help reduce how much I toast my battery when tethering from the N1.
I also in fact have an opportunity to get a PlayBook at 50% off soon, but none of the models are launching with cellular radios yet for several more months. So I think I'll sit that one out for now.

cmstlist said:
So I do enjoy my Nook Color, but at the same time it can be a bit tiresome to tether on the go. I noticed Bell is now selling the original Galaxy Tab for $399. It also just so happens that I sold a spare phone I don't use anymore for $250.
I can get at least $200 for the NC in Canada, possibly $250. So it wouldn't really be costing me anything to sell the Nook and buy a new Galaxy Tab. And I don't have to pay for 3G data in months when I am OK with just wifi; but I can probably use PC Mobile to get unlimited 3G for $7-10/month.
So the advantages of the Tab include two cameras, faster processor, lighter weight, brighter screen, auto-brightness sensor, 3G radio, mic, audio input via headphone jack...
Disadvantages? Well it's not one of the new generation of tablets. Neither is the NC, but the amount invested in it (and thereby the expected depreciation) is smaller. And the NC has CyanogenMod support and generally more stable custom ROMs compared to the patchwork of mods I see in the Tab ROM forums.
Any thoughts? Should I go for it?
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure I get how it's tiresome to tether on the go? Are you talking about using a phone as a wifi hotspot or some more complicated way to tether? For me, no way it'd be worth $200 plus the cost of a 3g connection (even if on a month by month basis) to save the 5 seconds it takes to tether to my phone. It's literally unlock, tap 3g hotspot icon, hit power button on side of phone to shut off the screen and I'm done. Even if the 3g connection were free, I wouldn't shell out $200 to save that 5 seconds even if I had to do it 2-3 times per day...
Edit: I didn't see your roaming concerns. I don't have to worry about that as I don't go out of country and I have unlimited data in my phone plan. I guess it could be a PITA to swap SIM cards if you're roaming and you'd lose your phone at the same time, so it may be worth the $200 to get rid of that concern. But, I'd actually measure the impact (ie how often you actually roam and how much it'd cost to pay data roaming based on that) before deciding to spend the extra money.

Have you checked out the identity tab, it is basically the same as Galaxy tab except the screen resolution. and there is a very good review in znet.com
http://www.jr.com/enspert/pe/EPN_E201U/
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-ne...-froyo-tablet-with-android-market-access/1791
I guess that it may be a better deal than $250 nook color or $399 galaxy tab.

tyy10002 said:
Have you checked out the identity tab, it is basically the same as Galaxy tab except the screen resolution. and there is a very good review in znet.com
http://www.jr.com/enspert/pe/EPN_E201U/
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-ne...-froyo-tablet-with-android-market-access/1791
I guess that it may be a better deal than $250 nook color or $399 galaxy tab.
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I don't know that you'd be happy with such a low resolution on a large screen.

No 3g, not much point. If I wanted to settle for lower resolution I'd go with the quad band 3G Dell Streak 7.
Sent from my Nook Color!

If I'm reading this correctly, it's not a lateral move financially -- because $250 of the purchase is already in cash from a spare phone you sold!
With that money you could choose to keep the existing NC and get a decent camera, GPS, and accessories. Or get a second NC. Or a decent smartphone with front camera. Or a whole lot of pizza.
In other words, I'm being of no help here at all.

xdabr said:
If I'm reading this correctly, it's not a lateral move financially -- because $250 of the purchase is already in cash from a spare phone you sold!
With that money you could choose to keep the existing NC and get a decent camera, GPS, and accessories. Or get a second NC. Or a decent smartphone with front camera. Or a whole lot of pizza.
In other words, I'm being of no help here at all.
Click to expand...
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Hehe that's okay
My logic is more that I previously had a main phone (AWS Nexus One for WIND), a spare phone (for compatibility with 850 3G networks), and then also got a wi-fi tablet. If I make the shift, then I would be combining the tablet and the 850 3G device into one package.
I should probably be focusing more on post-grad employment than on how to shuffle around the devices I own without income =)

NC's display >>> Galaxy Tab's display.

After buying the Nook and finally experiencing a real tablet experience it left me wanting more...
I came to the conclusion that having a good tablet that was 3g enabled and could be used to make occasional calls would be ideal for me.
If it were me, I might lean toward the Galaxy..

Should I get a Nook Color or LG G-Slate?

The biggest push for me to get a tablet is because I use Citrix Reciever at work, and with any android (or ipad for that matter) can access work related things very fluidly, except my phone is abit too small for everything. I also stream internet radio via my cellphone, and have about 50 or so apps... The biggest thing is being able to do work on-the-go through Citrix receiver though.
I'm debating, since TMobile is about to release the G-Slate by LG, on getting a tablet this week. The G-Slate is gonna be ~$530 plus a monthly data subscription of probably $20-$35. It will have the latest tech such as 4G, wifi, gps, 3d cameras, Honeycomb... the works - only I'm not 100% positive on the cost justification, one because it would be a locked device (not rooted) and because Android tablets seem to be going through a phase of flux and change every 3 months.
Also on the table for consideration is rooting a new B&N Color Nook. We just bought my wife her Nook and she loves it - and I like the hardware for the most part. The battery life is good, the screen is nice, and its a decent price for a nice set of hardware. If I buy my own, it would be to root and use it as an Android 2.x / 3.x tablet.
Internet connection wouldnt be such an issue from the nook, as my TMobile HTC HD2 cell phone is 3.5G and gets good data speeds, plus the HD2 is now running Android and the tethering application works great.
So, which would you choose?

Price, screen size, processing power.
It all depends on what you want. I bought a nook color and its a great size for my son. Its not too big for him to hold. It didn't cost $500+ so I'm not as worried about it as I would be if I did.
I like the 7" form factor for what it is. I'd probably like the 9-10" form factor as well, but its a device which you have to hold differently, which is a different experience. I'm looking at the Asus Transformer for myself at some point.

Do you ever wish you had subscription data service on the nook?

I don't because I only use it at home. However, it's intended use is primarily a device for my 6 year old so I have it locked out of internet activities unless they are supervised by me or my wife.
When I find myself playing with it, it's mostly games that are not internet reliant. I occasionally browse the internet with it, because its so convenient and handy and I can use it from the couch, but I usually get frustrated with how inefficient tablets are for internet browsing and grab a laptop or a desktop to get the info I am looking for.

saabguy123 said:
Do you ever wish you had subscription data service on the nook?
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Click to collapse
if i didn't have a phone to tether to, i probably would. But since i ALWAYS have my phone, data on my nook is never a worry. If you have somebody picky like AT&T, it might be a problem, but otherwise...

Dream Tablet/Reader?

I've got a nook because I feel like it's the best combo of features. Still its a little small, a little slow, and I cant read it in the sun (I primarily use it to read).
What I would piss my pants for is a 8-8.6" transflective screen, with a current generation single core processor, 10+ hours of battery life, wifi-only, and of course rootable. I don't want to pay for a camera. I don't want to pay for a GPS receiver. I want this for $300.

I'd like to mention that dead trees are the best, before recommending the Amazon Kindle. I have a k2i and find it excellent for reading.

I attacheda matte screen protector. It makes a world of difference.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

Dream Tablet? Ok here we go:
Looks the same as my Nook Color does now. The aesthetics are great, its easy and comfy to hold and very thin. Here is what I would add if physics would allow me to
Tegra2 <-- Although I am very happy with the CPU that it has now.
2GB RAM (Sure 1GB is fine, but the chipset can address 2GB so why not?)
USB Port (full sized)
2nd MicroSD slot because, well, we can.
Kickstand
Nook OS (Stock) based on Honeycomb, but with full market access.
Bluetooth enabled at the factory - B&N to sell a nice looking bluetooth keyboard.
This is key: I do not want the dimensions altered in any way. It must be the exact same W H L that it is now, just with a few extra ports and some real power under the hood.

filterxg said:
What I would piss my pants for is a 8-8.6" transflective screen, with a current generation single core processor, 10+ hours of battery life, wifi-only, and of course rootable. I don't want to pay for a camera. I don't want to pay for a GPS receiver. I want this for $300.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if it's breaking 10 hours or has root yet, but it sounds like the Vizio tablet comes a bit closer to what you want than the NC. Reviews mention lag in the UI, but reports are that a software update smoothed things out considerably.

inportb said:
I'd like to mention that dead trees are the best.....[snip]
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Click to collapse
The problem with dead trees and the print thereon is that you can't find all of the NY Times 100 best sellers just lying around in the street, in the way you can find epubs floating on the interweb thingy.

filterxg said:
I've got a nook because I feel like it's the best combo of features. Still its a little small, a little slow, and I cant read it in the sun (I primarily use it to read).
What I would piss my pants for is a 8-8.6" transflective screen, with a current generation single core processor, 10+ hours of battery life, wifi-only, and of course rootable. I don't want to pay for a camera. I don't want to pay for a GPS receiver. I want this for $300.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you're in the right area.
If that's all what you asked for, then the NOOKcolor is the perfect one for you.
It's single core processor, it's wifi only, it's nootable, it has no camera, it has no gps, it's $250 new. If you turn everything off but reading, you will get 8 to 10 hours run. It's only 7" but the tradeoff is it's surely lighter than 8+" one.

lapdock 500

Im going to purchase the lapdock 500. The reviews on the 100 seem so-so, so Im hoping that the 500, being more xpensive, is higher quality, and works better. anyone have the 500, or expirence with both that they can share?

I can't provide a review yet, but it's on sale for $150 right now!!
I got this from slickdeals:
1. Go to Verizon’s site.
2. Click the big “Shop” button up top.
3. When the page loads, scroll down and click “View All” next to Accessories.
4. Click on the “DROID 4.”
5. LapDock 500 should be the first option, simply click “Add to Cart” from that page.
6. Go straight into your cart and you should see it for $149.99 rather than the $249.99.
7. Checkout and enjoy.
Good luck.

I ordered it from Amazon for $349, sooooo when I saw that deal, I about crapped! Gut on Verizon, ordered one, and have the one from Amazon all boxed and ready to go back!
For what it's worth, it's very nice, high quality, so I can't wait to get the new one here and start playing!
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

So, I finally got mine.
The performance is ok... kind of like using a netbook. I wish the camera would work. Also, playing youtube is a little choppy. Perhaps it's not hardware accelerated or anything.
Does anyone know if there is any work being done on the webtop 3rd party people? Is there supposed to be an update for that soon???

So IMHO, if you are on the fence for getting this, I would vote NO.
I bought this for $150 during the recent sale and was very excited, especially because I denied on the Atrix lapdock deal in Dec. for $50.
Anyway, as noted earlier, the screen is not very good. I tried to watch streaming video and it not pleasant. The bad "refresh" rate or something resulted in a sort of jittery show. That defeated my primary purpose.
The touch pad was also poorly implemented. Pressing it often moved the cursor.
Another factor although not a huge one was the software/interface was not that intuitive or impressive. I'm sure that would have improved over time (updates and my own experience) but the effort didn't seem worth it. The device is also somewhat heavy. For $50, I might have kept it, but for $150 just wasn't worth it.
Good news, I returned it at the Verizon store without any restock fee or hassle.

I am thrilled that I got the 500 during the Verizon $150 deal. The 500 makes using the Bionic for any lengthy amount of time quite usable. It is not meant to be a substitute for a laptop or netbook. I feel it perfectly complements the Bionic by extending the capabilities of the phone. I would advise using a mouse with the 500.

I've had mine now for 2 days and have done nothing but mess around with it and honestly..imho i love it! Yea the sd card, ethernet, camera and monitor out dont work but there is an update so the bionic can use the 500 to the fullest so thats great news..there are as many cons as there are goods but the cons will get fixed thru updates except for the touchpad..that really did suck..but all else is great..the screen could be better but its still great..
Cons- cant use the pull out dock idk why just doesnt work well which has to do with the software so a update fix
Touchpad sucks- use mouse
Camera, ethernet, sd card and monitor out functions dont work YET but will soon
Phone has to sit flat and cant be moved or the lapdock will shut down- dont know why but once again an update fix
Pros- everything...surf internet fast, play your games on lapdock from phone, make calls from lapdock, 7 hours battery life, charges phone while using lapdock, good speakers, nice screen and just a lot if fun...better than carrying a heavy full on laptop for simple things...one of the better investments in my life funny thing is that i also got mine for 150$ but thru CL and brand new still sealed..the guy had no clue how much this thing was actually worth!
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium

how would you compare it to the Bionic branded lapdock itself (anyone test out both of these)? i'm assuming all the missing functionality you speak of now is simply a USB device driver to be implemented in future patches..
IMO the lapdock can essentially replace your last full sized laptop, assuming your not a hardcore gamer, audiophile, A/V troll etc lol. i am all of the above, but seriously if your using a laptop for all that get a tower ffs. screen is acceptable, viewing angle is so so, webtop itself is unimpressive but 3.0 will change all that. only complaint is the keyboard, keys feel like cheap plastic and aren't very sensitive.

Streak 7 worth it at this point?

I bought one a while ago when there was a sale on them, but ultimately returned it because I didn't really have a use for it at the time and was kinda strapped on cash. Anyway, considering getting another one, primarily since it's the only decent 7" tablet I know of with a full-size SD slot (which would make transferring videos a breeze - my primary use for it).
Is it still worth it, though, considering the low screen resolution? There's the Huawei Mediapad / T-Mobile Springboard, which in comparison runs for about $100-$150 more, and has a 1280x800 screen, in addition to HDMI-out without a dock (and possibly phone call support with ICS, although I can't confirm that on the Springboard at least). Of course, that $100-$150 extra may not be worth it, or could be put toward something else.
I mean, the two primary uses of the device would be watching videos and reading books...would a higher resolution really be that beneficial? Most of the videos I'd plan to load onto the device would be like 620x350 or something like that - all below 800x480; being able to load 720p files and have them hardware-accelerated would be nice, though.

magus57 said:
I bought one a while ago when there was a sale on them, but ultimately returned it because I didn't really have a use for it at the time and was kinda strapped on cash. Anyway, considering getting another one, primarily since it's the only decent 7" tablet I know of with a full-size SD slot (which would make transferring videos a breeze - my primary use for it).
Is it still worth it, though, considering the low screen resolution? There's the Huawei Mediapad / T-Mobile Springboard, which in comparison runs for about $100-$150 more, and has a 1280x800 screen, in addition to HDMI-out without a dock (and possibly phone call support with ICS, although I can't confirm that on the Springboard at least). Of course, that $100-$150 extra may not be worth it, or could be put toward something else.
I mean, the two primary uses of the device would be watching videos and reading books...would a higher resolution really be that beneficial? Most of the videos I'd plan to load onto the device would be like 620x350 or something like that - all below 800x480; being able to load 720p files and have them hardware-accelerated would be nice, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it is worth the $300 price any longer, but if you can find it for $100-$150, then I say it would be worth it.

At this point I wouldn't buy one that didn't come with a warranty. Parts are too difficult/impossible to find.
good luck,

otnos said:
I don't think it is worth the $300 price any longer, but if you can find it for $100-$150, then I say it would be worth it.
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DCoop said:
At this point I wouldn't buy one that didn't come with a warranty. Parts are too difficult/impossible to find.
good luck,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case, any idea where I could buy one with a warranty for around $200? Or a 4G T-Mobile version with a warranty for around $300?
EDIT: Anybody know if this site is legit, at least with the 1-year warranty?:
https://www.blinq.com/#computers-ne...d-2-2-froyo-16gb-tablet/51763?source=googleps

magus57 said:
In that case, any idea where I could buy one with a warranty for around $200? Or a 4G T-Mobile version with a warranty for around $300?
EDIT: Anybody know if this site is legit, at least with the 1-year warranty?:
https://www.blinq.com/#computers-ne...d-2-2-froyo-16gb-tablet/51763?source=googleps
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Click to collapse
Seeing as they are discontinues it's a pretty long shot as to finding one with a warranty for that money. The fact it has a warranty and that new is gonna drive the price up to 250 or 300

blinq.com got really good reviews over at Amazon, so they are legitimate. The Dell 7's they have are used but they do come with a 1 year warranty. Having said that, and having had a Streak7 for 4 months, I'd recommend looking for something else. I just checked my local Craigslist and saw a brand new HP Touchpad 32Gig for $250. I'm sure it could be bought for less if you had cash.
I really grew to like my S-7, I had an ipad2 for several months and it doesn't compare of course, but for what it costs (I got my Streak 7 for $150 used) it does a great job. Yes the screen isn't great but you adjust to it, but it certainly wasn't worth the $300-400 it originally cost. If Dell would upgrade the screen and processor it would be a winner. I love the 7" screen and that's what I'm going to buy in the future, something with a really nice 7" screen and a new processor. I use mine most of the time in a car or airplane and the 7" is so much better in size for those applications.
I dropped my Streak onto a tile floor from my desk and it cracked the glass that covers the screen. The screen itself is perfect, just the glass covering is cracked. It's hard to find another glass that covers the screen, there aren't any in the US, the Chinese want $90 to deliver a new screen with glass, and mine only cost $150 to begin with. So the difference as far as my monetary loss between not buying or buying the screen is $60. So I could write off the $60 and put the $90 screen cost towards an HP or other tablet.
Good luck with what you decide,

Find something else. There isn't much development for the streak 7. Only one ROM out there if you like to play around with stuff like that. the battery is pretty weak. 4 hours our less and then you're scrambling for a charger if you're doing anything important. I have had my 4g version for about a year and the headphone jack is acting up. I tried to clean it andit still usually only likes to play out of the right ear. I have to jiggle it around and then not move it. I like to use my Bluetooth headphones most of the time, but that runs the Barry down even faster. I am going to try and find something else soon. But I do like the 7 inch form factor. Not to big, not to small.

Battery life isn't bad after a custom rom and a few tweeks.
Get ICS B4 or HoneyStreak R8, get SetCPU and set up some profiles to slow down the processor when screen is off.
I usually get about 48 hours of standby time, and 5-8 hours of video watching.

giveen said:
Battery life isn't bad after a custom rom and a few tweeks.
Get ICS B4 or HoneyStreak R8, get SetCPU and set up some profiles to slow down the processor when screen is off.
I usually get about 48 hours of standby time, and 5-8 hours of video watching.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it not already have deep sleep at kernel level?
Looking into buying since rez isn't an issue and many other tablets that are of same price range have no development know not much here but least a few ROMs and Kernel.
It'd just be used when mobile as carry a 19" workstation anyway.
Main device would still be SGSII.
Sent from the valley of the shadows......