Money Speak – Of Tabs and Capabilities (cnetasia post)

And as Easter comes trudging along with its chocoholic bunny goodness, my current predicament that sees me struggling with my school homework warrants a break.

Earlier, whilst scouring the internet for pricings on the iPad 2 (yes, it was launched earlier this month, and yes, I want one); I came across the following advertisement. The 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab that launched at a whooping almost $1k price tag has ‘fallen’ to a mere AUD$299. Not that that is an actual reflection of Samsung’s capability, as having been won over myself, overtime, I have to restate that ‘seeing is believing’.

I remember a time when whilst reviewing gadgets and nick-nacks (we actually had items from Action City which included the squeaky chicken that squeaks, and a fluffy diced speaker), people would literally grab me off-the-streets and hold a one-sided conversation. Input was limited on my part as most individuals would gush about what they were asking about, self-acknowledge the pros-and-cons, talk about reading reviews online and making up their minds in the process. When my opinion was finally able to be aired, I simply say the following: “Head down to your local dealer and test the gadget”. Yes. Seeing is believing.

On the other hand, I have already gotten my grubby little hands on the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the Ipad 1 & 2, the Dell Streak, the Optus Tab and even many a ebook reader that, for the life of me, doesn’t leave much of an impression, hence I can barely remember its brand’s name. To this, I can attest the following:

Size isn’t everything (Amen to that), specifications can be just ‘fluff’, and the real user interaction is what counts. Alright, this might sound like big words, but in laymen terms; as long as you are comfortable with it, and know what you want out of your gadget. Bingo! Oh, and do check out what other people have to say, because often times, Press releases and media jargon don’t entirely cover the lot.

Bearing that in mind, I hopped onto Facebook to seek for end-user experiences in the form of a Question-and-Answer verdict. The following information was received.

1. Christopher Bousigues- I am and in my mind it’s better than the ipad (has flash support, is easier to carry around, battery life is excellent and I’m able to stream content from my home server). Very happy with it. Having said that, if you haven’t purchased a tab…let yet, hold on another 2 to 3 months as the new version of the Galaxy Tabs are being released in June in both 10.1 inch (slightly bigger than the ipads) or 8.9inch. Check a review of the 10.1 here http://bit.ly/eueAt4
53 minutes ago

2. Derek Wong- Sorry to disappoint u, but it’s not as awesome as IPad, but it’s a million times better 🙂
38 minutes ago

3. Wei Heng- Mariel, the galaxy tab is way more better than iPad…supports more application and functions more than the apple apps 🙂
Besides, its faster too~~~
26 minutes ago

Three user reviews in a short span of 30 minutes. No Apple die-hard fans slamming the Samsung Galaxy Tab, at least not yet. But, it does not mean that the iPad shouldn’t be coveted after, what with its slim form factor. Delicious design. Clean interface. And… Anyway. My reply was such as what other people who are currently trying to make up their mind about the gadget would be.

Pros:
Flash support? Check.
3G-connectivity? Check.
HD-quality? Check.
Harder-than-bolts screen? Check. If gorillas are way to determine how sturdy your screen is. Pun intended.

Cons:
Applications that I have purchased on iPhone, wasted? Oh.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10-inch is about to arrive? Hm.
iPad 1 still costs around $588 (or there about, as the price varies since the arrival of its baby brother, the TWO). $$-check? Considerable.

Perhaps, the price might drop further, what with JB Hi-Fi already lowering their prices to $299 (at least that was what ozbargain.com.au said, and boy, do I trust these internet sites). Or not. Either hop on the bandwagon and get with the android community, or stay on the Apple express.

Would love to hear feedback from anyone who is currently stuck in the same perplexing dilemma. Yes, no? Maybe?

First posted on cnetasia.com. April 2011.