Tablet Computers

There are really just two tablet computers that are in the running for your gadget bucks. They are the Apple iPad and the Galaxy Tab by Samsung. The trick for most consumers is to find a tablet pc that is comparable to the iPad, but cost less. There are some out there, but there features are not the same or even comparable to the iPad until the Galaxy Tab came along.

The Galaxy Tab is getting rave reviews as a top competitor to the Apple iPad. It is priced less than the iPad with a two year data plan from all the major cellular companies and it is comparable or even better in what it has to offer as a tablet. Both devices provide great movie watching, web surfing, playing games and reading ebooks. Below I will discuss what makes each tablet stand out from the crowd. When you consider a tablet, it's all about size. Size is strongly considered because it makes the difference regarding your tablet experience in web browsing, reading, and watching movies and video.

Apple iPad Tablet Computer

Most users describe it as a cross between a smartphone and a laptop computer. It is similar in function to the iphone and iPod touch, but is much larger and more powerful than both and those who wish to be facitious likens the iPad to a large iPhone. Some of the technical specifications indicated on the new Ipad includes a modified version of the iPhone operating system and because of the iPad's larger screen, the interface has been redesigned so users can take advantage of the screen. The built-in applications on the iPad were designed with the user in mind and takes advantage of the large Multi-Touch screen and advanced capabilities of the iPad which are said to be more advanced than any other tablet of its type.

Technical Specifications of the Apple IPad

The iPad is a half-inch thick and weighs in at 1.5 pounds, with a 9.7 inch LED backlit multi-touch display with a pixel resolution of 1024×768, 16 to 64 gigabytes (GB) of flash memory, a one gigahertz (GHz) Apple A4 processor (with a 10-hour battery life and a month of standby), Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n WiFi and optional 3G, as well as an accelerometer and a compass. The iPad has an external port that connects to a 30-pin dock connector to sync with iTunes and connect other wire accessories, a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio listening, a speaker and microphone.

The device is managed by iTunes, just like the iPhone -- you can sync everything over to your Mac or Windows PC. The 3G version runs on AT&T and comes with data plans that are contract-free. Activations are handled on the iPad, users can activate and cancel usage at any time. The iPad is unlocked and comes with a GSM "micro-SIM," so you can use it abroad, but keep in mind there are not many international deals in place right now, but Apple will be updating that information as it becomes available.

The iPad comes with the following applications: Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, YouTube, iPod, iTunes Store, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, and Spotlight. Although, the iPad is not designed as a cellphone replacement, a user can pair it with a Bluetooth headset and place phone calls using a VoIP application over Wi-Fi or 3G.

Depending on what users require in terms of storage, the Ipad comes in 16, 32, and 64 GB sizes. There's also a keyboard dock and a camera attachment kit that lets you import photos from your camera over USB or directly through an SD reader. The iPad also comes equipped with external buttons for sleep, screen rotation lock and controlling the volume as well as a button that will return the user to the home screen. Early users of the iPad complained about the battery life which prompted Apple to offer battery replacement service. The device demands a battery life of more than five times than that of the iPhone 3G's battery capacity possesses. Because the Apple iPad will be used most of the time off of the power cord, the battery life is a big factor.

Apple's iBooks Store For iBooks

The iBooks is an e-reader application built into the iPad with a bookstore (called iBook Store) using the ePub format. Book prices are showing to be anywhere from $9.99 to $14.99. The store will be available only in the United States, but Apple does have plans to expand to other countries. The iBooks application displays a bookshelf with all the titles of your ebooks showing. When you tap on a book to read, you can tap on the right orleft edge of the page to flip it or drag it manually. Additionally, there is a button on the bookshelf which allows you to be able to purchase books from Apple's iBookstore. iBooks has an integrated search feature, a built-in brightness control, and a dictionary that can pull up any word just by tapping on it.

Apple is also pre-loading the iBook Store with 30,000 free public domain digital books that are compatible with the ePub format. This will allow users to access public doman books easier because they will be able to go directly through the iBook Store. The ibooks app will not come installed on the iPad, but will be available for downloading free from the App store. For the latest up to date prices on the Apple iPad visit Amazon here.

Optional Accessories

Apple will sell several iPad accessories that include a:
• Keyboard Dock with hardware keyboard, 30-pin connector, and audio jack.
• A case which can be used to place the iPad in various positions.
• Dock Connector to VGA Adapter for external monitor or projector
• Camera Connection Kit including a USB Type A connector adapter and an SD card reader, for transferring photos and videos
• USB Power Adapter with 2A (10W) Software Like the iPhone, with which it shares a development environment (iPhone SDK, or software development kit, version 3.2 beta onwards)
•Apple Wireless Keyboard
•Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic
•Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
•Apple Composite and Component AV Cables

Samsung Galaxy Tab

It is becoming difficult to differentiate between the products in the market place especially when you have something like the Samsumg Galaxy Tab as part of the competition. Samsung has done a good job of it by introducing the Samsung Galaxy Tab which is patterned after the Samsung much like its Galaxy S cellphone. The Tab separates itself from the pack by giving it contrasting front and back surfaces (but cellular 3G providers may offer different colors). The back of the rounded-off-device is coated in white shiny plastic (which causes it to slide, so be careful where you place it) while the front has the familiar black bezel and glass screen.. However, keep in mind that each cellular carrier that offers data plans for the Tab may change the look of the Tab slightly depending on their brand and as a means to distinguish it from the other providers.

The screen and bezel appear less glossy than the iPad. The Tab is durable because it uses the Corning Gorilla Glass screen. Tthere are four touch buttons on the front side, a headphone jack on the top edge and a volume rocker, microSD card slot and power button on the right edge. Samsung didn't provide room for a micro-USB port which means you have to charge it and sideload content using Samsung's proprietary charging cable. The charging cable resembles the same type of charging cables that Apple uses with its devices. Because size means everything one of the best features of the Tab is that it is smaller than the iPad coming in at 7 inches. It is small enough to hold in one hand for portability..

Technical Specifications of The Galaxy Tab

The Tab certainly has packed the specs. Samsung is labeling the tablet as a "Smart Media Device" capableof working as a phone. The 7.4 x 4.7-inch Galaxy Tab weighs 13.58 ounces, has a 7 inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution TFT LCD screen which has stunning 3D-like graphics. Although the Tab is not as light or thin as the Kindle, it is still light enough to hold in one hand like a phone. Like the iPad, the Tab makes use of capacitive display technology for touch screen navigation through the interface which is extremely responsive and easily matches the iPad in terms of sensivity. The tab has a 1GHz processor, full Flash support thanks to Android 2.2, dual cameras, 512MB RAM, 2GB internal memory, plus a 16GB microSD card with support for up to 32GB of storage and WiFi / 3G connectivity.

As with the iPad, there is no physical button for turning it off, but you can do so within the screen settings menu. The two speakers on the bottom of the tablet are noticeably louder than your average smartphone. The Tab can be connected to HDMI video output (via optional dock), USB and even your car.

The Galaxy Tab features Froyo, Google’s Android 2.2 platform which provides great performance and speed for browsing Flash-enabled websites. It also has fully integrated services like Google Maps and YouTube that you can search, view, and easily download and you will also have access to the cool apps available in the Android Market place.

Other features include: a virtual keyboard, swype input system that allows you to input text faster and easier by gliding your finger around the keyboard, moving from letter to letter in one continuous motion. The Swype technology then calculates what word you're intending to type. The Tab comes equipped with Samsung Social Hub which provides a one stop for all your updates and integrates all your social networking services, messages, personal and business e-mail, calendars and contacts. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack Text and picture messaging with threaded conversation messaging.

There is also a multi-format media player that is compatible with MP3, WMA, and AAC music files. It has an Ultra-fast Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go. Bluetooth 3.0 wireless connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music. The Galaxy Tab is also pre-loaded with the Kindle for Android app for reading your Kindle books on the go, the Slacker Radio for listening to free, streaming personalized radio and the Media Hub to add entertainment value as well. For instance, the Media Hub is a type of video store where you can rent and/or purchase movies and TV shows.

The Tab supports HTML 5, Adobe Flash Player 1.10 (another key point of difference from the iPad) and multiple codecs including DivX, XviD, MPEG4, H.263 and H.264. The display itself is extremely bright and colors appear extremely crisp. As with the iPad, it may be hard to view the display in the sun. While the Tab's resolution isn't as high as the iPad's 1024 x 768-resolution, the screen does have better pixel density, which translates into a crisper e-book and webpage reading experience than the iPad.

In a nutshell, the Galaxy Tab is smaller and lighter. It has the same speed processor but twice the RAM. Like the iPad, the Galaxy Tab comes with different options for internal storage. However, it supports up to 32GB of expandable storage, while the Apple iPad device is limited to the internal storage only. The Galaxy Tab has two cameras -- a rear-facing 3.2-megapixel camera and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chatting, while the current models of the iPad does not have a camera on the device. Samsung claims up to 7 hours of video playback for the Galaxy Tab while Apple says its iPad can last up to 10 hours. If you don't use video, the battery should last up to 13 hours with up to 500 hours (20+ days) of standby time.

e-Reading Capability

For e-reading, Samsung has licensed three different apps: PressDisplay for news, Kobo for e-books, and Zinio for magazines.The Readers Hub software and landscape or portrait rotation sensors make the Galaxy into an eBook reader. ThinkFree Office makes it fully compatible with Microsoft Office. The Kindle app for Android comes pre-loaded onto the device, and all you need to do is register your account. The Kindle for Tab is incredibly easy to use. Some consumers don't mind reading on the heavier and larger iPad, but the Tab is smaller and lighter. Plus, using it as an ereader is like reading a paperback if you don't mind the smaller screen, the Tab may be an option for you.

Data Plans and Pricing Options

Samsung was thinking when it gave the four major US cellular carriers Tabs of their own to offer to customers with their own subscriber data plans that are contract free. There will not be a WiFi-only Tab at this time, which means you have to sign up for another 3G cellphone data plan.

This is great, but there are many options to choose from. You have to ask which plan is best for you? Plus, keep in mind whatever plan you choose will also affect your purchase price for the Galaxy Tab. There are two important factors involved in the decision-making process: the network/data coverage/strength, and price. That means both the monthly data costs as well as the cost of the Tab itself. Some carriers offer more data for a higher price, so it's imperative to be rather choosy about which plan is best for your needs.

Here is a quick rundown of all the carriers and their prices with monthly data plans as of this wriiting:

Verizon: The Tab is available for $600; no contract subsidized pricing available. Monthly plans include $20 for 1 GB and $80 for 10 GB.
Sprint: Available for $600 with no contract, but you can purchase the Tab with a two-year agreement for $400. Monthly plans include $30 for 2 GB and $60 for 5 GB.
T-Mobile: The Tab is currently available for $550 with no contract, subsidized with a contract agreement $350. Data plans are $25 for 200 MB per month and $40 for 5 GB.
AT&T: The most expensive provider at $650 and there is no option for a contract. Monthly plans are $15 for 250 MB and $25 for 2 GB. It also comes with a $50 Media Hub credit voucher.

Besides the differences in price, each carrier has placed its own proprietary software on the Tab, called bloatware. The goal of this bloatware is typically to get consumers to spend more for the services being offered, such as VCAST for Verizon and Sprint Zone for Sprint. Checkout the last up to date prices on the Galaxy Tab on Amazon by going here.

Optional Accessories

The Samsung Galaxy Tab out of the box comes with a, wall/USB charger, 16 GB microSD memory card and a quick start guide. Here are some recommended accessories for the Tab. The Samsung Keyboard Dock for writing documents. It is a full-sized, 83-key keyboard with a built-in docking station that holds the SamTab firmly in place in a portrait position. A screen protector is in order to protect the face of your display, carrying cases to keep your tablet safe, in-car charging and a TV-out cable to super-size the screen by plugging it into your TV or projector.

Honorable Mention - Viewsonic View Pad 7

The Samsung Galaxy Tab is set up to give the Apple iPad a run for its money. However, there is another lesser known contender that has emerged among the tablets as an alternative to the iPad and Galaxy Tab. It is the Viewsonic View Pad 7.

There is also a View Pad 10, the numerical designation describes the screen size for both devices. As a household name with most consumers, ViewSonic has a long legacy in the LCD market. On the surface, it would be easy to assume that Viewsonic has the moxy to compete in the exciting arena among tablet computers.

Design

The ViewPad 7 has been compared to resembling a larger Apple iphone 4. It looks a bit like a brick, because of its squared-off rounded edges and paperback dimensions. It also sports a metal band around its circumference, a glossy black backing plate and measures 4.3 inches tall, 7 inches wide, and .5 inches thick. The ViewPad 7 is slightly more portable than the Galaxy Tab and takes up less space than the Apple iPad. The screen has an 800x480 resolution, and is covered with scratch-resistant glass. There are four touch-sensitive buttons that are located along the screen for Home, Menu, Search, and Back navigation. There is a front-facing 0.3-megapixel camera on the top left corner of the screen and it is compatible with video chat applications. On the back center of the device is a 3-megapixel camera with auto focus. The bottom portion of the ViewPad has two ports for USB (data/charge) and headphones. There are three keyboard layouts available and you are able to switch between them by swiping left and right (a fact not immediately apparent).

Features

The ViewPad 7 sports an Android 2.2 OS with Google Mobile Services, a 600 MHz Qualcomm processor, 512MB onboard storage with an expansion slot for a 16/32 GB on microSD and 512MB of RAM. It is advisable to purchase a microSD card, because the limited amount of integrated memory is reserved for the system and nothing more. A nice headset is included with multiple ear-tip fittings, remote button, and microphone (for voice calls and voice search). Slim speaker grilles are found on the left and right edges, along with a power button on the left that doubles as a sleep/wake control. Across the top you'll find volume buttons and a covered port for a microSD memory card and cellular SIM card.

For the $150 or so you would save by choosing the ViewPad over the Galaxy Tab, you will find that you will be making some sacrifices. For example, the ViewPad 7 does not support Adobe Flash (though support is said to be coming), it does not offer optimizations for common utilities such as the calendar, notes, contacts and e-mail. Unlike the Tab, there are no accessories for video output support.The ViewPad is compatible with Bluetooth 2.1, built in Wi-Fi (limited to 802.11 b/g and is 3G ready. It also has assisted GPS navigation, multi-tasking, full phone functionality which means it can be used as a large mobile phone! A Bluetooth headset can also be used with the Viewpad 7 to make calls.The Viewsonic 7 also has a speech-to-text feature that captures information audibly and you can upload and edit Word, Excel or PowerPoint, with viewing support for PDF files. ViewSonic rates the ViewPad's battery life at up to 10 hours.

Performance

For audio and video, the ViewPad is disappointing. This is because of a lack of integrated memory for user content. Audio and video viewing is not impressive because of the poor viewing angle when tilting the screen upward and the inability to play video files beyond standard-definition The included Wi-Fi receiver will not give the iPad or Tab any trouble because it does not suport the 802.11 n network.

As a Web browser, the ViewPad is not too bad, but the lack of Adobe Flash puts it behind the Galaxy Tab. The browser does support pinch zoom, which is an advantage over many budget tablets like Archos and others. If you compare the ViewPad with the Apple iPad, you get half the screen size which makes your browsing experience like looking at a smartphone instead of a tablet. Although. the viewpad 7 is not on the same level as the Apple iPad and Galaxy Tab, it is ahead of the game as compared to other Android tables in its ability to deliver an acceptable user experience in browsing, tweeting, emailing and other tablet related activities. The Viewpad 7 has a $480 MSRP. Checkout the latest up to date pricing on the Viewpad 7 Amazon by going here.

Honorable Mention - Viewsonic View Pad 10

Additionaly, the other surprise Viewsonic has is the Android 1.6 / Win 7 dual-booting ViewPad 10. The Viewpad 10 just as its name indicates has a 10 inch screen which is larger than the Apple iPad and is seen to resemble a netbook more than anything else. The Viewpad 10 has a glass-fronted screen perfectly integrated into a glossy black bezel somewhat resembling the iPad's, with a brushed aluminium back completing its premium look and feel. The bezel is clean except for three menu buttons, subtle status indicators and an unobtrusive 1.3 megapixel webcam. It felt sturdy, but was quite heavy weighing in at 835g (the Wi-Fi iPad weighs only 680g).

To switch between operating systems you'll need to reboot the tablet. You get a fully featured Home Premium version. Unfortunately, this is not a good experience because Windows was never designed to be navigated by touch. However, you can work around the situation by plugging a mouse and keyboard in to make use of the Windows OS.

For processing duties, the Viewpad 10 runs with the Intel Atom N455 CPU, which runs at 1.66GHz and is almost identical to the N450 found in most netbooks. The main difference being that it uses more power, consuming 6.5 instead of 5.5 Watts. It's backed up by 1GB of DDR3 RAM and Intel's integrated graphics, again equivalent to most netbooks. For permanent storage there's a 16GB SSD. Although this is not great by portable hard drive standards, but it is plenty for a tablet. You can add more storage (up to 32GB) using the microSD card slot.

There are two USB 2.0 ports for connectivity which allows you to plug into anything from external storage to peripherals. A mini-VGA port can output video to a TV or monitor. The Viewpad 10 has both Wi-Fi N and Bluetooth 2.1, though no 3G (that's reserved for the Android-only ViewPad 7). However, the Viewpad 10 has an optional 3G data module. Battery life is estimated for at least five hours because of the 3,200mAh capacity battery. However, it has recently been reported that the battery life was 2.5 hours when viewing a 720p video in Windows (the system's 1.66GHz Atom N455 processor struggled with 1080p content).

Reviewers of the Viewpad 10 were disappointed with the Android 1.6 OS stating its old as compared to the upcoming Android 2.3 and 3.0 OS that are already in the planning stages. Further, there is no phone capability like on the ViewPad 7, resolution on the Viewpad 10 is 1024 x 600 as compared to 1024 x 768 on the Apple iPad. The battery is a disappointment because it is a 3,200 mAh lithium polymer battery but is 40mAh less than the Viewpad 7. The Viewpad 10's MSRP is around $629. For up to date prices on the Viewpad 10 check them out on Amazon here.

The video below provides a really good review of the Viewsonic's Viewpad 7. It will focus on the features and design of the Viewpad 7 (Warning, you may want to turn down your sound on this one).